Random Thoughts or OT Chit-Chat Thread

Posts: 1291 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:32 pm

killjoy32 wrote:

so we got back home and sat and watched the quiet man, to cheer us up again Smile

Al

Hate to admit it here, but this is a CLASSIC!

On seperate issues on this thread. Ref yer man who shot 2 people - kind of feel that his best bet would have been to stay indoors - legality and everything else aside, I can't help but feel it is a bad thing when 1 man intentionally takes the life of another.

Hooray for him - he got away with it (or whatever), but how could you live with yourself?

I know there are smart answers and justification, and I, of course, would not hesitate to do WHATEVER I felt necesary to protect my nearest and dearest - I might not be quite so forceful for 'stuff', and somebody elses 'stuff' at that.

Posts: 4716 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:42 pm

People have been killing each other for "stuff" since the dawn of time, gag. It is human nature to covet, and to kill. Heck, we have the distiction of being the only creature on the planet who kills for sport! And we do it to our own kind; ask any of the Aussies here about aborigines, or Americans about Indians. And those are only the more recent ones.
Since morals seem to have no effect on keeping people out of others' things anymore, I vote for death. It's usually a good deterrent.

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:10 pm

Quote:

Heck, we have the distiction of being the only creature on the planet who kills for sport!

I don't agree - witness the domestic cat. They kill because they enjoy killing, not because they have have a need for it. They take down birds, mice, insects... simply because it is fun. Sure, they might do it for other reasons, but they are vicious little murderers. That's the only reason I like them. Smile

Posts: 1291 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:11 pm

If you're happy that it's okay to take the life of another human being then there is not a lot more to say. I personally do not think it's a good thing - everyone else may, of course, feel differently.

Posts: 4543 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:28 pm

gyg wrote:

Hate to admit it here, but this is a CLASSIC!

On seperate issues on this thread. Ref yer man who shot 2 people - kind of feel that his best bet would have been to stay indoors - legality and everything else aside, I can't help but feel it is a bad thing when 1 man intentionally takes the life of another.

Hooray for him - he got away with it (or whatever), but how could you live with yourself?

I know there are smart answers and justification, and I, of course, would not hesitate to do WHATEVER I felt necesary to protect my nearest and dearest - I might not be quite so forceful for 'stuff', and somebody elses 'stuff' at that.

Gyg, interesting you say that. Ironically, the guy who was protecting his auto shop did indeed end up being hounded by the media (one media woman in particular) about why he had to kill those intruders. He did express remorse but came off as a rather sympathetic figure, particularly when the TV reporter ambushed him outside a gun store where he was going to buy a new gun (the police confiscate firearms after a shooting until the investigation is over; with two shootings so close together, they had both his guns, and he had to get another in case a third person broke in!). He looked like he was about to cry during the interview...I really don't think we wanted to kill the intruders, but what can you do? As an aside, the TV reporter was later suspended and then fired after viewer support for the man flooded the station with phone calls saying what a rotten B*itch the woman had been for hounding the guy like that....

Now, the other dude, I think he went a little too far by TELLING the operator that he was going to go kill the guys. I honestly was a bit surprised the jury no-billed him, I thought maybe he might have a manslaughter charge at least. But it's Texas, even the libs and Democrats here have to get behind gun laws or they'll lose elections. However, I bet that if he had done nothing, they would have simply driven away with the stuff, and continued their career of robbery until the day someone gets hurt or killed when they break into a house. So instead of this guy's questionable shooting, in a few months we might have had a more serious crime against innocent people, instead of two career scumbags who are making the world a better place tonight as fertilizer....

And BTW, I think the guy who shot the two burglars is going to be on Dateline or 48 hours or one of those TV news talk shows this week....no doubt 5 hours of an interview will be edited down to 5 minutes designd to make the guy look bloodthirsty, stupid, hickish, and uneducated. Hollywood loves to make us Texans look DUM... Rolling Eyes

I will admit Gyg to those not from the US (or from Texas in particular) we look a little bloodthirsty in how we approach crime. But remember, Europe has been "civilized" for 100's of years, while it wasn't but 130 years ago or so Texas was still fighting for independence at The Alamo. The culture here is still very much a "frontier justice" model...since the death penalty was reinstated, Texas has put more to death than every other state in the US combined. And we actually like it that way....

