miked10270

Because of Iran's intrinsic Ev-OIL-ness of course. Iran is not only "rich", it also occupies a strategic position between Iraq & Afghanistan and actually inspired Afghani resistance during the Soviet invasion. As the leading Islamic theocracy, it inspires far too many folk to be a "Clear and Present Danger"... Or, as the Brits would put it, "Somewhat Irritating"! Because of that, Iran is well overdue a return to rule by one of "Our" Useless Tosspots. Mike. Edited to draw attention to the subtle subliminal message in Paragraph #1 Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hmmm... Perhaps. But what I think the article misses is that India & China's economies are tied to serving the demands of North America & Europe. In effect these economies are being fed from the first-world fat. Can North America and Europe survive without offshore call centres, cheap clothing, textiles & consumer goods? I think the answer wold be a slightly uncomfortable Yes. Can India & China continue to thrive as they have without "First World" trade surpluses? I think that's a very definite No. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

On a purely statistical basis, I'd expect the US to have significantly more than 5 times the number of incidents compared to the UK. With 5 times the population, some 25 times the "newsworthy" incidents would be more expected. However, while such incidents in the UK tend to centre on blunt of bladed instruments, US incidents tend to centre on the more efficient "gun" with the attendant increased loss of life. It really comes down to what's easily available and the resultant effectiveness of use. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Isn't that just one more effect of Golbal-DIMMING... Which is what we should be worried about? Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi Randall, Please bear with me for a considered response to this. Every time I read the second sentence of this proposal I keep falling off my chair laughing! This is actually quite painful when it keeps happening! Is this really Illinois, AMERICA!!? If not, then please stop hurting me. If so, then do the proponents of this law have ANY concept of American culture and history? Do the proponents of this law have ANY concept of the present situation in America?.. Or do they REALLY believe that they're going to turn America into "Britain" with a bit of legal paper!!? Ludicrous. Mike. Edited to add: I was going to explain why this proposal would be unworkable in America and how it would harm the very people it was intended to protect... But I fell off my chair again thinking about the proposal! Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Apparently! The US has more good guys who own guns... But what is the incidence of carry? I believe that certainly in urban areas, carry is confined to the relatively small proportion of CCW Permit Holders who decide to carry on any given occasion. Just suppose for a moment that the proportion of Americans carrying guns actually tracked the number of Americans who voted in the last presidential elections. Both are universal (adult) rights in American law. In that case, one wonders if this incident would ever have occurred... Or would it have been so common that it wouldn't have made the news. In effect, is COMMON-Carry the answer to these periodic incidents which seem far more common in America where guns are simultaneously revered and despised?.. But commonly owned. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

I doubt that a law making it illegal for him to conceal his guns would have stopped him. ... fundamental right to be able to defend ones-self is a must. ....the right to be able to protect myself. Regardless of whether other people feel it is an effective means, it should still be my choice. So... Where does this touch on CONCEALED carry rather than the Right to Bear Arms? Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Are you claiming the BG was a CCW holder? If not what are you saying? It's not a case of Concealed-Carry-Licence. It's a case of "Concealed-Carry-PRACTISE" Again, See my posts in the related thread. My only argument here is that this incident is not a case for CONCEALED carry. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

It would be an interesting social experiment... Perhaps I should have been more specific -- A Gun-Education which assumes that the kid is going to carry a gun as an adult! Many will, so they should be prepared for this rather than discouraged and ill informed. As for arming the psychos, look on it as "levelling the playing field" IF you like... "A UNIVERSALLY armed society tends to be a polite society." It may seem a strange solution, but perhaps the one to fit American Society most effectively. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

The lack of one concealed carry would have negated the need for the other. I just don't see this as an argument for concealed-carry John. See my posts in the other thread about this. Regards, Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

