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calimary

(80,693 posts)
147. We should start YESTERDAY!! Strike while the iron is hot. Emotions are with OUR side now.
Sun Dec 16, 2012, 08:34 PM
Dec 2012

I'd go for it NOW before the funeral Masses even begin for all those little victims. I'd exploit EVERY bit of the mourning and sadness to get this jump-started. Yes. Exploit. And I'm sorry to have to get crass, but I've never made a secret of the fact that I'm as Machiavellian as the next guy. And if we can use this horror to push for legislation that truly does save lives and does benefit the greater good, why shouldn't we?

There may be no better time than NOW!

I'll bet ANY of those parents who are mourning a murdered CHILD from this massacre would tell anyone who'd listen that if they could do nothing else at this point, they'd want to try to keep OTHER parents from going through this agony. They'd want to move Heaven and Earth, if they could, to make sure that this nightmare never befalls any other mom or dad in America. Every parent I've ever seen in recent memory, who's had to live through this kind of ordeal where their beloved innocent child becomes a murder victim, from John Walsh onward, has said a version of the same thing. Especially when they embrace activism. What they want more than anything, if they can never get their precious baby back, then they want to do whatever they can to prevent this from happening to ANY other parent, and KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

How have we been doing so far? Not very good, judging from the track record we see. TWO multiple shootings in the same week - the first one in a mall early in the week, and Friday, Newtown, Connecticut. And, then, the day after the Connecticut school massacre, a woman is shot to death outside the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas.

WTF???????

And don't forget what Howard Dean said during the 2004 campaign, and has continued to preach: the only way you lose is if you don't try. So what if it's a high mountain to climb? Things change. Attitudes can and do change also. Look how much talk and coverage and attention there now is, regarding the whole notion of significant change that manifested itself in this last election. Look how fast public opinion is tilting toward acceptance of marriage equality. There's a majority now, which is a change just from a few years ago. I forget how many years but I do remember it was under five. That's an AMAZING shift in the attitude of the collective and it's being so noted in the media. That used to be a high mountain, too - widely regarded as pretty unsurmountable. Religiosos were against it, emphatically and extremely. Now? I recently saw some poll numbers on "Hardball" (or some such program) that showed young church-goers comprised the highest percentage of support for marriage equality.

So why can't we seize this opportunity when public opinion is running strongly in favor of SOME kind of stepped-up gun control? SOMETHING!

Why can't we do something that would TRULY honor the innocent dead? DO it for them, and in their memory. So their deaths would not remain merely senseless. So they didn't die in vain.

