Sam Kelly

Austin, TX

Sam signed the petition | 5 months ago

Stop my brother Troy Davis' Execution on Sep. 21.
Sam signed the petition | 12 months ago

Tell Congress: Hold the Armed Forces Accountable for Rape, Sexual Assault and Harassment
Sam signed the petition | 12 months ago

Help Save Polar Bears
Sam signed the petition | 12 months ago

Malta: Save Libyan Civilians and Grant Asylum to Libyan Pilots
Sam commented on the article | over 2 years ago

Do 2/3 of Americans Really Support the Death Penalty?

We need to be smarter about the Death Penalty.

First off, we need to make sure that it is 100% NEVER applied to innocent people. Technology is getting better at that and we need to make sure the procedures are in place as well to stop innocents from EVER being killed by the state. This is where the fight needs to take place. Don't fight to abolish the Death Penalty itself, even if that's your goal, fight to make sure its not applied to innocents. That's something both those in favor of the Death Penalty and those against it can agree on.

As far as the Death Penalty itself and whether we should have it? I'm in favor of it in specific circumstances. I am not a vegan and while I know that humans are capable of much beauty they are also capable of much horror. I do not value the life of serial killer, child murderer, rapist murderer over the animals we consume daily for food in this culture. We treat many unrepentant and repeat criminals much better than the Dairy Cows that produce the majority of milk consumed in this country.

I believe in redemption and yes George Bush should have commuted the death sentence of Karla Faye Tucker, but there are vile people in this world whose passion is to torture and destroy others, we should not kid ourselves otherwise nor should we coddle those people.

The true nature of the crime needs to be considered when analyzing the application of the Death Penalty. Was it a crime of passion? Has the criminal been reformed or do they show remorse? We need to construct a justice system that does rehabilitate and overall encourages the growth of our better selves, and part of that is mercy to those who made mistakes or want to get better, while we also accept that are some vile people out there who could care less. They'd be hacking people up if we had no laws and they do the same regardless of laws. Some people are predators and we need to be realistic about our understanding of that.
Sam commented on the article | over 2 years ago

Monday Map: Gun Laws Around the World

Some of this really doesn't make sense, in so far as wanting to control guns.

The author cites that half of the gun deaths in the US are suicides. Limiting access to guns will not stop suicides. Statistically, when gun access is limited suicide by jumping increases. The government should not limit the freedom of law abiding citizens in order to attempt to keep free citizens from choosing to kill themselves.

As far as the "gun show loophole" goes. Seriously think about this, do you really think criminals are PAYING for guns at gun shows? The FBI found that less than 1% of the guns used in violent crimes came from gun shows, so well where are these guns coming from? Its pretty easy to figure out where, criminals steal them. If you are fine with using a gun to commit a crime, does it really make sense that you would have qualms about stealing one prior to that. Also property crime is generally a gateway to more serious crimes, so it makes sense that criminals could have more chances to obtain weapons that way. Also there is the black market, which still probably provides more weapons to criminals than gun shows, though I would imagine those weapons are also primarily stolen.

The Left needs to drop the zeal for restricting guns. I'm a Liberal and I was a precinct captain for Obama in the primaries and general election, however I disagree with some with my political affiliation on this subject. There are a variety of reasons why we need to stop freaking out about guns, but briefly:

1. The Second Amendment, which believe it or not, supports an armed populace to keep the government in check. If you have doubts on that please review some of the other journals and related quotes by the founders on the subject of revolution and the role of the people in government.

2. Gun control policy fails to respect the traditional culture of Rural Americans, which is where the majority of our military comes from, and helps lead to the whole Red State/Blue State schema in the first place

3. Gun control loses elections for Democrats. See 1994. Also review all the NRA and other gun nuts insane ranting on Obama. Gun control is what fuels a lot of this Tea Party insanity, its rural American's fears that Obama is a communist and that he wants to take their guns away. We as Democrats need to make sure they have no reason to believe either one of those exaggerated inanities.

4. Guns are tools. Ban guns and they will be replaced by something else, be it knife, bludgeoning, etc. While many of us would like to heal the pain and horrors of the human heart, we are simply not there and it's really somewhat naive to think that disarming the populace will somehow magically stop the horrors people commit upon one and another. As long as there have been people there have been people victimizing and killing one another. If you really believe you can stop that, then well, guns shouldn't matter because people wouldn't need them, however is that even probable and if so, does disarming law abiding citizens really help reduce crime? Is taking away others rights really the proper way to grow a more caring culture?

5. Guns empower Women. Like I said earlier, guns are tools and due to the body size differences between men & women as well as gender-based crime statistics, all women, especially single women, should strongly consider getting a gun and mastering its use. In the realm of physical strength, guns truly equalize the sexes. The left should be pushing for government paid self defense and CCW training for battered and abused women. The state can help minimize violence, but the best protection against offense is self defense. Women should not have to wait or rely on police alone. Saying that women must rely on others to defend them reinforces negative gender stereotypes and there simply is not enough cops to stop the abuses of women, especially in lower socio-economic realms which are less likely to be adequately policed in regards to domestic abuse.