Gun lovers disarm control advocates- Chicago Sun Times

[geojap]

My letter to her.

Laura,

I'll qualify this letter by saying that I'm a very well-educated professional, with experience living and studying abroad in Europe for over a decade. I have a hard science degree combined with a liberal arts minor from one of the largest universities in the country (and best academically), from one of the top two academic programs in my field of study, and I am currently responsible for a majority of the software systems that run a nine billion dollar technology products' manufacturing plant. I have traveled to over 30 countries on four continents to learn their cultures, and I speak 3 foreign languages.

I read your article titled, "Gun lovers disarm control advocates", and I have to voice my strong disagreement with your views. This is a huge topic for discussion, but at a most basic level of debate founded purely on statistics, it has been shown that those states in the USA that have banned guns have the highest crime rates now, and their crime rate is still increasing. States that have loosened gun control laws, especially those that have created licensed concealed handgun carry, have experienced a decrease in their violent crime rate.

This may seem unintuitive at first, as you would think that fewer guns would translate into less crime. But by disarming the law-abiding citizens, there is nothing to stop criminals from preying on the public with their illegal guns. Putting guns in the hands of responsible citizens and allowing them to protect their own Liberty is a deterrent to crime. (Please see this article to read about the doubling of gun crimes, ten years after Britain banned handguns: http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2317307.ece .)

We should not disarm our citizens as other countries have done. Jefferson said that democracy must be fiercely guarded, lest tyranny creep in and take over. Our government was created for the sole purpose to guarantee Liberty to its citizens. The Bill of Rights was how the founders tried to ensure that we would continue to inherit those freedoms from the generations before us. We have those rights for a reason and we should not relinquish one iota of those freedoms.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best Regards,
Jason Phillips
Austin, Texas

edit: I also CC'd all the managers at the newspaper as well. You can find their email addresses on the "Contact Us" page on the newspaper website.

 

[tinygnat219]

Ms. Washington,

I found your August 27th Article on gun owners disgusting, and demeaning. I wonder if you have taken the time to actually go and meet some of these "Gun-toting NRA Stalwarts" that you seem to despise so much. From your article, it is obvious that you have not. What you would find are the humblest, nicest, moral people in America. These are people who recognize and value the Constitution of the United States and have embraced it. You owe an apology to the firearm owners in America whom you have slandered.

I am also disturbed by your statement: "If I had my way, the gun lobby would be looking at three yards and a cloud of dust. Let's get organized and shove tougher gun policies right down their throats." If I didn't know you had uttered those words, I would have lumped it in with quotes from such fine, notable fellows as these:

"Germans who wish to use firearms should join the SS or the SA. Ordinary citizens don't need guns, as their having guns doesn't serve the State"
-- Heinrich Himmler, Nazi leader

"For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient and the world will follow our lead to the future!"
-- Adolf Hitler, 1935

As you can see, there really is no reasoning with you or other Anti-Gun, Anti-Constitutional groups. While you express your First Amendment rights, remember that they have been guaranteed in blood by the Second Amendment. However, that is probably too difficult for the likes of someone who feels that they have to force Anti-Constitutional legislation that is obviously not wanted, needed, and useless.

Sincerely,

 

[Samuraigg]

When she wrote her first column asking for more gun control in Illinois to help fight gun violence in Chicago, I asked her exactly what laws she would like passed. The only response I got from her was a canned response thanking me for my email. I sincerely doubt she reads our emails other than maybe to see if we are pro or anti gun.

 

[Green Lantern]

I pointed out in my reply that while either side can "bugger up" a poll with a bit of effort...

If the cash flow problem in the gun grabber groups does not tell her which side has more "doodz," then surely her professed 4 to 1 ratio of pro-gun emails SHOULD!

And I also pointed out that if she LIVES in Chicago, and since she obviously fears CCW holders - she needs to beware of Daley's Aldermen when she's out on the town!

 

[skinnyguy]

I got my response, note that Ackman is my last name, which I x'd out in my original post. I thought it interesting that she chose to address me in that manner.

Dear Ackman,

Thanks for your comments on the gun control column. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.


