Posted on 10/04/2014 1:30:44 AM PDT by right-wing agnostic
I blogged about the controversy over this resolution a couple of weeks ago; Rabbi Elli Fischer, drafter of the resolution, was kind enough to send this response — my apologies for the delay posting it:
In light of the response of a dozen rabbis to a Rabbinical Council of America resolution on gun violence in America in several media, including the Volokh Conspiracy, I would like to clarify a few things about that resolution.
1) In the interests of full disclosure: I was chairman of the RCA Resolutions Committee that drafted the resolution in question. I do not speak for the RCA or for the committee, but I can attest that the committee worded the resolution very carefully and made an effort to express a view that would reflect the extraordinary diversity of opinion within the RCA.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
To the author:
“Resolution on gun violence” is, by it’s title, anti-gun.
How about a resolution on ‘knife violence”?
or a resolution on “hammer, club violence” - ‘they’ kill more people than rifles, shotguns, according to the FBI.
The ‘resolution’ should be against “VIOLENCE” and “violent people”. Guns are not violent. People are.
But the wannabe despots aren’t worried about trying to take over a country of citizens with hammers and knives, are they.
Rather than wriggle all around the mulberry bush to deny your resolution is about gun control - just be honest. Don’t treat the reader as ignorant.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/01/03/fbi-hammers-clubs-kill-more-people-than-rifles-shotguns/
and then there’s deaths by fist and baseball bats -
better get them regulated too?
I have an acquaintance that just had an ‘attempted murder’ charge thrown out for shooting someone in the stomach. The guy came at him with a baseball bat and was already on record for threatening to kill him, not to mention a long record of violence.
With gun control, my acquaintance would likely have been killed.
Again - it’s PEOPLE that are violent, not objects. A person intent on murder or injury of another will find a weapon, even if it’s only at the end of their arm.
It's like ole Dr. Eugene Scott ranting on about "filthy lucre." Money isn't a problem; it's the LOVE of money that is the sin.
The criminals also target homes in “safe neighborhoods” assuming,often correctly, those homes will be “soft targets” with plenty of cash and valuables owned by people unlikely to resist.
Criminals have cars now and can drive to safe neighborhoods.My semi-rural area has been struck multiple times by burglars and murderers from the nearby big city and from other rural areas.
Living and working in “safe” places does lower the chances of being a victim but does not eliminate the danger.
ALL TRUE.
My particular neighborhood is "safe" because few know that it even exists. It's tucked away and even the CAB DRIVERS don't know where it is unless they've been driving here for DECADES. Normally I have to direct cab drivers here and MOST never heard of it.
Solid wood back and basement doors and iron gate for the front door seem to give pause to the would-be robbers, thieves.
We DID have trouble decades ago because most everyone worked and the homes were mostly empty during the day. NOW we are all old and retired so everyone is HOME.
Dogs also help. I don't have one but MOST burglars will eschew a break-in when they hear a dog bark. Not all, but most will abandon their task and go for a house with NO dog.
USUALLY burglars take the path of least resistance so any barriers to "easy pickin's" is a plus but we CAN indeed ALL be robbed.
That is a terminally naive statement. There are currently millions and millions of people living in "a WAR ZONE" where just a few short years ago there was no war zone. If you stand still long enough, if you allow it to come your way, the WAR ZONE will come to you.
Violence will only be stopped by violence. Thus it has always been and thus it shall always be.
Armed Citizens and the Modern Frontier
http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2013/05/armed-citizens-and-modern-frontier.html
There is, of course, random violence. My parents taught me to avoid places where violence is an everyday occurrence. Every city has those places, where the pimps, prostitutes and drug dealers hang out. I just don't go there, ever for any reason. Why would I?
Also, I attend my cultural performances at their matinees, go shopping in the late morning, go to a mall for lunch, day baseball games, daily morning Mass. There's not too many chances of violence in any of those places..though it COULD happen.
No war zone here. If there were I would leave.
My family originally left France to avoid the French Revolution. They weren't royalty by any means but they didn't want to live in a war zone.
One of the scions of the family was traveling in Mexico and they contacted him to STAY there and the family would join him. Thus my family was in Mexico City.
The Mexican Revolution drove my family from Mexico. One of the daughters had married a Spaniard who was living in California. So the family ended up here in California.
I sure HOPE that there aren't any revolutions here. I would probably emigrate to Canada if there were.
I'm old and notoriously healthy so I HAVE managed to avoid war zones for many, many decades.
I hope you and your do as well.
No naivete here, son, else I wouldn't be so old and healthy.
I'm not naive OR stupid. I lived in Mexico City for two years when I was young. I also knew where and who to avoid. All I had to do is ASK my family and the people I worked for. They had my best interests at heart and so I AVOIDED trouble there...even with mini skirts, boots and long blonde hair.
I lived in an upscale part of the city, minded my p's and q's and had no trouble. I did have a lot of fun and I was with girlfriends, boyfriend or family all the time.
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Violence will only be stopped by violence. Thus it has always been and thus it shall always be.
Yes, I know. The BIGGER stick always wins. I just try NOT to live where folks have to live by the gun/bigger stick. That would be living in quiet, peaceful, safe neighborhoods. They ARE boring as heck, but safe.
As you sow, so shall you reap, so don't go LOOKING for trouble. You certainly must defend yourself, but there SHOULDN'T be any need to GO AFTER anyone.
Why would you get into a killing-death match with anyone? If you are living in a war zone, and CAN'T get out for any reason to ANY safe place, then you have my sympathy and pity. It's an AWFUL way to have to live.
Maybe a couple of big Dobermans, Rottweilers or German Shepherds would make your life a bit safer. I would sure invest in a couple of guard dogs for my safety if I couldn't "get outta Dodge."
So please don't assume any naivete on my part just because I have managed to dodge the bullet.
In FACT, an old friend of mine (Texas Presbyterian) and I went to the HOLY LAND with a tour, in 2011 called Footsteps of God with Steve and Janet Ray, former Baptist minister and wife.
That was the most moving, precious time of my life. We were allowed to visit (briefly) Jesus' tomb. I laid my rosary down on His sepulcher...and I still have that rosary. It was DOUBLE blessed.
EVERY Christian ought to try to save his pennies and take his vacation time on a Holy Land tour. The Rays are wonderful guides. Being a former Baptist minister Steve was able to quote, chapter and verse, all through the tour.
His conversion story was put to a book he wrote called Crossing the Tiber.
God be with you and yours.
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