We Are Truly A Sick Country When A Tragedy Like Newtown Does Not Move Us To Pass Gun Control

[TheMastersNemesis]

laws. The apparent fact that so many Americans have moved on and seem to have forgotten the children and teachers killed at Sandy Hook says a lot about us as a nation. We have become so callous and complacent. The NRA should be on the run and be out of business by now.

The run on guns and ammo are just so sick sick sick. It is hard to go anywhere and say you are proud to be an American.

[Skittles]

1. but don't you see, it's CREATING JOBS!

that's what a certain hack DUer had to say!!!

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Yes, $10 - $15 per hour temporary machinst jobs

What utter BULLSHIT.

[Initech]

33. Sure. Weapons and ammo salesman, morticians, forensics experts, casket manufacturers...

Police, SWAT teams, detectives, anti depressant medication makers....

[olddots]

2. the scripted ones shall be along shortly

[Skittles]

3. with NRA talking points in hand!!!

obedient little paranoid bastards they are!!!

[etherealtruth]

93. They are here

Down thread I was informed gun ownership is a "god given" right.

[MotherPetrie]

4. You are so right. The very thing that is *supposed* to keep us safe is destroying us.

I don't get how the destruction maintains the false illusion, but hey. I hate and have always hated guns, and I hate, loathe and despise the NRA with every fiber of my being.

[marions ghost]

5. Nobody believes you can stop the NRA

I don't know if it's more callousness or just a sense of defeat. People are so afraid.

Something has to be done.

[sylvi]

55. If the NRA didn't exist, someone would invent it

Seriously, if the NRA disappeared tomorrow, do you think the 80,000,000 gun owners in the U.S. would just lie down quietly and forget about the Second Amendment? There are dozens of other gun advocacy groups waiting to fill the void, itching to absorb the membership and funding that the NRA has. The best one could hope for is that they would be a little less right-leaning, which is doubtful. The second largest gun lobby is the NSSF which isn't much different from the NRA ideologically, and the third largest, Gun Owners Of America makes LaPierre look like Sen. Feinstein. LaPierre may be an asshole, but the idea that he and the NRA are the be-all end-all boogeymen without which gun advocacy would crumble is a pipe dream.

[marions ghost]

68. They are the most visible and strongest

I'm sure there are plenty of other boogeymen out there. Not thinking gun advocacy would "crumble" -- but you have to draw the line in the sand.

[upaloopa]

6. I think the run on guns and ammo is

because gunners fear gun control is coming and it is.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. It will take more than emails

It will take people standing to the NRA and their paranoid neighbors.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. The next time a political

candidate asks me for money, I'm going to tell them not one stinkin' dime until I see them actively push for better gun regulation.

I don't care which party they belong to, either.

[oldhippie]

17. You would give money to Republicans?

If they push for gun regulation?

[TheCowsCameHome]

61. Over a Dem that didn't? Perhaps.

Sorry, no more supporting anyone with the pro-gun NRA gun humper mindset. It's over for me.

[southernyankeebelle]

10. It is very sickening. I called both representative and senator. I don't know what else

to do.

[ellisonz]

11. A sick right-wing gun culture for a sick nation.

[Cali_Democrat]

31. Emphasis on "right-wing"

because that's exactly what it is.

[99Forever]

12. I couldn't agree more.

I think it shows just how horribly sick this nation is. When this kind of pure, EVIL isn't enough to bring change, then we are indeed, circling the bowl.

oh yeah... and ...

FUCK the NRA and every one of it's members.

[socialindependocrat]

13. The point is to keep guns from the people who misuse them

and because that is difficult to do the answer people go to next
is to limit the number and type of guns on the street.

This will not solve the problem at hand.

So you get pissed off at the gun owners because you can't find an answer to the problem.

How do you tell if someone is mentally unstable or has criminal tendencies?
You give them a written test.

A national background check is good, too.
There should be penalties for lying on the application.
Put an identifier on their driver's license.
The seller checks the I.D. before they call for the background check.

I don't mind calling for a background check for a personal sale
But I'm not going to pay a fee. Does the gun dealer pay a fee?
Instant check is a service paid for by taxes isn't it? Why charge the seller?

