Disturbing my inner peace...
|
As a freedom-loving American, I'm proud of my country. In many
ways we are the last, best hope for freedom in the world.
But all is not well in the home of the brave... there are still
those far, far too eager to surrender our freedom in return for...
what? power? prestige? dignity? Not even that. There are those who would give away our freedom for nothing more than the chance to punish an insult. This is not a hypothetical; yesterday, the Austin American Statesman published the story of Vyki Robbins and Arthur White. Vyki is an employee of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services; Arthur White is a city councilman from Bartlett, TX. It seems that Vyki and Arthur were at a local swimming pool, arguing, and Vyki called Arthur "an obscene name". Being a politician, Arthur almost undoubtedly deserved the appellation regardless of its literal truth or falsehood. Nobody likes to be called names, but politicians are far more in need of their deflationary power than followers of any other profession. Not surprisingly they hate being called names more than anyone else, too... but most of them are sufficiently restrained by the need to win elections to stop before deciding to file a complaint of disorderly conduct. The judge who accepted the complaint is appointed by the City Council, of which Arthur White is a member. If you're thinking conflict of interest, so am I. The State of Texas will be represented by the city attorney, whereas the defendent is defending herself, which can't help the situation. But at least it will be a jury trial. (If the jury has any sense, it will be the shortest jury trial in history). Arthur White, you are an embarassment to your city, your county, your State, and your country. Of course, far be it from me to present only one side of the story. Here's his justification for being an utter git: Mighty good self-control you have there, Mr. White. As a politician and public figure, you volunteered for abuse from the people you represent. Perhaps its time you learned to take the heat. Personally, I'd prefer you got out of the kitchen. Of course, there's more to the story than a politician acting like a spoiled brat running to mommy because his playmates don't like him. Today, the paper is running an editorial linking public cursing to gun control: Calling somebody a dirty name is like buying a gun. If you have three days to think it over, you're much less likely to shoot. If you have three days to decide whether to call somebody a muzzy-headed knucklehead, you're much less likely to shoot your mouth off. Criminals don't buy guns, at least not from dealers who
would obey a waiting period, twit. They steal guns, or purchase
them on the black market. Criminals don't make other
criminals obey waiting periods. And honest citizens don't waltz
into a gun dealer's store demanding to buy a gun so they can run off to
shoot someone. The fact is, the government has no more business regulating guns
than it does regulating Vyki Robbins' unconventional manner of
petitioning for redress of her grievances. I'm afraid both John Kelso and Arthur White have flunked the Constitutional test. |
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Carnival of Cordite #17
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