When will we AS A NATION say “ENOUGH” and put a stop to the easy access to almost any kind of death machine, just because of the NRA domestic terrorist organization (and now we learn also a political money-laundering gun running crime ring for the Russians — now headed, appropriately, by infamous Iran-Contra illegal gun-runner Oliver North)?
When can we enact COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY standards that would not infringe the rights of any law-abiding person who is not a terrorist, convicted felon, has a restraining order or is mentally ill to own firearms other than those whose sole purpose is to kill as many human beings as possible in a short period of time?
Chicago proves why we need a NATIONAL — not just state or local — 50-state standard.
Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the country (even after the disastrous, wrongly-decided 5-4 decision in McDonald v. City of Chicago (561 U.S. 3025 (2010))). But someone from Chicago, with strict gun laws, can drive just a few short miles across the state line to Gary, Indiana, which does not require background checks on private party sales at gun shows or over the Internet, and bring pooploads of high-powered weaponry and ammunition into Chicago.
To have people shout “Enough”, you would first need an undivided society with common causes. Our binary political system seeks not to unify, but to divide the country. The affiliation to political party now supersedes the love of country. When we cling to first-past-the-post, razor-thin election wins, leaving half the population unrepresented, we only add to the division.
The wealthy and the corporations have more control of their (hand-picked, it seems) “elected” representatives than the people who voted for them. Our “representatives” have more in common with the wealthy and the corporations than with we the people who want a unified nation. Until we take our country back as a unified not divided people, they (the wealthy and the corporations) are in charge and do not care as Congress serves them.
Here we go as the Infantry would say “SHIFT FIRE LEFT” The pro gun nuts are going to explain to us 1 Its Obama’s fault 2 More Guns would solve this problem 3 It is illegal to own a gun in Chicago so that is where the criminals shoot people. (It has nothing to do with the fact that criminals live in Chicago)
Until we as a nation confront the will to do violence there will be violence. We need to ask what prompts a young person to resort to violence as an expression. What in our culture creates the idea that when things aren’t going your way the thing to do is shoot people? And are we creating a new sub-species of human? All of the major cities with runaway gun violence also have the highest levels of lead exposure in children. Lead negatively effects the part of the brain that deals with compassion. A compassionate person wouldn’t fire a gun randomly into a crowd. Do we have a problem here? Might want to do some investigating.
The Jewish Quarterback הרובע היהודיThe coach had put together the perfect team for the Chicago Bears. The only thing that was missing was a good quarterback. He had scouted all the colleges and even the Canadian and European Leagues, but he couldn’t find a ringer who could ensure a Super Bowl win.
Then one night while watching CNN he saw a war-zone scene in the West Bank. In one corner of the background, he spotted a young Israeli soldier with a truly incredible arm. He threw a hand-grenade straight into a 15th story window 100 yards away.KABOOM!He threw another hand-grenade 75 yards away, right into a chimney.KA-BLOOEY!Then he threw another at a passing car going 90 mph.BULLS-EYE!“I’ve got to get this guy!” Coach said to himself. “He has the perfect arm!”So, he brings him to the States and teaches him the great game of football. And the Bears go on to win the Super Bowl.The young man is hailed as the great hero of football and when the coach asks him what he wants, all the young man wants is to call his mother.“Mom,” he says into the phone, “I’ve just won the Super Bowl!”“I don’t want to talk to you,” the old woman says,“you are not my son!”“I don’t think you understand, Mother,” the young man pleads. “I’ve won the greatest sporting event in the world. I’m here among thousands of my adoring fans.”“No! Let me tell you!” his mother retorts. “At this very moment there are gunshots all around us. The neighborhood is a pile of rubble. Your two brothers were beaten within an inch of their lives last week, and I have to keep your sister in the house so she doesn’t get raped!” The old lady pauses and then tearfully says, "I will never forgive you for making us move to Chicago!”
DD Wiz Premium Member over 5 years ago
When will we AS A NATION say “ENOUGH” and put a stop to the easy access to almost any kind of death machine, just because of the NRA domestic terrorist organization (and now we learn also a political money-laundering gun running crime ring for the Russians — now headed, appropriately, by infamous Iran-Contra illegal gun-runner Oliver North)?
When can we enact COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY standards that would not infringe the rights of any law-abiding person who is not a terrorist, convicted felon, has a restraining order or is mentally ill to own firearms other than those whose sole purpose is to kill as many human beings as possible in a short period of time?
Chicago proves why we need a NATIONAL — not just state or local — 50-state standard.
Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the country (even after the disastrous, wrongly-decided 5-4 decision in McDonald v. City of Chicago (561 U.S. 3025 (2010))). But someone from Chicago, with strict gun laws, can drive just a few short miles across the state line to Gary, Indiana, which does not require background checks on private party sales at gun shows or over the Internet, and bring pooploads of high-powered weaponry and ammunition into Chicago.
There needs to be a NATIONAL STANDARD.
superposition over 5 years ago
To have people shout “Enough”, you would first need an undivided society with common causes. Our binary political system seeks not to unify, but to divide the country. The affiliation to political party now supersedes the love of country. When we cling to first-past-the-post, razor-thin election wins, leaving half the population unrepresented, we only add to the division.
The wealthy and the corporations have more control of their (hand-picked, it seems) “elected” representatives than the people who voted for them. Our “representatives” have more in common with the wealthy and the corporations than with we the people who want a unified nation. Until we take our country back as a unified not divided people, they (the wealthy and the corporations) are in charge and do not care as Congress serves them.
Ontman over 5 years ago
….an honest bipartisan ENOUGH!
Radish the wordsmith over 5 years ago
Republicans and NRA do nothing.
JHayes over 5 years ago
Here we go as the Infantry would say “SHIFT FIRE LEFT” The pro gun nuts are going to explain to us 1 Its Obama’s fault 2 More Guns would solve this problem 3 It is illegal to own a gun in Chicago so that is where the criminals shoot people. (It has nothing to do with the fact that criminals live in Chicago)
braindead Premium Member over 5 years ago
People who point to Chicago’s gun laws as ineffective also believe that no alcohol is consumed in dry counties.
Unless, of course, they are LYING.
.
Also, research into gun violence is exactly the same as confiscation of all guns.
ED CANTWELL over 5 years ago
Until we as a nation confront the will to do violence there will be violence. We need to ask what prompts a young person to resort to violence as an expression. What in our culture creates the idea that when things aren’t going your way the thing to do is shoot people? And are we creating a new sub-species of human? All of the major cities with runaway gun violence also have the highest levels of lead exposure in children. Lead negatively effects the part of the brain that deals with compassion. A compassionate person wouldn’t fire a gun randomly into a crowd. Do we have a problem here? Might want to do some investigating.
mysterysciencefreezer over 5 years ago
When will we say ENOUGH about the insincere What About Chicago!?! handwringing from people who otherwise DNGAF about Chicago?
pamela welch Premium Member over 5 years ago
Well said Mr Stantis
Radish the wordsmith over 5 years ago
Republicans are in charge of the country.
Republicans will continue to take away welfare to give billionaires tax breaks.
Republicans ensure that anyone who wants a gun can have one.
Republicans have no jobs programs.
Put two and two together.
NeoconMan over 5 years ago
Obviously, there aren’t enough guns in Chicago for it to become a polite society. Better give them more.
Walter Kocker Premium Member over 5 years ago
The Jewish Quarterback הרובע היהודיThe coach had put together the perfect team for the Chicago Bears. The only thing that was missing was a good quarterback. He had scouted all the colleges and even the Canadian and European Leagues, but he couldn’t find a ringer who could ensure a Super Bowl win.
Then one night while watching CNN he saw a war-zone scene in the West Bank. In one corner of the background, he spotted a young Israeli soldier with a truly incredible arm. He threw a hand-grenade straight into a 15th story window 100 yards away.KABOOM!He threw another hand-grenade 75 yards away, right into a chimney.KA-BLOOEY!Then he threw another at a passing car going 90 mph.BULLS-EYE!“I’ve got to get this guy!” Coach said to himself. “He has the perfect arm!”So, he brings him to the States and teaches him the great game of football. And the Bears go on to win the Super Bowl.The young man is hailed as the great hero of football and when the coach asks him what he wants, all the young man wants is to call his mother.“Mom,” he says into the phone, “I’ve just won the Super Bowl!”“I don’t want to talk to you,” the old woman says,“you are not my son!”“I don’t think you understand, Mother,” the young man pleads. “I’ve won the greatest sporting event in the world. I’m here among thousands of my adoring fans.”“No! Let me tell you!” his mother retorts. “At this very moment there are gunshots all around us. The neighborhood is a pile of rubble. Your two brothers were beaten within an inch of their lives last week, and I have to keep your sister in the house so she doesn’t get raped!” The old lady pauses and then tearfully says, "I will never forgive you for making us move to Chicago!”(sigh)