I download a lot of podcasts from NPR since I find myself either driving to Madison, WI most weekends or find myself commuting on the train heading into Chicago daily. My favorites are the "Planet Money" and "This American Life" series. While driving back from Madison last night, I was amazed when this week's "This American Life" turned out to be about guns and their implications in America. I started listening closely as ira Glass announced that Dr. Gratia-Hupp was basically going to represent "our side". She is always a very compelling speaker who presents our case eloquently and respectfully.

The vignettes that are part of the show were actually fairly interesting to listen to, though I'm sure a lot of pro-gun people will write it off as jibber-jabber. That, particularly disturbs me - sometimes we seem so into our own culture that we forget that many people don't care one way or another about our particular "pet issue." Perhaps they're not paying attention, perhaps they're scared, perhaps they just never gave it any thought… I know I was like that a few short years ago. Whatever the case, shows like "This American Life", which present us as the intelligent people we are have a tendency to re-frame the debate, presenting the truth that the 2nd Amendment Right applies to all citizens, whether they choose to exercise that right or not, and makes it easier for us to try to engage them.

I'd urge you to download the audio and give it a listen.