FA+
Shop
1691
Views
Views
91
Favorites
Favorites
Category
All / All
Species Goat
Size 600 x 792
File Size 105.1 kB
Report this content
★
More from rabbi-tom
Yes, this actually happened to me outside of a Little Ceaser's pizza. Yes he said that as did I.
Yes, I was armed (not the best of areas after dark), and a carrier of a CCW permit.
Yes, I also notified the police of this Gentlemans potential threat.
Nothing I am aware of was done to him. Life goes on. Note: He didn't pull a weapon, nor touched me, But his words were threat enough to 'flash him'. That was all it took. Didn't have to unholster.
Yes, I was armed (not the best of areas after dark), and a carrier of a CCW permit.
Yes, I also notified the police of this Gentlemans potential threat.
Nothing I am aware of was done to him. Life goes on. Note: He didn't pull a weapon, nor touched me, But his words were threat enough to 'flash him'. That was all it took. Didn't have to unholster.
Category All / All
Species Goat
Size 600 x 792px
File Size 105.1 kB
Right. But if another man grows the wheat, another grinds it, one man fetches the water, another grows the tomatoes, another milks the cow and makes it into cheese, etc., and one man puts it in the oven, who is he to claim it is his pizza and his alone? Now, mind you, this isn't being applied to people actually paying for pizza, i.e. Tom. But this is becoming an discourse on Aynrandians.
Ahhh, but all those people to those things because the money I pay for that pizza filters to them. That way they can use that money to buy other things or roll around in it as they see fit.
It's a voluntary arrangement that benefits everyone involved, mutually an voluntarily.
It's a voluntary arrangement that benefits everyone involved, mutually an voluntarily.
Correct assumption. In an ideal world, this would be a beautiful and elegant system. However, not living in a utopia, we find flaws.
However, one hardly voluntarily does work. They do so because it is required of them to survive. One can only have so much pride before they do whatever they can. Would you work for pennies an hour? What would it take to make you do so?
And, when one farm-hand harvests vegetables, he hardly gets what he's worked for. Instead, the money arrives in the hands of the farm owner, who gives him whatever portion he sees fit, yes?
However, one hardly voluntarily does work. They do so because it is required of them to survive. One can only have so much pride before they do whatever they can. Would you work for pennies an hour? What would it take to make you do so?
And, when one farm-hand harvests vegetables, he hardly gets what he's worked for. Instead, the money arrives in the hands of the farm owner, who gives him whatever portion he sees fit, yes?
Lets examine your last part first, the farmer pays his hand the agreed upon wage, that generally being yes the minimum agreeable sum I will grant you, but the farmer needs the farmhand and the farmhand needs the work and for thousands of years terms have been arrived a based on this.
It's true that all work is voluntary insomuch as we must work to survive, but that fact has lead us to our greatness as a civilization and enriched us in many ways by encouraging advances in technique, technology, and science. Knowing many farmers and ranchers through my work I will tell you that pride goes an enormous way towards why they do it, some of the ranches where I work have been in the same families since the spaniards came into this country in the footsteps of Coronado. They run small herds the same way their great grandfathers did(though larger herds an healthier cattle than those days thanks to modern veterinary medicine and careful breeding) and wealthy men all over the world pay a premium for the superior beef. Their hands work and live on those ranches voluntarily and earn their wage, dividing that money(after taxes), between their families and the local bar, and of course their own competition tac for the rodeo. Again, pride, hard work, done voluntarily and agreed upon by all parties, these parties all prosper.
As for working for pennies an hour, I would do it provided I could not get better work, though I can only assume such a situation in a deflated currency economy as this is not enough money to buy food, though were food and a dwelling provided and I liked the work I might do it regardless. Nobody is working for pennies an hour at present, though sans a "minimum wage" I do wonder what salaries would settle at and if prices dropped correspondingly. I suspect the "minimum wage" is a bit like the "nuclear genie" however and being released from its bottle I doubt it can be returned.
It's true that all work is voluntary insomuch as we must work to survive, but that fact has lead us to our greatness as a civilization and enriched us in many ways by encouraging advances in technique, technology, and science. Knowing many farmers and ranchers through my work I will tell you that pride goes an enormous way towards why they do it, some of the ranches where I work have been in the same families since the spaniards came into this country in the footsteps of Coronado. They run small herds the same way their great grandfathers did(though larger herds an healthier cattle than those days thanks to modern veterinary medicine and careful breeding) and wealthy men all over the world pay a premium for the superior beef. Their hands work and live on those ranches voluntarily and earn their wage, dividing that money(after taxes), between their families and the local bar, and of course their own competition tac for the rodeo. Again, pride, hard work, done voluntarily and agreed upon by all parties, these parties all prosper.
As for working for pennies an hour, I would do it provided I could not get better work, though I can only assume such a situation in a deflated currency economy as this is not enough money to buy food, though were food and a dwelling provided and I liked the work I might do it regardless. Nobody is working for pennies an hour at present, though sans a "minimum wage" I do wonder what salaries would settle at and if prices dropped correspondingly. I suspect the "minimum wage" is a bit like the "nuclear genie" however and being released from its bottle I doubt it can be returned.
I realize the mistake I made in off-handed suggesting what I did. It's like your comment on the nuclear genie, I don't think it can be put back in and resume the conversation the proper direction I meant to go in. XD
At any rate, though, minimum wage exists for a reason, remember? Labor bosses had gotten to the point where people were working themselves into debt with their own employers with 80+ hour weeks. The workers came together and organized against their powerful, but corrupt and greedy, employers.
It's all cyclical, see? In a way, it mirrors very much the kind of material brought up in works like Atlas Shrugged.
In simple realit, we need to come together. Though we disagree on many things, we do agree on fighting corruption and injustice. The problem is what we see as corruption and injustice. We've all got selective vision and it especially seems like those on the right can only see it in Government and those on the left can only see it in privatized matters and businesses/corporations.
The difference, however, is that I believe in democratic government rather than a plutocracy-based one. Ya dig?
At any rate, though, minimum wage exists for a reason, remember? Labor bosses had gotten to the point where people were working themselves into debt with their own employers with 80+ hour weeks. The workers came together and organized against their powerful, but corrupt and greedy, employers.
It's all cyclical, see? In a way, it mirrors very much the kind of material brought up in works like Atlas Shrugged.
In simple realit, we need to come together. Though we disagree on many things, we do agree on fighting corruption and injustice. The problem is what we see as corruption and injustice. We've all got selective vision and it especially seems like those on the right can only see it in Government and those on the left can only see it in privatized matters and businesses/corporations.
The difference, however, is that I believe in democratic government rather than a plutocracy-based one. Ya dig?
I absolutely dig, my issue comes when I'm taxed to subsidize others, in effect I am being legally required to devote a portion of my life and efforts to support those who are incapable or unwilling to support themselves. My professional life is already spent largely in defending those who lack the capability or the free time to protect themselves in exchange for my wages. I love my job, but to know that 3 of every ten hours (the approximate cumulative percentage I pay in income tax, not including property tax, vehicle tax, sales tax, the inevitable death tax, etc.), is devoted to charities I have never agreed to support. I'm told its for roads and bridges but the roads and bridges are increasingly decayed, I'm told its to feed the hungry but there seem to be more hungry every year... I can go on but that's the crux of the John Galt reference is that they propose to take more and say things like "what you keep is a privilege, and it becomes very worrisome.
Oh, no, no, no, man. I HATE pretty much all subsidies. I think it is a collaboration between corrupt government and corrupt business to help the both of them at the expense of the common man.
I dislike, very much, the inefficiencies of government, as well, in the areas that they are so.
We really do agree on the issues. As many (most?) people do... Or is that too naive to think most people aren't just drones stuck on too much "Here comes honey boo-boo?" Or is that just hipster, "Everyone else is sheep," Holden Caulfield B.S.?
