I recognize that it is probably not healthy to be motivated by negative emotions, but almost every time I sit down to work on my book on American gun culture, I am motivated by a review of my book proposal by someone who works as a public librarian in the United States:
While the author is an excellent academic and writes very well, it remains impossible to recommend this work. I can appreciate how the author is seeking to break new ground in this field, but I cannot think of a more irresponsible premise. The United States had 40 mass-shootings by January 24th this year (more shootings than days of the year). Additionally, the author ignores the consistent research which continues to prove that not only does gun ownership has [sic.] “zero evidence of protective effects,” but also increases the odds that one will be shot to death (this includes those not owning guns, but merely living with someone who does). I mean no. The views put forth here are repressible; built on the backs of the grade school children who continually forfeit their lives.
The “irresponsible premise,” of course, being that guns are normal and normal people use guns.
This way of seeing drives me every day to try to hold a different mirror up to the reality of guns and gun culture in America.
This is not someone who should be in a public facing position in a public library. If they can’t think dispassionately and do actual research for themselves, what good are they to anyone?
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The rot is deep and pervasive. Recall how many librarians gleefully threw Cat In The Hat onto the bonfire.
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Really, Matt? How many librarians threw “The Cat in the Hat” on a bonfire? And why?
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You have a short memory. But I’m not interested in a protracted, off-topic political debate at this blog. Visit mine if you want to argue further.
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In common parlance, this is called being “cancelled.” There is little to no intellectual curiosity from those who are not gun-aware, sadly.
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“Here’s your sign …” (as per Bill Engvall)
There are some people who find logic and reasoning and critical thinking to be beyond them and not have a clue that’s an issue for them. It’s all about the feels and emotions…
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And dogma.
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Comments such as the one you shared, David, is why we can’t get anywhere with common ground about guns. And probably won’t in the near future.
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The Librarian above shows that once a person has decided to crush a particular right, such as the right to keep and bear arms as stated in the 2nd amendment, it becomes easier for them to suppress others. You would hope that a librarian would be more attuned to the 1st amendment and its protection of the freedom of speech.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, …”
She is explicitly calling for the repression of ideas contrary to her positions. “The views put forth here are repressible.” According to the dictionary, to repress something is to restrain, prevent, or inhibit the expression or development of something. Now, while the Constitution technically only applies to the Federal Government, I would think that a Librarian, a person supposedly dedicate to helping people access information, would be a staunch supporter of the 1st. But more and more I see people championing freedom of speech only for those who are in agreement with them.
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Hmmm… I thought the librarian meant to say “reprehensible” (“deserving censure or condemnation.”) but had an auto-correct issue. But maybe “repressible” is what they meant to say. Either way, the sentiment expressed is a deplorable position for a librarian and any freedom loving American.
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When I first posted this I put “sic.” by repressible for this very reason. Then once it was posted I re-read it and thought, I wonder if repressible is actually a word. And it is. And a telling one.
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I’m sure they meant what they said. “Repressible” is the adjective form of the verb repress. In my opinion, when someone resorts to calling for the repression of some thought or idea it means they have no legitimate counter argument.
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It’s truly sad that someone can be so misinformed that they will not even consider rebuttal of their worldview, and treats even the attempt at level discussion with such disgust.
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A Librarian may know where to find something in his or her library. Might even know how to dust off an old book or find the restrooms. Facts, law, common sense, the Constitution? Not likely.
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It’s a cult; and to them, you’re a heretic.
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This person is exhibiting fear based, willful ignorance. Thought born out of an extreme media bias that is committed to amplifying the most heinous of crimes committed with guns, while completely ignoring (denying!) the beneficial aspects of gun ownership.
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