Every now and then something happens to make me consider the real possibility that humanity has evolved into at least two distinct species. Before you start writing your comments telling me that this is ridiculous, let me say, I know it's ridiculous. But I like to think that my species entertains crazy ideas and is willing to reflect on the seemingly ridiculous from time to time in hopes that it leads to better understanding.
I first began to seriously explore this possibility when George W. Bush was reelected. How could half of the American people really believe that this guy was capable of being President of the United States? Clearly the most failed presidency since Franklin Pierce. I carefully re-considered those people who could look me straight in the eye and claim that GW was a great president, and without blinking, turning away or cracking a smile, declare that they would vote for him. I wondered how their brains were programmed. How could they, humans who shared nearly every piece of the same gene pie with me come to such different conclusions? Was it all nurture or was nature doing something insidious to the top Primates on the planet? Were we, I wondered, reverting to a 25,000 year-old Neanderthal/Homo Sapiens type of competition for the top of the pecking order on our small planet? Yes. I suppose we are.
So I Binged some research and came up with some interesting stuff. I admit I had read about this controversial idea before just now, but you tell me, doesn't this help make some sense out of the craziness?
...there are some commentators that think that Homo Sapiens may not have completely prevailed, that perhaps Neanderthal man still effects the modern gene pool. Yes, many reckon that far from eating Neanderthal man, we may in fact have mated with them. It's a contentious issue... Source: http://ezinearticles.com/....
Then, today I hear the spokesperson for the National Rifle Association, NRA's top lobbyist (read Neanderthal), Wayne LaPierre, tell the American public, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good [Neanderthal] with a gun." And I am more convinced than ever that there are Neanderthal genes swimming in the American pool.
Again, from Wayne LaPierre, in an effort to deflect blame from guns and bullets to movies and television:
"In a race to the bottom, many conglomerates compete with one another to shock, violate, and offend every standard of civilized society, by bringing an even more toxic mix of reckless behavior and criminal cruelty right into our homes."
I could not agree with him more. He is absolutely right in his assessment. Violent movies and music, video games, the UFC with blood splattered all over the contestants and the mat--all are offensive to civilized society. But his conclusions and solutions are all twisted. Only a Neanderthal could excuse the primitive image that looks back at him in his mirror. Truly, is anything more offensive to "every standard of civilized society...a more toxic mix of reckless behavior and criminal cruelty" than gun violence? And his only answer is to get more guns into society. More people armed. More profits for the gun manufacturers. Wyatt Earp. OK Corral. Hang the horse thief and all cattle rustlers. Get a rope, Ma. Better yet, load the six-guns, I'm a goin' to town. (Do those who long for the glorious days of yesteryear even realize that guns in the hands of the citizenry terrorized the townspeople? The first thing Wyatt Earp and others did was to ban guns in town!) I will stop here as I have written other posts on this topic and feel I am beating a horse that isn't likely to get up and run any time soon...
Write your senators and representatives in congress.
Merry Christmas.
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