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I have fired a gun once in my life. I was awkward, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed by the power that I had in my hands. While I was only shooting at a tin can (or, at least in the general direction of it) placed as far out of danger’s way as possible, at that moment, I had the ability to take a life, human or otherwise.
That’s what guns are for. I know that people collect them, shoot them at a bull’s-eye, clay pigeon, or tin can, but when that gun comes off the manufacturing line, its purpose is to give its user a means to kill everything from people to pachyderms. A gun can be admired for its place in history, or even be intended for protection, but it can also accidentally kill someone, or at worst, be used to rob, rape, or murder.
I don’t think that all guns should be banned. I just think that the laws governing the use of those guns should protect the innocent from the careless, violent, and unfit, regardless of the inconveniences to those who chose to own guns, even those who do it responsibly. As progressives and social libertarians we believe that one of the key roles of government is to help prevent us from harming each other.
Among the hoi polloi, there is strong leadership on both sides of the gun control issue, but they are as equally represented in the Federal Government as the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals are in the Major League All-Star game. According to OpenSecrets.org, since 1989, gun rights groups have given $17 million to pro-gun candidates, with the National Rifle Association leading the way with over $14 million. The NRA spent another $11 million lobbying those candidates. Gun control advocacy groups have given only $1.7 million (there’s a decimal there) to like-minded candidates during that same time period.
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Make Progress:
Two months ago, Cho Seung-Hui walked into Norris Hall at Virginia Tech University and killed 29 people before turning the gun on himself. He cleared two background checks in spite of his mental health history. There was no waiting period in Virginia for purchasing a handgun and a permit or safety certificate is not required. He had no training. He bought his Glock 19 from a store that had four other homicides tied to guns that were purchased there. But until he pulled the trigger, Cho Seung-Hui had not broken a single law.
That needs to change. We all need to better understand the relationship between arms and the Constitution. We need to better understand the Constitutionally acceptable laws that do exist and those that should exist.
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Thanks for finding theWUN, and as brothers and sisters of mother Earth let us work together to be the change we wish to see and let the chains of mental slavery be broken and cease to be, love life and unite for liberty life love and peace, dcb
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Applications for Mobilize.org's Party for the Presidency are available now at www.mobilize.org.
We are excited to announce the launch of an exciting new project: Democracy 2.0. On July 4, Mobilize.org embarked on the Democracy 2.0 project to call attention to the ways that our democratic process and institutions are properly serving and failing to serve the interests of Americans, specifically young Americans. The purpose of the Democracy 2.0 is to call attention to the main problems of our current political system, highlight the distinct characteristics of the Millennial Generation, and provide guidelines for change to help cultivate a renewed political process in America. The Democracy 2.0 project will result in a Declaration of Our Generation that will be a living document, chronicling the barriers to meaningful and long-lasting engagement facing our nation, written by our youngest members.
Building on the work of thousands of young people throughout the country, we will host the Party for the Presidency. The Party for the Presidency is a leadership development conference that will bring together 435 citizens (one from each Congressional district) and unite behind a common vision - Democracy 2.0. Each individual will be nominated as a top young activist demonstrating a citizen-centered approach to engagement in their community and be provided opportunities to teach and learn from each other as we create a sustainable network of Democracy 2.0 Ambassadors. The Party for the Presidency will empower participants will the tools, resources, and knowledge to be active youth leaders, to bring important community issues to their local leaders, and to promote citizen engagement.
The Party for the Presidency will:
UNIFY a large group of politically informed and motivated young people through an electrifying convention atmosphere featuring elected officials and candidates from around the country, consultants, staffers, interest g
Thanks for being there for the good times and the bad times. I want you to know that I'll be on your side forever more; because, in fact, thats what friends are for.
“It helps, I think, to consider ourselves on a very long journey: the main thing is to keep to the faith, to endure, to help each other when we stumble or tire, to weep and press on.”-Mary Caroline Richards
“Bipolar disorder has taken a significant toll on our family, and living with bipolar can be very challenging, but life can also be happy and fulfilling.” –Diane Mariant
I have fired a gun once in my life. I was awkward, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed by the power that I had in my hands. While I was only shooting at a tin can (or, at least in the general direction of it) placed as far out of danger’s way as possible, at that moment, I had the ability to take a life, human or otherwise.
