Friday, April 19, 2013

Killing my soul

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I like - or, rather, I don't like - how the media call this "the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades." For one thing, it's not far-reaching if it doesn't pass Congress. But for another, these were a series of separate proposals, none of which - like banning assault weapons or large, military-style magazines - had the slightest chance of passing, except for expanded background checks.

And even that was a watered-down proposal from two Senators who both have an 'A' rating from the NRA. It wasn't the "universal background checks" which are overwhelmingly supported by the American people. This just expanded background checks to gun shows and internet sales - beneficial, sure, but a relatively small step forward.

Of course, even that didn't pass, since it was filibustered. (Yes, a clear majority of senators supported it, but we don't have a democracy in the U.S. Senate anymore.)

Still, I guess when gun control legislation has been completely off the table for decades, anything could be called "far-reaching," huh?

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To my shame, that Sen. Mike Johanns is from Nebraska. I called his office to express my disappointment with his vote. But when his staff answered, I realized that my expectations of Johanns are so low that nothing he did could really be considered a 'disappointment.' I simply don't expect anything else.

I did suggest, however, that they either buy him a dictionary or a computer game (ideally, both). No, Senator, in a computer game you are not "literally shooting at people." And not a single person who plays video games thinks that they are "literally shooting at people."

In a game, no one gets hurt. That's why even pacifists play war games - because it's not real. We talk about dying in games, but it's not literally true. No one really dies. If I had a chance of literally dying, I wouldn't be playing these games, I assure you!

Games are just make-believe - kind of like the Republican Party. The difference is that everyone who plays games knows that they're just fantasy.

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4 comments:

Chimeradave said...

Did you understand the reference to Delta Gamma. If not here is what he was talking about:

http://gawker.com/5994974/the-most-deranged-sorority-girl-email-you-will-ever-read

Bill Garthright said...

Heh, heh. Thanks, John.

But I feel sorry for the author of that. Most of us were idiots in college, at least sometimes (when drunk, especially). But these days, those incidents get magnified and spread around the world at the speed of light.

Luckily for her, her name was redacted from that, because these things will follow kids for their entire life, too. And that's hardly fair.

When you're in school, some things seem really, really important,... until you leave that environment and realize just how meaningless they were. That's especially the case in high school, but it happens in college, too. These are young people, after all, and they will make mistakes.

I have no problem overlooking idiocy, because I was an idiot, too, at times. I'd have a harder time overlooking mean-spirited bigotry or cruelty, something which really does indicate a character flaw. But I'm sympathetic to that 'deranged sorority girl.' :)

Chimeradave said...

Definitely. When I was a freshman in High School I was on the Wrestling team. Obviously I was by far the youngest guy on the team. But we really developed a team spirit. I naively thought the other guys on my team would be my friends for life. One of the guys even convinced me to cut school and host a party at my house, which was of course a complete disaster! And I didn't continue with the team my Sophomore year and surprise surprise I never even saw any of those guys again, even around school.

This girl want way overboard! But she was in charge of setting up some sort of events with a boy's frat and it seems none of the girls cared or took it seriously or as seriously as her. Like you said she'll realize how meaningless it is when she is out of college.

It is very lucky her name was redacted.

And yes there are any number of college and alcohol related stories I could tell you about myself. :)

Bill Garthright said...

Now you've really got me curious, John! :)