Guns and Controls, and Society, a rant
OK, KIDS:
When did fear begin ruling this society? When did we, used loosely, decide that acceptance of the risks of life was a BAD thing.
A firearm represents a risk. It's a tool designed to kill things. And, like any good tool, it does it's job well when used properly. The problem is a firearm is also a symbol of fear, whether used actively or passively. A firearm used actively in society is a threat. A firearm used passively in society is a protection. Against what? The threat of firearms used actively, of course, but also any threat the guardian cannot handle without the assistance of a tool.
So, the reasoning is if we take away the active threat, we take away the need for protection. But a simple analysis of the logic behind that reasoning shows it to be false tautology: the absence of a (active threat), does not mean the absence of the need for protection. Or, as CSI reminds us, the absence of evidence does not provide evidence of absence. But, many, if not most, in our society are too lazy or too stupid, or simply too fearful to think that through.
Our society wants to penalize heavily those who create fear. Petty theft is not a felony, say robbing a convenience store. But, add a gun into the theft, and now it becomes a felony. Why? Because without a gun, the tables are sort of equal, but with the gun, the thief creates fear in the mind of the clerk. The clerk no longer has a 'fighting chance'. Likewise, creating fear in a child is reviled; they cannot defend themselves, so it is harm to the child, and by extension, society. That makes it a felony. The number of examples is innumerable.
The real solution? Teach people to resist fear. Have our leaders, whether in government, or commerce, or media, or the churches, condemn the kind of passive cowardice that makes unpleasant tools a source of fear. Stand up for yourself, America.
But, that will never happen. Fear, and the management of it, is such a lucrative enterprise, that our leaders will never kill that cash cow.
Sad. Achingly, pitifully sad. America, I weep for thee, and for my children, who will never be allowed to rise above their fears.
When did fear begin ruling this society? When did we, used loosely, decide that acceptance of the risks of life was a BAD thing.
A firearm represents a risk. It's a tool designed to kill things. And, like any good tool, it does it's job well when used properly. The problem is a firearm is also a symbol of fear, whether used actively or passively. A firearm used actively in society is a threat. A firearm used passively in society is a protection. Against what? The threat of firearms used actively, of course, but also any threat the guardian cannot handle without the assistance of a tool.
So, the reasoning is if we take away the active threat, we take away the need for protection. But a simple analysis of the logic behind that reasoning shows it to be false tautology: the absence of a (active threat), does not mean the absence of the need for protection. Or, as CSI reminds us, the absence of evidence does not provide evidence of absence. But, many, if not most, in our society are too lazy or too stupid, or simply too fearful to think that through.
Our society wants to penalize heavily those who create fear. Petty theft is not a felony, say robbing a convenience store. But, add a gun into the theft, and now it becomes a felony. Why? Because without a gun, the tables are sort of equal, but with the gun, the thief creates fear in the mind of the clerk. The clerk no longer has a 'fighting chance'. Likewise, creating fear in a child is reviled; they cannot defend themselves, so it is harm to the child, and by extension, society. That makes it a felony. The number of examples is innumerable.
The real solution? Teach people to resist fear. Have our leaders, whether in government, or commerce, or media, or the churches, condemn the kind of passive cowardice that makes unpleasant tools a source of fear. Stand up for yourself, America.
But, that will never happen. Fear, and the management of it, is such a lucrative enterprise, that our leaders will never kill that cash cow.
Sad. Achingly, pitifully sad. America, I weep for thee, and for my children, who will never be allowed to rise above their fears.