Hope you're right Floyd_Gondolli Dec 2012 #1
Want to own guns fine. Here is what military grade weapons owners need to do Katashi_itto Dec 2012 #180
Excellent ideas !! Maineman Dec 2012 #208
*WE*'re gonna take their guns way.. read all about it... 6502 Dec 2012 #185
Nobody is going to take anybody's guns away. NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #2
Clarification: NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #3
You OK with your neighbor housing several semi-automatics? Tutonic Dec 2012 #4
Why would I have a problem with it? axetogrind Dec 2012 #19
What good are all these guns? JDPriestly Dec 2012 #37
We both grew up with guns in our homes. axetogrind Dec 2012 #48
I use them! Atypical Liberal Dec 2012 #81
Yeah, every person that ever went berserk in a rage and reached for a gun xtraxritical Dec 2012 #172
You are correct Lordquinton Dec 2012 #178
Oh come on. Atypical Liberal Dec 2012 #183
Of course you are the responsable gun owner Lordquinton Dec 2012 #212
I know people who have eight or ten guitars. Bake Dec 2012 #201
I can't understand why some people climb mountains or jump out of perfectly good planes ... spin Dec 2012 #205
You just joined DU today... you own "several semi-automatics"?? pray tell, WHY??????? secondwind Dec 2012 #38
Hell in the South they are practically mandatory Major Nikon Dec 2012 #60
Horseshit. Hugabear Dec 2012 #204
Good for you Major Nikon Dec 2012 #206
You said that guns are practically mandatory in the South. That statement is horseshit. Hugabear Dec 2012 #211
Probably because it was intended to be hyperbole Major Nikon Dec 2012 #213
That poster joined today DocMac Dec 2012 #152
I'm sorry. axetogrind Dec 2012 #160
Don't be sorry. DocMac Dec 2012 #161
Here's what I'll do. axetogrind Dec 2012 #162
I have a 9mm semi-automatic pistol Bake Dec 2012 #202
You joined DU on THIS day... to argue in favor of guns?!? FailureToCommunicate Dec 2012 #89
I'm not arguing in favor of guns, nor against them. axetogrind Dec 2012 #96
I read 'em. While you sound reasonable enough, you are clearly FailureToCommunicate Dec 2012 #112
I expected a civil conversation axetogrind Dec 2012 #113
This is what's wrong with DU Wednesdays Dec 2012 #192
And I have said that out of fairness I won't serve on juries for at least 2 weeks. axetogrind Dec 2012 #195
bigotry has a lot of faces hockeynut57 Dec 2012 #198
Thank you. axetogrind Dec 2012 #199
Mrs. Lanza had never used her guns illegally or negligently either. It was never a problem for her Squinch Dec 2012 #90
Yep, Loughner, Holmes, Stawicki, Zimmerman, and most other killers were perfectly law-abiding until Hoyt Dec 2012 #110
+ 1 nt laundry_queen Dec 2012 #117
We should start YESTERDAY!! Strike while the iron is hot. Emotions are with OUR side now. calimary Dec 2012 #147
I agree completely. NRA and gun abusers everywhere hope it merely blows away. Hoyt Dec 2012 #149
That's it in a nutshell, isn't it? laundry_queen Dec 2012 #116
All guns DarkDisturbed Dec 2012 #190
Did you shoot it with an automatic weapon redstatebluegirl Dec 2012 #196
This message was self-deleted by its author redstatebluegirl Dec 2012 #197
I'm sure the shooter's mother Blue Gardener Dec 2012 #181
Odds are he has fewer than I do Trunk Monkey Dec 2012 #24
No problem at all. He has SEVERAL semi-automatic handguns and a tactical shotgun. TahitiNut Dec 2012 #33
Yes, I don't have a problem with it. nt NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #40
Only if he keeps them securely locked up in a heavy duty gun safe at all times when kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #139
I am quite sure that many of my neighbors own them already forthemiddle Dec 2012 #210
Chill on the leniency for the 3X bike thieves. cliffordu Dec 2012 #9
I kinda have to agree.... NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #15
Why should a thief get a break. oldbanjo Dec 2012 #49
No Thank You Mr. Gun Enthusiast Jonny Dec 2012 #5
Hahahaha! NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #7
See you met my sock..... cliffordu Dec 2012 #10
I like that he used the formal term, "Mr.", because if not I'd have to... NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #16
You are a cruel one, mr. Skp, oh yes you are. cliffordu Dec 2012 #17
Next time you're in town, lets go shooting... NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #20
ME: Six foot, 200lb asshole with a mood disorder, on a bicycle, dressed in yellow, cliffordu Dec 2012 #118
Well, the 4000-ish post member agrees with him. Chorophyll Dec 2012 #52
disgusting. what a callous comment. Tuesday Afternoon Dec 2012 #77
Seriously? I've been crying my brains out for two days. Chorophyll Dec 2012 #150
There has been at least one mod laundry_queen Dec 2012 #121
I'm freaking heartsick at the gun-loving on this site. Chorophyll Dec 2012 #151
Just because you were a moderator doesn't mean you deserve to be here DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2012 #191
It won't work. k2qb3 Dec 2012 #12
Honest gtun owners who will not obey the laws? Unthinkable... sanatanadharma Dec 2012 #22
You take the guns from the bad guy then oldbanjo Dec 2012 #56
Exactly right and illustrates the point. nt laundry_queen Dec 2012 #122
Let me understand this atreides1 Dec 2012 #153
So it's easier to be rid of trauma, anger, and mental illness? tblue Dec 2012 #23
Yes we can. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #36
