From the Editor

Writing an editorial is not easy, although I’ll wager that some folks would say, “Well, why not? All you have to do is give your opinion and that seems simple enough.” True, opinions are easy to have and even easier to give out. However, there’s also the old maxim that states, “Free advice is worth what you pay for it.”

We’ve never shied away from stating our political opinions in the News, because I’m not one to write a milquetoast commentary masquerading as a serious opinion. Sheryll sometimes cringes when she reads my editorials saying, “People don’t want to hear about politics in a firearms magazine.” We have agreed to disagree on that one, because I say of all the pastimes one can engage in, owning firearms (whether for collecting, sport or self-defense) most certainly has a political component. This exists solely because of those who try to restrict the ownership, enjoyment and use of those same firearms. Gun enthusiasts are for the most part very political, for the obvious aforementioned reason.

Which brings us to this election cycle, which is shaping up to be one of the most contentious, ever. As I write this, I’m not even sure who the two candidates will be. If you are a single-issue voter, like myself, the choice of sides is pretty clear, even if the candidates who will represent those sides is not. No matter what the outcome, this election is going to be one for the history books.

I started to wonder, then, what other presidential elections rose to our present state of fractiousness? After some research, most authorities seemed to agree there were roughly 11 elections where tempers flared, insults were hurled and accusations of fraud and law breaking were rampant. Sound familiar?

The elections of Jefferson, Adams, Lincoln and Wilson, to just name a few, were all tainted with accusations of impropriety, deal making, vote tampering and outright dishonest behavior on both sides of the political aisle. This is not mentioned to provide an excuse for such behavior but merely to show that this current election isn’t the first time Americans have witnessed wild political drama. I reckon one could expect such drama from a nation founded on a Declaration of Independence and a subsequent revolution. The point is, American politics have never been for the fainthearted and this election is surely an example of that.

Unlike in earlier times, we are now constantly bombarded with the latest “news” and I can certainly agree this becomes tiresome after a while. One thing is important to remember, and that is we are sitting in the front row seats to that movie called “History”. There will be any number of books written dissecting and analyzing this election; it will be studied by academics, pontificated upon by future politicians, and used as either a bad or good example of our political process for generations to come. In many ways, we are lucky to be witness to what is happening, without having to rely upon the interpretations of future historians. We are taking part in what will surely be one of the most important elections held in the United States.

There is only one serious mistake that can be made and that is not to vote. Regardless of your political affiliation or inclination, not voting is the only bad choice any citizen can make. There are too many people, in too many countries that would risk life and limb to be able to freely cast a vote in an election. Not voting, in my opinion, is the height of individual arrogance and irresponsibility.

We owe our Republic at least the small personal investment of casting a vote in every election – but most importantly – in this one. S

– Gut Ziel