In regard to the Fairgrounds meeting:
There are a number of points that should be addressed. First, the fact that one member of the A2ATF came to the meeting open carrying a handgun.
While many people might question the wisdom of such a decision, the membership pondered this approach at some length.....
Read the rest of this article here.
Matt St. John
02/03/2010:
Recently I have been noticing more and more of a divide between "We the People" concerning politics, philosophy and how our country should be run. I realize that that is to be expected in a country such as ours. But, regardless of difference in opinion (educated or not) there is no need for generalizing each opposing view into categories IE. "Those Liberals", "Those Republicans". Labels make everything that much more impersonal, which in the long run makes the divide greater. We are all individuals with different points of view all valuable (more or less) in their own way. We all need to be open minded. Do not discount what someone else is saying just because they associate themselves with a certain group. That is just plain ignorant.
However, when you are speaking, and voicing an opinion, think before you talk. Don't just recycle what you heard on Fox, CNN or another news source. Think for yourself. Come up with your own opinion, do your own research and come to your own conclusions. No one can fault you for an opinion that is well thought out and eloquently presented. Leave out generalizations, name calling and insults. They are useless and lazy. The same goes for when you disagree with someone else’s point of view or opinion. Don't just automatically assume they are wrong because they are a democrat/republican/independent ET. Listen, comprehend then respond. Preconceived bias is extremely harmful and leads to people becoming defensive. And in the end you just have everyone hitting their heads against a wall endlessly, accomplishing nothing. Another thing is letting your emotions get the best of you during a debate or argument. It goes nowhere and devalues the content of your argument.
In the end we are all on the same team and need to start acting like it. Your freedom only goes so far as it does not infringe on someone else’s freedom. Like it or not people will disagree with you. That's part of the beauty of the United States and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd hate to live in a country of robots that just repeat their programming.
A very intelligent American once said. And I quote " "We must all hang together," he said, "or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." I think this still applies today.
