Political Ramblings

[duckinnut]

Coin or not after reading that, I have to go puke now....

Make sure you get it all in the bowl and don't forget to flush because I will be in right after you.

 

[bakerjw]

You're probably right, newfoundland.

The most disturbing thing about this debate here and on CNN is the apparent lack of compassion amongst the no-law brigade for those young children and their families. It's very sad that people live in such a hardened and insensitive culture and don't seem to want it to change. There's been much written about the right to carry guns but nothing about the right of people to go about their lives free from the fear of being caught up in a shooting incident.

Perhaps the change towards something we take for granted is too much to expect.

TT, so if we're against additional gun laws, I assume that would be the no-law brigade, then we lack compassion? That's not a generalization that I'd expect you to make.

We all agree that people should have the right to go about their lives without getting shot. But we also don't live in a perfect world and as such it is a given that the laws don't matter to criminals. I used to like to go to Chicago to walk the "Miracle Mile" along the Chicago river in downtown. They advise people to stay away from there because of the flash mobs and robberies that regularly occur there. Chicago has a complete ban on handguns but the criminals still use them. You can't have a stricter ban than that. There are also some areas in my state where I could make a wrong turn and be considered prey by certain elements of our society. I will not willingly allow myself to become a victim. I was recently in Baltimore and was warned about straying away from the waterfront because of dangerous neighborhoods. Again, the problem isn't with the law abiding.

What many of us 2nd amendment supporters are against is that ts that they go right after diminishing our rights without directly addressing problems. My take is that if you use a gun in a crime, then you go to jail for life with no parole. If it's a work camp out in the desert, then too bad. The background check system that we use here also needs to be vastly improved. There are a lot of holes in it right now. I also don't have a problem with background checks for all transfers if they allow individuals to use a form 4473 and the NICS system.If I want to give one of my sons one of my guns, I shouldn't have to go find a dealer and pay them to process the transaction.

And if it seems like we have a hardened and insensitive culture it is because it is constantly under attack. We've gone around and around on the reasons for our second amendment many times and no ones opinions are going to be changed, but all one needs to do is look at history to see what people with power have done to people without a means of defense.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2088656699001/gun-owners-outed-by-newspaper-speak-out/?playlist_id=86924

 

[kevs-chickadees]

The President talked about the debt ceiling again today. Did anyone else see it ? What did you think of what he said ?

I heard very little and it was mostly just the broadcast repeating something like ..... just because we raise the ceiling doesn't mean we are going to spend more...

I feel much better and reaffirmed in our current administration. Is there a line for this bowl we're chucking in?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Is there a line for this bowl we're chucking in?

Nope, all yours. Just dont play with the 3 sea shells.. That would be bad..

 

[KrisH]

I'm beginning think that, of all the issues being addressed, the fundamental one that might most easily be agreed upon, the one to start with, is access to guns. You might add knives to that but everyone need a knife.

The recent massacres, like the ones in the UK, happened because people who should not have guns managed to own or acquire guns in one way or another. The issue doesn't stop with those who have personality disorders. There's a case for teaching teenagers to use guns in a controlled environment but should a 19 year old have a shotgun at home that his young brother can get hold of and take to school? Should a mother have guns at home where her not quite normal son lives? Should someone own a type of gun that he has no legitimate need to possess?

I don't know the detail of US licence laws and they seem to vary greatly from State to State. That might suggest that laws on the subject should be set at Federal level with account taken of local needs. That would enable the whole nation to benefit from background checks, regulations for private sales, minimum ages, a psychological assessment, questions about the purpose to which a gun would be put, checks on storage, registration and, perhaps, other measures. Something along those lines might bring about some agreement between the various representative bodies because they all seem to accept that it's people as well as guns that are the problem.

Thiland is one of the more violent places according to nationmaster website. How do you see that country from living there?
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_gun_vio_hom_hom_wit_fir-crime-gun-violence-homicides-firearms

do you feel safe and how is Thiland addressing this problem?

RobertH

 

[hemet dennis]

Quote:
He's buying himself a gun.

 

[KrisH]

Is comparing today's needs with those in the 1700s more relevant than attempting to learn from what is happening elsewhere in the world today? Other countries have or have had similar problems to the ones you have in the US and it's worth comparing if you have an open mind.

In most of the gun ban countries that people want to compare us to Total crime and violent crime rates are generally higher
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri_vic-crime-total-victims

in the us violent crime rates are in the 460/100,000 range and in the UK it is in the 2,000/100,000 range which inclused murders, rapes roberies etc

more people are killed with hammers bats etc than with any rifle, let alone semi-automatics. more are killed by hands and feet. more drunk drivers. more children die in swimming pools than by so-called "gun violence" it's a violence issue, not a gun issue. the gun is merely an effective tool.

RobertH

 

[appps]

In most of the gun ban countries that people want to compare us to Total crime and violent crime rates are generally higher
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri_vic-crime-total-victims

in the us violent crime rates are in the 460/100,000 range and in the UK it is in the 2,000/100,000 range which inclused murders, rapes roberies etc

more people are killed with hammers bats etc than with any rifle, let alone semi-automatics.  more are killed by hands and feet.  more drunk drivers.  more children die in swimming pools than by so-called "gun violence"  it's a violence issue, not a gun issue.  the gun is merely an effective tool.

RobertH

How about Australia?
Apparently The US gun related death rate is six times higher than Australia with our current gun laws.

From following article.
http://m.canberratimes.com.au/opini...g-over-gun-laws-in-the-us-20121228-2bz0a.html

 

[thaiturkey]

Thiland is one of the more violent places according to nationmaster website. How do you see that country from living there?
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_gun_vio_hom_hom_wit_fir-crime-gun-violence-homicides-firearms

do you feel safe and how is Thiland addressing this problem?

RobertH

I think you mean 'Thailand'.

There is a problem in resorts such as Phuket and a proportion is caused by foreigners to the country. They are also often the victims. I have neither witnessed violence nor been the subject of it. However, if you read some of my other recent posts, you will see that we have a hand gun for home defence and may well buy a gun with a longer range. We are beefing up our home defences within the law and the bounds of reason. The most likely targets on our property will be dogs but you never know what other detritus might cross the boundaries.

I see the country as safe unless you want to wander around a resort town in the middle of the night ratted as a skunk. That behaviour says, 'Please mug me and take my cash and valuables'.

It's unlikely that the guns laws will be changed here. The issue, I think, is with enforcement and lenient sentences.

Thai nationals would probably agree that students are safe at school, college and university and its safe to visit a cinema, shopping mall and McDonalds (remember that one in the late '80's - California, I think). Self defence at home is the only concern to some people and of no concern to most. Burglaries have become seemingly more frequent and I anticipate the possibility that the trend will continue. I plan to be better protected one way or another than our neighbours.

Thank you for your interest and concern.