There must be some other ways. Keep thinking...

[nightscanner59]

23. My 93 year old Alzheimer's father pulled a pistol on his caregiver:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12621561

[socialindependocrat]

46. I'm so sorry to hear

My neighbor who was 101 thought the caretaker was breaking in and
pulled the shotgun from over the fireplace and confronted her.
Luckily it was pretty rusty and she knew it wouldn't work so she staid on.

My wife and I saw that the caretakers are best able to take care of
more comatose patients and when they get riled the caretakers
over-medicate.

When he passed I thought that the attending nurse was fairly unprepared
and disorganized.

Their son brought his mother (dementia) out to Calif. where they lived and got her
in a nursing home. They were amazed at how over-medicated the mother was and
changed meds to get her more functional.

I would say that the caretaking organization should have already asked if the guns were cleared from the home (they are supposed to be the experts aren't they?) Since the situation has been rectified I would ask the organization if they would provide another caretaker for your father and get things back to where they were.

Another thing is to contact the Alzheimer's Assn in your area. They have a lot of experience with providing the family caregivers with support and assistance with the situation. They may have some ideas from their experience and how to deal with the situation. They are very concerned with caregiver support and they can get you into a support group and provide some answers to your specific problems.

My mother and my aunt both had Alzheimer's. Luckily my sister was able to take my mother to her home.

I know this is overwhelming but the Assn. will be able to give you some options and some support.
There are others who are going thru the same thing as you are. Give them a call.

Good luck...

[ZOB]

14. NOBODY is complacent about events like Sandy Hook

Not even the NRA.

The issue is bigger to many people. 20 little kids killed is horrific to all of us. The question is whether 20, or 200, or 2000 dead toddlers should be a sufficient loss to compromise our second amendment rights.

Realizing that 2AR are suspect here, allow me to rephrase. If there was a way to restrict our right to free speech to save 20, or 200, or 2000 lives each year, would that be OK? If we chose to allow police to randomly search our homes without a warrant to save 2000...even 20,000 lives each year, would you support that?

I realize that many here don't see it this way, but this is the issue for many people. Constitutional rights are the basis of our society in the U.S. Do a few deaths (or a a few thousand deaths) justify restricting those rights?

[oldhippie]

19. Good luck with that .....

Enjoy your short stay.

[NRaleighLiberal]

25. And you would calmly look into the eyes of the parents of those dead children

and have a nice logical discussion comparing numbers of lives vs some odd equivalency to owning guns? Really?

[bowens43]

34. Your 2nd amendment right only allows firearms within the structure of a well regulated militia.

there is and never was an individual right to keep and bear arms. The founding fathers wold be appalled by the way people like you and the NRA shills have bastardized the 2nd.


Comparing the first amendment with your bastardized view of the 2nd is beyond ridiculous.

Once again you DO NOT HAVE A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS OUTSIDE OF A WELL REGULATED MILITIA.

I know gun fetishists always seem to ignore that part of the amendment.

[ZOB]

72. The U.S. Supreme Court disagrees with you

See District of Columbia v. Heller

"The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."

[Iliyah]

35. The NRA can give a rats ass about

people dying from gun violence. When such horrible incident occur like Newtown all they see are dollar signs.

[ZOB]

70. Actually, I'd disagree.

It gets increasingly difficult for the NRA to justify its positions to reasonable people in the wake of mass shootings.

The NRA (and everybody else) would probably be very happy if things calmed down a bit.

[MindMover]

39. Second amendment rights were written and meant to apply to

guns that shot once and reloading them took anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes and Lanza shot 150 rounds in 5 minutes and murdered 27 innocents ...

[ZOB]

69. By that argument, the internet is not protected by the 1st Amendment.

Spoken word and printed materials only. No TV, no radio, no internet.

[MindMover]

81. Fortunately my grandmother taught me that

sticks and guns will break my bones but words can never ever hurt me ....

[ZOB]

83. Perhaps you missed the point...

If the 2nd Amendment only applies to technology available to those who wrote it, it follows that the 1st Amendment also only pertains to technology available at the time of its writing.

