In Case You Missed It: Jason Alexander's Response to Gun Assault

Image from Salon.

I don't know how much longer the terrible events in Aurora, Colorado will be in the news. Sometimes these mass shootings fade from the news cycle quickly, sometimes they linger for a long time. But we never really seem to have any meaningful movement on doing something about it. Many gun fetishists nuts advocates will say nothing can be done, without taking away their "freedoms." Most of the rest of us either sadly shrug our shoulders, or futilely rail about it for a few days. It is the rare elected official who will come out with anything that sounds remotely "anti-gun."

I'm not anti-gun. But I don't think it's unreasonable to consider and discus sensible efforts to curtail the availability of weapons that can kill or wound six dozen people in a minute or two. I don't think that's a bad place to draw the line. Anyway, enough from me. Jason Alexander (George Costanza of Seinfeld) wrote a very, very good piece on this subject, the day after the shootings. It's really good, and captures my thoughts better than I could ever put them. Alexander--whatever you think of him--is a well spoken and smart guy, and this is worth a read.

[Excerpt]


Jason Alexander’s amazing gun rant


. . .This morning, I made a comment about how I do not understand people who support public ownership of assault style weapons like the AR-15 used in the Colorado massacre. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-15

That comment, has of course, inspired a lot of feedback. There have been many tweets of agreement and sympathy but many, many more that have been challenging at the least, hostile and vitriolic at the worst. . .

Read more at: Salon.com

Homeland Security Investigates Law Abiding Citizens

OK, all of you gun lovers out there. You got your hard-won victory in the Supreme Court defending your second amendment right to bear arms. For as many years as I can remember, gun enthusiasts have been railing against any whiff of gun control, waving the Constitution. And they have prevailed.

Now comes the time to put your money where your mouth is. The other amendments to the United States Constitution have been methodically eroded in this country since (and in some cases before) September 11, 2001. All in the name of security. The first amendment is curtailed, the fourth. . .and I do not hear defenders of the second complaining at all.

It would seem that abuse of the other amendments are A-OK, as long as it is the Republicans in charge. Or maybe you all just haven't been paying close enough attention. Read the following excerpt (and the story it links to), and see if you feel at least a little energized to start paying attention.

[Excerpt]

COINTELPRO Comes to My Town: My First-Hand Experience With Government Spies

Finally, at long last, I have something in common with Muhammad Ali.No, I'm not the heavyweight champion of the world, and haven't been named spokesperson for Raid bug spray. Like "the Greatest" - not to mention far too many others -- I have been a target of state police surveillance for activities -- in my case against the death penalty -- that were legal, non-violent, and, so we assumed, constitutionally protected. In classified reports compiled by the Maryland State Police and the Department of Homeland Security, I am "Dave Z. . ."

Read more at: Huffington Post