Althouse: "We said, hey, let's do something ridiculous."

January 19, 2013

"We said, hey, let's do something ridiculous."

"Let's go shoot guns."

ADDED: Via a Columbia Journalism Review "Pass the #popcorn" item, with a lot of intra-journalism analysis.

48 comments:

Mogget said...: Didn't this get debunked yesterday?; 1/19/13, 8:14 AM
Levi Starks said...: When I was a kid growing up in the midwest, there were two things I wanted to do, Shoot guns, and Drive cars...
In that order.; 1/19/13, 8:17 AM
Fandor said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/19/13, 8:18 AM
Fandor said...: As Shane said," A gun is a tool...no better or worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that!"; 1/19/13, 8:21 AM
madAsHell said...: I stopped reading at the picture. They all looked uncomfortable with the weapons.; 1/19/13, 8:21 AM
Anonymous said...: What a wonderful, fact free, article.

String a bunch of anecdotes and twitter feeds together to confirm the bias of the authors.

Is this what journalism has descended to?; 1/19/13, 8:33 AM
Anonymous said...: I stopped reading at the picture. They all looked uncomfortable with the weapons.

They're using shotguns. If they've never fired shotguns before, they might be quite worried as to whether they'll be able to handle the recoil. Many, many people physically cannot, especially 12-gauge recoil.
Example.

Peter

Peter; 1/19/13, 8:37 AM
AHL said...: I remember the first time I shot a 12-gauge shotgun. Ow. That was a big bruise.

My brothers take me shooting when I'm home. Conservative men (in my experience) are very excited to teach women how to safely use guns because it is the best way for a woman to protect herself. Every year, the Brill Area Sportsman's Club has a "Women's Range Day", which is designed to teach women who do not have experience how to safely use a rifle, shotgun, and a small handgun in a female-only environment. I would encourage every woman to do that if she would get the opportunity.; 1/19/13, 8:51 AM
kentuckyliz said...: They think one of their constitutional rights is ridiculous. Okaaaay. Just wait until someone thinks the free speech/free press rights are ridiculous.

When we're together on the farm at Thanksgiving, we go target and skeet shooting on Thanksgiving afternoon (before dinner in the evening).

Not ridiculous at all.

They are ridiculous for thinking it's ridiculous.

The comments are amusing.; 1/19/13, 8:54 AM
Lauderdale Vet said...: Debunked? Perhaps you might enjoy this instead: Book Review: Shooters by Abigail A. Kohn

"The book tells another, perhaps unintentional story: Kohn’s transformation from a liberal intellectual to a gun enthusiast"

From the author's article at Reason.com "Their aim is true", another fun read:

We began by studying the right-wing militia movement of the early 1990s. Our first foray into the subject would have been comical if it hadn’t been so naïve. Our initial attempt to meet local militia members took us to a shooting range in the Bay Area, where we assumed local militia meetings would be held. We went on a Tuesday night, fully expecting the range to be seething with radical political activity. Why else would people congregate at a shooting range, if not to meet other like-minded, potentially dangerous right-wing gun nuts? It never occurred to us that they might be there for the simple enjoyment of target shooting.

It embarrasses me now to recall that trip. We went expecting to find militia members milling around in camouflage gear, holding signs, and handing out radical pamphlets. Needless to say, we didn’t meet anyone during our visit who fit that description.; 1/19/13, 8:55 AM
Tank said...: Peter

That's a great video. Wow, some bad form there, ie. lousy instruction, if any.

First time for me with a 12 gauge I ended up with a nice black and blue on my cheek. I've managed to avoid that since.

Here in northern NJ we have a decent skeet shooting range where they supply everything. I've taken 30 or 40 people there, many first timers (most liberals), and we always have a great time. Usually, we start the ladies with a 20 gauge. Those who decide to just watch almost always say they wish they'd joined in.

I went to one "shotgun" wedding, where the wedding was on Saturday, and Sunday morning about 20 of us went down to the range to shoot skeet. Memorable.; 1/19/13, 8:57 AM
Big Mike said...: Shooting guns is not "ridiculous." Shooting guns requires careful attention to safety at all times.; 1/19/13, 9:00 AM
Sorun said...: They look pretty awkward holding those guns. It's how women and children hold a shotgun for the first time.; 1/19/13, 9:01 AM
Mogget said...: Not meaning to rile you, Lauderdale Vet. Am retired myself, and I carry in Madison. However, there is/was discussion on the matter either yesterday or the day before.; 1/19/13, 9:05 AM
AllenS said...: Freder Frederson said...
What a wonderful, fact free, article.

WTF? What kind of facts were you looking for? Some libs went to shoot some guns. Big fucking deal.; 1/19/13, 9:06 AM
Rusty said...: Freder Frederson said...
What a wonderful, fact free, article.

