A kind of crazy idea

   
     So I was thinking about school shootings, small children accidentally shooting their siblings, people who shoot a home invader that turns out to be a relative, etc.  It seems really clear to me that we need better gun control laws, but how to do that?
     Then I had this crazy idea.  I think it would be a bureaucratic nightmare, but maybe it will intrigue somebody who can edit it for the better.
     Suppose everybody was given a week to turn in ALL their guns.  They would get receipts specifying exactly what they had turned it, and everything would be kept safely for eventual return.  If the guns they were turning in were not legal (licensed, whatever the correct term is), then they could be legalized as part of the process.  Then let there be a six-month period when NOBODY could legally have a gun.  (I guess there would be exceptions for the police, military, etc.)  During that time, it would be very easy for the police to get search warrants only and specifically to search for guns.  Any gun they found would be confiscated forever.  Any time a gun was used in the commission of a crime, the crime would automatically be a felony.  Really make an effort to get rid of all illegal guns, so that nobody can say "if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns."  After the six months, everybody who turned in (and licensed) their guns could get them back.
     Would that help?  I don't know.  But I couldn't get the idea out of my mind, so I thought I would share it.  What do YOU think?
     [P.S.  Some people have had difficulty leaving comments to these blogs.  I don't know why; I consulted with the technical people on the site and they were able to leave comments just fine.  If you find yourself in that position, I always share these postings on Facebook, so you can find them there and make your comments that way.  Sorry about that.]

Too good to pass up

Here's a selection from Matthew 25:34-40

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."  Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it . . .?"  And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me."

Then today I saw this image:

'Nuff said.

Congratulations to us

I think most of the people who read this blog are probably aware of this famous quote:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,and I did not speak out--

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me-- and there was no one left to speak for me.

I have just reviewed my posts since I changed the purpose of this blog to reflection and commentary, and I see that I have not yet shared one of my favorite post-Trump-election reactions.

First they came for the Muslims . . .

NOT THIS F**KING TIME!!

I'm so heartened by how many people in so many areas of life are not sitting back and letting Trump do whatever he wants to do.  Most recently I notice that the NSC has been restored to the membership it should have, including removing Bannon.  And I have been informed that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) currently has an approval rating of 55%, UP from 42% before the election.  (source - Gallup Poll)  Good job, everybody!  Let's keep saying NOT THIS F**KING TIME!!