Correct me, also, if I am wrong, but isn't that no man is entitled to anything but what he makes for himself one of the tenets of Objectivity? Like I said, I may be mistaken. I just thought it was, since many objectivity fans I know hold dear to that premise.
I dislike, very much, the inefficiencies of government, as well, in the areas that they are so.
We really do agree on the issues. As many (most?) people do... Or is that too naive to think most people aren't just drones stuck on too much "Here comes honey boo-boo?" Or is that just hipster, "Everyone else is sheep," Holden Caulfield B.S.?
Correct me, also, if I am wrong, but isn't that no man is entitled to anything but what he makes for himself one of the tenets of Objectivity? Like I said, I may be mistaken. I just thought it was, since many objectivity fans I know hold dear to that premise.
I feel that no man is "entitled" to anything, but that's not the same saying nothing belongs to us or that we cannot collectively do or own ANYTHING, roads are an excellent example, one man can in fact own a road or bridge, but most roads are far more than any man can pay for on their own and the common maintenance so that we can all use them is acceptable provided they actually ARE maintained. But employing someone for a service and paying them for it where nothing physical is produced is also in my belief completely acceptable. For example to drive your truck to market full of your produce, in the simplest example. Or in my example, to prevent dealers in human slavery from trampling your crops, destroying your fences, and killing and eating your livestock, etc.
The wages of a dedicated and hard working service employee can be spent on created goods, additionally we create things as well, methodologies of work, as well as safety and security, which I consider a tangible.
The wages of a dedicated and hard working service employee can be spent on created goods, additionally we create things as well, methodologies of work, as well as safety and security, which I consider a tangible.
IMNSHO; it comes down to how man can market the particular sweat from his brow, and what the market will support as well.
When I was 15, decided to enter the market "Because reasons" but mostly because I had a hankering for more hobby supplies than I could find in my quarterly budget. I worked through the last 3 years of high school, and ever since, including through two stints in college. Whenever a goal was achieved, always I affixed the new carrot to the stick and kept slogging on.
Case in point I moved 3000 miles and found my salary at 200% what it was for living in the labor market I grew up in.
I agree with wanting to live in a democracy; but I'm liking the Nordic social democracy model quite much more than what we've let Democracy in the US become.
Even then I feel my absentee ballot I sent in last week is a message in a bottle. I hope enough messages in enough bottles make it known we need certain changes. I'd love to have Canada's healthcare system in place of what's happened to the US system, for example. A system I worked in for a number of recent years and know quite well.
One of my favorite gentlemen on the matter of 'Well how do we fix this situation?' is Nick Hanauer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bBx2Y5HhplI
When I was 15, decided to enter the market "Because reasons" but mostly because I had a hankering for more hobby supplies than I could find in my quarterly budget. I worked through the last 3 years of high school, and ever since, including through two stints in college. Whenever a goal was achieved, always I affixed the new carrot to the stick and kept slogging on.
Case in point I moved 3000 miles and found my salary at 200% what it was for living in the labor market I grew up in.
I agree with wanting to live in a democracy; but I'm liking the Nordic social democracy model quite much more than what we've let Democracy in the US become.
Even then I feel my absentee ballot I sent in last week is a message in a bottle. I hope enough messages in enough bottles make it known we need certain changes. I'd love to have Canada's healthcare system in place of what's happened to the US system, for example. A system I worked in for a number of recent years and know quite well.
One of my favorite gentlemen on the matter of 'Well how do we fix this situation?' is Nick Hanauer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bBx2Y5HhplI
I also find it funny that the anti-traditionalist message of Ayn Rand is being used to back Capitalism based on it's traditional nature, whereas I am not actually going against many of the fundamental parts of capitalism, merely some of it's flaws. I'd like to improve capitalism, not upend it in some dramatic fashion. It's evolved to become what it is over time and I think it still has room to grow as a concept.
Indeed, I am so burned, his comment wounds me.. If anyone needs me I'll be waiting for my dividend checks to come in the post, in my luxury car crying into my Miko suede seats and listening Nico Vega's beast on my 12 speaker surround sound because all my philosophy never got me what I wanted...
Wait, never mind, I feel better now.
Btw that wasn't ACTUALLY directed at you, I just thought it would amuse you.
Wait, never mind, I feel better now.
Btw that wasn't ACTUALLY directed at you, I just thought it would amuse you.
It is and it isn't, I don't honestly expect a person to share their pizza and I wouldn't share mine under any circumstances, but I do want to understand the thought process whereby my labor is something divisible but not a pizza, as I said, consider it something in the nature of a philosophical question, not a matter of political party or entity.
I suspect we both know the logical, though not necessarily moral conclusion is that a pizza lawfully purchased by ones own wages or the other product of ones efforts is their own to do with as they wish. I was interested however in using the pizza as an example to perhaps direct the process of thought at alternative situations.
I think we're, as happens often on these journals, over-politicizing an issue.
However, keeping in mind that I still think this thug deserved what for, a key issue is raised.
That being if woman or man desires something and another woman or man of equal standing as a human being, but lesser standing in abundance and wealth needs the same object.... Well, it gets a bit murky.
Let's be honest, this thug didn't deserve a pizza and his threat was met with measured, deterrent "force." (and I use that term lightly here, as no force was actually used.)
And, to continue being honest, how did this issue become about the evils of the failed socialist systems of the world?
However, keeping in mind that I still think this thug deserved what for, a key issue is raised.
That being if woman or man desires something and another woman or man of equal standing as a human being, but lesser standing in abundance and wealth needs the same object.... Well, it gets a bit murky.
Let's be honest, this thug didn't deserve a pizza and his threat was met with measured, deterrent "force." (and I use that term lightly here, as no force was actually used.)
And, to continue being honest, how did this issue become about the evils of the failed socialist systems of the world?
I rejected those parlors. Instead, I chose different. I chose the impossible. I chose... Rapture.
A Pizza Restaurant where the Cook would not fear censor. Where the toppings would not be bound by petty morality. Where the tasty would not be constrained by the "personal pan". And with your order, from the menu, Rapture can serve you pizza as well.
A Pizza Restaurant where the Cook would not fear censor. Where the toppings would not be bound by petty morality. Where the tasty would not be constrained by the "personal pan". And with your order, from the menu, Rapture can serve you pizza as well.
Did the man NEED the cigarettes he was smoking? Did the Man NEED the 40 ouncer he had in his hoodie, Did the Man have to verbally imply that if I did not hand over the pizza something bad may happen?
Did it ever occur to you others would also be eating that pizza as well?
Did it ever occur to you others would also be eating that pizza as well?
Murky waters a good thing? I think you need a better metaphor. If things are murky, you cannot see where the danger lies. And while things are not always black and white, it's foolish to pretend or even suggest that a lack of clarity is a good thing.
I've lacked a lot of clarity in my life. Trust me, I'd rather deal with clear waters.
I've lacked a lot of clarity in my life. Trust me, I'd rather deal with clear waters.
I know I don't. To me, a person is only my enemy if they choose to be. Otherwise, I've no reason to fight against them. Unless they turn out to be a truly wicked person, in which case, I intend to see justice done. But then, I suppose if they are truly wicked, they'd probably end up as my enemy just for promoting morality. Especially if it's the kind that exposes their intentions for what they're really trying to do.
I wasn't actually promoting black and grey morality, rather, I was focused on illustrating you can't see the world for just black and white and having multiple opinions contribute helped to show the vibrant differences of opinions (or colours, I guess?) that help solve problems via cooperation.
That's fine. I figured you weren't. I just sometimes feel like I have to remind people to be cautious. I'm not sure it's taken well, and perhaps I'm too cautious for my own sake at times. Still, one must not rush into things without knowing the truth. And it can take some surprising forms if you're willing to leave your mind open, even though you must always post a guard. You'll find some thoughts come into your head unbidden, and must be shown the way out. Forcefully.
