• Cyburbia is a friendly big tent, where we share our experiences and thoughts about urban planning practice, the built environment, planning adjacent topics, and anything else that comes to mind. No ads, no spam, and it's free. It's easy to join!

NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

I fully agree with your comments regarding the effects of lead and the development of children. That is why I am stripping all of the lead based paint on the exterior of my house (down to the wood) using EPA certified methods. Furthermore, because we live in a 120 year old house, we also have our kids tested for lead during their regular checkups. Thus far we have not had one test come back showing even slightly elevated lead levels.

And THAT is what freaks me out. You seem to be rational at some moments, and than others you can't profess to connect a dot. Your methods of remediating your home will cost WAY more than the amount you will ever spend on lead shot. You even go to the efforts of testing your kids for it. Which will cost way more, than the amount you will ever spend on lead shot. So how then do you decide you should keep putting it in your environment and any food you eat. You know its affects. You even help to remediate an area where it is actually a hazard.

You do know that lead builds up in your system over time. It is not the normal method that a person gets one big dose and then it flushes out of the system. You my friend, like all of us as adults, have a certain level of lead that is permanent. The older we get, the more we have. It accrues in the system over time. You do not want it to build up to the point where it causes peripheral neuropathy. Trust me on this one! Those of us who were around when regular gas was used, have a higher build up in our system than those of us who did not.

I know those 120 year old homes. I grew up in one. Silly I know, but my siblings and I never had urges to eat the paint, or glue, or or sand the paint to the latheboard just to lick the dust. My mom wonders why anybody else would have let their kids do so either.

Then you deflect with the GMO crop stuff. Ok, I can agree with you on that. We should surely have a choice on whether we eat it or not. But that would mean passing seed to package labeling, stifling, job-killing, overburdensome, money wasting government regulation on small mom and pop industries like Monsanto. So I have to assume one of two things from your statements. A, you secretly agree with government regulating industries and their practices, and you are trolling about lead in ammunition (I think you know where to find previous comments after the GMO redirect). B, you rail against GMO's knowing there is very little that is actually likely to happen and it is merely a redirect ( I think...).

Explain to us how you can care about GMO's that have not yet shown direct linkages to health concerns, but can not be worried about lead, that has know to be poisonous for over 2,000 years? Please.

I do strongly agree with regulating GMO's from seed to packaged good.

And I get the yellow card! :6:
 
So why can't hunters use non-lead ammunition? Is there something about lead-based ammunition that kills animals better? Or is it that lead-based bullets are just cheaper?

I could care less if lead-based bullets are used to kill people. I don't eat them.
 
And I'm out of this discussion. It's pointless to argue with someone who puts their political position before their children's health. 8-!
 
Glad to see California raise it's minimum wage to $10/hr. It is sorely needed in this state. I live in a fairly affordable part of the state and I can't imagine getting by on $8.00/hr, the old minimum wage. I imagine it is nearly impossible to make it on minimum wage in more affluent parts of the state. Bravo to the compromise that happened to phase the increase in slowly, hopefully that will cause the increase to be easier for businesses to absorb.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/minimum-wage-california-be-10-hour-8C11144323
 
Explain to us how you can care about GMO's that have not yet shown direct linkages to health concerns, but can not be worried about lead, that has know to be poisonous for over 2,000 years? Please.

Simple. When I shoot an animal, it gets processed as quickly as possible which includes proper field dressing when appropriate. If there is fracturing of the bullet, that section does not get eaten and is disposed of. I have tried copper rounds before... they shoot great but they are difficult to find, expensive, and the last time I shot a deer with one, the bullet exited the deer and traveled quite a bit farther until it hit a large tree. When I am hunting, I don't shoot something if I don't have a clear shot, I don't shoot something that I don't intend to eat (unless for self defense or in protection of my property... (the porcupine rule).... and I don't shoot it if the ammo is going to travel substantially through farther after it goes through the animal. That is why I use a 22 and not a 30-06 when I rabbit hunt.

I am not opposed to people choosing to copper. Heck, they can shoot gummy bears out of the gun if that is what they decide to do. My problem is when someone (government) makes a choice like that for me that in all reality seems hypocritical, when there is 10,000 other things that they are in support of 10,000 that are just as bad if not worse. We need some laws and regulations because they prevent chaos. That is why we have a law saying you drive on the right side of the road. If people just decided to drive where they wanted, it would be a mess and no one would get anywhere.

Not once have I told someone that they should not eat GMO products, feed lot raised cattle, or lead bars. That is their choice and it has zero affect on me. It is like the no smoking in restaurants regulation that they have here in MI. I don't smoke. I hate the smell of smoke and my oldest is very allergic to it. But I don't think that there should be a government law saying that business owners can no longer decide if people smoke or not.
 
Simple. When I shoot an animal, it gets processed as quickly as possible which includes proper field dressing when appropriate. If there is fracturing of the bullet, that section does not get eaten and is disposed of. I have tried copper rounds before... they shoot great but they are difficult to find, expensive, and the last time I shot a deer with one, the bullet exited the deer and traveled quite a bit farther until it hit a large tree. When I am hunting, I don't shoot something if I don't have a clear shot, I don't shoot something that I don't intend to eat (unless for self defense or in protection of my property... (the porcupine rule).... and I don't shoot it if the ammo is going to travel substantially through farther after it goes through the animal. That is why I use a 22 and not a 30-06 when I rabbit hunt...

Hunters using rifles (or shotguns with slugs) are not nearly the problem as those using traditional shotgun shells with many lead balls in them. Once fired, there is of course some of the balls that will not find their target (if the hunter hits the intended target at all). Those that miss the target and fall onto the forest/meadow floor are eaten by small rodents like mice and chipmunks and small birds. Those animals that eat them are then, in turn, eaten by larger predators. The wider the spread, and the softer the ammo used, the worse the problems of lead poisoning become. From what I have read, this is how the problems with the condors and eagles developed.
 
