texascavers Digest 24 Feb 2010 16:17:31 -0000 Issue 988

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:17:39 -0800 (PST) 

texascavers Digest 24 Feb 2010 16:17:31 -0000 Issue 988

Topics (messages 13909 through 13928):

Re: Query: gassing snake dens
        13909 by: Rod Goke
        13921 by: Kerry Lowery

Hands across the waters: Mammoth Cave, WKU and Slovenia partnership :
        13910 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com

Re: Yes
        13911 by: tbsamsel.verizon.net
        13915 by: Mark.Alman.l-3com.com

Re: snakes? (and other venomous critters)
        13912 by: Rod Goke
        13914 by: tbsamsel.verizon.net
        13917 by: Gill Edigar
        13920 by: Rod Goke
        13928 by: caverarch.aol.com

remove me from CaveTex
        13913 by: MMcart1061.aol.com

grotto culture & no toes
        13916 by: Gill Edigar

Re: grotto culture
        13918 by: Geary Schindel
        13919 by: Mallory Mayeux
        13922 by: John Brooks
        13923 by: tbsamsel.verizon.net
        13925 by: egelsone.satx.rr.com
        13927 by: Fritz Holt

Travel along the US Mexico border
        13924 by: Geary Schindel

Nico sez: they dont just practice their marksmanship shooting live targets
        13926 by: BMorgan994.aol.com

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So that's why you're so worried about guns near caves. Gunfire could ignite the gasoline, and then you'd really have a mess at the cave entrance! Now we understand.

:)

Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Gluesenkamp
Sent: Feb 23, 2010 9:52 AM
To: texas cavers
Subject: [Texascavers] Query: gassing snake dens

I'm trying to get a handle on how widespread is the practice of gassing snake dens in Texas.  "Gassing" is often used by rattlesnake collectors associated with roundups.  They typically use a garden sprayer or a hose to deliver gasoline into crevices and retreats with the intention of driving snakes to the surface.  Are any of you aware of this practice in karst areas?  Have you ever smelled gas at a cave entrance?  Please respond off-line.
gracias,
  Andy

Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]

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Gassing of snake dens is mostly a practice of the past.  Snake hunters have
figgered out that once you gas a den the snakes no longer want to live
there.  It can take years, if ever, for the snakes to rehabitate the den.
Just like big deer leases and hunters who try to manage their herd, snake
hunters want to do the same.  They do not want to eradicate what they are
hunting so they manage the area to keep the populations in check.

 

I am usually the one that gets volunteered to check for slithery critters,
and have the pleasure to remove them from an entrance when necessary.

For everyone else's health and sanity.

 

Kerry 

 

From: Andy Gluesenkamp [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:52 AM
To: texas cavers
Subject: [Texascavers] Query: gassing snake dens

 


I'm trying to get a handle on how widespread is the practice of gassing
snake dens in Texas.  "Gassing" is often used by rattlesnake collectors
associated with roundups.  They typically use a garden sprayer or a hose to
deliver gasoline into crevices and retreats with the intention of driving
snakes to the surface.  Are any of you aware of this practice in karst
areas?  Have you ever smelled gas at a cave entrance?  Please respond
off-line.

gracias,

  Andy

Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]

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_Mammoth Cave National Park_ (http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm)   expanded 
its family of partners on Feb. 12 by adding new “sisters” in Slovenia.  A 
signing ceremony between Mammoth Cave, WKU and the Karst Research Institute 
of  the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts established a cooperative 
arrangement  to share scientific research. 
Mammoth Cave Superintendent Patrick Reed said, “As a World Heritage Site 
and  International Biosphere Reserve, Mammoth Cave is reaching out to other 
nations  and internationally renowned karst areas. This is a great opportunity 
to work  with our long-standing partner Western Kentucky University and 
forge new  connections with our Slovenian friends.” 
Participating in the signing were Superintendent Reed, Dr. Janez Mulec of 
the  Slovenian Karst Research Institute, Dr. Blaine Ferrell, Dean of Ogden 
College of  Science and Engineering, and Dr. Chris Groves, Director of WKU’s 
Hoffman  Institute. 
Dr. Mulec traveled to Kentucky representing the Slovenian partners – 
Skocjan  Caves, Postojna Cave, and the Slovenian Karst Research Institute. 
“Skocjan is a World Heritage Site and Postojna receives around 500,000  
visitors a year, making it a top tourist destination,” said Mulec. “The  
Slovenian karst landscape is very similar to south central Kentucky with  
numerous sinkholes and limestone caves. As cave managers, we share many similar 
 