All of those things occurred to me. As per my original comment directed at you, I know that the pizza belongs to the person whos product of labor paid for it, to do with as they wish. My comment here is directed at the other gentleman. In the nature of a philosophical point, as he has identified himself in other ways as someone who believes the products of a persons labor are not inherantly their own, but are divisible by the needs of others.
If the would-be pizza thief *needed* pizza, then he is just as capable of taking the necessary steps to obtain said pizza legitimately. Because by the logic of need making things right, I *need* a winter coat, a decent pair of shoes, new computer parts, and quite a few other things. Does that make it okay for me to demand them of others instead of earning them for myself?
I'm the type who can't stand to see anybody else doing without food, but if someone is truly hungry it's not that difficult to ask politely. Do so and I would willingly spend my last buck to feed someone who needs it, and have done a great many times. Threaten me for it though, and you'll get nothing. Try to harm me, and you'll find yourself without even the state of health you had prior to your little misadventure.
An armed society is a polite society.
I'm the type who can't stand to see anybody else doing without food, but if someone is truly hungry it's not that difficult to ask politely. Do so and I would willingly spend my last buck to feed someone who needs it, and have done a great many times. Threaten me for it though, and you'll get nothing. Try to harm me, and you'll find yourself without even the state of health you had prior to your little misadventure.
An armed society is a polite society.
If you check the comment thread I was directly replying to, without following the tangents trailing off in other directions, no I did not miss the point. Whether someone else's needs where greater or not, or whether the person whose pizza it was truly needs all of it is irrelevant in the situation presented. Presenting a threat to try to get something for nothing is going to get a reaction from a lot of people, and not always the one that the person might expect.
Yes, I was never arguing that the persons need ever had any bearing on ther right to the pizza, I'm a firm believer that no matter how dire someones need it does not EVER give them any claim to me, or my property. I was making an ironic philosophical point.
You're basically telling me what this person did was wrong, I was already doing that, but using it to illustrate the point that it is merely an extension, logically, of what society is training people to believe.
You're basically telling me what this person did was wrong, I was already doing that, but using it to illustrate the point that it is merely an extension, logically, of what society is training people to believe.
For some reason, my comments are ending up as responses to the wrong comments. I had meant the comment about having started a business to be in response to someone having no qualifications or having some handicap that causes difficulty keeping employment.
Either FA is being glitchy for me, or I was tired enough last night that I messed it up, I don't know.
Either FA is being glitchy for me, or I was tired enough last night that I messed it up, I don't know.
I am not advocating thievery. The only kind of unlawful actions I condone are the actions preformed when the laws themselves are unjust. Of course, that is all arguable, what makes laws unjust.
I am just saying everyone has different circumstances. They, of course, need to do the best they can and get out there and work their hardest, but there is an element of, I guess one would call it luck, though I don't believe in luck as an inherent thing people can have more than another of.
Of another point is, do you have any employees? Not everybody can own and run their own business simply because of the logistics of a society where everybody owns their own work. That's a strange combination of communism and feudalism, isn't it?
It's kind of like how they say everybody can do well in America. Which is frankly untrue. Anybody can do well, but not everybody. That's how the system works.
I am just saying everyone has different circumstances. They, of course, need to do the best they can and get out there and work their hardest, but there is an element of, I guess one would call it luck, though I don't believe in luck as an inherent thing people can have more than another of.
Of another point is, do you have any employees? Not everybody can own and run their own business simply because of the logistics of a society where everybody owns their own work. That's a strange combination of communism and feudalism, isn't it?
It's kind of like how they say everybody can do well in America. Which is frankly untrue. Anybody can do well, but not everybody. That's how the system works.
Well, then, the debate is out on whether it is morally required of us to do the "most" moral course of action and what the "moralest" course of action would be, since there are quite a few flaws with the idea of Act Utilitarianism, the easiest system in which the most moral course of action is deducible.
But that raises the question; Is the time and effort of one person divisible by the needs of others? Lets except morality for a moment as I personally don't believe in the construct in many cases, except in the direct sense of right or wrong as it relates to causing or not causing harm to others who are not attempting or intending harm to me. Speaking in terms of reason, if a person believes that the products of their labor ARE divisible by the needs of others for one purpose, why do all purposes not follow?
If you don't believe in morality, doesn't that make this discussion, by nature, pointless? And if someone only "partially believes" that morality is a thing, well... for one, it is a concept, obviously, we acknowledge that and we have words for it, and since it exists purely as a concept, it therefore does it exist. And if even then we deny this argument, we can still assume that if you believe in some form of morality, then you must believe in morality as a whole. It makes no sense to say you don't believe in chairs, except in the direct sense of sitting as it relates to resting your legs, correct?
As for your second matter, I find somewhat of a fault in the structure and wish you could kindly reword it as so I would not potentially misinterpret your meaning or intent.
As for your second matter, I find somewhat of a fault in the structure and wish you could kindly reword it as so I would not potentially misinterpret your meaning or intent.
Because you deserve a reply ASAP, I'll say I'll reply at home when I can sit down and reply properly with a real keyboard. Also we can take this to pm if you want because we're going to be using a LOT of space :3.
I really like your style, it's not rude or overly aggressive but genuinely interesting.
I really like your style, it's not rude or overly aggressive but genuinely interesting.
Ugh, don't over compliment me. I have my fair share of getting angry and grumpy and becoming somewhat pretentious and elitist and wanting to beat him head on the desk when it comes to arguments.
Heck, just yesterday, a similar incident of discussion occurred with a much less reasonable, polite, logical and accepting group and they pretty much threw me out after insulting me.
No problem, take your time. I have things to do as well for a short time.
Heck, just yesterday, a similar incident of discussion occurred with a much less reasonable, polite, logical and accepting group and they pretty much threw me out after insulting me.
No problem, take your time. I have things to do as well for a short time.
The big problem with the labels of liberal and conservative is that they end up meaning a) two sides of a one-dimensional scale rather than, at the very least a a 2D plane, or even better, a model of a 3D one or something else really complex, as people are, and b) they end up meaning different things to different people and, most likely, the worst bits of them to the other side.
Say conservative to a liberal and you invoke images of radical segregationists, the theocratic evangelicals, etc., etc. Say liberal to a conservative, you invoke idiot hypocrisy, naivete in the realm of tyrants and a lot worse.
Say conservative to a liberal and you invoke images of radical segregationists, the theocratic evangelicals, etc., etc. Say liberal to a conservative, you invoke idiot hypocrisy, naivete in the realm of tyrants and a lot worse.
What other nations do or don't do is their own problem, until they make it someone else's.
I was just presenting the point that, if an armed society is a polite society, then an unarmed society is defenseless... And if "We the People" are unarmed and defenseless, where does that leave us?
I was just presenting the point that, if an armed society is a polite society, then an unarmed society is defenseless... And if "We the People" are unarmed and defenseless, where does that leave us?
But the opposite of polite is not defenseless. If "a polite society is an armed society" is true (and that is debatable. Just because something sounds quite nice doesn't make it true, necessarily) and that is our reasoning for allowing continued armament of citizenry, shouldn't we be obligated to provide everyone with weaponry?
I am for support of the 2nd amendment, but for entirely different reasons than most supporters, I find.
And if somebody is not obligated to do so, if this is considered best or moral or whatever you want to call it, then are we obligated to do anything? And if were aren't, why are we obligated to ensure the right to weapons for our people?
If the matters of other nations doings is their own, then I would assume you are for isolationism and discontinued foreign policy/withdrawal from the world at large and the promotion of other such inward-turned foreign policy, yes?
I am for support of the 2nd amendment, but for entirely different reasons than most supporters, I find.
And if somebody is not obligated to do so, if this is considered best or moral or whatever you want to call it, then are we obligated to do anything? And if were aren't, why are we obligated to ensure the right to weapons for our people?
If the matters of other nations doings is their own, then I would assume you are for isolationism and discontinued foreign policy/withdrawal from the world at large and the promotion of other such inward-turned foreign policy, yes?
