WHEN IS A BLOG NOT A BLOG?

June 17, 2016

The trees leaning in over my neighbor's home change very subtly.  The prediction for a heat wave really didn't happen yesterday when I hapred on about staying well hydrated.    Today, TV news crews raise the heat warning flag and interview kids at a playground. One little girl responded, "It's cool and it's warm," when prodded by the field reporter with the condescending nasal whine who prodded her to remark on the heat!  

Some days are loaded with angst and energy and some with lethargy, if one can be loaded with a lack of something.   A friend of mine called for a million like minded folks to join the NRA to make our voices heard.  Then, we learned how the NRA is funded!  Their joining fee is $25.00 a month, paid regularly by new members until the $1,000.00 initiation fee is met.  I'm not sure about the membership fees after that.  NRA boasts Five Million dues paying members.  Do that math!  The sad news is that the internet reports that those five million people represent only about six to seven percent of American gun owners. I imagine that the millions and millions of others find the stance of the NRA to their liking?  (How folks take these surveys is a mystery.)

If a million people who actually understand what the Second Amendment means actually did join the National Rifle Association and then, did contribute Three Hundred Million Dollars a year to the organization (at $25M a month).. How long would it take as the one in five minority to bring common sense to the other five million members?  It was a noble idea.  Thanks, anyway, Roger.  

Of course, we are on the slippery (my typo just now was 'sloppery'!!) slope of coming very late into a real examination of who gets to own heavy artillery.  The dark underbelly of arms traders and the gun shop proprietors who will sell an AR15 and an unlimited amount of ammunition to anyone with cash is fueled by fear and stupidity and cash.. Fear and Greed, then, ultimately, are the driving forces for the perpetration of military grade weaponry into the hands of civilians.   An AR15 was purchased recently by a TV producer for about $1,100.00.

We all experience this major sin: Avarice!  Even on the freeway, we may let one or two cars into our lane of traffic, but after while, even the most saintly one of us finds that tug of irritation.. anger? Wrath!?? when some jerk decides the he needs to get in front of us, too.  And, the joker didn't even signal!

Envy rears its head, perhaps?,  when your neighbor shows off his big new gun and you just have to have one, too.. just in case!? 

I guess I could go on and make analogies for each of the other Deadly sins?  Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, Lust... oh.. there's a good one.. Do the people who collect big guns get off, literally, on shooting big, big guns.. do they Lust for that power?  Certainly, the comparison to big guns (especially the lonnng ones) to impotent men could point to some sexual comparison.  "I got yer big gun right here, Honey!" ?? 

Silly?  Of course.  Gun owners are stable and intelligent people who just like to feel secure and have a little fun on the weekends.  It's a long way from my Red Ryder Lever Action Saddle BB Gun with a branded wooden stock to an AR15.  Somewhere along the line, though... some of us know when to stop.  

June 17, 2016

michaelsheehan  

I neglected to discuss "When is a Blog not a Blog?"  There is a slight tone of disdain when I hear some folks talk about a 'blog.'  Of course, it is not a 'website' that one maintains and pays for. Blogger provides this service.. as .. well, a service. It doesn't mean that the information in a 'blog' is inferior to any other fancy schmancy expensive site.. it's a Web Log.  I use this one to my share ideas and perpetrate what may become a year long art project. I write for the 'blog'  onstagelosangeles.blogspot.com to review plays.  It's a way to communicate.  So.  This may be a blog, but I see it as an 'information journal website' and should just stop being concerned about the tone of some folks when they say.. "Oh. You write for a blog... "
ms