issues.” 
While visiting Kentucky, Dr. Mulec focused on his specialty of lampenflora, 
 or algae and green plants that grow around cave lighting. He said, “I 
toured  sections of Mammoth Cave to observe these plants. We are actively 
working to  remove lampenflora in Slovenian caves because it detracts from the 
beauty of  caves. It also disrupts the cave eco-system by introducing a new 
source of  energy into the food chain.” 
Dr. Rick Toomey of the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and  
Learning looks forward to cooperating with Slovenian scientists to exchange  
technology to remove green plants. “This arrangement will enable us to work 
with  Slovenian scientists to explore methods to remove lampenflora, and 
avoid harming  cave animals or damaging formations.” 
The Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park, with the help of Bluegrass  
Cellular, sponsored a Greenwood High School environmental science class as they 
 
participate in a workshop inside Mammoth Cave with Dr. Mulec. The students 
also  attended the signing ceremony at the Mammoth Cave Hotel. 
_http://wkunews.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/mcnp-slovenia/_ 
(http://wkunews.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/mcnp-slovenia/)

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Is crawling in cold mud really comfortable? Is getting into weird contortions while scraping around on rocks comfy? I think not. There is a soupçon of masochism, I fear, in high-risk "sport". Adrenaline ain't from the comfy chair. (Not the comfy chair!).
 
And you mean "you" for "u"? Or "ewe" or "yew". Spel bettur.
 
T


Feb 23, 2010 03:43:25 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Ok T what the heck does that mean?? That I have to be uncomfortable being around other caver's?? If that's what u mean then I will be doing things on my own and no u wont be coming to save me! I'm about over this sorry I even said anything but still Jacqui Thomas rocks wish most of u talked like her.  Minnow

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And a damn fine one, at that!
 
 
Mark
 

________________________________

From: Katherine Arens [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tue 2/23/2010 6:04 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Yes



Hey, Minnow--
i'm just an old broad,

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Yes, Roger. Farmers and ranchers have had a long history of dealing with venomous critters in their own novel ways. Apparently, they don't like being bitten or stung any more than anyone else would, and after a few unpleasant encounters, many of them don't like having venomous critters threatening their families and their animals any more than most city dwellers would around their homes. One of the most unique techniques I ever witnessed was the way a certain farmer and cave owner dealt with scorpions on his property in Florida, back when you and I were both young cavers there. Several of us Florida cavers were talking with the farmer as we walked across his property towards some cave or sinkhole he was going to show us. His cave wasn't nearly as memorable as his method of dealing with scorpions. As we passed a fence post, he stopped, and with his bare hand, he calmly picked a scorpion off the fence post, holding the scorpion by the tail such that it couldn't sting him. With his other hand, he used a pocket knife to cut off the scorpion's stinger. Then he put the scorpion back on the fence post and continued walking and talking with us about whatever we had been discussing before he paused for the scorpion. He never said a word about the scorpion, and the whole stinger removal procedure was done so quickly and so calmly that he apparently thought of it as something too routine to mention. We cavers just looked at each other, as if to say, "Did you see what I think I just saw?", but we didn't mention it either. During our walk with the farmer that day, he nonchalantly repeated this procedure several more times with other scorpions. Apparently, it was what he was accustomed to doing whenever he saw one with a stinger.

We didn't see any venomous snakes that day, but I've often wondered how he would have handled it if we had. Did you ever see any toothless rattlers back in Florida?

Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
Sent: Feb 23, 2010 11:11 AM
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: [Texascavers] snakes?

I visited the old Rice Grotto twice ca. 1968-1972 when I was still living in Florida, thanks to visits to an uncle in Houston.  I managed to go on once caving trip with them to the hill country. A rattler was encountered on the surface some where, and promptly dispatched.  (No, I don't remember the kind of weapon used.)  But I do remember being the subject of good-natured ridicule when I protested, saying that the snake wasn't bothering any body.  I was told something to the effect of "Leave a rattlesnake alive?  We never heard of such a crazy idea, boy."  

Roger Moore
GHG

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My maternal grandparents (Texas & Oklahoma rural) would scrape up all grass for about 5-6 feet around any place they lived in so the snakes wouldn't have a place to hide.
 
