June 29, 2008

Nancy Giles On Guns

With a Frontier Conquered, Why The Need For Packing Firearms?

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(CBS)  Contributor Nancy Giles has a personal opinion about this week's Supreme Court decision upholding a personal right to gun ownership:

:
As far back as the 1700s, the famed explorer Daniel Boone said that "All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife."

Not my definition of happiness.

In modern day New York City, guns are a part of our life. People shoot and are shot almost every day, and a disproportionate number of those people are people of color. How do you deal with that?

I'm scared of guns, never played with guns, and jump whenever a firecracker pops. Gun violence is quick, devastating, and impersonal. Can't we human beings figure out another way of conflict resolution?

I played a cop in a movie once, and when I put on my costume and the big belt to hold my billy club and gun, something weird happened: I looked in the mirror - A black woman with a badge and a gun? Yeah, I was super-bad! I was "Christie Love," and Emma Peel on "The Avengers," and all three of "Charlie's Angels."

(I probably looked more like Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show").

I caught myself posing with the gun and was stunned. What was I doing? Guns aren't toys, they're not sexy, and they're not some accessory. They're for real. I put the gun back in my belt and never touched it again.

According to the NRA, there are an estimated 200 million privately-owned firearms in the United States, including almost 65 million handguns. Good grief! Who owns them? Private citizens, and members of groups as varied as Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty, 126 Women State Legislatures, and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership.

I know they don't all think like Daniel Boone, and I wonder why some still hunt when you can get meat already wrapped at the supermarket. I'd like to understand them better.

The comedian Chris Rock had a brilliant idea that I think both gun owners and gun control advocates could agree with (or "agree to").

Instead of gun control, he says, "we need bullet control! I think every bullet should cost five thousand dollars. Because if a bullet cost five thousand dollars, we wouldn't have any innocent bystanders."

Sounds like a good start to me.

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Add a Comment See all 143 Comments
by alsupra June 29, 2008 9:45 AM PDT
How can you present such a biased article. How many of those shootings in New York are done with legally registered firearms? A better question would be, "How do we deal with the illegal firearms that are used all people in crime"? I''m not even a gun owner and don''t feel the need for a firearm either, but in the common sense area, I believe in presenting a truthful, scientific, not emotionally biased report as Nancy Giles has here. You have embarrassed yourself and CBS for presenting such unscientific data! Ridiculous waste of good air time. Do your advertising sponsors condone this? If so, I will never purchase anything marketed on this type of presentation!
Reply to this comment
by Denton June 29, 2008 10:12 AM PDT
The answer to ignorance is education. Decide to learn more about guns then do it. Listen with an open mind. Second, you must explain why the murder rate drops when "right to carry" laws are passed, and why places with guns bans, Washington D.C. for example, lead the nation in homicides. As John Adams famously said, "Facts are stubborn things."
Reply to this comment
by hrswift June 29, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
Nancy!!!! You are the stupidest *** I have ever had the misery of having to listen to. These idiots that hired you should fire your talentless, stupidm ***. Just my opinion
Reply to this comment
by garymacknc1 June 29, 2008 10:28 AM PDT
Why is it that you took a minority of gun owner actions and applied them to all gun owners? Isn''t that called discrimination? According to your own story there are over 200 million guns in this country. If we take the word of the anti gun crowd, there are 30,000 gun deaths a year. That''s 199,970,000 guns owned in this country by responsible law abiding citizens. Why paint us with the same brush you paint gun criminals?
Reply to this comment
by thejerk54 June 29, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
There is nothing more to be afraid of concerning a gun than a power tool or automobile in the hands of a person who does not know how to use it or intends to use it illegally or imporoperly. AS a previous post said, the first thing you have to do is decided to learn. You apparently choose not to and so to remain ignorant about the real facts.

