TESTING THE APP

I was having problems working on my blog on the iPad through the web site, so I thought I'd try this out. Apparently, it works.

The Director's Desk: Have a little faith

Commenters aside, LJS can jump to conclusions too, without any evidence. In fact, they seldom provide any of the details or answer any of the questions a normal reader would contemplate.

As for the idea of bank robberies being a bad choice; Lincoln, in particular, seems to have been enjoying a nice trend of catching bank robbers, and that may be true nationwide. However, at some distant point in the past, I seem to recall the clearance rate was rather poor, perhaps less than 50%. I would imagine technology has had a lot to do with the change; security cameras, die packs, alarm systems, and procedural practices in general. Too bad we don't enjoy the same advantages with home burglaries, car thefts, and muggings, to name a few. Also, too bad we don't keep the ones we catch in jail so they don't go out and repeat their crimes. That is probably the one thing we could do to keep the crime rate down; stop letting them out!

Will They Ever Figure It Out?

I know that most anti-gunners have good in their hearts.  They just want to have a world where they can live in peace and not always be fearful for their own safety or that of their families and friends.  I get that.  It is an admirable and natural thing to desire.  Why can't they understand that taking away my guns is not going to make their world any safer or more peaceful?

Sure, if they could magically make all guns, world wide, disappear, along with the ability of anyone to make more, they would be happy; or would they?  Would the world suddenly become a peaceful place?  Would clubs, knives, poison, bombs, chemicals, bio-weapons, spears, brass knuckles, machetes, swords, ropes, electricity, all blunt objects, and bare hands also disappear?

Unfortunately, humans are prone to violent behavior, and they will find a way to commit violent acts.  If guns were somehow gone, they might find even more effective ways to kill.  But, we don't really have to worry about that, because guns are not going to disappear.  It's not inconceivable that they could be banned for private ownership, but that ban would only keep them out of the hands of the citizens who have respect for the law and are morally and mentally in tune with society in general.  The criminals and the insane and the evil people would still have them, or find a way to get them, and the rest of us would be helpless against them.  It would almost certainly make the U.S. less safe and peaceful than it is now.

Instead of calling us names, decrying us as violent, uncaring, or seeking substitutes for something we are lacking, maybe the anti-gunners should help us keep guns out of the wrong hands, those who would use them for evil purposes.  In turn, we could help maintain the peace and security they desire.  After all, we, the law-abiding gun owners, want to stop mass killings such as Newton and Columbine just as much as they do.  Most of us don't mind registration, background checks, waiting periods, and other reasonable restrictions that might reduce the carnage when someone with ill intentions gets the notion to do something terrible.  That is, as long as we are secure in knowing these things are not just one more step in taking guns away completely.

WHEN WILL IT END?

That is the cry from much of the country since the Newtown tragedy; not just from liberals and gun-control advocates, but from most everyone.  Gun owners and enthusiasts probably have even more disgust for these kinds of acts than the rest of society, because it puts them in a bad light and brings about renewed efforts to take away what they feel is their right: to own and bear arms for any legal purpose.

In my mind, it all boils down to this:  I own guns.  I am not going to use them for evil purposes, but only to defend myself and my family, or for target shooting, or hunting.  So, why do you want to take them from me?  So I can't have fun, so I can't defend myself, so I can't enjoy the natural phenomena of hunting?

If someone steals them from me and uses them for evil, is it my fault?  If someone steals your electronics, your car, your bicycle, and they pawn it for money to buy drugs or pornography or guns or gambling or prostitution, is it your fault?

I believe all people have the capacity for both good and evil.  Good is what we all hope to see from others; evil is what we too often get.  Evil will manifest itself in anyway it can, whether it be a mass shooting of inncocent children, a poisoning of a water supply, a bombing of a public building, a strangulation, a clubbing, a knifing, running over someone with a car, a war, genocide, or any of an unlimited number of possibilities.

I also believe it is the resonsibility of each and every parent to protect their children and grandchildren as best they can.  Life for any individual is short, and the only way we have to fulfill our purpose, if we have one, is to insure the survival of our offspring.  It is not just human nature, but all of nature, to survive, to breed, to continue.  I may not be successful in defending myself or my family from the evil that lurks in our world, but shouldn't I be allowed to try?

I can't protect my family if I don't protect myself as well.  If you try to take from the me best means of protecting my family that I have, I will fight you to the bitter end.

AND THE GOOD NEWS...

I was surprised, but happy, to hear there weren't many serious calls for more gun control in the wake of the Aurora shootings.  Certainly there were a few who will take any excuse they can find to get on their anti-gun bandwagon:  New York's mayor for one.  If anyone should know the futility of gun control laws to actually prevent crime, it should be him.  New York's laws are among the strictest in the country, and yet they are one of the leaders in gun violence across the nation.  Chicago is another prime example.

I don't pretend to have a solution to the problem.  Honestly, I don't think there is one.  This kind of thing has been going on all over the world since time began, in one form or another, and unfortunately it will probably continue.  I think the best one can do is to stay alert, be prepared, and do your best to avoid places where you would essentially be a sitting duck for this kind of thing.

As the election moves closer, I expect to get a few calls from people willing to volunteer their time to promote gun-friendly candidates to office.  I'm not sure how much I can help them.  It appears candidates want the endorsement of the NRA, but not their help.  I can't say its a bad move.  They get the best of both worlds that way; a favorable rating by the NRA, but no accusations from the anti-gun crowd that they are affiliated in any way with the gun lobby or industry.