T


Feb 24, 2010 06:51:01 AM, [email protected] wrote:
Yes, Roger. Farmers and ranchers have had a long history of dealing with venomous critters in their own novel ways. Apparently, they don't like being bitten or stung any more than anyone else would, and after a few unpleasant encounters, many of them don't like having venomous critters threatening their families and their animals any more than most city dwellers would around their homes. One of the most unique techniques I ever witnessed was the way a certain farmer and cave owner dealt with scorpions on his property in Florida, back when you and I were both young cavers there. Several of us Florida cavers were talking with the farmer as we walked across his property towards some cave or sinkhole he was going to show us. His cave wasn't nearly as memorable as his method of dealing with scorpions. As we passed a fence post, he stopped, and with his bare hand, he calmly picked a scorpion off the fence post, holding the scorpion by the tail such that it couldn't sting him. With his other hand, he used a pocket knife to cut off the scorpion's stinger. Then he put the scorpion back on the fence post and continued walking and talking with us about whatever we had been discussing before he paused for the scorpion. He never said a word about the scorpion, and the whole stinger removal procedure was done so quickly and so calmly that he apparently thought of it as something too routine to mention. We cavers just looked at each other, as if to say, "Did you see what I think I just saw?", but we didn't mention it either. During our walk with the farmer that day, he nonchalantly repeated this procedure several more times with other scorpions. Apparently, it was what he was accustomed to doing whenever he saw one with a stinger.

We didn't see any venomous snakes that day, but I've often wondered how he would have handled it if we had. Did you ever see any toothless rattlers back in Florida?

Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
Sent: Feb 23, 2010 11:11 AM
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: [Texascavers] snakes?

I visited the old Rice Grotto twice ca. 1968-1972 when I was still living in Florida, thanks to visits to an uncle in Houston.  I managed to go on once caving trip with them to the hill country. A rattler was encountered on the surface some where, and promptly dispatched.  (No, I don't remember the kind of weapon used.)  But I do remember being the subject of good-natured ridicule when I protested, saying that the snake wasn't bothering any body.  I was told something to the effect of "Leave a rattlesnake alive?  We never heard of such a crazy idea, boy."  

Roger Moore
GHG
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--- End Message ---
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On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 5:11 AM, Rod Goke <[email protected]> wrote:

> One of the most unique techniques I ever witnessed was the way a certain
> farmer and cave owner dealt with scorpions on his property in Florida....
>  As we passed a fence post, he stopped, and with his bare hand, he calmly
> picked a scorpion off the fence post, holding the scorpion by the tail such
> that it couldn't sting him. With his other hand, he used a pocket knife to
> cut off the scorpion's stinger. Then he put the scorpion back on the fence
> post and continued walking and talking with us....
>

There exist a couple of photos, taken 30 years or more ago, of me with a
scorpion on my tongue. It used to be a favorite trick of mine at a time when
I had a long, full red beard, and a large number of Mexican kids would
gathered around our caver camp, just watching the Gringos, to find a
scorpion and clip off its stinger with my pocket knife, leaving the rest of
the tail intact. I'd pop it into my mouth and walk back to camp then, at an
appropriate time, call attention to myself and open my mouth allowing the
scorpion to crawl out onto the end of my tongue. It gained me a lot of
worthless and doubtful respect, especially  amongst the kids who are
probably telling their grand-kids about it now; The Gringo who could summon
scorpions up out of his belly.
--Ediger

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After seeing that, how many Mexican kids were inspired to put scorpions into their own mouths, without knowing about the stinger removal trick? Ouch, I bet that burned even more than the spicy food they eat down there!

Come to think of it, I remember seeing that "scorpion on the tongue" photo in some old slide shows. Wasn't there also a photo of a scorpion on somebody's obviously female nipple? I bet that trick impressed more than just the children.  ;-)

Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: Gill Edigar
Sent: Feb 24, 2010 8:47 AM
To: Rod Goke
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] snakes? (and other venomous critters)

On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 5:11 AM, Rod Goke <[email protected]> wrote:
One of the most unique techniques I ever witnessed was the way a certain farmer and cave owner dealt with scorpions on his property in Florida....  As we passed a fence post, he stopped, and with his bare hand, he calmly picked a scorpion off the fence post, holding the scorpion by the tail such that it couldn't sting him. With his other hand, he used a pocket knife to cut off the scorpion's stinger. Then he put the scorpion back on the fence post and continued walking and talking with us....

