Saturday, December 29, 2012

Journal News To List More Gun Permit Holders After Uproar



Journal News to List More Gun Permit Holders After Uproar

Over the years there have been countless times when one must call into question the ethical practices of journalism.  I find myself at that point yet again.  In the wake of the massacre in Newtown, CT it seems to me that there are those journalists who have made the choice to capitalize on the blended emotions of both fear and anger.  The unfortunate result of such action will do nothing to assist in the ability of proponents and opponents to actually engage in a productive discourse for the purpose of finding a workable solution.

The publication 'Journal News' with two offices located in Westchester, New York and Bronx, New York has deemed it prudent to publish the names and addresses of those citizens that have gun permits.  A decision that I for one can only see as a grave mistake.  Primarily because this tactic falls squarely in the category of what I call 'exacting a pound of flesh in the name of justice' verses serving any real purpose.  The obvious misconception in this ideology is that these permits are for hand guns only as there are currently no requirements for a permit when it comes to a rifle of any kind.  Beyond the breech of privacy, the reality of this situation is that publishing this information puts many other innocent people at risk.

Modern media is no longer restricted to the printed form or available through your favorite local news station.  In the face of a growing number of news outlets, many of these sources have placed a much higher value on ratings and circulation verses accuracy and the quality of the content, ethical practices have long since fallen by the wayside.  All of this is further complicated by the far reaching effects of the availability of the internet and the growing use of social media.

Law enforcement makes no effort to hide the fact that they use information obtained through social media networks such as Facebook in the process of investigating criminal activity.  Although accomplished anonymously, the criminal element is quite prolific at collecting and using the same sources and information.

Publishing the names and addresses of those who have legally obtained permits for hand guns will accomplish one of two things and neither will be beneficial to the reasoning behind the action.  Guns are relatively easy to fence with a decent profit which will result in yet another weapon entering the abyss of non-registered, untraceable weapons out on the streets.  The second scenario is simply that burglars now know which house has a lower probability of containing weapons, which is appealing to the small time burglar who is only interested in the high dollar televisions, stereos, computers, etc. and wants no confrontation with an armed homeowner.

Once considered the battle cry of journalists everywhere, the 'right to know' has become a weapon against the 'right to privacy' by supporters of gun control.  In this same context, freedom of speech has degenerated to the choice between ethics and ratings when it comes to the media.

About Guns
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Adam Lanza's Motive: Did Fear Of Being Committed Lead To Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting? (UPDATE)


You make far too many assumptions. Yes, I would love to have a wooden desk as my personal preference in décor is Old World/Mediterranean. I have a simple metal reject from the Army Surplus Store that’s sitting in an equally plain no frills office, it happens that way when you’re on a limited budget. Interestingly enough I did state in my post that my office was in a separate building from my house because it is not a home office or even a home based business, should have elaborated I guess. My office is located downtown, to get to my desk they would have to get through a set of security doors, find my office among seven others, then get through that door before they even got to the desk to break into it. They would have to do all of that before the police arrived since the silent alarm would have notified them as soon as they broke into the building. Yep, you’re right it doesn’t take a genius just an idiot.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Obama: Shooting Should Lead To More Action 'Regardless Of The Politics'


Thank you for your brilliant deduction Einstein. Where in my post did I advocate taking the guns away from private citizens? Both sides on this issue must work together to reach a solution that is in the best interest of the community/nation as a whole. This means not going from one extreme to the other. I am advocating that stricter legislation be put in place that governs the sale of assault weapons and large capacity magazines regardless of the weapon. Posting guards with machine guns at the schools will not be in the best interest of the emotional well-being of our children.



I have already advocated that as a taxpayer within my own community I am willing to pay higher taxes for the purpose of installing more sensitive screening/scanning equipment at the entrances of the schools. This includes the hiring of plain clothed armed trained security and to have a plan in place that is fully understood by the entire school staff. Any person attempting to enter the school should be required to prove that they have a valid reason for being there and must show proof of that that validity.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Obama: Shooting Should Lead To More Action 'Regardless Of The Politics'


Thank you for the fave and I agree with the flaw. Personally I should not have added the ‘[or any public building]’ part to the comment as well. The Oklahoma City Bombing was and still is a very tragic event that is unfortunately still surrounded by conspiracy theories, which is not to say that I view it any less tragic today than when it first happened.



My commentary on this article/issue is primarily concerned with what measures we as a society can take without waiting on the federal government to get through the bureaucracy of special interests groups such as the NRA and associated groups.



Personally I do not want to see our schools turned into prison-like institutions because it will inhibit an environment conducive to the encouragement of the growth of the imagination and learning. But if keeping them safe means that we pay for the installation of tougher, more sensitive metal detectors at all entrances, severely limit public access to the front door after a specific time, have plain clothed armed security at the doors and on the grounds will accomplish this them I’m all for it.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Gun Advocate On Connecticut Shooting: Armed Teachers Could Have Minimized Tragedy (VIDEO)


No Mr. Dulan arming the teachers not the answer. I am a gun advocate but I am also an advocate for the protection and preservation of human life. I own a number of guns but none of them would even remotely qualify as an assault weapon, I personally see no need for the average citizen to possess these types of weapons. If there are to be more weapons on school grounds let them be in the hands of trained security. My personal opinion is that rather than wait for Washington and all the Lobbyists to get their act together, we need to do something now. As a taxpayer I would vote to help fund additional security measures at our schools to prevent people who intend to do harm from even being able to enter the buildings.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost