But it doesn't matter because since I've been old enough to vote, I've only had choices between shitty and shittier. Cynical but true. Unless Gary Johnson runs in 2016, and then I am totez voting for him unless he picks a real fuckhead for veep.
Not yet have I known an individual in elected office who truly represented ME or wasn't ate up with fraud and stupid.
For the most part, I lean left. I think a healthy society takes care of its members. I want to be a member of a functioning, mostly peaceful, prospering group of people. Don't you?
But...
There are some ways in which I'm 'on the right' and forever will be. And I know it pisses off some of you but let me explain.
I saw this meme today. What it says exactly isn't important but it shared some stats on 'unjustified homicides' and compared them to voter fraud.
I will say that recent headlines and general kerfuffle over 'voter fraud' (according to my own research, mind you, but if you're reading this, then you've got internet access same as me...) is a myth and there have not been, in my own searching, any significant events of voter fraud in decades. Like... decades. I'm no scientist but I can read.
However, there was a word in the meme that bothered me a bit. "Unjustified homicides." If it is indeed justified, it is self-defense, not homicide. Just sayin'. There's no such thing as 'justified homicide.' Murder is murder and how do you define murder? Killing someone who is not threatening your own life and/or killing someone with premeditated intent. I think the latin term is mens rea. Look it up if you don't know it. You've got the extra three minutes if you're reading the crap I write.
And yes, I openly support the Second Amendment but I do agree there should be a screening process prior to ownership, however I don't know how I'd create an effective one. But the impossibility of preventing every homicide is the problem. Not the amendment itself.
(Thanks, law enforcement dad... LoLz)
Most importantly I more than strongly encourage RESPONSIBLE ownership and feel that irresponsible acts, if caught and convicted, should be cause to remove one's 'right' to own a firearm.
Education in general needs to be required for the ability to own and operate certain, potentially dangerous things in addition to continued demonstration of safe use. Removal from the legal public market will NOT eliminate guns. (Need proof? See history. Google 'prohibition' and let me know how that worked out for liquor.)
Will a stricter screening process, pre-owership education and continuing education "prevent" all tragic deaths related to shooting? No way. Not even if everyone were perfect. Humans will /always/ make mistakes. Again, see history. Google 'perfect human.' Let me know how many examples you find. Don't bother bringing up Jesus. I'm talking about science, not religion.
And, in conclusion, may I please remind you that it does NOT say R.S.V.P on the Statue of Liberty!