I feel nuclear nonproliferation becomes an issue because of the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons, and the fact that they can be used to leverage power over people who would otherwise be free.
There are people out there who want to destroy the product of free labor, nations of free men, with nuclear weapons because their freedom and prosperity puts a lie to oppressive theocracy. That cannot be allowed, that kind of thing should never be allowed.
There are people out there who want to destroy the product of free labor, nations of free men, with nuclear weapons because their freedom and prosperity puts a lie to oppressive theocracy. That cannot be allowed, that kind of thing should never be allowed.
Your cartoon kinda goes along with this http://kfor.com/2012/10/18/preteen-.....ruder-in-home/ the guy breaks in the home and get shot by the home owner's daughter... One story says she hit him in the shoulder... Another he is quoted as saying he was homeless and was looking for food... When do you hide food in a bedroom closet?
All I have to say to this young lady is "YOU GO GIRL!"
I hate to think of what could have happened if she had not been armed.
All I have to say to this young lady is "YOU GO GIRL!"
I hate to think of what could have happened if she had not been armed.
I remember when I was visiting my folks in Canada a couple years ago, I stayed up to watch the late news, and there was this one lady who has 2 daughters and she was suspecting there was a peeping tom looking in on them when they got undressed. So she set up some hidden cameras to catch him in the act. So the mother reported the guy to the police and pressed charges on him. And then the guy turns around and charges the mother for 'interfering with his own privacy rights' O.o;
I never did find out what happened after that >.> But...yeah, seriously, it was a big WTF a couple years ago >.<
I never did find out what happened after that >.> But...yeah, seriously, it was a big WTF a couple years ago >.<
I've heard a couple of stories in my area... One, an old man would have been mugged, except he was a Marine and took the attacker down barehanded. Another, an old lady's house was broken into, and when the police arrived she was sitting at the table calmly and keeping the intruder at gunpoint until he could be taken away. Hearing things like that always makes me grin.
There was a reason my dad always kept a loaded pistol in the house, and when I was old enough to understand I was taught how to shoot and what to do if anything similar happened. I think I was about the same age as the girl in the story you linked to when I started learning how to shoot.
There was a reason my dad always kept a loaded pistol in the house, and when I was old enough to understand I was taught how to shoot and what to do if anything similar happened. I think I was about the same age as the girl in the story you linked to when I started learning how to shoot.
Yep a loaded gun in your hand carries a lot more weight in the eyes of the crooks then a cop on the phone.
Part of me wishes she had taken him out of the gene pool... But another is glad she didn't because killing him would have weighted heavy on her...
Mind you I would have not minded if she had given him a 40 cal. vasectomy. But again then I'm shooting silhouette targets at the range I work on head shots and crotch shots... My shooting buddy cringes when I do that... But he does agree if you hit someone with a big heavy slug of lead down there it's going to stop them.
Part of me wishes she had taken him out of the gene pool... But another is glad she didn't because killing him would have weighted heavy on her...
Mind you I would have not minded if she had given him a 40 cal. vasectomy. But again then I'm shooting silhouette targets at the range I work on head shots and crotch shots... My shooting buddy cringes when I do that... But he does agree if you hit someone with a big heavy slug of lead down there it's going to stop them.
Biggest freakout someone had over my aim was an ex several years ago. I had never fired a pistol prior, only shotguns and rifles. He tries to explain it, and I shrug and take aim.
Missed my first shot, then corrected based on the direction I was off by.
***BANG!***
*kneecap*
***BANG!***
*kneecap*
***BANG!***
*groin*
***BANG!***
*chest*
***BANG!***
*forehead*
Handed it back as he commented about never pissing me off, and something about a gun safe. I was quite amused!
Missed my first shot, then corrected based on the direction I was off by.
***BANG!***
*kneecap*
***BANG!***
*kneecap*
***BANG!***
*groin*
***BANG!***
*chest*
***BANG!***
*forehead*
Handed it back as he commented about never pissing me off, and something about a gun safe. I was quite amused!
yeah I have scared a couple of guys at the range one time... The guys said how lousy shots women were because my sweetie was all over the target... She has not done any shooting... The said this so we could hear it...
So I load up two full mags for my Glock 21 with 13 rounds and load one in the pipe. I go get a full sized silhouette target and ask the range master if they minded if I used another lane... She said go ahead there were just four of us so no big deal.
Now the guys were shooting a long barrel revolver sounded like they were shooting 38 spl in it and they are taking their time shooting a round about every 4 to 6 sec. at a range of 25 feet.
So I take the lane right next to them put the silhouette right next to theirs and let it hang... I then run it out another 15 or so feet put the first mag in and start shooting when I emptied the one mag I switched to the other and went back to shooting I dumped 27 rounds in under 30 sec. I then brought the target back to the bench and let it hang about 3 feet away from the bench.... I went to the bathroom and came back... they were gone....
The range master asked me what did I do to them... Most of the time they would be there for a couple of hours, and they had just came in before we did... I said nothing really. I went and got the target.
The target had about 1/3 of the rounds in the forehead that you could cover with the palm of your hand 1/3 to the chest you could cover with your splayed hand and 1/3 in the crotch that you could cover with a pop can end...
The range master laughed her ass off over that. She refunded me half the range fee, after I gave her the target after she asked for it. These two guys had egos that came into the range before they did... and would belittle any woman shooter that came to the range while they were there. Robin told me they had lost a number of shooter because of them.... Myself I live by "Be one, teach one." so if I see where someone can use a hand I'll offer a little comment to help them out after we talk about the issues they are having. I've had a number of the guys ask me to help out their girlfriend or wife with their shooting skills.
My feelings are there is no place at a gun range for an over inflated EGO. They are what get people hurt and killed shooting and at the range
So I load up two full mags for my Glock 21 with 13 rounds and load one in the pipe. I go get a full sized silhouette target and ask the range master if they minded if I used another lane... She said go ahead there were just four of us so no big deal.
Now the guys were shooting a long barrel revolver sounded like they were shooting 38 spl in it and they are taking their time shooting a round about every 4 to 6 sec. at a range of 25 feet.
So I take the lane right next to them put the silhouette right next to theirs and let it hang... I then run it out another 15 or so feet put the first mag in and start shooting when I emptied the one mag I switched to the other and went back to shooting I dumped 27 rounds in under 30 sec. I then brought the target back to the bench and let it hang about 3 feet away from the bench.... I went to the bathroom and came back... they were gone....
The range master asked me what did I do to them... Most of the time they would be there for a couple of hours, and they had just came in before we did... I said nothing really. I went and got the target.
The target had about 1/3 of the rounds in the forehead that you could cover with the palm of your hand 1/3 to the chest you could cover with your splayed hand and 1/3 in the crotch that you could cover with a pop can end...
The range master laughed her ass off over that. She refunded me half the range fee, after I gave her the target after she asked for it. These two guys had egos that came into the range before they did... and would belittle any woman shooter that came to the range while they were there. Robin told me they had lost a number of shooter because of them.... Myself I live by "Be one, teach one." so if I see where someone can use a hand I'll offer a little comment to help them out after we talk about the issues they are having. I've had a number of the guys ask me to help out their girlfriend or wife with their shooting skills.
My feelings are there is no place at a gun range for an over inflated EGO. They are what get people hurt and killed shooting and at the range
The only problem I have ever had is that I tend to overthink myself and that makes my accuracy go to crap. My husband actually figured out a way to snap me out of that and improve my aim drastically in one go. Plain and simple, I'm a mom, and a protective one at that.
So what'd he do?
Leaned over and told me, "They're after your son." Which is my biggest fear if anyone ever breaks into our house.
I stopped thinking and started firing at the target, and apparently I had my Scary Pissed Mom look on... Bring it in after I'd exhausted my ammo, and I hadn't missed a shot. I'm no sharpshooter by any means, but if someone messes with my kid, I really pity them.
So what'd he do?
