Guns
to be or not to be?

Ok. I would like to start my making something VERY clear. I do not like guns. I don't own one. I doubt I ever will. I am going to opt for the big scary dog instead. :) In a perfect world aka a world where the apple wasn't eaten (yes, i know it wasn't an apple. apologies to all offended apples), there wouldn't be any guns. Everyone would love each other as God intended. No one would kill anyone for any reason. There wouldn't be war. Now, from this view, if I supported banning guns, in all fairness, I would have to ban spitting on the ground, smoking, picking your nose, ear WHATEVER in public, dropping band-aids on the ground, spitting tobacco on the ground, children that run around unsupervised and have no manners, those that talk loudly during a movie and burnt popcorn. What? These sound unreasonable? Well, it is only because they are impossible. Now, unlike some of my wishes, guns are actually supported by the constitution. This is important if one wishes to live in a Democratic Republic. The Constitution establishes the conduct of this country and grants us rights. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and all that. (note Life does NOT say life after birth....but that is addressed on my abortion page).

Ok, so if I don't like guns, why put up a page? Well, it hit me the other day that all this time I've been calling myself independent I may actually be a Republican. Wow. Guess that meant I had to think about all the issues not just my favorite issues. Here goes....

We are guaranteed the right to bear arms. This is true. Now, tho I wish we didn't have any guns, they are out there. If one makes them illegal, hate to break it to ya, but the criminals aren't gonna care. Law abiding folks would be disarmed and defenseless and then all sorts of messes. Read the history of the Nazis for examples of chaos caused by disarming the people.

I DO support child safety locks being provided and registration and background checks. I do not believe in having to stand in line at the DMV or wherever to pick up a photo license. Why not? Because it's adding another step that is inconvenient and expensive unnecessary. If one registers one's gun, they probably already have a driver's license and soc. sec. card and all validation of the person's identity should be part of the registration. Again, if they are a criminal why on earth would they stand in line at the DMV or some such place to get their picture taken????

Now, short story as to why I think making people get a separate license is somewhat asinine. I lived in MO. Lost my driver's license in the move. No biggie. I would get a GA one later. Well, time came to vote and I realized that I needed to get a picture ID (found out much later you can mail in registration) ::sigh:: Ok. No problem. Paid to get a copy of my birth certificate, tracked down my social security card and a recent water bill and headed to the local DMV. I presented my documents and explained that I would like to get a GA state ID (note: NOT a driver's license, merely an id). When I answered, yes, I've had a driver's license in the past, the state of missouri would have to mail a letter (for a small fee) that would "release" me from my Missouri residency and prove I'm not a felon. Disgruntled and mumbling about the, um, wonders of the DMV despite state, I returned to my car.

Ok. So how to vote. Well, I'm registered to vote in MO. Okie dokie. Went online, got an absentee ballot request, checked the box "registered but not in MO on election day" and mailed it to the MO Sec. of State. They "promptly" sent me a ballot on November 6th. Nothing like waiting till the last minute, I called to ask if I could Fed Ex my ballot. They told me that I couldn't vote in Missouri unless I intended to live in MO again. I do not. The gentleman asked why I didn't register with my GA driver's license. I explained that GA doesn't see me as a resident until I'm released from MO and I do not have a GA license and can't have one till MO relinquishes their claim that I'm a MO resident. ::sigh:: The point to this story? I think a gun photo id, if not part of the registration process (which should include proving your identity) would merely be a hassle and accomplish nothing other than ticking off law-abiding citizens that actually wait in line to get one. Again, guarantee criminals aren't gonna put up with the DMV in order to commit a crime. Criminals may not be a bright bunch but surely, even they understand the evils of the DMV. Now to anyone who is a gov't employee, first, my apologies. Second, why don't any of you smile? It might make your job more pleasant.

OK...other big issue that makes me a non typical Republican. The death penalty. I don't like it but agree that it serves as a deterrent. I could not however sit on a jury in a death penalty case. I would however be there with flags waving as Susan Smith was put in a car and shoved into a lake, then removed before she actually got injured. Just think a first hand look at what her kids went through might make her realize the tragedy of her actions. I admit that I was disappointed that she got life. Now, I think this may be better in that it gives her time to think and hopefully ask forgiveness. Tho rambling, this page explains why I am, what I consider, "a conservative artist" and how I recently discovered that I'm a Republican.