Four kids & mom of Catholic family die in a house fire.

[Jehanne]

[My appeal is not to logic per se, but one of statistics.  In other words, my argument is not deductive but statistical:

1)  Houses sometimes burn to the ground.

2)  Having smoke detectors on every floor is a good thing, in that it allows a family to escape a burning home sooner.

3)  Escaping a burning home sooner will save lives, especially, those of little children.

Conclusion:  Government programs that provide and install smoke alarms in homes of poor people who otherwise could not afford them is a good thing, as it will save lives.

Politicians who oppose such programs are stupid; ditto for people who vote and support such individuals.

Sure smoke detectors are a fine thing. Can't argue with that.  But that's not how you got all the push back in this thread.  You got it because you tied failure to install smoke detectors first to Catholicism and then to Paul Rand.

A lot of these people feel that they do not need health insurance, let alone "government mandated" healthcare.  A lot of them do not believe in government regulations, even those which save lives.  A lot of them do not wear seat belts, motor cycle helmets, or bicycle ones.  Most of them deny anthropocentric global warming just as they deny evolution and the efficacy of vaccines, which they see as government influence in their lives.

And, yes, conservative religion is very often tied into this.  If don't believe me, read their literature.  In fact, where these people live there are extremist Catholic groups:

https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map

---

Jehanne, the difference between us seems to be that I'm confortable waiting for that report you reference before assigning stupidity to someone on the basis of their religion.

When I read the story, they seemed like they fit the "mold," but, yes, let's wait and see.  If the home did not have smoke alarms, well, it just makes me sick to my stomach!  I pity those poor, little children!!