I imagine it is nearly impossible to make it on minimum wage in more affluent parts of the state.

It totally is... a family with one preschool-aged child and one child in school needs to make around $60K to be completely self-sufficient (not receiving any governmental aid) in this county, and that is exactly true from my experience. Definitely more than minimum wage.
 
Hunters using rifles (or shotguns with slugs) are not nearly the problem as those using traditional shotgun shells with many lead balls in them. Once fired, there is of course some of the balls that will not find their target (if the hunter hits the intended target at all). Those that miss the target and fall onto the forest/meadow floor are eaten by small rodents like mice and chipmunks and small birds. Those animals that eat them are then, in turn, eaten by larger predators. The wider the spread, and the softer the ammo used, the worse the problems of lead poisoning become. From what I have read, this is how the problems with the condors and eagles developed.

For shotgun shells, I have no problem with that. If there is a viable and available alternative, then go for it. I can tell you that it is 2 to 2.5 time more expensive than the same lead based rounds. As for the transfer to large animals, there is something lost in the process, this study shows that lead levels is not nearly what it would be be expected to be for large predictors. (LINK)


I also mentioned it in another post, but it is worth saying again. I fully expect all of you to also get up on your soap box protest wind farms as they too are detrimental to wildlife..
Save the Eagles International
Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years
Wind farm 'kills Taiwanese goats
 
For shotgun shells, I have no problem with that. If there is a viable and available alternative, then go for it. I can tell you that it is 2 to 2.5 time more expensive than the same lead based rounds. As for the transfer to large animals, there is something lost in the process, this study shows that lead levels is not nearly what it would be be expected to be for large predictors. (LINK)

There is nothing in the Second Amendment that guarantees the right to cheaper ammunition.

I also mentioned it in another post, but it is worth saying again. I fully expect all of you to also get up on your soap box protest wind farms as they too are detrimental to wildlife..
Save the Eagles International
Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years
Wind farm 'kills Taiwanese goats

The number of animals killed by wind farms and the long term environmental impacts of wind farms compared to the death and disease and environmental impacts to animals and people caused by the the burning of fossil fuels is so insignificant as to make this comparison downright laughable.
 
There is nothing in the Second Amendment that guarantees the right to cheaper ammunition.

No argument there. When it was written people made their own ammo and used a range of materials, including lead, copper, brass, and more.

The number of animals killed by wind farms and the long term environmental impacts of wind farms compared to the death and disease and environmental impacts to animals and people caused by the the burning of fossil fuels is so insignificant as to make this comparison downright laughable.

You are correct, By the way, how did you get to work today? Personally, I drove a car.. 40 miles, by my self.

Tomorrow I am going to drive my suburban pulling a trailer containing three deer blinds and head up to the north woods where 1 other person and I will set our deer blinds to shoot animals. While we are there we will put a few hundred rounds of various calibers down range to site our guns, and for hand gun practice.

I don't like the idea of fossil fuels, but until there is a better (and that includes economical) solution, I will do my thing and you can you yours.
 
On a side note... (and as wrong as this is going to sound) I actually agree with more than half of what Putin wrote in the Times... LINK

How bad is it when a former KGB agent makes more sense than both John Boehner and President Obama?

I agree with some of his points and like what he wrote in the sense that I do not want much engagement with the Syrian civil war, but we should also remember he has skin in this game. He wants to keep Assad in power since they are an ally and Tartus is a huge resource for his military. Because Russia has enough clout with the UN, I think that is why the UN has been much less influential in the discussion. Putin does not have the greatest track record when it comes to International Law or anything particularly peaceful.

I also mentioned it in another post, but it is worth saying again. I fully expect all of you to also get up on your soap box protest wind farms as they too are detrimental to wildlife..
Save the Eagles International
Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years
Wind farm 'kills Taiwanese goats

Current windfarms undergo extensive biological studies for raptors (among other things), and if there is risk, the FWS requires incidental take permits (which is not easy to get). If you think that non-lead based ammunition is unfair given the links you posted, you are welcome to propose similar permits for hunters.
 
You are correct, By the way, how did you get to work today?

Today I drove, as I do most days. However, twice a week all summer I ran the roughly 10 miles in to work and carpool home with somebody from my neighborhood, and I will continue to do this as long as the weather permits.

FWIW, once the evening or the weekend rolls around I generally do not drive at all, unless we are going somewhere like one of the parents houses or Ann Arbor. One of the reasons we moved to our neighborhood is that we can walk so many places (grocery stores, restaurants, schools, playgrounds, movies...). I've gone from averaging about 14,000 miles driven a year down to about 8,500. I've even got my wife to be more willing to walk greater distances as well now.

I am slowly building up my networking skills as well in the hopes of maybe one day finding a job on the dark side of commercial development (or one of the few public employers) in the downtown near my house so I could walk or bicycle to work each day (it's no secret between me and my wife that I would take a significant initial paycut to be able to walk to work).

The rest of your response reads as if you are just trolling for heck of it: :r:

Tomorrow I am going to drive my suburban pulling a trailer containing three deer blinds and head up to the north woods where 1 other person and I will set our deer blinds to shoot animals. While we are there we will put a few hundred rounds of various calibers down range to site our guns, and for hand gun practice.

I don't like the idea of fossil fuels, but until there is a better (and that includes economical) solution, I will do my thing and you can you yours.

I have no problem with hunting or the killing and eating of tasty tasty animals - and I don't think I ever posted anything that would lead one to believe that I did. The only reason I don't personally hunt is because I don't like the idea of going out to spend time in the woods with the expressed purpose of getting a deer (or bird) and possibly coming home empty handed! I don't have the patience for that. I have however often thought of buying some land Up North and using as somewhere to just get away from time to time. I can go walk in the woods and fields and have just as good of a time without a firearm.

However, if I were a hunter, or somebody who enjoyed target shooting, I would try to shoot in the most sustainable way possible. Besides, shooting with more expensive ammo might just make me think twice and aim more true. ;)
 
Last edited:
I don't like the idea of fossil fuels, but until there is a better (and that includes economical) solution, I will do my thing and you can you yours.

