Reply #71: Sigh...

[Irreverend IX]

"And my response, in case you've managed to miss it so far, was to giggle at being red-baited."

It seems my mention of communism has burned out your logic centers. I'll try and explain I meant, using easy one-syllable words. I mentioned communism as an analogy. An-al-o-gy. I also compared anti-RKBA views to libertarianism and Scientology, but I don't see you accusing me of painting you as a libertarian or Scientologist. My point is that communism and Scientology are like anti-RKBA rhetoric in that they are utopian fantasies that fail terribly when put into practice.

"Gee. When exactly did this become a dichotomy?"

It didn't. I described two possible courses of action for the Democrats: one that will skyrocket the party to dominance and one that will hamstring it. The party could try to do both things, but it'll be hard to take over American politics when so many gun owners, large swaths of the rural working class among them, are put off by talk of further restrictions to the lawful use of firearms.

"Why not go for a little more social justice AND a little less killing and maiming and misery and, of course, economic loss?"

Are you suggesting that more gun control equals less killing and maiming and misery? Let's draw another analogy (consult a dictionary if you are unfamiliar with the term) between guns and drugs. In the early 20th century, drugs caused more than a little suffering and death. Alcoholism, morphine withdrawal, overdoses... it wasn't a pretty picture. This led the U.S. government to experiment twice with drug prohibition.

The first experiment ran up a staggering cost in lost lives and ruined communities. Thousands died from drinking bathtub gin and inner-city neighborhoods were ripped apart by gang warfare, leading the nation's battered vice squads to admit defeat and immediately afterward take up arms against a host of psychoactives with less of a history in American culture.

The second prohibition experiment continues today, although any rational person can see that it is an utter failure. The U.S.'s drug laws are circumvented every day at parties and street corners around the country, and all the government has to show for it are millions of deaths and ruined lives and the world's highest prison population.

So let's ban guns and create another hugely profitable black market. Sounds like it'll work great!