Stand Your Ground laws are products of bigotry, racism, and fear. They promote racism, bigotry , and fear among those who are susceptible.
Discussion about cell service is specious in regard to the Gillis shooting. She simply should never have been shot. But if there is to be a discussion about cell service it should center on the failure of Dan Stec to deliver on his repeated promises. He’s good at finding excuses, pointing fingers, casting blame on others. I’ve never heard him hold cell service providers accountable. He parrots their excuses, “we have to make a profit.” Fact: cell service providers sell a service they lead you to believe is available virtually everywhere you go. That includes rural areas. If you are paying for service in Manhattan a portion of your bill should be funding buildout of networks in places you may visit even if rarely - like Washington County, NY.
And Matt Simpson should be ashamed of himself for cleaving to the Stefanik/Stec brand of mean-spirited politics.
While you're at the PBS News Hour, you might also want to check out PBS Kids Saturday morning 5/13. It's a program for 2-6 year olds. This episode was about the young tennis star Arthur Ash. I was stunned and sickened to hear their white-hating message. The words spoken were WHITE people did not let black Ash play tennis. Even though true, should white 2-6 y o children be shamed today? It's insanity. Yes, PBS is VERY liberally biased. Like every other indoctrinater, they are going after the kids. Think drag.
When George Floyd was killed 800 speakers, overwhelmingly young residents and students were allowed to dominate the council for three nights. At the time Progressives dominated the council. I was sickened then too, to hear young people say I am ashamed to be white. Then they advertised the group that they had received the 'white people are bad' message. It just happened to be the one I had been involved with decades ago. Many sources have pushed me away from libs.
As with most things, there is a middle ground. I certainly understand being able to protect yourself should someone break into your home. It doesn't happen a lot around here but it does happen. But God forbid you are selling Girl Scout cookies or asking or asking for directions, and someone "feels threatened?" Depending upon the mental health status of the person feeling threatened, that could vary drastically. I wish common sense had meaning these days but it seems to have left the room.
While Barbara is correct that there should be a middle ground for extremely rare self-defense claims, the danger that Ken brings up about “feeling afraid“ is the slippery slope. I am disappointed that two seemingly moderate and sensible politicians would back this proposed law.
It is disturbing to read that NY politicians would even consider "Stand Your Ground" laws. As many of your readers have pointed out, where does one draw the line for feeling fear. Fareed Zakaria had an excellent commentary on gun violence with the title "America might as well be on a different planet." It is well worth watching because he loads it up with facts to demonstrate the out of control homicides in this country: in 2021 in the US (20, 958); in the UK (31). He does account for the differential in populations. He also talks about the tragedy of gun suicides as well. We could do better in this country.
Thanks, Ken, for your item on school elections. It reminded me to check for my school district election (Shen) and while there are two school board seats opening up I cannot find who is running to fill those seats.
Another great article Ken, just great! I think it’s Texas that has the least restrictive gun laws in the nation and I think I read that that’s the state with the most mass shootings.
I’d suggest that Stec and Simpson know that this Shoot First, Answer Questions Later bill has no chance of passing in NY. Thank God and Democratic control of government. They’re just playing for Elise’s MAGA Republican base in case she moves on and that seat becomes available. The sad part is they also wouldn’t care if the legislation passed despite pretty clear evidence that these laws lead to more deaths.
The idea that encouraging people to not back down and try to resolve a situation, but rather escalate it, is not going to lead to more deaths is insane.
It’s also despicable that they brought Kaylin Gillis into their argument in favor of this. That situation would obviously not be relevant so why mention it?
I sincerely hope this is not forgotten when he's up for reelection, and whoever runs against him uses it to slam him. Having said that, hopefully the MAGA's in Warren county are enough in the minority to defeat both candidates.
You are likely correct that at this point in time our area is quite safe. The same can not be claimed for other parts of NY even 50 miles to our south. The localized vision does not always apply state wide.
There is no valid answer to your hypothetical questions. You can not apply such a broad brush to what would be individually defined circumstance. We can agree that a violent response should not be the norm though.
We are better served in the gun debate by concentrating the discussion on the real issue of criminals misusing guns. The vast majority of violence is rooted in that ground but there seems to be an aversion to that discussion.
Ken your statement (“After Florida passed Stand Your Ground legislation in 2012, George Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, killed a black teenager who was walking to his father’s house.”) Leads to a false conclusion.
Roughly 7 years elapsed between the two events. In 2005 Florida was the first state to introduce a stand-your-ground law. George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin February 26, 2012
Stand Your Ground laws are products of bigotry, racism, and fear. They promote racism, bigotry , and fear among those who are susceptible.
