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Rick Perry Says Prayer, Not Gun Control, Will Keep American Children Safe From Violence (HuffPost)

Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas) has revealed his own plan for combating America's violence problem -- and it differs from President Barack Obama's on a key point. Specifically, the former presidential candidate said that instead of enacting tougher gun control legislation, Americans should simply pray for protections.

Obama unveiled new gun legislation Wednesday, recommending a host of Congressional measures supplemented by 23 executive actions to be carried out immediately.

The announcement, which may be the most sweeping effort to tighten laws in a generation, marked the culmination of a month-long review process led by Vice President Joe Biden.

In his own statement, Perry acknowledged the problem of violence in the U.S. but said enacting tougher gun laws was not the right way to solve it, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Perry said that there was "evil prowling" in the world that has appeared in television and movies, and then found its way into vulnerable minds.

"As a free people, let us choose what kind of people we will be. Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, will not suffice. Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help. Above all, let us pray for our children."

Perry also assailed the liberal media and politicians for attempting to use the Sandy Hook shooting for a political end "that would not have saved those children," according to the Chronicle.

Read the rest here.

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Wonderful. A government official who basically renounces the efficacy of government in favor of prayer to a supernatural being who is notoriously not in evidence, yet is supposed to cure ALL of our ills and bring some kind of golden age. The naivete, irresponsibility and idiotic presumption Rick Perry displays in this instance simply goes beyond the pale. I mean, why should we need a government at all? Just pray to Perry's god and we should all be good to go, right? That's worked fine in the past, hasn't it?

Oh, wait...

Tags: Rick Perry, gun control, prayer

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on January 17, 2013 at 4:08am

He left out executing retarded people who aren't capable of properly defending themselves. That's part of his plan, too.

Permalink Reply by James Kz on January 17, 2013 at 6:36am

He also left out that Kevlar jackets work better than prayer to deflect bullets.

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on January 17, 2013 at 6:38am

It's sort of like Neo. When you're ready, you won't have to dodge bullets.

Permalink Reply by Pat on January 17, 2013 at 7:03am

Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work. Then they get elected, and prove it.

Permalink Reply by Pamela Dale on January 21, 2013 at 1:32pm

What do you expect from and idiot.

Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on January 21, 2013 at 2:14pm

Not much else, sad to say.

Permalink Reply by Future on January 21, 2013 at 2:39pm

The guy couldn't even remember what offices of the federal government he would shut down if elected president, during a debate to be nominated to run for president - not exactly a gotcha question. Prayer obviously doesn't do much for him, why would it do anything for anyone else?

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on January 24, 2013 at 8:07am

that guy has a shoddy past bet. ever see him 'tag' his name signature? it's graffiti style. he's in porn inc. or something.. drugs.. the faith is cover. why lie? seen em' on harley? w/chick ugh hughh..
stop w/the faith spam; it's not fooling me!

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on January 24, 2013 at 8:26am

I dunno, man. Some of the worst, most "sinful" people are the most fervent believers. They go out and do horrible things (which most of us don't think are necessarily all that horrible), then pray for forgiveness from their invisible friend.

That's within their theology, since we're all wretched, fallen creatures. Plus, they keep "sinning", because they're relying on faith, rather than making use of a secular method which might actually help them break their addiction. It looks like hypocrisy, from an outside, sane perspective, but inside their little bubble, it just looks like a struggling sinner. Of course there are people who are hypocrites, but I think Perry is ignorant enough and gullible enough to truly believe.

Permalink Reply by Pat on January 24, 2013 at 8:29am

Reminds me of the joke by Emo Phillips.

I used to pray and pray to Jesus for a bicycle, but never got one. Then I figured out how it worked. I went out and stole one, then asked for forgiveness.

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on January 24, 2013 at 8:41am

Similarly, in general, it's easier to just do something and ask for forgiveness afterward, than it is to get permission beforehand.

Permalink Reply by Pamela Dale on January 24, 2013 at 9:12am

I saw him at Zanies, I knew he was funny but did not know he was truly wise.