Gun Control stat arguments are dumb other than the simplest ones: If you don't have a gun, you won't shoot someone.

Gun Control stat arguments are dumb. "Stats" should be in parenthesis since the Center for Disease Control can't track gun deaths nor does the federal government enforce the existing gun control laws to begin with, let alone pass the most simple reform (no fly list people buying guns).

Had fun with this exchange:

Gun guy: There are stricter gun laws in Chicago than Houston and look how many shootings there are in Chicago compared to Houston.

Other guy: Gun laws are as strict in New York City as Chicago, yet New York City has 10 times fewer shootings per population than Chicago.

Gun guy: Well, that's cause all the bankers live there, besides New York City is a lot larger so it's not a fair comparison.

Other guy: OK, Arkansas has roughly the same population as Connecticut, which has some of the nations stricter laws, yet Arkansas has 3 times more gun deaths than Connecticut.

Gun guy: Connecticut doesn't have any large cities.

Other guy: Other than the fact you just assume shootings are inner cities, Connecticut's 4 largest cities all have higher population density than Arkansas's 4 largest.

Gun guy: Well, Connecticut is a wealthier state with a better standard of living.

Other guy: And liberal democrats and moderate republicans running the state. Also a more secular population. So are you saying that liberal atheists are the key factor in gun safety? I keep reading how bad Connecticut is and the economy, but gun deaths are decreasing there.


I just want to shout out: It's the culture, not the laws.

Look up here, I'm in heaven

David Bowie 1947-2016

There's been a ton of well-written, thoughtful and personal tributes to David Bowie posted online by fans, musicians and people who knew David Bowie. I wouldn't both trying to top them; what was said of his influence, his range and his plasticity is too apparent to be denied.

Just days before his death, Bowie released his final recording Blackstar including videos "Blackstar" (released in November) and "Lazarus" (released two days before his death). While the music video media form has been going the way of the compact disc ever since MTV started reality television programming, the "Lazarus" video may be the most important message Bowie has left his fans.

In perhaps the a way only someone as intimate but flamboyant as Bowie could do, the artist released a video documenting his own realization of his mortality just hours before his own death. Bowie was "out there" in public but so private that he hid his illness from close friends (according to producer Brian Eno) - yet from the opening moments of the video showing Bowie's wrinkled hands and slender cheeks and chin, he's told the world he knows this will be his final act. 

Walking back from work today a restaurant was playing "Under Pressure" and all I could think was that both of those voices are eternally silent now. It was like that moment when you find out an older family member has died, as if they were immortal until you were shocked and found out they weren't. No one is.