You ask why anybody would want to hunt when you can purchase packaged food. Why do people invest thousands into extensive wood shops to build furniture when they can get most anything they need for their house at a local furniture store? Why do poeple engage in ANY interest when the product of that interest can be purchased? Why go fishing? IF you can not provide the answer to these questions for yourself, you have no real business posing such a question in such a context.
Reply to this comment
by getreal44 June 29, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
I can''t believe the *** I just listened to on your show. I have enjoyed Sunday Morning for over 20 years but Nancy your "opinion" on gun control is ridicules. How about keeping to the facts, be a reporter and present both sides. All you did was show your emotional bias and further support the stereo typical image of the liberal media. Keep your reactionary opinions to yourself or present a balanced forum. Instead of just going to the CDC for gun deaths, how about researching how many were caused by police officers in the line of duty, private citizens protecting themselves or criminals who did not obtain them legally. Now that would be reporting.
Reply to this comment
by wyattearp31 June 29, 2008 10:32 AM PDT
Nancy your level of ignorance is scary. Its not about hunting its about my rights to self protection. The founding fathers where afraid of tyranny which all you liberals want to constantly inflict on the rest of us. Get the book by John Lott More guns less crime he is from your buddy obama''s neighborhood in chicago, also 10,000 kids a year are killed with firearms 100,000 drown in swimming pools why dont you go after the swimming pool industry and ban pools then when people go to lakes and the ocean because pools are no longer available ban all kids from all bodies of water...as a footnote one can make their own bullets. Its the second amendment that has given you your rights to the 1st and yes your WELCOME!
Reply to this comment
by meigypoo June 29, 2008 10:32 AM PDT
That commentary was below the standards of Sunday Morning. It lacked substance, and had very little original thought except for the long boring example of how Nancy Giles felt wearing a gun. I usually look forward to hearing the commentary because it makes me think about the issue in depth if I agree or with a different perspective if I do not agree. This commentary only made me think I wanted to change the channel.
Reply to this comment
by gruzog June 29, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
I would like to make a couple comments on your editorial concerning the Second Admendment. "According to the NRA, there are an estimated 200 million privately-owned firearms in the United States, including almost 65 million handguns. Good grief! Who owns them? Private citizens, and members of groups as varied as *** and Lesbians for Individual Liberty, 126 Women State Legislatures, and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership." These figures represent legally owned firearms, that are used in recreational shooting sports, that include hunting, cowboy shoots, target shooting, competitions, et al. The weapons used by criminals are purchased illegally from other criminals, or are stolen from law abiding citizens.
The Supreme Court has ruled that a city ordinance violated the right of law abiding citizens, this does not mean that criminals can now carry firearms, there are laws that forbid convicted felons from purchasing, owning, or have possession of any firearm. DCs "law" infringed on the right of the law abiding citizen, and did nothing to curb the use of firearms in criminal activities. A wrong has been righted, and there are many legal battles ahead, but rest assured that as long as any law abiding citizen''s Rights are suppress there will be organizations of people like the NRA, Citizens for Gun Rights, any many more groups that will stand against it.
To quote Robert Frost " Good fences make good neighbors".
Reply to this comment
by sjl51-2009 June 29, 2008 10:35 AM PDT
Nancy Giles commits on Gun Control is what is wrong with this country. How can CBS air her commits. Call it her personal opinion fine. But air it for millions to see. Come on.
Reply to this comment
by baguba53 June 29, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
You have missed the point completely. It is about the rights of law abiding people. It is also not about what you like or dislike. I personnally do not own a handgun but don''t see why a responsible adult can''t. Then you throw in hunting. Again you have shown you bias for anything you probably have never tried. Have you ever researched what hunting does for wildlife. Do you have any idea what state most div. of wildlife in this country would be in if it wasn''t for hunters and hunting groups? So do me a favor. Next time you feel like putting a story on your broadcast maybe you should look into the facts first. I''m sure you get a little information in that white tower you live in.
Reply to this comment
by pptree June 29, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
go to russia because people like you make me sick, because people like yourself see your rights overiding everyone elses, dont blame the crackhead or the speed dealers blame the innocent, yea i know the the story you cant stop the dope..... pptree
Reply to this comment
by ibfred June 29, 2008 10:38 AM PDT
If you look to Chris Rock for wisdom, you scare me worse than the gun owner. i.e. If the cost of bullets becomes $5000, they are very easy to make and I will go into business making bullets. Of course, then only the very rich can afford to protect their property and family, do drive-bys, etc. -- oh, and criminals who start robbing my store with bullets manufactured in China and smuggled through the non-existent borders of Mexico.
Reply to this comment
by murrs54 June 29, 2008 10:38 AM PDT
I would first like to say, I usually enjoy the Sunday Morning show. In fact, this is usually the only news show I looked forward to watching all week. However, this is the second time that I have had an issue with the personal opinion section of the show. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however, Sunday Morning National News is NOT the place for such ignorant rantings. You should start your own website or blog and spare the rest of America from being subjected to your "personal opinion." I would just like to add MY personal opinion on the comment about "hunting." Has Nancy Giles forgotten just what people had to do to survive years ago? If you didn''t hunt, you did not have meat on the table. In addition, the food/meat we so readily pick up at the local grocery, in my opinion, is hardly worth eating these days, because of all the additives, perservative, and modification done to the meat packing process. And don''t get me started on Chris Rock...
Reply to this comment
by deadeyemagnu June 29, 2008 10:40 AM PDT
I feel rather sorry for Ms. Giles. It is obvious she simply does not understand. The only reason she fears guns is because she evidently never took the time to actually learn about them. Just like anything else, once a person learns about something, they usually no longer fear it.
Her opinion appears to embrace the attitude that the only reason to own a gun is to commit a haneous crime. Has she ever watched a Cowboy Action Match and seen the friendly atmosphere? Does she realize that, without hunting, the animal population, which we are pushing from their natural environment through development, would increase to dangerous levels, causing starvation or disease? Does she know those with concealed permits have made a conscious and informed committment to defend people, including herself? I suggest she not go for a quick, fear-inducing position and actually learn more before providing an opinion to those who might otherwise view her as a professional in the matter.
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by mas1953 June 29, 2008 10:42 AM PDT
Nancy, if you seriously wanted to understand hunters, I know without a doubt that you could find one that would be willing to help you understand the reasons for hunting. However, I believe that you are not serious about wanting to understand, because understanding might mean that you have to agree that hunting is not only necessary for the survival of the species but also for the survival of some humans as well. You see, Nancy, not everyone can afford to purchase meat already packaged and wrapped at the grocery store.
Reply to this comment
by jdk8282 June 29, 2008 10:42 AM PDT
"I know they don''t all think like Daniel Boone, and I wonder why some still hunt when you can get meat already wrapped at the supermarket. I''d like to understand them better."

