I had a pretty cool experience today.

[JohnKSa]

Here is where we agree--the vast majority of both liberals and conservatives are closer together than many realize. It's the extremists that get a lot of coverage, and it's their views and antics that tend to make a lasting impression.

So it's also true that extreme leftists generally disagree almost as much with their own general class (liberals) as they do with conservatives. The same applies to the extreme right when compared with conservatives.

But here is the huge problem with extending that argument to the point of telling someone that all the liberals they have encountered must be leftists...

Extremists are a tiny minority as you pointed out. It's highly unlikely that all the liberals I've encountered have been on the extreme left and therefore it's equally unlikely that my experience with liberals is not representative.

My point remains--while your views and attitudes may align relatively well with mine, the views and attitudes of most liberals do not. Your attempt to align the "liberals" with your views and redefine those liberals who don't agree with you is not consistent with reality, in my experience.

 

[Boxerrider]

Not about me

+1

Boy is 11 and pretty small for his age, Girl is 6. I'll take them to the range one at a time, mostly balloon popping with a cut-down 10/22. We're members at a local outdoor range and can go when nobody else is there so I don't have to worry about what other shooters are or are not doing. I usually shoot a little to train them to stay back and pay attention even when they aren't shooting. They shoot as long as it's fun and when they're tired we clean up and go. Both are excellent brass collectors.
When I want to practice I go alone. As time passes and they become independant I'll adapt accordingly. I certainly need all of the practice I can get.

OT:
My experience is that some people are more open-minded than others. Political affiliation seems to be irrevelant. YMMV

Enjoy!

 

[Werewolf]

The great thing about us liberals is we are open minded and willing to listen. If the right arguments are presented we are willing to change our opinions also. We are also willing to allow others (such as her son) to think for themselves and make their own decisions.

Now if that was really true there wouldn't BE any liberals.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Oh my G-d. The Chinese gov really really does not respect human life

 

[armedandsafe]

Hey, Boxerrider, what's your ride? Mine was an R75/5 that I put about 275K on before the thieves took off with it.

Pops

 

[LSCurrier]

The great thing about us liberals is we are open minded and willing to listen. If the right arguments are presented we are willing to change our opinions also. We are also willing to allow others (such as her son) to think for themselves and make their own decisions.

NOTE: This is not intended to pick a fight or anything!!

Your comments about liberals don't sound like any liberals I know. In fairness though, I know a few conservatives that are just as close-minded as the close-minded liberals I know.

Luke

PS: Glad to hear about the great time at the range that the original poster had!!!

 

[WayneConrad]

What a great story! Thanks for telling it. I'm glad you did it, and I'm glad it worked out so well.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

NOTE: This is not intended to pick a fight or anything!!

Your comments about liberals don't sound like any liberals I know. In fairness though, I know a few conservatives that are just as close-minded as the close-minded liberals I know.

Luke

PS: Glad to hear about the great time at the range that the original poster had!!!

Well, the next time you meet a close minded liberal remind them of what a liberal truely is...
a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
Another thing to remember is that just because someone does not agree with you does not mean they are close minded. Often it means your arguments are not strong enough to counter their previous experiences.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Oh my G-d. The Chinese gov really really does not respect human life

While Im not disagreeing with you about your view of the Chinese government (in fact I agree) - holding targets is practiced in the US as well. I have seen a few posts from firearms instructors that use something similiar in their ADVANCED classes.

There are a few guys that I would hold a target for - at arms length to the side.....not over my head.

 

[crazed_ss]

While Im not disagreeing with you about your view of the Chinese government (in fact I agree) - holding targets is practiced in the US as well. I have seen a few posts from firearms instructors that use something similiar in their ADVANCED classes.

There are a few guys that I would hold a target for - at arms length to the side.....not over my head.

Where is that kind of thing practiced in the US?

In the military we pulled targets in the pits, but we werent in any real danger of getting hit by a round. If the shooter screws up one shot, that Chinse dude is dead.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Where is that kind of thing practiced in the US?

In the military we pulled targets in the pits, but we werent in any real danger of getting hit by a round. If the shooter screws up one shot, that Chinse dude is dead.

I read a post about an instructor saying that this was done in his advanced classes but was voluntary. He also mention a few other instructors that did this. I dont have a link to the thread......

 

[crazed_ss]

Lol.. that's instanity. I wouldnt trust Carlos Hathcock enough to hold a target like that..

 

[Werewolf]

Oh my G-d. The Chinese gov really really does not respect human life

OH Please...
The picture is IMO an obvious setup or a fake. No shooting going on there.

The backstop is a wooden fence for Christ's sake and just behind it is a street with stores and apartments.

Not even the chinese would shoot under such conditions. See any bullet pock marks on the buildings in the background?

That picture is pure BS...

 

[Randy in Arizona]

Not even the chinese would shoot under such conditions. See any bullet pock marks on the buildings in the background?

That picture is pure BS...

Or just maybe the target is NOT being used for live fire - -

When I was in an NRA marksmanship class 40+ years ago we did some practice with UNLOADED guns for a while before any ammo was issued! :banghead:

 

[Boxerrider]

scooter

Hey, Boxerrider, what's your ride? Mine was an R75/5 that I put about 275K on before the thieves took off with it.

Pops

Theft prevention wasn't much of a concern on the /5 was it?
Mine's a '76 90/6, mostly.
http://tinyurl.com/qrj6z

Happiness is a conservative taxman and a liberal bartender.

 

[Kurt_M]

Great story Mantis and good on you for taking the boys shooting. I'll be taking a new shooter to the pistol range tonight myself, it should be a good time.

 

[dakotasin]

I did ask her to come along, but her response was a very adamant "NO!". I really didn't want to push her and have her change her mind about letting her sons go. I'll keep working on her, but I'll have to tread lightly.

mantis- as someone who has successfully converted 3 very strong anti's (the worst took me over 2 years), i gotta say your 'tread lightly' remark is right on. and do keep working her - you can eventually get it. very gentle nudges and intelligent conversation to go along w/ a smattering of humor will eventually win her over.

of the 3 i converted, 2 are hard core Democrats, and i even got 1 to pick up a rifle and go deer hunting. she was tough to convince to hunt, but fairly easy to convince to at least try shooting. the toughest one is now ok w/ guns in the house, and enjoys plinking w/ a 9mm on occasion - but that is as far as she'll ever go. i consider it a major victory to get her to even look at a gun, nevermind handle one... she'll never hunt, or carry, but at least she recognizes guns for what they are, and nothing more.

good job on your activities, and good luck w/ the mom.