Saturday, December 5, 2015

Saturday Second Thoughts

A comment from the now well-known NY Times front page editorial post. The first one done since the '20's, I believe. It goes to the heart of what I think the debate is about, and the arguments postured by the nra and it's minions.

"I own about a half dozen guns. All long guns, shotguns mostly. All for hunting, which I have done for 40 years. The gun lobby's position is intellectually dishonest. There are 3 main arguments they make: (1) Constitutional. Setting aside the legal debate (I am a lawyer) this is a red herring. The gun lobby would not support amending the Constitution to allow more restrictive laws, so arguing about the intent of the second amendment is irrelevant. (2) Policy. The gun lobby holds that laws restricting gun access do not work because the criminals obtain them illegally. This is is undoubtedly true. However, even if it could be unequivically demonstrated that certain restrictive guns laws do work, the gun lobby would still not support the restriction. Clearly, then, this too is a red herring. (3) The cost of freedom. This is the real argument, the heart and soul of it all. That is, in a free society, there are certain costs to certain freedoms. It is essential and foundational to our national spirit and way of life to be as free from governmental intrusion and restriction as possible. Ok, fair enough. Let's have that debate. Let's look honestly and directly into that sun and say, yes, the children of Sandy Hook are the cost of this particular freedom as conceived by the gun lobby and its adherents. I'm not willing to pay that cost."

Says it all, doesn't it? If we are just going to let this one slide, as some blogs say is inevitable, then let's out and say it. Let's be up front to those who follow and will someday read our words and make their judgment. Let's say it to them, let's say it to the families of the children at Sandy Hook, and all the other schools, malls, wherever this happens. Let's say "Sorry, your kids are just the price we pay. Thanks for bearing that price, bad luck for you." 

10 comments:

  1. This one surely pegs the issue right on the head. Alas, I think too many people will say yes, the death of dozens of little children each year is an acceptable price for this dubious piece of freedom.

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    1. I have a tough time with that one, I agree they will, but I don't understand it one little bit.

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  2. This one surely pegs the issue right on the head. Alas, I think too many people will say yes, the death of dozens of little children each year is an acceptable price for this dubious piece of freedom.

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  3. "This blog was created in an attempt to understand the right-wing of the GOP, particularly the gun nuts. I have recognized since then they are not understandable, just crazy."
    We rail, almost in vain, nevertheless, we must continue.

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  4. You cannot fix crazy in most cases. Fear and love of money rule the minds of a certain group of people and we must learn to fix this if we cannot fix crazy.

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    1. Starts with the laws, locally and state, then take on the assholes at the nra.

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  5. Sometimes I just like to sit back and enjoy a really good rant. If you're in the mood you might want to check out what Popehat had to say recently about the 2nd Amendment.

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