You''ve demonstrated that there are a great many things that you need to understand better before you start talking on national television. As mentioned by others, if guns are the problem, why does crime go down in areas that have concealed carry laws? Why is D.C., with the most restrictive gun laws in America, both our Capital and the nations murder capital? As far as understanding gun owners better, here''s a good reason:
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; They serve rather to encourge than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Most disturbing of all is that you take your "solution" from a comedy bit?!? Really? This is the reporting standard of CBS? For shame.
Reply to this comment
by watchdog1775 June 29, 2008 10:43 AM PDT
This commentary is typical of the extremist and elitist left-wing anti-gun bias found in the majority of the American press. The fact that this "commentary" was made without allowing a proper and Constitutional rebuttal further demonstrates the divide between the vast majority of Americans and the soviet socialist types who have gravitated toward the mainstream press.
This ignorant sycophant, Nancy Giles, speaks against the very liberty teeth (firearms)upon which the Bill of Rights resides. Guns are for hunting, and yes, they are for self defense, but the intent of the Founders on this issue is clear. One has to look no further than the words of George Mason who said: "To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them." Indeed. The founders understood that free peoples were armed while slaves were disarmed. This quote is substantiated by the actions of totalitarian regimes such as the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and Communist China just to name a few.
With this said, it is typical that such a good little proletariat as Miss Giles would be supportive of taxing ammunition out of the financial reach of the masses. Of course, I doubt this person even knows that the first gun control laws in the nation were the Black Codes of the 1860s which debarred the freed slaves of their Constitutional right to own guns.

Reply to this comment
by watchdog1775 June 29, 2008 10:44 AM PDT
This commentary is typical of the extremist and elitist left-wing anti-gun bias found in the majority of the American press. The fact that this "commentary" was made without allowing a proper and Constitutional rebuttal further demonstrates the divide between the vast majority of Americans and the soviet socialist types who have gravitated toward the mainstream press.
This ignorant sycophant, Nancy Giles, speaks against the very liberty teeth (firearms)upon which the Bill of Rights resides. Guns are for hunting, and yes, they are for self defense, but the intent of the Founders on this issue is clear. One has to look no further than the words of George Mason who said: "To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them." Indeed. The founders understood that free peoples were armed while slaves were disarmed. This quote is substantiated by the actions of totalitarian regimes such as the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and Communist China just to name a few.
With this said, it is typical that such a good little proletariat as Miss Giles would be supportive of taxing ammunition out of the financial reach of the masses. Of course, I doubt this person even knows that the first gun control laws in the nation were the Black Codes of the 1860s which debarred the freed slaves of their Constitutional right to own guns.

Reply to this comment
by erfinn June 29, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
The answer is not gun control, it is owner control. You do not need a permit to buy an automobile, but you do need a permit to operate it.

I am 80 years old. When I was 9 years old I learned safe weapons handling procedures and to this day will not be handed or hand a weapon to or from anyone without first checking to see if it is loaded. Will this prevent intentional killings? No, if someone want to kill another person they will find a weapon to do just that. But it might cut down on accidental shootings.

Nancy, you should acquaint yourself with both sides of a controversial subject before make such statements.
Reply to this comment
by jdk8282 June 29, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
This may have been the worst piece I have ever seen on a news show, and not because I disagree, but rather because you showed more ignorance than I can possibly imagine.

"I know they don''t all think like Daniel Boone, and I wonder why some still hunt when you can get meat already wrapped at the supermarket. I''d like to understand them better."

