22 Feb 04
Originally posted by slimjim"Are you soft on crime or just soft headed." Neither!
No. We need to lockup the ones that are still out in the streets. What we shouldn't get tough on crime? Just what do these statistics mean? That finally the government is getting tough on crime so what. Are you soft on crime or just soft headed.
I think you are losing the plot now. Stick to the subject. Can you tell me why America is such a violent place? Is it violent because you have so many guns or do you have so many guns because it is so violent?
22 Feb 04
Originally posted by slimjimPlease try to follow along. I was addressing your claim that it was God and guns that made America great. This is patently false. What made America an economic power was our importing of slaves for the purposes of free labor. What gave America access to the natural resources of the west was the genocidal campaign against the natives. Since you claim that it was God that made America great, God must have sanctioned both slavery and genocide (and the indiscriminate use of guns, of course).
What has gun ownership rights have to do with slavery? If you think I approve of slavery then you are sadly misstaken. In fact me owning guns will insure that I will never submit to slavery. As for the Indian's well, I'm sure they killed other members of other tribes. History has a long list of atrocities. What do you want to do? Sue Mongolia for what Ghen ...[text shortened]... my Dad's family over here also. Sounds rather ludicrous when you think about it, doesn't it.
22 Feb 04
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Originally posted by bbarrI think the main cause was the huge military-industrial buildup from about 1940-1990. It is only since the end of WWII that the United States has had global economic hegemony, which I doubt will last.
Please try to follow along. I was addressing your claim that it was God and guns that made America great. This is patently false. What made America an economic power was our importing of slaves for the purposes of free labor. What gave Am ...[text shortened]... ery and genocide (and the indiscriminate use of guns, of course).
Besides, guts had a part. Many were left out to shrivel in the sun during the genocidal campaigns you speak of :'(.
23 Feb 04
Originally posted by royalchickenThat may have been a cause of the US's current economic dominance, but 1) our ability to engage in such a buildup relied upon our prior economic strength (along with exploitative practices legitimized by the Bretton-Woods agreements), and 2) even prior to WW2 we had one of the largest economies in the world, and our economic strength at that point was in large part due to our reliance on slave labor.
I think the main cause was the huge military-industrial buildup from about 1940-1990. It is only since the end of WWII that the United States has had global economic hegemony, which I doubt will last.
Besides, guts had a part. Many were left out to shrivel in the sun during the genocidal campaigns you speak of :'(.
23 Feb 04
Originally posted by bbarrAgreed. Actually, this point is reinforced by the economic difficulties that befell the whole country within 10 years of slavery's end.
That may have been a cause of the US's current economic dominance, but 1) our ability to engage in such a buildup relied upon our prior economic strength (along with exploitative practices legitimized by the Bretton-Woods agreements), and 2) even prior to WW2 we had one of the largest economies in the world, and our economic strength at that point was in large part due to our reliance on slave labor.
23 Feb 04
Originally posted by ivanhoeMany people use the word 'liberal' like it's a bad name or a slap in the face. When someone starts raving about 'you liberals', rest assured it's becuase they have no logical argument to dispute the claims that indicate some person is liberal-minded in the first place. If the person starts rambling about whining and crying for the criminals and not giving a damn about the victims, my advice is to pass that person by as having absolutely nothing of value to say. Perhaps I shouldn't go so far as saying they have nothing of value to say, but it's not worth the time to debate that person. At least it's not worth my time.
I didn't know that "liberal" is an offensive term because it is used everywere, in books, on tv, on RHP, etc.
If anyone finds this term offensive what is the reason for that ?
.
This goes both ways of course: Many liberals will refer to right-wingers as 'you conservatives' for the same reason, as an insult. If someone starts babbling on about 'conservatives' all being warmongering, Christ pushing, gun-loving cowboys, you know that reason has left the building and emotion has taken over. Now, if some conservatives describe THEMSEVES that way.....well, I don't know what to tell you.
At least this is the case in America. A line has been drawn in the sand, and most people (a lot of people at least) are too busy insulting each other and despising the other side simply because they belong to the other side. It's just a form of adolescent stereotyping for the most part.
23 Feb 04
I am a "liberal" and I support the right to bear arms. I support capital punishment, and tougher laws for violent criminals.
The number of prisoner statistics quoted are from the ridiculously hopeless war on drugs that is depleting our police time, tax dollars for enforcement, court time and filling prisons fighting crimes defined by the morality police.
Most violent crimes are drug related. Legalize, tax and spend the money on prevention and treatment. We would save money and people, there wouldn't be so much money to be made from illegal drugs, reducing the need for violence, and the need for guns. Look at what prohibition did for organized crime.
If you follow the dollars, you can see that violence and illegal guns are most prevelent where criminals are trying to protect their profits. Take away the profits, and gun crimes and violence will plummet.
23 Feb 04
Originally posted by knapperjaCouldn't agree with you more...well said😏
Most violent crimes are drug related. Legalize, tax and spend the money on prevention and treatment. We would save money and people, there wouldn't be so much money to be made from illegal drugs, reducing the need for violence, and the need for guns. Look at what prohibition did for organized crime.
If you follow the dollars, you can see that violen ...[text shortened]... ying to protect their profits. Take away the profits, and gun crimes and violence will plummet.
Regards,
Charlie