There exist a couple of photos, taken 30 years or more ago, of me with a scorpion on my tongue. It used to be a favorite trick of mine at a time when I had a long, full red beard, and a large number of Mexican kids would gathered around our caver camp, just watching the Gringos, to find a scorpion and clip off its stinger with my pocket knife, leaving the rest of the tail intact. I'd pop it into my mouth and walk back to camp then, at an appropriate time, call attention to myself and open my mouth allowing the scorpion to crawl out onto the end of my tongue. It gained me a lot of worthless and doubtful respect, especially  amongst the kids who are probably telling their grand-kids about it now; The Gringo who could summon scorpions up out of his belly. 
--Ediger

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Rod, if it were the rancher that snuffed the snake I wouldn't have spoken up 
(for the sake of landowner relations and all that).  But it was the cavers, and 
that kind of surprised me (though I'm sure the rancher would have approved at 
the time).  It's just that Florida is almost as thick on the ground with herp 
(reptiles & amphibians) fans as it is with snakes themselves.  And one of them 
was Clark Whitehorn, my best friend and the person whom I began caving with in 
high school.  He had a very high degree of environmental awareness for a 
teenager in the middle 1960's, and had turned me on to books like those of the 
late Archie Carr at the University of Florida on imperiled sea turtles, among 
the notable early studies of that ilk.  


Anyway, I was sold by then (1970) on the need ecological for predators, etc., 
and had to speak up for the idea of live and let live.  I don't think I did so 
offensively, and I certainly wasn't personally offended by the razzing I got.  
(Such is the stuff of good trip reports.)  After all, I was going back to 
Florida, and could dismiss them as "environmentally challenged, backward 
Texans."  


I wasn't then, and I'm not now, a vegan, Buddhist sort of 'do no harm' person.  
I've shot invasive nutria rats at our swamp house property.  But thus far, I've 
remarkably had only one test of principles* on my own turf (considering that 
the place is heaven for reptiles).  I heard one of my terriers barking with his 
distinctive "I've got something spotted but I can't decide if I should kill it 
or run away" barks.  He was about two feet from a moccasin at the edge of the 
swampy, heavily vegetated part of our shoreline, holding his position and 
barking for all he was worth.  I knew he would either bite me or go for the 
snake or try to do both when he is in that frame of mind, and an 18-lb dog can 
easily be bitten fatally by a pit viper.  


I didn't think I could get a fatal shot or bash in without a good chance of the 
snake striking, so I dashed to the shed and retrieved a pack of firecrackers 
(which he is terrified of).  I lit it and tossed it between them, which worked 
to get the dog out of harm's way as he streaked to the safety of the house.  
And the flashes, smells, and concussions seemed to register with the (deaf, 
like all snakes) cottonmouth, as it turned away and slithered into deep water.  


Now in this case my use of a non-lethal method was the result of a quick choice 
as to what might get the dog out of the way with the best chance of escaping a 
bite.  If I could have safely killed the snake, I probably would have.  But I 
did consciously decide not to try and pursue and kill it.  I just threw several 
more packs of firecrackers into the vegetated, swampy margin to convince the 
snake that this wasn't a pleasant place to be.  


*That is the only venomous snake that has made itself visible on or along the 
several hundred twisted feet of shoreline on the property, or in the mowed yard 
portion in the 8 years we've had the place.


Roger Moore
(now a member of GHG, the successor to the Rice Grotto of this story)



-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Goke <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Sent: Wed, Feb 24, 2010 5:11 am
Subject: Re: [Texascavers]  snakes? (and other venomous critters)


Yes, Roger. Farmers and ranchers have had a long history of dealing with 
venomous critters in their own novel ways.

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Thanks,

Charles,

I have tried twice to get off the list..if this isn't the way, please send 
instructions.

Minnow's multiple responses were enough to drive me over the edge.

Are you going to the May 8 rock haul?   Hope to see you there.

Martha in Sandia Park.

