To learn and thrive in life and get through difficult situations, I am going to try a simple formula:
Step A: Do the Smart and Good Thing (see Rules 1 & 2 below)
Step B: If the first Smart and Good Thing does not work, try the next Smart and Good Thing (and keep going until life is better or the problem is solved)
The idea for the Smart and Good Thing comes from a conversation I had with my son after a young person who lives near us did something terrible. It was clear that this terrible thing arose from a series of bad decisions, and, if any young person is not careful, something like this can easily happen with anyone.
We came up with two rules (though crudely put below) to guide one’s decision making and to help one live a good life:
Rule 1: Don’t be an Idiot (in other words, Do the Smart Thing)
Rule 2: Don’t be and asshole (in other words, Do the Good Thing)
In gathering information and the thoughts of smart people and trying to understand tough issues of our day, I pledge to do my best to do the Smart and Good Thing.
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The “right” hanging so desperately on to their 2nd Amendment “rights” might really be all wrong and not what the Founding Fathers had in mind at all…it’s all political (and a FRAUD) and many people are dying each year as a result.
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The 2nd Amendment does not need to be repealed. But we do need to put some common sense, safety, intelligent thought, and responsible and considerate behavior back into its current interpretation. Its current interpretation, the one making all that reprehensible behavior possible (and the source of many deaths in this country), is recent and political. The way the 2nd Amendment is currently being read is not what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the 2nd Amendment.
Though always under construction, this is the Smart Thinking from Smart People that I’ve gathered on the subject of the Second Amendment and the Gun Culture in America so far:
* From Parents Against Gun Violence’s FB page: A popular gun meme suggests that Wyoming has the fewest gun regulations and (consequently) no mass shootings. They got that half right.
“Wyoming has a higher per-capita gun murder rate than Wisconsin, Washington, Vermont, Utah, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Oregon, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Montana, Minnesota, Maine, Iowa, Idaho, Hawaii, and Colorado, despite all those states having denser populations and stronger gun laws.”
* Dave Letterman discusses the gun situation with Anderson Cooper on Late Night 6/5/2014
* NRA (May 30, 2014),
Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners.
* Daily Show with Jon Stewart,
On Open Carry Movement
6/5/2014 – 2
* Daily Show with Jon Stewart, On Open Carry Movement 6/5/2014 – 1
The habit of civilians carrying guns around in public is dangerous to others
The habit of civilians carrying guns around in public is impolite and inconsiderate to others
The gun culture in the United States is dangerous and often uncivil, crass, vile, crude, uncultured…
How can others know if someone carrying a gun is skilled or intelligent enough to use it correctly (and use it correctly under tremendous pressure)
If a person is carrying a gun, how can others know if that person a “good guy” unless that person is a uniformed member of the military or law enforcement. Is it safe or even intelligent to assume?
In other places, one knows who the bad guys are because they are the ones carrying or trying to get the guns.
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SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND GUN CULTURE IN AMERICA
Smart Thinking about the Second Amendment and the Gun Culture in America:
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GUN CULTURE IN AMERICA AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
Smart Thinking about the Second Amendment and the Gun Culture in America:
Smart Thinking From Smart People 