Would you like to discuss it or just resort to bullshit terms like "infatuation" that are divisive? NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #39
I'm sorry if you find your infatuation with guns called for what it is offensive, Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #44
I'm sure that I can reload with stripper clips oldbanjo Dec 2012 #74
Good for you. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #97
Why thank you, Dr. Stupidity, for that free psychiatric diagnosis! Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #107
Florida University. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #127
"Florida University?" Really? Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #129
Look it up using the initials. You'll find something, I'm sure. DisgustipatedinCA Dec 2012 #209
Strict regulation is NOT the same as confiscation. cherokeeprogressive Dec 2012 #41
Strict regulation would look a lot like confiscation. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #46
I own a .40 semi-auto pistol AlecBGreen Dec 2012 #43
If its magazine capacity is larger than around 5 shots, it doesn't belong in civilian hands. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #47
Says you. AtheistCrusader Dec 2012 #72
Excellent observation. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #87
Says a couple of dozen dead 6 year olds. Squinch Dec 2012 #100
The AWB in your sig line only limited them to 10. AtheistCrusader Dec 2012 #105
Gosh. You're a master of the technicalities. And twenty 6 year olds are still dead. Squinch Dec 2012 #115
Sorry I know the in's and outs of the issue and the proposed legislation to address it. AtheistCrusader Dec 2012 #119
Regulate private sales, impose the CT AW ban on the nation, and there'd still be 20 dead 6 year olds Kennah Dec 2012 #163
Even my great-grandfather's Colt Woodsman .22 pistol? Atypical Liberal Dec 2012 #86
Yup. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #88
OK what about my replica 1858 New Army Remington? Atypical Liberal Dec 2012 #95
Collector items can be separately regulated. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #126
It's not a museum piece, it's a competition gun. Atypical Liberal Dec 2012 #134
Then no problem. See Canada. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #135
Sounds pretty easy, but I don't see how this is very restrictive. Atypical Liberal Dec 2012 #137
Yep! Gotta go! zappaman Dec 2012 #91
thanks for sharing your opinion AlecBGreen Dec 2012 #111
The children of Newtown would have liked an opportunity to have an opinion. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #124
I don't bother with people like the ones DocMac Dec 2012 #157
I have hunted with Browning auto rifles and oldbanjo Dec 2012 #64
I'm ok with regulation and registration. AtheistCrusader Dec 2012 #70
I Disagree - Americans Can Make This Happen - We Have Been Pushed To Far - Stop The Slaughter Today! cantbeserious Dec 2012 #55
That's the VERY FIRST POINT we need to - pardon the pun - "target." calimary Dec 2012 #71
Actually, I want to give in, I honestly accept the impossible and embrace what CAN work. NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #102
Maybe it should be like bargaining. Pardon the pun again - shoot for the moon. Then maybe you'll calimary Dec 2012 #140
Shoot for Mars, settle for the moon, NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #142
SO much more succinct than I was able to manage! calimary Dec 2012 #171
Irrational knee jerk nuts have temporarily taken over DU and thankfully that will not be sustained. L0oniX Dec 2012 #144
we will think big. even if we only take away 50% of them it will be a victory Pretzel_Warrior Dec 2012 #176
It always had more to do with congress than the president, and since we elect both, you are correct still_one Dec 2012 #6
I hope so etherealtruth Dec 2012 #8
Actually, you would have to employ heavily armed law enforcement people to do that slackmaster Dec 2012 #11
By taking their guns away I don't mean anything that stupid FightingIrish Dec 2012 #13
I hate to burst your bubble axetogrind Dec 2012 #21
well wait a minute there pardner CitizenPatriot Dec 2012 #25
I'm not arguing with you about that. axetogrind Dec 2012 #28
no, Dems didn't NOT vote for renewal CitizenPatriot Dec 2012 #145
I believe you're right axetogrind Dec 2012 #146
Correct. CitizenPatriot Dec 2012 #148
And the Citizens United bullshit ruling. axetogrind Dec 2012 #155
Ah, so you admit that the gun cultists aren't as law-abiding as we are led to believe. Hoyt Dec 2012 #132
People like me won't be a problem, Hoyt. I'll comply with whatever the law says. slackmaster Dec 2012 #194
Amazing the strength of the "it can't be done" comments Hekate Dec 2012 #14
Lots of newbies showing up in these posting rivers supporting NRA talking points it seems. sellitman Dec 2012 #93
You noticed that too, did you? nt. Squinch Dec 2012 #101
It will be a multigenerational fight, but we will prevail alcibiades_mystery Dec 2012 #18
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! And yes, it will take a long time. But it has to begin now. nt. Squinch Dec 2012 #103
We must counter ALEC and other groups who have forced this into state laws, which is doable. freshwest Dec 2012 #26
Nicely put Vox Moi Dec 2012 #27
So you, fightingIrish, is going to knock on my door and take my gun? nt UndahCovah Dec 2012 #29
WE can do it Politicalboi Dec 2012 #30
Lol you without guns are going to do what to people with guns? dkf Dec 2012 #35
