Subject:
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Re: guns, guns, guns (was: demographics (was: My Gun Control Rant))
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Mon, 15 Jan 2001 11:55:58 GMT
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Viewed:
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3556 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Frank Filz writes:
> Scott A wrote:
> > In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> > > In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Scott Arthur writes:
> > >
> > > > There is a cultural difference between us...
> > >
> > > Indeed there is. We have a culture of freedom, or did, in the US.
> >
> > There are those who say the US has no culture.
>
> If we have so little culture then why are US movies and TV shows so
> popular around the world? Now I grant that most movies and TV shows
> aren't terribly refined, but then most enetertainment for the masses
> isn't. I think there is just as much "culture" here as any other place
> in the world, ours just happens to be more of a blending of the cultures
> of those who immigrated here, with a healthy dallop of home grown
> culture (no, not the stuff that grows in your fridge when you forget to
> eat the last of that dish you made 6 months ago...).
>
> > > > which makes you think this is a
> > > > logical mindset, but, at the same time, makes me believe you are a little
> > > > crazy. :-)
> > >
> > > And some of us think that to be willing to go along (with majorities, with
> > > tyrannical laws, etc..) instead of *want* that freedom is, in turn, a little
> > > crazy. Actually, more than a little.
> >
> > Larry I have questioned your "freedoms" many times - and each time you fail
> > to answer me. Until you are willing to answer those points, keep you vague
> > assertions to yourself. :-)
> >
> > >
> > > This may be such a fundamental difference that there is little possibility
> > > for common ground.
> > >
> > > "Live free or die" - Motto on New Hampshire license plates
> >
> > There may be "little possibility for common ground" if you are only willing
> > to quote bumper stickers back your argument.
>
> Of course if you knew much at all about the US, you would realize that
> Larry wasn't quoting a bumper sticker here. That's the official motto of
> New Hampshire, and derrives from the time of the revolution. But then
> you don't really understand freedom (I'm not entirely sure I do either).
The problem may be that you view gun ownership, perhaps, as an inalienable
“god given” freedom. I’d argue that I feel freer because my society is,
relatively, free of guns. I am not restricted by a fear of suffering armed
oppression from my elected government – or my fellow countryman. That
freedom is more important to me than the risk the my government may
spontaneously decide to oppress me.
Freedom comes responsibilities and consequences.
Scott A
> We all happen to live in a time of relative prosperity and mostly
> benificent governments (at least in the so called "first world"). It's
> hard to explain what freedom really means because right now we are in a
> situation where the limits on our freedom are relatively minor. You feel
> you get your money's worth out of your taxes, and perhaps you really do,
> but what happens when things turn real ugly? Will your government
> continue to levy "reasonable" taxes, or will it suck you dry?
>
> I also have to wonder what our freedoms would be like had the American
> Revolution not happened, or had the king won? Would another colony have
> revolted? What if several did, and non of them won? My gut feel is that
> the revolution would eventually have occured somewhere. The economic and
> technological trends were such that the king had less and less power.
> For whatever reason, the America just happened to be the place where the
> camels back broke, and the floodgates opened.
>
> Well, I'm just muddling through here. Perhaps someone else can do a
> better job.
>
> Frank
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