Reasoned Discourse

Sebastian at Snowflakes in Hell has an outstanding post today about some Reasoned Discourse that has actually broken out with a Brady Campaign board member.

Sebastian answers her 20 posed questions in fine fashion, but the last one is the kicker:

20. Will you continue a reasonable discussion towards an end that might lead somewhere or is this an exercise in futility?

It’s probably an exercise in futility. We’re starting from vastly different assumptions about our fellow citizens, and about our constitutional structure. You’ve also had a loved one murdered with a firearm, whereas I have not.

The more I read on this womans' blog, the less I wanted to answer the questions myself, and Sebastian nails it as to why.

The two sides of the firearms debate are starting from vastly differing views of how things should be, at least with regards to firearms, but I think it goes much deeper than that.

Those on the side of available firearms believe, fundamentally, in freedom; those on the side of gun control don't.

And unfortunately, I don't see any way to bridge the gap.

pm