‘It’s time to grow up and figure this out’
Most television performers go out of their way not to touch America’s third-rail by sharing their political views, especially those who wish to maintain a broad audience. Even the king of late night, Johnny Carson, refused to discuss his personal political views on The Tonight Show. “I’m on TV five nights a week; I have nothing to gain by it and everything to lose,” he once said. But the gun violence problem in America has become so grim that silence only serves the status quo. That’s why Conan O’Brien should be praised for his brave, passionate remarks he made during his monologue last night.
“I am not a pundit, I am not an expert, and always made it a policy to stick to my job, and keep my opinions to myself. I have really tried very hard over the years not to bore you with what I think,” the late-night TBS host said. “However, I am the father of two, and I like to believe I have a shred of common sense and I simply do not understand why anybody in this country is allowed to purchase and own a semi-automatic assault rifle. It makes no sense to me.”
“These are weapons of war and they have no place in civilian life,” O’Brien said. “I have tried to understand this issue from every side and it all comes down to this: nobody I know or have met in my entire life should have access to a weapon that can kill so many people so quickly. These mass shootings are happening so often now that lamenting them afterwards is becoming a national ritual. I do not know the answer, but I wanted to take just a moment here tonight to agree with the rapidly growing sentiment in America that it’s time to grow up and figure this out.”
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