If you argue that the 2nd amendment only covers muzzle-loaders, it follows that the 1st amendment only covers spoken word and type.

[MindMover]

84. You are totally missing my point ... and defeating your point with this post

your use of the first amendment analogy is revealing in that it has been changed at least a dozen times since its inception and yet how many times has the 2nd amendment been changed .... ?????

THE ANSWER

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[ZOB]

85. Untrue. Neither Amendment has been changed.

They read exactly the same as the day they were enacted.

There have been legal decisions since enactment that have effected BOTH the 1st and 2nd Amendments (others, as well).

...so I don't understanding what you're trying to say.

[MindMover]

86. Legal decisions or exceptions which change the meaning of amendments effect the 1st amendment

and not the 2nd amendment ...

Of course, the amendments read exactly the same ...

There are 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are the original ...

[ZOB]

88. 1934. National Firearms Act. BIG change in interpretation of 2A rights.

Since then, there have been quite a few laws/legal decisions that have dealt with 2A rights.

[MindMover]

90. My point is that we apparently need a few more exceptions since 2A inception

When the 2nd amendment was made part of the bill or rights, the U.S. did not have a standing army. Out military establishment was the Militia in the various localities. Thus the citizens had to be guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms so they could drill and maintain what was then called "a well regulated militia". The militia drilled in marching, and in firing their weapons. In those days the only way firearms could be used effectively was in volley fire, and that is why the militia had to drill and drill and drill. The arms were kept by militia members in their homes, not in some armory...

[ZOB]

92. Maybe, maybe not. We've already restricted gun ownership quite a bit.

I realize that there are some who would like to see expanded restrictions, but let's start by recognizing that there are already common-sense laws in place to mitigate much of the potential negative impact of having an armed populace.

[MindMover]

95. People who have murdered by guns and 90% of USA citizens

believe that there should be expanded restrictions ...

BUT, your answer is there are already laws in place, THAT is APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH

I will not get into statistics because we all are sick of the numbers ...

[ZOB]

97. I know it's been talked about ad nauseum, but what new restrictions do you propose?

If the goal is to seriously reduce gun violence numbers, we first need to look at those numbers and decide if suicides (where the "victim" is also the attacker) should really be included. Then, we need to look at what effect the legalization of drugs would have. Those two items would cut your numbers by over 50%.

Add to that enforcement of existing laws (like straw purchases) and expanded background checks (not a national registry, but creating an easy-to-use and inexpensive P2P check system) and you'll probably see an additional 15% drop.

So, we've eliminated over 65% of gun crime without resorting to feel-good laws based on things like cosmetics or magazine size. When we've come that far, we can start talking about whether things like AWBs or registries are really necessary. I just don't see the benefit of jumping straight to the draconian "solutions" before we pick the low-hanging fruit.

[MindMover]

98. I agree with you and lets include smart gun technology

I do not think registries are an answer but checks are definitely necessary ...

[ZOB]

99. I'm all for private-sale background checks. Just make them reasonable.

Registries will get a lot of push-back and, in light of some recent proposed legislation, I do have a small problem with a government entity having a list of what people own.

I'd be very interested in smart gun technology if it could be done affordably. I'd also realize that the change to smart-gun technology would be an incremental long-term solution because there are 200M+ "dumb" guns already in circulation.

[jmg257]

56. Madison knew the restrictions would never be regarded if opposed by the

Decided sense of the people.

The problem is not enough people realize that YES! Preventing thousands of deaths are well worth restrictions on our 2nd amendment rights! Your role in the militias are no longer necessary, the removal of pretexts for raising a huge fucking army is an obsolete concept, you can still enjoy the right to self defense, hunting, some selfish desires or whatever gets you off. Damn right your inconvenience is justifiable.

[City Lights]

66. It's not just about the "dead toddlers."

How many deaths by gun are "too many" for you?

Our right to free speech has already been restricted. Are you not paying attention to what happens to people when they attempt to peacefully protest? Do you not remember the "free speech zones" from Junior's reign?

[cleanhippie]

71. Stop it. Just stop it. You are talking about the cold reality of the situation and its implication

unless you have an emotional response, that includes the knee-jerk reaction of curtailing an Amendment to the Constitution, you must be a paid NRA shill.