No issues there.

I think some people here believe you pick and choose your battles regarding lifestyle, the environment, where you live, etc. based on your political beliefs. As you will strongly support lifestyle/environmental concerns (living in an old house in a walkable neighborhood) if it reinforces your political view of the world , but completely dismiss other lifestyle/environmental choices (bans on lead-based ammunition) if it does not reinforce your political view of the world. Some people see this as being hypocritical.

I'm not siding with anyone. Just trying to explain to you why you sometimes catch so much heat on Cyburbia.
 
I'm not siding with anyone. Just trying to explain to you why you sometimes catch so much heat on Cyburbia.

M'ski: I love the heat that you bring though. This site, and particularly any thread with any sort of political element to it, does get boring during your absences. Mgk920 and IllinoisPlanner are here and seem to lean to the right (at least more so than most of the Cyburbians) but every extra dissenting viewpoint is appreciated. The FAC would be a much less interesting place if we all agreed with each other on everything worth having an opinion about.
 
M'ski: I love the heat that you bring though. This site, and particularly any thread with any sort of political element to it, does get boring during your absences. Mgk920 and IllinoisPlanner are here and seem to lean to the right (at least more so than most of the Cyburbians) but every extra dissenting viewpoint is appreciated. The FAC would be a much less interesting place if we all agreed with each other on everything worth having an opinion about.

I agree. :)

As much as people don't like posting or reading in the political threads, I find them thoroughly enjoying and even find myself questioning beliefs that I have based on posts that I read.
 
No issues there.

I think some people here believe you pick and choose your battles regarding lifestyle, the environment, where you live, etc. based on your political beliefs. As you will strongly support lifestyle/environmental concerns (living in an old house in a walkable neighborhood) if it reinforces your political view of the world , but completely dismiss other lifestyle/environmental choices (bans on lead-based ammunition) if it does not reinforce your political view of the world. Some people see this as being hypocritical.

I'm not siding with anyone. Just trying to explain to you why you sometimes catch so much heat on Cyburbia.

I think that is a fair statement to make and I think we are all hypocritical in one way or another. (yes even me as I drive over 300 miles every week to meet with clients instead of getting a job working for someone within walking distance... and then work to help clients find a way to become less auto dependent)

I also think it is evident that my views have changed over the past several years and less away from a single political party and more of a case by case situation. For example, I love the idea of great urban planning and historic preservation. In Mark Lavin's book Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto he specifically calls out planning as tyrannical and many of my super conservative friends think that it is stupid that I can't just hang gutters on my house. I received substantial flack when them when I was appointed to the HDC. By the way, I disagreed with at least a third of L&T and thought that Lavin was way off on many points.

I am not here to agree with everyone and to be frankly honest, I would be disappointed if everyone agreed with me. But I don't find a need to personally attack anyone if they are in total opposition to my views. Instead, I respect them for willing to have a discussion without making statements claiming I don't care about my kids' health. Even with some of the personal attacks, I have learned that it is not worth holding a grudge. There is one person who said something extremely inappropriate to me in here once, and I can say that I don't hold any hard feelings towards her. Life is too short to hold grudges.


Having said all of that... I still don't like Obama Care.
 
Last edited:
No issues there.

I think some people here believe you pick and choose your battles regarding lifestyle, the environment, where you live, etc. based on your political beliefs. .

My issue is that he often spouts off easily disproved statements and often takes the lazy and trollish way out of a conversation (i.e., banning lead ammo is a liberal conspiracy to ban guns). And particularly, my issue is that he is smarter than that. After his first rant about how it was just a liberal conspiracy he started actually talking about the impacts of lead in the environment, costs and benefits of lead versus copper ammunition, etc. So he knows there is more to the story than what he first started out with as his original trolling comment. It frustrates me to no end that so many people take such an intellectually lazy approach to political discussions that are usually so much more involved than "liberals/conservatives are teh evil and anything they propose is teh end of America".
 
My issue is that he often spouts off easily disproved statements and often takes the lazy and trollish way out of a conversation (i.e., banning lead ammo is a liberal conspiracy to ban guns). And particularly, my issue is that he is smarter than that. After his first rant about how it was just a liberal conspiracy he started actually talking about the impacts of lead in the environment, costs and benefits of lead versus copper ammunition, etc. So he knows there is more to the story than what he first started out with as his original trolling comment. It frustrates me to no end that so many people take such an intellectually lazy approach to political discussions that are usually so much more involved than "liberals/conservatives are teh evil and anything they propose is teh end of America".

I am not the only one who thinks that it is an anti-hunting measure.

(LINK)
(LINK)

Furthermore, the CA assembly has repeatedly passed anti-gun laws, especially for hand guns. Every single one of my hand guns are permissible in MI, but not one of them is permissible in CA.

The conversation went environmental because that was the direction that others took it.
 
I am not the only one who thinks that it is an anti-hunting measure.

(LINK)
(LINK)

Furthermore, the CA assembly has repeatedly passed anti-gun laws, especially for hand guns. Every single one of my hand guns are permissible in MI, but not one of them is permissible in CA.

The conversation went environmental because that was the direction that others took it.

First off mskis, I really do respect how you never take things personally. I wish I was better at that. But I will say that my opinion is that there is way too much paranoia about these things. Lead poisoning is the largest cause of death of California Condors, and it is an issue with other game animals. A lot of our food banks won't accept donation of game animals specifically because they are concerned about lead. It's a very real concern. The NRA, the Concerned Gun Owners for America, Mark Levin, Alex Jones, these people are certifiably nuts and terribly cynical. I actually listen to both alex Jones and Mark Levin among others (like ed Schultz, stephanie miller, etc.), because it's fascinating to me how factually incorrect and reactionary these people are. They've even proposed some fairly extreme gun control measures. The lead ban is supported by the Cal Dept of Fish and Wildlife, who gets much of their funding from hunting permits. They don't want to ban guns. Banning lead from hunting ammo isn't going to ban guns. This country will never ban guns or hunting. Never. The people that want to are a small minority. Just look at cyburbians here, most seem somewhat supportive of limitations on some guns but I'm pretty sure nearly all of us support gun ownership. The paranoia is profitable. I wish people would realize that those profiteers are not honest actors.
 