String a bunch of anecdotes and twitter feeds together to confirm the bias of the authors.

Is this what journalism has descended to?

Yes it has.; 1/19/13, 9:08 AM
Lauderdale Vet said...: Sorry if I was off target, Mogget :)

One thing just made me think of the other.; 1/19/13, 9:13 AM
Mumpsimus said...: Yeah, debunked.; 1/19/13, 9:19 AM
Mitch H. said...: This is what Mogget was talking about. The concept behind the story may or may not have some sort of kernel of truth to it - I've gone trap shooting with some pretty left-wing partisan Northeastern Democratic types - but the article as researched and presented apparently had massive issues, in that the subjects interviewed are objecting on Gell-Mann Amnesia grounds.; 1/19/13, 9:19 AM
DADvocate said...: Shooting's fun. I enjoy shooting for accuracy. Shooting a .22 LR satisfies me as much as shooting a 30-06.

Personally, I do enjoy a 12 guage. I'm a big guy. The recoil doesn't bother me and it's like shooting a mini-cannon.; 1/19/13, 9:36 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "They think one of their constitutional rights is ridiculous. Okaaaay. Just wait until someone thinks the free speech/free press rights are ridiculous."

They think a constitutional right that other people see as there isn't really there. They think the Supreme Court got it wrong.

It's the same as you might feel about the right to have an abortion.; 1/19/13, 9:39 AM
DADvocate said...: Shooting guns is not "ridiculous." Shooting guns requires careful attention to safety at all times.

Very true. Surprising to some, I'm sure, shooting sports are some of the safest sports you can do. Safer than the popular team sports, bicycling, etc. The seemingly quiet, peaceful sport of fishing is among the most dangerous.; 1/19/13, 9:40 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "Didn't this get debunked yesterday?"

I added a "via" link that got me there for people who want to go into that background which seemed a tad complicated.; 1/19/13, 9:44 AM
edutcher said...: It's probably the most phallic thing they do IYKWIM.

PS Tank, if you don't mind, where in northern NJ are you?; 1/19/13, 9:49 AM
Jason said...: The right to bear arms is specifically enumerated in the constitution.

The right to kill an unborn child is, well, kinda not mentioned. At all, anywhere.

So, no... it's not at all like how we might feel about abortion.; 1/19/13, 9:52 AM
chickelit said...: Foster Kamer tweeted: Uh, @mckaycoppins: What the shit? You managed to omit the entire part of our conversation where I called gun ownership reprehensible.

I'm just wondering where this sentiment comes from. Is gun-loathing transmitted from mother-to-son? Is it contagious? Is there a cure?; 1/19/13, 9:54 AM
Tank said...: ed

Bergen County, near Hackensack. The range is up at Thunder Mountain. Nice lake up there for picnic and swimming/sailing too.; 1/19/13, 9:59 AM
Chip Ahoy said...: Hey Anthony, David, Foster, let's go ride horses.

No shit, dudes, you can actually do that.

later that day

"So how do you make this thing go anyway?"

"You hold the reins and go "giddy up" and flounce in the saddle."

Woooohooooo; 1/19/13, 10:03 AM
I Have Misplaced My Pants said...: They think a constitutional right that other people see as there isn't really there. They think the Supreme Court got it wrong.

It's the same as you might feel about the right to have an abortion.

Looking and looking for the clause in the Constitution that states, "The right of the people to obtain abortions shall not be infringed." No luck so far!; 1/19/13, 10:04 AM
edutcher said...: OT: Do you know the Ridgewood/Glen Rock area at all?

I had family there and wondered how much it's changed over the years.; 1/19/13, 10:04 AM
Sam L. said...: Well, Ann, the 1st and 2nd Amendments are attached to the Constitution, but abortion does not appear in writing.; 1/19/13, 10:09 AM
Chip Ahoy said...: Man, you guys are good. You went straight to the flaw in the comparison. This is what I get from hanging around smart people such as yourselves. I really do admire that. I hope to become as sharp as you.; 1/19/13, 10:11 AM
Tank said...: ed

Sure. VERY nice area. Upper middle class. Nice downtowns with great restaurants in particular.; 1/19/13, 10:21 AM
edutcher said...: Thanks.

A lot of fond memories from my youth, but I've never been able to get back there.; 1/19/13, 10:27 AM
Colonel Angus said...: They think a constitutional right that other people see as there isn't really there. They think the Supreme Court got it wrong.

It's the same as you might feel about the right to have an abortion.

Last time I looked, the Second Amendment clearly states my right to keep and bear arms. Can you show me the amendment on abortion?

You're a law prof?; 1/19/13, 10:34 AM
Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...: Is it contagious? Is there a cure?

