Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
A Message From the AOL.com Team {Portalblog}
Dec 21st 2012 7:24AM Columbine, Milwaukee, Aurora Sandy Hook, the streets of
Chicago......And the best we can come up with is "Ban Assault
Weapons?" Has our collective wisdom been so infected by the pablum of
the political discourse, the sitcom and network news that our
solutions now mirror the sound bite and hyperbole of the campaign
trail and the "hook" for a news show? Complex problems require
rational and complex solutions. The hyperbole of "assault weapons ban"
and "from my cold dead hands" does not help.
On Friday December 14, 2012 like most, I paid price, a price that
pales in comparison to the price paid by the victims, the parents, the
relatives, the first responders, the neighbors and the friends of
those in Sandy Hook. President Obama said our hearts are broken. Yes
my heart was broken but for me it went beyond a broken heart. I could
not and still cannot wrap my head or heart around what has happened.
How horrible for all the victims and their families. I am also filled
with this pang of doubt and insecurity. Am I safe? Are my children
safe? Are all those I love safe from random yet sometimes calculated
acts of violence? Mathematically the answer is yes. Emotionally, I
have flashes that none of us are safe. I believe all of us pay a
similar price when we try to absorb the reality of these acts, whether
the Oklahoma bombings, Columbine, 9/11, Aurora or Sandy Hook.
Knowledge or witnessing of these event takes a toll. In the face of
those feelings, we want action. I want action! Unfortunately, I have
little faith that my President, Governor, Mayor, Senator or
Representative will act in my interest, the interest of the families
crushed by this tragedy or in the interest of my neighbors.
The cry to ban assault weapons is a politically convenient and
shallow response to complex problem. First, I believe we as a country
ought to dial it down on the "gun control" language. There are 300
million guns in the hands of citizens in this country. Discussions
about Firearms management will get better traction. Secondly, while
the instruments of mayhem in CT and CO were firearms, mental illness
was the precipitating factor. Where is the cry to intervene with the
mentally ill? Thirdly, the only connection between Sandy Hook and the
record setting pace of murder in Chicago is firearms. An assault
weapon ban will neither prevent another Sandy Hook nor solve the
problem in Chicago, those firearms are likely obtained illegally.
Where is the cry to actually intervene with families and young men?
Finally and cynically, my guess is that an assault weapon ban will
cost the federal, state and local governments the loss of taxes but it
doesn't cost the same as programs. For me, a reasoned approach to
firearms management is necessary. There are definitely some things we
can do to to delay, hinder or hopefully stop the purchase, transfer
and use of firearms by the mentally ill and criminals. BUT absent a
response to address the mental health, poverty and family issues, it
won't solve this problem but some people especially politicians will
claim that took action.
A Message From the AOL.com Team {Portalblog}
Dec 21st 2012 7:00AM Columbine, Milwaukee, Aurora Sandy Hook, the streets of Chicago......And the best we can come up with is "Ban Assault Weapons?" Has our collective wisdom been so infected by the pablum of the political discourse, the sitcom and network news that our solutions now mirror the sound bite and hyperbole of the campaign trail and the "hook" for a news show? Complex problems require rational and complex solutions. The hyperbole of "assault weapons ban" and "from my cold dead hands" does not help.
On Friday December 14, 2012 like most, I paid price, a price that pales in comparison to the price paid by the victims, the parents, the relatives, the first responders, the neighbors and the friends of those in Sandy Hook. President Obama said our hearts are broken. Yes my heart was broken but for me it went beyond a broken heart. I could not and still cannot wrap my head or heart around what has happened. How horrible for all the victims and their families. I am also filled with this pang of doubt and insecurity. Am I safe? Are my children safe? Are all those I love safe from random yet sometimes calculated acts of violence? Mathematically the answer is yes. Emotionally, I have flashes that none of us are safe. I believe all of us pay a similar price when we try to absorb the reality of these acts, whether the Oklahoma bombings, Columbine, 9/11, Aurora or Sandy Hook. Knowledge or witnessing of these event takes a toll. In the face of those feelings, we want action. I want action! Unfortunately, I have little faith that my President, Governor, Mayor, Senator or Representative will act in my interest, the interest of the families crushed by this tragedy or in the interest of my neighbors.
The cry to ban assault weapons is a politically convenient and shallow response to complex problem. First, I believe we as a country ought to dial it down on the "gun control" language. There are 300 million guns in the hands of citizens in this country. Discussions about Firearms management will get better traction. Secondly, while the instruments of mayhem in CT and CO were firearms, mental illness was the precipitating factor. Where is the cry to intervene with the mentally ill? Thirdly, the only connection between Sandy Hook and the record setting pace of murder in Chicago is firearms. An assault weapon ban will neither prevent another Sandy Hook nor solve the problem in Chicago, those firearms are likely obtained illegally. Where is the cry to actually intervene with families and young men?
Finally and cynically, my guess is that an assault weapon ban will cost the federal, state and local governments the loss of taxes but it doesn't cost the same as programs. For me, a reasoned approach to firearms management is necessary. There are definitely some things we can do to to delay, hinder or hopefully stop the purchase, transfer and use of firearms by the mentally ill and criminals. BUT absent a response to address the mental health, poverty and family issues, it won't solve this problem but some people especially politicians will claim that took action.