You''ve demonstrated that there are a great many things that you need to understand better before you start talking on national television. As mentioned by others, if guns are the problem, why does crime go down in areas that have concealed carry laws? Why is D.C., with the most restrictive gun laws in America, both our Capital and the nations murder capital? As far as understanding gun owners better, here''s a good reason:
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; They serve rather to encourge than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Most disturbing of all is that you take your "solution" from a comedy bit?!? Really? This is the reporting standard of CBS? For shame.
Reply to this comment
by ibfred June 29, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
If you look to Chris Rock for wisdom, you scare me worse than the gun owner. i.e. If the cost of bullets becomes $5000, they are very easy to make and I will go into business making bullets. Of course, then only the very rich can afford to protect their property and family, do drive-bys, etc. -- oh, and criminals who start robbing my store with bullets manufactured in China and smuggled through the non-existent borders of Mexico.
Reply to this comment
by watchdog1775 June 29, 2008 10:47 AM PDT
This commentary is typical of the extremist and elitist left-wing anti-gun bias found in the majority of the American press. The fact that this "commentary" was made without allowing a proper and Constitutional rebuttal further demonstrates the divide between the vast majority of Americans and the soviet socialist types who have gravitated toward the mainstream press.
This ignorant sycophant, Nancy Giles, speaks against the very liberty teeth (firearms)upon which the Bill of Rights resides. Guns are for hunting, and yes, they are for self defense, but the intent of the Founders on this issue is clear. One has to look no further than the words of George Mason who said: "To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them." Indeed. The founders understood that free peoples were armed while slaves were disarmed. This quote is substantiated by the actions of totalitarian regimes such as the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and Communist China just to name a few.
With this said, it is typical that such a good little proletariat as Miss Giles would be supportive of taxing ammunition out of the financial reach of the masses. Of course, I doubt this person even knows that the first gun control laws in the nation were the Black Codes of the 1860s which debarred the freed slaves of their Constitutional right to own guns.

Reply to this comment
by jdk8282 June 29, 2008 10:47 AM PDT
This may have been the worst piece I have ever seen on a news show, and not because I disagree, but rather because you showed more ignorance than I can possibly imagine.

"I know they don''t all think like Daniel Boone, and I wonder why some still hunt when you can get meat already wrapped at the supermarket. I''d like to understand them better."

You''ve demonstrated that there are a great many things that you need to understand better before you start talking on national television. As mentioned by others, if guns are the problem, why does crime go down in areas that have concealed carry laws? Why is D.C., with the most restrictive gun laws in America (at least prior to Thursday), both our Capital and the nations murder capital? As far as understanding gun owners better, here''s a good reason:
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; They serve rather to encourge than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Most disturbing of all is that you take your "solution" from a comedy bit?!? Really? This is the reporting standard of CBS? For shame.
Reply to this comment
by sw6372 June 29, 2008 10:47 AM PDT
Where does this woman...... racist black woman at that, come from?!

She makes me sick. I try to listening to her garbage, but it always the same shtick, racist views. I always get up leaving more than half way through her holier than thou rants.

Hey moron, Daniel Boone said what he said because it APPLIED to the 1700''s! Sheeesh, what an idiot you are lady, and my apologies to all idiots out there that I have offended by associating you with this racist, dumb, moronic woman!

Oh I get it..... Boone was from the south, so of course he must have been stupid, slow, and every other thing you think applies to people, especially white males, who are form the south!

Oh here''s another flash of brilliance for ya lady, blacks kill more blacks and "other people of color", because they buy or steal the guns and blacks think this is the way you settle things and handle problems! But, I am sure you will find a way to make this a racist thing. You always do!

An even better start would be for news agencies like CBS to hire better, more QUALIFIED people and fire Morons like yourself!

Yes, I am from the south and I am white, but I will not put with garbage like this.

You have an opportunity to say and do goods works with an incredible forum, like Sunday Morning, but you believe it is better to drag people down and through the mud.

I can''t wait to see this bite you in the *** and CBS as well. It will be well deserved!
Reply to this comment
by twodoggies June 29, 2008 10:48 AM PDT
Ms. Nancy...
It seems to me that virtually ALL negative thinking people on the gun control issue, doesn''t think OR study far enough into this subject. There is an old bumper sticker that reads "when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns". Let me assure you that there will be millions of us that will wilingly be "outlaws", Good, bad or otherwise because there are so many non thru-thinking folks out there in media and politico land. You all will unlikely never get the simplest of reasonings. You and they, will never win this conflict of issue simply because we will NOT surender our weapons to ANYBODY, be it local Govenrment OR federal Government. When will you people open your eyes to the facts and study with open minds. America is safe ONLY because the American people are so well armed. If you so choose to NOT own a weapon, that is your right and I will defend that right to the death (close call on several occations and hit once) I, on the other hand, do own one (or more) and intend to keep it/them in my personal possetion as long as I live and breath, in these United States of America, and will never surrender it to any man, for any reason.
Study up, Ms. Giles...Your a pretty good reporter otherwise, as long as you will report on ALL subjects with NO bias.
Buzz Millard
Reply to this comment
by jdk8282 June 29, 2008 10:48 AM PDT
This may have been the worst piece I have ever seen on a news show, and not because I disagree, but rather because you showed more ignorance than I can possibly imagine.

