19 (edited by Geko 2009-03-12 16:49:59)

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Bill S wrote:
Greenose wrote:
gsj wrote:

I heard on the news that the parents of the kid in Germany had in excess of 18 guns in the house. Why on earth do people feel the need to keep stuff like that around and if they have to have it then can't they keep it very securely locked up.

I agree with gsj to an extent here.  One of the earliest school shootings I was aware of was here in Scotland, nearly 13 years ago in Dunblane. As quoted from the BBC headline:
Thomas Hamilton kills 16 five- and six-year-old children and their teacher during a three-minute killing spree in a primary school gymnasium before shooting himself dead. The attack sparks a huge outcry in the UK and leads to laws making it illegal in the UK to buy or possess most types of handguns.

While there are clearly underlying mental problems with the people concerned and family issues in each individual case, the change of gun laws has so far prevented a repeat in this type of tragedy in the UK.  Sadly this has happened previously in both Germany and the USA.  Seems to me, the best form of protection is not to own a gun, but to make sure noone else does...

Uh oh! I sure hope this topic doesn't become a debate on gun laws. I have my own opinions, just don't want to see it debated here.




im sorry that i hear that  from you Bill ....read some Wild West storys  or what ever to fullfill your opinion of use a gun .......

my opinion is : that a gun is only made to Kill some one ..dosent matter whom.... and that is never acceptable

Peace

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Not much surprises me anymore after 911....I'm still numb to all the horrific news....the sad thing is it will continue for as long as I live....all I can do is be a kinder gentler human being to most a stranger, people have to know that there is still plenty of good out there....if I shared with you what I've done lately, it's sounds like I'm just tooting my own horn....so, my message to everyone is show some decency to others, and quit with all the pettiness and bickering, your much better than that

Have a great day....please smile

Your friend always,

Shredit..aka David!

21 (edited by Amsterhammer 2009-03-12 18:17:44)

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

I'd like to echo Bill's words - let's drop 'gun talk' or this will get heated and wind up getting locked.

Of course, like Shreddy says, all any of us can do is to try and make a small difference in our own lives by the way we behave towards, and respond to, others.

Edit - I stumbled across this by sheer coincidence after writing the above - worth a look imo. big_smile

http://www.cracked.com/article_14990_wh … phere.html

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith

22 (edited by Spider 2009-03-12 18:36:08)

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

I hope this world does go to the dogs. I know my furry four-legged kids have more common sense than some, if not most people! lol lol

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Good point Spider,

Sorry to anyone who found my comment controversial, I still believe it but realise we should stay out of that kind of discussion.  Peace to all

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Geko wrote:
Bill S wrote:
Greenose wrote:

I agree with gsj to an extent here.  One of the earliest school shootings I was aware of was here in Scotland, nearly 13 years ago in Dunblane. As quoted from the BBC headline:
Thomas Hamilton kills 16 five- and six-year-old children and their teacher during a three-minute killing spree in a primary school gymnasium before shooting himself dead. The attack sparks a huge outcry in the UK and leads to laws making it illegal in the UK to buy or possess most types of handguns.

While there are clearly underlying mental problems with the people concerned and family issues in each individual case, the change of gun laws has so far prevented a repeat in this type of tragedy in the UK.  Sadly this has happened previously in both Germany and the USA.  Seems to me, the best form of protection is not to own a gun, but to make sure noone else does...

Uh oh! I sure hope this topic doesn't become a debate on gun laws. I have my own opinions, just don't want to see it debated here.




im sorry that i hear that  from you Bill ....read some Wild West storys  or what ever to fullfill your opinion of use a gun .......

my opinion is : that a gun is only made to Kill some one ..dosent matter whom.... and that is never acceptable

Peace

Geko,
I find it interesting that you immediately assumed I was pro-gun...how did you decide that?