Leaned over and told me, "They're after your son." Which is my biggest fear if anyone ever breaks into our house.
I stopped thinking and started firing at the target, and apparently I had my Scary Pissed Mom look on... Bring it in after I'd exhausted my ammo, and I hadn't missed a shot. I'm no sharpshooter by any means, but if someone messes with my kid, I really pity them.
I was walking a couple of blocks to a gas station with my son one day. Went in, bought a couple sodas and some chips, etc, and started walking home. Random guy in the parking lot offered us a ride home, and everything seemed to kinda click at once... I could see that he was carrying concealed, and I had a strong hunch that he was doing so legally. I just grinned, thanked him, but told him we needed the exercise, and as I turned away I pulled my jacket a bit snug... outlining the pistol I was carrying at my lower back. (Also legal, of course.)
The guy must have spotted it, because I could hear him laughing as he got in his car and drove away. Apparently, the fact that I'm quite happily able to take care of my self was both unexpected and a point of amusement :)
The guy must have spotted it, because I could hear him laughing as he got in his car and drove away. Apparently, the fact that I'm quite happily able to take care of my self was both unexpected and a point of amusement :)
By the sounds of it, more like "He tried to assault me to take my pizza." Or well, might have tried, but thankfully it didn't come to that.
I think if you ask most folks with a CCW, we'd rather NEVER have to draw, period. But since some people don't seem to believe in leaving others in peace, better safe then sorry.
I think if you ask most folks with a CCW, we'd rather NEVER have to draw, period. But since some people don't seem to believe in leaving others in peace, better safe then sorry.
Someone tried to steal your pizza?
What's the world coming to?
Also, did I just read a long political discussion that didn't end in a flame war and name-calling shit-storm? That's surprising!
I can't carry a gun anymore for health reasons, but I'll all for an armed society!
Can't be Objectivist either for health reasons, but I love Ayn Rand.
So that's where I stand, love me or hate me (I won't debate)
What's the world coming to?
Also, did I just read a long political discussion that didn't end in a flame war and name-calling shit-storm? That's surprising!
I can't carry a gun anymore for health reasons, but I'll all for an armed society!
Can't be Objectivist either for health reasons, but I love Ayn Rand.
So that's where I stand, love me or hate me (I won't debate)
Last time hubby had to "flash" someone he had just been threatened by some douchebag that told him he "deserved what he got for joining the military". He informed the douche that at least he'd had the balls to sign up, for which mr. macho was offended and pulled a knife on him and that's when he got flashed.
Thankfully the dude's GF stepped in, snatched the knife and proceeded to give her now ex an earful before apologizing to hubby. Turns out, her dad was still in the reserves and due to be deployed again.
Thankfully the dude's GF stepped in, snatched the knife and proceeded to give her now ex an earful before apologizing to hubby. Turns out, her dad was still in the reserves and due to be deployed again.
Hot N' Readys aren't bad, I personally love when the people who assist the smugglers drop them off ahead of their loads, so that the mules and the guides can eat, but we get there first. Nothing like sitting there eating a hot pizza when a bunch of smugglers walk up tired from their trek over the mountains to find me and my friends waiting for them.
Though admittedly its a LOT more fun when they drop off KFC, but only because of Leroy Jenkins.
Though admittedly its a LOT more fun when they drop off KFC, but only because of Leroy Jenkins.
I'm for reform as well, our immigration laws are almost all 60 years old, and extremely murky and given over to all manner of discretion.
But honestly its not racism driven, it may appear like that since primarily we're engaged in stopping people who's majority does comprise a single race, we get plenty of people of other races and regions of origin. Its really the fact that with few exceptions, there simply isn't a place right now for unskilled labor, we have a surplus, and the migration itself presents incredible dangers to the migrants, and everything in their way. This great and beautiful desert is now comprised of washes full of garbage, mountainsides which hide dead bodies, discarded backpacks, abandoned loads of narcotics and weapons. Its pretty ugly.
Even worse is that realistically, so very many of these people crossing the border are actually desperately questing towards a goal that they don't know will be slavery.
But honestly its not racism driven, it may appear like that since primarily we're engaged in stopping people who's majority does comprise a single race, we get plenty of people of other races and regions of origin. Its really the fact that with few exceptions, there simply isn't a place right now for unskilled labor, we have a surplus, and the migration itself presents incredible dangers to the migrants, and everything in their way. This great and beautiful desert is now comprised of washes full of garbage, mountainsides which hide dead bodies, discarded backpacks, abandoned loads of narcotics and weapons. Its pretty ugly.
Even worse is that realistically, so very many of these people crossing the border are actually desperately questing towards a goal that they don't know will be slavery.
Exactly what I was saying. We need to be fixin' shit.
Although you got to admit, a lot of people who -are- racist are just masking it with "I support immigration reform," a convenient issue that just happens to keep "Those people" out. You'll never hear them complain about illegal Canadian immigrants, amirite?
Although you got to admit, a lot of people who -are- racist are just masking it with "I support immigration reform," a convenient issue that just happens to keep "Those people" out. You'll never hear them complain about illegal Canadian immigrants, amirite?
I've only ever seen myself one illegal Canadian, but I've caught plenty of Irish, Russian, German, couple british tourist overstays (though they're easy to deal with because they're here to spend money so generally they're just read the riot act and let loose with a note that they can't come back on vacation for a couple years), things like that.
On another total side note... Taxes will always exist as long as there is government. Otherwise, government is just working for free. And, as much as I'd love a very active and aware government made up of every citizen doing their share of volunteer work (Jury duty, lol) it's probably never going to happen, at least in our lifetime.
So we've got taxes and if we get representation in exchange for those taxes via our democratic and equal votes, we're already better off than a non-democratic system.
However, the issue is in the spending of the taxation. What do you say taxes should be spent on?
I am for the spending of those taxes on ensuring government fulfills its purpose in protecting us from outside and inside violent threats and ensuring the well-being of the populace. If we spend taxes in any other fashion, I find that we begin to fund government for governance sake. That is to say...
The government will continue to tax us, but take those funds from us and use them purely on things that benefit themselves. Authoritarianism. Fascism. War for profit. Outrageous politician salary increases. Tax cuts on the industries they profit off of and only them, etc., etc. You dig me, here? It'll end up something like Neo-feudalism.
So we've got taxes and if we get representation in exchange for those taxes via our democratic and equal votes, we're already better off than a non-democratic system.
However, the issue is in the spending of the taxation. What do you say taxes should be spent on?
I am for the spending of those taxes on ensuring government fulfills its purpose in protecting us from outside and inside violent threats and ensuring the well-being of the populace. If we spend taxes in any other fashion, I find that we begin to fund government for governance sake. That is to say...
The government will continue to tax us, but take those funds from us and use them purely on things that benefit themselves. Authoritarianism. Fascism. War for profit. Outrageous politician salary increases. Tax cuts on the industries they profit off of and only them, etc., etc. You dig me, here? It'll end up something like Neo-feudalism.
I'm going to answer both questions at once, this comment and the previous, I've given it a lot of thought so its been a while, and I apologize for the delay.
In short, I believe taxes to support my job among others are justified because, with few exceptions, there are in fact projects which are in the self interest of all without being within reach of any except a very few (if any at all anymore), law enforcement is a good example. If I were a shop owner as opposed to a professional peacekeeper, I would not have the time or the interest in defending my community from crime beyond defending myself (i'd certainly carry A gun, I always did so legally prior to joining law enforcement, I in fact left my native New York when they proposed that after years of responsibly carrying a gun that I no longer 'demonstrated a need' to do so), now each person looking out for their own self protection is, in my opinion, a fantastic way to police society, except that there are those who are unable, young children for example may not be capable of defending themselves except by lethal force, and even then the guns they could use would be of limited size and caliber, the extremely elderly or otherwise infirm, the same way. As a shop owner, I could defend myself against one stupid kid with a gun, using my own gun, but what about a gang of 4 or 5, what if they catch me unaware? I would not have the training to recognize someone under the effects of PCP and know that I had better deploy an X-26 taser gun instead of a pistol because the pistol is unlikely to stop them immediately. Etc etc, it would be in my interest, and the interest of my children, and of my parents (Which in my case fit the elderly bill, but thanks to responsible youth are more than capable of supporting themselves comfortably on their savings and dividends), or grandparents (who are in the same boat as my parents only with more comfort and less physical capability), to employ a cadre of professional law enforcement personnel, and indeed a soldiery for this purpose is one of the oldest edifices of any government, even the most simple.
