An invasion of privacy…

January 6, 2013 by 4 Comments

Information about myself, or my family, that I make available on this blog, or social media, is MY choice.  I fully understand the downside, the consequences; what I share is entirely with my discretion.  That being stated, and with direct reference to the reprehensible actions of our local newspaper, The Journal News,  in publishing personal data on legally-registered gun owners in Westchester/Rockland counties in New York, turning then to demand the same info from Putnam County, frankly, it’s “game on” against this rag of a publication and its editors. 

The ironic part of this situation is that the so-called “journalist” responsible for writing the article, Dwight Worley, is himself a registered pistol permit holder, who owns a Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Magnum and has had a residence permit in Queens, New York for that handgun since February 2011; Worley had no problem in spearheading the news release that put thousands of residents in other New York counties, in peril.

Not one of my friends or blog readers has to agree with me on the subject of firearms, that is your personal choice; mine is to project the educated, legal and responsible side of being a gun owner, a Pistol Safety Instructor and a Range Safety Officer.  The Journal News, twice in six years, has elected to portray the gun-owning community as criminals by abusing the FOIL, for solely commercial purposes, in publishing names and addresses of permit holders, including maps of the neighborhoods where these citizens live.  Many of these citizens are law enforcement individuals; many are people with Orders of Protection who are legal gun owners.  As much as the Gannett newspaper chain is seeking to justify their actions, thanks to Dennis Sant, Putnam County Clerk, who recently, adamantly,  refused requests from The Journal News to hand over data on permit holders here in Putnam,  the newspaper is now being legally challenged.

This is NOT about the Second Amendment; this is NOT about guns.  It is about the violation of personal privacy and subsequent personal safety; it is about how the FOIL is used…and abused.

While I stand with everyone who feels there needs to be more refinement in just who has access to firearms/types of firearms, more intensive background checks/mental screenings, plus extreme firearm safety education,  I firmly stand against anyone who violates the personal safety of a law-abiding citizen in any community.

As such, I’m asking everyone to please cancel any subscriptions to The Journal News, either newspaper delivery or on-line access to the publication…as well as anything published by the Gannett Company chain.  

Keep in mind that, at any time, your personal information can be made public should this, or any, publication decide to run an article, on any subject, using the FOIL as their gateway. 

Please… Boycott The Journal News,  Boycott…the Gannett Company and…Boycott any Advertisers from these publications.

 

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.» – Benjamin Franklin

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Universal Parents

December 18, 2012 by 2 Comments

This morning on Facebook, a post appeared on my wall, written by someone I regard as family.  Judd is the brother of my son-in-law and as far as I’m concerned, that warrants a family-connection.   His words echo what so many of us are feeling after the tragedy last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School

 Allow me to share these eloquent words…from the heart of Judd Weisgal…


I am not a parent. I do not have children. Still, today my heart breaks as a Universal parent. That the children were not of my blood does not make them not of my heart, and the world is emptier today. The world is quieter today. We are missing the laughter and giggles and simple questions asked with sincerity. Today we are all orphans seeking a parent to tell us it will all be alright; someone to hold us and provide explanation and comfort; someone to kiss away the pain. We are all missing the warmth of consistency that is taken for granted daily. We are all missing our gifts. And this time, Santa cannot give us what we want for Christmas.


I am not a parent. I do not have children. Still, I feel a tremendous loss. A crack in my happiness, a long cut aside the hope that sits in front of us each day. And all I can do is hope to seal the crack, and stitch the hope, and not let any more of it spill out into oblivion. For with each drop lost we inch closer to nothingness; a future both intolerable and unacceptable.


I am not a parent. I do not have children. Nonetheless, it is time for all of us to teach our children respect, compassion, dedication, and more so to instill in them inspiration, commitment and tenacity. It is not about America. It is not about guns. It is not about religion, or politics. It is about time that is running out.


We are Universal parents. We ALL have children. We all have responsibility. And today, we are reminded that we are all responsible for the future; each and every one of us, responsible for the outcome of tomorrow.


As a Universal parent, I wonder how my children will grow up?

 

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I wonder what I was begun for…

December 15, 2012 by 4 Comments

It is so soon that I am done for, I wonder what I was begun for….

A total of twenty-seven innocent lives ended today in the shadow of someone twisted and evil.

It happened very close to home, less than an hour from where I live.  One more instance of incomprehensible madness in the form of some mentally distorted creature, an assassin, hell-bent in accomplishing a mission of mass human destruction.

Of those who perished, twenty were precious little children, ranging in ages from just six to seven years of age.  All I keep thinking about is how each child was looking forward to Christmas or Hannukah celebrations as they climbed aboard the school buses this morning.  I see the images of broken families who sit in their homes tonight, homes with presents hidden away for children who will never get the chance to enjoy what’s inside.  The incredible pain of this tragic loss that so many parents are dealing with at this moment and for years to come is impossible for me to imagine.

I wanted to hug every child I saw today.  I’ll feel this same way for the rest of the days that I walk this twisted earth.

For now, my prayers are with everyone in Newtown, Connecticut.  My tears are for all twenty-seven who died but especially for the twenty little stars who will never have the chance to share their beautiful light with the world.

 

 

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