In the wake of mass shootings in Atlanta, GA and Boulder, CO, a look back at major gun laws passed in the United States.
Try to imagine two Republican and two Democratic members of Congress going mountain-climbing together.
Can you estimate how many would come back?
Especially if they were members of the evenly divided Senate, whose composition and division of power could be changed by one slip, one stumble, one bump at a perilous moment.
Woops!
Thoughts and prayers.
Behind that obvious hyperbole is yet another, and particularly dramatic, reminder that Nebraska has done something special.
Nebraska is the example, perhaps even the answer.
The one-house feature gets all the attention; nonpartisan is the more important ingredient.
Yes, of course, Republicans and Democrats generally disagree in Nebraska's Legislature on some fundamental issues — but they do not divide into organized partisan blocs on issues. They vote as individuals, not as members of their party.
No party leaders; no party whips; no party caucuses; no party line; no partisan agenda; no system of internal rewards and punishments.
Forty-nine senators with each holding equal power — as distinguished, of course, from holding equal leadership positions or equal influence, most of which is earned.
And a freshman has that same independence and share of power on his or her first day at the Capitol.
The story about four members of Nebraska's Legislature planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together in September attracts me in multiple ways.
Adventure. Challenge. Risk. Individual effort and performance and determination while also acting as a member of a team and looking out for one another.
And look who they are: two Republicans, two Democrats; one Native American; one African American; one woman; two rural Nebraskans, two urban Nebraskans.
"We all get along," Sen. Tom Brewer says.
Hey, George Norris, it has worked.
There could hardly be a bigger contrast with Washington today, hardly a better argument for flushing party out of the picture as George Washington wished.
Ahead lies a great and storied mountain in Africa, a rain forest, a desert, a glacier, a snowy peak more than three miles high, an adventure, a challenge and a test for four state senators.
"Life is as rich as you let it be," Tom Brewer says.
* * *
Finishing up:
* Speaking during arguments over a student athlete compensation case, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas placed Nebraska in company with Alabama and Ohio State. Perhaps a little judicial stare decisis in play: looking to the past as precedent.
* Roy Williams thanked former Nebraskan Gene Budig, who died last year, for setting him on the road to his spectacular coaching career at Kansas and North Carolina during his retirement news conference at Chapel Hill. When Budig was chancellor at Kansas, he hired Williams as the Jayhawk basketball coach despite considerable, and influential, opposition because he was an assistant coach, rather than a head coach, at the time.
* Now that Sen. Deb Fischer has opted out of a potential 2022 Republican gubernatorial bid, does that open the door to some surprise possibilities who might be reassessing their future now? Go for it now or you'll probably have to wait eight years.
* Ahead lie legislative decisions on taxes and revenue and a fundamental question: Is this spending or is this investment?
* With massive, once-in-a-generation (or lifetime) federal infrastructure funding approaching over the horizon, could high-speed rail between Lincoln and Omaha get on the list now along with Nebraska's expressway highway system and rural broadband?
* Gov. Ricketts sparked a firestorm on Twitter when he tweeted that Nebraska stands with Georgia and supports its "work to promote integrity and access in voting." The reaction wasn't pretty in terms of responding comments.
* A jury in Minneapolis holds a lot in its hands, focusing on justice as it must after seeing the evidence and hearing the testimony, but no doubt recognizing that its decision may light a fire across the nation — perhaps no matter what it is.
* Could there be trees all through the Haymarket, further enriching Lincoln's sports and dining hub?
* A classic college basketball gift from Gonzaga and UCLA, the return of baseball, temperatures in the 70s and 80s, green grass and leafing trees, color returning to our world, a long, dark, cold and windy winter behind us. What's not to like?
TOP JOURNAL STAR PHOTOS FOR MARCH
Top Journal Star photos for March
Secret Jungle at the Lincoln Children's Zoo is now open.