Well said, Imaplanner. This is an interesting topic that I was entirely ignorant of until this thread. In the little reading I did on it, though, I was surprised to learn about the impacts of lead on wildlife. At first I thought they were talking about runoff and lead ending up in waterways, but after looking at some of the studies I realize that its really about animals (especially scavengers) eating the remains of a killed animal and the likelihood that they will ingest some of the innumerable lead fragments. Given the size of some of these animals, even a small fragment can be deadly. Really, I had no idea. Based on that, I actually do support the measure, especially if there is an alternative option and that it does not negatively impact hunting (though I recognize the increase in cost of ammo).

I think Ima makes the important point that state fish and game/wildlife agencies are all about hunting permits and management of wildlife and are not anti-hunting. I grew up in PA where the deer population is constantly threatening to explode beyond what is reasonable, resulting in accidents, conflicts with settled areas, etc. Hunting is one of the key ways the population is controlled. Where I now live, NM, hunting is a huge part of the state fish and game's income and part of the view of those employees (a good friend being one) is the management of a healthy wildlife population specifically for hunting. NM's Fish and Game's mission is: "To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety." Hunting schedules, applications for permits, education classes, calls for people to become volunteer hunter educator/mentors and more hunting information is all posted on their landing page. Its all about hunting. I imagine most other states are the same way.

Personally, I do not hunt and am not interested in doing it. But I have no problem with others doing so for a variety of reasons (keeping populations in check, that it resonates with something very deep in our human psyche, that it actually teaches a respect for wildlife, etc.). But I do think the lead concern is real and I don't think it is part of an anti-hunting agenda.
 
Lead poisoning is the largest cause of death of California Condors, and it is an issue with other game animals. A lot of our food banks won't accept donation of game animals specifically because they are concerned about lead. It's a very real concern. ... The paranoia is profitable. I wish people would realize that those profiteers are not honest actors.

This is so well-known and unremarkable and non-controversial to be almost trite. No reason in the world to argue otherwise unless trolling or profit loss risk.
 
This is so well-known and unremarkable and non-controversial to be almost trite. No reason in the world to argue otherwise unless trolling or profit loss risk.

M'skis arguments are contrarian and not actually rational arguments. They certainly don't make sense when he talks about how one industry should be controlled by heavy government regulation from seed to packaging and then in the next sentence state that keeping a well known ancient poison out of the food supply, is somehow personal choice being hounded by liberals.

Certainly, cost is not the issue, as he goes to great lengths to protect his family. Way more than the most simple form of using a food safe ammo, many choices of which exist.

There is no rational reconciliation between the views of one, and the other contrarian point of view. Especially when cast in past stated beliefs in no/few/little/anti regulation of anything by the government based on some halcyon view of the constitution March 4, 1789. Sure, we all have some contradiction, but not usually this large.

So no kudos for being contrarian rather than making a legitimate argument.

An argument would be: Gun rights aimed at the idea of purchase, possession, and ownership are a noble idea, but those should be tempered with the idea that the possession and ownership should be tempered by proper training and safety.

The carrying of long rifles or shotguns in urban areas and perscribed public places should have some controls placed on them.

That is a legitimate argument.

"You should be able to own and carry any weapon you want sized less than 20 mm in size is my constitutional right with no limits"

Is a ridiculous troll.



This happened in Appleton, WI yesterday. Two nutbag gun right idiots, strapped on assault rifles and started walking toward the farmers market. When the police stopped them and eventually arrested them, they complain that they are being oppressed.

In simple form, they were looking to be offended on purpose by the police. Legitimate gun rights? Sure. Provoking a legitimate police response and crying foul? they had no reason to be in the center of town with assault rifles slung over their shoulders. They stated they were carrying them for self protection.... From what? In Appleton, WI?

They make all of us legitimate gun owners look bad.

Now that is the start of a real debatable argument.
 
DOD, I can not find where say I want more government regulation of seeds, because I don't. If anything I would like to see the government reduce the protections that it gives Monsanto. I use heirloom seeds, so I really don't care what other people buy.

You seem to argue with my post because you don't agree with me, which is ok, but you also seem to get emotional about it and it progresses into very light personal attacks. If that is what you want to do, I personally don't care, but I have come to realize that responding in an emotional way is not going to solve anything. In many cases I see your point of view and while I don't agree with it, I am not going to tell you have to change to meet my point of view... Well in 99% of things anyways. If people want to go out and use lead free ammo, I am not going to tell them that they can't. If someone wants to use GMO seeds and beef with growth hormone, I am not going to tell them that they need to use something else.

I want you to know that I have no hard feelings for you because of your political views.
 
DC Shooting

From the information that has been put out there, legally the shooter should not have been able to buy a gun since he already had a weapons charge. Additionally, it is illegal for almost anyone to carry a weapon in DC and it was not permitted for military personal to have weapons while on base.

Even though I do not agree with the second two, I am still trying to figure out how he was able acquire the rifle and the pistol given he had a criminal history.

From those of you who have been in the military, can someone explain to me why it is that on some (maybe most???) why solders who are trained to use weapons can not carry while on base, but we will let them have weapons out on the battle field.

It is a horrible shame that this happened, and I just wonder if the death toll would be less if someone at the base was able to carry their navy issued sidearm on base.
 
From the information that has been put out there, legally the shooter should not have been able to buy a gun since he already had a weapons charge. Additionally, it is illegal for almost anyone to carry a weapon in DC and it was not permitted for military personal to have weapons while on base.

