Blog #9

         My stance on gun control is rather supporting both sides.  I agree with people only being allowed to carry handguns.  I don’t see the necessity in carrying a LG (Long Gun) such as a rifle or shotgun or any other large weapons, unless they are a hunter. People have the right to want their own self defense, but if someone is under attack and want to use a weapon as self defense, a person with trained skill with a firearm could fend for themselves with a handgun.  In my opinion, which will hopefully be taken into consideration, is that people should; be allowed to carry a handgun only, take a 9 month safety course to obtain a license and be over the age of 18 to carry a handgun, have no major health issues, and the people who possess the weapon must properly have it in safe custody while not in use and know how to properly use the weapon if needed.  This subject also is taken into national consideration, not just a state or local idea.

            Almost every state makes a driver gain initiate experience prior to obtaining a driver’s license, which is called a GDL (Graduated Driver License).  What this does is give the teenager an opportunity to drive before getting their license, allowing them to know what it’s really like to drive.  Some states, such as Illinois, require up to 50 hours of driving and you must hold on to the permit with 9 months.  Ever since the GDL program has been established, there have been more drivers that are giving a safe environment for the other drivers they see on the road.

            If the United States pursued the idea of a Firearm’s License that allows people 18 and older obtain a license with a 9-month course for the right to hold a handgun, then the U.S. will see fewer tragedies statistically.  Having a handgun is a privilege, just like driving is a privilege.  Just like people have to earn their right to obtain a driver’s license through the GDL program, people who take a firearm’s safety course will grant them to opportunity to hold a firearm.

            Following upon that, people must not have any major health problems that can cause them to misuse the firearm.  The owner must also know how to properly maintain the weapon.  According to http://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2012/12/health-risk-having-gun-home, death certificate data show that there were 680 deaths each year from 2003 to 2007 that were accidental and 46 suicides daily in that same time period.  Proper care must be taken into consideration.

Blog #8

Throughout the story, I first felt a little pity for Edna Pontellier.  As we read early in the book, Leonce says to his wife on page 2, “’You are burnt beyond recognition,’ he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage.” This excerpt explains how Leonce doesn’t necessarily view his wife as his wife that he shares love with and cherishes, but he views Edna as “personal property.”  

In chapter 4, the narrator mentions, “In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her.”  This point in the story is where Edna starts to realize who she really wants to become and how she wants to be free.  Even though Edna wants to be free, I feel like she is definitely overstepping and doing harm to others around her and is not necessarily justified in her choices.  Edna begins to show a great interest in Robert, even though she is married to Leonce.  We get it, Leonce doesn’t necessarily show any positive signs early on that he truly does love Edna, but rather is just doing what the Creole society asks of. 

As Robert and Edna start to see each other, is Edna just another one of Robert’s summer flings?  He then moves away to Mexico.  Edna gets in a huge argument with Leonce, stomping on her wedding ring.  But as it says in the first line of chapter 19, “Edna could not help but think that it was very foolish, very childish, to have stamped upon her wedding ring…” After this happens, do you think it’s possible that Edna would start to actually show affection for Leonce?  Somehow she does.  However Leonce had to leave for a business trip shortly after the argument and when Edna comes to a reality check that she might actually have feelings for Leonce. 

As she gets lonely with nobody around, she starts to see Alcee Arobin.  This is where I feel like she starts to step over the line, she is going from guy to guy!  Anyways, she starts to show not necessarily an emotional connection, but more of a physical affection for Alcee.  They even kiss, and the book implies that they might have even taken it a step further as it says on page 93:

“Good night,” she murmured.

He did not answer, except to continue to caress her.  He did not say good night until she had become supple to his gentle, seductive entreaties.

When I got to this spot in the book, I most definitely felt like Edna has crossed the line.  Although she is married to Leonce, she has seen two other men.

If I was Edna, I most definitely wouldn’t act as her.  I possibly would try to work things out and at least talk to Leonce about their marriage.  Instead, she is being way to free of her actions and needs to put them on a leash!