Reply #48: Well,

[Terran]

I thought it was sort of the opposite of dividing (and I sure don't see it as self-defeating). When it comes to this issue, my normal bent for ideology is out the window--I am a realist, and I care about reducing the number of gun deaths in this country, not whether people own guns or not. So I try to understand the arguments of both sides (when they have one).

My own view is that we have a cultural problem here, not a problem with guns (the guns are a symptom of the cultural problem). Heal the culture, and maybe the guns are no longer such an issue.

Self-defeating? I think it's healthy to look for wisdom in opposing arguments. We're all progressives here, right? Ultimately, we stand together.

I have very great respect for you and your POV, iverglas. I just wish your posts could be a little more brief; time is fleeting.

Dirk