4a Opinion Tuesday, February 20, 2001 For comments, contact Chris Borniger or Nathan Willis at 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com Perspective Liberal media distort reality of gun shows If you have never been to a gun show, you probably have a negative opinion of them. That's understandable, considering most people's views on guns and gun-related issues are molded by a news media that love using their First Amendment rights to undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. To hear supposedly objective, unbiased journalists such as Dan Rather and Peter Jennings, you'd think that gun shows are inventions of Satan himself, and that anyone who's ever been to one will have to justify his attendance to the Almighty on Judgment Day or be cast into the lake of fire. Just imagine an entire convention cen- for slightly spiced tables where gun dealers sell everything from handguns and rifles to bulk ammunition, hunting knives, camouflage gear and now-outdated bumper stickers telling Al Gore where he can stick his latest gun control proposal. Surely this must be a criminal's paradise! Surely this den of cut-throats and thieves John McCool columnist opinion@kansan.com should have no place in civilized society! I went to a gun show last weekend in Overland Park. And I can assure you that, aside from a police station, it was the safest place in town. That's because, as a general rule, criminals victimize the weak, avoid the strong and fear the armed. Policemen were there, but they were shopping, not patrolling. The hundreds in attendance were not plotting revolution or stocking up for their next bank robbery. Instead, they were pursuing their gun-collecting hobbies; buying hunting supplies; acquiring the tools to defend themselves, their families and property; and gathering with others who cherish our unique American right to keep and bear arms. The prevailing spirit was an inspiring mix of patriotism and camaraderie. Among the patrons, most were men, but many women were there too — even parents carrying young children while checking out the latest handgun models. Some would call this child abuse; I'd call it passing on freedom's legacy to the next generation of Americans. Indeed, there are many myths and flat-out lies concerning gun shows that have festered for too long — principally that gun shows cater to criminals. Actually, every dealer is federally licensed and must conduct FBI background checks of all customers. Before a sale can occur, the FBI must report that the person has no prior criminal convictions or outstanding warrants. The rules for buying a gun at a gun show are no different than anywhere else. Gun control advocates often demand that Congress close the "gun show loophole," which allows a few private individuals to sell guns at gun shows without performing background checks. Actually, these people are no different from the guy who sells a rifle to his brother-in-law or the widow who sells off her late husband's gun collection. They're not "engaged in the business" of selling firearms, so they need not obtain a license or perform background checks. Banning private sales at gun shows would only be the precursor to banning all private sales of guns in America — something a freedom-loving people would never tolerate. Despite the extremist rhetoric from gun controllers, the National Institute of Justice reports that only two percent of guns used in crimes come from gun shows. That explodes the bogus statistics given by misleading gun-haters such as Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Col., who claim that 70 percent of criminal guns are bought at gun shows. So, instead of lapping up the liberals' phony portrayal of gun shows, take some time to learn the truth. Better yet, visit one and see for yourself. There's one in Kansas City this weekend. See you there. McCool is an Evansville, Ind., graduate student in history. Steve Sack/TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES By the Numbers Percent increase in population in Douglas County from 1990 to 1999 — the third largest in the state. -18.2 Percent decrease in population in Geary County, home to Junction City, during the same period — the state's largest decrease. Percent decrease in total personal income in Decatur County in northwest Kansas during the same period — the state's largest decrease. Source: Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University Perspective Public actions outweigh politicians' moral codes If our politicians' morals are to be political issues, then let's discuss the morality of some of our politicians' attitudes toward the Vietnam War, from most moral to least: Al Gore, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Gore volunteered to go to Vietnam. He thought for himself, came to a conclusion and acted on it. Gore risked his life for what he believed. Granted, he was in the journalist corps, but at least he was there. The only way Bush would have seen a Vietnamese bullet was if somebody mailed him one. Next comes Clinton. First, let's dispel a myth: Clinton did not break the law to dodge the draft. If he had, he would have been prosecuted and sent to jail. Clinton took advantage of student deferment laws. If you don't like that fact, just remember who is ultimately responsible for the laws in a democracy. If you still think Clinton broke the law, then ask yourself which is more important: laws or morals? Following orders or thinking for yourself? In my experience, the people who chastise Clinton for dodging the draft advocate blind obedience to the government. Only in fascism is that a virtue. John Audiehelm columnist opinion@kansas.com That's why Clinton earns moral points in my book. He had the courage to lead protests I consider thinking for oneself to be a moral virtue. I also think that citizens of a democracy have a responsibility to question their government and to challenge each other's ideas. Many Americans have died so that we could have the right to think for ourselves. To do anything less is