After so much talk about guns, school shootings, deaths, children, the constitution, 2nd amendment, rights, militia, concealed carry, assault guns, automatic and semi-automatic, I've come to a conclusion.
Anyone who takes either side of the debate, but refuses to engage in meaningful discussion about, is clearly part of the problem. They are part of the problem because they do not even want to begin to think about a solution. (And if they do not think a problem exists. . . well, that's an entirely different story.)
This rant is honestly inspired by the existence of too many cutesy, Fox-news-y, tough-guy, on-line posts on social media regarding the issue.
Personally, I find gratification in facts. Granted, one must always bear in mind the accuracy of the 'facts' they have received (in this on-line age this is all-too-easy) and verify same before actually BELIEVING them, let alone try to force them on all their social-networks 'friends.'
(from http://abclocal.go.com/)
". . . Neil Heslin, a 50-year-old construction worker who said he grew up with guns and had been teaching his son, Jesse, about them. "I'm here because of my son.". . . Heslin said he supports sportsmen and the Second Amendment right for citizens to have firearms. But he said that amendment was written centuries before weapons as deadly as assault weapons were invented. . . ."
(from wikianswers.com)
". . . When were assault rifles first made?
Depending on the meaning of "assault rifle" they might have been made as early as the second world war. The Browning Automatic Rifle, or "BAR" fired a large caliber cartridge at a pretty rapid rate, but it was a very heavy weapon, and was assigned to the "weapons squad" in an infantry platoon. Later in the decade, a much lighter 45cal machine gun with an open metal stock was issued to the troops. It fired huge cartridges at a rate of about six rounds per second, making a noise that gave its name, the "burp gun." There were earlier rapid firing machine guns used in the first world war and as early as the late 19th century such as the "gatling gun," but none were anything that one man could carry onto the battlefield and fire "from the hip" or from the shoulder for that matter. . . "
(from http://brainshavings.com/the-right-to-keep-and-bear-what/)
". . . So does our Constitution recognize your neighbor’s right to park a brand new M-1 Abrams main battle tank in his driveway? Should we permit gun shops to hold tent sales offering great low prices on military-grade flamethrowers and nerve-gas-tipped artillery shells? Must the U.S. Government allow you to carry a “suitcase nuke” to avoid violating your fundamental Constitutional rights, even if you might trip while carrying it and level a city block? . . ."
(from http://columbiaacs.blogspot.com/2007/11/right-to-bear-ye-olde-arms.html)
". . . The Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms as such arms existed at the ratification.
Arms in 1791
Let's look at arms – specifically, guns – as they existed at the time of the ratification.
Guns in 1791 WOULD
...be made by a gunsmith.
...have rudimentary rifling.
...be single-shot weapons.
...be loaded through the muzzle.
...fire by means of a flintlock.
Guns in 1791 WOULD NOT
...have interchangeable parts. (Popularized in 1798)
...be revolvers. (Invented in 1835)
...be breachloaded. (Popularized in 1810)
...use smokeless powder. (Invented in 1885)
...use a percussion cap, necessary for modern cartridged bullets. (Invented in 1842)
...load bullets from a clip. (Invented in 1890)
Courts can't wish the Second Amendment away, but they can construe it in a manner that works in today's society. . ."
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Cry for the cameras but put your conscience where your [fake?] tears are. Maybe after guns, we can discuss all the children (of other nations) that the U.S. has killed with drone strikes. True, outlawing guns won't completely get rid of the violence. It sure could help though. Isn't that a GOOD thing? And don't we have to start SOMEWHERE???
Is it me, or might what you see below be UNNECESSARY - not to mention criminal???
