Yeah, it's me...

[derby378]

Go ahead. Blame my AK. Blame the latest Call of Duty videogame release. Blame those old, hyperviolent Popeye cartoons from the AAP studios if you like. Or better yet, just blame every liberal Democrat who owns a gun, already.

The smug self-righteousness of certain gun-grabbers is something we have tolerated for a long time because we actually believe in their Constitutional rights as well as our own. Just keep in mind that most of you DUers do not fall into the category I've just mentioned. Those of you whom I have met in person have been a swell bunch, and I'm glad to know each and every one of you.

You probably remember that my wife, ChickMagic, was a strong supporter of gun control. I'm a little surprised she never joined the Brady Campaign. But you know what? Even though we could disagree strongly on the issue of guns and the Second Amendment, we could discuss the issue like civilized human beings over pizza and sodas. And we even made each other think about our positions once in a while. Believe me, we'd both be furious over what happened in Newtown today, crying our eyes out and hurling curses at the shooter. And I've already shed my tears for those poor kids and their families, pleading with God to bring a measure of solace to those who have had their lives shattered by this tragedy.

But now is not the time to go all Chicken Little on the Constitution. If I remember correctly, the Columbine tragedy happened at a time when our nation's gun laws were at their strongest. The moment we throw reason and justice to the wind and start screaming for the head of every gun owner in America regardless of race, gender, or party affiliation, we are allowing long-dormant demons to awaken and seize control of our mental faculties.

You want laws that would make it harder for the next Lanza to get hold of those weapons? I'm listening. You want improved mental-health screenings to be part of every instant background check? We can look into that. Just because I own a Kalashnikov does not mean that my heart is not sickened by what unfolded today. I want something meaningful done to head off the next VTech, the next Columbine, the next Newtown.

But if all you want is a scapegoat that you can blame this massacre on, look no further than the Lanza family. The answer is in that dysfunctional family dynamic somewhere, and if we can all just calm down long enough for the truth to come out about the Lanzas, I think it will - and it will be a sorry story, indeed.

I need to relax. No, I need to vent my rage. No, I need to shed a few more tears. No, I need to be still. I'm as torn up about Newtown as the rest of you. Surprise? I'm human, after all.

And you folks are my friends. I love you. Without you, DU would be an electronic vacant lot. You make DU what it is.

I'm spent. Off the soapbox now...

[HERVEPA]

1. How often does your militia meet?

[derby378]

3. Well, you and I are talking right now...

That "well-regulated militia?" You're part of it, too.

[cleanhippie]

11. It is meeting right now!

Welcome. We've been expecting you.

[slackmaster]

33. It meets every time two or more people interact, including right here and now.

[BeyondGeography]

2. It's not about you, but I can tell from your post that you realize that

Here's the school principal who died; look what a beautiful soul she was; let's argue another day and keep the focus where it belongs for now:

[derby378]

6. I appreciate that greatly

The principal looks like an old friend of mine. She was never a teacher, I don't think, but she loves children and loves to stimulate their minds with scientific stuff, especially anything that has to do with dinosaurs.

[morningfog]

4. The gungeon is that way ----> To the right.

[derby378]

5. Deal with it, bucko...

I'm part of this conversation whether you like it or not.

[cleanhippie]

9. A perfect example of why we cannot have a serious conversation on this subject.

Kindergarden is that way---->

[morningfog]

10. Kidergarden? Sick shit.

[cleanhippie]

13. Day care?

Whatever you attend, it's that way--->

[morningfog]

16. You are too cute by half. Still sick.

[cleanhippie]

27. Still unsure why saying you belong in preschool is "sick shit."

[stlsaxman]

36. he or she is thinking your reference to where children gather- in light of...

where the shooting occurred- is sick...?

[cleanhippie]

39. Thats a stretch.

Looks more like an attempt to stifle conversation he/she doesn't like.

[Barack_America]

44. Dude, recognize that most of the kids killed were in kindergarten.

So yeah, that's why people are taking offense to you directing them to "kindergarten".

[rDigital]

45. First grade actually. : ( nt

[cleanhippie]

47. Yeah, I suppose I can see that.

But its not what I meant. And taken in context to the post I responded to which was nothing but a childish insult...