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Greenose wrote:

Good point Spider,

Sorry to anyone who found my comment controversial, I still believe it but realise we should stay out of that kind of discussion.  Peace to all

Greenose,
I found nothing really controversial about your comment, but I've seen topics take a turn in the wrong direction and didn't want this to turn into a debate on gun laws.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Bill S wrote:
Geko wrote:
Bill S wrote:

Uh oh! I sure hope this topic doesn't become a debate on gun laws. I have my own opinions, just don't want to see it debated here.




im sorry that i hear that  from you Bill ....read some Wild West storys  or what ever to fullfill your opinion of use a gun .......

my opinion is : that a gun is only made to Kill some one ..dosent matter whom.... and that is never acceptable

Peace

Geko,
I find it interesting that you immediately assumed I was pro-gun...how did you decide that?


yes you are right in my had exist´s maby a wrong Picture of the average American
who  wear a gun to protect His home and Familie
and i thought you are pro guns because you sayed you dont want to get this in a gun law discussion

thats why i thought you are pro guns
but now im glad that you dont ....... wink

but i think the world ethics  goes to the Dog ...to get back to the topic roll

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Bill just didnt want this to be a debate over the right to bare arms. I live in the USA for a numer of years and learnt very quickly not to get into this type of debate. That said in my whole 5 years there I felt safer out and about in the USA than I do in the UK.



Geko wrote:
Bill S wrote:
Geko wrote:



im sorry that i hear that  from you Bill ....read some Wild West storys  or what ever to fullfill your opinion of use a gun .......

my opinion is : that a gun is only made to Kill some one ..dosent matter whom.... and that is never acceptable

Peace

Geko,
I find it interesting that you immediately assumed I was pro-gun...how did you decide that?


yes you are right in my had exist´s maby a wrong Picture of the average American
who  wear a gun to protect His home and Familie
and i thought you are pro guns because you sayed you dont want to get this in a gun law discussion

thats why i thought you are pro guns
but now im glad that you dont ....... wink

but i think the world ethics  goes to the Dog ...to get back to the topic roll

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Jane H. wrote:

hehe Geko, he didn't say he wasn't pro-gun either....he didn't say either way and additionally it might help you to know there is no average American, thats for sure! smile
funny link Amsterhammer lol

wink yes when im thinking and thinking you are right Jane tongue

but lets assume the best cool

29

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

To make myself really clear here Bill this was not intended to set off a 'gun law' debate. If it can do harm then keep it under control. I don't give a toss if it's a pet monkey or a friggin' cannon...... the same rules should apply. It isn't about law - it's about basic common sense. It seems to me that common sense isn't quite as common as it used to be.

Geoff

Bill S wrote:
Greenose wrote:
gsj wrote:

I heard on the news that the parents of the kid in Germany had in excess of 18 guns in the house. Why on earth do people feel the need to keep stuff like that around and if they have to have it then can't they keep it very securely locked up.

I agree with gsj to an extent here.  One of the earliest school shootings I was aware of was here in Scotland, nearly 13 years ago in Dunblane. As quoted from the BBC headline:
Thomas Hamilton kills 16 five- and six-year-old children and their teacher during a three-minute killing spree in a primary school gymnasium before shooting himself dead. The attack sparks a huge outcry in the UK and leads to laws making it illegal in the UK to buy or possess most types of handguns.

While there are clearly underlying mental problems with the people concerned and family issues in each individual case, the change of gun laws has so far prevented a repeat in this type of tragedy in the UK.  Sadly this has happened previously in both Germany and the USA.  Seems to me, the best form of protection is not to own a gun, but to make sure noone else does...

Uh oh! I sure hope this topic doesn't become a debate on gun laws. I have my own opinions, just don't want to see it debated here.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

This thread unfortunately will probably be closed soon.  Gun control is right up there with religion and politics.  My brief opinion on this subject is it's the erosion of the family that's at the root of the problem - not weapons.  More parenting, plus quality time spent with our children and less time spent watching/playing violent video games (that desensitize), would be a step in the right direction.

31 (edited by bigjeffjones 2009-03-13 02:44:40)

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

I have time to really say what I think, now.  Very busy last 2 days.

One day I shocked almost everybody I know by saying if we were all armed then a nut job like the guy in Tennessee or Alabama or Virginia would be dead after the first shot, if he'd even had the nerve to venture out with his sick little fantasies in a world where he would scare no one.

