why the gun is civilization.

Originally posted by TheWalkingFox
Now, just so you understand, I'm not anti-gun. That, to me, would be like being anti-crowbar or anti-radio. It's an object with a use, nothing else. What drives me up the wall is the gun mythology, the sort of cult that has grown up around it, where the gun is inherently good, and the universe is defined into White hat "gun owners" and Black Hat "criminals" with absolutely zero overlap, where every victim deserved it, and just having a firearm around magically makes you safer. It's as ludicrous as the Brady Bunch mythology where guns are the ultimate embodiment of evil, and corrupt anyone who touches them.

That was beautifully said.

I'm a 'liberal', I'm a 'progressive', I'm a 'socialist', but I'm not anti-gun. I have to add that bad people looking to do bad things will do them irregardless of various hypothetical situations. Everyone carrying a gun around might make it seem safer but it will not eradicate crime or the willingness of criminals.

I feel less safe carrying a gun than I do without. The veiled threat of death could cause an 'up the ante' moment where extreme measures are required.

reply to post by links234

Everyone carrying a gun around might make it seem safer but it will not eradicate crime or the willingness of criminals.

What do you mean seem? Almost ALL data indicates it WOULD make it safer. Elimination of guns does NOT decrease crime. It decreases the ability to defend oneself though if you are the weaker of a confrontation.

Which of course is the basic tenet of the essay.

Originally posted by saltheart foamfollower

Human beings only have two ways to deal with one another: reason and force.

Counter point by my idol:

There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit.

In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.

- Napoleon Bonaparte

reply to post by kinda kurious


You do not happen to be a little short dude?

Bonaparte was one of the best general's in history. I like to quote sci fi movies myself.

The riddle of steel-

"Crom is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, 'What is the riddle of steel?' If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me." ~Conan the Barbarian

"There, on the rocks, that beautiful girl." He motions to the girl, "Come to me, my child." The girl steps off the cliff and falls to her death. "That is strength, boy. That is power: the strength and power of flesh. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength of your body, the desire in your heart. I give you this ...such a waste. Contemplate this on the tree of woe. Crucify him."

Originally posted by saltheart foamfollower
reply to post by kinda kurious

 

You do not happen to be a little short dude?

Not really. I'm 4' 17" Compact but too tall for Dwarf tossing though.


Did you realize Napoleon was 5'6"? Not that short actually. He was always surrounded by tall bodyguards. I did a thread about him eons ago. It bombed. Too many facts.

FUN WITH MYTHS

I love how some here will "walk" around with assumptions that carrying a gun gives you a power trip or what ever nonsense psychobabble is fitting. Carrying a gun is a responsibility and considering the way people treat all sorts of responsibilities, yea you will get some who go "gung-ho". The worst offenders are actually some who get into law-enforcement. My old room mate got the right to carry because he became a corrections officer. Once or twice I had to "check" him on the proper fire arms etiquette. Him going all armed and stupid cuz he heard a noise that was me getting up in the middle of the night to use to bathroom could have ended badly. All because he didn't use his best weapon.[For you slow folks I mean his brain] The purposeful ignorance that is fostered about guns is the biggest problem.

Originally posted by kinda kurious
I will counter your claim in a short sentence: "The pen is mightier than the sword."

An noble idea will always survive armed conflict which strives to silence disbelievers by force or execution.

An argument could be made that the 1st amendment has been responsible for killing more people than the 2nd.

/TOA