Mike B.

Posts: 4543 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:36 pm

gyg wrote:

If you're happy that it's okay to take the life of another human being then there is not a lot more to say. I personally do not think it's a good thing - everyone else may, of course, feel differently.

Personally I would never hunt up trouble...or even emulate that guy and confront burglars at my neighbors house..but if it came to MY house, I can't say. I do know that is someone was IN my house, they better have their affairs in order. I would have no problems putting them down. But in my yard, or even breaking into my car.....I doubt I'd risk a confrontation. Not because I'd worrry about killing or hurting them, but it would unnecessarily put myself and perhaps my family in danger. Your stuff isn't worth your life....

BTW, for those not of these shores, the Supreme Court of the US pretty much affirmed the Second Admendment (right to bear arms) for the first time in history last week, and most people I know thought it was a good thing. Should be interesting to see what happens to the crime rate once more and more cities pass concealed or open display handgun laws (Texas has the concealed law and is now contemplating the open carry policy for next session)

Mike B.

Posts: 107 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:45 pm

I do think the guy was a bit cavalier with the 911 operator, but I have to admit that I have absolutely no sympathy for the two dead criminals. They basically got what was coming to them.

Posts: 1291 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:24 am

I'm done on this - obviously opinions on such things will be divided ,and it is in no-ones best interest to stretch it out here (or anywhere?! Very Happy

), perhaps it's just a shame we live in a world where it has to be a discussion point in the first place.

But anyhoo - going back to my first post on this - John Wayne films - I bet all you Texans love the Gung-Ho stuff don't ya?! Very Happy

(Though the fight scene in The Quiet Man take some beating (pun very much intended).

Posts: 1291 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:28 am

Just read the first line of my last post - wasn't intended to sound all 'holier-than-thou' - literally just laying the subject to bed (for my part at least)

Carl

Posts: 4543 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:58 am

gyg wrote:

I'm done on this - obviously opinions on such things will be divided ,and it is in no-ones best interest to stretch it out here (or anywhere?! Very Happy

), perhaps it's just a shame we live in a world where it has to be a discussion point in the first place.

But anyhoo - going back to my first post on this - John Wayne films - I bet all you Texans love the Gung-Ho stuff don't ya?! Very Happy

(Though the fight scene in The Quiet Man take some beating (pun very much intended).

How long DOES that fight scene take? Pretty great flick.

Mike B.

Posts: 1291 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:11 am

Badmike wrote:

How long DOES that fight scene take? Pretty great flick.

Mike B.

Just long enough!

(7 acadamy award nominations and 2 wins - impressive stuff!)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045061/

Posts: 7612 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:22 am

i think the quiet man is one of the best classic films out there.

truly good fun

watched the forbidden kingdom last night - great film - some superb fight scenes in it - jet li and jackie chan together in one film was amazing - something i have always wanted to see!

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:45 am

gyg wrote:

If you're happy that it's okay to take the life of another human being then there is not a lot more to say. I personally do not think it's a good thing - everyone else may, of course, feel differently.

1) Americans take a dim view of lawlessness.

2) At the moment, Americans are most intensely frustrated with lawlessness in the form of illegal aliens.

3) Good or bad, the image of the lone American hero with a gun is not only a romantic Western icon...it is also deeply ingrained in the psyche of America.

Guns...we pretty much all have them.

Those who come to America to rob people had best remember that.

Posts: 1200 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:31 am

I guess there is a different take on guns in Canada.

I do not think that any family members own guns (even hunting rifles) and the one friend that I do know of that owns a rifle is ex-military.