(from http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?cycle=2012&id=D000000082)
National Rifle Assn: All Recipients
Name Office Total Contributions
Adams, Sandy (R-FL) House $2,000
Aderholt, Robert B (R-AL) House $1,000
Akin, Todd (R-MO) House $1,000
Alexander, Rodney (R-LA) House $2,000
Allen, George (R-VA) Senate $6,450
Altmire, Jason (D-PA) House $2,500
Altschuler, Randy (R-NY) House $2,500
Amodei, Mark (R-NV) House $4,000
Archer, John H Jr (R-IA) House $2,000
Austria, Steve (R-OH) House $1,000
Baca, Joe (D-CA) House $2,500
Bachmann, Michele (R-MN) House $1,000
Bachus, Spencer (R-AL) House $3,000
Barletta, Lou (R-PA) House $2,000
Barr, Andy (R-KY) House $2,500
Barrasso, John A (R-WY) Senate $5,308
Barrow, John (D-GA) House $4,950
Bartlett, Roscoe G (R-MD) House $4,000
Bass, Charles (R-NH) House $2,000
Benishek, Dan (R-MI) House $4,950
Berg, Rick (R-ND) House $7,450
Biggert, Judy (R-IL) House $2,000
Bilbray, Brian P (R-CA) House $2,500
Bilirakis, Gus (R-FL) House $1,000
Bishop, Rob (R-UT) House $1,000
Bishop, Sanford D Jr (D-GA) House $3,650
Black, Diane (R-TN) House $2,000
Blackburn, Marsha (R-TN) House $4,500
Boehner, John (R-OH) House $2,500
Bonner, Jo (R-AL) House $2,000
Bono Mack, Mary (R-CA) House $1,500
Boustany, Charles W Jr (R-LA) House $1,000
Brady, Kevin (R-TX) House $1,000
Brooks, Maggie (R-NY) House $1,000
Brooks, Mo (R-AL) House $2,000
Broun, Paul Jr (R-GA) House $2,000
Bruning, Jon (R-NE) Senate $1,000
Buchanan, Vernon (R-FL) House $1,000
Bucshon, Larry (R-IN) House $4,000
Buerkle, Ann Marie (R-NY) House $2,500
Burgess, Michael (R-TX) House $1,000
Burton, Dan (R-IN) House $2,000
Calvert, Ken (R-CA) House $2,000
Camp, Dave (R-MI) House $2,000
Campbell, John (R-CA) House $1,000
Canseco, Francisco (R-TX) House $4,950
Cantor, Eric (R-VA) House $7,450
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) House $1,000
Cardoza, Dennis (D-CA) House $2,500
Carter, John (R-TX) House $6,950
Cassidy, Bill (R-LA) House $1,000
Chabot, Steve (R-OH) House $2,000
Chaffetz, Jason (R-UT) House $1,500
Chandler, Ben (D-KY) House $4,000
Coble, Howard (R-NC) House $4,000
Coffman, Mike (R-CO) House $7,450
Cole, Tom (R-OK) House $3,500
Conaway, Mike (R-TX) House $2,000
Cook, Paul (R-CA) House $1,000
Coors, Joe (R-CO) House $1,000
Corker, Bob (R-TN) Senate $4,950
Cornilles, Robert (R-OR) House $1,000
Cravaack, Chip (R-MN) House $2,000
Crawford, Rick (R-AR) House $2,000
Crenshaw, Ander (R-FL) House $2,000
Critz, Mark (D-PA) House $3,500
Cruz, Ted (R-TX) Senate $250
Cuellar, Henry (D-TX) House $2,000
Culberson, John (R-TX) House $1,650
Daines, Steven (R-MT) House $2,000
Davis, Geoff (R-KY) House $1,000
Davis, Rodney (R-IL) House $1,000
Delong, Gary (R-CA) House $2,000
Denham, Jeff (R-CA) House $3,000
Dent, Charlie (R-PA) House $1,500
Desjarlais, Scott (R-TN) House $2,000
Diaz-Balart, Mario (R-FL) House $1,000
Dingell, John D (D-MI) House $5,000
Duffy, Sean P (R-WI) House $3,500
Duncan, Jeff (R-SC) House $2,000
Duncan, John J Jr (R-TN) House $1,000
Ellmers, Renee (R-NC) House $3,000
Emerson, Jo Ann (R-MO) House $1,000
Farenthold, Blake (R-TX) House $2,000
Fincher, Steve (R-TN) House $9,900
Fischer, Deb (R-NE) Senate $3,000
Fitzpatrick, Michael G (R-PA) House $2,000
Flake, Jeff (R-AZ) House $2,000
Fleischmann, Chuck (R-TN) House $2,000
Fleming, John (R-LA) House $1,000
Flores, Bill (R-TX) House $4,500
Forbes, Randy (R-VA) House $2,000
Fortenberry, Jeff (R-NE) House $1,000
