...concerning gun ownership
Clinton says,*There are generations of sensitivities and defensive walls that have been constructed and nurtured by the cultural disrespect exhibited by those who do not understand nor appreciate the importance of guns in various parts of the country. Unfortunately, Obama’s words played right into these sensitivities. Indeed, the President’s ‘off the cuff’ remark to a group of supporters who, in all likelihood, shared a disrespect for rural gun owners, may have permanently waived Obama’s opportunity to take on the leadership role in any effort to engage a meaningful discussion on guns. By placing the perils of cultural disrespect and the evil of supposed moral superiority on the table, President Clinton has not only cut right to the heart of why we cannot have rational discussion of gun violence in America but identifies a polluting factor that exceeds even the damaging tactics and narratives furthered by the NRA.
And the article continues"Do not patronize the passionate supporters of your opponents by looking down your nose at them,” said Clinton. “A lot of these people live in a world very different from the world lived in by the people proposing these things. I know because I come from this world."
Thoughts? I think he's right, and his advice applies to anything really. Obama would be wise to listen to President Clinton.*One simply cannot disrespect an entire culture and then seek to be the one to convince these very same people of the righteousness of making large changes to that culture in the name of the public good.*My own background is such that I simply cannot grasp why so many people want these high-powered weapons in their home. However, just because the President doesn’t get it…or I don’t get it…or you don’t get it…doesn’t make it wrong. *Millions of Americans who are continuing a tradition that is important to them cannot be deemed “wrong” when they are breaking no laws *nor harming any individual in the pursuit of what matters to them—no matter why it matters to them.
People wonder why the discussion about gun control is so polarizing when this is the answer. *You cannot be dismissive and insulting towards people who have done no harm, and only practice a time tested tradition. Nobody likes being insulted, especially when they have done nothing wrong. One of the reasons Clinton was successful at a lot of things and Obama isn't is because of a subtle arrogance and lack of empathy. Clinton is respected by nearly everyone because of how he treats people. He never called millions of people who support gun rights bitter partisans who cling to religion and guns.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickunga...n-gun-culture/