I don't think I've shot myself in the foot so to speak --- I'm mearly saying things that you guys don't agree with. There's a difference between ignorance and difference of opinion and I haven't crossed the line yet.
I don't have very much time so I'll keep it as brief as possible.
As far as my education and teaching is concerened (economics, history, government, soc, psyc, etc), my main interest is sociology and culture. I believe that each culture/nation grows seperate from one another with many different histories. Most modern cultures believes theirs is the correct one. Christians didn't think twice about a mass genocide of jews and muslims in the name of god and gold during the Crusades. Now all of a sudden a Muslim Crusade is dead wrong. And I can see where we belief that - I do. It's an opposing side of a war and it also goes against christian morals. I do think muslim extremism is a problem that needs to be addressed. But comments I hear that ragheads must die --- every one of them --- are out of line. We have our own culture and we take the side of democracy. We have had our own history. As have the middle east - they have had their own history all these years. We have to understand that we have a democracy because we were ready for one. The middle east still functions best (based on their history) as religion states. WE all may be in the year 2006 but that doesn't mean that the world has caught up to eachother with morals, government, technology, etc.
And we are making new World History as we speak. It will be interesting what will eventually play out 1000 years from now.
Do I have socialist tendancies? Perhaps some. Perhaps alot. I definatly don't think it's fair to compare me to the thoughts of the former USSR, Cuba, and North Korea. I don't want to enter into this discussion as it's off topic but it's also not fair to compare these failed communists nations to the "ideal" (if you will) of socialism. You have to remember, no where in modern history was socialism actually given a fair chance --- just dictators ruling. I'm not saying we should be socialists - I'm not saying that at all. I just wanted to point out that socialism isn't a failed concept because it was really never tried in the sense.
A final note on gun control - in particular the assult weapons. When you were in grade school you got punished for other kids dicking around. Well, people are dicking around with guns - and I'm not talking about criminals and gangs. I'm talking about free citizens doing stupid things with guns.
People around here at 4 different ranges buy the cheapest ak, sks guns and all they do is go to the range with no other purpose that to shoot as many rounds as they can as fast as they can. Many disobey a range rule or two in the process as far as targets on backstops (because of homes in the area). You hav people shooting computers, laundry machines, pumpkins, etc. I almost watched a game warden get shot at at the range because he tried telling some kids to knock it off. I almost watched a drunk black guy shoot himself in the head because he tried to clear a jam on a pistol by pointing it at his head. Somehow the damned thing went off inchs from his head. There is some type of culture in the united states that says acting like a complete jack with a gun (in particular a high capacity assult weapon in my area) is the cool thing to do. In fact, it's very dangerous !!! There has to be some type of responcibily and accountability. Law enforcement can't be on public ranges at all times - not even .05% of the time. We have to teach eachother and our children how to behave with guns --- and it's not comming across very well in certain sectors of the country. Firearms serve 4 purposes
1. self defence
2. hunting
3. recreation
4. competition
Somwhere #1 and #3 got out of control. We have to put it back into control. Is gun control the answer? Probably not
Is no gun control the answer? Probably not
There has to be sensible gun laws to protect everyone - both people trying to mind their own business as well as protect from one's self.
I do not think assult weapons and semi-pistols are of themselves bad. There are responcible people out there using them. There's also a bunch of people who have no business doing so.
Is this a good reason for wanting gun control --- that too many people are behaving like idiots --- I definatly think it is and I have a hunch many gun owners do as well. The future success to the gun industry is a respect for the sport and not creating negative impressions and dangerous situations.
And perfect timing --- wrestling is comming on tv
