Sorry to all of my loyal readers that I have dropped the ball on writing new posts lately. There has been so much going on that I didn't even know where to start, or what to really write about. When considering what to write about the Imus situation, I heard the voice of an "msn.com headline" warning me to steer clear of certain controversial topics in my blog if I ever wanted to work again. Don't worry, though, I won't steer clear of all controversial topics obviously, but I thought the Imus issue might be a good one to sit out, since my analysis clearly could have been tainted by the fact that I woke up and listened to the show on and off for the last 18 years or so.
This week, clearly the main news story is the shooting deaths that occurred at Virginia Tech. Since you have already surely read and watched a lot about the story, I will not re-cap the facts. What I will do, is take the opportunity this platform affords me to say that the people of the United States of America need to do something about its gun laws. It is just way to easy in many states, to just walk into a store and buy a lethal weapon, much like the shooter in this case did. One of the best ways to start making a dent in the amount of guns around and in use would be to begin to cut into the lobbying power of the National Rifle Association. For how long have they had the political lobbying power to scare everyone into not calling for gun control? They are so out of control, defending rights that go so far beyond what many reasonable people, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, could ever feel are protected by the Constitution, specifically the Second Amendment.
To demonstrate a little about why I think the N.R.A is out of control, I am including this link to a story about an "Outdoor Sports" writer and N.R.A member who dared wander off the N.R.A. reservation on one issue and how they came down on him like a ton of bricks. He wrote his first column for "Outdoor Life" in 1962. Here is an article from the Washington Post about what happened to him.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/23/AR2007022301709.html
Here is the column from the Editor-In-Chief of "Outdoor Life" magazine describing how Zumbo and the magazine parted ways after approximately 45 years.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/23/AR2007022301709.html
There is a Presidential election coming up. Those who want to avoid more campus shootings and the gun murders and gun crime should force the issue into the forefront as the campaigns continue.
The hypocrisy of the N.R.A can also be seen in the fact that they like to quote only the second half of their hallowed Second Amendment. You'll see it quoted a lot like this: "...the right of the people to bear arms, shall not be infringed."
In the interest of fairness, let's take a look at the amendment in full, eh?
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
Why do they not quote the amendment in full?
4 comments:
I wonder something else...why are we so hung up on this amendment? The Bill of Rights are very important - do not get me wrong...but we also have slaves in the body of the constitution as 3/5 humans and as property. We do not still hold to that constitutional principle. Although, some crazies might want to go back, we are not going back...thus should a new and improved debate on the 2nd amendment should emerge. The dems will not provide it, but it is necessary.
So are you saying guns should be less accessible or inaccessible?
I can understand your feelings on the NRA, but two (related) facts stand out to me: (a) the level of political activism is likely very high among gun supporters with little counter from the other side and (b) there needs to be more mobilization and organization about the anti-gun lobby.
I am not saying people shouldn't hunt...but you don't need a Glock to go hunting...it is preposterous and directly responsible (among many other issues I understand) for decay in cities and for all the shootings in suburbia.
No guns, no deaths. It is easy math. I also understand this is an uphill battle, but enough is enough. We need a real debate on the issue, not a conversation that ends at 2nd amendment, sorry.
kid radical, do you mean to say that the second amendment doesnt protect the right to keep a glock in my home? IT CLEARLY DOES! if you want to change the constitution, lets talk about that. however, a more fruitful conversation would be the regulation of guns. in addition, the same way drugs, illegal/endangered animals, etc. get into this country, so will guns, if banned.
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