Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SunSeeker

(53,709 posts)
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 12:25 AM Apr 2013

Molly Ivins on Gun Control



From her 1993 essay "Taking a Stab at Our Infatuation with Guns" (The Seattle Times, March 15, 1993), she begins by saying:

Let me start this discussion by pointing out that I am not anti-gun. I'm pro-knife. Consider the merits of the knife. In the first place, you have catch up with someone in order to stab him. A general substitution of knives for guns would promote physical fitness. We'd turn into a whole nation of great runners. Plus, knives don't ricochet. And people are seldom killed while cleaning their knives. As a civil libertarian, I of course support the Second Amendment. And I believe it means exactly what it says: "A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Fourteen-year-old boys are not part of a well-regulated militia. Members of wacky religious cults are not part of a well-regulated militia. Permitting unregulated citizens to have guns is destroying the security of this free state. I am intrigued by the arguments of those who claim to follow the judicial doctrine of original intent. How do they know it was the dearest wish of Thomas Jefferson's heart that teen-age drug dealers should cruise the cities of this nation perforating their fellow citizens with assault rifles? Channelling?

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930315&slug=1690536

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This facebook post came to mind when I read Molly's riff on how "permitting unregulated citizens to have guns is destroying the security of this free state":

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Molly Ivins on Gun Control (Original Post) SunSeeker Apr 2013 OP
Molly always got right down to it. Thanks for this. freshwest Apr 2013 #1
Molly Ivans. sheshe2 Apr 2013 #2
Pretty much covers the issue as far as I'm concerned. Hoyt Apr 2013 #3
Bravo Molly dem in texas Apr 2013 #4
FYI Hangingon Apr 2013 #10
Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #5
I love it... Say, D.U.er's-- check this out nightscanner59 Apr 2013 #6
I just tell folks like this to go to their houses and wait for Obama to show up. Bolo Boffin Apr 2013 #7
ROFL. Oh, if only the real issue wasn't so deadly serious... but that's hilarious. nightscanner59 Apr 2013 #8
Molly Ivins remains a treasure. Paladin Apr 2013 #9
That's about it. I still do not accept the "individual right" argument. n/t ellisonz Apr 2013 #11
Thanks to Sunseeker and FreshWest! I just discovered this group! LeftInTX Apr 2013 #12
You're welcome! SunSeeker Apr 2013 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author aikoaiko Apr 2013 #14
I apologize for the message above (if anyone saw it). aikoaiko Apr 2013 #15
Molly Ivins and Roger Ebert locks Apr 2013 #16

Response to SunSeeker (Original post)

nightscanner59

(802 posts)
6. I love it... Say, D.U.er's-- check this out
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 02:55 AM
Apr 2013

I've been responding to some of the gun rights polls on a site called SodaHead-- it's loaded with the most insane right wingers. I swear, look at the blog tonight from this question and get a load of the "Gub-mint's the beast, Obama's the 666 and they're all comin' to git mah guns" sort!! To which I reply: seek help. your area has no lack of therapists, competent and otherwise. Please post your adress, I'll send the agents to come take your guns post haste.
I and other reasonable responders there are often outnumbered by the crazies:
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/will-it-take-more-mass-killings-to-get-congress-serious-about-gun-control/question-3617413/?link=1018208&uuid=9678f44243cb416da289b476303583b8

Bolo Boffin

(23,872 posts)
7. I just tell folks like this to go to their houses and wait for Obama to show up.
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 03:51 AM
Apr 2013

"Someone will be along to collect your guns directly. No, no, just tough it out. Don't leave until they do show up. And stay off the Internet if you can help it."

Yes, I have far too many relatives that I've said this to.

Paladin

(28,784 posts)
9. Molly Ivins remains a treasure.
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 07:24 AM
Apr 2013

I had the pleasure of meeting her during my college days in Austin. Her words as to what the 2nd Amendment REALLY means ring truer than ever, present-day.

LeftInTX

(30,016 posts)
12. Thanks to Sunseeker and FreshWest! I just discovered this group!
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 01:24 PM
Apr 2013

FreshWest had an awesome Molly Ivins post in media and Sunseeker x-posted this. I had no idea there was a Gun Control Group.

SunSeeker

(53,709 posts)
13. You're welcome!
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 03:39 PM
Apr 2013

I'm new to this group too--well, it is a pretty new group to begin with. I look at it as the safe and sane alternative to the gungeoneers' "Gun Control & RKBA" group.

Response to SunSeeker (Original post)

locks

(2,012 posts)
16. Molly Ivins and Roger Ebert
Thu Apr 4, 2013, 06:01 PM
Apr 2013

I just posted on the thread with the great article by Roger Ebert. Molly Ivins and Roger came every year for decades to University of Boulder/Boulder Conference on World Affairs. They always managed to be on the same panels and all of us tried to get into them. Sometimes it was hard to hear because we were laughing so hard. They both loved Colorado and we will never forget them.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control Reform Activism»Molly Ivins on Gun Contro...