What's he on about now?

In case the articles, essays and opinions throughtout this site just weren't enough for you, here's my online diary (a.k.a. 'blog'). It's as close as you'll come to the inside of my head, so don't say I didn't warn you
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   Sunday, October 13, 2002

SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER

Is it curious that, while every newspaper shrieks in terror over the murdering sniper in the US, the newspages of the National Rifle Association are completely blank on the topic? While I've always supported the NRA's assertion that is indeed possible for someone to own and use guns with safety and clear-headedness, I'm not surprised that they're keeping very quiet as yet another criminal with easy access to weapons goes on a rampage.

Besides, they're too busy with their launch of NRA Online, an internet service provider for "Freedom-loving Americans" who "have requested a high-quality, pro-gun alternative to the mass market ISPs." I wonder if all those people also consistently capitalize the word freedom. Another headline reads "NASCAR Star Becomes NRA Life Member" -- for sheer newsworthiness, that's on par with "Figure Skater Comes Out as Gay."

Now, the real news story the NRA's site does feature concerns the race for the Pennsylvania governorship: Democrat and current mayor of Philadelphia Ed Rendell has apparently "put the state on a slippery slope toward disarmament with his proposal to limit handgun purchases to one a month." This fascist idea has alarmed Tom Grice, "owner of a Clearfield gun store -- not because of a potential loss of sales, he said, but because it would represent an erosion in gun owners' rights. 'There'd be nothing to stop him from going farther,' Grice said." I agree -- if left unchecked, maniacs like Rendell could eventually make it impossible to buy a rifle and shoot people. In the meantime, I'll be stocking up.