Obama's Matra: Politics of Convenience

Feel Good Feel Inspired

As a U.S. citizen living in Japan, which last year had, I think, about 22 gunshot fatalities, I can definitely see the advantages of living in what is virtually a gun-free society. Come to think of it, that's why I came here -- to escape the bang-bang you're dead mentality. You guys can argue the Second Amendment until you're blue in the face, but the fact is, you're living smack dab in the OK Corral. Not even college campuses are safe. What good is the right to bear arms when it enables psychotics to easily arm themselves to the teeth?

I'm a Hillary supporter, but I'm impressed with Obama's straightforward position on common sense gun control and on respect for the Constitution. To my fellow Hillary supporters, please stop the negativity just because our candidate is behind. We don't have to get desperate. While I prefer Hillary to Obama, I would be proud to cast my vote in November for a man who has given hope to so many of our nation's young people. While I'm excited at the prospect of a woman in the white house, I haven't seen anyone inspire our youth to this extent since Kennedy.

It might be helpful to note that the NIU shooter had the guns LEGALLY. Gun control wouldn't have made much of a difference here, even though I support significant controls on guns. He had handguns (which ought to be banned) and a shotgun (which would probably never get banned) and some other weapon/s at home. This particular case is less a gun issue than a mental health support issue and as such really doesn't have an easy answer. One of the things I really like about Obama is his refusal to give in to easy answers to complicated policy issues. Some of us might want to ban guns (I, for instance), but others don't and we all have to live together and somehow find respect for each other. Sounds like a platitude unless you take it seriously and work to find ways to overcome the rigid thinking you're used to.
More than anything else, this shooting is a tragedy for the families and friends of the victims and the family and friends of the shooter and all the people who wish they could have prevented it from happening. And let's face it, all the pro-gun people out there feel pain because they feel deeply that they could have prevented this shooting, even though I totally disagree with that position. We are all people of good faith (even the atheists among us) and we need to see that we all want the good.

Two words: school uniforms.

Oh great, Obama said he is for common sense regulation.

Common sense regulation in this context is very vague.

Solution to gun problems is very simple for those who treat the Constitution religiously.

Having a right to bear arms DOES NOT preclude the right of the government to REGULATE THE USE of arms!

In other words, the government can allow ownership arms, but SIGNIFICANTLY CURTAIL THEIR USE.
And that is what the localities should do: CURTAIL THE USE OF ARMS!

People! Has the death penalty worked to slow down capital murder? Has harsher punishment and sentencing stopped criminals from committing crimes?

In Tarrant County (Dallas, TX) there are over 200 cases where DNA evidence has overruled convictions. They have had to release people that have been in jail. Some for over 20 years. Esther wants to brag about the death penalty in Texas. How many innocent people have been put to death by a so call Christian nation?

The problems stem for the psyche of this country. We are literally sacrificing our own people whether it's soldiers dying for our right to drive gas guzzling SUV's or what have you. This is the most violent country in the world. In 2004 there were 16,137 murders in the US according to FBI statistics. In 2007 that number is estimated to be 20,000!!! Who needs Al-Qeada when we do way more damage to our own? American the proud! Home of the Brave? Give me a break. But hey, as long as its somebody else and as long as American Idol is on, I like living in a country where our children don't even rank in the top 30 for math and science but yet are in the top 2% for obesity.

Posted by: New Yorker | Feb 15, 2008 7:38:00 PM
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this is one of the best reponses out of this blog, WELL SAID New Yorker!!!

If one person in that lecture hall had been carrying a gun the tragedy could have been stopped in about 5 seconds. More likely, if the shooter had known there might be armed people in that room he would have though twice.

The state cannot protect you, the state is not your friend. The state and its enablers would rather see a woman raped in a alley and strangled with her own pantyhose than see her with a gun in her hand.

Posted by Inibo:
If one person in that lecture hall had been carrying a gun the tragedy could have been stopped in about 5 seconds.
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Man, what you're writting is CRAZY!!!
So let's buy more guns, put more people with guns in our schools and everything is GROOVY!!!! Dude you have REALLY not LEARN any lesson of these tragedies we see and hear about evry SINGLE DAY in America...

I cannot believe what I'm reading...

Is the ONLY way to handle "gun control" to say YES/NO ? Seems to be if you have a brain, use it, to figure out what Obama said: "The city of Chicago has gun laws, so does Washington, DC," Obama said. "The notion that somehow local jurisdictions can't initiate gun safety laws to deal with gangbangers and random shootings on the street isn't born out by our Constitution."

