One Can Only Hope (Page 5): I dislike criticizing a comment solely because it is ignorant, but today I make the exception. Socialist billionaires? Such as who? The Kochs and Adelsons...

Joe Blow

I dislike criticizing a comment solely because it is ignorant, but today I make the exception.

GED wrote:

When socialist billionaires are able to finance these protests and use the children as pawns

Socialist billionaires? Such as who? The Kochs and Adelsons aren't spending those hundreds of millions for world peace. They are spending their money buying politicians to continue making life good for them. Yet, those who support doing things for all Americans are somehow bad?

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People can remove the ten commandments from public places, remove prayer from schools, and refuse to believe the facts about where this nation originated.

America was created for several reasons, but none of them have anything to do with prayer in school or posting the Ten Commandments in the public square. Those that claim America was born for that reason obviously didn't go far in school. The Founding Fathers took religion out of our Constitution for the simple reason that they did not want someone's god dictating their life. And yes, that is taught today in Grade 5 Civics. Maybe if you ever take Grade 5 Civics you too can learn about the Founding Fathers.

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if you would follow the timeline when the mass k*****gs started occurring there is a direct correlation between the removal of God and the k*****gs.

Mass k*****gs in America have been happening for a long, long, time. It was with the advent of mass produced and easily obtained weapons with high capacity magazines that they became more prevalent. It wasn't the removal of your god; it was your worship of the gun that causes so many of these tragedies. But if your god is the same as in the Bible, he too seems to like slaughter and genocide in his name.

In the 17th Century, there were several massacres of Native Americans by White settlers. That continued through the 18th and 19th Centuries. Besides Native Americans, Chinese and B****s were massacred too. Many think those mass k*****gs don't count. Even in the 20th Century, we had several mass k*****gs of B****s. Lots of people in Tulsa OK and Elaine AR don't think that counts either. (The 200+ B****s murdered in Elaine AR in 1919 eclipses the 50 w****s k**led in Las Vegas, if anyone cares.)

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We have had high capacity semi auto weapons available to the public for a long time before AR15 rifles came on the scene and we did not have the mass shootings.

Wrong. Very wrong. Through most of our history, high capacity magazines were unavailable to the masses. It has only been with the demise of the Brady Bill that assault style weapons and high capacity magazines were even allowed in many States. We have more mass k*****gs today simply because there are so many of these assault weapons on the streets.

But I guess you forgot the Tulsa Genocide when the Red Cross estimated that over 300 B****s were beaten to death or shot. But that doesn't count.

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When kids are taught in public institutions that hummingbirds crawled out of some mixture of slime in a mud puddle and evolved into the magnificent creatures we see today, and man stands at the highest pinnacle of intelligence and is all knowing, we have taught them not to pursue the t***h. When we deny the t***h there will be no solutions.

I don't know why you are teaching children that. It might be because a hummingbird has a bigger brain than you. But then what is even worse is that there are those who insist that some invisible dude in the sky snapped his fingers and made everything happen. Never mind that no one can ever tell us where this invisible dude came from; we aren't supposed to ask. Contrast that to intelligent people attempting to discover the origins of life through discovery are expected to prove every minutia that the invisible dude believers come up with.

No, man is not all knowing and only a fool thinks he is. Anyone that thinks he knows enough because of someone invisible dude in the sky is a fool. Today, we teach our children to learn. To question. To discover. To get involved. To work to make America and the world a better place. Fortunately there are fewer every year that hold onto their parent's foolish concepts of blindness, bigotry, greed, and sociopathic tendencies.

Did a hummingbird crawl out of some slime? Maybe, I know that I can't prove it either way; there is just no evidence. There is some evidence that life on earth was created by a pool of chemicals, possibly even with some organism originating in space. There is no evidence that some invisible dude snapped his fingers and life was created. Pointing to a book written by men, using ancient texts as their basis, as evidence of something, only shows how that hummingbird just may be smarter.

And if you think your specific invisible dude is so powerful, the next time you get sick, pray to him instead of seeking medical attention. Let's see how far that gets you.

GED Loc: North central Pa

02Nomad wrote:

Quote: "When socialist billionaires are able to finance these protests and use the children as pawns"

I listened to an interview of one of the young men when he was asked about the financial support that they were receiving and he responded by stating that if ANY conditions were attached to any contribution, that contribution would not be accepted or it would be returned. So I do not agree with your statement.

You are free to disagree, but if you believe everything someone tells you, I would say you are naive. Start looking a little further.

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

alx wrote:

You never know. The fact that they are OUT there and NOT sitting on their asses in front of electronic devices might be the most positive moment we've seen in a long time.

Exactly - well said - don't discourage young people exercising their democratic rights - not for personal benefits but for the common good.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Folks, Guns are the problem. We don't have 30,000 + deaths a year from stabbings or fist fights. There is an correlation!