Other examples for taxation include roads, the first roads on long island were built by extremely wealthy private land owners to reach their estates, and they charged tolls to the general public for their use and maintenance. Today it is almost impossible for even the richest among us to afford to pave a highway (though I do wonder just how much of that is the result of the government taking over that construction, as the government does a terrible job of spending money), the mail service, the military and law enforcement defense of the nation, the maintenance of public airports, these are things I support taxation for, however, I believe in use taxation. IE: tolls on roads to pay for the roads, or tolls on vehicle registration, basically interstate tolls for national highways, state tolls for state routes, registration taxes for local roads, or even make the entire state and local system the subject of registration where you pay for a different license plate to be able to drive on state highways vs. local driving only (I know people who have work trucks for example which NEVER leave the city), and tolls or taxes for the inter-state system.
The well being of the populace is the lookout of the populace, if we're not being beset by criminals, foreign enemies, domestic rebellion, or a lack of roadways and communication(MAIL), then I think we are well enough. Beyond that, I believe that yes we are overtaxed.
NOW, that being said, there certainly are things I'm sure I didn't list here which are the logical purview of the government and in the self interest of all people to control, such as rational pollution standards, though that's been taken so far as to become detrimental to industry providing many services.
HOWEVER, I specifically oppose all national level interest in Education, it seems that the education system in this country began to break down almost as soon as it became subject to federal oversight, and that the states which compete best are those which have retained their original state standards as well as the new federal ones. I believe STRONGLY in public education, because I believe it is in everyones self interest that the next generation be given access to our knowledge. So that they will be capable of production, but I oppose tenure, and and socialization of schools beyond that. People can argue any opinion they want, the fact is our entire education system is demonstrable collapse, and the process is accelerating.
In short, I believe taxes to support my job among others are justified because, with few exceptions, there are in fact projects which are in the self interest of all without being within reach of any except a very few (if any at all anymore), law enforcement is a good example. If I were a shop owner as opposed to a professional peacekeeper, I would not have the time or the interest in defending my community from crime beyond defending myself (i'd certainly carry A gun, I always did so legally prior to joining law enforcement, I in fact left my native New York when they proposed that after years of responsibly carrying a gun that I no longer 'demonstrated a need' to do so), now each person looking out for their own self protection is, in my opinion, a fantastic way to police society, except that there are those who are unable, young children for example may not be capable of defending themselves except by lethal force, and even then the guns they could use would be of limited size and caliber, the extremely elderly or otherwise infirm, the same way. As a shop owner, I could defend myself against one stupid kid with a gun, using my own gun, but what about a gang of 4 or 5, what if they catch me unaware? I would not have the training to recognize someone under the effects of PCP and know that I had better deploy an X-26 taser gun instead of a pistol because the pistol is unlikely to stop them immediately. Etc etc, it would be in my interest, and the interest of my children, and of my parents (Which in my case fit the elderly bill, but thanks to responsible youth are more than capable of supporting themselves comfortably on their savings and dividends), or grandparents (who are in the same boat as my parents only with more comfort and less physical capability), to employ a cadre of professional law enforcement personnel, and indeed a soldiery for this purpose is one of the oldest edifices of any government, even the most simple.
Other examples for taxation include roads, the first roads on long island were built by extremely wealthy private land owners to reach their estates, and they charged tolls to the general public for their use and maintenance. Today it is almost impossible for even the richest among us to afford to pave a highway (though I do wonder just how much of that is the result of the government taking over that construction, as the government does a terrible job of spending money), the mail service, the military and law enforcement defense of the nation, the maintenance of public airports, these are things I support taxation for, however, I believe in use taxation. IE: tolls on roads to pay for the roads, or tolls on vehicle registration, basically interstate tolls for national highways, state tolls for state routes, registration taxes for local roads, or even make the entire state and local system the subject of registration where you pay for a different license plate to be able to drive on state highways vs. local driving only (I know people who have work trucks for example which NEVER leave the city), and tolls or taxes for the inter-state system.
The well being of the populace is the lookout of the populace, if we're not being beset by criminals, foreign enemies, domestic rebellion, or a lack of roadways and communication(MAIL), then I think we are well enough. Beyond that, I believe that yes we are overtaxed.
NOW, that being said, there certainly are things I'm sure I didn't list here which are the logical purview of the government and in the self interest of all people to control, such as rational pollution standards, though that's been taken so far as to become detrimental to industry providing many services.
HOWEVER, I specifically oppose all national level interest in Education, it seems that the education system in this country began to break down almost as soon as it became subject to federal oversight, and that the states which compete best are those which have retained their original state standards as well as the new federal ones. I believe STRONGLY in public education, because I believe it is in everyones self interest that the next generation be given access to our knowledge. So that they will be capable of production, but I oppose tenure, and and socialization of schools beyond that. People can argue any opinion they want, the fact is our entire education system is demonstrable collapse, and the process is accelerating.
Sorry if I ramble here, I wrote this non-chronologically.I do much agree, national defense, like you do, is one of the few areas national spending is well justified in, though I do think... I do think that the idea of supporting an over-bloated military as a "Conservative" is simply hilarious. Republicans fear health care, something I am sure the soviets were sorely lacking, turning us into Communists... But not a massive build-up of weapons and preemptive strikes against other nations! Or fearful treatise against how Das Homosexual is harming out morals and economy will turn us into Nazis!
I totally agree, actually, with you on the toll system. I am sure there's a flaw in it, for sure, but I am still working on my thoughts on it and I am sure it is a step in the right direction. For the most part, we very much agree on very much! I will however say that besides being beset by crime, enemies, etc., do your thoughts include national drought and famine? Lack of proper water or electrical infrastructure or do they merely it within the unlisted?
I am, however, for CONSERVATIon. Conservative. Right there. My big main man Republican Teddy was all for Conservation of natural resources and beauty and regulation. AND carrying a big stick, like you guys advocate. Not blindly following the ideas of a mere human, for we're all flawed (Especially someone who'd be 100 years out of place). But he was probably one of the greatest presidents to ever live, man. Don't doubt it. One of the things I can super-agree on John McCain with! (Also, I totally think his name sounds like the name a president would have from a bad '80s movie where the president gets kidnapped by ninjas.)
Anyway, I went off on a tangent. Air and water and soil quality is something that affects all Americans and peoples across the world. Smoke and fumes and toxic sludge know no borders. It goes where it goes. Last I checked, all Americans breathed, so we should be ensuring, should we not, that their air taken care of? Isn't that a form of national defense in a way of speaking?
(I am stating right now that you, and correct me if I am wrong here, support Rand. And yet you yourself apparently disagree with the message of Objectivism, from my perspective. A kind of thing I see where people are all for looking out for just yourself... but they also demand others look out for them. Do educate me on this.)
By saying that the only manner in which a young child can defend themself is lethally, you are implying they are mentally and physically prepared for this. If not physically, then you are advocating arming young children with weapons, correct? And do we note impose laws against minors for the very reason they are not fully, mentally prepared to make some life-altering choices? Are we not also implying that a young child has been left unsupervised, on their own, in a potentially dangerous place?
Also, did you not just say that, say for example, when someone is on drugs, the best use would be a TASER? A less-than-lethal defense? Are we also to assume that any person, in their right mind, would attempt to continue to rob or mug you when you had a gun (Of any caliber, really. .22 or no it can still kill a man) pointed right at them, so what does power of the gun mean other than assuring someone is dead rather than learned a damned-good lesson they deserve? (Even though I maintain some people are misguided, not evil.)
