tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post2094195370917172277..comments2024-03-02T09:05:39.993-06:00Comments on Korinthia's Quiet Corner: My Ten Cents on GunsKorinthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-61962630586868795332012-12-27T15:27:43.817-06:002012-12-27T15:27:43.817-06:00As an American living in Germany, I agree. Sadly. ...As an American living in Germany, I agree. Sadly. Heart wrenchingly. For the first time in 10 years of living abroad and as a mother of an 18 month old, I realize I may never go home. Because I refuse to live in my own society. <br />Heart breaking.Pickles and Onionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543379763812843299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-90288433979192064962012-12-20T19:34:01.969-06:002012-12-20T19:34:01.969-06:00I'm so sorry, Jodi. It's hard enough at a...I'm so sorry, Jodi. It's hard enough at a distance, I have trouble imagining how impossibly hard it gets the closer to it one is.Korinthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-87602679918667409902012-12-20T19:26:26.379-06:002012-12-20T19:26:26.379-06:00Thank you, Korinthia. I live too close to Newtown...Thank you, Korinthia. I live too close to Newtown to have a meaningful dialogue. The pain is still too raw. But I thank you for saying words I'd like to say myself.jodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09446900244876232042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-3587630521118764992012-12-20T13:36:00.144-06:002012-12-20T13:36:00.144-06:00Anonymous,
Unfortunately the evidence shows over ...Anonymous,<br /><br />Unfortunately the evidence shows over and over again that possession of guns in homes does not actually make people safer. People are far more statistically likely to kill or injure themselves or their family than ever turn their gun on an intruder. Yes, people intent on killing will find a way, but guns make it more efficient to do so, so limiting access to them I believe will help. I don't believe since we can't stop all killers that we shouldn't try. Gun control is one tool that has been proven to help in other countries. I think we should try it. <br /><br />And I think the statement "God's not allowed in school anymore" is insulting to believers. I should think if you believe in God that He could follow you anywhere. And to suggest that the work good teachers do every day is not an extension of God's hand seems off to me if you believe in good works as a Christian duty. Just because they are taking the time to teach math or reading instead of quoting scripture does not make them spiritually deficient.Korinthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-19753394410786386962012-12-20T13:19:49.759-06:002012-12-20T13:19:49.759-06:00Control of guns isn't the answer. That may pr...Control of guns isn't the answer. That may prevent good people from owning guns to have protection from the idiots out there that care less about gun control. They will just obtain a gun illegally anyway. It's just like drugs, if the addict wants his fix {even in jail or prison} it's easy enough to get whatever he want. Don't be fouled. Gun control will only oppress the innocent people from having protection, the demonic murderer that kills such innocence will always be able to get a weapon. Someone stated "where was God, why did he allow that to happen to those little children". I agree with the following statement that was made. "Because God's not allowed in school anymore."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-11822620568545908972012-12-20T11:33:19.952-06:002012-12-20T11:33:19.952-06:00Christopher,
Thank you so much for your thoughtfu...Christopher,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.<br /><br />I also value freedom. My husband is in the military, so I appreciate what sacrifices must be made to that cause better than some. But I think there is a difference in taking sensible precautions that protect society as a whole and depriving people of freedom.<br /><br />I think our most important freedom is the freedom of speech, but I agree that it libel, slander, and shouting fire in a crowded theater are not protected speech. I suppose you could say in infringes upon my freedom to not be able to do those things, but as a society we agree they are not worth the cost for the harm they cause innocent people.