Gosh, I hope you don't expect to get climate science from political/social columnists, whether Gail or Rush. What I get from Gail is humorous and insightful perspectives on current issues. As an intelligent non-idealogue she seems to accept the preponderance of scientific evidence that humans are effecting climate and rightfully comments that Republicans are against what previously they supported. Like the Know Nothings of 160 years ago Republicans are blind to anything that differs from their beliefs, but now want to stop government to assuage their social/religious/economic/scientific opinions that are typically unsupported by data. I recommend that citizens do read scientists' explanations of climate, starting with "Scientific American", "Science News", or science websites such as "Real Climate - Climate Science from Climate Scientists" (http://www.realclimate.org).
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Slowing Gun Violence
I sent this message to West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin today:
I encourage you to vote for the bill Senator Diane Feinstein has introduced to reduce the availability of military style assult weapons and extended ammunition clips, and to require background checks for all gun purchases. These are reasonable responses to the continuing onslaught of murders that the US suffers.
The argument that more guns make us safer is not true. The USA has far more weapons in the hands of citizens than any other country in the world, and we have far more gun violence than any other country. We have more weapons and more violence than we did 50 years ago. All countries have video games, violent movies and crazy people, but without assult rifles and extended ammo clips the harm that can be committed is quite limited.
The recent shoot out between two college students in Texas demonstrates what happens when guns are everywhere. A fist fight escalated into gunfire when both students pulled out their pistols. There would have absolutely been no wounding of people if they had not been carrying guns.
The real reason the NRA strong-arms you and other politicians to not restrict guns is not to protect hunting - who hunts with a assault rifle? - nor to protect a family, but to fight to overthrow a government they hate. Although they call themselves patriots, it is extraordinarily unpatriotic and unAmerican to say that each individual can attack the government if they don't like particular actions. And while it may seem romantic to be the lone "patriot" who attacks an evil government, it is absolutely absurd.
A person's right to bear arms must be balanced with the rights of thousands of innocent people a year not to be killed by gunfire.
Joe Manchin, you are commendably trying to find ways to get the government to work to accomplish the people's business. Protecting citizens from trigger happy college kids and crazy people with more armaments than the police is a clear priority in allowing Americans to strive for life, libery and the pursuit of happiness. You have the prestige and seriousness to side with Senator Feinstein and to explain to West Virginians why that is a good thing. No one would listen to Senator Rockefeller on guns, but they will listen to you.
Thank you,
Charles Wood
I encourage you to vote for the bill Senator Diane Feinstein has introduced to reduce the availability of military style assult weapons and extended ammunition clips, and to require background checks for all gun purchases. These are reasonable responses to the continuing onslaught of murders that the US suffers.
The argument that more guns make us safer is not true. The USA has far more weapons in the hands of citizens than any other country in the world, and we have far more gun violence than any other country. We have more weapons and more violence than we did 50 years ago. All countries have video games, violent movies and crazy people, but without assult rifles and extended ammo clips the harm that can be committed is quite limited.
The recent shoot out between two college students in Texas demonstrates what happens when guns are everywhere. A fist fight escalated into gunfire when both students pulled out their pistols. There would have absolutely been no wounding of people if they had not been carrying guns.
The real reason the NRA strong-arms you and other politicians to not restrict guns is not to protect hunting - who hunts with a assault rifle? - nor to protect a family, but to fight to overthrow a government they hate. Although they call themselves patriots, it is extraordinarily unpatriotic and unAmerican to say that each individual can attack the government if they don't like particular actions. And while it may seem romantic to be the lone "patriot" who attacks an evil government, it is absolutely absurd.
A person's right to bear arms must be balanced with the rights of thousands of innocent people a year not to be killed by gunfire.
Joe Manchin, you are commendably trying to find ways to get the government to work to accomplish the people's business. Protecting citizens from trigger happy college kids and crazy people with more armaments than the police is a clear priority in allowing Americans to strive for life, libery and the pursuit of happiness. You have the prestige and seriousness to side with Senator Feinstein and to explain to West Virginians why that is a good thing. No one would listen to Senator Rockefeller on guns, but they will listen to you.
Thank you,
Charles Wood
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Gail's column: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/opinion/collins-cooling-on-warming.html?ref=opinion