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On Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 11:46 PM, David <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have had the privilege to attend meetings of 5 different grottoes
> in Texas, and 3 of which were in the last few months.
> There seems to be subtle differences in the grottoes' meetings...,


Way back in the late '60s there was a great discussion amongst those in the
NSS who cared and it was finally settled by convention that the plural of
Grotto would be Grottos, not the cumbersome and misleading Grottoes, which
is supposed to be an as yet undiscribed disease of the foot that shows up
after extended trips into water caves.
--Ediger

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David,

It was nice to see you at the Bexar Grotto meeting on Monday.  Nice description 
of the various grottos.  I was wondering if the grotto that has a Knights of 
the Round Table setting speak in old English and did they call each other "Sir 
so and so" a lot.

Geary

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David, you should give us the list of the 5 grottoes you're referring to,
and let us make a game out of figuring out who is who! I've never been to
any grotto meetings besides Houston, but just from knowing different people
in each grotto, I bet I could guess @ least half correctly.

We could play @ TSA, and I could give a pair of gloves or a carabiner as a
prize to whoever gets the most right. :)

Mallory Mayeux




On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 7:58 AM, Geary Schindel <
[email protected]> wrote:

> David,
>
> It was nice to see you at the Bexar Grotto meeting on Monday.  Nice
> description of the various grottos.  I was wondering if the grotto that has
> a Knights of the Round Table setting speak in old English and did they call
> each other "Sir so and so" a lot.
>
> Geary
>
>
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message --- 
Another question: do any members of any of the grottoes carry concealed 
firearms to grotto meetings?

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 24, 2010, at 7:58 AM, Geary Schindel <[email protected]> 
wrote:

David,

It was nice to see you at the Bexar Grotto meeting on Monday.  Nice description 
of the various grottos.  I was wondering if the grotto that has a Knights of 
the Round Table setting speak in old English and did they call each other "Sir 
so and so" a lot.

Geary


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--- End Message ---
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Lest we forget, Pancho:
 
"He wore his gun outside his pants for all the honest world to feel"


Feb 24, 2010 09:13:00 AM, [email protected] wrote:
Another question: do any members of any of the grottoes carry concealed firearms to grotto meetings?

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 24, 2010, at 7:58 AM, Geary Schindel wrote:

David,

It was nice to see you at the Bexar Grotto meeting on Monday. Nice description of the various grottos. I was wondering if the grotto that has a Knights of the Round Table setting speak in old English and did they call each other "Sir so and so" a lot.

Geary


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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message --- 
What?

The idea of a CONCEALED Carry Permit is to keep it CONCEALED.

What possible relevence does this have? Do you search the patrons of youir 
local MacDonalds?  Your fellow movie going friends?

This is pure silliness.


---- John Brooks <[email protected]> wrote: 
> Another question: do any members of any of the grottoes carry concealed 
> firearms to grotto meetings?
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Feb 24, 2010, at 7:58 AM, Geary Schindel <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> 
> David,
> 
> It was nice to see you at the Bexar Grotto meeting on Monday.  Nice 
> description of the various grottos.  I was wondering if the grotto that has a 
> Knights of the Round Table setting speak in old English and did they call 
> each other "Sir so and so" a lot.
> 
> Geary
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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> To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
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> 
> 
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--- Begin Message --- 
Surely you joust.

-----Original Message-----
From: Geary Schindel [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 7:58 AM
To: David; Cavers Texas
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] grotto culture

David,

It was nice to see you at the Bexar Grotto meeting on Monday.  Nice description 
of the various grottos.  I was wondering if the grotto that has a Knights of 
the Round Table setting speak in old English and did they call each other "Sir 
so and so" a lot.

Geary


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This is in response to the new posting on travel to Mexico.  This is from my 
caver friend that works in the Office of Homeland Security here in San Antonio. 
 He is also on Texas Cavers list but prefers to keep a low profile.  Something 
to think about.

Geary



Hi Geary!

They said they were going to renew that.  I am glad they did.  Some of the 
areas are very dangerous right now.  Folks just need to be aware of the threat 
and that things can turn sour very quickly.  Bullets are not picky who they hit 
during a gunfight.

There has also been an increase in drug trafficking from Big Bend NP to 
Maverick County along the Texas border in the US.  In the last six months there 
has been at least two LARGE shipments picked up in Big Bend NP itself.  It is 
Very similar to what they are doing out in Organ Pipe National Park.  These are 
not the normal "wetback with drugs" scenario.  These are well armed individuals 
dressed in black or camouflage carrying fairly large amounts of contraband.  
They usually travel at night and have normally a number of set pick up points 
which they rotate around.  Cell phones are such a help to all.  They will avoid 
contact if possible but if cornered have been know to fight.  Normally if they 
are pressed hard they will drop there cargo and disappear but like stated 
before, they will fight if cornered and usually are quite ready to do that.  
They don't play by the same rules that we do.