<br /><br />Same with the second amendment. I have no problem with responsible gun owners having guns. But we have let the parameters of what that means get out of control to the point where it is simply dangerous. If you are a reasonable, sane, qualified person who can demonstrate a need for a gun and will take care of it appropriately, then you should have nothing to worry about when it comes to regulation other than some added responsibility about basic licensing requirements and training. If you cannot be trusted with a firearm then you are not extended that freedom. That just seems sensible to me. And the lives of children are not a fair price in my mind to exchange for a sense of freedom that I don't believe benefits us as a society<br /><br />I'm glad you feel where you are in America that your home is secure, you have food, and little crime. This is not the experience for many. I love my neighborhood, but still have to worry as a woman when I walk alone. You mention Mexico and Liberia where guns are rampant as places that don't feel safe, but ignore Canada which is safer than here and guns are better regulated, or Great Britain where gun related deaths are rare. I just don't believe the answer to gun violence is more guns in the picture. We've tried that over and over and I think maybe it's time to try something else. If we're wrong we can always change it back.<br /><br />As far as more security for our schools, I don't want my or my kids' environment to feel like a prison. It shouldn't be too much to hope for that we feel safe in a school or our neighborhood. We need to fix things on a broader scale so that those areas are just part of a larger safe space. <br /><br />In terms of the founding fathers, I read this quote yesterday that I thought was quite thought provoking:<br /><br />"I am certainly not an advocate for for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors," - Thomas Jefferson.<br /><br />Thank you again for your comment. I appreciate a balanced discussion, and am glad we live in a country where we are free to disagree.<br /><br />Korinthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-67215580537703985432012-12-20T10:50:36.121-06:002012-12-20T10:50:36.121-06:00Thank you Korinthia, I really enjoyed reading your...Thank you Korinthia, I really enjoyed reading your article. I'm afraid I do disagree, and I think it's because I value freedom over safety. When solitary incidents like this happen, especially when children are involved, people are quick to restrict freedoms in order to feel safe. If this continues to happen, we should create a committee and maybe a few short term restrictions, but nothing permanent. I feel we could "law" ourselves into a box, so our decedents will have to become criminals to enjoy the freedoms our forefathers envisioned for us.<br /><br />In the future, we may need this type of weapon as well. We're lucky in America, to live in secure homes, with good means of food and little crime. If you look outside our borders, even to Mexico or someplace like Liberia, you can see how little protection the Government offers when social order breaks down. You certainly can't take a sword or a blunderbuss to an automatic weapon fight, nor do I think we can expect America's peace to always last. I don't suggest a tank, but the freedom to be prepared.<br /><br />As for real solutions to this problem, that's a little more difficult. I would personally look at the security plan to protect children. Better security, better monitoring, and better technology. This was a tragic, but singular event. We can't prevent every single one, but as it stands, anyone can walk into most schools with anything. It should be more secure, so guns can not enter the school. Our school funding is a joke, so our protection follows in suit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18253801250013730944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-56113922498521190572012-12-20T01:05:59.613-06:002012-12-20T01:05:59.613-06:00Thank you Korinthia for sharing your thoughts. I c...Thank you Korinthia for sharing your thoughts. I come from a country where there was a severe dictatorship that 'disappeared' 30,000 people. The source of that violence came from the military forces and the police. Thankfully, we seem to be steadily evolving towards a strong democracy. Common people don't have guns, and even though you can get assaulted or be a victim of violence, massacres like that of Connecticut have never happened. A gun is a device for killing. Common people should not have guns. The right of kids to live is strongly more important that the right to have a gun for whatever reason.Natalia Bianinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-11743191990802761612012-12-19T21:23:52.544-06:002012-12-19T21:23:52.544-06:00Thank you for articulating so many of my feelings ...Thank you for articulating so many of my feelings on this topic, so beautifully and so clearly. I love your blog.Adinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15051413021454359799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-32448728095178985922012-12-19T09:13:00.968-06:002012-12-19T09:13:00.968-06:00Been meaning to comment for a few days, but time h...Been meaning to comment for a few days, but time hasn't been in my favor :)<br /><br />As usual, very well written. I am definitely an anti-gun person in my parenting. We don't have play guns in our house. I clearly explain to the boys that guns are not toys and I don't want them to ever consider them anything but something that can potentially hurt people. We also don't have and never will have first person violent video games (call of duty, etc.) in our house. Is this overprotective? naive? maybe?<br /><br />I am heartbroken at the shootings and hope that finally sensible laws will be enacted. I'm not holding my breath.<br /><br />Amen Sister!!<br /><br />p.s. our resident herpetologist loved loved the lizard cake :)Peghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162890081910497200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-58267215853043453052012-12-18T09:37:59.732-06:002012-12-18T09:37:59.732-06:00Rick,