Don't you get it? Just look at the responses you have gotten.

[ZOB]

74. Removing emotion from the decision is exactly my point

The Bill of Rights is a pretty important list. Before we go changing or limiting ANY of the first ten amendments, we should be thinking rationally, not emotionally.

[cleanhippie]

76. we should be thinking rationally, not emotionally.

Yes, we most certainly should be. But were not. And that makes me sad.

Glad to know there are still a few of us left with the ability to look at this a bit more objectively.

[etherealtruth]

87. Yes !

Second amendment rights are the most important.

The "right" to have guns (guns and more guns) shall not be impacted by 20 dead children .... 2,000 dead children ...2,000,000. It is the only right.

The right to own an inanimate object ... a weapon of destruction supersedes everything ... limiting guns (and more guns) is akin to slavery ... its what Nazi's do .... not allowing free and unfettered access and use of guns is worse than genocide .... my god, not being able to own a gun (more guns) is like taking away the right for women to vote.

I've read variations of all of the above here (admittedly, numerous posts by a limited number of posters), it is ridiculous every time this garbage is spouted.

GUN OWNERSHIP IS NOT A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

[ZOB]

89. Two issues:

1) I'm not stating that "a weapon of destruction supersedes everything", I'm stating that NONE of our Constitutional rights are to be taken lightly. The 2nd Amendment is no more "important" than the rest of the Bill of Rights.

2) According to the Constitution, gun ownership (and all of the rest of the Bill of Rights) IS a basic human right...granted by God, no less. The constitution doesn't grant these rights, it simply affirms them.

[etherealtruth]

91. Thank you, thank you

Your response has given me all the info I need to know about you

According to the Constitution, gun ownership (and all of the rest of the Bill of Rights) IS a basic human right...granted by God, no less

You have left nothing open to interpretation


Guns, God .... and what's the last one the right wingers rally around? I have never actually heard or seen a Democrat or liberal use the Guns, God ... thing

[ZOB]

94. The rights defined in the U.S. Constitution are granted by God. The Constitution doesn't grant them

...it affirms them.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm atheist. I don't believe there's a god to grant anything. The authors determined what the Constitution said.

And again, they said that the Constitution didn't grant any rights, it simply listed and affirmed the rights granted by God.

[Initech]

15. It all comes back to that fucking Southern Strategy: god, guns, and gays.

It's time for that shit to go away. Permanently. Worst thing the GOP ever did.

[Iliyah]

29. Well they are losing on the gay issue.

The issue of GOD has been lost a awhile back so the only thing they have are guns.

[KT2000]

16. and also causes people to get belligerent

about having guns.
This event caused a lot of people to threaten, brag, and swagger about their guns. It was a really thoughtful response to our concern for our fellow humans and the carnage that is taking place.
So far I see politicians bowing down to the lunatics.
The American character is sick.

[Logical]

20. Not sure what law would have stopped Lanza. Or any mass shooter. n-t

[bowens43]

30. a law that would have stopped him

is a law that bans the sale and possession ammunition and guns and requires confiscation of those already out there. A law that with mandatory long term jail time for any violation.

[Logical]

37. See, you are so unrealistic that is does not warrant a discussion. n-t

[cleanhippie]

73. Not only unrealistic, but absurd with fascist tendencies.

Banning the sale of all guns and ammo AND confiscation from current gun owners? What. The. Fuck.

[Iliyah]

32. Don't know either, but,

passing sensible gun regulations would help. The present government doesn't want to take guns away, and the 2nd amendment has been protected.

[Logical]

40. I am all for universal background checks. And magazine limits. But those would not stop much. n-t

[Iliyah]

42. Saving one life is worth it, cause that life might be my child.

And its a start.

[Logical]

51. Good point!

[Melon_Lord]

63. What else should we give up...

... To save one life, probably a child?

Should we fill in everyone's swimming pool? What is a bit of summer fun when compared to literal thousands of deaths?

[Kingofalldems]

80. Swimming pools are not built to kill

Last edited Fri Mar 29, 2013, 03:03 PM - Edit history (1)

unlike guns. Guess you forgot.

