I hate the phrase
guns don’t kill people, people do.
I think this is the single most idiotic phrase of any of the
debatable topics in history. If you want
to stand up and protect the 2nd amendment there are many more
intelligent arguments you can use. This
is NOT one of them. Guns do actually
kill people. On the death certificate it
will say “gunshot wound”. It will not
say “some person.” Yes, a person uses a
gun, but that gun makes it so much easier for that person to commit murder. A gun is the only the weapon solely used for the
purpose of injuring. I also dislike the
argument that criminals do not obey laws, so they will not obey gun laws. Ugh, people, get a grip. I bet many of your hardened, repetitive criminals today are not
using legal guns. Those people, we may
never get under control. However, many murders are not caused by your typical
criminals. The one off shootings of
passion or the mass murder shootings are not caused by your typical criminals—and
these folks typically obtain their guns legally.
I believe in the basic principle of the 2nd
amendment. However, when you start
saying we are dishonoring our forefathers by limited the choice of guns
available, you are delusional and only seeing your side of the story. Our forefathers could not have envisioned the
21st century that we are living in today. End of story.
Some of them were quite visionary but they were not psychics.
My last point on this issue:
Many people wonder why people are protecting the right to own assault
weapons. Their answer is “our government
has them and the idea of the 2nd amendment is to protect ourselves
against a government that goes awry.” I
do have enough paranoia in me (or I’d like to think it is logical thinking
based on 1000 years of history) to
believe there could come a day in our country’s future when we are torn apart
and we enter into another civil war.
However, if I use the logic that I need to stock up on assault weapons
because my government has them, I guess I should also be assembling nuclear
weapons in my backyard. We live in a
different world than our forefathers lived in.
You cannot deny that.
I was very happy to see gun enthusiasts on twitter stand up
and say, if it means we can prevent a another mass tragedy, I am willing to
budge on the gun control issue. It just
bothers me when people dig their feet in so deep to any issue that cannot
imagine anything but their own point of view. We do not have room in our lives
for people unwilling to listen and potentially compromise.
This leads me to my next issue..
Cynicism and
extremism is just a sad way to live your life.
On that horrible day of the Newtown tragedies, President
Obama became emotional during his initial comments. Or did he? I follow people on twitter that do not
typically share my opinions because I BELIEVE we need to hear all opinions to
reach a conclusion. We need to keep our
minds open. One right wing conservative I follow immediately tweeted after the
speech that Obama faked tears to get the left riled up about gun control. I
tweeted him and said it was shameful for him to already jump to that
conclusion, today. He replied to me and said it was shameful for
Obama to fake tears and use this tragedy for his political motivations. I thought to myself, what a sad way to live
your life. Even if you believed Obama's
tears were not sincere, could you not wait a day or two to proclaim that? It was the day of the tragedy. It just made me think, has this person shed a
tear for this tragedy? Obama is a human being; I think most humans shed a tear
that day. He is a father; I think most
fathers shed a tear that day. If you did
not shed a tear, I am not judging, but I am willing to bet you felt something. I believe he was sincere. My feelings were sincere, why would his not
be? I truly felt sad for this person
that they were so cynical THAT day,
all they could think about was the politics.
A few days later, I unfollowed the person. He just kept spitting
venom. It is one thing to share your
opinion, but do not drag down others in doing so. This example is just another of extremists in
our country (on both sides of the aisle) that are doing more harm than
good. We are so polarized; we cannot
take the time to be empathetic? I just
find it sad.
I am fine with Happy
Holidays.
So many people are expressing their anger over people not saying
“Merry Christmas” anymore. You know
what? I am fine with "Happy
Holidays. I say "Happy Holidays" when I do not know a person. I
say "Merry Christmas" when I know the person celebrates Christmas. I think it would be obtuse of me to assume
everyone celebrates the holiday I celebrate.
Why would I wish a Jewish person “Merry Christmas?” We live in a wonderful country where we have
the freedom to celebrate any holiday we would like to, what is wrong with
saying “Happy Holidays” to strangers? I
do not think it has anything to do with being politically correct, I think it
has to do with common sense.
Finding Joy
Well, these random thoughts have been heavy; I want to end
on a happier note. In times of sadness,
surround yourself with things that make you happy. Like most folks, I was in a fog all weekend,
crying and feeling sad for all the families impacted by the tragedy. I almost felt guilty when something made me
smile. I then realized, you need to find
the things that make you smile. I drove
by the old one room schoolhouse in our town.
The parking lot was packed. I
remembered it was Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus day. I was so full of joy to see a crowded parking
lot. All of those little innocent
children going to visit Santa brought me joy.
I know it is hard when you think of the little ones who are not able to
do that this year, but we have to hold all those little ones that are here
close to our heart.
Here is a random item that made me happy today. I was listening to a podcast with Mel Brooks
today. It made me happy to hear that he
and Carl Reiner get together almost every day and do comedy bits together, Mel
still visits with Sid Caesar every other week, and he has breakfast with his comedy
writer friends every Friday. All of
these friendships he has now had for 50-70 years!
It made me happy to think of how true friendships endure over time.
Last example, my dear friends from EHHS. A classmate was impacted by the tragedy in Newtown, his sweet little grand niece was a victim. Classmates from nearby and afar came together to show their support. I always knew EHHS was special and I always had a great deal of pride regarding the town I grew up in, but this confirmed it.
As another year comes to an end, I am always thankful for my
friendships that have existed for over 40 years and for those that are brand
new.
Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season. And a Happy Birthday in heaven to my mom!
P.S. If you want to debate my issues on the gun control
issue, please sign into this website.
Please do not post your opinions on my Facebook link. I do not think Facebook is the place for
friends to debate this issue. I will
delete any negative posts on FB. I am
happy for you to post any of your opinions on this site.