Even though I do not agree with the second two, I am still trying to figure out how he was able acquire the rifle and the pistol given he had a criminal history.

From those of you who have been in the military, can someone explain to me why it is that on some (maybe most???) why solders who are trained to use weapons can not carry while on base, but we will let them have weapons out on the battle field.

It is a horrible shame that this happened, and I just wonder if the death toll would be less if someone at the base was able to carry their navy issued sidearm on base.

Another tragedy brought on by our country's obsession with its gun culture. If we continue to worship guns, events like this will continue to happening.
 
Even though I do not agree with the second two, I am still trying to figure out how he was able acquire the rifle and the pistol given he had a criminal history.

The internet? Gun shows in other states?

Until we get a gun registry we can't track who sold him the weapon. Why law abiding gun owners are against a registry is beyond me. Every gun should be like a car. Registered yearly and a fee paid. A national database is kept. Any gun that is not on that registry is illegal.
 
The internet? Gun shows in other states?

Until we get a gun registry we can't track who sold him the weapon. Why law abiding gun owners are against a registry is beyond me. Every gun should be like a car. Registered yearly and a fee paid. A national database is kept. Any gun that is not on that registry is illegal.

Depending on how it is setup, I am not opposed to the idea of background checks. In MI, they are done right at the store when you go to buy the gun and gives you a yes or no answer regarding buying the gun. If it is a no, you can request an advanced check to make sure they are not giving a false background check (which does happen). If you have your CPL card, no check is required as the CPL review does an advanced background check already.

As for registration and annual tax, personally, I am not in support of that.

As for the car comparison, that is a different situation. Driving is a privilege not a right. Additionally, you pay annual registration fees if your going to drive the car on the street. I know several car guys who don't have plates on their show cars because they never (almost) drive on the street with them. They have clean title and paid the taxes when they bought the car, but that's it. Under your comparison, these would be illegal cars.
 
Depending on how it is setup, I am not opposed to the idea of background checks. In MI, they are done right at the store when you go to buy the gun and gives you a yes or no answer regarding buying the gun. If it is a no, you can request an advanced check to make sure they are not giving a false background check (which does happen). If you have your CPL card, no check is required as the CPL review does an advanced background check already.

As for registration and annual tax, personally, I am not in support of that.

As for the car comparison, that is a different situation. Driving is a privilege not a right. Additionally, you pay annual registration fees if your going to drive the car on the street. I know several car guys who don't have plates on their show cars because they never (almost) drive on the street with them. They have clean title and paid the taxes when they bought the car, but that's it. Under your comparison, these would be illegal cars.

It is illegal to have a car on the road without registration. In most areas it is illegal to have a car that isn't registered. I know it is here. If it is historical or a junk yard car they all have tags. We abate cars without registration all the time. There is a reason for that.

I know that we all have a "right" to guns. Everyone gets that. I don't agree that registration or fees don't support your right to own a gun. If Felons can be barred from owning guns, then I believe it can be taken to the level of requiring registration to own guns. The main argument against this is that the government is going to know who owns what and will be able to confiscate the guns when they start the inevitable take over. This is not only crazy, but it is beyond irrational. No private gun owner (nor any gun maker, horder, or anyone else) will be able to stop the government if they wanted to take you (or any group out). The concept that our government shouldn't know who owns guns because they are a "right" is absurd. There is nothing that precludes our government from putting in regulations that help to provide a safer, more transparent system that forces accountability.

We cannot stop all of these events. Crazy people do crazy things. No argument here. But we can create a system that makes someone accountable for this guy. How he purchased a weapon, who sold it, and why he could take a weapon into a secure facility without someone catching him, are all questions that need to be answered. My guess is that number three gets answered quickly, and a procedure will be put in place to assure that doesn't happen again. We most likely will never answer 1 and 2 clearly. Mainly because our system tries so very hard to hide the history of guns.

That isn't right. And we can change that without taking anyone's right to own a gun.
 
From those of you who have been in the military, can someone explain to me why it is that on some (maybe most???) why solders who are trained to use weapons can not carry while on base, but we will let them have weapons out on the battle field.

It is a horrible shame that this happened, and I just wonder if the death toll would be less if someone at the base was able to carry their navy issued sidearm on base.

Most servicemembers do not carry weapons on base for many different reasons. Here's a bunch off of the top of my head:

  • The vast majority of military jobs do not require the use of a firearm on a daily basis
  • Outside of the infantry, military police and PMO, and a few other positions, many servicemembers have relatively limited training with small arms
  • In the Navy and the Air Force, many servicemembers are not even issued a firearm (I think most of the Army is issued firearms but it is only the Marine Corps where every single servicemember goes through relatively extensive training and has a weapon for them at the armory)
  • The firearms that most servicemembers are issued are quite expensive and powerful; it's probably not a wise idea to have a bunch of 20-year-olds carrying around weapons at all times
  • OPSEC: Facilities like the Navy Yard handle quite a bit of sensitive information and limiting access to firearms is one of the safeguards ensuring that the classified information isn't comprimised
  • People under estimate the number of desk jobs in the military - have you ever tried to sit at a desk for 8+ hours with a long gun? (an M-16 or MP-5 is much more commonly issued than a handgun in the military)
  • The military keeps very close eye on their firearms because when you are allowed to check them out from the armory more liberally they are more likely to be stolen or wind up in the wrong hands
  • Not everybody who works on a military facility is a servicemember and limiting the opportunity for those potentially untrained civilian personnel to have access to the firearms is important
  • Contrary to what many people who have never served believe, most servicemembers are not gung-ho gun nuts who want to carry a firearm around all the time

I could go on and on.

That being said, there should have been PMO and Marine and Navy Security Guards on duty at the Navy Yard as well as the base police (many bases have gone to using more private security on bases, especially for relatively routine patrolling and pass and ID duty) and from what I understand the base police are the ones who responded. I have not yet read the news today so don't know for sure, but it's entirely possible that the shooter went straight for rooms or buildings where all (or nearly all) of the personnel inside were civilians anyway.

