After watching from a far the Fiscal Cliff follies, and listening to the ongoing debate in Washington over how to best curb gun violence, the thought occurs that if you let a hungry man eating lion loose in the Halls of Congress, the animal would starve to death. The traditional manly qualities of courage, honesty, and wisdom to do the right thing are in short supply in Washington. Don't start the sexist name calling, I think most of the women in congress, regardless of their views have a lot more guts and determination on any given issue. Get an issue that winds up Barbara Boxer or Diane Feinstein or Michelle Bachman----you might prefer going one on one with the lion. Example A from the they just don't get it file...The President's answer to a reporter's question suggesting maybe the defecit now at 16 trillion dollars is a sign we have to put the brakes on spending...and the governments ability to borrow money. The President..offered the opinion that the Uncle Sam is paying his bills, so why not let the government have a big credit line. You could pay all your bills with a smile too if you had the ability to print all the money you needed to cover those checks. But somebody's buying the bonds that back that debt...and someday..we or our descendants will have that debt called. The administration's going on offense on so called gun control. Right now...it doesn't appear there are enough votes to do anything radical...

There's that courage issue again. I don't hold office...and if I really cared what people thought, I wouldn't do this job---so here are a few thoughts. You..me....any American has the right to bear arms. Thats part of the second amendment, and like almost anything in the constitution is subect to interprertation. The Founders wanted an armed citizenry, to defend against tyranny. Modern interpretation ....arm yourself in case the government goes rogue...see Germany in the 1930's..but somewhere along the line the simple declarative sentences in that amendment....are read to cover anything from a Saturday night special, to a personal arsenal that would be the envy of a c 130 loaded with Green Berets. It's impossible to argue with this statistic: There are a zillion guns out there and all but a fraction of those who own and use them do so responsibly. The problem is a few deranged individuals who terrorize us by shooting up movie theatres..shopping malls and schools. There sick, troubled cowards, we can all agree on that. Now here's the challenge---how do we square your right to buy and bear arms with my right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness...in other words...you want guns...find a way to keep them away from nuts.

Let's make the whole thing tougher. You need insurance to buy a car, you ought to have it to buy a gun. The gun's just as lethal. Buyers should be screened., Ammo should be taxed. Sales should be limited. Proceeds should go to the cost of mental health screening. Which, yes should be a part of the gun buying process. Forget the internet. Too anonymous. You want a gun fill out the paper work, look the dealer in the eye, and show the proper credentials. Police and Sherrifs departments should alllow officers to moonlight in uniform...armed...at public gatherings as a visible deterent. Notice how these armed cowards target women ...children and unarmed shoppers and movie fans. They're not shooting up the cop shops, or NFL locker rooms or gun ranges.The gun replaces some..mental or yes physical shortcoming. Killing the innocent makes them powerful. In their twisted mind.. Having annoyed second amendment afficianados, I add this to defenders of the First. We have the freedom to do it, but let's stop identifying anyone whose accussed in a multiple shooting. Why give them the sick satisfaction of recognition. Just like you I don't like my freedom restricted at any level, but drastic times demand drastic measures. 31 days ago---a crazed gunman killed 20 little kids. precious un armed little kids. No argument can refute that.

This has to stop. Not just with tougher restrictions on who can buy a weapon---let's think twice about producing violent video games...movies and TV....This culture has been de sensitized. Maybe a a field trip to the morgue for the high school set would help. Or a visit from the families of those who've died by the gun. The videos don't offer virtual grief. I expect many of you will disagree and send the e mail to me at point blank range. Bring it on...we need a dialogue on this..right now...when 6 year olds are slaughtered it's time for a change. A big change.