Partially Right, Partially Wrong... But Maybe it's a Start

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny

(CNN) - Sen. John McCain, who lost in 2008 to the first African-American elected to the White House, said President Barack Obama's speech about race relations was "very impressive" and agreed that "stand your ground" laws should be re-examined, including those in his own state of Arizona.

"The 'stand your ground' law may be something that may needs to be reviewed by the Florida legislature or any other legislature that has passed such legislation," McCain said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Arizona is one of 30 states that have such laws, which give individuals certain legal rights in cases of self-defense. The law in Florida has come under scrutiny recently during the trial of George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed teenager Trayvon Martin last year during a confrontation.

Asked if he thinks Arizona should review the law, McCain said: "Yes, I do."

"And I'm confident that the members of the Arizona legislature will, because it is very controversial legislation," he told CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.

McCain said he didn't agree with fellow Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who argued Friday the Obama administration is calling for a review of "stand your ground" laws as a way to further its agenda against Second Amendment rights.

"Isn't it time for America to come together?" McCain asked. "I'd rather have a message of coming together and discussing these issues rather than condemning.

"I respect (Cruz's) view, but I don't frankly see the connection," he added. {Read More}

Senator John McCain is both right and wrong.

In regard the first issue he is right in acknowledging the need to maintain an open and active mind in an honest dialogue over race relations. This implies (and he said as much) the nation as a whole has a ways to go in embracing racial and cultural diversity.

To the degree the President's press conference earlier in the week stated these sentiments he was spot on and can be considered as a Presidential attempt to facilitate such discussion. It was when he made the decision to play the race card (we all know when that was) that e lost the high ground. And, so it was with the Senator when he choose to pander to race rather than stick to the rational facts and give the President a pass in playing the race card.

With respect to the second issue, "Stand Your Ground" legislation, the Senator is 100% correct. These laws MUST be revisited and either scrapped or preferably rewritten with clear and definitive language with respect to when the use of deadly force is considered justified under the law. In addition, comprehensive gun safety and stand your ground training should be mandatory, at the individuals expense, and retraining and certification should be mandatory every two years to retain your license to carry.

Being the realist (and cynic) that I am I have absolutely zero doubt but what NEITHERthe left loonies or the right loonies will find much of the above acceptable. I mean, it is all about ideology, party loyalty, and gunning (pardon the violent expression, it is only rhetorical liberals) to be the winner take all. Even when it makes NO rational sense to do so.

Via: Memeorandum