Rhetoric, guns, the NRA and the UN...
The following is a form-letter addressed to U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan, that I discovered through the latest emailing from the National Rifle Association about an up-coming vote in the U.N. body on the Fourth of July weekend... I will present how the NRA has it written, and then a version that's my interpretation:
"The Honorable Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, New York 10017
Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
The 4th of July is America’s most revered national holiday. Yet, you have nevertheless chosen that day to meet at the U.N., on American soil, in your drive to ban civilian firearm ownership worldwide. In doing so, you have placed the U.N. squarely on the side of freedom’s enemies.
Americans like me have over 230 years of experience in defeating the anti-freedom aims of petty tyrants and powerful dictators alike. And the American people will never let you take away the rights that our 4th of July holiday represents. Our freedoms are not to blame for the world’s problems, and this is a battle you can never win.
Sincerely, ______________________________"
Now, My version:
"The Honorable Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, New York 10017
Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
The 4th of July is one of the most revered national holidays in the United States of America. Yet, you have nevertheless chosen that day to meet at the U.N., on our country's soil, in your drive to ban civilian firearm ownership worldwide. While understanding the concept behind it, such a ban would be a very dangerous and bad idea--if for no other reason than, like that of prohibition in the 1920's and 1930's, it just doesn't work.
The people of the United States of America have accumulated over 230 years of experience in attempting to balance the reasonable use of personal arms with the overall needs of society and vice-versa. Given what has happened in our own history, as well as our own role in creating the problems of other countries; this balancing act has not been perfect. At the same time, it is within reason that a citizen exercising their due duties and obligations therein are needed to not only have arms, but also control in the electoral system. Which is--in the United States--unfortunately in more need of fixing than any perceived good that may or may not come from a global gun-ban.
While the intent behind the ban may be noble--more focus should be paid in how our 'war on drugs' is negatively impacting other countries, at the expense of our own citizenry. And while reasoned people are out there, others stand by the following: 'Our freedoms are not to blame for the world’s problems, and this is a battle you can never win'.
Sincerely, ______________________________"
"The Honorable Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, New York 10017
Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
The 4th of July is America’s most revered national holiday. Yet, you have nevertheless chosen that day to meet at the U.N., on American soil, in your drive to ban civilian firearm ownership worldwide. In doing so, you have placed the U.N. squarely on the side of freedom’s enemies.
Americans like me have over 230 years of experience in defeating the anti-freedom aims of petty tyrants and powerful dictators alike. And the American people will never let you take away the rights that our 4th of July holiday represents. Our freedoms are not to blame for the world’s problems, and this is a battle you can never win.
Sincerely, ______________________________"
Now, My version:
"The Honorable Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, New York 10017
Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
The 4th of July is one of the most revered national holidays in the United States of America. Yet, you have nevertheless chosen that day to meet at the U.N., on our country's soil, in your drive to ban civilian firearm ownership worldwide. While understanding the concept behind it, such a ban would be a very dangerous and bad idea--if for no other reason than, like that of prohibition in the 1920's and 1930's, it just doesn't work.
The people of the United States of America have accumulated over 230 years of experience in attempting to balance the reasonable use of personal arms with the overall needs of society and vice-versa. Given what has happened in our own history, as well as our own role in creating the problems of other countries; this balancing act has not been perfect. At the same time, it is within reason that a citizen exercising their due duties and obligations therein are needed to not only have arms, but also control in the electoral system. Which is--in the United States--unfortunately in more need of fixing than any perceived good that may or may not come from a global gun-ban.
While the intent behind the ban may be noble--more focus should be paid in how our 'war on drugs' is negatively impacting other countries, at the expense of our own citizenry. And while reasoned people are out there, others stand by the following: 'Our freedoms are not to blame for the world’s problems, and this is a battle you can never win'.
Sincerely, ______________________________"