tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post8829078646619602194..comments2024-03-28T03:00:07.229-04:00Comments on Rational Nation USA: Responsible Government or Intrusive Big Brother Nanny State Mentality on the March...Les Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-19049371614253796532013-01-31T13:43:10.348-05:002013-01-31T13:43:10.348-05:00"This ignores the very real danger of drunk d..."This ignores the very real danger of drunk driving..."<br /><br />I didn't ignore it. I just pointed out the fact that tobacco abuse is very commonly foisted/forced on those nearby, and this rarely if ever happens with alcohol.<br /><br />If someone drinks a beer in a crowded room, it is entirely unknown that they will force others to drink the beer. There is a chance they might drive drunk after drinking it, but this is a very small chance. It's a lot different from the tobacco abuser, who will force at least several people to consume what he or she is consuming.dmarkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07269773990064736457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-27636120937953188032013-01-31T10:17:45.741-05:002013-01-31T10:17:45.741-05:00Shaw,
Just to clarify, I totally support the idea...Shaw,<br /><br />Just to clarify, I totally support the idea and reality of being responsible stewards of privately-owned guns. Definitely!ConFire3https://www.blogger.com/profile/12768451728170362416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-7387403062560921942013-01-31T06:52:20.771-05:002013-01-31T06:52:20.771-05:00Nancy Lanza was gone out of town for two or three ...Nancy Lanza was gone out of town for two or three days immediately preceding the shooting. <br /><br />I think that I read somewhere that she was advised by an expert to give Adam more opportunities for independence. From what I gleaned, she was accessing or trying to access expert advice regarding her son.<br /><br />It is not out of the realm of possibility that Nancy Lanza was advised to leave the house for a few days. Her son killed her quite soon after she returned.<br /><br />I have read from several sources information indicating that she was concerned about her son's recent behavior and had stopped taking him to the gun range some time back.<br /><br />So, I have to wonder if she didn't have the guns secured. Gun safes can be broken into -- given enough time and sufficient isolation (out of earshot, etc.).Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-10736569980309752602013-01-30T21:39:04.061-05:002013-01-30T21:39:04.061-05:00Shaw,
I own guns because ....yes. I will simply s...Shaw,<br /><br />I own guns because ....yes. I will simply say yes.<br /><br />I do have a small point of order though. I hear it said, time and again, that Nancy Lanza was irresponsible with her legal guns and this is how her son got ahold of them and did what he did. I have heard people say they were basically lying about the Lanza house, on the kitchen counters, in the bathroom, etc, etc, and Adam just picked one up and shot his mother with it. Oh, because all of them were also loaded. <br /><br />I am being a bit melodramatic and sarcastic, but in all seriousness allow me to ask: has any proof been put forth that proves Nancy Lanza did not have the guns secured? Has there been a police report saying that there was no gun safe in her house? Has someone provided photos of the interior of the house and it can be plainly seen that no gun safe was present?<br /><br />I mention this only because it reminds me of how if a woman says a man raped her, and he is cleared, the accusation still hangs in the air. Once a man is called a rapist, his life is pretty much over. With Nancy Lanza, people are mentioning that she just had those guns lying about the house all willy-nilly, but...but...no one knows this for sure, and it is inappropriate that people keep parroting this untruth. Once it is out there, though, it becomes gospel. No one but Adam Lanza and his dead mother know how those weapons were either stored or not.ConFire3https://www.blogger.com/profile/12768451728170362416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-50880198087685021232013-01-30T14:06:02.684-05:002013-01-30T14:06:02.684-05:00I'll give up my Prince Albert pipe tobacco whe...I'll give up my Prince Albert pipe tobacco when you pry it from my cold dead hands. :)BB-Idahohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01168862935045755393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-9847747303907732212013-01-30T13:53:21.322-05:002013-01-30T13:53:21.322-05:00No problem with the mistake. It was honest, and b...No problem with the mistake. It was honest, and besides that, I was not offended.<br /><br />We agree on punishing those gun owners who do not take their responsibilities seriously. Perhaps if those who are careless and leave loaded guns around the house are punished, other will get the message that that is not acceptable.