How much difference one man can make in American politics has been wonderfully demonstrated by gov Ryan, who is first to break the myth that the American justice system would be infallible. I sure hope this will reach Tx, too. And before a next war starts, because quite similar to the undeserved faith of many Americans in the deterrant effect of capital punishment, their call for the "war on terrorism" is of the same category, ill-based categorical measures with doubtful effect and a high level of cruelty. You may call me a communist if you like (although I prefer "socialist"), but surely this last day decision in Illinois is just a first step back from the point where civilisation ends and vengeance takes over mass sentiments, leaving America itself in the role of murderous oppressor of those going any other than the American way. (Don't get me wrong, just picture the USA as a Microsoft amongst nations, and then try independence for an attitude. Even the North Coreans start making sense if you do.)
B At 16:33 11-1-03 -0500, you wrote: >On Sat, 11 Jan 2003 19:36:03 -0000, John Sparks wrote: > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Samuel W. Heywood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 5:41 AM >> Subject: Re: Keeping track of the news [was Re: UT (extreme:): the US and >> the human rights > >> <snip> >>> There are no civilized countries where the citizens are not allowed >>> to own guns. >> <snip> >> My dictionary defines civilize as "... get rid of barbarous habits..." >> Whilst I do not want to make any claims as to which country is or is not >> civilised, the only way I can see that owning guns might get rid of >> barbarous habits is by the citizens acting as an armed police force. > >Ordinary citizens should not act as a though they were an armed >police force. Such behavior is rightfully condemned as vigilantism. >It is illegal for them to take the law into their own hands. They do >however have the right to defend themselves from violent assaults and >to use whatever force as may be necessary to protect themselves in such >a situation. Criminals prefer to perpetrate their violent assaults in >states and communities where the citizens are not allowed to go about >armed. Statistics show that there is less crime in states and cities >which have less restrictive gun laws to infringe on the rights of the >law-abiding. > >> That >> would only be necessary to control potentially bad citizens. Unfortunately >> they would also have guns! > >> Perhaps the only truly civilised society would be one where everyone was >> allowed to own weapons but no-one wanted to take up the option. > >Of course! > >Sam Heywood >-- >This mail was written by user of The Arachne Browser: >http://browser.arachne.cz/ > > >
