We must also understand that having or owning a gun isn't always irrational. Personally I enjoy going to the range and shoot pistols and revolvers for fun - it can be a good hobby. Also, some people actually need guns to keep them safe. I've read that some of the areas where private ownership of guns is most popular are rural areas With little police presens that are realatively close to urban areas with a lot of crime. Then again, there are real reasons for hunting whale too.
I don't think gun ownership is the major problem, as Canada. I think also
Has a large amount of guns in private hands. There has to be something
about the way a people/community/population feel. America seems to be
Constantly told they are " Under attack", hence the feeling that people need
Firepower to protect themselves.
It's not an easy question and I ain't smart enough to come up with an answer,
It's just so terrible to keep hearing of these vile attacks more and more often.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Norwegians have many guns too, but the great majority are hunting rifles and shotguns. Perhaps a lot can be explained by the media? I remember Michael Moore's documentary "Bowling for Colombine". When he went to Canada he noticed how different the news was from the US. It wasn't mainly about gangsters in the ghettos, drive-by shootings and murders, but balancing the Budget, School politics etc. Because of this many Americans believe crime is going up, but in reality crime rates have been going down for years. So they buy more guns.
I think in some ways ( could be wrong here as I don't live in the US) from
where I stand. America has entered the 1984 mind set. Always on a war
Footing. Making it easy for governments to bring in any draconian laws
They want ( as it's needed for " Security") with no amount of legally held
Firearms being able to stop it.
For instance many say the " Patriot act" stripped so many rights from US
citizens,giving the government so many ways of checking in to all aspects
Of peoples lives. New laws to imprison, hold and convict people.
Maybe I'm an old " Conspiracy nut" but I think the military coup has already
Happened in America. While the population was fighting to keep the gun laws,
The people behind the scenes were, stripping them of their rights and privileges.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
While 'military coup' is the wrong term, I've been thinking the same thing. All those guns didn't help at all against the Patriot Act. If the people keep a sharp eye on the news and vote accordingly, there is no need for guns to keep them free.
the problem is how the guns are handled: we had learnt about it in school,and the accidental deaths of all those children are horrible!
I seem to remember (it was along time ago) we was told ,during our officer safety training ,that more U.S police officers had been shot and injured on duty ,by their own ,and their colleagues ,mis handling of weapons, than any other incidents involving guns .
if I have totally mis remebered this ,please accept my most humble apologise.
From listening to some of the latest news on the American Republican
Contest to find a Presidential candidate. I can't help but think that Donald
Trump is having a midlife crisis of some sort.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
It seems like many Americans, and especially Republicans, seem to value entertainment value and an uncompromising attitude very highly in candidates. Political experience and willingnes for bipartisan compromise seems to be seen as negatives. it must be said that Obama also has a "superstar" quality and had little political experience when he became president, so it's not unique to the GOP. When Trump stepped into the political scene I gave him no chance, but now I'm not so sure. He does seem like a dream oponent for Hillary Clinton, since it must be real easy to look unifying and "stateswomanlike" next to him. Of cource, to many Republicans Hillary is extremely unpopular and will rally voters to any candidate they will chose.
It's not like Trump is the only extreme candidate among the Republicans. Ben Carson (speak softly, say outragous things ....) and Ted Cruz are also far to the right.
I'll say this for American elections: they are facinating!
I like the system the parties chose their presidential candidates by. The candidates must visit states, meet voters and face elections again and again. Not only is it entertaining. It's open, it engages the public and tests the candidates. if they can't handle this, they probably shouldn't be presidents anyway. In Europe presidential or prime minister candidates are found in the back rooms of the political parties and then they "emerge" as candidates. The American system seems better in many ways, but it does have an Achilles heel in the enormous amount of money needed to get elected.
I remember reading ( sadly, I can't remember the source ) that the founding
Father's. Didn't want professional politicians, but rather shopkeepers, doctors
etc. Who'd do a few years, then leave to go back to their businesses.
Although I too like the American system, as a candidate has to bring all sides
Of their parties together, but the thing I always thought odd. Is you vote for the
President, and he then chooses all other members of his cabinet. Whereas in the
UK you vote for the party, and the cabinet is full of elected politicians.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Here in Norway prime minsters chose their ministers. Most ministers have political experience, but usually one or two ministers have a different background (unions, business, education etc). Clearly there are US Republicans who want a president from outside politics, such as Trump, Carson and Fiorina. While the idea sound appealing, I think it's a bad idea. A president has a much better chance getting his politics through in Congress if he knows how to play the game. I think Obama would have done better if he had more political experience before he ran for president.
I have many American Democrat friends who tell me there are many Americans even within the Democrat party who don't particularly like Hillary Clinton. They tell me that many people find her arrogant, condescending and have genuine concerns about both Benghazi and the email business but won't say so out-loud for fear of looking like the loonies who are speaking very loudly about both issues. If the Republicans had one decent, intelligent and sensible presidential candidate, they really could win next year's election as the middle ground is still up for grabs. However, neither Trump or Cruz can beat her or any other Democrat so in a way, if the Republicans choose Trump or Cruz, they're throwing away the election.
I too would like to have seen more strong Democrat candidates, and especially someone less controversial than Hillary. I also agree that the Republicans will probably destroy their chances if they nominate a right-wing candidate. The worst case scenario for the GOP would be if Cruz or Carson wins the Republican nomination and Trump decides to really run as an independent.
Comments
Has a large amount of guns in private hands. There has to be something
about the way a people/community/population feel. America seems to be
Constantly told they are " Under attack", hence the feeling that people need
Firepower to protect themselves.
It's not an easy question and I ain't smart enough to come up with an answer,
It's just so terrible to keep hearing of these vile attacks more and more often.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Violent_crime_rates_by_gender_1973-2003.jpg
where I stand. America has entered the 1984 mind set. Always on a war
Footing. Making it easy for governments to bring in any draconian laws
They want ( as it's needed for " Security") with no amount of legally held
Firearms being able to stop it.
For instance many say the " Patriot act" stripped so many rights from US
citizens,giving the government so many ways of checking in to all aspects
Of peoples lives. New laws to imprison, hold and convict people.
Maybe I'm an old " Conspiracy nut" but I think the military coup has already
Happened in America. While the population was fighting to keep the gun laws,
The people behind the scenes were, stripping them of their rights and privileges.
I seem to remember (it was along time ago) we was told ,during our officer safety training ,that more U.S police officers had been shot and injured on duty ,by their own ,and their colleagues ,mis handling of weapons, than any other incidents involving guns .
if I have totally mis remebered this ,please accept my most humble apologise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93N183dPJiE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqAI-LDRscE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiFrDnLPJ-k
Ghostbusters , NOES and TMNT......a very nice haul from LFCC this summer
Contest to find a Presidential candidate. I can't help but think that Donald
Trump is having a midlife crisis of some sort.
It's not like Trump is the only extreme candidate among the Republicans. Ben Carson (speak softly, say outragous things ....) and Ted Cruz are also far to the right.
I'll say this for American elections: they are facinating!
Father's. Didn't want professional politicians, but rather shopkeepers, doctors
etc. Who'd do a few years, then leave to go back to their businesses.
Although I too like the American system, as a candidate has to bring all sides
Of their parties together, but the thing I always thought odd. Is you vote for the
President, and he then chooses all other members of his cabinet. Whereas in the
UK you vote for the party, and the cabinet is full of elected politicians.
Yes! The USS Zumwalt is commanded by captain James A. Kirk -{
USS Kumquat !
BTW, William Shatner has sendt the crew a message.