If I may add to Korinthia's response (w...Rick,<br /><br />If I may add to Korinthia's response (with which I agree), what do you suggest as a solution to this problem? Is the status quo, which seems to be only getting worse, acceptable to you? If so, really? If not, do you have any alternative suggestions to improve the current reality of swaths of people (children!) being massacred with automatic weapons? Please, I ask in all seriousness and desperation.<br /><br />SheenaSheenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-15556112241910627442012-12-17T20:32:41.823-06:002012-12-17T20:32:41.823-06:00That's awfully nice of you to say, but I think...That's awfully nice of you to say, but I think I'm too introverted to be any good at that. My husband on the other hand is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and someday I hope he considers running for something. He would be great at making tough yet compassionate decisions.Korinthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-74878467630363796872012-12-17T20:23:06.262-06:002012-12-17T20:23:06.262-06:00Korinthia,
Your writing is smart and thoughtful as...Korinthia,<br />Your writing is smart and thoughtful as always. I think you should run for office!<br />JoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-71038076647371531582012-12-17T19:40:37.100-06:002012-12-17T19:40:37.100-06:00An excellent piece, Korinthia. You have put all m...An excellent piece, Korinthia. You have put all my thoughts into words so succinctly. Making guns not so easily accessible will not stop senseless killing 100%, but even if it means a reduction of 0.1%, it means many lives saved.sherrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-90832683816271036532012-12-17T14:47:04.808-06:002012-12-17T14:47:04.808-06:00Interestingly enough, if you ask any military man ...Interestingly enough, if you ask any military man about their guns - he will say guns are not stored in same building where solders are sleeping. Or eating. And do you know what procedure is to get LIVE munition for said guns? In military, where we have trained professionals in contained environment with all the background checks you can imagine! And they still lock the shit away. Trice.<br />There are gun collectors in other countries too, I don't see how is that sooooo special to Americans that it needs constitutional change? And why is everybody so insecure that needs a gun for protection? Has anybody tired using the gun for hitting the proverbial robber in the middle of the night in middle of proverbial kneecap? There is no shooting range to prepare you for that, and did any gun-for-my-own-protection people ever asked themselves how would you feel if that bullet ended up in someone's heart? What if that proverbial meth head we are all so afraid of turns out to be neighbour's sneaking into basement for left over beer? Would it be ok to loose kneecap for that? How about the life? If yes, what a hell? If no, then why is meth head dispensable, but your neighbour's son is not? That meth head is somebody's neighbour too.<br /><br />Owning more guns (or needing more guns) to protect ourselves points to two things:<br />- we are insecure where we are <br />- we think individual approach is the only way to go (I don't hear any cries for increased police funding, or more rights to intercept gun-welding people)<br /><br />If spiral continues, we can dispense with police altogether - everybody will be wearing the gun and be capable to protect himself. Is that what second amendment was for? If yes, let's get it over with, give everybody a gun and basic training and cut out all the police. As each of us knows better than any police officer. And you don't have to call 911 - you are there already. And nobody has to be accountable for owning a gun - so when gun is used it is just a natural course taking place. Natural law of stronger and tougher, propped up by constitution as written by white wealthy man that enjoyed lion hunting. (sorry for last smirk, I could not help it)Marijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07551617672255596239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-67092732000139665892012-12-17T13:29:26.137-06:002012-12-17T13:29:26.137-06:00Thanks for your comment, Rick.
