I thought yesterday's posts were consistently pro-gun. It seemed to me that NRA footsoldiers had their marching orders and talking points locked and loaded, ready to pre-emptively fire into the crowd in order to control the message. The most asinine arguments I saw yesterday were repeated with remarkable precision, suggesting a "talking points" strategy:

(1) If the other students had guns, the shooter would have been taken out earlier.

Moronic. It's not certain that anyone would have stopped at least some shootings. It's not certain that people would have remembered their guns. It's not certain that other innocents wouldn't be shot in the confusion. It's really dubious that having a much more broadly armed society would IMPROVE the levels of gun violence.

(2) The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to bear arms.

Yes. But the Constitution and Bill of Rights may not always be right. And the Constitution may be amended or modified for policy reasons. I argue there is no need for the private citizen to have handguns or assault weapons. These aren't used for sport. Guns are designed to injure, and laws may further circumscribe those rights when policy dictates, such as waiting periods. This is more of a policy debate than a legal debate, and many forget that.

(3) Guns are necessary for self-defense, against individuals or a tyrannical government.

Maybe. In a cost-benefit analysis, I don't support this view, as guns seem to save fewer lives than the number of death's they cause. And the government, if so inclined, would be able these days to withstand a portion of the public armed with rifles. 1st amendment rights and Voting rights are still better ways to stand up to the government.

I'm a southern boy, grandson of a cattle man. I was shooting BBs as well as 12-guages since I was 8. My knowledge of safety doesn't help the many who don't have such training who are nevertheless capable of buying guns anywhere. No permits, no training classes, no psychological background tests. Guns are designed to fire projectiles at high-speeds, which is inherently dangerous. They should be more strictly regulated because of this.

I also smoke, and I fully favor as comprehensive bans as can be on smoking. My habit is my problem, and I don't want it to become someone else's. Yesterday's shooter at Tech had problems that affected innocents. Virginia's lax gun laws are partially to blame. Not nearly as much as the shooter, but I imaging he acquired theses handguns - which aren't used for hunting or any other practical task - without going through any checks.

The man stole home 23 times in his career. Amazing.

It's truly amazing and depressing how much the WH takes military comments -- good, bad, whatever -- and spins them. They essentially put words in the mouths of any military person who speaks. And the press rarely goes back to the speaker to get their take of the WH spin on their own words.

So first it's not about Alberto Gonzales, then it is, then Gonzo says it isn't but should be...

He's gonna be Speedy Gonzales (en la direccion de la puerta).

The WH holds on to A.G. until the Dems subpoena Rove, then offer A.G.'s head in order to get Rove out of it. The Dems need to go forward, get the subpoena of Rove, let A.G. step down, then follow through with Rove, breaking any deal the WH thought they had made. What would they cry? "You broke our deal!"?

Sounds about right. How did anyone ever see leadership in that guy? All I see is arrogance, reflecting his spoiled upbringing.

They're not extinct!

Has now been clarified to read: "FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BETTER!" Get back to work, comrades!

But I would love for Keef to come to MY town and draw a strip about his observations about our ways of life.

Keef could be the next Darwin!

If that's true, Dick, then you guys have been a smashing success.

But what's with the propaganda and photo ops? What's that about, hmmm...?

These "straight talk" meetings are PR only. Why use your muscles when - for the years 1994 to 2006 - you could just flex them instead and achieve the same results.

What is the government doing to PUT FOOD ON MY FAMILY?

Also, as Dan Froomkin pointed out yesterday, Bushie is really struggling if St. Vincent's is the speaking gig. (Though NO OFFENSE to any Bearcats out there).

When you have no power. Or TV. That's the Iraqi plight.

My favorite part of this week's strip is the suggestion of a wheelchair in the last panel. That made me laugh out loud. Nice little subtle touch. Way to be, Keef

Gonzalez: "No, well, I mean, not ME or the DOJ."

Maybe the GOP wouldn't have such a tough time getting Bush to do what they wanted now...

for Jasper's Fforde's next work in the Thursday Next series.

Catch up if you haven't read these. Thrilling and hilarious. Harry Potter meets Dave Eggers, but with more wit and less pretension.

This is an insightful comic about subjectivity, but it also hits me squarely as I was 12 in 1991. Having followed pop music from an early age - Michael Jackson and MTV reached me early - the Grunge Era was particularly cool to me. I can't say much about other media (only SNL leaps to mind), but I'd put the following groups/albums up in the all-time pantheon:

Nirvana/Nevermind

Tribe Called Quest/Low End Theory

RHCP/Blood Sugar Sex Magik

GNR/Use Your Illusion

U2/Achtung Baby

If I remember anything about middle school, it is music, as in the next couple of years Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, The Chronic, and other great music would be in vogue. I say with all seriousness and humility that this era was as creative and influential as any period since the mid-60's and the late 70's.