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Originally posted by Badgered1
Does Mr. Sahid, the Muslim in the house down the street have the "RIGHT" to cache as many weapons as Mr. Andrews, the Christian next door, or is Mr. Sahid's cache an obvious sign of him being a terrorist? Is he as welcome to bear arms against what he sees as a tyrannical government as Mr. Andrews is?
Depends on your views, and what you perceive.
The 'Patriots' of 1776 were simply terrorists in the eyes of the British. Perception....
Nobody seems to have mentioned the 4-8-12-15 year old who accidentally shot himself or his friend or his baby brother/sister with the handgun he 'found' in Granddad's closet. Where did the Columbine kids get the guns? Off the street from some felon looking for crack money? Dangerous, felonious criminals are not the only avenue toward gun ownership.
Gun ownership carries massive responsibility. Everyone on ATS talks about the sheep who believe everything they read/hear on the news, and how very stupid they are. Was Granddad one of these sheep? Or was he an NRA card carrying, patriotic member? Was he responsible as a gun owner? I argue that he wasn't. I know a lot of gun owners with safes and trigger locks will argue that it's the minority that are not responsible, but we hear that every single time some poor kid gets shot accidentally.
Guns don't kill people.....it's those pesky bullets.
Originally posted by Badgered1
reply to post by 46ACE
Except these 'freedom fighters' of the future are tucked away either in ivory towers or well stocked bunkers.
The real fighters are using something much 'mightier than the sword' - the pen or the spoken word.
Do you fear your government, or do they fear you?
Of the people, by the people, for the people does not equate to "I'll be alright, I just loaded 600 rounds...."
Originally posted by Badgered1
reply to post by 46ACE
The problem I see with that video is that you are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
The law is that everyone, except felons, may own a gun. That's not really a filter for the crazy people, is it?
Punish them if they do something stupid? Too late then for the victims....or their family.
"Johnny got shot, but the guy who shot him was sentenced to 'life' in prison..." I feel better now.
People do crazy things, but crazy people with guns is all about a 'right' rather than rationale.
Originally posted by arbitrarygeneraiist
reply to post by Advantage
I disagree that the pen and speech have lost their effect. Obama is proof that a person's charisma and speaking ability are two powerful weapons that can win the hearts and minds of a nation.
Whether you agree or disagree with Obama's policies, it cannot be disputed that he won the majority of the nation and media to his side.
Originally posted by arbitrarygeneraiist
reply to post by Advantage
That's precisely what the pen being mightier than the sword means, it means that someone like Obama who can daze people with his pretty words, can rise to power and win people over to his side.
I didn't necessarily say that the people who can utilize the spoken word in such a way that they were able to achieve their position in office, would always use their position and their support to do what is right by the people. It just means that the written and spoken word, if used by the right people, can be extremely effective.
Also, if people want change, they will rally for it. The examples that you explained to me sounds like not many people wanted the change. If you could rally an entire city or state under the same position, then the people in power would have to listen.
Raise more awareness and hope that the people will listen and join you. That's all anybody can really do. The people in question have to want the change.
edit on 14-12-2010 by arbitrarygeneraiist because: (no reason given)