<br /><br />I understand that you own a gun[s] because it is your right to. It is my right to own one as well. But I don't need to own a gun to live my life. Would you be able to live your life without a gun, that is if you're not living in a lonely remote area of the country where law enforcement is miles and miles away? Or do you own one because you just enjoy the ownership? That is what I was trying to illustrate in showing the difference between owning a car and owning a gun. One is necessary to one's life; one is not, unless for the reasons I've pointed to in my previous comment and in this one.<br /><br />Anyway, no one has an argument with responsible firearms owners. We need to educate those who are NOT responsible on what the consequences are for NOT taking firearms ownership seriously. And that would have included Adam Lanza's mother. Her son was unstable and yet she had loaded guns accessible to him. Pure idiocy on her part, and she paid a terrible price for it. Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-52924456450826771772013-01-29T19:00:29.079-05:002013-01-29T19:00:29.079-05:00Shaw,
*blushing* You are so correct, it was NOT y...Shaw,<br /><br />*blushing* You are so correct, it was NOT you who said Nancy Lanza was unstable and you could prove it! My apologies, my sincerest apologies! It was taospeaks, on the post "Unspeakable Evil" that Les wrote regarding the Sandy Hook shootings. Again, Shaw, I apologize. (I get you liberals mixed up, sorry....:))<br /><br />Okay, now that I've eaten crow, let's move on...<br /><br />I agree with your comments about guns. I disagree however that I don't need one, and I am surely neither military (any more) or police. I have guns because I am rightfully permitted to have guns. Being former military (11 series US Army and some other MOS designators thrown in)I am personally comfortable around guns, and have a deep and abiding respect for them. I know what they are capable of doing in the hands of a person like me.<br /><br />You would penalize gun ownership for people who treat them carelessly. I get that. I would, as well, but much harsher than you. Trust me, Shaw, if you (used generically) act the fool with guns in front of me, I will put you in your place with the quickness.<br /><br />As to keeping guns away from children, this is grey area to me. Allow me to elaborate before you disagree. I have every intention of raising my daughters to know, understand, be familiar with, and respect guns. Definitely. I will start teaching them when I believe they are ready. So my daughters will not fear guns in a scared way, but in a sober-minded respectful way.<br /><br />Does this mean I do not have my guns secured? Of course not. I do have them secured. No one I know who has young, young kids does not have theirs secured. Should there be stiffer penalties for unsecured private guns in a private house in America, when children are present? Hmmm. Not 100% sure about this. I see a slippery slope there, and I'm not 100% ready to squeeze this trigger on it. I would hope people would have the common sense to be responsible with their guns, but...well, we both know that is not realistic.<br /><br />Anyhoos, I've babbled enough. Again, my apologies for attributing a statement from taospeaks to you.ConFire3https://www.blogger.com/profile/12768451728170362416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-54635946885263651662013-01-29T15:36:40.722-05:002013-01-29T15:36:40.722-05:00ConFire3: "...can we not then also consider ...ConFire3: "...can we not then also consider that it is mental instability and not guns themselves that have caused such horror in regards to the shootings we have all seen recently? In simpler terms, neither you nor I would blame the car for the actions of a drunk driver, we would blame alcohol. Can't we blame the person, then, and not the gun for these shootings, using similar logic?"<br /><br /><br />Here's the difference, ConFire3, unless you're in the military or law enforcement, or employed as a guard for either banks or any prive business, a gun is not necessary to live one's life. I needed a car in my life because I lived in the suburbs and needed to drive to get everywhere. I've never owned a gun, and that has not impaired my ability to live my life. A car is necessary; a gun is not. We give people tests in order to get a driver's license; we register cars and in many states require yearly inspections to make sure it is in proper working condition. If a driver causes either property damage or personal injury while driving a car, he/she pays for it through insurance; or depending on the kind of damage; a jail sentence. We impose all sorts of restrictions, demands, etc. on cars. We should do the same for guns. Those two drunk men in Ohio who were shooting off their guns--I think they were using an AR-15s--need to lose their guns and have to reapply to own guns ever again. We need to start punishing idiots severely who are not responsible with their guns--like leaving loaded guns around the home so that kids get their hands on them. Parents or relatives who do so should be mandated prison severe sentences. It's not an "accident" when a child picks up a loaded gun in the home and kills himself or another child--that's gross negligence. The owner of the gun should spend years and years in jail. That would serve as a warning to everyone who owns guns to keep them locked up and away from children.<br /><br />ConFire3: "By the way, it's nice to see you again on RationalNationUSA. I am still waiting, however, for you to prove that Nancy Lanza was mentally unstable and the reason Adam Lanza did what he did."<br /><br />I don't recall that I ever wrote that. Can you tell me where I did?Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-10088221814234306882013-01-29T11:21:49.038-05:002013-01-29T11:21:49.038-05:00Shaw,
