Hey Neo.
I agree that the landscape on this issue does not look encouraging; that is true. And yes you can bet the blow back from the NRA and other gun-rights supporters will be intense ; ( although for the moment probably measured ). But the point here I think is engagement within the society.
But let us be clear about the reality we are facing with this; "
we do not live in a perfect world ". But the society cannot just let this continue down the same path in my view. IMHO the issue here as I see it is as I said before: (
About promoting " fear " and " demonizing compromise " at the expense of the public's welfare. ) And you can bet that is exactly the tactic and approach the blowback is going to be about. And to further exploit and exacerbate the atmosphere there will no doubt be efforts towards utilizing this to energize the Tea Party base support in the coming election season strategy.
To me at the deeper roots of much these kinds of political stalemates lies "
Campaign Finance Reform "; because until this is addressed; both parties are held
hostage within it's grip. And just like the issues you have pointed out; that is the master they will serve; (
unless ); there is a
huge public outcry for change which can only be accomplished by engagement. Both sides probably will not get what they want; yes more than likely. But also a more subliminal tone will have been established that the
status quo is no longer acceptable. Will movement toward " serious reform " in this case get traction; that depends on the level of pressure the politicians encounter and have to appease. But unless some kind of social effort at engagement is made and everyone just sits there and goes: " Oh well; it's their job; I wish they would do something. " nothing but "
posturing " will more than likely be the result.
Yes this is not a pleasant or encouraging situation is it? But I think part of the reason this mess is getting worse is because the general public's perception is being manipulated by the political "
spin " and isn't really informed enough yet to come to a general consensus. That's what the (
spin-war ) is all about. Polls and talk-shows, pundits and super-pacs, commentaries, blogs and forums all play a part in the public discourse; but you have to have the publics engagement to have resolution. At least that's the way this looks to me. I don't disagree with some of your assessments about the realities really; just perhaps some of the aspects on how it might be dealt with.
You have stated earlier that you are not sure if a Public Conversation ( can ) take place because of the present circumstances; and I am saying that it ( must ) take place for anything to change. If both sides just leave things as they are and retreat back into their comfort zones as if this is going to go away; I think this issue is going to keep getting worse;
a lot worse. And I think it is inevitable one way or another to a larger extent that we as a society are going to have to confront this; but "
how " is the question. What will happen as this goes forth is anybody's guess; but in the coming weeks there may also be other factors that may come into play. For it should also be noted that there are other social issues such as "
mental health " that are linked to this social discussion that are going to come up; and that is also understood in a general sense I think. But some of the parents and spouses from these horrific tragedies are now starting to get involved at a more serious level because they are motivated by the
" Death " of their children and loved ones and
that in itself is a very powerful "
common bond or human connection " that could help to build a bridge for both sides to cross in their exchanges of ideas that could make a
real difference in this debate.