What happened in DC yesterday was truly a tragedy. Even setting aside the gun debate I would first question why somebody with a criminal background and the types of charges he had faced was hired by a contractor and given access to the Navy Yard. Does nobody do criminal background checks anymore?

Actually, I know one of the answers to that question as I used to have a job performing portions of background checks for Marines getting security clearances: The background check system is incredibly backlogged and incredibly expensive. Private contractors have been cutting corners for a long time and issuing "temporary" or "eligible" clearances while waiting for the full background check to be completed - probably often never actually intending to spend the money to finish the process. It will be interesting to see if this episode causes any changes for how contractors are chosen or whether the military will start actually limiting the use of contractors for work that could often be done with military personnel.
 
It is illegal to have a car on the road without registration. In most areas it is illegal to have a car that isn't registered. I know it is here. If it is historical or a junk yard car they all have tags. We abate cars without registration all the time. There is a reason for that.

I know that we all have a "right" to guns. Everyone gets that. I don't agree that registration or fees don't support your right to own a gun. If Felons can be barred from owning guns, then I believe it can be taken to the level of requiring registration to own guns. The main argument against this is that the government is going to know who owns what and will be able to confiscate the guns when they start the inevitable take over. This is not only crazy, but it is beyond irrational. No private gun owner (nor any gun maker, horder, or anyone else) will be able to stop the government if they wanted to take you (or any group out). The concept that our government shouldn't know who owns guns because they are a "right" is absurd. There is nothing that precludes our government from putting in regulations that help to provide a safer, more transparent system that forces accountability.

We cannot stop all of these events. Crazy people do crazy things. No argument here. But we can create a system that makes someone accountable for this guy. How he purchased a weapon, who sold it, and why he could take a weapon into a secure facility without someone catching him, are all questions that need to be answered. My guess is that number three gets answered quickly, and a procedure will be put in place to assure that doesn't happen again. We most likely will never answer 1 and 2 clearly. Mainly because our system tries so very hard to hide the history of guns.

That isn't right. And we can change that without taking anyone's right to own a gun.

I admit that I have my handguns registered and thus far I don't have a problem it it. I don't have any of my rifles or shot guns registered because it is not required and because several of them were given to me as gifts from my Grandfather.

In terms of fears of governmental confiscation I admit, that is something that has crossed my mind. It happened with alcohol during prohibition, it has happened in other countries, and there have been bills introduced (although not even making it for discussion) that would require background checks, registration, and confiscation. I agree that those who helped this guy should be held accountable.

One thing I must applaud is your commonsense in your response. No where did you blame the gun and requested that AR-15's be banned. Thank you for taking a reasonable approach.

As for the cars, yes, they are show cars that are often brought to shows on trailers and might be driven around at a show. Personally, I think it would be stupid to have a car like that and not drive it on the road, but to all their own I guess.
 
I agree with what Hink said.

As for the cars, yes, they are show cars that are often brought to shows on trailers and might be driven around at a show. Personally, I think it would be stupid to have a car like that and not drive it on the road, but to all their own I guess.

Does Michigan offer a non-operational title? If you did that here, I pity whoever tries to re-register the car later on :-c
 
Interesting study showing that people often lose the ability to think rationally and do basic math when it might conflict with their politics.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/new-study-politics-makes-you-innumerate

No only simply politics. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman has lots of Kahan findings (and others') to illustrate just how poorly our brains actually work at many things. Scanning the savanna for predators and water and danger? Works great! Interacting in dense contexts with lots of other people and stimuli? Not so much! Wisdom of MarketsTM? No way!

No to mention Maher's definition of "blacktrack" or "one-hatey"...
 
No only simply politics. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman has lots of Kahan findings (and others') to illustrate just how poorly our brains actually work at many things. Scanning the savanna for predators and water and danger? Works great! Interacting in dense contexts with lots of other people and stimuli? Not so much! Wisdom of MarketsTM? No way!

No to mention Maher's definition of "blacktrack" or "one-hatey"...

Cool I'm going to have to check out that book. A friend is reading Predictably Irrational and I am going to try to read it when she is done. I'm super intrigued on how our biases and cultures impact our cognitive ability and how we can account for it.
 
So that is why those in DC cannot seem to understand basic math. Thank you for clearing that up!

Except it's not just people in DC. It's a large % of the public as well, even though who are otherwise very intelligent. That's even more scary.
 
Except it's not just people in DC. It's a large % of the public as well, even though who are otherwise very intelligent. That's even more scary.

I would be interested in seeing the actual numbers regarding gun crimes/deaths and concealed carry regulations, especially given that DC and Chicago are essentially gun-free cities.
 
I would be interested in seeing the actual numbers regarding gun crimes/deaths and concealed carry regulations, especially given that DC and Chicago are essentially gun-free cities.

It doesn't matter if there are zero regulations on guns or absolute regulation on guns. The problem is with our gun culture.

From the days of the Revolution to the Wild West. From militia types to inner city gangs. It has been ingrained in our culture that the gun is an answer to so many problems. The simply notion that we are "gun loving" country is where are failure lies. There is a big difference between owning a gun, and celebrating the fact that you own a gun.
 
It doesn't matter if there are zero regulations on guns or absolute regulation on guns. The problem is with our gun culture.

From the days of the Revolution to the Wild West. From militia types to inner city gangs. It has been ingrained in our culture that the gun is an answer to so many problems. The simply notion that we are "gun loving" country is where are failure lies. There is a big difference between owning a gun, and celebrating the fact that you own a gun.

I think that is a very interesting thought and in many ways, I think that I agree. But I think it is different than just one who owns a gun and one who celebrates owning a gun. I think that there is a serious misconception that a gun is a shield and it makes people invincible.

What would you suggest be done to change the negative aspects of the culture?

On a side note, I would still like to see the data (going back to the math thing).
 
