The other elephant in the room: guns. President Bush spoke about school violence for an hour and never mentioned the word “guns.” This is what happens when you’re bought and paid for by the NRA.
I know I’m supposed to be a good neoliberal and admit that the NRA wars of the 90s are over, and that it’s okay for Democrats to relent on the gun control issue so they can elect more cowboys. After all, urban crime is down overall since the 70s (though there’s been a disturbing uptick lately — bad economy, anyone?), and crime is more-or-less off the front pages.
Still… I hate guns. Specifically, I hate assault weapons and handguns. Rifles are okay, I guess. I got my rifle merit badge in the Boy Scouts. I was on my high school’s rifle team. And I was a pretty good shot. But that’s just me.
Anyway, Apocalypse Tom has good ideas on the 2nd Amendment and “well-regulated militias,” so I’ll let him expound on them sometime. I’ll just say this: Bowling for Columbine was a much better film than Farenheit 9/11.
Now Playing: Episode 366
Obama staffs up, Detroit comes to DC and finally, Iraq and the US come to a security agreement.
Links Mentioned: Iraq SOFA … pros and cons of a bailout.
It’s fine if you hate handguns and “assault weapons”. Nobody will make you buy one ever, I promise. Access to guns isn’t the problem, it’s insane people who care nothing for human life. A generation or two ago it was perfectly normal in many parts of the country for kids to brings gun to school for either shooting clubs or to go hunting before or after school.
Also FYI ““well-regulated” in 18th century english meant “well functioning” not “well controlled”.
Thanks for reading, Ben. I know, I know… “guns don’t kill people…” etc.
I’m assuming by your use of quotation marks you’re not a big fan of the Assault Weapons Ban, which is about to expire. Care to explain?
Cheers,
Frank