The other day, I woke up with an idea which I thought was so brilliant, so original, and so glorious that I couldn’t wait to share it with family, friends, and the world at large. The moment I opened my eyes my revelation was, “The only constant in the universe is change.”
I was so proud of myself but then thought, I had better make sure that this is a novel concept before I start claiming to be the next Socrates. It turns out, of course, that I had this “novel idea” about 2,500 years after the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus of Ephesus, first proposed it. So much for my Nobel Peace Prize.
Never mind. My guess is that he never thought about applying my (I mean his) statement to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as I propose to do here.
I am a longtime subscriber, and frequent contributor, to the Gazette. My usual approach to reading the daily news is to first read the comics. It’s just too difficult for me to be confronted at sunrise with the constant horrors that the world greets me with each morning. Following that, I go to the puzzles and hope that the exercise will generalize to help me resolve some of the pressing issues I’m going to read about.
Then, I continue, with great trepidation, to cover the latest news concerning the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the economy, the Jan. 6 insurrection, and what I want to discuss here — mass shooting. After absorbing these stories, I gingerly turn to the Opinion Page, the very locale in which you presently find yourself.
I am always astounded to see how the contributors can so adroitly, and in rare cases eloquently, twist the factual information to fit their personal views and perspectives on the variety of issues confronting us today. The problem is that in most cases, the authors do not state their qualifications on the controversy. In order to not be criticized for the same problem, allow me to present my credentials on the topic here which will undoubtedly persuade all of you to accept what I have to say.
I will also include some points tangential to the focus of this essay which hopefully you will recognize. Why not? After all, it’s the Opinion Page. Pay attention!
First, my genius as a constitutional scholar can easily be ascertained by reviewing my seventh grade report card where I earned a C+ in American History. We spent an entire week on the document and its 22 amendments at the time. Before you balk, I have kept up with my studies and have read the remaining five amendments as they were proposed and ratified. This last point is germane to what follows.
Second, I’m also a biblical scholar. In the 7th grade (it was quite a year) I read the entire Old Testament (sort of). I received a C- in that unit.
Now before you make a disparaging comment regarding my GPA, the current 10% economic inflation rate we are now experiencing pales in comparison to the current grade inflation rate which is presently raging in our schools when compared to the 1950s when I was in high school. I think the grades I received then would place me on the honor roll and possibly even designate me as valedictorian today. (Are you paying attention?)
Let me start by drawing on my extensive knowledge of the Bible. I feel that I can state with almost complete confidence that Moses did not come down from Mt. Sinai with the U.S. Constitution chiseled in stone (so to speak) on those tablets he was carrying. Accordingly, the Constitution has had many alterations — 27 of them to date. In fact, one of its amendments was even amended itself. The 18th Amendment was rescinded by the 21st. Cheers. James Madison, and his crew, who framed this document were mere mortals like you and I. They were fallible. Heck, many of those guys owned slaves. (Are you still paying attention?)
Piggybacking on the above, the National Rifle Association and its proponents like to cite the Second Amendment as being the holy grail which protects the rights of those over 18 (and in some cases those over 21) to own rifles, AK-47s (howitzers? anti-aircraft guns?.). This group also likes to say that “guns don’t kill people, people do.” Somehow I think that guns might play some sort of role in the horror being carried out across our country.
My point? It’s time to amend the Second Amendment so the wonton murder of men, women, and children stops in this country. RIGHT NOW!
Unlike others who have expressed similar sentiments, I don’t believe that wishful thinking, prayers, vigils, etc. will remedy the problem. They undoubtedly serve to help some who are still breathing, but they will not stop the carnage. My suggestion is for each of us to contact our elected officials and in so many words tell them that you will not vote for them unless they drastically change the gun laws in the nation. Most importantly, then follow through on your threat.
Jonathan Kahane lives in Westhampton.