Off Topic The Goodhand Arms

[fran-MLs little camera]

Another mass shooting in the US, this time in a Disabilities Centre 12 already reported dead. For an advanced country America sure is stupid where gun laws are concerned.

Seems to be a worker (with help) going postal and shooting fellow employees. But also with a Muslim name, an explosive device and an escape plan. So either terrorists or Good Ol' American boys...take your pick, but the dead still remain dead. Obama wants to limit guns which should have been done decades ago and is probably impossible. Can you see Americans voting to disarm when they fear terrorists?

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

As for feeling the world has gone mad and we need to get off, little consolation but most generations have felt this. Can you imagine growing up in the middle of Europe when the first and second World Wars were going on around you. Apart from Northern Ireland and the Beider Meinhoff (sp?) gang, my generation has had the most peaceful period (in Europe) for many generations. War seems to be part of the human condition....the difference now is that your enemies can reach across and get you easier.

 

[Whiteley Saint]

Seems to be a worker (with help) going postal and shooting fellow employees. But also with a Muslim name, an explosive device and an escape plan. So either terrorists or Good Ol' American boys...take your pick, but the dead still remain dead. Obama wants to limit guns which should have been done decades ago and is probably impossible. Can you see Americans voting to disarm when they fear terrorists?

The thing I have learned about America is that the so called most powerful man in the world, in reality has little power at all. He must be frustrated as hell every time another slaughter happens. He always looks really pissed off when he has to make comment.

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

With regards to Hilary Benn's speech I posted it as Puck expressed an interest. Just trying to be helpful. Can't say I agree with Mr Jenkins.

Oh, not complaining about you posting it WS! It's a very good speech. It's incredibly important to examine both sides of the argument and it's a complicated decision. I'm just more on the Jenkins side of the fence.

 

[Archers Road]

Thank goodness I am an old git and not long for this world. I have never felt so depressed or frightened by the state of the world or what the future holds. You guys with a long life ahead of you had better start fighting for the future you want or it is "Brave New World" here we come.

They are fighting already. It's young people who put Corbyn where he is.

A friend of mine said to me recently that our kids are going to have to fight the same battles our grandparents did. I don't doubt for one minute that they're up to it.

I've got a niece who has been energised by Corbyn, and a son in the parachute regiment. That generation will get a lot wrong, but they won't be found wanting.

 

[Whiteley Saint]

As for feeling the world has gone mad and we need to get off, little consolation but most generations have felt this. Can you imagine growing up in the middle of Europe when the first and second World Wars were going on around you. Apart from Northern Ireland and the Beider Meinhoff (sp?) gang, my generation has had the most peaceful period (in Europe) for many generations. War seems to be part of the human condition....the difference now is that your enemies can reach across and get you easier.

Not to mention the cold war when there was the worry we might get nuked.

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

The thing I have learned about America is that the so called most powerful man in the world, in reality has little power at all. He must be frustrated as hell every time another slaughter happens. He always looks really pissed off when he has to make comment.

Their whole ethos is based on limiting the power of government....stems from the beginning when they ousted the British (though we should bear in mind that they were British...so the revolution should be properly termed their First Civil War). Having ousted a Government, the people took on the right to be permanent rebels. They are proud of this so will resist any attempt by Obama to limit their rights. You then have to look at the main group of people fighting limitation of their right to bear arms and realise that a racist element has also crept in. White presidents have failed in this area, so what chance an uppity Black guy (their view, not mine I hasten to add).

 

[Onionman]

Thank goodness I am an old git and not long for this world. I have never felt so depressed or frightened by the state of the world or what the future holds. You guys with a long life ahead of you had better start fighting for the future you want or it is "Brave New World" here we come.

What a depressing world view. My son was born a month after the twin towers were attacked and an old woman accosted me in the John Lewis restaurant to ask me how it felt to bring a child into such a terrible world. I pointed out to her that she was born when kids died of diptheria and measles, grown up while the world was at war, lived through the genuine fear of nuclear armageddon and she was calling this a bad time?

I still feel the same. I suspect that my kids are going to have a life immeasurably better than mine. That's not to say they'll be problem-free but talk of "Brave New World" is alarmist nonsense.

Vin

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

They are fighting already. It's young people who put Corbyn where he is.

A friend of mine said to me recently that our kids are going to have to fight the same battles our grandparents did. I don't doubt for one minute that they're up to it.

I've got a niece who has been energised by Corbyn, and a son in the parachute regiment. That generation will get a lot wrong, but they won't be found wanting.

