Kennedy

So, you say there is a problem. Well, we can all agree on that. We just disagree on which part ofthe problem is more significant. You think it's the tool, I think it's the homicidal psychotic on the loose. The solution to your version of the problem removes guns, but leaves homicidal psychotics on the loose. The solution to my version of the problem removes homicidal psychotics, but leaves gun on the loose. Which is worse? So, you know there is a problem. You don't have a solution (or refuse to suggest one, which is the same thing). You want SOMETHING done. But you reserve the right to tear into anyone else's ideas. Lazy thinking like that lead to the "assault weapons ban" and "gun rationing." Guess what, they didn't have any effect on violent crime. If you really want to say a law is ineffective because it fails to prevent a horrible crime, then by your ridiculous definition, all laws are ineffective. Congratulations. Anarchy, here we come, courtesy of a lazy-thinking smart person. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

I disagree. There is a violent crime problem here in the USA. Often it takes the form if gun crime, but not always. I don't know about you, but I'm more worried about the violence part than the gun part. So professor, how would you define loony? How would you determine who is a loony prior to some horrible event? If you can answer those two questions, the third step is easy. Pass a law that no one can sell to anyone on your list. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

Honestly, I don't know why the professor is so caught up with guns that he turnedthis into a gun thread. I've alway thought is was far more important to focus on the person, and on the crime, than on the tool used to commit the crime. If this nutjob (who seems to have left wing ideology, if not motivation, to go along with his psychoses) had killed six people and injured a dozen more with a knife, or by plowing into them with a motor vehicle, or by strapping on an explosive vest and blowing himself up, we'd be talking about the treatment he needed, the troubles in his head, and the tragedy. I don't think we'd be talking about banning knives, SUVs, or Joe inadequate the BATFE and bomb laws are. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

The problem is that there is no simple answer to makin things better. Because both sides of the argument fight so hard, we tend to come up with compromises. (1) You have to define what a loony is. If you goal is to keep guns away from loonies, you have to define your goal before trying to find ways to reach it. The current definition by law is anyone who has been committed to a mental health facility judged incompetent or is suffering chemical dependency/addiction. (2) You have to devise a way to determine who fits your definition of loony. Examples include requiring psych evals for evrery purchase and quarterly for owners, fixing the professor's telepathy timemachine that some mean old right-winger nutjob broke, or check the system for the definition in number 1. (3) You have to devise a way to keep guns away from people who have been determined by number 2 to fit your definition in number 1. Since guns are easily available, and relatively easy to make, and easily replaced by other tools, this is even more difficult that numbers 1 and 2. disclaimer: as used above, "you" is meant in general, not directed at any poster. It could easily be replaced with "we" or "a person wishing to improve the system." witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

One more time. Come on professor, we all know things aren't perfect. How would you make things better? witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

But Rob, that's the one thing the government is good at doing RIGHT NOW. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

Keep your condescending tone for your students. In an Internet forum it just makes you look petty. So, I ask yet again, what would you have done differently? What is your solution? And just how do you define loony. Or have you perfected your telepathy timemachine? witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

I didn't state a position. I asked very direct and clear questions. I didn't expect a clear answer. To quote you from just a few posts prior: witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

So, short of taking every gun away from every citizen, what could the government have dine differently. I'm hearing a lot of complaints and not a lot of solutions from you. what did he do before the shooting to let you know that he is "loony" and has to have his rights curtailed. What did he do before the shooting that was so terrible. And whatever he did, would you have had him committed? Or just take his guns and let him go about his business? Edit: iPhone auto correct is killing me. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

So professor, how would you define nutter? The government has their standard. If it's not good enough, what is yours? Is it anyone who's ever been declared incompetent? Is it anyone who's ever been committed to a mental health hospital? Is it anyone who's ever taken anti psychotics? Is it any who's ever seen a shrink? Is it anyone taking anti depressants? Is it anyone posting strange political views with poor grammar on social websites? Is it any who wants to own a gun? So, if the system is failing in your eyes, what would you change? What should be done differently. (keep in mind that any answer you give has to address this incident and the VaTech incident) witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