"I know they don''t all think like Daniel Boone, and I wonder why some still hunt when you can get meat already wrapped at the supermarket. I''d like to understand them better."

You''ve demonstrated that there are a great many things that you need to understand better before you start talking on national television. As mentioned by others, if guns are the problem, why does crime go down in areas that have concealed carry laws? Why is D.C., with the most restrictive gun laws in America (at least prior to Thursday), both our Capital and the nations murder capital?

As far as understanding gun owners better, here''s a good start for you:

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Most disturbing of all is that you take your "solution" from a comedy bit?!? Really? This is the reporting standard of CBS? For shame.
Reply to this comment
by lindabill4 June 29, 2008 10:49 AM PDT
Nancy,
I cannot belive that you do not support the 2nd amendment. We are very disappointed in your commentary this morning. Maybe you should come out to the Midwest where you can meet some real people that still do hunt for their meat.
We are both NRA members and both have gun permits but certainly don''t go around shooting people, just varmits on the farm that destroy our crops! Look what has happened in Austrailia since the ban on handguns,
a 40% rise in crime, now the outlaws own the guns and the rest of the population can defend themselves with a boomerang or slingshot! Wake up and stop listening to the liberal media!
This is one time the Supreme Court has listened to
the American citizens and interpreted the 2nd Amendment the way it was written.
Reply to this comment
by jdk8282 June 29, 2008 10:49 AM PDT
This may have been the worst piece I have ever seen on a news show, and not because I disagree, but rather because you showed more ignorance than I can possibly imagine.

"I know they don''t all think like Daniel Boone, and I wonder why some still hunt when you can get meat already wrapped at the supermarket. I''d like to understand them better."

You''ve demonstrated that there are a great many things that you need to understand better before you start talking on national television. As mentioned by others, if guns are the problem, why does crime go down in areas that have concealed carry laws? Why is D.C., with the most restrictive gun laws in America (at least prior to Thursday), both our Capital and the nations murder capital?

As far as understanding gun owners better, here''s a good start for you:

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Most disturbing of all is that you take your "solution" from a comedy bit?!? Really? This is the reporting standard of CBS? For shame.
Reply to this comment
by gruzog June 29, 2008 10:50 AM PDT
As a long time member of the NRA I would like to invite Ms. Giles to contact the NRA located on Waples Mill Rd in Fairfax VA. For a tour of the NRA HQ, and for a little education to offset the one sided education she has already received. If she were to come for a visit with an open mind she may be surprised with what she finds. The NRAs main number is 1-800-672-3888.
Reply to this comment
by wildlifer3 June 29, 2008 10:50 AM PDT
Its unfortunate that Ms. Giles decided to mix issues and be uneducated and uniformed on the issues of gun control and hunting. While I listened with interest at first she crossed the line of ignorance when she stated she didn''t know why people still need to hunt when you can buy your meat in a package. I hold a degree in wildlife biology and have been a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman. Please do some research on how much sporting goods tax revenues subsidises wildlife research and restoration. Without sportsman many species would be extinct today. Also, look up a classic case in wildlife management on the Kaibab Plateau and see what the result of no hunting can be.
Reply to this comment
by donovarc June 29, 2008 10:53 AM PDT
I am so happy to see the comments below! I signed on to tell CBS that I would no longer be watching Sunday Morning due to Giles'' repeated ignorant, elitest, out of touch commentary. But with the comments that are being posted I''m sure that Giles'' time on the program is drawing to a close. Thank god, I love Sunday Morning, I would hate to have to boycott it because some idiot producer gave the reins to an even bigger idiot like Giles. Here''s an idea, how about having a REAL PERSON (any of the other reporters on the show would do a great job) do the editorial?
Reply to this comment
by culprit6 June 29, 2008 10:57 AM PDT
It''s not the guns or the bullets, it the criminal.
Reply to this comment
by willseng June 29, 2008 11:10 AM PDT
Mrs. Giles,

Have you lost your sense of reality living in the concrete jungle? Why must so many of us be subjected to such nonsense?

