Nick Anderson of the Houston Chronicle is an avowed independent who covers politics and contemporary cultural issues in a way that connects with readers. His loose, idiosyncratic style carries with it an unconventional message that has broad appeal. "I approach my work with a healthy skepticism for the ideological extremists littering our political landscape," explains Anderson.
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Comments (20) (Please sign in to comment)
alcors3 said, 10 months ago
How about one to get into Congress.
mdavis4183
said, 10 months ago
Anderson: There have been several incidents where shooters opened fire while walking through metal detecters.
dtroutma
said, 10 months ago
While a few cases make “press”, what about the other 25 or so, EVERY DAY in the U.S.?? Just as some people shouldn’t drive, others shouldn’t have firearms. But, at least even though some slip through, at least drivers are licensed, and have to renew on occasion, and many are stopped from endangering lives.
sw10mm said, 10 months ago
@dtroutma
Yet with all the regulation on vehicles the number of deaths by vehicle is still significantly larger than the number of deaths by guns. This regulation has not prevented people from driving while intoxicated, without a license, without registration, or without insurance (such a small problem that you can get insurance to guard against the non-insured).
sw10mm said, 10 months ago
Sure, accidents do happen with handguns as well as with cars. Are we to argue that no one should drive a car because people have accidents?
DrCanuck said, 10 months ago
@sw10mm
^ Since regulations on vehicles have not entirely prevented people from driving drunk, shall we then get rid of those regulations?
dtroutma
said, 10 months ago
The unanswered NRA position is; just let anyone drive, without a license, in an unregistered vehicle, that can’t be traced because government can’t retain the sales record for over 24 hours. Then let drivers education go away so nobody learns to drive properly.OH WAIT, that is EXACTLY what “tax cutting measures” HAVE DONE so “education” is only random, and states DO basically wave folks through.
THAT has a lot to do with why auto accidents marginally kill more people in the U.S, than guns, though guns are working at removing that margin.
BTW, given the number of NON FATAL accidents in the U.S., if not for safety engineering into cars (though, yes, some items, like computer braking, are getting pretty obnoxious to protect the stupid from themselves) if those devices like seatbelts, airbags, and “crush space” weren’t there, the fatality rate might be double.
Remember folks, 90+% of fatal auto accidents, and gun deaths, occur UNDER 35 Miles per hour!
Bruce4671 said, 10 months ago
@dtroutma
LOL trout gun deaths occur at a little over 1100 FPS which would be …… about ….. 700+ MPH … I think.
You are dead wrong on the NRA position to let anyone have weapons. They are about responsible gun ownership and support the laws currently in force. The PROBLEM is that the government – and liberal doi-gooders – think that making gun ownership illegal will stop the insanity that has been going on.
Only those that obey laws will be restricted. Those that do not – CRIMINALS – will still find a way to get that gun and use it to harm the innocent. Just as there are those that drive intoxicated, without a license and so on.
Bruce4671 said, 10 months ago
Funny thing, every gun shop or pawn shop that sells guns I have ever been to, each employee has a pistol strapped on. Pull one out if you want to …………..hahahahaha
dtroutma
said, 10 months ago
^Brucie, the GUN is going under 35 mph, even in most gang driveby shootings, but yes, the BULLETS are going much faster, until they’re slowed or stopped by human flesh and bone. Yes, the NRA does offer “safety courses”, and many of their instructors aren’t too bad (but some ARE), but they do NOT demand all gun owners take the course, and they REFUSE to accept registration or licensing as a standard for ALL firearms. Their preferred position even on concealed carry would be to NOT require registration.
For the hundredth, or more time: I do NOT want to make gun ownership illegal, just REGULATED, as the Second Amendment recognized as a valid “limitation” to the right to bear arms. Had the Constitution stuck to the Articles of Confederation, the STATES would retain strict possession of arms, and only issue them to the militia (citizens) when actually needed to DEFEND THE NATION FROM OUTSIDE ATTACKS of other nations, NOT OUR OWN GOVERNMENT!
onguard said, 10 months ago
How about a test to buy a Gun and ho yes to vote. Both can be dangerous.
Bruce4671 said, 10 months ago
@dtroutma
So trout, what the hell is your problem? Guns and gun ownership IS regulated in the US. Every state may be different but all states have regulations.
What you need to do is complain about the laws on the books not being enforced NOT about a minority lobby group that is doing what is necessary to protect their rights. Every other group does the same thing.
Bruce4671 said, 10 months ago
@dtroutma
FURTHER, you are mistaken about who the founding fathers had their wary eye on. Perhaps you should re-read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to see that they were trying to ensure that the people of this country would never have to be afraid of the government stepping on the “common” folks and confiscating their property (the first thing King G did was to send his troops around to collect all the firearms), forcing citizens to house troops with no compensation, searching their property and person without just cause among other things.
Yes the right to keep and bear arms is a deterrent to those abuses of power from their very own government.
DrCanuck said, 10 months ago
Ha, two days later, I discovered I had read the sign incorrectly.
NOW it makes more sense.
Bruce4671 said, 10 months ago
@DrCanuck
LOL …. me too.