I think pretty much everyone agrees with that. The difficulty is in defining a "loony" and just how far should be go to prevent that potentially dangerous mix. Professor, do you trust the BATFE to intelligently, reasonably, and effectively control access to explosives in this country? including oh I don't know, hobby rocket motors? Do you trust the DMV to monitor licensing and registration intelligently, reasonably, and effectively in each state? witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

It's painful trying to read that gibberish. Hindsight is 20/20, but that screams "I'm not right in the head" right after it screams "I didn't pay attention in basic English class." witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

No, what's bullshit is that the right wing of this country has been consistently ramping up the violent rhetoric for the last couple years. Bachman and Palin have been at the forefront of this movement along with Beck and Hannity. I refer you to the post directly above yours. Rather than speculate blindly based on your own predjudices, you can at least look for basic facts before insinuating things. Or we can talk about it without coming to conclusions, and wait for facts to come out. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

Well, Obama urged latino voters to "punish our enemies", it was in Arizona and Giffords was for stronger borders - so, not a far reach to assume it was a left-wing nutjob that pulled the trigger. It's not like the tea baggers were displaying guns at rallies to protest Democratic members of Congress. Yeah, because all those right wing libertarian leaning gun rights activists really hate representatives who co-sponsor gun-rights legislation. Can any of you do a little checking before spouting off at the mouth? I mean, with five minutes of basic googling, who wouldn't think NRA folks want to use her for target practice. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

The most up to date news on this. She si still fighting, according to Washington Post This lady really was just doing her job. And it's a really sad freaking commentary when within the first few minutes/posts, someone has to chime in with "it was a right wing nut job." Maybe it was. Maybe it was a left wing nut job. Maybe it wes a nutjob with no particular political views. Maybe it was, an independant political nutter. For fuck's sake, you have no idea what happened, and there are other things than spewing your false dichotomy, left vs right BULLSHIT. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

This is a horrible idea. They are taking an outstanding work that goes against racism, and they are neutering it. They are taking the book out of it's context and timeframe, and applying their own weak stomach and over-sensitivity. Professionally I refuse to say the word, even when sworn and instructed to quote someone who used the word, because of the effect it can have on my career and coworkers (due largely to weak stomachs and over sensitivty). I edit it from my vocabulary, but let's be honest, my spoken words are not the next great American classic. edit: typos (iPhone) witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

Don't confuse him with the facts, he's already made up his mind. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

So now you're comparing them. Does that mean you are going to apply your comments on scientists to both sides. Or are you going to stick to past claims that big money only corrupts when supplied by private sources with an agenda, ad opposed to any source with an agenda? witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

See "Enviro-Prediction" thread. Our guess is as good, or better than, grant funded scientists. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

For those too lazy to click a clickable link, or intent on taking things out of context. I can't believe the messages I got on this one. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

Or lack thereof... I love that we can't even get everyone to agree on what's happening today, but some folks in important positions are predicting things twenty and thirty years out. The best is when they're called on it. "I predicted it. I never said it would happen." witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

The fact that you would quote any written piece that closes with that paragraph tells us more about you than anything you would type yourself. Thanks for proving once again that I really should just skip your posts entirely. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

Feds Force Okla. Bank To Remove Crosses, Bible Verse Really? witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

So you don't see signifcant differences between WHINSEC, which trains military officers of other countries, and Blackwater, which trains law enforcement security and military and connects contractors and government agencies. SotA, aka WHINSEC, trained officers, some of whom were later connected to human rights violations. Blackwater trains existing operators and take government contracts. So, you made several general statements stating that Blackwater acts like SotA grads. How exactly are they doing that? What specifically have they done to concern you? (nb - "actions in Iraq" is not being specific) Also, what makes you keep calling them "holy warriors?" What specifically makes you characterize them as crusaders? witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*

So I guess no one ever told you that lack of evidence is not the same as evidence of lack. witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1*