Foxx, Virginia (R-NC) House $2,000
Franks, Trent (R-AZ) House $2,500
Gardner, Cory (R-CO) House $1,000
Gerlach, Jim (R-PA) House $2,000
Gibbs, Bob (R-OH) House $3,000
Gibson, Chris (R-NY) House $2,500
Gill, Ricky (R-CA) House $2,000
Gingrey, Phil (R-GA) House $1,000
Goodlatte, Bob (R-VA) House $2,000
Gosar, Paul (R-AZ) House $5,950
Gowdy, Trey (R-SC) House $2,000
Granger, Kay (R-TX) House $3,500
Graves, Sam (R-MO) House $1,000
Graves, Tom (R-GA) House $3,000
Griffin, Tim (R-AR) House $4,000
Griffith, Morgan (R-VA) House $4,150
Grimm, Michael (R-NY) House $1,000
Guinta, Frank (R-NH) House $2,000
Guthrie, Brett (R-KY) House $2,500
Hall, Ralph M (R-TX) House $1,000
Hanna, Richard (R-NY) House $1,000
Harper, Gregg (R-MS) House $1,000
Harris, Andy (R-MD) House $3,000
Hartzler, Vicky (R-MO) House $2,000
Hastings, Doc (R-WA) House $2,000
Hatch, Orrin G (R-UT) Senate $5,000
Hayworth, Nan (R-NY) House $2,500
Heck, Joe (R-NV) House $2,500
Heller, Dean (R-NV) Senate $6,950
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) House $3,000
Herrera Beutler, Jaime (R-WA) House $2,000
Higgins, Brian M (D-NY) House $1,000
Hochul, Kathleen (D-NY) House $3,000
Holden, Tim (D-PA) House $4,950
Holding, George (R-NC) House $2,000
Huelskamp, Tim (R-KS) House $2,150
Huizenga, Bill (R-MI) House $3,000
Hultgren, Randy (R-IL) House $2,000
Hunter, Duncan D (R-CA) House $2,000
Hurt, Robert (R-VA) House $3,000
Issa, Darrell (R-CA) House $2,000
Jenkins, Lynn (R-KS) House $2,000
Johnson, Bill (R-OH) House $2,000
Johnson, Ron (R-WI) Senate $1,000
Johnson, Sam (R-TX) House $3,000
Johnson, Timothy (R-IL) House $4,000
Jones, Walter B Jr (R-NC) House $2,000
Jordan, James D (R-OH) House $2,000
Kelly, Jesse (R-AZ) House $2,500
Kelly, Mike (R-PA) House $2,000
Kind, Ron (D-WI) House $2,000
King, Steven A (R-IA) House $5,950
Kingston, Jack (R-GA) House $2,500
Kinzinger, Adam (R-IL) House $2,000
Kissell, Larry (D-NC) House $3,000
Kline, John (R-MN) House $2,500
Labrador, Raul (R-ID) House $7,100
LaMalfa, Doug (R-CA) House $2,000
Lamborn, Douglas L (R-CO) House $2,000
Lance, Leonard (R-NJ) House $1,000
Landry, Jeff (R-LA) House $1,000
Lankford, James (R-OK) House $2,000
Latham, Tom (R-IA) House $3,000
LaTourette, Steve (R-OH) House $3,000
Latta, Robert E (R-OH) House $2,150
Lewis, Jerry (R-CA) House $1,000
Lingle, Linda (R-HI) Senate $1,000
LoBiondo, Frank A (R-NJ) House $2,000
Long, Billy (R-MO) House $2,000
Lucas, Frank D (R-OK) House $2,000
Luetkemeyer, Blaine (R-MO) House $1,000
Lujan, Ben R (D-NM) House $1,000
Lummis, Cynthia Marie (R-WY) House $2,150
Lungren, Dan (R-CA) House $1,000
Manchin, Joe (D-WV) Senate $4,500
Mandel, Josh (R-OH) Senate $9,450
Manzullo, Don (R-IL) House $1,000
Marchant, Kenny (R-TX) House $2,500
Marino, Tom (R-PA) House $2,000
Massie, Thomas (R-KY) House $1,000
Matheson, Jim (D-UT) House $6,950
McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA) House $2,500
McCaul, Michael (R-TX) House $3,150
McClintock, Tom (R-CA) House $2,000
McCotter, Thaddeus G (R-MI) House $2,000
McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) House $1,000
McIntyre, Mike (D-NC) House $2,000
McKeon, Buck (R-CA) House $2,000
McKinley, David (R-WV) House $2,500
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (R-WA) House $2,000
McSally, Martha (R-AZ) House $2,150
Meehan, Patrick (R-PA) House $1,000
Messer, Luke (R-IN) House $2,000
Mica, John L (R-FL) House $1,000
Michaud, Mike (D-ME) House $3,000
