On Feb 3, 2009, at 5:55 PM, David P. Henderson wrote: > On 03 Feb 2009, at 13:59, Stefano Mori wrote: > >> Are you basically saying that you have guns because that's the >> culture >> and the meaning of freedom in America? Or something like that? >> >> "From my cold dead hands" ? >> > Yes, which is why Guns are such a touch stone issue along with > abortion, homosexuality and all the other culture war issues. > Additionally, I stating that crime/hunting or other excuses are just > that justifying examples to back up a belief.
I mostly agree. You know you've hit one of those touchstone issues when you realize that. Good people can think about the issue and end up on opposite sides. Abortion is the perfect example. Which ever way you look at it, the other side just can't believe you really feel that way. > I'm 41 and have lived > (or spent significant time) in large American cities, DC, NY and SF, > and medium cities Norfolk/Va Beach and Richmond, VA and now live in a > small city in the Central Valley of CA on the Urban/Suburban/Rural > interface. The need for a Gun as protection just isn't that great. > Unless you're engaging in high risk behavior or working/living in > violence prone areas, the Gun just isn't that necessary. One of the first things I tell students in the CCW course is that if you are headed into an area where you think you are going to need a firearm. Don't go there.. > I've never > felt the need for one, but I don't advocate restricting access to > guns of any sort, including so-called assault weapons, so long as the > owner/user is properly trained and licensed. Let me drift to an analogy. I've never needed a fire extinguisher and am not anticipating my house catching on fire either, but I keep one handy in my house. Like winning the lottery, I know that the odds of my house burning down tonight are vanishingly small. On the other hand, but the odds of someone's house burning tonight is almost 100%. Tonight just might be my night. I also know that even with my little fire extinguisher, there can be circumstances where it will not help or might make the fire worse. Of course I'd rather let the fire department deal with a fire and will dial 911 first, that's why I pay taxes and they are, in theory, professionals. Only a fool would would risk his life fighting a fire *if* the pros are available. But if I'm on my own, at least I have a fire fighting tool. I'd never risk my life fighting a fire unless there are special circumstances. Those being that I'm in immediate risk or my family is. People with no fire fighting tools have more limited options. They may not be able to save themselves or their loved ones and may have wait for the firemen If they are trapped by the fire. Imagine having to live with that. So, my question is. Do you own a fire extinguisher? if so, why, if not, why not. Wouldn't people think it silly to restrict access to them because we have firemen? > > > The problems in America are caused mainly by all the nannies and the > anti-nanny reactionaries; it sucks to be a pragmatist in the US. > I agree, a lot more noise than information seems to be the norm. It's really difficult to discuss any of these issues since the chasm is so wide. The damnable thing is that nanny and anti-nanny reactionary isn't limited by party, but by issue and both sides have their nanny components. That's why I usually think that the less they can intrude (either side) the happier I'll be. > Dave > -- > "A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his > aim." -- George Santayana Chuck ============== Thought for the day: Capitalization is important. It is the difference between Billy helped his uncle Jack off a horse and Bill helped his uncle jack off a horse. _______________________________________________ OSX-Nutters mailing list | [email protected] http://lists.tit-wank.com/mailman/listinfo/osx-nutters List hosted at http://cat5.org/
