As many of us know, the petition page on the White House website has become a very popular way for Americans to voice their opinions. A hot topic being discussed on this petition page is one that calls for the deportation of Piers Morgan, a popular television personality. After the shooting in Newtown Morgan hosted Larry Pratt, the executive director of the Gun Owners of America, to discuss what should be done to prevent shootings like this from happening again. When Mr. Pratt suggested that more guns were the answer, Morgan went on to call him an “unbelievably stupid man”. The video of the debate can be found here.
Following Morgan’s rather inappropriate and childish comments, a petition went up on the White House website that requests the deportation of the British television host. Many were outraged after his comments to Mr. Pratt, but most were angry that a man who was not born in America, had the gall to say the 2nd amendment does not really apply any more. But now, Piers Morgan is firing back and wants Americans to know that we are too obsessed with our guns and this has become a reason for these shootings. In an article that he has written in an effort to defend himself, he said:
The concerted effort to get me thrown out of the country – which has so far gathered more than 90,000 signatures – struck me as rather ironic, given that by expressing my opinion I was merely exercising my rights, as a legal US resident, under the 1st Amendment, which protects free speech.
But no matter.
This gun debate is an ongoing war of verbal attrition in America – and I’m just the latest target, the advantage to the gun lobbyists being that I’m British, a breed of human being who burned down the White House in 1814 and had to be forcefully deported en masse, as no American will ever be allowed to forget – Special Relationship notwithstanding.
It’s no exaggeration to say that America’s unique fondness for guns pretty much got cemented by hatred of us Brits and the War of Independence. But the main reason the more fervent gun-rights activists give is a fear of their own US federal government using its army to impinge on their freedom. The problem is that America’s historical love of guns means the country is now awash with them – and with gun death.
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The NRA targets pro-gun-control politicians on every rung of the political system and spends a fortune ensuring they either don’t get elected or get unelected. It’s been a concerted, ruthless and highly successful campaign. And to those, like me, who stand up to them, they sneer: ‘You don’t know anything about guns. Keep quiet.’
As a conclusion Mr. Morgan wrote, “Although I love the country as a second home and one that has treated me incredibly well, I would, as a concerned parent first – and latterly, of a one-year-old daughter who may attend an American elementary school like Sandy Hook in three years’ time – seriously consider deporting myself.”
Well Mr. Morgan, here’s what seems to be most true of anything: just because we disagree does not mean we are wrong. You call for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, yet you don’t seem to see that pistols and other weapons still exist. Does that mean that shootings done with pistols are okay in your book? Banning certain types of guns and ammunition is not the answer here. You have completely forgotten about the mental health issue here that is blatantly obvious. Is this too much of a taboo topic for you, even though you are willing to call a man an idiot on live television? If you listen to experts on the subject, it is clear that banning guns are not going to prevent these types of shootings from happening again.
Although I don’t believe Mr. Morgan deserves deportation for his opinions on gun issues, I think it is high time he realizes that the platform he has should not go unappreciated. His harsh words and alienating opinions have hurt and insulted many people across this country and he needs to realize that his opinion is not necessarily the right opinion. If you choose to deport yourself Mr. Morgan, have a safe flight! But if you decide to stay, let’s make sure you have a little more respect for your guests with varying opinions on hot button issues.
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