Miller, Candice S (R-MI) House $1,000
Miller, Gary (R-CA) House $2,500
Miller, Jeff (R-FL) House $4,000
Moran, Jerry (R-KS) Senate $3,000
Mourdock, Richard E (R-IN) Senate $4,950
Mulvaney, Mick (R-SC) House $1,000
Murphy, Tim (R-PA) House $5,000
Myrick, Sue (R-NC) House $1,000
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX) House $2,000
Noem, Kristi (R-SD) House $2,000
Nugent, Richard (R-FL) House $138
Nunes, Devin Gerald (R-CA) House $2,500
Nunnelee, Alan (R-MS) House $3,150
Olson, Pete (R-TX) House $2,000
Owens, Bill (D-NY) House $1,000
Palazzo, Steven (R-MS) House $2,000
Paulsen, Erik (R-MN) House $2,250
Pawlenty, Tim (R) Pres $1,000
Pearce, Steve (R-NM) House $2,000
Perry, Rick (R) Pres $1,500
Perry, Scott (R-PA) House $3,000
Peterson, Collin C (D-MN) House $2,500
Petri, Tom (R-WI) House $1,000
Pittenger, Robert (R-NC) House $2,000
Pitts, Joe (R-PA) House $1,000
Poe, Ted (R-TX) House $2,000
Pompeo, Mike (R-KS) House $2,000
Posey, Bill (R-FL) House $1,000
Price, Tom (R-GA) House $1,000
Quayle, Ben (R-AZ) House $2,600
Rahall, Nick (D-WV) House $2,000
Reed, Tom (R-NY) House $1,000
Renacci, Jim (R-OH) House $9,900
Ribble, Reid (R-WI) House $3,000
Rigell, Scott (R-VA) House $4,950
Rivera, David (R-FL) House $1,000
Rogers, Hal (R-KY) House $5,000
Rogers, Mike (R-MI) House $2,500
Rogers, Mike D (R-AL) House $1,000
Rokita, Todd (R-IN) House $1,500
Romney, Mitt (R) Pres $5,850
Rooney, Tom (R-FL) House $1,000
Roskam, Peter (R-IL) House $3,000
Ross, Dennis (R-FL) House $2,000
Ross, Mike (D-AR) House $5,000
Royce, Ed (R-CA) House $1,000
Runyan, Jon (R-NJ) House $5,000
Ryan, Paul (R-WI) House $2,000
Ryan, Tim (D-OH) House $3,000
Scalise, Steve (R-LA) House $2,000
Schilling, Bobby (R-IL) House $3,500
Schmidt, Jean (R-OH) House $2,000
Schock, Aaron (R-IL) House $2,000
Schrader, Kurt (D-OR) House $3,000
Schweikert, David (R-AZ) House $2,000
Scott, Austin (R-GA) House
Scott, Tim (R-SC) House $2,000
Sensenbrenner, F James Jr (R-WI) House $2,000
Sessions, Pete (R-TX) House $4,950
Shimkus, John M (R-IL) House $2,000
Shuler, Heath (D-NC) House $4,950
Shuster, Bill (R-PA) House $1,000
Simpson, Mike (R-ID) House $5,000
Smith, Adrian (R-NE) House $1,000
Smith, Lamar (R-TX) House $4,500
Southerland, Steve (R-FL) House
Stearns, Cliff (R-FL) House $4,950
Stewart, Chris (R-UT) House $1,000
Stivers, Steve (R-OH) House $1,000
Strickland, Tony (R-CA) House $2,000
Stutzman, Marlin (R-IN) House $1,500
Sullivan, John (R-OK) House $3,000
Tavaglione, John F (R-CA) House $2,000
Terry, Lee (R-NE) House $4,500
Thompson, Glenn (R-PA) House $2,000
Thompson, Tommy G (R-WI) Senate $7,000
Thornberry, Mac (R-TX) House $2,000
Tipton, Scott (R-CO) House $4,500
Turner, Michael R (R-OH) House $1,000
Turner, Robert L (R-NY) House $1,000
Upton, Fred (R-MI) House $3,500
Valadao, David (R-CA) House $2,000
Wagner, Ann L (R-MO) House $2,000
Walberg, Tim (R-MI) House $2,000
Walden, Greg (R-OR) House $3,000
Walorski, Jackie (R-IN) House $3,500
Walsh, Joe (R-IL) House $2,000
Walz, Timothy J (D-MN) House $2,000
Webb-Edgington, Alecia (R-KY) House $1,000
Webster, Daniel (R-FL) House $1,000
Wenstrup, Brad (R-OH) House $2,000
West, Allen (R-FL) House $2,000
Westmoreland, Lynn A (R-GA) House $2,000
Whitfield, Ed (R-KY) House $1,000
Wicker, Roger (R-MS) Senate $4,950
Wilson, Joe (R-SC) House $1,000
Wittman, Rob (R-VA) House $2,000
Womack, Steve (R-AR) House $2,000
Yoder, Kevin (R-KS) House $4,000
Young, C W Bill (R-FL) House $1,000