I do have views on schools, but they are mostly views so I will not launch opinions at you when the studies are still out on just what makes a great school system. I do think, however, there should be a minute amount of federal oversight. Not control so much as just kind of oversight to ensure the states aren't fuckin' off like it seems like some states are.
To start, I am not a conservative, there is no "You guys" when you refer to me. My guys vote for the worst candidates possible for our own reasons.
Now, I do agree strongly that we should produce as many and as powerful weapons as we are capable of, because it deters attack, pre-emptive strikes I agree with in the principle that there are enemies on this earth of all thinking men. As for homosexuals, they aren't hurting anyone that I'm aware of, though the comments some of them have made as to the decor of my home certainly was uncalled for.
I do not care about national drought or famine, people should look after their water supply and I think a severe famine or drought my teach people that you cannot pump an infinite amount of fresh water from the ground, and that food does not in fact flow from "Wal mart" in an endless supply. The largest problem with American production is artificial competition, this year the United States government alone will spend 1.004 trillion dollars essentially paying people to eat. That is not to include the social assistance systems and international aid, both government and charity, which is doling out unearned food to non productive societies worldwide.
Teddy Roosevelt was a very, very bad president, actually, however his foreign policy ideals (if not actions) and his national park actions (if not ideals), are fantastic. While I believe 100% in production and productive means, the fact that there is a massive uranium mine at the Grand canyon and that the Grand Canyon remains an unspoiled marvel, despite being visited by hundreds of millions of people a year, is a testament to the ability to do both.
Air, water and soil quality does affect all people as do smoke and fumes, but these are largely settled issues, for example, the modern "Clean burning" coal plants which the current united states government and the EPA are working to destroy not only have no negative effects on their surrounding environment but their byproducts can actually be used to neutralize areas rendered toxic by old coal burning plants. That is merely one example, the truth of self interest is that I live on this earth as well and therefor no industrial pursuit of mine would ever be aimed at poisoning it, because it will shorten my life and will damage my quality of life. However I oppose environmental regulation in favor of criminal prosecution of those who do harm through irresponsibility.
Rand always seemed to take rational and responsible self interest for granted, she was a philosopher not an industrialist, an industrialist who is not rational, or responsible is not self interested. He is self destructive. I do not believe all the people should come together and be penalized financially because a power generating concern does not want to build the necessary equipment to process the exhaust from their coal burning generators into clean byproducts, in the form of a subsidy to do so, which is what happens now, nor that they should be fined for failing to do so, I believe they should be incarcerated for doing so. I doubt it will be necessary to incarcerate anyone, CEO's do not do well in the general population of prisons populated by recidivist criminals, and if the prospects are to spend a prolonged amount of time in one, or build utilizing only the best equipment, they will choose the former.
I demand nobody look out for me, but I believe in looking out for myself that I must behave in a long term and rational manner. I don't litter not because it would ruin the natural wilderness for others, but because it will ruin it for me, I recycle for the same reason, and the additional specific that the net profits my municipality makes selling recycleable materials to material recyclers is deducted from the cost of waste disposal services, which is self interest both financially and it reduces the number of landfills, which increases the enjoyable natural world around me. For the same reason I drive in a manner that maximizes my fuel economy when I am not in a rush, not because of any morality or a belief in limited natural resources, but because it saves me money, and it reduces my likelihood of getting into an accident.
I'm not suggesting arming young children, I was suggesting the impracticality of it as another reason all rational and self interested persons would agree as to the necessity of a peace keeping class, paid in a salary put together by everyone not capable or having children who are incapable of defending themselves. Children are often unsupervised and anyplace can become dangerous. I walked home from school most of my school days.
Depending on the drug, yes, I believe a taser is to the best use, it has nothing to do with their intent and much more to do with the fact that a person on PCP will be unaffected by bullets, even a direct shot to the heart with a 180 grain JHP .40 S&W bullet which will pulverize the human heart will not stop someone high on PCP for approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes (though as they suffer from hypoxia their assaultive ability will decrease), and that is the most optimal shot, whereas an X26 taser gun properly deployed will instantly incapacitate them for as long as the trigger is depressed (earlier models were only in 5 second increments, which is a vast improvement), no matter what intoxicants are present in their system, allowing the application of hand and leg cuffs, at which point it doesn't really matter how violent they are, you can let them thrash until they're exhausted. This paragraph is a good example of why professional law enforcement is useful in the preservation of peace and the saving of lives. I'm paid to know that information and how to use those tools, as well as how to identify the different threats, because that is my profession. An intoxicated person may not recognize that you have a gun, or they may be wearing body armor, or be insane, or even pointing a gun at you not because they want to rob you, but as a literal attempt at suicide.
If you don't want to discuss schools i'll not force you, though it seems some of my previous points on other things were misunderstood, I hope this helps to clarify.
Self interest means to me, and I think to most truly rational people, that I will always employ the best means, not simply the cheapest or most expedient, because in the end the best means are always justified, and there are other justifications than dollars and cents, these are merely the physical demonstration of labor prior to being redeemed for material goods, but the other half of the equation, the part people like to forget, because it makes a convenient excuse for poor business practice, is that the entire goal is to maximize the length and pleasure of my own life through my efforts, and optimally, the decreased time they take from my life. In order to do that, I must not be poisoning myself or the world around me. I believe Ayn Rand viewed it that way and ALL of her hero's certainly did, while Howard Roark may have looked at a cliff and seen granite paving and iron to be smelted out, and trees to see beams, etc, his architecture and that of the real man it was based on (Frank Lloyd Wright) in its precise utilitarianism also was designed to fit its location surroundings. Probably why the real architecture has been and still is regarded as some of the greatest in the world (Wrights that is).
Now, I do agree strongly that we should produce as many and as powerful weapons as we are capable of, because it deters attack, pre-emptive strikes I agree with in the principle that there are enemies on this earth of all thinking men. As for homosexuals, they aren't hurting anyone that I'm aware of, though the comments some of them have made as to the decor of my home certainly was uncalled for.
I do not care about national drought or famine, people should look after their water supply and I think a severe famine or drought my teach people that you cannot pump an infinite amount of fresh water from the ground, and that food does not in fact flow from "Wal mart" in an endless supply. The largest problem with American production is artificial competition, this year the United States government alone will spend 1.004 trillion dollars essentially paying people to eat. That is not to include the social assistance systems and international aid, both government and charity, which is doling out unearned food to non productive societies worldwide.
Teddy Roosevelt was a very, very bad president, actually, however his foreign policy ideals (if not actions) and his national park actions (if not ideals), are fantastic. While I believe 100% in production and productive means, the fact that there is a massive uranium mine at the Grand canyon and that the Grand Canyon remains an unspoiled marvel, despite being visited by hundreds of millions of people a year, is a testament to the ability to do both.
Air, water and soil quality does affect all people as do smoke and fumes, but these are largely settled issues, for example, the modern "Clean burning" coal plants which the current united states government and the EPA are working to destroy not only have no negative effects on their surrounding environment but their byproducts can actually be used to neutralize areas rendered toxic by old coal burning plants. That is merely one example, the truth of self interest is that I live on this earth as well and therefor no industrial pursuit of mine would ever be aimed at poisoning it, because it will shorten my life and will damage my quality of life. However I oppose environmental regulation in favor of criminal prosecution of those who do harm through irresponsibility.
Rand always seemed to take rational and responsible self interest for granted, she was a philosopher not an industrialist, an industrialist who is not rational, or responsible is not self interested. He is self destructive. I do not believe all the people should come together and be penalized financially because a power generating concern does not want to build the necessary equipment to process the exhaust from their coal burning generators into clean byproducts, in the form of a subsidy to do so, which is what happens now, nor that they should be fined for failing to do so, I believe they should be incarcerated for doing so. I doubt it will be necessary to incarcerate anyone, CEO's do not do well in the general population of prisons populated by recidivist criminals, and if the prospects are to spend a prolonged amount of time in one, or build utilizing only the best equipment, they will choose the former.
