Tag Archives: guns

My Two Recent Anti-War Books

Posted on July 18, 2024 by johnrachel

Writing about and promoting peace to an American audience might be a thankless enterprise. But to be thankless, it would first have to be noticed. Dylan said it best: There’s no success like failure. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Japan, Journalism, Living On The Edge, Nihilism, Political Analysis, Social Commentary, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Bicycle Theft

Posted on January 31, 2018 by johnrachel

There’s an innocence here in Japan, and a sense of honor and courtesy, a respect for the possessions of others. So much so that a bicycle theft is truly out-of-the-ordinary. And thus it warrants extraordinary response by the authorities. This is a true story. Continue reading →

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Just Making A Buck

Posted on August 20, 2016 by johnrachel

America is the biggest arms exporter in the world. We sell some of the most efficient killing equipment ever manufactured, the most lethal and devastating weaponry in the history of the world. Then we wonder why there’s so much death and destruction as wars break out, as jihadists seek revenge, as terrorists inflict their homicidal and genocidal agenda on anyone that gets in their way. It’s beyond ridiculous. It’s like a person jumping into a lake and wondering why he’s wet. We reap what we sow. Continue reading →

Posted in Corporatism, Deconstruction, Political Analysis, Political Rant, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

United?

Posted on February 2, 2015 by johnrachel

What does the ‘united’ in United States of America now stand for? What exactly during these contentious, deeply divisive, tragically troubled times does it mean? Were we ever united? Or is it just more boilerplate mythology that allows us to hide from the real truth? Can we ever rise above the conflict, confrontation, divisiveness, the ‘us’ (we the conquerors) vs. ‘them’ (slaves, Native Americans) world view, that was and still is the historical foundation for our national unity? Continue reading →

Posted in Corporatism, Democracy, Philosophy, Political Analysis, Social Commentary, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What if . . . ?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by johnrachel

Reading to children is so important. Anyone out there read to their kids? Continue reading →

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Do The Math

Posted on September 18, 2013 by johnrachel

Does America truly abhor gun violence? Does America really want peace in the world? There’s a lot of money to be made in killing people. Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Philosophy, Political Analysis, Political Rant, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dead kids sure are a bummer but….

Posted on March 28, 2013 by johnrachel

None of the discussions about guns and gun control are remotely coherent or rational. We can nitpick over the details of gun regulation but frankly the whole discussion is so far out off the edge, it’s like a conversation in an insane asylum between Napoleon and Jesus about what they should do with Elvis over there in the corner to keep him from singing “All Shook Up” during arts and crafts. Yes, it’s that bad. It’s pure insanity. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihilism, Political Analysis, Political Rant, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

If Jesus Had Been Packing

Posted on December 29, 2012 by johnrachel

If Jesus had been packing when they came to nail Him to the cross, I surmise He would have had the nice and punchy Sig Sauer P228 within easy reach __ strapped to His thigh under His robes __ and had a kick-ass semi-automatic assault weapon slung over His shoulder. Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Nihilism, Social Commentary, Spiritual | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Aw shucks, Jethro . . . it’s just a damn gun!

Posted on October 10, 2012 by johnrachel

Gun ownership is strictly regulated in Japan. It takes several years even to obtain a hunting license. Meeting someone with any type of gun, even a hunting rifle, is an extreme rarity in Japan. Continue reading →

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The Right To Bear Nuclear Arms

Posted on September 3, 2012 by johnrachel

Guns don’t kill people. People kill people! Since this is irrefutable logic, I began to wonder why it has been applied so narrowly. The truth is, guns are just one form of lethal entertainment. Thanks to the amazing advances in science and technology, there is a cornucopia of devices which fit the legal definition of “arms” as referred to in our Constitution. It seems to me, the legal framework and the rationale would apply equally to nuclear weapons. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihilism, Political Analysis, Political Rant, Satire, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment