Bob Costas Rant

I like how when someone challenges our core beliefs we have to call them a moron because we have nothing intelligent to come back with. First of all, Costas has a right to his opinion and whether you agree or not, it's his opinion. He has worked his entire life to build up enough of a reputation to have the platform he has. If you don't like it, don't watch. Second, if you're going to call someone a moron, don't make a comparison like this to make yourself look dumber than he is. I mean really? You're going to compare guns and killing with a spoon and making someone fat?

Guns were designed for one reason, whether you believe this or not; to perpetuate violence. (I don't have time to get into this but typically, even if you think the end will be peace, using violent means to achieve that end will only bring out more violence.) Don't get me wrong, I'm a hunter too so I do value guns for that purpose but they were developed as a quicker and more efficient means to killing enemies. Just about every modern development in weaponry has its roots in the military. A person can make the argument that it's for protection but even in protecting one self or a nation, it's still a violent means to that. Unless you're going to beat someone to death with it, a spoon does not have a violent nature and wasn't born out of violence and we don't use spoons against each other.

I have to admit, when Costas went on about the gun issue on Sunday Night Football, I was a little put off too. I didn't totally agree with him and I certainly didn't agree that the two people that died wouldn't have if Javon Belcher didn't have a gun. I think there's a bigger picture here and it comes down to more of an issue of depression and domestic violence. But I do agree that there is a gun culture that needs to be addressed as well; especially in professional sports and that's what Costas was saying.

I watched the Dan Patrick show yesterday and Costas did come on to clarify. He wasn't saying all guns should be taken away from all of us. He was saying there is a gun culture that needs to be addressed. That gun culture he was talking about was in professional sports. I realize it was easy to misinterpret that and I think he could have been better at explaining that but it is where he was going. You could argue that during a football game, it's not the right time to make the point and I don't disagree but at the same time, it was a football player that did what he did and it is a stage that has a huge audience and many of those people are being directly impacted by this issue.

I'm not going to disclose my personal stance on gun control here. All I will say is that I hunt and I like to shoot things but I am also very troubled with how violent our culture has become and with more guns that are easier to conceal, faster, and getting into the hands of innocent people, (i.e. kids,) we are just asking for more trouble. Win the battle with words and ideas not by throwing more led than the other guy.

Keep 'em where they live...