To me, this discussion actually seems to be going somewhere constructive. Fistlly, given Americas history, culture and present situation, ANY attempt at or form of "Gun-Control" is an absolute non-starter. Such a move would inevitably backfire harming the very people it's supposed to protect... So in America's case, "Less-Guns" is not the answer to this. Perhaps "More-Guns" really IS the answer? Just as Americans with universal voting are actively encouraged to exercise that right, so they should be actively encouraged to "Bear Arms" in the course of their normal, daily lives. That, along with proper gun instruction rather than the "guns-are-evil" nonsense that seems to be current school policy in the US... A Gun-Education which ASSUMES that the kid is going to carry a gun, rather than trying to dissuade them from doing so. Just a thought... Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Yes, but Canada has gun control rather than the Right to bear arms by default. As such, getting a gun in Canada is rather more involved (the need to show a legitimate reason) than in the US where a person with appropriate ID is by definition allowed to obtain guns. In effect, the lack of even a poorly functioning set of checks makes gun ownership far more common, particularly among the less well adjusted parts of society from which these extreme examples of people with problems will emerge. Similarly, in the UK, it's not hard for a reasonably well organised & affluent person to physically obtain a gun illegally, but it IS more involved than going to a shop and buying one which is the case in the US. Mike. PS: I am not, repeat NOT(!!!) advocating gun control in the US. It is self-evidently unsuitable for their society and hence unenforcable. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Yes. Absolutely. Speaking as a cop in the UK, I know who to approach, to be passed onto someone who might know someone who might have a phone number that'd... In the course of a week I probably "could" get a gun and a small quantity of ammunition. After going through a ritual which'd make spider mating dances seem simple. In the US I could go to Wal-Mart and put an arsenal on my Amex card in half an hour. As I said before, it comes down to the relative DIFFICULTY of getting a gun in various countries. I know that "Guns Don't Kill People, People Kill People". I also know that "Hammers Don't Hit Nails, People Hit Nails"... But it's a lot easier to hit nails effectively if you have a hammer. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

You cite the 2 incidents which led (however stupidly) to the UK bans on self-loading weapons and handguns. This is part of the reason why obtaining guns in the UK is relatively difficult or impossible compared to the US. Hence... If "The Average Man NUTTER in The Street" can't get a gun, then he can't go on a shooting spree. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

What drives someone to do this is firstly the desire to do so, and secondly the ability! I'm sure that many folk have fantasised about "going postal" on their place of work but for most folk this remains a fantasy. What seperates the US from the remainder of the first world is the relative ease of gun acquisition which makes it easier for sufficiently disturbed folk to act out their fantasies (or obey the voices / whatever)! In effect, the thing that makes this less common elsewhere than in the US is the relative difficulty for the "Man Nutter in the Street" to actually obtain a gun. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Who's concealed carry?.. The guy in the trenchcoat or the cop who shot him? Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

I'll go with saying Reagan really WAS the greatest (modern) President. In fact, I've already succesfully argued that he should be the Republican 2008 candidate: Admittedly, Reagan is now a slightly less than ideal candidate, and Constitutional amendment may be required to get around the fact that he's already served 2 terms. But his record, particularly on international matters, during his presidency is unequalled, as is the way he raised the morale of Americans from an era of militarydefeat and loss of self-esteem. I ascribe this to his ability to see through the apparent complexity of a situation to its underlying simplicity. Because of this, I know that Reagan would make a far better president than either the present incumbent or any of his proposed replacements. Mike. PS: I also voted for one other item on your list. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi All, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6352903.stm "A former member of the Baader-Meinhof gang is to be freed on probation after serving 24 years for her involvement in kidnappings and murders in the 1970s. A German court ruled that Brigitte Mohnhaupt, 57, qualifies for early release after serving a minimum proportion of her five life sentences. The group, also known as the Red Army Faction, were behind kidnaps and killings in West Germany...." Of course, they're now a political irrelevance, so are unlikely to pose any threat to society... But... Should they continue to be punished since they haven't shown any remorse? Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