I think that is a very interesting thought and in many ways, I think that I agree. But I think it is different than just one who owns a gun and one who celebrates owning a gun. I think that there is a serious misconception that a gun is a shield and it makes people invincible.

What would you suggest be done to change the negative aspects of the culture?

On a side note, I would still like to see the data (going back to the math thing).

Here is what is supposed to be an interesting study. I have not read it yet.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301409


I agree with rage about gun culture. I think for many people guns are an addiction with problems similar to other addictions. I'd like to see tighter registration requirements and mandatory training and safety courses much like you need to have in order to have a drivers license. As someone (me) who has fired an AR-15 before I also wouldn't have a problem banning them or other weapons of their type since they really serve no useful purpose other than to murder lots of people. I'm also not convinced that banning them is really going to do much. They are fun to shoot, but that's where the addiction thing comes in. It's probably also fun to do cocaine and have sex with prostitutes. Thank goodness that Navy shooter was prevented from buying the AR-15 he recently tried to buy. Alot more people would probably be dead if he had been able to.
 
Here is what is supposed to be an interesting study. I have not read it yet.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301409


I agree with rage about gun culture. I think for many people guns are an addiction with problems similar to other addictions. I'd like to see tighter registration requirements and mandatory training and safety courses much like you need to have in order to have a drivers license. As someone (me) who has fired an AR-15 before I also wouldn't have a problem banning them or other weapons of their type since they really serve no useful purpose other than to murder lots of people. I'm also not convinced that banning them is really going to do much. They are fun to shoot, but that's where the addiction thing comes in. It's probably also fun to do cocaine and have sex with prostitutes. Thank goodness that Navy shooter was prevented from buying the AR-15 he recently tried to buy. Alot more people would probably be dead if he had been able to.

I will make sure to read the study when I get home. As someone who as fired an AR-15 several times (as recently as Saturday) I agree it is a lot of fun to shoot. But what is it about the AR-15 that makes it more dangerous than other guns? The 556 / 223 rounds are smaller diameter than may guns, including a basic 9mm. The don't travel nearly as for as a .308, 30-30, or a 30-06, all common hunting rifles and all available as semiautomatic. What is it about an AR-15 that makes it evil?
 
DOD, I can not find where say I want more government regulation of seeds, because I don't. If anything I would like to see the government reduce the protections that it gives Monsanto. I use heirloom seeds, so I really don't care what other people buy.

You seem to argue with my post because you don't agree with me, which is ok, but you also seem to get emotional about it and it progresses into very light personal attacks. If that is what you want to do, I personally don't care, but I have come to realize that responding in an emotional way is not going to solve anything. In many cases I see your point of view and while I don't agree with it, I am not going to tell you have to change to meet my point of view... Well in 99% of things anyways. If people want to go out and use lead free ammo, I am not going to tell them that they can't. If someone wants to use GMO seeds and beef with growth hormone, I am not going to tell them that they need to use something else.

I want you to know that I have no hard feelings for you because of your political views.

That's good, because it is not about hard feelings. It is about fact based inquiry about how we can all manage to create a society to live in.

It is apparent that you don't know anything about GMO seed. This was your statement from a few pages ago: "I don' think anyone would question that. But given the chemicals and genetically modified foods that we commonly buy at the supermarket, you are getting angry about the mosquito on your arm while the wolf is eating your leg. When you become a vegan that only eats non GMO organic certificated foods, only uses power and transportation that does not burn fossil fuels, and lives a perfect life in total harmony with nature and society, then I will stand right by you and scream at the top of my lungs that we need to ban everything that is unhealthy."

I am mystafied that facts have no impact on any of your views. GMO's may have some harmful effects, and other ancillary side effects that are neither harmful or helpful. Their upside is they greatly increase crop yields. You would say that the market place should sort it out. OK... we can do that. Don't step into the way of the courts. Don't provide business government protections to Monsanto etc. et. all. Mandate i.e. regulate, that GMO's are tracked from seed to store shelf AND are clearly labeled on ALL packaging where they are used in order to allow the CONSUMER in the market place to decide if they want to use it.

Sadly, you contradict yourself in your statements At the start of the reply. You state that if someone then wants to eat GMO or growth hormones, you are not going to stop them. When the argument gets hard, you deflect to another strange statement assuming there is a hypocritical discrepancy between my policy beliefs. Nope, I believe that lead ammo should be out the door and protections for producers of GMO's should be stopped. I believe GMO's should be regulated from seed to packaging. In TRUE capitalist believer model (you are not), the buyers in the market place will decide weather they want GMO products, BECAUSE THE CONSUMERS OF THOSE PRODUCTS WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE. Not the manufacturers. Your reply at the start, is a CORPORATIST argument, not a CAPITALIST statement. In a capitalist culture, the manufacturur/provider puts a good out there, and if the CONSUMERS of that good, like it, they will keep the producer of that product in business. Capitalism runs on the idea of being able to understand what you are buying. This includes buying a bike, or a car, or kitchen knives. In some instances, you are buying a product on faith, because there is no real way to know what is in the product. For example, our food.

For instance, your family is on a road trip and you all get hungry and so you decide to pull over for fuel and a burger at a Jack in the Box. You assume that the meat in your burger are safe to eat. Could be, most are. Except for on this day, there is a harmful strain of Ecoli on them in that batch of meat. You and your wife get really sick along with 600 others. Your child suffers haemolytic-uraemic syndrome and experiences bloody diarrhea and subsequently dies. In your world, you seem to believe that any regulation is to much, so you are not owed a dime by either the Jack in the Box, or the meat producers.

In a decent society, the one most of the rest of us want to live, there is a system to deal with such damage. In this instance, it is called insurance. Both the Jack in the Box, and meat producer would both have this valuable item to cover the inevitable lawsuits that would legitimately arise from the production and sale of tainted meats. In the instance above, even the restaurant chain would not be aware of the methods of production. The JITB only resells what they buy in bulk. You take it on faith that the JITB has quality control issues under control. This is similar with GMO's. They are now present in 75 to 80 percent of conventional processed food in the U.S., according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association. That means you go to the store and they are in products you have no idea what because there is no labeling requirement. You CAN'T make an informed choice because there is no requirement to label the product. Saying that is OK is a CORPORATIST model of doing business and not a CAPITALIST model.