[hack89]

64. What else would you ban to protect your kid?

because guns are low on the list of things that kill kids?

[cleanhippie]

75. One life IS worth saving.

But that argument can be applied to MANY other issues where people, especially children, are more likely to be killed by something other than a maniac with a gun.

Why not start with the things that are more likely to cause the death of your child or mine instead?

[Logical]

53. Lol, I hate the NRA and have many posts to prove it. And....

Your childish outburst solves nothing! Maybe makes you feel better!

[mwrguy]

21. SHOW THE PICTURES

Rub the public's nose in it until they demand action.

[nightscanner59]

22. My 93 year old Alzheimer's father pulled a pistol on his caregiver:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12621561

[Ilsa]

24. " We Are Truly A Sick Country When..."

There are so many endings to this. Like, "when we deny healthcare for our citizens" or "when the average income for the bottom 90% has gone up only $59 in 40 years, while the rich get richer exponentially."
Add your own "when". But the Newtown massacre should be enough. I'm ashamed of this country.

[villager]

26. The psychosis is evident --the rage and bullying that permeate our airwaves permeate

...the personalities of the gun worshippers and violence apologists as well....

[moondust]

27. It's been sick for a long time.

Last edited Fri Mar 29, 2013, 12:09 AM - Edit history (2)

Be interesting to know how many innocent gun victims since passage of the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment is a prescription for murder and mayhem. I'm surprised the drafters didn't foresee that. Or did they?

[bowens43]

28. you got that right we are a sick fucking country

, nothing to be proud of and little worth fighting for. We are not the greatest country on earth , we're not even close. We are nation of ignorant, greedy ,fearful , bigoted, hate mongering and death worshipers.

the gun fetishists who spend their nights pleasuring themselves with cold blue steel (and many of them are regulars here, pretending to be liberals) are just one symptom of the rotting and putrid disease that has doomed this country. We're no longer worth saving. The shining beacon on the hill has been extinguished by greed and corruption. The rest of the world sees us as we truly are. Why can't most Americans see the truth. See that we we are not a people to be admired but a people to be pitied and feared.

[Melon_Lord]

67. Yet here you are...

... Enjoying all the rights, privileges and benefits of being an American.

[pansypoo53219]

36. instead of reflection. they have double downs on their fetish.

[Iliyah]

38. What about my fucking rights to live

without too much fearmongering that these asshole spout day in and day out. Guns and weapons are not the answer. The good book is.

[spin]

48. Even Jesus was not totally opposed to weapons.

Luke 22:35-38
King James Version (KJV)
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

[Iliyah]

50. And thou shall not kill.

[spin]

59. The correct translation according to many is "Thou shall not murder."

The commandment that 'Thou shalt not kill' refers to murder
April 12, 2012|
by Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services | God Squad

***snip***

In biblical Hebrew, as in English, killing (harag) and murder (ratzah) are two different words with two very different moral connotations, and the commandment uses the Hebrew word ratzah, which means that the proper translation of the commandment from Hebrew into English is, "Thou shalt not murder." The difference is crucial.

Killing is taking a life. Murder is taking a life with no moral justification. Murder is morally wrong, but there is wide moral agreement (not complete agreement) that some forms of killing are morally just, and killing an enemy combatant during wartime is one of them.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-12/features/sns-201204101200--tms--godsqudctngs-a20120412apr12_1_commandment-killing-murder

To me , as I read the Bible, it would make no sense if God commanded his people not to kill and later told them to kill everything in Jericho with the exception of Rahab and those in her house.

20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword....emphasis added

22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
Joshua 6
King James Version (KJV)

[Cleita]

41. When we have apologists for the NRA and gun culture right here on DU,

yes we are a sick nation. Catch Lawrence O'Donnell later if you didn't earlier. He's interviewing witnesses of the Sandy Hook massacre. If that doesn't move our gun afficionados, I don't know what will.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

43. The country is still in pioneer mode

Many fear the government so they want to bear arms. Fortunately this government is not that mean. However a government could be extremely mean and then they would need to bear arms. Haiving said that - militia are out there ready now (scary).

