Let’s be real here, folks, and come clean with the simple truth: nobody seems to give a damn about their “constitutional rights” until someone comes along and threatens their own personal view on exactly what rights they are entitled to. And yes, I state this due to the absolutely ludicrous amount of incorrect information that’s being force-fed the American people by ... well, it doesn’t matter who’s to blame. Conservative media, liberal media, call it what you will. If they can find a way to spin a topic – any topic – to advantage and a boost in ratings, that’s exactly what they’ll do.
That’s why they’re still in business. And let’s be honest, you will keep watching, won’t you?
By “they,” of course, I mean the 24-hour news networks behind the two-sided political juggernaut that is the divided America we’ve come to know and love in the 21st century. Let’s just say people have short memories, apparently, because the last time I checked, it wasn’t all that long ago that women didn’t have the right to vote – nor African Americans – and don’t forget the fact that it took decades after that for same-sex couples to receive fair treatment under our Constitution.
Oh wait, we’re still waiting for that third one, aren’t we?
As for the raging gun debate, I can honestly say I don’t care. People will have guns, legally and illegally, both those who responsibly own their firearms and those who should never be allowed near a BB gun, let alone the real deal. And I have yet to see any proof, whatsoever, that some mysterious Big Brother type is on his way to “take all my guns away.”
That is simply not the case. Do some research. Read the new state legislation concerning firearms and what’s allowed. If you don’t agree with it, contact your state representatives and voice your concerns. If they don’t listen, vote them out. That’s how the system works. It’s not that complicated.
My mentor, in life and in all things music, said it best, in my opinion, when we delved into the gun debate over the holidays. And while he’s certainly not what anyone would call an avid gun collector, he does own a small number of collectible firearms, passed down to him by his father (and possibly his grandfather, I can’t recall). When was the last time he fired a gun? I have no idea, but I’m guessing it’s been decades. His thoughts on the entire debacle?
“If taking my guns away will save one innocent life, particularly a child (who shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence in the first place), then so be it.”
A humble and noteworthy sentiment, yet obviously not realistic. Americans, under the Second Amendment, absolutely have the right to bear arms, although many should seriously consider reading and actually understanding exactly what rights said amendment does and does not guarantee. It’s as convoluted and controversial a topic one could ever hope (or despair, I suppose) to find, and one that brings up an interesting ... philosophical ... question, for lack of a better term.