The cure requires valuing intelligence and human life.

No, there is no pill you can take for that.

There is a difference between valuing gun rights and just plain being a nutty gun-humper.; 1/19/13, 10:41 AM
Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/19/13, 10:44 AM
Palladian said...: I have still not received a satisfactory answer to my question why so-called liberals are, de facto, expected to hate guns and oppose gun ownership. Again, aside from bone-headed "It's what our team is supposed to do!" and "Give peace a chance!" reasons, I'd like to know. I suspect, apart from those two answers, many so-called liberals don't actually have a well-considered reason to be against guns in general.

The cure requires valuing intelligence and human life.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!

OK, now that we've gotten one of the lame, stupid reasons out of the way...

The human brain is the most dangerous weapon of all. Let's ban it!; 1/19/13, 11:23 AM
AllenS said...: Do you own a gun, Ritmo? Have you ever shot one?; 1/19/13, 11:23 AM
traditionalguy said...: If gun taking worked to stop violence then we would all be in favor it like Obama says we are.

But since it never works at all and only puts the most people possible in danger of being the victims of violence, there is no rational reason to consent to surrender of Americans 2nd Amendment rights.

If we want peace then we need peacemakers openly carried everywhere.; 1/19/13, 1:17 PM
Mark Jones said...: "I have still not received a satisfactory answer to my question why so-called liberals are, de facto, expected to hate guns and oppose gun ownership."

Palladian, it's really quite simple. Liberals don't trust individuals to make decisions. Not important decisions, anyhow. That's why they never stop pushing to put more decisions into the hands of the government, and leave fewer for individuals. In some cases, down to the level of what size soda you may buy, or whether you can have salt on your fries.

Keeping and bearing arms gives you the power to make the most important decision of all--whether to end a human life. OF COURSE they don't want you to have that kind of responsibility. You can't handle it. Nobody can, except agents of the state...and the elite who run said state, of course. They're better than you.; 1/19/13, 1:31 PM
Known Unknown said...: I'm not a huge Seth McFarlane fan, but sometimes he makes me laugh:

“Grampa, what did you do while America fought the Great War of Afghanistan?”

“I was in an ironic adult kickball league.”; 1/19/13, 2:00 PM
Synova said...: "There is a difference between valuing gun rights and just plain being a nutty gun-humper."

Is there? Because I just don't see it. I mean, sure, I can separate the two in my mind if I met someone and talked to him or her for a bit, but I'm wondering what you think the outward signs are.; 1/19/13, 2:08 PM
n.n said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/19/13, 3:23 PM
n.n said...: Guns act as deterrents and force equalizers. They empower individuals to mitigate or prevent involuntary exploitation, up to and including murder, by minority interests, including criminals and corrupt authoritarians.

They would have stopped or impeded the progress of Major Nidal Malik Hasan from slaughtering unarmed soldiers and one soldier's unborn child.

They would have stopped or impeded the progress of Jared Lee Loughner from slaughtering unarmed men, women, and children.

They would have stopped or impeded the progress of James Holmes from slaughtering unarmed people at the movie theater.

They are a means to mitigate risk where, by definition, criminal behavior is not constrained by proscriptive laws, including that exhibited by individuals, cooperatives, and governments.

The individuals, cooperatives, and government agents who pursue the restriction of Americans to be Armed possess ulterior motives which do not coincide with improving our safety. Their policies, in fact, increase risk to law-abiding individuals, while reducing risk to criminals and lowering opportunity costs for commission of crimes.

I, for one, will not be a party to the violence they advocate.; 1/19/13, 3:31 PM
jr565 said...: Ann Althouse wrote:
They think a constitutional right that other people see as there isn't really there. They think the Supreme Court got it wrong.

"You have the right to keep and bear arms." Just because it's there doesn't mean its there right?

It's the same as you might feel about the right to have an abortion.
"you have the right to an abortion". Just because it isn't there doesn't mean it isn't there right?; 1/19/13, 4:06 PM
harrogate said...: "Man, you guys are good. You went straight to the flaw in the comparison. This is what I get from hanging around smart people such as yourselves. I really do admire that. I hope to become as sharp as you."

Hahahahahahaha. Ha. Not bad at all.; 1/19/13, 7:22 PM
Synova said...: I thought the flaw in the comparison was "Hey, lets do something ridiculous. Let's have an abortion."

But I did understand that a great number of people don't believe that the 2nd Amendment means that citizens should be allowed to have any personal weapons whatsoever, and other people don't think that people have a constitutional right to abort the unborn, no matter their constitutional right to their own person.

After all, the right to have guns, even military type weapons, doesn't give anyone the right to shoot someone with them.; 1/20/13, 1:29 AM