We agree. Alcohol, unrestrained and in an u...Shaw,<br /><br />We agree. Alcohol, unrestrained and in an undisciplined sense of usage, has caused great horror and damage to Americans. How many rapes, murders, assaults, robberies, homicides, etc, have had their root in alcohol abuse?<br /><br />However, while we agree, may I pose a somewhat related question? If we agree that alcohol is the cause of drunk driving and it is drunk driving that kills so many Americans, can we not then also consider that it is mental instability and not guns themselves that have caused such horror in regards to the shootings we have all seen recently? In simpler terms, neither you nor I would blame the car for the actions of a drunk driver, we would blame alcohol. Can't we blame the person, then, and not the gun for these shootings, using similar logic?<br /><br />By the way, it's nice to see you again on RationalNationUSA. I am still waiting, however, for you to prove that Nancy Lanza was mentally unstable and the reason Adam Lanza did what he did.ConFire3https://www.blogger.com/profile/12768451728170362416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-77018028733840247802013-01-29T10:54:34.927-05:002013-01-29T10:54:34.927-05:00"...typically abuse alcohol without forcing e..."...typically abuse alcohol without forcing everyone nearby to do so."<br /><br />This ignores the very real danger of drunk driving, which in fact, is a very real danger to non-abusers. Also, alcohol abuse has destroyed many families and often is the cause of domestic violence. No, we can't save people from their stupid addictions and habits, but we can make it harder for them to indulge in them.Shaw Kenawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637273000409613497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-76789152451097801972013-01-28T22:54:06.834-05:002013-01-28T22:54:06.834-05:00Agreed!Agreed!Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-91185363044603309642013-01-28T22:53:45.606-05:002013-01-28T22:53:45.606-05:00Hey jmj, still waiting for your response to my las...Hey jmj, still waiting for your response to my last response to you.Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-85395921731715540092013-01-28T21:10:45.197-05:002013-01-28T21:10:45.197-05:00"I need government to save me from myself!&qu..."I need government to save me from myself!" - said no sensible person, ever.ConFire3https://www.blogger.com/profile/12768451728170362416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-21342449266208221592013-01-28T18:22:17.210-05:002013-01-28T18:22:17.210-05:00Do you know what 5 pounds of bacon costs? Do you ...Do you know what 5 pounds of bacon costs? Do you know anyone who ever did that?<br /><br />You never smoked, did you?<br /><br />JMJJersey McJoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15426560061830038806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-17772422609757484902013-01-28T12:37:07.990-05:002013-01-28T12:37:07.990-05:00Good luck with future Americans being able to make...Good luck with future Americans being able to make good choices as a country being broke. Most mistakes do mean hardships, to correct. Americans are willing to die anywhere in the world to make America safe (?) they are just not prepared to sacrifice some of their money to create a stable future, yet, they were willing to go broke to save themselves a little in taxes. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-18226690849204275522013-01-28T10:42:00.055-05:002013-01-28T10:42:00.055-05:00Jersey: So? Someone could also eat 5 pounds of bac...Jersey: So? Someone could also eat 5 pounds of bacon a day and no fruit, and get at least as sick. Do you want this regulated also?<br /><br />It's not "rather sad" at all.dmarkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07269773990064736457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-43520841251102492542013-01-28T10:18:59.889-05:002013-01-28T10:18:59.889-05:00To Anon: We would have to implement taxes higher ...To Anon: We would have to implement taxes higher that Europe's in order to cover out deficits. Good luck with that...Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-63869003606618488972013-01-27T23:21:23.726-05:002013-01-27T23:21:23.726-05:00Too much of anything can be bad.
Stick with the...Too much of anything can be bad. <br /><br />Stick with the complex carbs, they provide vitamins and minerals as well as being a primary substrate forom which energy is produced.Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-69596521569660553512013-01-27T20:46:08.898-05:002013-01-27T20:46:08.898-05:00dmarks, the sicker your fellow man the less produc...dmarks, the sicker your fellow man the less productive he could be for you. There is a very healthy (excuse the joke) capitalistic reason to regulate cigarette smoking.<br /><br />It's rather sad that your problem with it comprises no compassion for your fellow man at all.<br /><br />JMJ Jersey McJoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15426560061830038806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-28097569361261226032013-01-27T13:15:51.835-05:002013-01-27T13:15:51.835-05:00Still, drunks typically abuse alcohol without forc...Still, drunks typically abuse alcohol without forcing everyone nearby to do so. Not so with tobacco abusers. If they kept it to themselves, I'd have no problem at all with it.dmarkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07269773990064736457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-48233709644423240812013-01-27T07:54:39.419-05:002013-01-27T07:54:39.419-05:00Yes, smoking is bad for your health.
But I recall...Yes, smoking is bad for your health.<br /><br />But I recall hearing about any smokers taking out carloads of people on the roads the way that those driving drunk do on a regular basis.<br /><br />Just sayin'.<br /><br />Too much glucose (carbs) is bad too. Shall we be consigned to food packets that are rationed by the Nanny State?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-64833682800870386552013-01-27T07:52:56.509-05:002013-01-27T07:52:56.509-05:00Gah! The Nanny State is going wild.
So, when can...Gah! The Nanny State is going wild.<br /><br />So, when can we expect a ban on alcohol?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-50889662866587269872013-01-26T22:04:13.027-05:002013-01-26T22:04:13.027-05:00Jersey: You might be right.....Jersey: You might be right.....dmarkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07269773990064736457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-71085518605224199252013-01-26T15:18:51.148-05:002013-01-26T15:18:51.148-05:00dmarks, the volume of smoke inhaled by a cigarette...dmarks, the volume of smoke inhaled by a cigarette smoker is exponentially greater than that of even the heaviest pot smoker. As for impairment, if we trust that people will be aware of that and act responsible is the question, and one would thank any conservative or libertarian would rather err on the side of trust than ban the substance entirely - a substance that no matter what the law, millions will still use. Of course, if you mean by "impairment" some long-term complication, there's little evidence of any significant problem there.<br /><br />At least cigarette content should be at least regulated so as to be less dangerous (as should be marijuana).<br /><br />That could save billions and billions in healthcare costs, boost economic activity, and let's face it - save a lot of lives.<br /><br />In a way, I wish they would just ban the damned things, but then that never works. Not for guns, not for booze, not for drugs, not for prostitution, not for any ubiquitous social ill at all. Regulation is the only way to deal with it. Keep it legal, but keep it responsibly monitored and regulated by the society.<br /><br />JMJJersey McJoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15426560061830038806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8549971354391868786.post-44163124164613378402013-01-26T13:14:16.011-05:002013-01-26T13:14:16.011-05:00"Now a relatively harmless product like marij..."Now a relatively harmless product like marijuana is actually protected by illegal status."<br /><br />Only relatively harmless because it isn't abused as much. But the smoke does damage lungs, and unlike with tobacco, abuse of marijuana impairs people. That is a big danger tobacco does not have.dmarkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07269773990064736457noreply@blogger.com