These young people are saying that more needs to be done to stop the gun insanity. Background checks and other measures will not take guns away from good people, but will slow down guns going to folks who should not have them.

Also, remember the late 60's and young people protesting the Viet Nam War. Well the protests took time but eventually the country realized that the war was not in the best interest of the country. Do not underestimate the efforts these young people are bringing to our country today. Politicians that do not listen carefully, will find themselves on the outside over the next few e******n cycles. Change will not be immediate, but it is coming.

SonyBug

proppro wrote:

For Sue Scott br I do not agree with you regardin... (show quote)

Ridiculous! How would the banning of a semi auto rifle eliminate shootings. Many, many shootings are done with pistols, almost all of which are semi-auto. When was the last time a gas station was robbed with a AR-15? Take all of the shootings, and compare to school and church shootings and the vast majority of the shootings were from semi-auto pistols.

KGOldWolf

nikonbug wrote:

Ridiculous! How would the banning of a semi auto rifle eliminate shootings. Many, many shootings are done with pistols, almost all of which are semi-auto. When was the last time a gas station was robbed with a AR-15? Take all of the shootings, and compare to school and church shootings and the vast majority of the shootings were from semi-auto pistols.

It would reduce the potential and that is good enough.

Semi-automatic weapons easily converted to assault rifles have no place in a civilized society. If you want to shoot them, join the military.

SonyBug

KGOldWolf wrote:

It would reduce the potential and that is good enough.

Semi-automatic weapons easily converted to assault rifles have no place in a civilized society. If you want to shoot them, join the military.

i don't think you know what "assault" is vs "semi-automatic". When I was in the Army, we had M-1 Garand rifles. They were semi-automatic and assault.

Today, the AR 15 is semi-automatic and not a military "assault" weapon. It is my understanding that all rifles issued to the soldiers (AR15 type) are not fully automatic. There is actually a reason for that. Waste of ammo. If you put a fully auto weapon in a soldiers hands, the inclination is to broadly spray, instead of being more reasoned and aiming.

This whole conversation of "assault" weapons is just a smoke screen. I have a 22 semi-automatic that when loaded with mini-mag ammo with hollow points would be just as deadly as an AR15. One may be more accurate at 250 yards than the other, but mass shootings usually are within 50 feet against soft targets and any weapon would be deadly.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

TriX wrote:

Despite the propaganda, no one is suggesting that guns be banned or that Americans be disarmed. The proposition is that there should be limits to the type of weapons that are available to the average citizen for non military uses, and that reasonable checks be in place for the purchase of guns. We (I hope) all agree that howitzers, grenades, RPGs and fully automatic weapons are inappropriate for civilian use - those laws have been in place since prohibition with little or no protest, even from the NRA. (and yes, I’m aware that there are permits available to purchase automatic weapons under certain circumstances). The proposition (supported by a majority of Americans) is that large capacity magazines and assault type weapons be subjected to the same laws as fully automatic weapons. Will it stop mass shootings? certainly not, but it would limit the damage.

I have yet to hear a cogent explanation of the civilian need for an AR-15 with a 30 shot magazine. It’s a lousy hunting rifle, a lousy target rifle, and a shotgun is a better home defense weapon. I grew up with guns and hunting, hand-loaded my own ammo, was an NRA member, shot on my college rifle team and shot on the pistol team at my Army base. I carried both fully automatic M-14s and M-16s in combat in Vietnam. I have a concealed carry permit, so I am hardly anti-gun. And we found that a 12 Ga pump was a very useful weapon in an ambush in VietNam - it’s my choice for a home defense weapon now. I can see no reason to own an assault weapon with a 30 shot magazine unless you want to k**l lots of people in a hurry, which is exactly what’s happening in these shootings. If the shooter had a pistol, a shotgun or a 6 shot hunting rifle, there would have certainly been fatalities, but likely fewer. Take note of the recent school shooting in Maryland. The shooter had a pistol, not an assault weapon, and the courageous deputy was on equal footing with the shooter, not under-armed. The shooter k**led 1 (not 17) and wounded 1 (not 15) before he was k**led. Were the circumstances and the reaction of the officer different from Parkland? You bet, but you can’t ignore the contrast.

Today, our children asserted THEIR constitutional right to free speech and THEIR right to petition the government for redress of grievances, and I, for one, am proud of them. They were mature, non-violent, focused and well behaved. Our children have clearly told us what needs to be done, and now it’s up to the adults to do the right thing. Feel free to disagree, it’s your constitutional right.

