Of course it's fair that they have guns and you don't

chicagotribune.com ^ | June 19, 2008 | John Kass

[mikebeam]

That Washington, D.C., gun ban that the Supreme Court should toss out any day now because it is unconstitutional is often compared to the handgun ban in Chicago.

But what's not often reported by the decidedly pro-gun-control media is that since Chicago's anti-handgun law went into effect in 1982, only two classes of people have had ready access to firearms:

The criminals. And the politicians.

[Perseverando]

RE: only two classes of people have had ready access to firearms:
The criminals. And the politicians.

Ummmm, how do you tell the difference?

[12Gauge687]

One issues a “street” tax. The other makes it official (calling it property tax) and sends it out on paper.

[GourmetDan]

They’re really one and the same class.

The criminals insisted on the distinction...

[<1/1,000,000th%]

This is in the Tribune?

My head is spinning........

[gleeaikin]

Does anyone have a link for statistices on crime before and after the gun ban in Chicago, or in DC for that matter? Especially on gun crimes and murder rates.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Laws are not meant to be applied to liberal politicians.

[anoldafvet]

"That Washington, D.C., gun ban that the Supreme Court should toss out any day now because it is unconstitutional"

I would have agreed with you a few days ago, but then the Gitmo decision came down.

[AlaskaErik]

But what's not often reported by the decidedly pro-gun-control media is that since Chicago's anti-handgun law went into effect in 1982, only two classes of people have had ready access to firearms: The criminals. And the politicians.

In Chicago I believe they're one and the same.

[LtKerst]

Buy a Gun for freedom!

and dont forget the bullets!

[beltfed308]

Good read. I appreciated the oozing sarcasm.

[bvw]

They are not the same class. Criminals have no indemnity from prosecution. Politicians do. A smart criminal is naturally drawn towards politics. Either as a politician or as a political player.

In general criminality is a stupidity disorder. So to say a smarter criminal is oxymoronic. However! There is a certain innocence presumed upon the stupid by the public that can be very helpful politically. So you will have stupid criminals who become successful politicians when that stupidity appears as a childish innocence.

Still, most politicians are neither stupid nor criminal. They are exploitive of opportunity, however.

And because of the criminal indemnity accorded politicians both in law and in custom, that exploitation of the public weal to serve their selfish interests often crosses over to what would be criminal if done by someone in the private sector.

But as long as the voting public elects politicians who are popular and can talk up a good story, and the character issue -- good moral character is the main check against bad behavior in political office -- is an unimportant metric to voters, we'll have a constant class of quasi-criminal politicians.

[NY.SS-Bar9]

Ummmm, how do you tell the difference?

I have heard of an "honest criminal" before, but never an "honest politician".

[Sopater]

RE: only two classes of people have had ready access to firearms: The criminals. And the politicians.

Ummmm, how do you tell the difference?

Once a criminal decides to run for an election, he/she automatically becomes a politician.

[GourmetDan]

It was a joke, dude.

[mc5cents]

It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.
Mark Twain - Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar

[Old Professer]

I, too, miss Mike Royko, but this guy is ridiculous in his attempt to mimic the style. (IMO)

[LonePalm]

Ummmm, how do you tell the difference?

The criminals are honest in their thievery and make no pretense that it is for your benefit instead of theirs.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[BooksForTheRight.com]

There is a liberal elite in the USA. Whenever “liberals” get into power, they make laws for the common herd and the exempt themselves from them.

[BooksForTheRight.com]

“criminals, and politicians”
What’s the difference? They both take money from innocent people and give it to undeserving people. They both have the power to restrain you and use deadly force on you.