“If It Saves Only One Child . . .”
In an op-ed today, Johah Goldberg writes:
The idea that the government can regulate or ban its way into a world where there are no tragedies, no premature deaths, is quite simply ridiculous. But that is precisely the assumption behind phrases such as, “If only one life is saved, it’s worth it.”
Which brings us to the dangerous part. Pay attention to what Biden is saying. The important thing is for government to act, not for the government to act wisely.
And that’s the real problem with this kind of rhetoric. Not only does it establish a ridiculously low standard for what justifies government action — indeed, action itself becomes its own justification — but it also sets the expectation that the government is there to prevent bad things from happening.
But . . . but . . . that is what the majority of the American people voted for.
2 Responses to ““If It Saves Only One Child . . .””
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on 14 Jan 2013 at 1:41 pm # gene
What if education employees were allowed to be armed? If it saves one life it would be worth it?
on 14 Jan 2013 at 7:04 pm # Hllm
I am having a difficult time engaging on this topic. I am a gun owner and CCW holder in Connecticut. I live in Sandy Hook and have a nephew that was in the school that day and have friends with children that were there as well.
Emotions are still very raw, but I am worried that these emotions are going to result in some bad laws and regulations. In a public forum, such as facebook, I have these same folks as friends.
Public events and feedback sessions are full of potential landmines as the town seems united “in doing something.”
Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards.