Fr. Michael Pfleger
Fox
A face-to-face showdown between one of Chicago's most outspoken anti-gun lobbyists and the Illinois State Rifle Association took place Thursday night.
A little more than a week ago, Father Pfleger called out the NRA saying the gun group had blood on its hands because of the violence in Chicago and elsewhere.
So, dozens of NRA members and other gun rights supporters turned out to hear what Father Pleger had to say, and they were not pleased.
“We should ban assault weapons in America. We should ban high capacity magazines in America. We should title guns like cars in America,” said Father Pfleger of St. Sabina Church.
Father Pfleger was fired up as he called for more restrictive gun laws as one way to help quell the violence that has become an epidemic in Chicago. He also called out the NRA and the Gun Lobby for blocking tougher laws that Pfleger says shows those groups are more interested in profits than in making the streets safer.
“And when the gun manufacturers make less money, the gun lobbyists get paid less money. So that's why they don't want responsibility. That's why they don't want to stop easy access. Because it's a business and nobody wants to touch the money. Well, the hell with the money. Life is more important than money,” Father Pfleger said.
"Father Pfleger was fired up as he called for more restrictive gun laws as one way to help quell the violence that has become an epidemic in Chicago. He also called out the NRA and the Gun Lobby for blocking tougher laws that Pfleger says shows those groups are more interested in profits than in making the streets safer."
ReplyDeleteSorry, Chicago had at one point a ban on possession of handguns and it was still one of the most violent cities in the nation. I'm not understanding how he thinks trying the same laws that didn't work before over again will come out differently.
Do you think he was talking about just Chicago?
DeleteMost of his activism seems to be focused in the Chicago area and the article you posted, while not quoting him directly seems to show that narrow focus. While I'm sure he wouldn't feel bad about passage of more gun control laws on a national level, he seems to be sticking close to home.
Deleteit will be interesting to see if there is an effect on crime in Illinois and Chicago in particular with the state now entering its second year of having a shall-issue carry permit system.
Pfleger makes a strong case for why religious institutions should be taxed..
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect to you George, fuck that suggestion. What the government can tax it can destroy, or smash and remake in its image. Give them the power to tax religious institutions and it will be used just as the IRS targeting. Pfleger and his ilk will get some sort of pass while others with opposing views get hammered.
DeleteAlternately, all churches could be viewed as too troublesome and taxed to irrelevance.
No, the answer to Pfleger's crusades isn't having the government assert dominance over churches--that just increases leviathan's power.
I actually agree with you Simon I never meant for it to be taken as a suggestion that they should be but rather that Pflerger gives that crowd a strong case for it...I actually believe that no ones income should be being taxed at the Fed level and that the IRS should be abolished as well as many other bloated gov agency's....There are other ways to run an economy without the gov using strong arm tactics and threats of ruination upon the citizenry for failing to pay the vig
DeleteWith all due respect Simon churches are becoming less relevant as more and more people move away from them in this and other countries.....
George,
DeleteGlad to hear you didn't intend your comment as a suggestion--I agree that he does give ammo to the supporters of such a policy. Given your views on other issues and how much overlap we have I'd found the idea that you supported such a policy surprising.
I'm glad it wasn't the case, and I apologize if I offended you with my strong reaction. I'm used to dealing with people who are ok with the government yanking the tax status of churches on the other side of the political line from them, but not on their side--has kinda led to a vociferous reaction. I hate seeing leviathan fed, grown, and used as an attack dog in lawfare.
Pfleger continues to shout about things not found in the user's manual for his job and pretend it's what that manual teaches, and he's praised for presuming to add these teachings. Others are called arrogant for "presuming to speak for God" when they quote the manual. Gotta love modern theological debates.
ReplyDelete