Is that a threat, dkf? Chorophyll Dec 2012 #54
I don't have a gun but I'm not going to block people who do. dkf Dec 2012 #58
Yeah, fine. I'm referring to your previous post Chorophyll Dec 2012 #62
I think it's a stupid thing to do. So sue me. dkf Dec 2012 #78
Maybe she wishes a certain scene in the opening of the film "Watchmen" was true. 2ndAmForComputers Dec 2012 #79
I don't have guns now. I work in one of the most violent areas in the country. What is it you Squinch Dec 2012 #106
What I think you shouldn't do is confront them. dkf Dec 2012 #128
Your question was what would gunless people do when confronted with armed people Squinch Dec 2012 #133
You'd think that shooting up an elementary school, murdering twenty 6-year-olds BlueCaliDem Dec 2012 #31
Guns have always been around.. and we never had this problem... lib2DaBone Dec 2012 #32
Very good comment. oldbanjo Dec 2012 #84
You can't see the elephant in the room laundry_queen Dec 2012 #130
This is interesting for those who think all we need to do is get everybody mental care, as an libdem4life Dec 2012 #136
There are possible links davidthegnome Dec 2012 #169
/facepalm jeff47 Dec 2012 #177
Thank you for disputing this claptrap. kurtzapril4 Dec 2012 #193
Bookmarked for a year from now. Logical Dec 2012 #34
I sense alot humbled_opinion Dec 2012 #42
You are right on some of your points, oldbanjo Dec 2012 #99
Good luck with that. Because it's not going to happen Autumn Dec 2012 #45
K&R Chorophyll Dec 2012 #50
I was thinking the same thing, make it a meme and get it SaveAmerica Dec 2012 #51
I doubt it..... Mr Peabody Dec 2012 #53
I hope they don't waste a bunch capital on the old 1994 AWB madville Dec 2012 #57
Actually, no, you're not. nt rrneck Dec 2012 #59
This is the only reasonable solution. baldguy Dec 2012 #61
But how do you get a national gun ban without violating the Bill of Rights? axetogrind Dec 2012 #67
"A well regulated militia..." baldguy Dec 2012 #80
OK. axetogrind Dec 2012 #83
Impeachment is always an option. baldguy Dec 2012 #92
Who does the impeachment? axetogrind Dec 2012 #98
Impeachment of a Supreme Court justice would take much more amandabeech Dec 2012 #167
Take your own advice. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #108
You want the rights with none of the responsibilities that go with them. baldguy Dec 2012 #114
Don't EVEN presume to tell me what I want. Lizzie Poppet Dec 2012 #123
What are you doing to stop this from happening AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN? baldguy Dec 2012 #125
Post removed Post removed Dec 2012 #188
Of course. After allowing you more than a day, you have no answer. baldguy Dec 2012 #215
Do you need some help with reading? Melatonin Dec 2012 #216
All rights are conditional. Warren Stupidity Dec 2012 #94
High capacity mags. axetogrind Dec 2012 #104
Kick & Rec. n/t. apocalypsehow Dec 2012 #63
No you're not. n/t zappaman Dec 2012 #65
The Test Of Time Will Have You Eating Those Words cantbeserious Dec 2012 #66
uh huh zappaman Dec 2012 #69
No - Not Me Personally - Your New Gun Tax Bill May Make Your Ownership Onerous and Unpalatable cantbeserious Dec 2012 #76
uh huh zappaman Dec 2012 #82
How are you going to do that? Sissyk Dec 2012 #68
I'd reck this a million times if I could loyalkydem Dec 2012 #73
Nope. nt rDigital Dec 2012 #75
Well Berserker Dec 2012 #85
Unlikely. n/t flvegan Dec 2012 #109
No, they will give them up willingly quaker bill Dec 2012 #120
Exactly. Like cigarettes, swastikas, confederate flags, etc, guns need to become taboo. Hoyt Dec 2012 #131
Actually, more than all the above. quaker bill Dec 2012 #182
Agree. Hoyt Dec 2012 #186
Yep. We the People are mad as hell and we're not going to take this anymore. kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #138
Who is this "WE" you claim to speak for, bvar22 Dec 2012 #141
Thank you bvar22. This might be the first time I heartily agree with you. NYC_SKP Dec 2012 #143
Because it is hard for zealots to keep swallowing their perception of truth TheKentuckian Dec 2012 #156
Insane? FightingIrish Dec 2012 #159
I will join your effort. It's time to REPEAL the second amendment. Dems to Win Dec 2012 #154
At this moment my girlfriend is on her way home from working a gun show. brewens Dec 2012 #158
Tell me again how no one is interested in banning guns. Kennah Dec 2012 #164
Yes we are!!!!!!!!! Tumbulu Dec 2012 #165
Thank you, and K & R. nt Care Acutely Dec 2012 #166
Molon Labe ... Llewlladdwr Dec 2012 #168
"Take Them If You Can" Paladin Dec 2012 #187
You'll never disarm the American people Hoopermazing Dec 2012 #170
I think it is that kind of thinking that has gotten us where we are now world wide wally Dec 2012 #173
EXHIBIT NUMBER ONE Skittles Dec 2012 #174
Yes, just like the rest of billh58 Dec 2012 #175
Regulation and limitations are one thing, but taking them all away? NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. Get real. RBInMaine Dec 2012 #179
No you're not. Codeine Dec 2012 #184
I already gave all my guns away except one. For me, I believe plethoro Dec 2012 #189
Doesn't matter how many draconian laws you might ram through, you won't ever take them. pop topcan Dec 2012 #200
No. You're not. Bake Dec 2012 #203
Your chances of doing so at this time are slim to none. (n/t) spin Dec 2012 #207
It is opinions like yours guardian Dec 2012 #214
Thanks to people like you FightingIrish Dec 2012 #217
Kick. ellisonz Dec 2012 #218
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