Despite the propaganda, no one is suggesting that ... (show quote)

Trix you make very well put and valid observations. As far as the old retort that once they take our assault guns our rifles, shotguns and handguns will be next I would say this. The Firearms Act of 1934 restricted ownership of fully automatic weapons and sawed off shotguns.I believe that after 84 years of enactment it is still possible to buy a rifle, shotgun or handgun without too much of a problem. The old saw about them taking everything is a scare tactic used by the NRA on those too obtuse to think for themselves. If you really want an eye opener Google the salaries of the top NRA executives. They have a definite vested financial interest in keeping those cushy jobs.

KGOldWolf

nikonbug wrote:

i don't think you know what "assault" is... (show quote)

The point is about taking a step towards a safer society; the kids are demanding changes to the status quo for the good of society. Others more informed than me will define the specifics and proponents for better gun control will get my v**e.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

nikonbug wrote:

i don't think you know what "assault" is... (show quote)

Most people would agree, a round fired as fast as the trigger can be pulled is awesome firepower and k**l potential for ordinary civilians.

SonyBug

Texcaster wrote:

Most people would agree a round fired, as fast as the trigger can be pulled, is awesome firepower and k**l potential for ordinary civilians.

I don't want anyone who reads my comments to think that I am a proponent of unrestricted gun ownership. First, I have guns, locked in a safe. I definitely advocate background checks, with inputs from mental health professionals mandated to report. That in itself would have prevented legal sale to many of the shooters.

But I think the real issue is social. When you inject violence thru video games into pre-teens and teens, then you have desensitized a large portion of the population to violence. Social isolation then warps their perspectives to where they act out what they have lived with in their bedrooms and computer rooms. I could go on and on, but there are many causes, and just focusing on a buzzword "assault" takes a really nearsighted look at the whole issue.

I also agree with one of the previous posters that this will not be solved in my lifetime. But then again I am 78 and my window is closing too fast.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

AirWalter wrote:

I believe it has a lot to do with moral values and the rejection of God in Our present Society.

Which god are you referring to?

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

TriX wrote:

Despite the propaganda, no one is suggesting that guns be banned or that Americans be disarmed. The proposition is that there should be limits to the type of weapons that are available to the average citizen for non military uses, and that reasonable checks be in place for the purchase of guns. We (I hope) all agree that howitzers, grenades, RPGs and fully automatic weapons are inappropriate for civilian use - those laws have been in place since prohibition with little or no protest, even from the NRA. (and yes, I’m aware that there are permits available to purchase automatic weapons under certain circumstances). The proposition (supported by a majority of Americans) is that large capacity magazines and assault type weapons be subjected to the same laws as fully automatic weapons. Will it stop mass shootings? certainly not, but it would limit the damage.

I have yet to hear a cogent explanation of the civilian need for an AR-15 with a 30 shot magazine. It’s a lousy hunting rifle, a lousy target rifle, and a shotgun is a better home defense weapon. I grew up with guns and hunting, hand-loaded my own ammo, was an NRA member, shot on my college rifle team and shot on the pistol team at my Army base. I carried both fully automatic M-14s and M-16s in combat in Vietnam. I have a concealed carry permit, so I am hardly anti-gun. And we found that a 12 Ga pump was a very useful weapon in an ambush in VietNam - it’s my choice for a home defense weapon now. I can see no reason to own an assault weapon with a 30 shot magazine unless you want to k**l lots of people in a hurry, which is exactly what’s happening in these shootings. If the shooter had a pistol, a shotgun or a 6 shot hunting rifle, there would have certainly been fatalities, but likely fewer. Take note of the recent school shooting in Maryland. The shooter had a pistol, not an assault weapon, and the courageous deputy was on equal footing with the shooter, not under-armed. The shooter k**led 1 (not 17) and wounded 1 (not 15) before he was k**led. Were the circumstances and the reaction of the officer different from Parkland? You bet, but you can’t ignore the contrast.

Today, our children asserted THEIR constitutional right to free speech and THEIR right to petition the government for redress of grievances, and I, for one, am proud of them. They were mature, non-violent, focused and well behaved. Our children have clearly told us what needs to be done, and now it’s up to the adults to do the right thing. Feel free to disagree, it’s your constitutional right.

Despite the propaganda, no one is suggesting that ... (show quote)

Thank you for expressing your opinion in such a cogent response. You completely "covered" my feeling and opinions.

Mark

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

SueScott wrote:

They are simply pawns being used to disarm law abi... (show quote)

I agree with you 100% Sue. This is a societal problem not a gun problem.

alx Loc: NJ

Having just listened to a roundtable discussion with the organizers of the march, let me correct some of the misconceptions too often voiced...

They are not "kids".

They are not "children".

They ARE intelligent, articulate, well reasoned young ADULTS who have taken on a cause to address an issue they faced first hand that is not limited to one school yard in Florida but that keeps rearing up in so many places across this country. They have been forced to grow up fast and have met that challenge admirably and with more coherence than is seen in State Houses, Washington, and particularly this White House.