I've thought about it a lot.  16 people?  No just 1.  15 people?  No just 1.  Full moon comes out and the psychos look for innocents...nah.  Helpless outrage is unavoidable long distance.  The fact is there would be blood and death, but much less of it would be unarmed innocent bystanders.

In spite of a post like this, which would seem to reveal otherwise, I am not a violent or ignorant man.  It's sad that nobody paid enough attention to the loonies before they snapped.  No common sense?

Still; talk as crazy as you want to, call me names, swear in front of my wife and kids, fine...I'll move them along and leave you be.  Threaten them or wave a gun at them...I grew up rough and sometimes it bubbles up even after all these years.  This is not a movie, nor a video game...

sayaprayernow
youwillmeetyourmakersoon
mayhehavemercy

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

I am posting this to give some information that what is happening in Mexico is really different than the other two examples. This is more of the "organized armed group" perpetrating crimes against humanity catagory.  This isn't business as usual in Mexico anymore, this is a Government and People that are under siege that will need world intervention.  I am just stating this because this is a much bigger problem than most here know.

"Holy Toledo"  -  Bill King   "Just Win Baby" - Al Davis  "The Autumn Wind" - Steve Sabol

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

The RiverCat^-^ wrote:

I am posting this to give some information that what is happening in Mexico is really different than the other two examples. This is more of the "organized armed group" perpetrating crimes against humanity catagory.  This isn't business as usual in Mexico anymore, this is a Government and People that are under siege that will need world intervention.  I am just stating this because this is a much bigger problem than most here know.

I was fully aware of the fundamental differences between the two killing sprees by individuals and the case of the severed heads in Mexico as a result of their major drug war. I mentioned them only because they were coincidentally being reported at the same time.

Apropos the Mexican drug war, it's crossed the border as this horrific tale shows -

Police: U.S. teens were hit men for Mexican cartel

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/12 … index.html

Jane H. wrote:

....but just as controversial as gun laws are the drug war laws and i read an interesting article in the economist
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displa … extfeature

Another coincidence - will the economic crisis lead our politicians to a re-think on drug policy? This serious article from Time considers it a possibilty. (The Economist, by the way, is by UK standards a conservative, right-wing publication.)

Can Marijuana Help Rescue California's Economy?

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article … ml?cnn=yes

By yet another coincidence, I saw some kind of Fed on tv this afternoon, who belongs to a global pressure group set up within the world of enforcement (FBI, DEA, Interpol, foreign police forces) to lobby for the de-criminalization or outright legalization of certain (though not all) drugs. The group he represents has come to the conclusion that 'prohibition' simply has not worked, and will never work. The war on drugs in the US alone has cost near $2 trillion in the last 40 years and has only resulted in the 'criminalization' of millions who would not otherwise be 'criminal'. The original 'problem' has only grown, not diminished.

The university professor who was there to argue the case for keeping the status quo made a far less convincing case, basically conceding that what's been tried so far hasn't worked, but saying that the 'system' could and should be improved instead of abolishing it.

I mention this only in the context of the drug related severed heads and the link I posted above. I am NOT taking a position here on a very controversial subject, nor am I seeking to start a debate (which will get locked) about legalization or not. Just current items in the news and something to think about.

I'm glad you enjoyed the monkeysphere, Jane! I liked it too. big_smile

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

Curby wrote:

This thread unfortunately will probably be closed soon.  Gun control is right up there with religion and politics.  My brief opinion on this subject is it's the erosion of the family that's at the root of the problem - not weapons.  More parenting, plus quality time spent with our children and less time spent watching/playing violent video games (that desensitize), would be a step in the right direction.

You hit the nail on the head Curby.

What is it that differentiates human from animals?

It's civilization, or in other words, the act of being civil to others. This is not ingrained in our consciousness from the moment of conception. Civility is learned. From interaction with loving parents, siblings, friends,etc.  Let a baby be raised by a pack of wolves and in essence, that baby will grow up as a wolf. Nothing deep there.

Nowadays, parents prop the kid in front of a television from the time they're old enough to be distracted and the child gains more of it's inner culture from electronic media (TV shows, video games, gangsta rap) than from it's parents. I'm amazed there aren't more of these mass murders going on.

