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NBC sportscaster Bob Costas went on MSNBC last night to amplify on his remarks during the Eagles-Cowboys game on Sunday night. He denied using the words “gun control” and “Second Amendment” on the air saying that people had made an inference that he had.
In his discussion with Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC’s The Last Word, he then said with reference to the number of football players who own guns:
“Even if all those guns were obtained legally, you can’t have 65 guys in
their 20s and 30s, aggressive young men, subject to impulses without
something bad happening,” Costas insisted.
Sure you can, Bob.
Ever hear of an infantry platoon or a Marine company? You have upwards of 150 hard-charging, aggressive young men armed with fully-automatic carbines (plus grenades and other explosives) in their teens and 20s led by a young officer in his early to mid 20s. The “old man” in the platoon or company might be the platoon or company sergeant who is all of 30. If “something bad” happens, it is at the direction of the officers and NCOs and is directed towards the enemy.
You could argue the difference between a pro football team and a Marine infantry company is discipline. However, that would ignore the fact that it takes a certain level of self-discipline for both football players and Marines to succeed. Neither got there without it.
Given that Costas is reported to live in St. Louis – a free state, so to speak – it is a bit surprising that he still holds his antiquated views on guns and gun control. It is every bit as surprising as that at 60 years old, Costas has so little gray hair.
UPDATE: Robb Allen has a very interesting post on this same comment by Bob Costas. It is well worth reading.
I'm really could give a damn less what he says… He's an idjit…
Doesn't even have to be infantry. The rawest group of non-combat arms types in their first week of Basic Rifle Marksmanship have access to weapons and ammunition, and blood does not run red on the company street.
No, the difference between a pro football team and a Marine infantry company is that the Marines are held to standards and laws to not be knuckleheads with their weapons. They also risk losing "real" money (to them), their hard earned rank, and potentially their career, on top of any jail time they may incur from acting like said knucklehead. Most pro athletes do not share the same hardships whenever they act like a fool, whether with a weapon or without.
Costas does live in St. Louis area. Actually, he lives in Clayton near the Galleria mall. Very rich enclave and Bobby lives in a high rise condo. With security. and covered parking.
@Anon: Interesting. I've been to the Galleria once or twice. We tend to stick to South County because that is where the relatives are.
Whatever it may be, truth be told.
Given that Costas is reported to live in St. Louis – a free state, so to speak – it is a bit surprising that he still holds his antiquated views on guns and gun control.
Only very recently, though, and there are still plenty of problems:
All concealed carry was banned until we went shall issue in 2004, with an age threshold of 23 (a "compromise" I was told; it's now 21).
It's only very recently that we eliminated the "must get a permit to buy a handgun" (at retail?) KKK restriction, which I don't have explain to you since NC is still living with that, right?
Any sort of carriage of guns on buses is illegal.
Our Castle Doctrine has been judicially nullified (the Missouri Plan for judicial nominations is a very bad idea).
I think he lives in the most anti-gun jurisdiction of the state.