Gun Control

I don't own a gun. I wasn't around guns all that much as a kid--I got my gun experience in Scouts or other organized events. My dad did own a gun--a 22 as I remember and I shot it a couple of times. I am sure if you handed me a gun today I wouldn't know how to turn the safety off.
I think there should be more gun control in this country.
When I say gun control, I don't mean repealing the 2nd amendment--something conservatives and NRA types like to immediately puff their chests about--I mean gun control, better governance about who has guns and how they use them. There is one exception--automatic assault weapons. The name alone should be obvious to why the general public should not have them.
We need a registration similar to DMV with cars, something a gun owner has to renew every so often and report the sale or destruction (if that is possible). I would also like to see a required training class for anyone who purchases a gun. This class would include handling, storage, and stress saftey. You would get a card or certificate you could then use to buy a gun. And, just like with a car if you don't report a change (sold, not working, etc) you get fined.
Similar measures have been put in place in Canada, and while it hasn't put a dent in the homicide rate yet, it is a step in the right direction; taking control of a situation rather then doing nothing.
Another gun crime we don't talk much about is Suicide. The Candian embassy reports more gun related suicides were committed than homicides in 1996. Perhaps we should also be looking at mental health requirement for permits as well.

My view point may not solve the problem; however, I do know I am sick of hearing "they're trying to take away our guns". If your gun affects my public safety, I will choose safety every time.

"Tear down that wall"

Those were the words Ronald Reagan used when talking about the Berlin wall all those years ago. Now it seems conservatives can't get enough of building walls and creating the appearance of separation.
I agree immigration needs to be reformed, but let's at least try to show some dignity to the fact that most of us our ancestors of immigrants as well. When we talk about Mexican immigration, why don't we talk about helping their economy? We 'dump' tons of corn and other produce down there cheaper than local farmers can grow it--no wonder they are all coming here.
If the US is supposed to be the superpower of the world, why resort to something as primitive as a wall?

Partial Birth Abortions

The supreme court upheld a ban on partial birth abortions this week. While I think this a positive move, I believe that too much time and money is spent on political wrangling and not enough on those that need help making this decision. If both sides would stop fighting and look at how to help the unwed teen, the molested daughter, and the mother of 3 who doesn't want to be a mother again real solutions would come and lives would be blessed.

While abortion would not come up in a conversation I had with my daughter, I believe that if abortions are performed they should be safe and as much information as possible should be given so a woman can make the best choice for her and the baby she is carrying.

I believe that abortion policy should change; however, I also believe that change will happen one person at a time--and we can all be part of that process by learning and understand more about adoption--one of the most selfless things you can do.

Don Imus

I know this is old news; however, my two cents dictates the following:

If we are going to pressure executives to fire employees because of what they say that pressure should be placed in all media outlets--not just cranky old men.

I have been thinking about this in more detail, but as you know this is an old story.

What was he thinking

Our thoughts are with the Virginia Tech families that lost love ones today. What a tragedy--what a loss.

What drives people to do this? Especially when they include themselves in the people they kill. If you are going to kill yourself, why not save your bullets and skip to the end?

Off we go . . .

One of the best ways to 'get involved' is to write to the editor, write to your representative, or blog--but it revolves around communicating; expressing your ideas in logical and clear manner.

I have slacked as of late with my blog; however, as the political season heats ups (only 60 days until the primaries) I am going to try to express my opinions as quickly as possible. We'll see how it goes.

She stole my what . . . . ?

Emily hid my deodorant. She didn't like the aroma of Old Spice natural scent, so she hid it. What a swiper.

Congrats Emily

Emily won our NCAA tournament challange in a blowout . . . Congratulations

Rank     Bracket      Points Correct Picks Overall %
1       hmmm sports!     119    43 of 63
2       Perfect Circles     88    41 of 63
3       Sarah's Wacky Pix     86    37 of 63
4       Tom's Team     82    38 of 63
5       EQP     74    39 of 63
6       Ashley Scott     0    0 of 63