Text 15309, 119 rader
Skriven 2008-05-13 21:54:44 av Jeff Smith (1:14/5)
  Kommentar till text 15229 av Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
Ärende: Guns
============
Hello Michiel.

13 May 08 10:56, you wrote to me:

 MV> Hello Jeff,

 MV> On Sunday May 11 2008 02:25, you wrote to me:

 JS>>>>      On this subject most everything contrary to your opinion
 JS>>>> is an excuse.

 MV>>> Adicts are good at coming up with excuses.

 JS>>      Is that your excuse?

 MV>>>  Your country is addicted to guns.

 JS>>       Not addicted Michiel.

 MV> It shows all the signs of an addiction.

 JS>> The thing that you either are unwilling or unable to grasp is
 JS>> that other countries and cultures look at things differantly than
 JS>> you do. That doesn't make their view wrong or right just
 JS>> differant.

 MV> So the fact that in Iran homosexuals are executed is not wrong, merely
 MV> a difference of culture?

        From yours, mine, or an Iranian's perspective? I will not speak for
you but I would disagree with the execution or even inprisonment of someone
based on their sexual orientation. The fact that in Iran one can be executed
for being gay demonstrates how other cultures look at things differantly. We
are all free to judge them right or wrong based on our own values and morals.
The same way you choose to judge Americans based on your view of what is
right.

 MV> The fact that in Iraq the people who opposed Saddam were executed was
 MV> not wrong but merely a difference in culture?

     Culture had little to do with the Iraq situation. Hussain dictated who
would die and for what if anything. All it took was for Hussain or one of his
sons or henchmen to think that someone didn't agree. Result was either or
torture. Probably both.


 JS>>  I may or may agree with the way that the Dutch do things. But
 JS>> hey, if their way works for them then who am I to complain?

 MV> Then why did Menno Blom become the subject of a sting operation?

    I don't think Blom was saught after as a criminal. The US LEA setup
a sting. Had an LEO pose as a minor child on the internet. Blom made
contact with "Her" and was looking to have sex with "Her".

 MV>  He did nothing that did not work for us...

      I'm not sure I understand.

 JS>>       Here guns have been a part of our culture since day one.

 MV> Slavery was part of your culture for a long time as well. Are you
 MV> saying there was nothing wrong with slavery?

     Umm.. My mouth is getting rather full with all of the words you
are trying put in there.

    Slavery was used by the south or confederate states as the primary labor
force prior to revolution. Slavery was an important part of the
southern economy.  The north being more industrialized didn't a need or
a desire of a slave labor force. Sadly descrimination from those days
still exists today.


 JS>>  Their ownership and possesion by Americans are protected. That
 JS>> has been the way is has been and will be for the forseeable
 JS>> future.

 MV> That is probably what the slave owners said when slavery was still
 MV> part of the American culture.

     I imagine so. The differance being that with slaves we are talking
people. Not a thing such as a gun. Need I elaborate?

 MV>>> Hand guns are designed for use against humans. It does not
 MV>>> take an engineering degree to see that.

 JS>>     The point is what they can be used for Michiel.

 MV> No, the point is what they are designed for. That they were designed
 MV> for use against humans is the reason for their existence.

     That's YOUR point Michiel. Others are free to look at it differantly.
Guns can be used for several things. Some use them to kill people. Some
use them to hunt food. Some choose to collect them. In all the years that
I have had guns. I have yet to use one for the only purpose that you insist
a gun has. I have never used a gun against another person. Your insistance
that a gun only has one purpose isn't supported by all of those that use
them for other things.

 MV> Anything else they can be used for is much better done with a tool
 MV> designed for the purpose. Yes, a had gun can be used as a hammer. But
 MV> a real hammer does the job better. Someone who claims he has the gun
 MV> for use as a hammer is using an excuse. If his only need was hitting
 MV> nails, he would buy a real hammer. Cheaper, safer and better for the
 MV> job.

     I have a 22 caliber hammer. It's suggested purpose is to drive nails.
Mostly into concrete.

 MV> Cheers, Michiel

 MV> --- GoldED+/W32-MINGW 1.1.5-b20070503
 MV>  * Origin: http://www.vlist.org (2:280/5555)

Jeff

--- GoldED+/W32-MINGW 1.1.5-b20070503
 * Origin: Twin_Cities_Metronet - region14.us (1:14/5)