1. Hunting is a part of our heritage. It''s part of who we are, and where we came from. The ability to survive and provide for one''s family in a genetic trait for many of us. We are outdoorsmen, and we hold our traditions and the environment in highest regard. I expect you could never understand that. What is your heritage? Where did your people come from? Did they hunt and farm, or did they stroll down to Starbucks and the local diner? What would you do, or your people do, if tomorrow you couldn''t fill your car with gas, use your credit card, eat at a local diner, run your air conditioning? How would you survive? Would you starve to death? Probably the latter.

2. In addition to my first point, we gun owners are not scared of guns, and in fact we don''t play with guns. Our children don''t play with guns. We own guns not only to hunt, but to ensure the safety of our families.

How about keeping your personal opinions to yourself. And as for Chris Rock, he is a "comedian", or at least he tries to be. Thanks for dragging him along side yourself into the realm of absurdity. Why don''t you give your slot to Bob Schieffer and spare us all. Better you spend your time on understanding. You''ve got a long way to go.


To all who agree with me:
"Illigitimus Non Carborundum"


Wills

Reply to this comment
by geoamber June 29, 2008 11:20 AM PDT
Are you serious Nancy? This commentary was very ignorant of how most gun owners behave and the importance, purpose and tradition of hunting. Do you really think criminals that intend to use other guns for killing another human being really go to a gun shop, get a state and FBI record check? NO, law abiding citizen do that criminal get their guns off the street, illegally, not registed. If we law abiding citizens did not own guns the only people that would own them are the criminals and the government! Do you really want that to happen? Also, it is a very rewarding experience to go into the forest and work for you food, it is safer, healthier our responsibility to help in the management of an ecosystem. Come out and try living somewhere else but the city, where MOST of us live before you make such outlandish comments.
Reply to this comment
by nvasquez00 June 29, 2008 11:22 AM PDT
I just watched Nance Giles segment on television and found myself so disgusted that I immediately went to my computer to see if I could comment on it, which is something I have never done in my entire life. I can''t believe she honestly asked why adults hunt today. I am so disgusted I have no idea how to express myself. If this is the kind of *** CBS want to run I think I will boycott the entire network
Reply to this comment
by lindafran June 29, 2008 11:22 AM PDT
Miss Giles you ask why do people still hunt when they can get meat cut and wrapped at the store? For the same reason people choose to grow their own spinache, tomatoes, etc. The stuff in the stores come from who knows where - ie. the contaminated tomatoes that no one seemed to be able to figure out where they came from for weeks! Elk, venison are lean, great tasting meats. Try it, you might like it.
Reply to this comment
by kitterdude June 29, 2008 11:26 AM PDT
Ms Giles,

I would suggest that if you wish to "understand" about the reality of gun issues, you first go out and try to reason with some of the largely Black (Oh! excuse me- "people of Color") thugs who virtually invented the modern drive-by shooting.

Life in Medieval times (long before the proliferation of firearms)has been described for most folks as "...nasty, brutish, and short". Despite your rather naive and utopian dreams for American society and human nature, the fact remains that "guns don''t kill people; people kill people".
Reply to this comment
by Macsure June 29, 2008 11:27 AM PDT
Ms. Giles, you ask: "Why do ordinary people want to own guns and hunt?

We know that humans evolved through selection of certain traits which proved crucial to the survival - first of certain individuals and through them to the survival of the entire species. For the foreseeable future, our species will have a population of hunter / soldiers in it. But not all humans are hunters, some are gatherers and still others have other vital (evolved) traits, talents and skills.

The urbanization of humanity has denied the use of these evolved traits to the hunter / soldiers. Some become so twisted or frustrated that they turn their natural skills against their fellows, even against their families. Others find fulfillment in the modern version of hunting and some join the military.
But all hunter /soldiers NEED to fulfill their inherited roles and it is far wiser to guide them as youths into ways that will still serve their families and society.
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by american73 June 29, 2008 11:47 AM PDT
Dear CBS and Miss/Mrs. Giles,

Your commentary this morning on the 2nd Amendment and Supreme Court decision regarding the same has motivated me to take the time to register and post this first in a lifetime commentary.
I will cut to the summary my comments because you as an organization and individual are frankly not worth me taking any additional time away from my family.

Your commentary is indicative of your desires and DESIGN for the future of our nation. You mocking and patronizing comments are insulting and are evidence of your lack of intellectual depth on the issue.
Finally, your advocacy of attacking ammunition is nothing more than a salient flag of your disrespect for the Constitution and the rule of law. You clearly are on the side of the 4 justices that dissented, but the court has spoken and you need to respect THE LAW that they have laid down.
The 2nd Amendment is a right of the people just as the 1st and 4th.