[cordelia]

31. Unbelievable, isn't it?

Fucking depraved.

[TheCowsCameHome]

32. I hope Skinner sees it,

and takes appropriate action.

[cordelia]

35. Hope springs eternal.

That posting is about as odious as anything I've ever seen on this site.

Take care.

[99Forever]

42. I concur.

That sicko needs gone. Permanently.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

18. yikes.

[myrna minx]

26. What a nasty thing to post.

How many kindergartners were murdered today?

[morningfog]

29. And they act like they don't understand. These people.

[TheCowsCameHome]

46. It's no act.

Quite the contrary. They really don't understand.

I've learned that much.

[TheCowsCameHome]

30. That is sick beyond belief.

You really have no clue.

[cleanhippie]

7. Here is the BIGGEST hug you will ever get!

Well done, brother. Well done.

[derby378]

15. Thanks, friend (n/t)

[marions ghost]

8. Love? uh huh...sure...

chicken little

[RomneyLies]

12. The well regulated militia isn't regulated at all.

It's time for some regulation and we need to do it well.

[derby378]

14. Here's one thing that might help...

Seung-hui Cho was only able to shoot up VTech in 2007 because his mental health records were kept out of the public record by his counselor. They were at the guy's house, for fuck's sake. Why?!?

I would like to see all of our mental health records centralized and make part of any NICS background check. What'll it do, add may 10-15 seconds to the check as the databases are accessed? An extra 10 seconds could have saved all those students at VTech.

[RomneyLies]

17. Apparently, the mother of today's shooter had these guns in her house with him living there

And deja vu, he had been diagnosed with mental instability.

[derby378]

19. I think we have a starting point for a serious conversation on gun laws

Lanza's mom might have been legally able to own those weapons, but what the hell? If he was mentally ill or unstable, why did he have access to those guns?

I'd like to see other people take on the NICS issue and let's see where this goes. It could be a good law that saves lives.

[RomneyLies]

21. Here's another point. If you are on the terrorist watch list, ...

your name will NOT be flagged during a background check for buying a gun.

How fucked up is that shit?

[derby378]

22. Due process

Besides, those watch lists are totally fucked up. Ted Kennedy wound up on one of them. I don't trust them.

[RomneyLies]

24. You are thinking the "no-fly list"

That's a far broader list than the terrorist watch list. The guy who did the bomb in a car thing in NYC was on the terrorist watch list.

At the very least I hope some alarms go off automatically in the FBI whenever somebody on that list tries to buy a gun, whether they are successful or not in buying one.

[TheCowsCameHome]

20. Alright, who left the lid open?

Fess up.

[greyl]

28. La tapa esta abierta! nt

[Honeycombe8]

23. The 2nd Amendment is safe, if that's what you're upset about.

There is zero chance that the 2nd Amendment is going to be abolished.

But you mentioned a few things in your post that are feasible to be done, and would probably prevent some deaths, and MAY prevent another mass murder incident. Stats do show that gun laws do result in decreased deaths-by-gun.

Glock...there's really no reason for a glock to be out in the public owned by private citizens. It has no civilian purpose, other than killing a lot of people. We used to have a ban on selling assault weapons. Maybe it's time to reinstate that.

Waiting several weeks between applying to buy a gun and picking it up would help prevent deaths in some instances.

Things like that would have an impact and make gun ownership more responsible and sane.

[tiny elvis]

25. don't run. we are your friends

i need a hug

[derby378]

41. Pfffft!

I'm not sure what the message is, but your post made me grin like an idiot. We need all the healing we can get, so I thank you.

[hobbit709]

34. The problem is that rational discourse disappears when the swarming at either or both ends starts.

[mmonk]

37. I just to know why it is so important for anyone to have easy access to assault weapons.

[DainBramaged]

38. When you call us gun-grabbers, you lose us.

This image is for you.


Go to hell you sanctimonious ass.

[derby378]

40. Look, I know you have strong feelings about gun control...

...but if you're not a gun-grabber, you shouldn't feel offended by my choice of verbiage.

[riderinthestorm]

43. Its a conflict between "rights" and which is greater? My right to live or your right to carry a gun?

Andy A's thread puts it well.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021991307