Joe Dennis
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
Joe Dennis
2:26 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
You're right John. Thanks for the correction. However, his mother did legally purchase the weapons and he had easy access to them. It brings up the point that if we put stricter limits on those with mental illness, should we also limit what their relatives are allowed to purchase to avoid situations like Westroads Mall and Sandy Hook?
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
Joe Dennis
2:26 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
"I haven't observed many of these "crazies" attacking airports or government buildings."
Are you familiar with the Fort Hood massacre? Can't tell me there are no guns or armed people at a military base.
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
Joe Dennis
6:22 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
R-
In your response, you've reinforced my point about your diversionary tactics. This piece never said "ban it all." It specifically talks about a specific style of weapon. But you're diverting that discussion by claiming I'm pressing for a ban on all arms. How can there be a discussion if you won't even discuss the specific issue? It's like when people try to have a discussion about gay marriage, but then opponents start talking about bestiality. Or in your earlier comment how you started talking about the DOJ controversy. That has absolutely nothing to do with a discussion on assault weapons.By the way, before any amendments are even mentioned in the Constitution you'll notice the preamble: " ... promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves ..." The Constitution charges the government (of, by and for the people) to promote what is best for the public.
Oh, and how about posting your real name instead of hiding behind a letter. What are you scared of?
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
Joe Dennis
8:19 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
ReplyThe problem with this debate is that semiautomatic weapon proponents refuse to debate this issue with facts. Instead, they use diversion tactics like "should we ban automobiles because they cause accidents?" This country has always taken cautious steps to protect freedoms, but also looks out for the safety of its citizens. So although you are free to own an automobile, you are not free to drive a tank or go-cart on the highway, for your safety and the safety of others. Likewise, you're free to own weapons, but nuclear arms are against the law.
The "everybody should own a gun" and "guns should be allowed everywhere" argument misses the point entirely. I'm talking about semiautomatic weapons -- nowhere did I say people should or should not be allowed to possess firearms.
And the arguments that if a madmen wants to kill he'll find a way to kill anywayy miss the point as well. If Adam Lanza marched into that school armed only with revolvers, it's highly likely that more children would be alive.
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On the Blog Post It's Time to Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
Joe Dennis
12:07 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
ReplyDr. Boyle,
If there's a tragic accident at an intersection that has no stoplight -- and that intersection has had multiple accidents over the year -- would you call it "an agenda" if someone suggests putting a stoplight there to help prevent future deaths? After all, accidents are caused by people -- bad driving, texting while driving, etc. -- not the lack of stoplights.
I wrote that there is obviously more than assault weapons at play here. I never said "semiautomatic equals assault," as you stated I did. But facts are facts. And the fact is that the majority of recent mass shootings were done with legally purchased semiautomatic weapons. And when such weapons were banned, there were less mass shootings, and significantly less death of innocent life as a result.
Would banning semiautomatic weapons end mass shootings? Definitely not. Just as a stoplight at the hypothetical intersection would not end all accidents at that intersection, but it likely would reduce the number of accidents.
To say we should not consider a policy that would reduce the number of people killed in mass shootings is the true "faulty logic." And making that claim to protect your right to carry a military weapon of which the main purpose is to kill multiple people in a short amount of time is your agenda, as well as the NRA. And it's a very sad agenda.
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On the article Top Staff of The Red & Black Student Newspaper at UGA Resigns
Joe Dennis
10:46 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
ReplyI'm proud of the students for standing up for journalism ethics.
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On the article UGA Documents Indicate Legion Pool Replacement to Exclude Community
Joe Dennis
9:38 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
ReplyThanks for the great reporting on this Rebecca. This is the first story to report that the new pool will not be open to the community. Indeed, a very sad loss for Athens.
Joe Dennis
2:26 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
@Tim: Lanza's mom had a stash of weapons to supposedly protect her children. Didn't turn out too well for her.