(from articles by Ken Grubb Bellevue, WA)
Think about it. Many of the most vehement proponents of gun control are the ones who don't need guns. These elite members of society are protected by armed guards, often at taxpayer expense, or they can afford private security services. Lower level politicians and lobbyists who don't have this kind of armed protection often have guns, just like us ordinary folks who have to provide for our own safety.
On Wednesday, Burris, one of three major contenders for the (Illinois) Democratic Gubernatorial nomination, acknowledge he still keeps a handgun in his South Side home. Last October, Burris organized Chicago's first Gun Turn-In Day, when the chance to get free White Sox or Bulls tickets persuaded the owners of 142 firearms - handguns, automatic rifles, even a double-barrel sawed-off shotgun - to give up their weapons.
Asked Wednesday why he didn't join those gun owners, Burris told members of the Tribune's editorial board: "I just didn't get around to doing it." While Chicago now prohibits handgun ownership, Burris' gun was legally registered before the ban went into effect. "It's a little, small thing. I just have it there for safety," he said at the time. "If I ban them, I'm going to be the first one to burn mine."
November 12,1998
Chicago also has some of the most restrictive gun laws in America, including a complete ban on handguns. And Chicago has one of the finest police departments anywhere, working hard day after day to get guns off our streets, out of our homes, and away from our children.
But despite our best efforts, an endless supply of illegal guns continues to flow into our neighborhoods, leaving violence and death in its wake."
[Doesn't this guy remember prohibition? Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.]
City Hall cares about some neighborhoods, like ritzy Sauganash, which will be served by the sumptuous new North Side College Prep High School scheduled to open in the fall. School Board President Gery Chico lives nearby, so in political circles, it's call Chico High ...
City Hall also cares about the South Loop, where Mayor Richard Daley lives, protected by armed bodyguards.
He didn't like the winos who lived in the old St. James Hotel, on 12th and Wabash. Mrs. Daley didn't like them either. So the Maggie Daley Car was born.
The police brass stationed a squad car outside the St. James, to give ill-mannered winos the Daley family's silent message. At the Woodson preschool, parents demanded Maggie Daley Car service. "If this was in the mayor's neighborhood, there would be cops all over," said Phyllis Roland, who has two kids. "It's always politics. It's who gives tribute. Over here, we're poor, so there's not much tribute."
One More Story of Hypocrisy & Elitism for the record:
A friend of mine, who we'll call George, worked as a private detective for an agency in Maryland. In the spring of 1997, George told me about an event for which he was hired to work -- the 1997 Presidential Inauguration.
The Secret Service gets stretched rather thin every four years in Washington, D.C. They cannot be everywhere at once guarding everyone "important" who'd like to be guarded. Agents from other federal agencies are detailed over to fill protective duties, but even that is not enough.
Enter my friend George, the private detective from Maryland. His agency, and likely a few others, were contacted about providing detectives to work security for Democratic Party big-wigs in town for the celebration.
[Now understand, the State of Maryland has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. Perhaps only New Jersey, New York City, Chicago and California have more onerous laws. But, then there's the District of Columbia -- Welcome to Hell. Practically speaking, Washington, D.C. has a complete and total ban on the ownership of all firearms, period. Technically, one can legally obtain a shotgun or rifle, after a wait measured in months. Reality is they will deny you, and you'll have to hire an attorney to get your shotgun or rifle paperwork approved. Even then, D.C. law essentially prohibits lawful self defense even in your own home and with your legally licensed and registered rifle or shotgun. Is the picture sufficiently ugly? Yes? Good, back to the story.]
My friend George was instructed to show up on Inauguration Day at a D.C. police precinct around a particular time. He did so, presented ID, and was given something on official DCMPD letterhead authorizing him to carry a gun. Whether this was legal under D.C. law is anyone's guess. Mayor Marion Barry always winged it before, so why suddenly start following the letter of the law.
In any event, George was also handed a loaded semiautomatic pistol in a paddle holster. He then proceeded to meet up with the party he was to guard. George followed them around for about four (4) hours, then returned to the D.C. police precinct when his "shift" was over. He returned the gun, holster and letter, and was paid several hundred dollars for his work.
Afterwards, when he told me about this, I remarked something on the order of "You shoulda called me. I'm a better shot, and I'm more paranoid, er, uh, I mean situationally aware." After thinking about it, he said had it occurred to him their need was such that he might probably have been able to get me a day of work legally packing a gun in Washington, D.C., protecting our nation's elite.
Even in a city with a murder rate almost eight (8) times the national average, and ordinary working people are disarmed and slaughtered, the well connected do NOT go unprotected.
Ken Grubb of Bellevue, WA
