The only thing that really stops crime is giving people a reason not to commit crime. I didn't rob a gas station today, nor kill anyone - not because of the tough laws in my state, nor a fear that my victim might be armed, but because I have too much to lose. We have too many people in this country with nothing to lose, and too few who realize that simple fact. Buy all the guns you want, pass laws until you are blue in the face, and it won't help at all. If you really want to stop crime, then make sure that the "criminals" have the same realistic hopes and dreams that you have.
If you really want to stop crime, then make sure that the "criminals" have the same realistic hopes and dreams that you have. [/QUOTE] correct me if i'm wrong tampa, but they DO already have the same realistic OPPORTUNITIES (i wouldn't want to impose my hopes and dreams on others) as you and i have. i don't doubt most of them don't realise it, but neither, it seems, do you. what, pray tell, are we to do in the MEANTIME? patiently sit around and ignore and pardon away all the crime that takes place because poor, destitute criminal didn't know any better? please.
Capitol punishment is SO wrong. Finally saw that a few years ago. Knowing my children helped me see it. Lock 'em up.
correct me if i'm wrong tampa, but they DO already have the same realistic OPPORTUNITIES (i wouldn't want to impose my hopes and dreams on others) as you and i have. i don't doubt most of them don't realize it, but neither, it seems, do you. what, pray tell, are we to do in the MEANTIME? patiently sit around and ignore and pardon away all the crime that takes place because poor, destitute criminal didn't know any better? please. [/QUOTE] ...don't think that I suggested that we look the other way, nor "forgive" - did I? What I suggested is that we deal with crime in a realistic way - addressing it's cause to find a solution. Maybe in theory we all have the same opportunities, but we do not all have them in reality. You have the same opportunity to make billions as Gates had, but it didn't work out that way for you. Yet the piece of the pie available to you is such that it is sufficient to meet your hopes and dreams - that cannot be said for a sizeable percentage of the population. All men are not created equal, nor can they be made equal, but to ignore the fact that we could do better in providing true hope to those who do not have it, is foolish, and invites the crime ridden society we now live in...
yes, but its not a real gun... its only a pretend gun, but when he gets real good at pretending to shoot it, he goin' to buy a sniper rifle. when he misses repeatedly with that, he will switch to a shotgun. when that doesnt work, he will revert back to lecturing people on how to bag big game trophies w/o leaving their living rooms.
I'm a Kentuckian by birth and upbringing. I've lived in New England for too many years, thanks to my wife being from up here. No gun control needed in Ky. People are very polite and cordial. No problem with the mob, or inner-city crime. You can put all the laws possible on the books, but a crimina can always get a gun. Also around here and too many areas of the US, the criminal thinks the suburbanite is a weakling who cannot or won't defend himself. No, laws ain't gonna do it. I have an answer, but it's not practical- live in Ky. (and I don't mean Louisville or large urban areas). Honus
Won't work. Criminals don't check out the statutes first. Law-abiding people aren't affected one way or the other. Check out all the killings in domestic, especially inner city. No deterrent effect. Only justification is revenge, which ideally does not come from law enforcement guys. Honus
introducing tougher (much tougher) penalties IS dealing with crime in a realistic way. that's not to say we can't address its root causes at the same time. but ONLY doing that is definitely getting us nowhere. judicial activism has been around for a good 40+ years. what has it accomplished? soaring crime rates. so much for that warm and fuzzy. no, we have them in reality. i don't know what the hell u are trying to say with the bill gates comment - and don't be so quick to write me off just yet! tampa, what we have is equality of PROCESS. and that's the important thing. if you are asking that we have equality of OUTCOMES, forget it. that is simply unattainable, and i'm surprised to hear someone with so many varied life experiences as you have seek it. sure, go for it. provide al the hope you want. just in case you missed it, there have been groups of people trying to do just htat for centuries... your argument sounds very, very close to the "criminal is the victim" rhetoric that eminates from the left. if the experiences of the past forty years with the "soft on crime" experiment haven't proven the hopelessness of it, i doubt anyting will.
No daniel m, my argument sounds like nothing of the kind - and for good reason. It isn't my argument. We have the problems we have - crime, drug abuse, and lack of motivation to succeed - because we have a lot of people who have lost their ability to dream and have hope for bettering themselves. To hide from that fact with inane charges of "liberalism gone soft on crime" is not befitting of a sharp young man such as yourself.
guns are good, guns are great, I've got a bunch, all registered, and know how to use 'em sig 9mm glock .40 cal remington 12ga charter arms .44 spl Firearms are definitely important to have. Now more than ever. I'm glad I'm well-trained in defensive handgun techniques and I enjoy knowing I can protect my family. especially when you have a wife/kid to take care of. guns are good. if you know how to use them Correctly. I'm not a gun 'nut', I just like being able to properly use a pistol and shotgun. the ones I have, the glock and sig, are used by navy seals, fbi and special forces personnel. the sig 226 (9mm) is my favorite and is the best weapon I've ever owned, I trust my life to my knowing how to use it if needed and unhesitatingly recommend it as the best gun ever made: http://www.sigarms.com/products/classicfullsize-models.asp?product_id=41&product_name=P226 http://www.gunnerynetwork.com/sig/226.html I understand the people who are tired of the violence and don't like guns, and agree it would be great if the world was a peaceful place where such things are not needed. But we live in a world where personally, I feel safer knowing how to protect myself and my family. I also like practicing w/martial arts weapons for improving dexterity and reaction times. kc