Cheney's Shotgun Hits the Target

Guns kill people-- and I'm deeply disturbed when gun-advocates say otherwise. The US leads the world in deaths related to guns. And we continue our love affair with our weapons at any price.

Michael Moore's "Bowling For Columbine" was one of the most insightful and disturbing films I've ever viewed. It was a testement to our consumption of fear-- we own guns because that's the only way we can feel big and powerful. Consumed by corporate media and our constant state of terror, we've made guns-- and who we point them at-- the solution.

One of the pro-gun arguments that makes me most angry is when someone tells me that guns are just for hunting. People NEVER get hurt... I remember recently hearing this argument from an avid hunter -- and this man when hearing my views continued to insist that I get at least one gun for protection. He continued to overtalk me, my ridiculous notions that these "hunting guns" are often used to shoot people in fits of anger and by mistake. He pooh-pooh'd my opinion-- as I was just "a naive woman" anyway.

Well, the Vice-President, who's ticket this man proudly punched, just dis-proved my naivete! Cheney's accidental shooting of a human being while hunting was no surprise to me-- as these accidents happen hundreds of times each day in this country-- and that's because there are millions of guns in our households and on the streets. Easy access for criminals, hunters, sociopaths and... children.

Yes, of course, people kill people.... but they wouldn't do it nearly as often and as easily if there weren't guns and the violence they glorify in every aspect of our culture. Just pick up any 'ol Schwarzenegger or Eastwood movie. "Go ahead, make my day..." -- the fame we attach to this line is obscene...

Shooting for quail leads to the local liquor store getting knocked off to our kids rampaging their high school... and it all points to guns.