Media bigotry
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 11:01:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: robert n lyman <rlyman@u.washington.edu>
To: pulse@gr-press.com, jdouglas@gr-press.com
Subject: Latest anti-gun comment from John Douglas
To Mr. John Douglas and his editors,
Mr. Douglas' latest column about gun ownership
was just as full of bigotry and nonsense as his last one.
To begin with, the term "gun nut" is
as offensive as the term "nigger" or "faggot." All three are
derisive terms used by people who think themselves superior to denigrate others
who are different. All display intolerance and ignorance. None are appropriate
for use in rational or polite debate. Mr. Douglas makes the insult worse by
referring to himself as a "recovering gun nut," and claiming he was
"cured," implying that gun owners are sick and in need of treatment.
Again, the implication is incredibly offensive. Aren't liberals supposed to be
tolerant, or do you only tolerate people who agree with you?
Looking beyond Mr. Douglas' bigotry, which was
already well known, I must say that calling oneself a "gun nut"
because one once handled and considered buying a pistol is just plain stupid. No
one claims to be black because he has a suntan, or homosexual because he kisses
his father. This lame attempt on Mr. Douglas' part to reconcile with people he
so publicly reviles by claiming to be one of them will be rightly rejected by
the shooting community.
Finally, Mr. Douglas expresses his hope that
other "gun nuts" will join him in renouncing firearms. I suppose he
imagines this will somehow make the world safer. Again, he insults the honest
gun owner by implying that he or she is somehow responsible for violent crime.
Let me say this clearly, so that even Mr.
Douglas and other similar bigots at your paper may understand. Law abiding gun
owners are NOT responsible for violent crime. Indeed, their willingness to
defend themselves and others from criminals makes them valuable assets in the
struggle against predators in society. No fewer than 80 million people in the
country own guns. These people deserve your respect, and indeed your
thanks—they stand ready not only to prevent crime, but also to preserve the
freedom of speech that your paper uses to insult them.
Violent, radical, tax-protesting gun nuts
founded this country. You owe them a debt too large to ever pay off. You could
pay it in part by treating present day gun owners with the respect that all
human beings deserve.
Instead of renouncing guns, Mr. Douglas should renounce hate.
Robert Lyman
Seattle, WA
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