Best, Laura


=================================================================
Laura S. Washington
Ida B. Wells-Barnett University Professor
DePaul University
Contributing Columnist, Chicago Sun-Times
Senior Editor, In These Times
DePaul Humanities Center
2347 N. Racine Ave.
Chicago, Ill. 60614
773-325-4675

 

[cnorman18]

"For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient and the world will follow our lead to the future!" -- Adolf Hitler, 1935

Sorry, but that Hitler quote is bogus.

http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcbogus.html

Our arguments are rational, logical and genuine; we don't need to use forged or phony material like Dan Rather did.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

My response:

I know its rude to respond to a question with a question, but your comment:

"Do you want to be standing in line for gas, popcorn or a gallon of milk and find yourself next to someone who's packing heat?"

got me thinking - What if one of the 32 victims of the VT massacre had been "packing heat" as you put it, when Cho entered thier classroom?

BTW -Your theory that more gun laws will reduce crime is flawed. Laws do not prevent crime, as crime itself cannot be prevented.

 

[USAFNoDAk]

Baba Louie wrote:

If ever the powers that be ban all firearms, I'll go back to archery. If they ban that, I can always throw sticks and stones, even tho I'm getting older, and while that's still fun (who doesn't like to skip rocks off water or throw a stick for your dog to bring back so you can do it again and again?)

Didn't Jesus say, "Let ye who are without firearms, cast the first stone!"?

 

[TallPine]

Do you want to be standing in line for gas, popcorn or a gallon of milk and find yourself next to someone who's packing heat?

Absolutely yes! They should be responsible for their own safety, and not depend on me.

I don't even give a hoot if you have a permit or not. You are either a criminal (in the real sense of the word) or you are not. If you're a criminal, then you're probably going to be carrying a gun anyway - as well as breaking a lot of more serious laws.

 

[Matt King]

It looks like she is giving out a canned reply. Nevertheless, keep writing those letters! She has to realize that gun-rights advocates are well-organized and willing to defend our constitutional rights!

 

[Gator]

Hmmm...I wrote her, but didn't even get a canned answer.

 

[scout26]

Hmmm...I wrote her, but didn't even get a canned answer.

Me either. (I sent it to both of her e-mail addresses.) I expected at least the auto-response. I do hope that she takes me up on my offer.

Scanning though the posts I see her Phone #. I may just call with my inivte.

 

[Vader]

Let's get organized and shove tougher gun policies right down their throats

Hypothetical Question:

If someone tries to "shove something down my throat" wouldn't that be considered a "life threatening situation"? . Would this be a good reason to use deadly force to defend myself against this situation?

 

[legaleagle_45]

"Do you want to be standing in line for gas, popcorn or a gallon of milk and find yourself next to someone who's packing heat?"

I guess she has a dislike for standing close to police officers. If not, she is a hypocrit... yeah, I know, that is a given.

 

[Vader]

Dear Mr. B

Thanks for your letter on the gun control column. While we don't agree, I appreciate you taking the time to share your point of view.


Best, Laura Washington

This is her answer

 

[Blackfork]

Lots of effort

You guys are really writing some terrific letters. I'm not sure she is worth the effort.

Major compliments to the group. Half of what I enjoy about firearms and the shooting sports are the people one meets.

 

[Robert Hairless]

Dear Ms. Washington,

I know exactly how you feel. Petulant people disagree with me a lot too. When as many people disagree with me as disagree with you, I get really upset too and want them to stop disagreeing with me. Your opinions and mine are protected by the Bill of Rights so all of those disagreeable people should stop contradicting us. It's awfully rude of them to disagree with us. They should do what we tell them to do and stop being so petulant and, well, disagreeable.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Hairless

 

[Prince Yamato]

"Do you want to be standing in line for gas, popcorn or a gallon of milk and find yourself next to someone who's packing heat?"

In Texas, that's like every other person in line with you. Who cares? Are they shooting you or other people near you? Mind your own damn business lady.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Yeah, I haven't heard a single response from my letter (in post #50) either. Hrmmm, imagine that.

 

[Jack A. Sol]

great stuff. more proof of a complete lack of substance on the anti's part. iut's refreshing to hear one complain about losing tho!!

 

[Don Gwinn]

You know, I wrote to her too, but this isn't a legal topic. It's an old L&P style topic. Sorry, folks.