[TheForge] O/T Survivor

[Andy Vida]

Gladish Family wrote:

> I understand that, and I know D. was referring to something else.
> The thread that I hoped was obvious was that, though "normal criminals" may
> fear the armed citizen, the presence of armed good guys in no way guarantees
> peace, here or abroad.

	I don't recall anyone saying that it would.  There are no
	guarantees of anything in this life except eventual death.

> Part of our problem right now is that we have a good
> man in the White house who loves simple solutions and
> generalities- can be a problem in today's world...

	I'm not convinced he is good.  He smacks of being a lapdog.
	The problem with US foreign relations has always been the
	habit of simplistic solutions and unmitigated arrogance.
	It started no later than at the outbreak of the civil war,
	through forcing our way into Japan in 1868, Span.-Amer war,
	WWI/II, Korea, Viet Nam... and now Iraq.  American hubris
	may see us to a bad end yet.  We dont' have all the answers
	nor do we have the market cornered on "right", yet our 
	domestic law and foreign would say otherwise.  New law was
	just passed that would allow US attorneys general to prosecute
	the so-called "sex tourists" for the acts they commit in
	other nations, even if those acts are legal in those places.
	That is the height of hubris.  What next?  Prison if I go to
	Holland and smoke a little skag?  The USA needs to get its
	nose out of the world's anus.

> This from someone who has written publicly for fifteen years in support of
> legal carry, so don't worry- I want y'all to hang onto your guns :-)

	The problem is one of determining who can and who cannot carry.
	Who establishes the standard?  Who enforces it?  My stnadard is
	if you are not locked up in a nuthouse or a prison, you have an
	unabridgeable right to carry whatever arms you damn please.  If
	you abuse that right, then you should face the consequences, but
	prior restraint is one of the most hideously repugnant practices
	that I can imagine.  That's like arresting a person for a crime
	they have not yet committed.

> Some people fear armed Americans, some (including some Americans) do not.

	Nothing gives me the warm and fuzzies like hanging out in a place
	where everyone is carrying a gun.  Shooting events... Phoenix...
	all good.