Armed America

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Willingly becoming peaceful IS being civilized. Resolving conflict non-violently IS civilized.

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Removing arms by legislation is force... you will have to do it at gunpoint. You will be the gun toting fanatic saying you want to have the guns, via the cops, just not anyone else... sound familiar?
You want a police state... there are plenty you can move to.
There is NOTHING civilized about a police state.

(blue emphasis mine)
I would never force you to give up your guns. I appeal to you to voluntarily give them up. Please do not presume to tell me what I want.

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

BTW, it bothers me that you have continued to use that quote as long as you have for your sig.
It was a bad, and way out of character, moment for me.
I abhor name calling and it is extremely rare for me to do so... I think you will agree with that.
I have said nothing until now because I definitely deserved for you to use it, as it was uncalled for, regardless of how far you pushed.
However, you have had it as a sig beyond what I feel is tactful.
...

Say please and I'll gladly change it.

Huh? I was under the impression you wanted to legislate more gun control restrictions. I was wrong.

Please.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Huh? I was under the impression you wanted to legislate more gun control restrictions. I was wrong.

I probably came across that way, and Maggie may even have riled me up enough that I posted to that effect (yeah Maggie, I abdicate all responsiility and hold you to blame:p ). But I would really like to convince handgun owners, and only handgun owners, that the world would be a better place without handguns.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Tell me what part of the World is not civilized? Then tell me how they found out about 9-11?
What was the first civilized nation? When was that?
Does that hyperbole sentence, that sounds like a newspaper headline, prove that the "civilized world" contains no violence? That the "civilized world" never goes to war? The civilized world never approves of executions? Get real.

Have you ever used your life insurance?

Would you please explain this? I don't understand what you're getting at.

[xoxoxoBruce]

OK, I'll spell it out for you.
W-H-A-T P-A-R-T O-F T-H-E W-O-R-L-D I-S N-O-T C-I-V-I-L-I-Z-E-D-?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

OK, I'll spell it out for you.
W-H-A-T P-A-R-T O-F T-H-E W-O-R-L-D I-S N-O-T C-I-V-I-L-I-Z-E-D-?

T-H-E P-A-R-T O-F T-H-E W-O-R-L-D T-H-A-T D-O-E-S N-O-T

1. Have a highly developed society and culture.
2. Show evidence of moral and intellectual advancement; humane, ethical, and reasonable

IMHO, people who use violence to resolve conflict do not meet the second part of this definition.

[xoxoxoBruce]

So, you're saying most of Africa is not civilized. And China, well most of Asia for that matter. Oh and Australia. Of course South America. And don't forget the USA. Man, are you gonna get hate mail.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

So, you're saying most of Africa is not civilized. And China, well most of Asia for that matter. Oh and Australia. Of course South America. And don't forget the USA. Man, are you gonna get hate mail.

I'd not lump everyone together. Some Earthlings aren't civilized.

[Aliantha]

civ·i·lize Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[siv-uh-lahyz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing. to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine: Rome civilized the barbarians.

Here's another one:

civ·i·lized Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[siv-uh-lahyzd] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective 1. having an advanced or humane culture, society, etc.
2. polite; well-bred; refined.
3. of or pertaining to civilized people: The civilized world must fight ignorance.
4. easy to manage or control; well organized or ordered: The car is quiet and civilized, even in sharp turns.



I guess some people are still barbarians, even if they do live in a civilized country.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

But I would really like to convince handgun owners, and only handgun owners, that the world would be a better place without handguns.

Well, I know your belief is sincerely held, but to be convincing you'll need better reasons, because the ones you have suck pretty badly. Furthermore, "the world would be a better place without handguns" is a misplaced argument, because--beyond being untrue--it's not a possible part of any solution set. Prohibitionism doesn't work in the real world. All such laws can possibly do is disarm the law-abiding.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Rome civilized the barbarians.

Intreresting example. The way you could tell who was a Roman citizen on the street was they were the only ones who were permitted to carry arms.

[Aliantha]

Yeah, and they were the ones with the army too....and the slaves.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

(blue emphasis mine)
I would never force you to give up your guns. I appeal to you to voluntarily give them up.

Excellent. My reply is molon labe. Now we can move on.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Yeah, and they were the ones with the army too....and the slaves.

They're your exemplar, not mine.

[Aliantha]

And what's your point?