Geoff Metcalf 
March 4, 1998 
 

I've got a problem with single issue/two dimensional folks.  Notwithstanding their good intentions and tenacity, far too many good people are getting wrapped around single issue axles, and they don't recognize that their very single- 
mindedness is their own tragic flaw. 

I see it daily in the conduct of my radio talk show and in my regular visits to the bill mill in Sacramento.  Whether it is the radio listener who, although they appreciate my giving time to issues not covered elsewhere, want me to spend more time on their pet issue, or the activist who becomes obsessed with one particular piece of legislation.  Folks can't distinguish the forest from the trees. 

There are over twenty thousand grass roots organizations which categorize themselves as being Constitutional Conservatives.  They represent over forty million Americans.  That is a fairly significant voting block.  However, regrettably, they are so busy fighting amongst themselves and defending their tiny pieces of turf, that frankly, they unintentionally aid the liberal purveyors of collectivism. 

I have taken a lot of  heat over suggesting that it important to support Dan Lungren for Governor.  Dan Lungren is anti-gun.  Dan Lungren is arrogant.  Dan Lungren sponsored asset forfeiture legislation.  I am told by many single issue conservative friends that Dan Lungren is bad. If Geoff Metcalf is telling people to vote for Lungren, then Geoff is a hypocrite, and doesn't really mean what he says about supporting the Constitution.  BULLFEATHERS!  I'm a realist. 

I have been, am, and will continue to be a strong supporter of the second amendment. Frankly, anyone who embraces the form and substance of the constitution should be a defender of the second amendment.  Regardless of whether you own a gun, defense of the second amendment is crucial for a wide variety of reasons.  However, the most simple and real reason is this:  if you permit the second amendment to be assailed, then the entire Bill of Rights is up for grabs.  If you permit the hypocritical Don Peratas of the world to undermine the foundation of the republic, you are opening the door for future abuses of power.  Maybe the fifth amendment should be eliminated to make prosecutors jobs easier?  Certainly the first amendment is an abused right that gives license to those mean-spirited critics of our country's leadership. 

I am not going to restate my reasoning for urging folks to support Lungren.  However, I recently received an email taking me to task, and I want to share with you my "friend Ed's" comments and my response. 

He wrote "I think you are wrong about voting for Lungren."  BELIEVE ME, I wrote, you are NOT the Lone Ranger.  "Never vote for anyone who opposes the Constitution or Bill of Rights" he wrote.  I replied, "Re-read Sun Tzu "The Art of War".  We at least have a chance of effecting the strategy and tactics of this "bad general", and for a variety of complex reasons which mitigate the battlefield, we (the good guys) will have access and influence over what he does and does not do.  Conversely if YOU permit an "evil general" to conspire with an evil Senate leader AND an evil Assembly Speaker, you have surrendered terrain that cannot be recovered.  Your "principle" will destroy the state of California by handing it over to the liberal collectivists, and restore the democrats to power in Congress for a decade or more. 

He concluded by telling me to "Think about it." To which I responded, I have.  I suggest you do too.  TRY to separate yourself from the burning visceral revulsion, and analyze the RESULTS if Lungren is not Governor.  Vermont is looking better and better every day.................. 

Send your comments to Geoff Metcalf at metcalfksfo@earthlink.net