Tonnie, a female 10-month-old black-headed spider monkey, explores her enclosure in the Lincoln Children's Zoo Secret Jungle.
Top photos from March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/13/2021 - Elkhorn’s Dane Petersen (41) feels the weight of Beatrice’s Jace Pethoud (11) as he, Elliott Jurgens (5) and Kaden Glynn defend against him in the second half on Saturday, Mar. 13, 2021, during the Class B state final at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/12/2021 - Millard North's Saint Thomas celebrates after scoring a three-point-shot right before Millard West called a timeout in the second quarter during a class A semifinal, Friday, March 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Auburn players, including Cam Binder (2) and Bret Baltensperger (40) give the Pierce team a wave after winning a Class C-1 boys state tournament first-round game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Top photos for March

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts delivers opening remarks in opposition of medical marijuana legislation during a public press conference at the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Milford's Seth Stutzman (top) rises over Omaha Concordia's Justin Otten for a rebound in the third quarter in a Class C-1 boys state tournament first-round game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Top photos for March

Nebraska's Eleanor Dale (left) follows the ball after heading it over Michigan's Alia Martin in the first overtime period on Sunday, March 07, 2021, at Barbara Hibner Stadium. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Local artist Connie Clark practices painting at her at her easel in her artist workspace situated in the corner of the apartment she lives in on Monday, March 01, 2021.
Top photos from March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/13/2021 - Falls City Sacred Heart’s Jacob Froeschl (12) and his teammates celebrate their win over Parkview Christian on Saturday, Mar. 13, 2021, during the Class D-2 state final at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/13/2021 - Auburn players rest on the sideline while waiting for their gold medals after winning the C-1 state championship, Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos from March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/12/2021 - Nebraska's Lexi Sun (11) and Lauren Stivrins (26) led the Huskers to a come-from-behind win over Ohio State on Friday, Mar. 12, 2021, at the Devaney Sports Center. Sun had 17 kills and Stivrins had 18 kills as Nebraska came from two sets down to win against the Buckeyes. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Lincoln, NE - 3/9/2021 - (L - R) Millard North parents Tonya Sandoval, mother of basketball player Tyler Sandoval, and Jessica Haynes, mother of basketball player Hunter Sallis, pick up cutouts of the team's players and coaches before a boys state tournament quarterfinal game on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Lincoln, NE - 3/11/2021 - Two E-4B aircraft prepare to take off on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Lincoln Airport GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Lincoln, NE - 3/12/2021 - Elkhorn's Colton Uhing (20) reacts to teammate Dane Petersen (41) dunk as Norris's Cade Rice (15) watches in a Class B boys state tournament semifinal game on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top photos for March

Lincoln, NE - 3/15/2021 - Debris sits outside Southwood Village Apartments at South 27th Street and Nebraska 2 after Lincoln Fire and Rescue responded to a fire on Monday, March 15, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top photos from March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/12/2021 - Nebraska’s Lexi Sun (11) and Lauren Stivrins (26) led the Huskers to a come-from-behind win over Ohio State on Friday, Mar. 12, 2021, at the Devaney Sports Center. Sun had 17 kills and Stivrins had 18 kills as Nebraska came from two sets down to win against the Buckeyes. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/05/2021 - Pius X’s Charlee Hagedorn (34), Alexis Markowski (partially hidden), Adison Markowski (32) Miriam Miller (12) and Jill Aschoff (right) celebrate at the buzzer as they defeated Omaha Central 47-38 on Friday, Mar. 5, 2021, during the Class A state semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Alexis Markowski scored 30 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in the win. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/06/2021 - Weeping Water's Jamison Twomey (2) collapses on the floor after a resulting dogpile after the class D1 state championship match on Saturday, March 06, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/06/2021 - North Bend celebrates on the court after defeating Hastings St. Cecilia to win the class C1 state championship match on Saturday, March 06, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/06/2021 - Hastings St. Cecilia's Katharine Hamburger (center) comforts teammates Erin Sheehy (left) and Bailey Kissinger after as they wait for the runner up trophy after losing the class C1 state championship match on Saturday, March 06, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/06/2021 - North Bend's Cierra Kluthe raises the net after her team became the the class C1 state champions on Saturday, March 06, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/06/2021 - Weeping Water celebrates on the court after defeating Pleasanton by a single score by Weeping Water's Grace Cave in the final minute of the fourth quarter during the class D1 state championship match on Saturday, March 06, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/07/2021 - Nebraska and Michigan players take a moment to kneel before the start of the match on Sunday, March 07, 2021, at Barbara Hibner Stadium. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/11/2021 - GICC's Brayton Johnson (15) and Isaac Herbek (right) react after a dunk by Gil Jengmer (not pictured) in the third quarter during a C-2 state semifinal, Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top photos for March

LINCOLN, NEB. - 03/13/2021 - Auburn's Ryan Dixon ties a string of net around his gold medal after Auburn won the C-1 state championship, Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSdon