Is the USA a mini Somalia?

[Tommygunn]

"Patriot" is also a term for someone who supports their "Nation" without bothering to even ask why they should do so. I would much rather care about the health, welfare and safety of my neighbors, and help them attain it and keep it, than be a "Patriot".

I disagree. What you're describing is a martinet. The only reason why a patriot wouldn't ask why he should support his country is because he already knows the answer.

 

[Tommygunn]

So many of y'all have beaten on Highgate for his question, without even bothering to consider the REASON for his question. So quick to show the "Liberal Socialist Know-nothing" how wrong he is -- and all while ignoring that he admitted straight out that it was the impression gained from reading posts here and from what he sees in the news and elsewhere.

So quick to judge the views of others -- and yet so slow to understand the views of others.

Yet here you say:[QUOTE="Black Duck Charlie]there is a world of difference between socialist/liberal and anti-gun. Being Socialist means that a person cares about the Society they are a part of. Liberal means allowing others to enjoy the rights/liberties/privileges that you enjoy. Being anti-gun means that a person does not like guns.[/QUOTE]
How's that for "understanding the views of others." Being socialist means you believe the government should own the means of production. "Caring about society" is a meaningless term, really. Hitler was a National Socialist and some might claim he "cared about society," but very few outside his own circle would try to claim his concern for it was evidenced in very constructive ways.
And please don't tell me conservatives & republicans don't care about the rights & priviledges of others.

 

[blarby]

Circling the drain..... this thread is.

For reference, however.... as the following of links provided is optional, not mandatory...

so·cial·ist noun \ˈsō-sh(ə-)list\

Definition of SOCIALIST

1
: one who advocates or practices socialism
2
capitalized : a member of a party or political group advocating socialism

so·cial·ism noun \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\

Definition of SOCIALISM

1
: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2
a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3
: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.


What socialism IS by definition and what its PERCEIVED to be based on cultural inference are quite different. Much like communism. Section 3 in the definition of socialism is arguably the important part there...its a period of transition.

If you don't desire or condone communism, it would be very hard to be a socialist by definition.

With those statements in mind, there are very few socialists...just as there are indeed very few communist countries or governments that actually follow the proscribed tenets of Marx.

If this is how this thread is gonna end, I wish it'd at least end with something relating to Somalia, or us crazy machine-gun toting Americans. Thats at least on topic.

 

[happygeek]

 

[hermannr]

I would say we have so many firearms, so we don't become like Somalia. It is very difficult to start a revolution unless most of the citizens are on board if the general population is armed.

1 million military and law enforcement Verse 300 million citizens...not good odds. If the military and the citizens are all on the same side it is just fine, and then a small group of anarchist/revolutionaries would not do so well.

BTW: Here in Washington state, our state constitution specifically gives the right to bear arms to the individual, but at the same time, it also makes private armies illegal.

 

[vtuck2]

Wow!

This has to be the most articulate, moving, passionate, and entertaining thread I've yet read on THR.

Best to all.

Vernon

 

[hang fire]

We have many guns so we don't become like the UK.

 

[exavid]

The problem with Somalia isn't a lack of guns. Those they have. The problem with Somalia is they don't have any enlightened leaders. It's a strong reminder of how lucky the English Colonists and we their descendents were to have the men they had to lead the revolution and form a government.

 

[mortablunt]

We're not very representative of people who own guns in general. We are the passionate gun nuts, to be charitable. Most people here with guns buy a handgun or a shotgun for home defense and then either throw it in a safe or in a drawer and never look at it again. It's like how people are with cars. Yes, many people own cars, but very few are petrolheads of Top Gear quality.

And how are things in England ATM? I haven't seen much, but the last time I was there, October 2010, the Care Home scandal was going down. How has that worked out? Anything interesting from Southampton? My father, who is from there, would like to know. And lastly, would you like to know anything interesting about James May? I would too.

 

[Davek1977]

I live in a peaceful town, in an overall peaceful state. I've never seen a person shot, nor have I been shot at myself. I don't foresee it happening, either, but that doesn't mean I'm some sort of radical for owning several rifles (including multiple center-fire semi-autos in mock military configurations), 3 handguns, and a couple of shotguns. I'm not deranged because I have 10k rounds of various ammo around at any given time. I enjoy shooting, I enjoy collecting, I enjoy hunting. i do not enjoy paying exorbitant prices during shortages, or having to stop and purchase ammo each and every time I go shooting. I like knowing I likely have over a year's supply on hand at the very least at any time for most of my weapons. I'm not unstable, scared, paranoid, or obsessed with SHTF or TEOTWAWKI scenarios or afraid "zombies" are coming. I'm simply an American who enjoys the freedom to responsibly own guns. As radical or foreign as the concepts of stockpiling unlimited amounts of ammo or buying a semi-auto rifle and high capacity magazines, some of us would be equally as shocked if someone tried to take away our access to such things. You weren't raised here, so its not surprising you don't get the "gun culture" as many of our own residents do not either. However, from a historical standpoint...from a security standpoint....from a safety standpoint....from a patriotic standpoint, and yes, even from a legal standpoint....gun ownership is a right that many of us have chosen to embrace for completely honorable reasons. A love of guns does not equate to a love of violence.

 

[hso]

This one's going sour so let's just take the lessons learned and move forward.