Don't read this if your stomach isn't pretty strong. I found it via Wonkette ("John Derbyshire: Last Action Hero"). In re: the Virginia Tech victims, John Derbyshire says:
...Where was the spirit of self-defense here? Setting aside the ludicrous campus ban on licensed conceals, why didn't anyone rush the guy? It's not like this was Rambo, hosing the place down with automatic weapons. He had two handguns for goodness' sake—one of them reportedly a .22.
At the very least, count the shots and jump him reloading or changing hands. Better yet, just jump him. Handguns aren't very accurate, even at close range....Yes, yes, I know it's easy to say these things: but didn't the heroes of Flight 93 teach us anything? As the cliche goes—and like most cliches. It's true—none of us knows what he'd do in a dire situation like that. I hope, however, that if I thought I was going to die anyway, I'd at least take a run at the guy.
[quote ends; emphasis added]
Yes, it IS easy to say those things, especially for a self-styled "chickenhawk." ...but I don't want to be mean. So thank God for people who do and who are. Such as:
[quote begins from Swampland, Time, "Blaming the Victims...Because They're Total Wusses"]
If I had to choose a favorite insane statement here -- like, say, if someone was holding a gun to my head -- I think it'd be the idea that, "At the very least, count the shots and jump him reloading or changing hands. Better yet, just jump him." Or, best yet: you could always try the ol', "Shoe's untied!" bit. Works with my theoretical mass shooting murderers all the time.
"Your chances aren't bad," in any case.
[quote ends]
And this:
[quote begins from comments at Wonkette, PeterJayhawk, " John Derbyshire, Last Action Hero"]
I am aghast at the fuckers who are seriously advocating that kids in dorms should carry guns. Kids in dorms drink a lot and do a lot of drugs and are generally irresponsible.....
[quote ends]
And there's this subsidiary point as well:
[quote begins from comments at Wonkette, ducklingcakes " John Derbyshire, Last Action Hero"]
I swear to god, Flight 93 is like the Godwin's Law of calling innocent victims pussies.
[quote ends]
Salon's take on Derbyshire's and Blake's Remarks ["Heartily Ashamed" by Tim Grieve, War Room]. (bonus links to Limbaugh's welcome insights and Bill O'Reilly's sorrow over the alleged gloating of "America haters all over the world:)
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