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Matt Touchette

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commenter for
22 weeks 2 days

Recent Comments

Posted on 05/07/13 at 02:11 pm in response to Rally by gun-control advocates didn’t change Thissen’s mind

Alternatively, you could be proactive and ask your representatives where they stand in regards to certain proposed legislation. It's your responsibility as a voter to know who you're voting for, and it's the responsibility of those we elect to actually make legislation. Why waste their (legislators) and the tax payer's time for a vote that will fail? Would it not be more effective to get laws on the books? If there is time before the end of the session, maybe then they can re-address...

Posted on 04/17/13 at 02:27 pm in response to Gun rights in the 1780s and today

As with any tool, the situation will determine how effective a particular tool is; each tool will have its own pro's and con's. There are some situations where a taser, bat, knife, gun, or whatever will be more or less effective than other options available, but there are a multitude of situational and operator factors that will change from situation to situation and person to person to determine what the most effective tool will be. What's most effective for one person, may not be as...

Posted on 04/17/13 at 02:41 pm in response to Gun rights in the 1780s and today

Before a solution can be chosen, we must first determine what the problem is. Ultimately, I think that is where we are running into problems, the populace cannot agree what the problem actually is. For example, I see the shootings as a cultural problem and not a gun problem.

Posted on 03/15/13 at 10:19 am in response to Mediation bill offers a real way to work through conflicts

Rep. Laine,

I agree that our judicial system is overworked and we have turned into a bit of a "sue-happy" society. However, lawsuits are generally brought about because two parties cannot agree on something, while mediation inherently requires the two parties to come to an agreement. Additionally, mediation, by definition, is not binding and would require further action to enforce agreements made therein, either via the courts or binding arbitration. Even binding arbitration...

Posted on 02/14/13 at 01:37 pm in response to The culture war is real

Greg, I'm fairly certain that you proved the point of Strom's article right there.

Posted on 02/14/13 at 02:12 pm in response to The culture war is real

Please remember that is was the Congressman that passed the laws; regardless of the lobbying done by the NRA (or any other group on any other issue), it is the people we elected that screwed up. If you're going to bash the NRA, you better also be bashing every single person that voted to limit the CDC's research capabilities.

"As for the "both sides do it" equivalence: Do you really believe the anti-gun and pro-gun forces act with equal weight and influence in the halls of Congress...

Posted on 02/14/13 at 02:27 pm in response to The culture war is real

So far, it appears that the people who have commented missed the point of the article and instead focused on the example Strom used. The point of the article is an "us" versus "them" mentality and how groups of people are pushing an agenda under the guise of public policy. This is not a pro/anti gun article, Strom just chose that hot button issue as an example to prove his point.

It looks like people are taking Strom's example too literally and missing the big picture point that he...

Posted on 02/07/13 at 12:34 pm in response to Gun advocates vent over proposed restrictions on assault weapons

Gun supporters do not deny that there is a problem, we simply don't believe the problem is the gun. The problem is the person behind the gun. Very little, if any, of the legislation introduced would have prevented the events at Sandy Hook for example. I believe we have a degradation of culture problem, not a gun problem.

The '94 AWB also would not have prevented the events of Sandy Hook, it also didn't prevent Columbine. FBI crime stats, and the '04 analysis, did not show direct...

Posted on 02/07/13 at 12:37 pm in response to Gun advocates vent over proposed restrictions on assault weapons

Very well put Mr. Rovick.

Posted on 02/07/13 at 12:41 pm in response to Gun advocates vent over proposed restrictions on assault weapons

The following statement is not correct:

"Under consideration was a bill from Rep. Alice Hausman, who left the committee shortly after outlining the measure. The measure would require assault weapons to be rendered unusable, turned over to police or registered with the state."

Rep. Hausman did not present her bill, she left before her bill was presented.