There has also been an increase in human trafficking (two or three young women 
from Mexico/Central America being sold in slavery or prostitution)  These are 
not so heavily armed but the handlers have been aggressive in the last couple 
months.  If confronted they will run and leave there cargo (the women) but 
there has been several incidences of ranchers and hunters being jumped at gates 
and such as the handlers were trying to steal the vehicle.  Packing a handgun 
seems to be a quick cure as they know most ranchers and hunters will use them 
if they can.  Just tell the guys to be careful going through gates to the caves 
late at night or early in the morning.  The buddy system works and safety in 
numbers is a good thing.  Two or more people they will evade and avoid.  They 
have been breaking into vehicles at night as well along the border.

This time of year seems to be the time that this increases as the weather is 
more temperate and they can move large groups at night quite easily.  Hope this 
helps some.  Just thought you would want to know and maybe pass this on.

>From your local Department of Homeland Security Friend!  :)  Take care Bro!

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One fine day not too far south of Juarez I was tootling along when I ran  
into a checkpoint manned by a bunch of guys in orange jumpsuits who I 
presumed  to be Federales. They were massively armed with all sorts of high 
powered 
 automatic and semiautomatic rifles and pistols which they were unloading 
like  armageddon at a large number of whiskey and tequila bottles lined up on 
the  hillside by the road. From that and their staggering and swaggering 
demeanor I  quickly concluded that they were dead drunk and that I was soon to 
be dead, or  at the very least relieved of some cash. Not to worry though, 
for I had taken  the precaution of bringing a suitable supply of the 
universal solvent. No, not  money, beer! When in Mexico I alway carry two 
coolers, 
one filled with good  Mexican beer which I consume myself, and one filled 
with Budweiser for the Feds.  So when they started to rip apart my truck in 
search of whatever I simply  directed them to look in cooler B. There they 
found the very contraband they  were looking for. Problem solved! And to think 
that some poor fools suppose that  guns and alcohol don't mix!
 
Since some folks like to poke snakes with a stick just to hear them rattle  
(which is of course the exact moral equivalent of making batty patties), so 
I  think I should be forgiven for my recent satyrical diatribe concerning 
the  manhood and religious preferences of those who feel compelled to carry 
guns.  Just for the record I do support the right of gun ownership for the  
aforementioned reason that when guns are outlawed only soldiers, cops, and  
criminals will have guns. The vast majority of my friends own guns, some of 
them  own veritable arsenals, but all have the good judgement to be slightly 
abashed  and thus keep their gun well hidden. In other words they are not 
deranged  cowboys. Don’t ask don’t tell works fine with me.
 
The problem is that we are not as civilized as the Swiss. We celebrate guns 
 and encourage their proliferation. Responsible concealed carry and home  
protection weaponry aside, does any one really think it is a good idea for 
inner  city teenagers to have guns? More to the point is the recent ruling 
that guns be  permitted in National Parks. These places are supposed to be 
sanctuaries. It is  a plain fact that the presence of guns will increase mayhem 
and impact wildlife.  “I had to shoot the (fill in the blank with snake, 
wolf, panther, person, etc.)  cuz I felt threatened. That bat was flying 
straight at me!”
 
There are many toxic concepts, cultures, and ideologies throughout the  
world. The flavors differ, but what they all have in common is a basis of fear  
and superstition masquerading as tradition. We might suppose that female 
genital  mutilation is a really bad idea, but hey, it’s an honored tradition, 
and  besides, what right do we have to question how others live? You might 
respond  that not having your pussy cut out or sown shut is a basic right. So 
is not  getting shot.
 
You might think being a cowboy is cool, but just ask any Indian and he will 
 tell you that our traditional culture of gun violence and unrestrained  
private property ownership with the inevitable consequent rape of natural  
resources is a bad idea. In other words, ours is just another toxic culture 
only  with a ten gallon hat instead of a turban. That and my own propensity for 
 violence is why I don’t own a gun. 
 
Sleaze

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