Discussion about cell service is specious in regard to the Gillis shooting. She simply should never have been shot. But if there is to be a discussion about cell service it should center on the failure of Dan Stec to deliver on his repeated promises. He’s good at finding excuses, pointing fingers, casting blame on others. I’ve never heard him hold cell service providers accountable. He parrots their excuses, “we have to make a profit.” Fact: cell service providers sell a service they lead you to believe is available virtually everywhere you go. That includes rural areas. If you are paying for service in Manhattan a portion of your bill should be funding buildout of networks in places you may visit even if rarely - like Washington County, NY.
And Matt Simpson should be ashamed of himself for cleaving to the Stefanik/Stec brand of mean-spirited politics.
While you're at the PBS News Hour, you might also want to check out PBS Kids Saturday morning 5/13. It's a program for 2-6 year olds. This episode was about the young tennis star Arthur Ash. I was stunned and sickened to hear their white-hating message. The words spoken were WHITE people did not let black Ash play tennis. Even though true, should white 2-6 y o children be shamed today? It's insanity. Yes, PBS is VERY liberally biased. Like every other indoctrinater, they are going after the kids. Think drag.
When George Floyd was killed 800 speakers, overwhelmingly young residents and students were allowed to dominate the council for three nights. At the time Progressives dominated the council. I was sickened then too, to hear young people say I am ashamed to be white. Then they advertised the group that they had received the 'white people are bad' message. It just happened to be the one I had been involved with decades ago. Many sources have pushed me away from libs.
As with most things, there is a middle ground. I certainly understand being able to protect yourself should someone break into your home. It doesn't happen a lot around here but it does happen. But God forbid you are selling Girl Scout cookies or asking or asking for directions, and someone "feels threatened?" Depending upon the mental health status of the person feeling threatened, that could vary drastically. I wish common sense had meaning these days but it seems to have left the room.
While Barbara is correct that there should be a middle ground for extremely rare self-defense claims, the danger that Ken brings up about “feeling afraid“ is the slippery slope. I am disappointed that two seemingly moderate and sensible politicians would back this proposed law.
Perhaps I should have said previously moderate
It is disturbing to read that NY politicians would even consider "Stand Your Ground" laws. As many of your readers have pointed out, where does one draw the line for feeling fear. Fareed Zakaria had an excellent commentary on gun violence with the title "America might as well be on a different planet." It is well worth watching because he loads it up with facts to demonstrate the out of control homicides in this country: in 2021 in the US (20, 958); in the UK (31). He does account for the differential in populations. He also talks about the tragedy of gun suicides as well. We could do better in this country.
let's do the math
When you are carrying a gun, it becomes part of any conversation
if you have politicians (#pos_tefanik) and a gun lobby (#posManda) preaching fear
and if you say you must stand your ground because of this
more innocent people will die
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/18/stand-your-ground-laws-us-deaths-racist-violence
with the bonus of gop racism
Thanks, Ken, for your item on school elections. It reminded me to check for my school district election (Shen) and while there are two school board seats opening up I cannot find who is running to fill those seats.
I've posted this question on Facebook.
In this context, 'Stand your Ground' is more like "Blame the Victim". Shame on Matt & Dan.
Another great article Ken, just great! I think it’s Texas that has the least restrictive gun laws in the nation and I think I read that that’s the state with the most mass shootings.
I’d suggest that Stec and Simpson know that this Shoot First, Answer Questions Later bill has no chance of passing in NY. Thank God and Democratic control of government. They’re just playing for Elise’s MAGA Republican base in case she moves on and that seat becomes available. The sad part is they also wouldn’t care if the legislation passed despite pretty clear evidence that these laws lead to more deaths.
The idea that encouraging people to not back down and try to resolve a situation, but rather escalate it, is not going to lead to more deaths is insane.
It’s also despicable that they brought Kaylin Gillis into their argument in favor of this. That situation would obviously not be relevant so why mention it?
https://abcnews.go.com/US/stand-ground-laws-connected-higher-homicide-rates/story?id=83050286
I sincerely hope this is not forgotten when he's up for reelection, and whoever runs against him uses it to slam him. Having said that, hopefully the MAGA's in Warren county are enough in the minority to defeat both candidates.
You are likely correct that at this point in time our area is quite safe. The same can not be claimed for other parts of NY even 50 miles to our south. The localized vision does not always apply state wide.
There is no valid answer to your hypothetical questions. You can not apply such a broad brush to what would be individually defined circumstance. We can agree that a violent response should not be the norm though.
We are better served in the gun debate by concentrating the discussion on the real issue of criminals misusing guns. The vast majority of violence is rooted in that ground but there seems to be an aversion to that discussion.
Ken your statement (“After Florida passed Stand Your Ground legislation in 2012, George Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, killed a black teenager who was walking to his father’s house.”) Leads to a false conclusion.
Roughly 7 years elapsed between the two events. In 2005 Florida was the first state to introduce a stand-your-ground law. George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin February 26, 2012