quote:

ORIGINAL: mistoferin

quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressLorelei
Guns.  I may not like them, but I will support the American ideal of thou sacred gun... as long as the gun carrier will support my right to live next door to someone who owns a lethal weapon safely locked, and registered.

The American ideal of guns is the right to keep and bear arms. What good would it be to have a safely locked gun?  I don't know many intruders who would be so accomodating as to allow you the time to go fetch your keys and ammo so that you could properly defend yourself against them.

Excuse me, I need a few minutes to prepare for you to rob or kill me because my gun is safely locked....?????????

quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

twicehappy,

Your quote:

Wow, is all i can say. I know some of your fellow Brits who love their homeland; so where are you members of the UK to stand up for your country?
 
It always amazes me when a poster/person states they don't support war-mongering domestic politics and the response is "why don't you love your country?" It's perfectly plausible to oppose your Government slaugthering people but still like your country. I could name you at least 20 things I like about England off the top my head - it's just that one of them isn't the British Empire or current Briitish foreign policy. Just because you don't take pride in your Government killing people doesn't mean you can't take pride in other things your country has to offer.

In a nutshell, opposing your Government's foreign policy isn't being anti-British or anti-American. Similarly, a foreigner vehemently against US foreign policy is not anti-American.

Regards

quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressLorelei
From my understanding, gun locks work rather quickly. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

agirl,

It's a contradiction in terms isn't it. It could quite easily be argued that someone declaring a love for their country has little concern for humanity because it is this sort of patriotism and nationalism that has laid the foundations for a series of Governments to send young men to war for centuries - not exactly a humanitarian approach to life.

Like you, I believe a life is life. I can't believe what is going in Iraq now and the fact they're getting away with it. I genuinely believe that the US Government and, by association the British Government, are dragging us back to the 1800s but if the shoe was on the other foot and Americans were on the receiving end I would have the same sympathy with them as I do the Iraqis.

Regards

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ORIGINAL: popeye1250

Gent, and if we were NOT in Iraq and the news was showing mass hangings, shootings, torture all the lefties& the "U.N." would be demanding that the U.S. and Britain "Do something about it" just like they are for Darfur.

As for fighting for my or your freedoms of course I would! I'm retired Military.
I'm just glad that we have the Second Amendment in this country!
I heard somewhere that there are 300 million firearms in the hands of American Citizens.
That's a good thing!

quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

Hi agirl,

Well, we're only so far down the path of civilisation and just as we look back at civilisations who worshipped golden statues and can't grasp what would drive them to do that generations to come will look back at us and will scratch their heads trying to understand why we're all killing each other. They probably won't grasp how we could fall for the spin and propaganda that results in patriotism.

A point on Africa. It's open to debate whether or not Britain has served us better than Africa has served Africans. We may be materially rich but as a society we're morally poor. It boils down to the importance placed upon wealth and morals.

You sound like you are open to appreciating other cultures. I'm quite political and take it as a source of pride that while the right fear difference the left embrace difference.

Regards

quote:

ORIGINAL: twicehappy

What freedoms do you value the most?

Would you fight for them? Even if it meant taking up arms?

To be specific would be a long list. I prefer to call them personal rights or freedoms perhaps in my way of thinking, but anything I had, that someone is trying to take away, is just like stealing to me. Would I fight physically...sure, if that was the last resort. There are other ways, as many have said, they write letters, they offer support, Shifted and I are card carrying members of the ACLU...we support the thought of not taking away anyone's rights, even if it does not directly impact us. What many folks fail to realize, is that letting go, not putting up a fight, will only breed more losses. There are those in power who would like nothing more than to control everyone...somewhat of the ultimate Dominant role. I, not being submissive, will certainly attempt to utilize any means at my disposal to keep that particular power exchange from happening...even if it's only to keep "your" power from being taken. I may not like your habit, phylosophy, kink, orientation or taste in bad clothing, etc., but I will certainly do what I can to protect your right to make those choices.