Good point Archers.

 

[Whiteley Saint]

Their whole ethos is based on limiting the power of government....stems from the beginning when they ousted the British (though we should bear in mind that they were British...so the revolution should be properly termed their First Civil War). Having ousted a Government, the people took on the right to be permanent rebels. They are proud of this so will resist any attempt by Obama to limit their rights. You then have to look at the main group of people fighting limitation of their right to bear arms and realise that a racist element has also crept in. White presidents have failed in this area, so what chance an uppity Black guy (their view, not mine I hasten to add).

I know. Some of them don't even believe he's American. When somewhere like the gun association can hold a government to ransom and stop it doing the best for the country you know you're in trouble. It certainly questions the morals of the members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Of course the Republicans are so far right it's ridiculous.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

I honestly think you're better off reading this laser guided piece of journalism from Simon Jenkins, rather than Hillary Benn's grandstanding bid for the Labour leadership.

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...s-coherent-military-strategy?CMP=share_btn_tw

Jenkins has it exactly right. Bombing Daesh in Syria may be the logical extension to bombing them in Iraq but it will do absolutely nothing to take back the territory they gave gained, or keep us safe in the UK.

As for the question of our continued peace since the end of WWII, I hadn't actually noticed that we were at peace! British soldiers have been constantly fired upon and killed almost continuously since the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, mostly due to the inability of the governments of the world to sit down and deal with the issues leading to all these conflicts. When you go to war, you have to have an exit strategy to finish the job properly, or events have a nasty habit of biting you in the bum.

 

[Whiteley Saint]

http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved...0&spJobID=820185385&spReportId=ODIwMTg1Mzg1S0

Any dog lovers out there fancy signing an RSPCA petition to stop puppy farms?

 

[Piebacca]

Thank goodness I am an old git and not long for this world. I have never felt so depressed or frightened by the state of the world or what the future holds. You guys with a long life ahead of you had better start fighting for the future you want or it is "Brave New World" here we come.

One of the most depressing things about yesterday evening (and I include the incident in the US as part of this) - I've always wanted kids, but as yet that hasn't happened. Last night was the first time I genuinely began to think, maybe that's a good thing. It's all terribly sad.

I have the greatest respect for both of you as posters, but this is some high quality horseshit you're both shoveling, IMO.

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

Time for kittens methinks
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/fishermen-save-two-kittens-who-6356700

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

I have the greatest respect for both of you as posters, but this is some high quality horseshit you're both shoveling, IMO.

Haha, you know what, you're probably right. It's heightened-emotional catastrophising. I did have that fleeting moment, but on reflection (and as others have stated, think of the Blitz, the cold war etc - we're not at that point) I take it back.

 

[Saint Helen]

If America didn't bring in gun laws after all those little children were massacred in Sandy Hook, they're never going to do it. Shameful isn't a strong enough word.

 

[fatletiss]

If America didn't bring in gun laws after all those little children were massacred in Sandy Hook, they're never going to do it. Shameful isn't a strong enough word.

I had a long and pretty heated discussion with some US colleagues of mine over a couple of beers and bottles of wine. They made some interesting points, but I can't remember them all.... on though was what happens to 300m guns currently in circulation?

 

[Whiteley Saint]

I had a long and pretty heated discussion with some US colleagues of mine over a couple of beers and bottles of wine. They made some interesting points, but I can't remember them all.... on though was what happens to 300m guns currently in circulation?

This is what Australia did:
"At the heart of the push was a massive buyback of more than 600,000 semi-automatic shotguns and rifles, or about one-fifth of all firearms in circulation in Australia. The country’s new gun laws prohibited private sales, required that all weapons be individually registered to their owners, and required that gun buyers present a “genuine reason” for needing each weapon at the time of the purchase. (Self-defense did not count.)"

Apparently the measures were backed by 90% of the population and there lies America's problem.

 

[fatletiss]

This is what Australia did:
"At the heart of the push was a massive buyback of more than 600,000 semi-automatic shotguns and rifles, or about one-fifth of all firearms in circulation in Australia. The country’s new gun laws prohibited private sales, required that all weapons be individually registered to their owners, and required that gun buyers present a “genuine reason” for needing each weapon at the time of the purchase. (Self-defense did not count.)"

Apparently the measures were backed by 90% of the population and there lies America's problem.

Next time they are over Whiteley, you coming to sit my side of the table and share those bottles of wine?

 

[Whiteley Saint]

Next time they are over Whiteley, you coming to sit my side of the table and share those bottles of wine?

.....