... this is a revenue-raising measure rather than an anti-gun or anti gun-crime measure... I don't see your reasoning here, Mike.... Sorry for the slow response. My reasoning is that this tax targets folk who will pay the taxes. If your $30 box of ammo now costs $40, then as Kennedy said, you'd probably grumble, but pay up. Unless you're able and willing to make a $500+ ammunition purchase, then it probably isn't worth your while to travel the 60 miles (In Kallends example) to buy your ammunition cheaper. The cost of getting it would be greater than the money you save on buying it. So... The effect of the tax will be to raise money for Cook County. They still come out ahead since even if local ammunition sales fall, some ammunition will still be bought locally so they get money they otherwise wouldn't. The CONSEQUENCES of the tax are that this will impact most on the poorer responsible gun-owner who would curtail his sport according to his more limited budget. So, the politicians point to the consequences and make their claims. But it's really about the money. Again, I'll cite UK Tobacco Tax (history) to further illustrate my point. In the 1950's, the government of the time wanted to eliminate or drastically reduce tobacco use on health grounds, so they introduced prohibitive taxation on tobacco products (heading up to 1,000%)! Their motives at the time were clear and publicly stated. THe actual effect wasn't what they wanted, instead, tobacco sales stayed near constant but govenment revenue went up! So... They kept the extra money, but still say that they want us to stop. Meanwhile, tobacco, and more importantly, ANY TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE attracts this massive tax. It's the same with their "Green" policies. They SAY they make car use expensive to protect the environment, but they tax biofuels the same as fossil fuels... Therefore, it's really about getting money. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

For me there's really no contest. I'd have to write-in for Ronald Reagan. Admittedly, he's now a less than ideal candidate... But you've gotta vote the best man for the job and I think that despite his present drawbacks, he'd still do a better job than either the present incumbent or any of the proposed replacements. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Specific protect by constitutional amendment. By God... I think I've got it! If I understand correctly, items or services which facilitate something which is constitutionally protected CAN'T be subject to specific taxation, but can still be subject to general taxation such as a general sales tax. Guns and ammunition cannot be additionally taxed since such a tax would interfere with "The Right to Bear Arms". Film, processing & publishing can't be specifically taxed since such a tax would interfere with "The Right of Free Speech & Belief". Vehicles, Fuel, etc... can't be specifically taxed since such a tax would interfere with "The Right of Free Passage". But... ALL these things can be taxed as an incidental part of a general tax on sales and income... Which makes the decisions of Cook County make sense. Ta. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

But... Isn't the right to travel constitutionally protected?.. Yet you pay tax on vehicles, vehicle repairs & servicing, and, of course, fuel? I do recall that "The pursuit of happiness" is constitutionally protected!.. Yet you pay tax on alcohol, tobacco, gambling and entertainment! Indeed, some chemical "happiness" is even illegal! So what makes guns and ammunition so special? Mike. (and you were doing so well). Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

It's ironic that I haven't heard you say that they should cut their spending as a way of balancing their books... You seem to really love taxes. An excellent point... Which shows the difference in American & European tax culture. I was responding within the terms of raising revenue rather than cutting spending (which I understand Cook County has already done). Would further cuts be wise? Should they (for example) avoid the "Bullet-Tax" and cut policing or prison space as a result? I remember being in Colorado at the time the state said it had raised too much money for its budget so it was halving sales tax, and thinking that'd NEVER happen at home! In Britain / Europe the extra money would be spent, and counted on to appear in successive years! But... Having said that, I suppose that I really DO love my taxes, and the attendant social (or socialised) care programs which they finance. Again, that's a "culture" thing - which I, as a Brit / European am used to. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hmmm... That might balance their budget in the short term, but I doubt that it'll provide a long-term revenue in the way that taxing cheap consumables would. Were I "Cook-County", Id still go for bullets, fuel, photographic prints, and any other cheap consumables associated with the use of luxury goods that I could identify. Mike. Edited to add: Of course, if they REALLY wanted to make an impact on the well-being of their voters, they should slap a $50/gallon tax on cooking oil & pizza-dough! Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Xenophobia from YOU of all people prof! What are the other proposals? I'm genuinely interested since anything that works for Cook County is bound to be adopted by our government which doesn't really like the taxation principle of "How much do we need", preferring the principle of "How much can we screw out of folk, then worry about how to spend it!" Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.