Friday, February 15, 2008
Pro-gun liberal
Assuming Obama gets the nomination, he will be subjected to serious scrutinity between the convention and the general election. I think the topic that will put him in the greatest jeopardy of losing the general election is his position on gun control.
I am a civil libertarian. I support the citizenry's right to defend itself from a tyrannical government. I also have been a hunter (rarely succesfully) since childhood. I support Barak Obama without reservation. Why?
For one, his message is more important than a single issue (really, my ONLY issue with him.) Also, the Second Amendment (along with a few other critical portions of the Constitution) is already pretty much stripped of any real authority anyway. Don't believe me? Well, if the intent of the Second Amendment is to allow for the citizenry to protect itself from its Government, then we should have legal access to ANY weapon that the Government has access to. Obviously, I recognize the impracticality of this, I'm just saying. I think it's fair to say that violent overthrow of the US Government by the citizenry is unrealistic. As such, is your life or mine really affected by banning a gun designed for the sole purpose of killing as many people as possible in as short a period of time as possible? Not unless your a criminal.
Finally, what power the Second Amendment still enjoys is not in jeopardy. Gun control does not enjoy enough support to be threatened by any single person, no matter how powerful. That is just a fact. The NRA is one of the most powerful lobbies in the country and any restrictions on gun ownership for recreational purposes is in no danger whatsoever.
I've heard all the platitudes. "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns." There is substantial evidence to suggest otherwise, but it is not the intent of this blog entry to make the case for or against gun control. I am merely trying to show how a gun-toting liberal can enthusiastically support Barak Obama. That is all.
Much Love,
YD
Thursday, December 21, 2006
What a Waste of Resources!
Remember when
Perhaps the best indication of the truth of this claim is the current state of affairs in
Interestingly, US subsidies to domestic farmers are, in large part, the cause of increased coca production in the
If our Drug Enforcement Agency can be forgiven for missing the observations of Phillip Dunn, or anyone else with a professed interest in Bolivian affairs, it certainly can not be excused for either misinterpreting or ignoring the 2003 overthrow of Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada. According to an October 6, 2003
Our own government recognizes that our current policies and efforts to reduce supply have not worked and will not work. In a 2003 Report to Congress, Raphael Perl pointed out that 2001 eradication efforts reduced coca production by 70% in
As the saying goes, “It takes two to tango” and our counterpart in this destructive dance may soon be calling a different tune. In the wake of the political unrest in
The Morales presidency will place pressure on existing
It is morally reprehensible for us to further impoverish an already suffering people and imprison tens of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens, when the problem lies primarily on the demand side. In order to maintain a moral victory in this war, we must be prepared to conduct it in a merciful manner that doesn’t ruin thousands of lives while professing a desire to protect the health of our citizens. We must ask ourselves what motivates our huge demand for cocaine, and how we can reduce domestic demand.
To realize any degree of success in the war on drugs, we must first determine if it is a war worth fighting. The history of prohibition is steeped in racism and religious dogma. There are certainly public health concerns, and there are good reasons to control drug use. If we ultimately decide that it serves our interest to do so, perhaps waging war on many of the most disenfranchised people in the world, including a large number of our own citizens, isn’t the best approach.
Success will only be accomplished by dialing down the rhetoric and applying the proper strategies. Posturing and using military terminology causes immediate cessation of the open dialogue that will be required to achieve real solutions. By all indications, attempting to control supply has been a colossal failure. As long as there is a demand for cocaine, there will be those desperate enough to supply it. Instead we must analyze our own behavior. Why do we demand to be supplied with cocaine? If we can answer this question, we can begin to figure out how we can reduce demand. Finally, in order to normalize relations with countries such as
The
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Finally, Balance
Some thoughts:
Melman, the head of the RNC, is now refering to me as a progressive, not a liberal. That's nice, but he still was calling me to move to the right in order to achieve concensus.
Dean, his DNC counterpart, says he still believes America is a conservative country and I think he's right. Our Democratic leaders would be wise to follow Dean's lead and keep it toned down. We've been given an opportunity to lead and we should use it responsibly.
Murtha fired a shot across the bow. Someone needs to reign him in. We must be careful not to mire the country in more of the same partisan bickering.
Tennessee missed an opportunity to be represented by a true gentleman and statesman. He gave the most gracious concession speech I have ever heard. We will see him again.
More later. I have a test to study for. Much love.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Pulling My Head Out of The Sand
In the meantime, let me speak a bit to what's been on my mind. Perception is reality. Egocasting. In our little blog world, we are perceived pretty much as we desire to be, but what about in our real lives. How do people perceive me? Based on the frequency with which I am shocked by what is said to me, quite differently than I think I am.
Would I be able to handle the answer to this question? What if we all stopped telling the itty bitty white lies to spare each others feelings? Are we actually doing anyone any favors by allowing them to live a life of self-delusion? Are we so fragile as to be broken by some facts? Or maybe how we are perceived isn't a complete accident. Maybe it is a defense mechanism and we are purposeful (if not subconsciously) in allowing ourselves to be misperceived.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Step up!
Or maybe you're grandfather participated in the craziness. Odds are against it, but if he did, is he asking you to get overseas and do your part? Do you even know what I'm talking about? It's more than just something you read about in a history book.
What is your part in this story?
Friday, May 12, 2006
Now the Work Begins
I'm excited about how much I'm going to learn this summer, but I'm a bit terrified too. I'm not a spring chicken and it's been 2 years since I've done any real physical labor, and I will be busting my ass. I don't mind, I just hope my boss understands if it takes me a couple of weeks to get back to fighting shape.
So, I'll try to post when I get a chance to get home. In the meantime friends, stay strong. Much love.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Just Like in the Movies
Al had gone golfing last Friday with his younger son. He told us the score was within 3 strokes, but he wouldn't say which way.
Apparently, between heart attacks on Saturday, he had his nurses in stitches with the testicle story. If I could script my exit, it would look alot like Al's.
Al's oldest son, Rick, told us the story of a visiting vacation. Al needed a new battery for his car. Rick, knowing of his father's thriftiness, expected him to choose the cheapest of some 8 models that fit his car. Instead, he noticed Al eyeing a very expensive model. "This one's got an 8 year warranty." Rick thought that surely, at Al's age he wouldn't buy that expensive battery. Well, he did. Rick checked under the hood, and wouldn't you know that warranty expired this month.
Al kept a bottle of Single Malt Scotch. I forget what he was saving it for, but it was 57 years old. I noticed that it was missing when I was over there today. I have a pretty good idea where it is. Cheers, Al!