Can't get through "can't" and "isn't" in that sentence? He IS talking about "gun regulation" and he IS also saying that the answer to the Second Amendment issue DOES NOT SETTLE THE ARGUMENT. SO, there is more to think about than just "Are you" or "Aren't you." He is clearly for gun regulation.

I can see many of you people are having a hard time understanding but Obama's position is really clear. It seems you can only understand simple arguments like the type Bush made today which about the FISA law and are "black and white" and all rhetoric or BS. True analysis of a complicated Constitutional principle requires some thought; something far too many Americans like those who wrote messages above able are frankly too lazy to try to comprehend. The most serious problem facing this democracy is that the citizens just don't want to think about policies and complex issues. They want simple answers spoon fed to them like infants. Now, Obama said that he believes that the Second Amendment applies to individuals; not just militia. That issue is before the Supreme Court right now. But, as he so reasonably said, the right to bear arms can not be absolute; governments are entitled to enforce laws enacted to protect the safety of their citizens. After all, the states have the right to protect the life of their citizens. If the right to bear arms were absolute, then a 10 year old would be allowed to carry a gun on the street, or a person who is known to be mentally ill, criminal, or violent. So as you can hopefully see, some regulation is absolutely necessary; it is just a matter of where to draw the line. I know many of you would like a simpler yes or no answer, but as you can plainly see, that is not possible because, brace yourself, but the world is a bit too complicated for that.

Here Sen. Barack Obama is offering thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families, but some in the media want an instant answer on gun control at the same time?

We are all looking forward to the
next debates. Right now the top three issues that concern Democrats are the economy, Iraq, and health care.

The Gun control issue will come up in the next debate. Hopefully the moderator will give the voters a chance to hear Clinton and Obama on the top three issues, then deal with the gun control issue without it dominating the next debate?

It comes down to one imperative: human life vs. freedom. Soon we will all have our chance to stare down the barrel of a gun. With our feet frozen in place, it is at this moment we realize how free we really are.

I'm sick of Obama too, he claims to be something new but he won't take a stance so he can be criticized. He's a souffle.

I read through the comments posted above holding my nose due to the stench. Most of you need a good lesson in logic before you start trying to score points with these childish attempts to promote your candidate. Why can't I vote for Obama because I like him and feel that his work has prepared him for the Presidency? Why is it necessary to think of him as a moron who doesn't know where he stands? I mean, come on. How lame can you get. Why is it necessary to live in a pretend world where Clinton has the same ability to inspire. Just as important, why is it necessary to trash Clinton for the stupid things her husband has done. She didn't lead him to Monica. He made his mistakes on his own. She's a determined, wonkish candidate with an almost un-natural drive for success and achievement (when did this become a bad thing? before you assume that's what I'm saying). She's weathered political storms that few, if any, elected women in this country have ever been forced to face. Is it not possible that we have a debate among supporters about real issues? Or is it not possible to talk about the differences between the two candidates without feeling personally attacked if someone describes your favorite in a way you don't like? I'm not sick of Clinton or Obama. I feel blessed that in a year when leadership is needed more than ever to dig us out of the hole Bush will leave behind that we've got the choices we have before us. Seriously, why is it necessary for you guys who obviously like one and not the other to spend so much time saying things like "i'm sick of this candidate" or whatever other shallow points of view you have to express. Sure, you could say I'm bashing you instead of bashing the candidates, but don't you think you deserve it just a bit? Seriously, folks. Let's raise the bar a little higher for our discourse. This forum offers an opportunity to talks intelligently about important topics, yet for some reason so many of you remain trapped in the gotcha and name calling that has so defined our modern political discourse (as well as our playgrounds on elementary school campuses). I say, turn off the CNN blabber, read something other than a blog for a few hours a day (read some Twian, Faulkner, Marx and Rand - all in one sitting...)...find a way to talk intelligently and you'll probably find that you'll have more friends and better informed ideas. That's it for me. Don't bother trashing me because I won't be back to see it. Or better yet, say whatever you want. I could care less what anyone thinks. peace

Its so sad that anyone would expect Obama to score political points today. Seven people died. Some are in critical condition. Show some sympathy to their families and friends and some respect to Obama for not exploiting this tragedy. This article really is beneath contempt.

Darned if he does, darned if he doesn't, right? What was he supposed to do, come out and say something at the risk of being labeled politicizing a tragedy?

I think he said what he had to say just fine.

In Idaho a couple of weeks ago he says one thing then the next day he says something else. In another state. What a flip flopper on the issues. No one will see through that...