to dishonor their memories. and stand up for what he believed in. And that's why Bush falls. He was rich and well-connected enough to get into the Texas Air National Guard, where he bravely defended his state from the awesome military might of, say, Oklahoma. Don't get me wrong; I am not saying that Bush is a fascist. The fact that he chose to join the National Guard shows that he was thinking for himself. It also means that Bush has done more to serve his country's armed forces than I ever have or probably ever will. Bush can't change who he is. He can't help that he was born into a rich family. Bush was taking advantage of the options available to him, just as Clinton did. If I had to choose between going to Vietnam and joining the National Guard, I'd join the National Guard, too. But, to pass moral muster, Bush needs to be honest about why he chose to join the National Guard. If he thought Vietnam was an immoral war, he should have said so. If he just didn't want to get shot, that's fine. I don't want to get shot either. I hope this piece starts a discussion on the topic. But what I really hope readers take from this piece is a demonstration on why morals should not be political issues. Republicans need to quit acting like they're the only people who are willing to fight for their country. Gore and Bush both knock down that stereotype. We need to judge our leaders not on their morals, but on the actions they take in the public sphere. Going to a war, no matter who you are, certainly counts as a public decision. From that perspective, I argue the following: that Gore should be commended for his bravery, that Clinton should be commended for speaking his mind, and that Bush should be honest about why he chose not to go to Vietnam. But if we are going to talk about politicians and their morals, could we please talk about something other than sex? Audielehm is a Den Moines, Iowa, senior in political science and journalism. Editorial Restrictions on abortions overseas pose global threat Bush's executive order would foster overpopulation in underdeveloped nations. The 28th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in *Roe v. Wade*, was not a day of celebration but a day of silent mourning for underdeveloped nations. President George W. Bush changed the rules Jan. 22 for overseas family planning agencies, which collect $425 million in aid each year from the U.S. Bush's order prevents foreign non-government agencies from discussing abortion as an option or advocating the procedure unless they want to lose funds. Furthermore, the ban restricts aid given to nongovernment agencies that participate in international abortion lobbying. Bush skewed the foreign aid guidelines by stating "taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortions." Since 1973, federal law has prohibited overseas abortions from being subsidized with U.S. funding. Moreover, women should have access to all options of family planning, including abortion. The new order clashes with guidelines adopted at the 1994 United Nations population conference in Cairo. The U.S. was one of 160 countries that agreed to prevent the world's population from exceeding 8 billion people by establishing global access to birth control methods and reproductive freedom by 2015. The world's population is at 6 billion people and growing rapidly. The haunted scenes of back-alley abortions and unnecessary maternal deaths may resurface as illegal abortion becomes the only solution available to many women in third world countries. The rapid increase of the global population is limiting food supplies while continuing to drain the world's already stressed water resources. Without food and water, human life cannot be sustained. Bush's order directly inhibits the reproductive rights of third world women and saddles already overpopulated countries with an even greater burden. Indirectly, his order promotes the irresponsible behavior of underdeveloped nations. Tiffany Knight for the editorial board Free for all callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kanans reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Slandenous statements will not be printed. For more comments, visit www.kanans.com. --- I'm camping out for the basketball game on Wednesday up here at Allen Fieldhouse and I just want to say that it's really good to see all of our players helping out with the Special Olympic kids even after the game yesterday. --- Every play that's been written in the past might as well have been called The Scholling Diatribes because men have dominated the artistic scene forever, and so have their penises. With all the money the University generates, shouldn't they have enough money to fix the streets? 图 Is talking about potholes the only way to get into the Free for All? I think Robert Page is the most awesome person for the job of the director of Multicultural Affairs office on campus. I'm thrilled he's going to be doing it. I was visiting town and I wanted to comment how nasty the water is. It looks like my dishwater. --- I just read a Kansas City Star article, and Eric Chenowith said the most ridiculous thing, I think he's embarrassing to the University. I've got something to say to Eric Chenwih: Eric, you don't worry about saying stupid things because you say what you've got to say because I'm behind you and there are a lot of people on campus behind you. Hang in there. 题 图 When Chenowith goes on the court, usually I like it because he doesn't play like a Division I player. 图 Has anybody ever noticed that there's this security truck that sits at the KFC on 23rd Street 24-77 Sometimes when I go to El Mezcal and drink 10 daiquirs, then I come home to my friend's house, and she has a cat named Abby, and I want to make out with her. 四 Do hot girls in cigarette ads really smoke cigarettes? Because no hot girls really smoke cigarettes because girls that smoke cigarettes are so dumb and trashy. I was just wondering if there's an STD that makes you itch. 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