I demand nobody look out for me, but I believe in looking out for myself that I must behave in a long term and rational manner. I don't litter not because it would ruin the natural wilderness for others, but because it will ruin it for me, I recycle for the same reason, and the additional specific that the net profits my municipality makes selling recycleable materials to material recyclers is deducted from the cost of waste disposal services, which is self interest both financially and it reduces the number of landfills, which increases the enjoyable natural world around me. For the same reason I drive in a manner that maximizes my fuel economy when I am not in a rush, not because of any morality or a belief in limited natural resources, but because it saves me money, and it reduces my likelihood of getting into an accident.
I'm not suggesting arming young children, I was suggesting the impracticality of it as another reason all rational and self interested persons would agree as to the necessity of a peace keeping class, paid in a salary put together by everyone not capable or having children who are incapable of defending themselves. Children are often unsupervised and anyplace can become dangerous. I walked home from school most of my school days.
Depending on the drug, yes, I believe a taser is to the best use, it has nothing to do with their intent and much more to do with the fact that a person on PCP will be unaffected by bullets, even a direct shot to the heart with a 180 grain JHP .40 S&W bullet which will pulverize the human heart will not stop someone high on PCP for approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes (though as they suffer from hypoxia their assaultive ability will decrease), and that is the most optimal shot, whereas an X26 taser gun properly deployed will instantly incapacitate them for as long as the trigger is depressed (earlier models were only in 5 second increments, which is a vast improvement), no matter what intoxicants are present in their system, allowing the application of hand and leg cuffs, at which point it doesn't really matter how violent they are, you can let them thrash until they're exhausted. This paragraph is a good example of why professional law enforcement is useful in the preservation of peace and the saving of lives. I'm paid to know that information and how to use those tools, as well as how to identify the different threats, because that is my profession. An intoxicated person may not recognize that you have a gun, or they may be wearing body armor, or be insane, or even pointing a gun at you not because they want to rob you, but as a literal attempt at suicide.
If you don't want to discuss schools i'll not force you, though it seems some of my previous points on other things were misunderstood, I hope this helps to clarify.
Self interest means to me, and I think to most truly rational people, that I will always employ the best means, not simply the cheapest or most expedient, because in the end the best means are always justified, and there are other justifications than dollars and cents, these are merely the physical demonstration of labor prior to being redeemed for material goods, but the other half of the equation, the part people like to forget, because it makes a convenient excuse for poor business practice, is that the entire goal is to maximize the length and pleasure of my own life through my efforts, and optimally, the decreased time they take from my life. In order to do that, I must not be poisoning myself or the world around me. I believe Ayn Rand viewed it that way and ALL of her hero's certainly did, while Howard Roark may have looked at a cliff and seen granite paving and iron to be smelted out, and trees to see beams, etc, his architecture and that of the real man it was based on (Frank Lloyd Wright) in its precise utilitarianism also was designed to fit its location surroundings. Probably why the real architecture has been and still is regarded as some of the greatest in the world (Wrights that is).
Let's do this quick, easy and numerically:
1 - "...we should produce as many and as powerful weapons as we are capable of..." Should we not produce as many and as powerful weapons as we need, no more, no less?
2 - "I do not care about national drought or famine..." Is this not endangering kids with no way to protect themselves? Is starvation not as dangerous as a gun?
3 - "...doling out unearned food to non productive societies worldwide." Does this not insist those who went through the dust bowl were non-productive and unworthy?
4 - "Teddy Roosevelt was a very, very bad president, actually." Why is this? I maintain he was an amazing man and that Mt. Rushmore's dedication as just one vivid example of the fact many, many believe him to be a good president.
As for the rest, I agree. Or I disagree. But not big problems.
1 - "...we should produce as many and as powerful weapons as we are capable of..." Should we not produce as many and as powerful weapons as we need, no more, no less?
2 - "I do not care about national drought or famine..." Is this not endangering kids with no way to protect themselves? Is starvation not as dangerous as a gun?
3 - "...doling out unearned food to non productive societies worldwide." Does this not insist those who went through the dust bowl were non-productive and unworthy?
4 - "Teddy Roosevelt was a very, very bad president, actually." Why is this? I maintain he was an amazing man and that Mt. Rushmore's dedication as just one vivid example of the fact many, many believe him to be a good president.
As for the rest, I agree. Or I disagree. But not big problems.
This happens all the time outside the pizza place and a catfish place next door. Usually theres a security officer in the area, but not that hour.. Yeah between 20-25 and all hood "Entitlement" bullshit.
I have a gut feeling you'll be wanting to be armed alot sooner than 15 years.
I have a gut feeling you'll be wanting to be armed alot sooner than 15 years.
To be honest I really worry about what I would do in a situation that you were in. I had a intruder who was a friends family member break into a house I was renting (with said friend) After threatening me I told him to leave. When he didn't I pushed my thumbs into his eyes to emphasis the seriousness of the situation. I pulled back then but I am lucky things didn't go from bad to worse.
I am never really prepared to deal with my fellow human beings but I will do what I have to do.
I am never really prepared to deal with my fellow human beings but I will do what I have to do.
I was in a situation a while back where a man I was trying to help returned drunk, and pissed off about... Something. (Long story). Well, he began screaming at me (This was in an area where I was acting armed security) that I did something wrong.
My past kicked in and I began to stare him down, my anger building over his foolishness- as I was actually truly trying to help him.
Then I realized the Glock 21 in an IWB holster was present.
He began to advance on me, when i closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and with a sigh, agreed with him, backing up, getting behind a gate and shutting it as he screamed, calling me a "Pussy". He was not referring to a cat.
The next day I resigned, as this man was a permanent fixture of said location.
But before I did, I stood in front of my vehicle, produced the weapon as he sat ashamed in his home, staring out through the sliding glass window- dropped the mag into my hand and racked the slide, ejecting the single hollowpoint I keep in the pipe.
I made sure he saw it.
He was like O.O
Because he knew I had it on me the day previous. (I guess the alcohol gave him amnesia...)
I might have been well within my legal means to employ the force multiplier of the semiatomatic handgun during that time, but did I have another option? You betcha. And I took it. And I am glad I did. (So is he. His wife was there, begging him to calm down. She was sober- and knew my position there.)
But seeing violence in video games and on TV is one thing- it can look very real.
Nothing, and I mean nothing can adequately prepare you for seeing it in the real.
So we both went on to live our lives, and I hope he learned his lesson.
Because it could have ended poorly for him that day.
My past kicked in and I began to stare him down, my anger building over his foolishness- as I was actually truly trying to help him.
Then I realized the Glock 21 in an IWB holster was present.
He began to advance on me, when i closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and with a sigh, agreed with him, backing up, getting behind a gate and shutting it as he screamed, calling me a "Pussy". He was not referring to a cat.
The next day I resigned, as this man was a permanent fixture of said location.
But before I did, I stood in front of my vehicle, produced the weapon as he sat ashamed in his home, staring out through the sliding glass window- dropped the mag into my hand and racked the slide, ejecting the single hollowpoint I keep in the pipe.
I made sure he saw it.
He was like O.O
Because he knew I had it on me the day previous. (I guess the alcohol gave him amnesia...)
I might have been well within my legal means to employ the force multiplier of the semiatomatic handgun during that time, but did I have another option? You betcha. And I took it. And I am glad I did. (So is he. His wife was there, begging him to calm down. She was sober- and knew my position there.)
But seeing violence in video games and on TV is one thing- it can look very real.
Nothing, and I mean nothing can adequately prepare you for seeing it in the real.
So we both went on to live our lives, and I hope he learned his lesson.
Because it could have ended poorly for him that day.
Comments