You see, lawsuits are how new technologies insert themselves into a system to find their new place and also how improper use/method/production/damages are punished and properly provide borders. Its not just that farmers have to plan their planting ahead months in advance, its that they could be planting plants that infect/impregnate/harm/damage the crops of other farmers. The Monsanto protection act, prevents the working out of how to properly use the genetically modified seeds and how to manage damage associated with their use. An example of this in the making is driverless cars and who is at fault if there is an accident.

So, know your subject matter, because you don't. Allowing poisons, carcinogens, and encouraging the genetic arms races between plants and animals without regulation, is a really dumb idea that will cost WAY more than letting the market work itself out properly.

It is OK for a person to be a corporate shill, but it is not a capitalist society being supported.
 
What is it about an AR-15 that makes it evil?

I don't think it's evil and I agree it's gotten a pretty misinformed rap in the media. But the combination of factors that make it so fun to shoot also makes it likely to be able to kill lots of people quickly. Accuracy, minimal recoil, large capacity and the ability to get so many rounds of so quickly. It can kill alot of people quickly.
 
I will make sure to read the study when I get home. As someone who as fired an AR-15 several times (as recently as Saturday) I agree it is a lot of fun to shoot. But what is it about the AR-15 that makes it more dangerous than other guns? The 556 / 223 rounds are smaller diameter than may guns, including a basic 9 mm. The don't travel nearly as for as a .308, 30-30, or a 30-06, all common hunting rifles and all available as semiautomatic. What is it about an AR-15 that makes it evil?

Because the round is smaller, it "tumbles" upon impact with anything. A lager round, actually causes less damage because it travels through the body "cleaner", meaning it does not loose shape as it travels through the body.

This was a problem for the U.S. military prior to the 5.56 mm round being adopted during Vietnam. It didn't cause enough debilitating wounds. The 5.56 mm round was DESIGNED not to kill, but to horribly wound. That way, a wounded soldier uses more resources in taking care of them. With the larger round you either killed your target, or he could keep fighting.

It makes sense from a military perspective. Horrific from the civilian side.

The gun and ammunition per-se are not evil. Evil is in the intent of use. The easy availability with no standards for getting a hold of such a weapon, are the problem. The standard of "A well regulated malitia" should not be met because you are breathing. I accept the Supreme Court decision that says you have a right to own a firearm. That does not mean there should be no regulation of that right.

The best way for gun owners to deal with their own problem is to put a 10% tax on ALL gun related items. This would go into a separate fund the government could not touch for any other purpose than to cover costs and damages to shooting victims (excluding suicide). Easy, self funded way to cover some of the issues associated with a shooting incident.
 
Because the round is smaller, it "tumbles" upon impact with anything. A lager round, actually causes less damage because it travels through the body "cleaner", meaning it does not loose shape as it travels through the body.

This was a problem for the U.S. military prior to the 5.56 mm round being adopted during Vietnam. It didn't cause enough debilitating wounds. The 5.56 mm round was DESIGNED not to kill, but to horribly wound. That way, a wounded soldier uses more resources in taking care of them. With the larger round you either killed your target, or he could keep fighting.

The tumbling of the smaller round, combined with the rifling patterns in weapons like the AR-15, the relatively high muzzle velocity, and the relatively higher rate of fire are what make it "more dangerous".

Single shot firearms that shoot a larger round may have a longer range but such an effective range would be diminished greatly if you were use a smaller round because there would be less firing powder stored in the cartridge and if you used higher rate of fire because your aim becomes less and less accurate with the higher rate due to the effects of recoil.
 
Here is what is supposed to be an interesting study. I have not read it yet.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301409


I agree with rage about gun culture. I think for many people guns are an addiction with problems similar to other addictions. .

I used to live in Europe and have many friends there, including ex-pats. Our society is looked at with wonder at our creativity, and horror with our sh--brainless simple-minded gun fetishizing. Nice place to visit, bad place to raise kids (a brief stint in college is OK, tho).
 
I was not aware of the tumble aspect of a 223 round and all but one of my buddies who have AR-15's knew anything about the tumble. The one (who is a professional firearms instructor and is extremely well versed in ballistics) that did said that a 556 round is designed not to tumble at all and that the 223 round will often have a 1/12th rotation after impact. He noted that a typical hallow point or self defense round on a handgun will actually cause more damage as they are designed to both tumble and expand upon impact.

In regards to the study, yes that study does say more guns more fatal shootings. I would be interested to see what the result would be if they took racial profile and other adjusted numbers out of the equation.

Finally, DOD, you need to calm down man. Call me what you will. I live my life and make my own choices. With the exception of Abortion, I tell other people that they have to do something or cannot do something unless it removes options and choices from me or my family. Of course there are exceptions to this such as driving on the right side of the road and basic laws to prevent chaos.

If you all want to out and get rid of all your guns, or only use lead-free rounds, if you want to eat a McDonalds Hamburger with GMO tomatoes, have at it. But don't tell me that I can't do something or believe something because it is contrary to your political views. I will stick to my guns and religion, my heirloom veggies and lead bullets, my belief that the Government should stay out of most of my life and God should be more involved in it, and my realization that light beer sucks. If that bothers you, well I feel bad that you let yourself get so worked up over someone else's beliefs.
 
Jon Stewart Quote from Last Night

"If I wanted to pick out one thing that best exemplifies our country's peculiar relationship with guns, it might be that the phrase 'minor shooting incident' exists."

Excellent observation.
 
"If I wanted to pick out one thing that best exemplifies our country's peculiar relationship with guns, it might be that the phrase 'minor shooting incident' exists."

Excellent observation.

There is no minor shooting event. There is accidental and intentional.
 
Back
Top