Perhaps you should read the Supreme Court''s opinion on this matter and those other Amendments in an effort to reconcile your intellectual inconsistencies. Who am I kidding, you very likely don''t even read these posts and are just like the 80% of those whom I attended law school with.

Regardless of what you do from here on out, I will not watch your programming and will be sure to communicate with everyone whom I associate my distaste and dissatisfaction with your commentary and blatant bias.

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by ironworks26 June 29, 2008 11:48 AM PDT
i turned on tv to see this one sided attack against our amendment . if there was a apposing side to this it wouldn''t be so bad. but it thinkning and actions like this that this country is screwed up, what dose she want a world that controls everything we say and do which would include the 1st amendment which is your job, instead of taking quotes from 50''s tv shows, you should help find ways to help kids not use them in fights.
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by bpro2008 June 29, 2008 11:51 AM PDT
Nancy Giles is a racist, elitist, ignorant angry black woman. Her solution to all societal ills is to place the blame squarely on someone else... Anyone else! Preferably white and male.

CBS News is irresponsible for letting her continue her baseless spew. I WAS a loyal "Sunday Morning" viewer, but I now think that CBS News has no respect for their(dwindling) audience. I''m quite sure, by the measure and tone of the comments here, that I''m not the only one.

Goodbye
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by oneamerican1 June 29, 2008 11:51 AM PDT
Why would a program that is supposed to be news related lend credence to such an unfounded, biased and frankly embarrassing display of misguided emotion.

Nancy states that putting on a costume gun altered her perception and attitude. The implication is that she felt empowered and somehow dangerous? Are we to assume that an intelligent, educated person can be transformed into a deviant personality by touching an inanimate object? How sad to see that presented on a national program!

I''ve raised two girls that never played with guns because they were taught at an early age that guns weren''t toys, cruelty to animals was unacceptable, and respecting other human beings was important. They are adults now They relate normally to others, still handle firearms safely and have showed no signs of this insidious transformation that Nancy claims to have experienced. Makes me wonder what Nancy feels behind the wheel of a car, an even bigger piece of steel, associated with far more deaths than guns.
Sorry, Nancy.. I''ll never again hear you name or see your face that I won''t doubt the credibility of your opinion... and the credibility of CBS as well, for allowing you to imply that the human race is destined to exhibit malevolent behavior. The answer is not expensive bullets that criminals would no doubt steal or the emotional ranting of self proclaimed experts. The answer is education.
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by gbw54 June 29, 2008 11:52 AM PDT
Ms Giles,
If you truly want to understand why people still hunt, you should really open your mind a bit. My family has hunted for generations and it''s a part of our culture here in north Wisconsin. As much as other cultures have their traditions, we have ours. My children have been taught to respect guns for the danger they could pose to another. They were never even allowed to point a toy gun at another person and became upset if another child would. They were taught to be kind to animals and when hunting to get a clean shot to be as humane as possible. This may seem strange to you but hunting can be more humane than how the packaged meat in the store was killed. I don''t belong to the NRA because I think that some of their stands are too unbending. It is different for different places in this country. Living closer to the land and knowing where our meat comes from is also important to many people in our are area. Some like shooting sports and I think that it is even an Olympic event. Living in the country, I feel safer because we have some protection if we had an intruder. It is true that criminals have no problem getting guns illegally. Teaching respect for other people is the only way to curb gun abuse. Cutting school funding and programs like Headstart show that we''ve given up on helping children to learn that respect. Thanks for listening to me but please try again to see the diversity in gun ownership. Gail
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by cheme2-2009 June 29, 2008 11:53 AM PDT
Nancy Giles editorial touched a raw nerve. The first piece on the Supreme Court decision was balanced, however, the editorial was narrow minded and seems to be the opinion of CBS. If 73% of the people agree that the 2nd amendment is a right, then how can you advocate a either a retriction or hardship on those people by taxing ammunition (bullets) like the State of California is trying now. I have decided this morning that I will upgrade my NRA membership to life status
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by farmboy1963 June 29, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
I strongly agree with many of the comments when they say Nancy should get her facts straight. Look what happened in Australia when citizens turned in their guns, violent crime doubled and tripled. And as far as why do people hunt when they can buy it already wrapped, first wild game is healthy for you , no growth hormones, low cholesterol, low fat. It is relaxing being out in nature, matching wit,s with wild game. It''s not about killing something, it''s about being a sportsman and conservationist, keeping game population''s under control. And not all of us have high paying job''s to just go buy everything in the store, it''s an inexpensive way to feed a family. An armed citizen is less likly to be just a victim. And one final thought statistics show that doctors kill far more people each year then gun''s, maybe we should ban doctor''s
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by oneamerican1 June 29, 2008 12:00 PM PDT
Why would a program that is supposed to be news related lend credence to such an unfounded, biased and frankly embarrassing display of misguided emotion.