Take that kid and have absentee parents or ones that don't give a crap about it's upbringing and that kid won't know what love is and grow up with anti-social behavior. These social outcasts wind up gravitating together into gangs. When you grow up with no sense of social mores (what is considered unacceptible behavior), it's not that big of a step to lash out violently (even to the point of murder sprees) when he feels he's been wronged.

Then we can always get into the religious argument about whose god is the true god and why everyone who doesn't believe in your religion either needs to be converted or have his head chopped off because he won't. Justification of murdering another human on religious grounds is just pathetic.

Guns do not cause antisocial behavior. They are only a convenient means to achieving an end result.

Do us all a favor. If you do have children, please love them. Spend some quality time with them and if they're acting out try to find out the reason why and rectify the situation. If you have a friend or neighbor who ignore their kids, call them out on it! Nothing new here. It's just that nobody needs a license to bring children into the world.

If you ignore your kid and don't raise him properly and the kid goes out and blows someone else away, you're just as guilty as he is. Yes, I think a few people are basically evil. I don't know what it is. Genetic defects? Chemical imbalances? I'm not a psychiatrist.

I try to stay out of these deep discussions, but had to get this off my chest.

End of rant. Now I can start thinking happy thoughts again.  smile  Like my next JB concert. In London with a whole bunch of Bonabuds.

Major Tom to ground control...

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

RICjunkie wrote:
Curby wrote:

This thread unfortunately will probably be closed soon.  Gun control is right up there with religion and politics.  My brief opinion on this subject is it's the erosion of the family that's at the root of the problem - not weapons.  More parenting, plus quality time spent with our children and less time spent watching/playing violent video games (that desensitize), would be a step in the right direction.

You hit the nail on the head Curby.

What is it that differentiates human from animals?

It's civilization, or in other words, the act of being civil to others. This is not ingrained in our consciousness from the moment of conception. Civility is learned. From interaction with loving parents, siblings, friends,etc.  Let a baby be raised by a pack of wolves and in essence, that baby will grow up as a wolf. Nothing deep there.

Nowadays, parents prop the kid in front of a television from the time they're old enough to be distracted and the child gains more of it's inner culture from electronic media (TV shows, video games, gangsta rap) than from it's parents. I'm amazed there aren't more of these mass murders going on.

Take that kid and have absentee parents or ones that don't give a crap about it's upbringing and that kid won't know what love is and grow up with anti-social behavior. These social outcasts wind up gravitating together into gangs. When you grow up with no sense of social mores (what is considered unacceptible behavior), it's not that big of a step to lash out violently (even to the point of murder sprees) when he feels he's been wronged.

Then we can always get into the religious argument about whose god is the true god and why everyone who doesn't believe in your religion either needs to be converted or have his head chopped off because he won't. Justification of murdering another human on religious grounds is just pathetic.

Guns do not cause antisocial behavior. They are only a convenient means to achieving an end result.

Do us all a favor. If you do have children, please love them. Spend some quality time with them and if they're acting out try to find out the reason why and rectify the situation. If you have a friend or neighbor who ignore their kids, call them out on it! Nothing new here. It's just that nobody needs a license to bring children into the world.

If you ignore your kid and don't raise him properly and the kid goes out and blows someone else away, you're just as guilty as he is. Yes, I think a few people are basically evil. I don't know what it is. Genetic defects? Chemical imbalances? I'm not a psychiatrist.

I try to stay out of these deep discussions, but had to get this off my chest.

End of rant. Now I can start thinking happy thoughts again.  smile  Like my next JB concert. In London with a whole bunch of Bonabuds.

Well said Tom, I couldnt agree more

Shred

Re: Is the world going to the dogs?

RICjunkie wrote:

Yes, I think a few people are basically evil. I don't know what it is. Genetic defects? Chemical imbalances? I'm not a psychiatrist..

I am a psychotherapist and I don´t know, too. Is it "the society" which makes an originally innocent child evil - by poor parenting, restrictive norms etc etc - or is man born as wolf who needs education to become a human being?? An ancient philosophical question. In any way: teaching kids how to handle conflicts, frustrations and negative feelings instead of stuffing them only with outer knowledge would help us a lot.
Günter

Rock On and Keep the Faith