Osler's Razor

intro to law. i think serr is making them do it.
 

I can confirm that the obit. writing project comes from the mind of Brian J. Serr. I guess that we, the current 3Q's, were the guinea pigs in the Fall.

I guess he and the WJC enjoyed hearing students talk about their own deaths so much that they would continue the practice.
 

Not only do they get to write their obits, but then they will have the opportunity to share them with the rest of the class. The only perk is that after you are done sharing your demise, you can select the next victim.
 

I do NOT get what happened today in VA. I have no words.
 

I'm with Tyd on this one--no words.
 

Two words: gun control.

I am NOT one of those who says no one should be allowed to own guns. I do, however, see no reason why we could not establish some sort of system of controlling the availability of guns without infringing on the Second Amendment.

I also believe the pro-gun lobby has done an excellent job of framing this debate in terms favorable to its point of view.

Don't jump on me, all you Texans...
 

No, TT, I think you have a point. Hunting guns are ok by me, but I don't understand why everyone needs a concealable handgun.
 

Take this as one Texan's view, not intending snarkiness or anything like that. Some of us would prefer to rely on our own capacity to defend ourselves instead of hoping the government will get around to it in time to help. Personally, I make the call based on average police response times and the fact that I'm a better shot than most cops I've met. This may be a Texan way of looking at things, but I think self-reliance is a moral obligation in a free society and a political right where the gov't can't perfectly protect it's people. Licensing for concealed carry is a good way to make sure people who do so are trained properly and balance an individual's need for safety against the public's. Banning concealed carry only shifts power to the government and those who choose to ignore it's rules. Statistically, gun control doesn't reduce violent crime. At best, it MAY reduce fatalities, but that's not conclusive. So, why strip citizens of their ability to defend themselves for a questionable (at best) benefit?

BTW, my personal scariest moment in law school was when I saw Osler w/ a gun. No offense, Professor. You didn't seem happy about it, either.

Still not sure what to make of VA Tech. Just awful.
 

I don't believe in gun control. I think that Americans should be able to stockpile guns if they want to. It's a constitutional RIGHT, dangit.

Bullets, however, are another story. I believe in bullet control. I think Americans should be limited to only one bullet a year, and should have to renew their annual safety license/mental health screening in order to receive it.
 

"some sort of system for controlling the availability of guns" - anyone who has ever bought a gun knows that there is such a system in place.
 

7:52--well why isn't it working?
 

Very sad, for everyone involved.
:(
 

What scares me the most is that this could happen ANYWHERE. I mean a few months ago it happened to some AMISH people...

These are the times I wish I was not Unitarian, and I could turn to a God to explain this to me.
 

While I don't want this to devolve into a gun-control debate, because I feel that would somehow trivialize the tragedy in Blacksburg, I do wish to offer a few thoughts...

The Second Amendment was written as it was because the Founders expected the citizens to become the army... "a well-regulated militia being necessary for the common defense," or something like that. This is the part that those against gun control seem to leave out when discussing this issue.

I have no problem with "the right to bear arms." I have no problem with those who choose to own guns, and do so responsibly. I do not wish to see gun ownership banned or outlawed.

But the current "system," such as it is, isn't working, as one of the anonymous commenters said.

Under the kind of system or process I envision (which would include fingerprinting, background checks, and legal responsibility for whatever might happen with that gun - including anything bad should it be stolen), no one who wants to own a gun legally would be prevented or restricted from doing so.

It seems to me that Joe and all other law-abiding and responsible citizens need not fear that their rights under the Second Amendment would be infringed.

But I know it's never going to happen.
 

Today is a day I want to just snuggle up with my big old goofy 140 lb dawg and my 3 year old and read "Put me in the Zoo" to him for the gozillionth time.

Its never enough times. Before you even get to the last page, its like "Read it again, Mommy."

I think they are studying the human body in preschool this week. Last night he was showing me all of his muscles. He is three, as you might already know, and he weighs about 39 lbs. I tried so hard to stay serious as he showed me all of his muscles in his body.

I thought about it and I thought, this is what those people who were shot are going to miss. They are going miss Green Eggs and Ham, and their Palm Pilot being put in the freezer, and all of this goofy stuff. My life is not always easy, its usually messy and sticky, and scattered. There are toy dinosaurs all over my house, and a dog who gets in to the garbage every other day, but I will take it.

That is why I am sad today. Its just a sad scary day.