Of course, if you break into somebody's house in these parts, prepare to receive a hockey stick slash across your throat. Twisted Evil

Posts: 2556 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:56 am

serleran wrote:

I don't agree - witness the domestic cat. They kill because they enjoy killing, not because they have have a need for it. They take down birds, mice, insects... simply because it is fun. Sure, they might do it for other reasons, but they are vicious little murderers. That's the only reason I like them. Smile

At first I didnt agree with you Serl, but then I got to thinking about it and you know what? Domestic cats are probably the most prolific and efficient killers on the planet. Since I have four of the little bastards, I get to see first hand the number of casualties they inflict on our local bird populace. I have read several publications regarding cat behavior and for the most part I think they are all incorrect.

The cats we have stay indoors most of the time. We will let them out into the backyard during the evening when we are home and on weekends they get to go out for the better part of the day. They are not able to venture beyond the fence and never make the attempt to do so. They are happy just being outside. But since we have 15 trees in our front and back yards we have quite a few birds nesting in them. So far this year we have had two blue jays, a cardinal, a robin, and several smaller, unidentified birds fall prey to our cats. When the cats catch them, they bring them to the patio and drop them at the glass door leading into the house. Sometimes the bird has died and other times it is just "playing dead".

It is my unprofessional opinion that house cats think that they are hunter/gatherers for their human tribe. They kill the bird and then parade around with it in their mouth for everyone else to see. Then they drop the animal at the feet of the larger "human" in order to get some sort of emotional reward for providing for the rest of their family.

Now if I can only figure out why the alpha male sometimes shits on the bed when there is a perfectly good litter box just down the hall. Confused

Posts: 495 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:02 am

Kingofpain89 wrote:

Now if I can only figure out why the alpha male sometimes shits on the bed when there is a perfectly good litter box just down the hall. Confused

You wonder about this. He is simply stating the obvious: that he, and not you, is the alpha male. My advice: you should go shit in his litter box. That will show him.

Martin

Posts: 1439 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:09 am

Badmike wrote:

BTW, for those not of these shores, the Supreme Court of the US pretty much affirmed the Second Admendment (right to bear arms) for the first time in history last week, and most people I know thought it was a good thing. Should be interesting to see what happens to the crime rate once more and more cities pass concealed or open display handgun laws (Texas has the concealed law and is now contemplating the open carry policy for next session)

Mike B.

I fear our happiness with that ruling will be short lived.
The ruling was 5-4 with ALL of the courts democrat/liberal Justices dissenting.

Once Osamah Obama takes office it is quite likely that two Supreme-Court justices will be replaced and perhaps as many as four of them.
(Especially if Osamah is in office for two terms)
I doubt he will nominate any conservatives for the Supreme Court to go before the democrat-controlled congress.
The Second amendment is likely to be overturned and appealed.
Your guns will be outlawed and then criminals will no longer fear Texans with trigger-happy attitudes.
Your concealed carry rights will also be taken away through Federal Mandate and re-written laws.

Obama voted twice on state gun laws in his home state (As a state senator) and BOTH times he voted against citizens gun rights.
He spoke about those gun rights and how the Constitution does not give indivudual rights for Americans to own personal weapons.

Of course after that Supreme Court ruling he backed the ruling up saying it was the right way for them to vote.
I would be willing to bet my Orange B3 that if the courts ruling had gone the other way, he would be VERY much pleased.

Posts: 4716 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:23 am

No way possible that guns will be outlawed. WAY too many people own them. I would flat-out refuse to give mine up, and law enforcement would never be able to enact any sort of ban.
It is possible that PURCHASES AND SALES of guns could be banned, but even then, all it would do is drive it underground, making it ten times easier for criminals to get pieces.
The only thing in the world that is worse than a liberal is two liberals.

Posts: 1346 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:35 am

Remember when the word Liberal meant "Free?" Not -- "will take away your rights?" When did "Conservative" become the one that protected your rights, instead of trying to restrict them? When did everything reverse?

Government needs a righteous smack. Not sure how that can be done, though.

Posts: 495 · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:49 am

No way is the 2nd amendment going to be overturned or repealed. Do your criminals now fear Texans with trigger-happy attitudes. Given the criminal violence happening in Texas I do not think they do. Guns do not stop criminal behavior. A criminal is going to break the law. A gun may stop him from completing the task.

Take your medication Aneoth. You and your gun(s) are going to have a long relationship together.

Martin