Nancy states that putting on a costume gun altered her perception and attitude. The implication is that she felt empowered and somehow dangerous? Are we to assume that an intelligent, educated person can be transformed into a deviant personality by touching an inanimate object? How sad to see that presented on a national program!

I''ve raised two girls that never played with guns because they were taught at an early age that guns weren''t toys, cruelty to animals was unacceptable, and respecting other human beings was important. They are adults now They relate normally to others, still handle firearms safely and have showed no signs of this insidious transformation that Nancy claims to have experienced. Makes me wonder what Nancy feels behind the wheel of a car, an even bigger piece of steel, associated with far more deaths than guns.
Sorry, Nancy.. I''ll never again hear you name or see your face that I won''t doubt the credibility of your opinion... and the credibility of CBS as well, for allowing you to imply that the human race is destined to exhibit malevolent behavior. The answer is not expensive bullets that criminals would no doubt steal or the emotional ranting of self proclaimed experts. The answer is education.
Reply to this comment
by oneamerican1 June 29, 2008 12:05 PM PDT
Why would a program that is supposed to be news related lend credence to such an unfounded, biased and frankly embarrassing display of misguided emotion.

Nancy states that putting on a costume gun altered her perception and attitude. The implication is that she felt empowered and somehow dangerous? Are we to assume that an intelligent, educated person can be transformed into a deviant personality by touching an inanimate object? How sad to see that presented on a national program!

I''ve raised two girls that never played with guns because they were taught at an early age that guns weren''t toys, cruelty to animals was unacceptable, and respecting other human beings was important. They are adults now. They relate normally to others, still handle firearms safely and have showed no signs of this insidious transformation that Nancy claims to have experienced. Makes me wonder what Nancy feels behind the wheel of a car, an even bigger piece of steel, associated with far more deaths than guns.
Sorry, Nancy.. I''ll never again hear you name or see your face that I won''t doubt the credibility of your opinion... and the credibility of CBS as well, for allowing you to imply that the human race is destined to exhibit malevolent behavior. The answer is not expensive bullets that criminals would no doubt steal or the emotional ranting of self proclaimed experts. The answer is education.
Reply to this comment
by nelsonmv June 29, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
Nancy Giles is out of touch with the rural traditions of this country and more importantly for someone posing as a journalist, not apparently interested.
My guess is Ms Giles gets around by taxi and lives in a building that provides excellent security. She shops shops in a specialty market.
Of course she does not understand why anyone would want to own a gun or hunt.
My 17-year-old daughter was sitting on the couch reading a book as I watched television. She is a strict vegan and an average kid who has grown up in a fairly liberal community.
My daughter will not eat commercial meat but does eat venison. She knows I respect the sport of hunting and take care with the animals I kill.
%u201CDad,%u201D she asked me, %u201Chas that woman ever seen how animals are treated in a slaughterhouse? Does she know anything about how the meat is handled?%u201D
I told my daughter that what she had heard fairly typical stuff. In truth Ms. Giles offered nothing original to think about.
I am the managing editor of a weekly newspaper in a small New England island community. I never shot a gun or hunted until I was past forty.
I am now an avid deer and duck hunter. I regularly shoot skeet at a rod and gun club with a membership that includes carpenters and venture capitalists.
I was a city kid who came to appreciate the wonderful and rich hunting traditions of my community. The opportunity to sit down with my family and enjoy a dinner I provide is something we value.

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by nelsonmv June 29, 2008 12:18 PM PDT
Nancy Giles is out of touch with the rural traditions of this country and more importantly for someone posing as a journalist, not apparently interested. My guess is Ms Giles gets around by taxi and lives in a building that provides excellent security. She shops shops in a specialty market.Of course she does not understand why anyone would want to own a gun or hunt. My 17-year-old daughter was sitting on the couch reading a book as I watched this morning''s show. She is a strict vegan and an average kid who has grown up in a fairly liberal community.
My daughter will not eat commercial meat but does eat venison. She knows I respect the sport of hunting and take care with the animals I kill.
%u201CDad,%u201D she asked me, %u201Chas that woman ever seen how animals are treated in a slaughterhouse? Does she know anything about how the meat is handled?%u201D
I told my daughter that what she had heard fairly typical stuff. She asked me to write. In truth Ms. Giles offered nothing original to think about. I am the managing editor of a weekly newspaper in a small New England island community. I never shot a gun or hunted until I was past forty. I am now an avid deer and duck hunter. I regularly shoot skeet at a rod and gun club with a membership that includes carpenters and venture capitalists. I was a city kid who came to appreciate the wonderful and rich hunting traditions of my community. The opportunity to sit down and enjoy a dinner I provided is something my family values.

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