Something to Know - 21 December

1.   Organizations and lobbying interests have a point of view to sell to gain favor with the public and legislators.  We understand that.  In the case of the N.R.A., however, it appears to have gone beyond the pale.   Just like Grover Norquist, there is a methodology   similar to a shakedown by gangsters.   If you do not behave their way, they crush you politically:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/opinion/the-nra-protection-racket.html?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20121220&_r=0

2.  As you can tell, I am taking on the NRA.  It has a history of systematically blocking research into gun violence.  Here is something to read on that subject:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/the-blockade-on-science-on-gun-violence/?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20121220

3.  The C.D.C. has, as its charge, the obligation to investigate and study all things that are harmful to the health and welfare of the citizens of the USA.   Part of that includes gun violence that kills so many people each year.  Guess what?  The NRA works to ensure that no studies or funding is allowed or approved by specifically shaking down their bought-and-paid-for legislators to make sure it does not happen.  So why do you think the NRA does not want people to know about the deaths of people as a result of guns?   Read here:

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/12/gun_violence_research_nra_and_congress_blocked_gun_control_studies_at_cdc.single.html#pagebreak_anchor_2 

4.  With regard to the 2nd Amendment, there are apparently similar concerns from others.  I'm not the only one who is looking at it from it original intended perspective, or intent:

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/13449-the-wait-just-a-goddam-second-amendment

--
Juan

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."
       -- Sir Richard Steele

"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh."
       -- W. H. Auden

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
       -- George Bernard Shaw

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