[davidn3600]

44. 2nd Amendment

No progress will be made on this front for as long as that amendment remain the law of the land.

And I understand some here think it is misinterpreted or obsolete....but even Obama says the 2nd amendment is an individual right and must be respected...

"The Second Amendment in this country is part of our Constitution and the president of the United States is bound by our Constitution," he said. "So I believe in the Second Amendment. It does provide for Americans the right to bear arms for their protection, for their safety, for hunting, for a wide range of uses..."
-President Obama
March 2011

[Jakes Progress]

45. Yep. We love guns and hate children.

Other countries have gun tragedy (Finland, Japan) and they create a safer place by restricting guns. In the US, we watch six-year olds gunnned down and demand more guns.

Actions speak louder than words. Gunners feel that if only a couple of dozen children have to be massacred in order to let them keep their guns, it may be a shame, but they see it as a decent trade off.

[gtar100]

49. 100% agree! Watching the amount of persuasion that idiot gun nuts have over our society has really

turned me bitter on Americans in general. I don't care to be part of a people that find gun ownership more important than the lives of children. It's incredibly shameful and sickening.

[madville]

57. Another tragedy is that all the proposed legislation would not have prevented Newtown

Going to be very damaging for Democrats in the Senate and then the House will laugh and say "Nope, but thank you for giving us a voting record to run on". I think this is why Reid and Company didn't want to kill the filibuster, they're thinking they might need it after 2014.

The two biggest things that would have a giant impact on gun violence in America aren't even part of the discussion: End the war on drugs and severely limit access to handguns (which account for around 90% of all gun violence and suicides in America).

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

58. I know, because all the victims were white and well off...

[just1voice]

60. We're a country with torture camps, wars for profit, corrupt banks

We've been sick for a long time on a very deep level, a random yet heinous shooting spree is nothing compared to the massive corrupted powers that exist that will soon be trying to steal every last citizen's savings and retirement.

Mind control is a lot more profitable than gun control.

[spanone]

62. it's the media and lawmakers...the public hasn't forgotten...

then nra is hard at work

[City Lights]

65. I completely agree with you.

IMO, America is circling the drain.

[LWolf]

77. Are you just figuring this out?

The sickness has always been here.

Americans? They've fought a bloody civil war over the "right" to enslave other humans. They've run around in white sheets, lynching people, burning crosses, bombing churches, and claiming a legitimate right to making some citizens a separate, 2nd class. They've been okay with supporting well-to-do white men and oppressing the rest from the very beginning.

While progress has been made, there is always a backlash. Always. I was born in 1960. A good year to be born. The civil rights movement made a difference, made progress, at a painful cost. The sickness that's always been there, though, wasn't dormant. It has continued to spread in my lifetime, until it feels, to me, terminal.

I've never been "proud" to be an American. Never.

[Skip Intro]

78. Some might see it as sick to use a tragedy to push a political agenda.

To milk it for all it is worth, even.

Personally, I don't think Americans forgot, I think they woke up, and rejected a further erosion of their freedoms.

Of course, I'll be called an NRA shill now for having my own opinion. Such is life in the big DU.

[Orsino]

79. Poll after poll says that Newtown DID move "us."

Please don't confuse us with the NRA's Congressional representation.

[gulliver]

96. It wasn't in vain at all.

We are still likely to see background checks, either legislated or as an issue 2014.

But the biggest effect had nothing to do with laws. American now no longer likes the legal owners of assault weapons and big clips. The tidal wave did occur. The folks with the perv weapons, the Nancy Lanzas and their ilk, no longer rate as worthy people in the minds of most Americans. Their nasty little vice may stay legal, but that doesn't mean they can't be nailed to the wall in every other way.

I would feel fine if I had a normal self-defense or hunting gun, but I would actually be afraid to own an AR-15. Someone would find out about it somehow, and that would basically be the end of my job prospects. No one with the choice of two job candidates, one with and one without an AR-15, is going to pick the "gun perv."

And it's the same thing for relationships. The Nancy Lanzas of the world are going to find their dirty little secret posted on the Internet more and more. Who is going to be interested in them socially after that? And think of how embarrassed a kid would be to know his father or mother had a Newtown gun.