Young, Don (R-AK) House $2,000
Young, Todd (R-IN) House $1,500
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AMBIENCE & WINE
Stick to your guns
Stick to your guns
Don't let nobody make you run
Just stick to your guns
I'm not talkin 'bout weapons
automatic and such
If you have some conviction
Principles mean so much
Principles mean so much
Stick to your guns
Stick to your guns
Don't let nobody make you run
Just stick to your guns
I just want to sing
Hear the many vibrations ring
Maybe my music's not your kind of thing
I've got to get the others listening
I've got to get the others listening
Stick to your guns
Stick to your guns
Don't let nobody make you run
Just stick to your guns
I don't need no pickup truck
Don't do much haulin' or that kind of stuff
My masculinity and I are okay
I'm what you see don't need to look that tough
I'm what you see don't need to look that tough
Stick to your guns
Stick to your guns
Don't let nobody make you run
Just stick to your guns
It's a human thing
We're eas'ly led when there are two or three
Yes two is company and three is a crowd
That group of voice can be very loud
Those other voices can be very loud
Stick to your guns
Stick to your guns
Don't let nobody make you run
Just stick to your guns
You were always a crack-shot. You were always the ace. Someone called you a crackpot. Said it right to your face. It was not the effrontery that made you react; the assault or the violation of rights. In this wonderful country, you and I live today. And we value the freedom that allows us to say, though the founders had principles (this can't be denied), nothing's frozen in time but history. Who can really sing 'bout what the future brings? Take the next shuttle, go off to your condo on Mars. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
It's a volatile topic I'm addressing today. But I fear to ignore it leaves for us hell to pay. All the hunters and gatherers kick up such a stink. Where this path's gonna lead they dare not think. We continue to venture into places unknown. All this knowledge and progress takes us so far from home. Many say that you must accept the good with the bad. Seems to me that experience would show some things from the past just don't deserve to last. Take that next step and leave all useless baggage behind. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
Our sophistication in the arts and sciences can't be denied. Still we choose our tribal ways when there's fear and uncertainty and we can't hide. It's true and tried.
But you still fail to grasp it, like some new cosmic star. Using force laced with habit, you're resisting so hard. You say you got the word from some king high on his throne. But mysteriously each word he speaks in that kingly tone, mighty but all alone, uncannily somehow sounds just like all of your own. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
STICK TO YOUR GUNS STICK TO YOUR GUNS DON’T LET NOBODY MAKE YOU RUN JUST STICK TO YOUR GUNS
I’M NOT TALKING ‘BOUT WEAPONS AUTOMATIC AND SUCH IF YOU HAVE SOME CONVICTION PRINCIPLES MEAN SO MUCH PRINCIPLES MEAN SO MUCH
I JUST WANT TO SING HEAR THE MANY VIBRATIONS RING MAYBE MY MUSIC’S NOT YOUR KIND OF THING I’VE GOT TO GET THE OTHERS LISTENING I’VE GOT TO GET TH OTHERS LISTENING
IT’S A HUMAN THING WE’RE EAS’LY LED WHEN THERE ARE TWO OR THREE YES TWO IS COMPANY AND THREE IS A CROWD THE GROUP OF VOICES CAN BE VERY LOUD THE OTHER VOICES CAN BE VERY LOUD
