Gun Control

In retort to the Red Lady's post of Gun Control in DC, I do have a retort. In looking for some non-partisan publications that just presents facts and not spin, I really couldn't find much. The internet is loaded with BullSh*t writings, on both sides. I did find this one piece, which I believe to be well written, presenting some facts that are documented and offering an interesting conclusion. However, the Big Argument is something I've been pondering for a few days.

At a local Discussion Group last week that the Red Lady and I attended, the discussion was on the Mess in the Middle East. After having some facts presented, we were asked to discuss or ask questions. The conversation, of course, got around to protection and safety. The Red Lady commented on her trip to Costa Rica in the last 10 years, where the military and armed police were in plain sight, and she felt safer. I, on the other hand, was in Paris in 1998 and noticed the armed guards patrolling the streets and subway and I didn't feel safe, I felt scared. I was glad we didn't have to deal with that in the United States.

I think Michael Moore, in the movie 'Bowling for Columbine' made a very good point that we are now being ruled by fear. The media, and now, in my opinion, the government, capitalize on fear. All we hear about on the news is shootings, murders, and violence. Why is it important to me that an apartment complex is on fire in Henry County? But all the news stations get their news 'copters over the scene to give a face to the 'Breaking Story'. Now, I know lots of conservatives will have stopped reading at my mention of Michael Moore, but I also want to highlight this article, that is definately anti-Moore. I DO NOT believe that anything Michael Moore has done is a documentary. It is his opinion, plain and simple. But it presents some points for intelligent people to think about. More about this later.

My point is, I don't want to live in a society that is in fear all the time. I don't want to have to keep my windows locked and blinds drawn to stay safe. I don't want to have to be afraid in my own home. I don't want to have to keep looking over my shoulder and up in the sky for Bad Guys. I can be safe, be aware of my surroundings, lock my doors in my car even when I'm driving, stay away from questionable areas, act smart. When I was looking for a house, I looked in the City of Atlanta, and choose not to buy there, even though I would be sitting on a well made investment. I looked around the area and decided I couldn't be comfortable living alone in a transitional neighborhood. I choose a more established neighborhood, and, to my suprise and delight, it is a very safe neighborhood. I've been broken into once, and it was my fault, so I didn't report it. Nothing of value was taken, and I know who it was.

Now I don't live my life in a bubble, I'm out and about, I've done the clubbing in Buckhead, I've worked in 'bad areas' and had to contend with hookers in the parking lot of my office, I've gone to malls. I don't hang in neighborhoods where there is gun fire every night, I don't know people who do that sort of thing. I make sure my keys are in my hand while getting to my car, I keep my purse in a secure grip, I park under street lights. I got a cell phone. I don't want to carry a gun, and I most certainly don't want to be FORCED to carry a gun. I believe that everyone is intrinsically good, and most people don't like the violence that is happening in this world. I don't want to find out how naive I am being, I like living life the way I do. And I will keep my windows open at my house and the light coming in as long as I can.**

**I'm really not as crazy as it may sound, the only windows I keep open are the ones 22 feet off the ground. I feel if you can climb up that far to break in, you probably deserve whatever you can take! I also keep the front windows locked while I'm not at home, and I have rods in the window just long enough to open the window to get fresh air, but no person can fit in thru the opening. I have also installed motion-detector lights at strategic points around the house, and I have an alarm.