All I'm sayi...Thanks for your comment, Rick. <br /><br />All I'm saying is guns are dangerous and they need to be treated that way. I never said we should outlaw all guns. Certain types of weapons have no appropriate place in cities, so I would limit who can get their hands on those. We could have buyback programs to collect existing guns, and beyond that deal with illegal weapons as they appear.<br /><br />If you have a collection, that's great, just keep it locked up safely and make sure all of it is registered and accounted for.<br /><br />Will this stop the poison gas fire homemade explosive whackos? Probably not, but so far they haven't been as big a presence so I vote we deal with that when the time comes rather than scrap all hope of dealing with an existing problem.<br /><br />Korinthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-73203267748527442542012-12-17T13:19:34.785-06:002012-12-17T13:19:34.785-06:00I don't agree with you, but lets say for a min...I don't agree with you, but lets say for a minute that I do. Government outlaws all guns for purchase other than to law enforcemenr and military usage. What about the hundreds of millions, if not billions of guns already out there? What about the gun enthusiast who has spent 50 years building a collection of antique and contemporary guns, spending tremendous amounts of money to do so. Do you think he is going to just hand them all over without blinking? I think not. I am not pro-gun although I do own one for personal protection. I have never had to use it and pray I never will. But if some crazed meth head breaks into my home in the middle of the night, he will lose a knee cap. If someone gets it i their hrad to take out lotsa people, he's going to find a means to do it. If not guns, maybe fire. Or poisonous gas. Or homemade explosives. Point being, it's the person who chooses to to it, not their weapon of choice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16508933055775844603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-48178752361821808842012-12-17T11:01:51.844-06:002012-12-17T11:01:51.844-06:00Thank you for this. You have a unique perspective...Thank you for this. You have a unique perspective, and bring up so many points to think about.Elaine Finehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14248422399226824168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-23193334508343106592012-12-17T10:42:29.107-06:002012-12-17T10:42:29.107-06:00So thoughtful, thank you. I agree that the way to...So thoughtful, thank you. I agree that the way to change this is to amend the second amendment. Enough. We can do it. anymommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317877435130121894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-58814514568600209452012-12-17T08:13:47.634-06:002012-12-17T08:13:47.634-06:00Wow, Korinthia! That was just perfect. Your poin...Wow, Korinthia! That was just perfect. Your points are so just and well-made that it's hard to imagine how anyone could argue with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-64098174845443457312012-12-17T06:28:42.960-06:002012-12-17T06:28:42.960-06:00Thank you for taking the time to think this throug...Thank you for taking the time to think this through and write it and then post it. It is a difficult thing for me to think and write logically when I'm so irate and upset as I am now. I let my emotions cloud by thought processes and can't be logical and well-reasoned, as you were here.<br /><br />Thank you for this. IMHO, you are absolutely correct on all points. Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-61169691190365956152012-12-17T00:14:44.569-06:002012-12-17T00:14:44.569-06:00This is a fabulous posting. Thanks so much. I have...This is a fabulous posting. Thanks so much. I have been FUMING since Friday. I have had many reasonable and unreasonable thoughts. But I admire the quiet dignity of your complete statement! DongsokDongsok Shinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-91319623535935932882012-12-16T18:28:28.157-06:002012-12-16T18:28:28.157-06:00Thank you for this post.Thank you for this post.Betsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12506648780852424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-56700535360133051642012-12-16T18:27:26.115-06:002012-12-16T18:27:26.115-06:00Korinthia,
Yes, absolutely, to all you have writt...Korinthia,<br /><br />Yes, absolutely, to all you have written. I don't know how anyone could argue with your points but, as you have alluded to, I don't know why anyone would. Shouldn't everyone be on the same page about this? This was not a "tragedy" - so much could have been done to prevent this and should have been done so many years ago. <br /><br />I am a Canadian, born and raised. My husband (born and raised in Canada but with dual citizenship) is currently applying for jobs in the States, as there are many more opportunities for him there (though still not many). I am so scared that he is going to be offered a position; I am so scared to raise my 5 month old daughter in a place where it feels like luck if you, or, my god, your babies don't get shot.<br /><br />Sheena Sheenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-4450603101007949772012-12-16T14:30:28.311-06:002012-12-16T14:30:28.311-06:00In Michigan the legislature has just passed a law ...In Michigan the legislature has just passed a law that allows concealed weapons in schools and churches.<br />If I want to murder children in a school or church I can not be stopped until that has been accomplished. I am within my rights to carry loaded weapons where they do not belong regardless of my intent.<br />Our governor has registered a "neutral" position in this matter. He will probably sign it into law as he has the assaults on womens' rights and collective bargaining. I find it beyond horrifying.<br /><br />Thank you for your well written comments on gun control. I will send them along to the people I know.<br />curiosity cabinethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17559760820918483128noreply@blogger.com