I am opposed to assault weapons or automatic weapons except in a military environment.  Since there has never been a time of true *peace* in the world… people that enlist in the military understand that there is a 50/50 chance they will engage in lethal combat.  Unfortunately, we have to look at the BIG picture here.  Since the 1980’s I have told people about a magazine run out of Switzerland called Armada.  It is the magazine of every piece of weaponry that has been built by any country and manufacturer – for purchase.  Want a tank?  Fact is if we are going to have a real discussion about gun control —- it’s an onion with lots of layers.  Killing machines are part of a global industry.  Go check out http://www.armada.ch/  

We as a global society have appended different meanings for killing and the type of killing.  In some cases we sanitize it – as a source of justification.  That is particularly true of hunters.  One favorite is… ‘They care more for the land than so-called environmentalists and animal advocates because they thin the herds’… except they don’t take down the sick and the old … those they leave for the so-called *natural predators (and by their own distinction, the human hunter is not a *natural predator* – but it definitely is the most sophisticated predator).  They go for the biggest and healthiest — so stop the bullshit, ok. Wildlife manipulation by humans has resulted in how many extinctions?  We actually have agencies that remove natural predators like big cats, wolves, etc., so to  inflate the herds or flocks – to justify the need for hunting.  It’s called the DOI and its daughter agencies of the USF&W, BLM, BIA etc., and killing for them is a business.

Say it for what it is.  And while we’re on the subject of killing – in this case animals – I don’t consider a guy in fatigues, in a blind, covered in urine, with a semi-automatic rifle & scope or power bow … hunters.  How about you match your size and weight – with just a knife – against those animals.  If you can take them down by strength – then you are a hunter.  Right now – you are a killer using technology.  No skill here folks.

In that same context, I truly feel that if a person had to engage in hand-to-hand combat in a struggle of survival – that depended on sheer human strength – and not weapons – we might see less violence.  For all the sophistication of weapons – globally – we have just become more lethal unnatural predators and killers.  The religious radicals want to take out as many people as they can.  Many of their plans begin with Strap on Explosives.  Do we call them deranged or mentally ill?  Why not.  I think they are and hiding behind some deranged interpretation of *religion*.  I don’t care if it was Crusaders, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Shiite, Sunni, Seik (sp?) Hindu – whatever.  Killing is killing.  It is removing the lifeforce of something or someone.  It should be treated with the gravity of what it is.  OK – I am what is considered extreme.  I attach persona to just about everything… trees, flowers, ants, bees, all creatures great and small, human and non human.   Animate and inanimate.  I think my home has feelings… which is why we are waiting until we have amassed funds to restuff and upholster our LR & DR chairs because they deserve better than being tossed in a landfill.  I have adopted abandoned teapots that no one wanted because it was chipped.  Sure I could buy a new teapot … but why?  I use this one and it has a second life.  For me – life is incredibly precious – not just human – but all life.  I recognize what it means to kill, want to kill, or have someone killed that you love.  Up close and personal.  So I need to ask what distinguishes a guy in Israel who blows himself up in order to kill as many Israelis (Jew and non-Jew) as possible, and the guy in Connecticut who did the same thing but his target was adults and children – and his mother.

I think anyone who wants to kill – humans or animals – is mentally questionable.

Killing is killing and in that moment, that person has achieved supreme control – taking life away.  Hollywood has sensationalized killing – they have to own that, and stop with lame CYA *excuses*.  They mock – truly – Rockwellian (or whatever the term is) values.  They aren’t just *entertainers* — they are *influencers* and have to own it – good or bad.  Once upon a time – there was some kind of review board before films could be released.  I think someone has to monitor the lack of common sense in all medias, all types.

I am opposed to parents that permit their children to become obsessed with violent *games* that enable them to – in a virtual reality – kill whoever the enemy is, rather than teaching them how to care for the elderly, children, animals, friends.  How many parents have essentially used these *games* as pseudo-babysitters.   I am equally opposed to parents that encourage their children to kill animals under the guise of being environmental conservatives, and it is a fight I will never stop.   In some states children can have access to guns before a permit to drive.

Under the flag of free enterprise, we have permitted an industry to blossom that’s sole purpose is to create more violent, realistic, shoot-em films.  We have a place called Hollywood that gives awards for creating films that terrify and scare audiences.  The more gore… the better.  Clearly, left to our own discretion… we don’t know what is bad.

I think we need to recalibrate our internal compass.  We need to stop lamenting about how sweet, innocent and simple life once was… as we indulge in all of the trappings of a throw-away society today.

The *PC* crowd has made it unfashionable to question or critique dubious behavior or conduct.  That is a big part of the problem… this *anything goes* society is realizing that maybe not so good afterall.   Those that know me know I will never turn away from bad behavior, especially if someone or something else is being intimidated or remotely threatened.