Ramblings

I know guns exist, but I've never thought they were close to me. This past week I've read more about guns than I care to. From the news it's seems obvious to me that Jared Loughner was mentally disturbed. I don't consider that unusual. What is maddening is that he had access to a semi-automatic Glock with a 30 bullet clip and was legally permitted to carry it. After the events of last weekend, I would think that people would acknowledge that we can work to tone down our political rhetoric, but what we can realistically limit is the easy access to firearms/the kinds of arms sold. I would expect our Congress to at least be able to put together a bill - not a bill to limit firearms within 1000 feet of just THEM (good one Rep Peter King!)- but a bill that protects everyone. Why is this so hard?? Especially important since new reports out show gun sales increasing nationwide with particular increases for the gun and magazine that Loughner used. The NY Times has an article out today to basically kill all expectations of that - New Gun Control Limits are Improbable Lawmakers Say. The NRA is too powerful, having more guns make people safer, people are scared of losing their 2nd amendment rights, etc ETC. Am I taking crazy pills? Hunting rifles are one thing, easy access to semi-automatic weapons whose sole purpose is to kill and injure people quickly are another. In an Op-Ed on Sunday, Gail Collins posed this question regarding gun control, "The difference is not about the Second Amendment. It’s about a technology the founding fathers could never have imagined." Very true! Did James Madison predict semi-automatic weapons? I doubt it. I didn't even imagine Khloe Kardashian marrying Lamar Odom! I feel legit scared thinking about weapon-laden citizens that have been overloading on partisan political rhetoric walking around the grocery store with me. This quote from the director of Gun Owners in America also stood out, "Having lots of ammunition is critical, especially if the police are not around and you need to be able to defend yourself against mobs." Mobs? What mobs do we come across on a daily basis? The mob at Target for the latest Twilight dvd??

I don't believe the argument that if the criminals are going to have guns, then we should be armed to protect ourselves too. If criminals are going to do something bad they are going to find a way around any law. I feel like that's my inherent definition of criminal. Does that mean I should be armed just because someone might do something bad in my vicinity? Doesn't it make more sense to take away the danger of excessive weapons so that a citizen doesn't do something reactionary that could have life and death consequences?

A co-worker came in on Monday and said that his laptop had been stolen. He called the police, but he felt like they didn't do a thorough job of investigating his neighbors. He had a hunch that the thief was a neighbor and that he might come back for something else. As a precaution - he slept with his gun under his pillow and told his friends not to come over because he was going to shoot at the slightest sound in the event the thief came back. Again - am I taking crazy pills? This was literally a story related to me on Monday as if the events of last Saturday never happened. I am uneasy around this co-worker now. Maybe I've been naive, but the thought that everyone has a gun in my immediate circle of acquaintances never occurred to me. It truly scares me. Not enough to arm myself though. I think that even though we're all a bit crazy at times, for the most part our rational sides prevail. Maybe I'm the one that's crazy???

What's the deal with:

1) "Toxins"? I can't find anything besides Wikipedia and 10000000+ advertisements to tell me what toxins are and how I can cleanse them from my body. So I eat only lemon juice and cayenne pepper for 21 days, and "toxins" are cleared from my "system." Does this mean I'll never get cancer? What are all the toxins currently living in my body up to: making cancer?

2) Genetically engineered salmon? This was all over the news yesterday and I have no idea why. Or again: what specifically will happen to you if you eat it? Looks fine to me, + if it can protect native species from overfishing, + if it can increase the world food supply, what's the problem?

I know these could be obvious things to most people, which is why I ask. I really want to know! Tell me what's up.

Real (World) Problems

Just saw this on fb as a profile pic. Nice editorial as well.

To Be Counted...

I didn't realize people were afraid of the 2010 Census. I also didn't realize there was a deadline - but I still got mine mailed last week. Apparently participation has been low in conservative districts and Karl Rove was recruited as the man to remind us that the Census is legit. Michele Bachmann is singled out for her part in creating some of the Census distrust last year. The message board for her article was and still is crazy! Some of the highlights:

[part of a larger argument] by imonvacation March 17, 2010 3:54 PM EDT :
"Yes, you do repeat yourself. Do you work for ACORN? Or are you a Socialist waiting for the complete take over? "

by lhearold March 18, 2010 11:00 PM EDT :
"I will only provide number of persons residing at my address, their gender and age. NOTHIG ELSE!!! Fine my $5000.00? Go ahead, you SOBs already have all I own, where do you think I wil come up with $5k? Government idiots.. "

by mattcat25 June 18, 2009 4:24 PM EDT :
"The Census form should include an indication of the total amount of SANE PEOPLE living in the Bachmann Household! "

Headlines

Here are some headlines that caught our eye today...try not to get freaked out!

Toyota Official Says Recall May Not Fully Solve Safety Problem

No Brownies at Bake Sales, but Doritos May Be O.K.



Bacon chocolate cookies??? What mom has a recipe for those/I wonder if they were good???

Finally - Cheney Sustained Mild Heart Attack.

The Biggest Loser?

It really kills me to see what's playing out in the news these days. Unless any of our readers are over 70, I think it's common belief that Conan is actually funny and Jay is old and tired*. BUT! NBC continues to believe that Jay has a chance? I'm happy that they finally are cancelling his 10pm show because it was painful. The fact that NBC is still willing to give Jay whatever he wants in the form of an 11:30 show is still nauseating. I love this argument - "Jay just wants to tell jokes!". Too bad they aren't funny!

I hope that Conan decides to leave NBC instead of taking their compromise of moving his show back to midnight. I understand Conan wanting to host The Tonight Show, but would his show at midnight even carry that title? At this point is it even worth it? Also, the People article is weird too with the whole "Conan's motivation will become clear". What?? Are they not reading the NY Post?

It's "funny" that Late Night shows have such a dark side, and why is Jay Leno always involved in these hosting controversies? Leno being picked over Letterman to host The Tonight Show almost seems tame compared to Leno vs. O'Brien. I never thought Jay was "a nice guy"(TM) , but seriously how much power/whining is 1 unfunny man capable of? Is his ego as big as his chin?

*I think David Letterman is actually the best late night host, but obviously Conan is the best on NBC/for the future.