OK because they are fighting for freedom.

BTW, this "fight for freedom" is classic american's stock phrase. Looks like people can fight only for freedom. All films about fighting for freedom too :D
So no, not for freedom. Maybe only in some metaphorical sense as "freedom to speech and learn on own language", "freedom to get adequate money fo work" and so on. They protest for some real things to be changed, not for abstract freedom americans so like ;) (and don't actually have btw ;) )

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SETI apps news
We're not gonna fight them. We're gonna transcend them.

This is not "doom-mongering", but reality.

In the States maybe, not here, when it comes to guns that is.

So... ooh sorry, forgot to say hi... Hello everyone! How are you? :)

Was just wondering how Americans cope when they visit Europe? I mean... do you spend most of your time terrified of us natives, or our governments, or both? If so... please don't worry... at least we can't shoot you... legally anyway. :)

Very intriguing discussion this :)

LOL, no! I have always enjoyed my visits to Europe. Beautiful vistas. Rich in history. With the possible exception of some in France, VERY friendly people. The Art! The culture! All in all, a VERY nice place.

About my only bad experiences over there was during a trip to Spain back in 1980. Ive mentioned the bomb scare on the bus already, but there was one other incident that happened to me over there. The ONLY time someone has pointed a loaded automatic rifle at me (to my knowledge). I was in Madrid for President Carter's state visit to King Juan Carlos. Walking back to my hotel after buying lunch, there was a series of loud bangs right in front of me. There was a policeman standing about 20 feet ahead of me (carrying a military machine gun). As the bangs rang out, he wheeled around and pointed it at me. He saw me with bags in my hands and didn't know what to think. I pointed with one finger up to an upper floor window, where there was a little kid looking out of the open window, laughing. He had a string of fire-crackers in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. The kid quickly disappeared out of the window. The policeman apologized to me, said something into his radio, and went into that building, I assume to deliver a stern lecture. Looking back on it, it was a bit funny, but at the time, I was not amused.

This is not "doom-mongering", but reality.

In the States maybe, not here, when it comes to guns that is.

So... ooh sorry, forgot to say hi... Hello everyone! How are you? :)

Was just wondering how Americans cope when they visit Europe? I mean... do you spend most of your time terrified of us natives, or our governments, or both? If so... please don't worry... at least we can't shoot you... legally anyway. :)

Very intriguing discussion this :)

LOL, no! I have always enjoyed my visits to Europe. Beautiful vistas. Rich in history. With the possible exception of some in France, VERY friendly people. The Art! The culture! All in all, a VERY nice place.

About my only bad experiences over there was during a trip to Spain back in 1980. Ive mentioned the bomb scare on the bus already, but there was one other incident that happened to me over there. The ONLY time someone has pointed a loaded automatic rifle at me (to my knowledge). I was in Madrid for President Carter's state visit to King Juan Carlos. Walking back to my hotel after buying lunch, there was a series of loud bangs right in front of me. There was a policeman standing about 20 feet ahead of me (carrying a military machine gun). As the bangs rang out, he wheeled around and pointed it at me. He saw me with bags in my hands and didn't know what to think. I pointed with one finger up to an upper floor window, where there was a little kid looking out of the open window, laughing. He had a string of fire-crackers in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. The kid quickly disappeared out of the window. The policeman apologized to me, said something into his radio, and went into that building, I assume to deliver a stern lecture. Looking back on it, it was a bit funny, but at the time, I was not amused.

Sounds like ETA activity. They once put a bomb in the railwaystation of Ghent, where I used to live.

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rOZZ
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About my only bad experiences over there was during a trip to Spain back in 1980. Ive mentioned the bomb scare on the bus already, but there was one other incident that happened to me over there. The ONLY time someone has pointed a loaded automatic rifle at me (to my knowledge). I was in Madrid for President Carter's state visit to King Juan Carlos. Walking back to my hotel after buying lunch, there was a series of loud bangs right in front of me. There was a policeman standing about 20 feet ahead of me (carrying a military machine gun). As the bangs rang out, he wheeled around and pointed it at me. He saw me with bags in my hands and didn't know what to think. I pointed with one finger up to an upper floor window, where there was a little kid looking out of the open window, laughing. He had a string of fire-crackers in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. The kid quickly disappeared out of the window. The policeman apologized to me, said something into his radio, and went into that building, I assume to deliver a stern lecture. Looking back on it, it was a bit funny, but at the time, I was not amused.

Yeah the police are always a bit nervous when it comes to American presidents visiting the country and security. And you know, Spain has to deal with ETA. The poor policeman must have thought some ETA terrorist started shooting.

This is not "doom-mongering", but reality.

In the States maybe, not here, when it comes to guns that is.

So... ooh sorry, forgot to say hi... Hello everyone! How are you? :)

Was just wondering how Americans cope when they visit Europe? I mean... do you spend most of your time terrified of us natives, or our governments, or both? If so... please don't worry... at least we can't shoot you... legally anyway. :)

Very intriguing discussion this :)

LOL, no! I have always enjoyed my visits to Europe. Beautiful vistas. Rich in history. With the possible exception of some in France, VERY friendly people. The Art! The culture! All in all, a VERY nice place.

About my only bad experiences over there was during a trip to Spain back in 1980. Ive mentioned the bomb scare on the bus already, but there was one other incident that happened to me over there. The ONLY time someone has pointed a loaded automatic rifle at me (to my knowledge). I was in Madrid for President Carter's state visit to King Juan Carlos. Walking back to my hotel after buying lunch, there was a series of loud bangs right in front of me. There was a policeman standing about 20 feet ahead of me (carrying a military machine gun). As the bangs rang out, he wheeled around and pointed it at me. He saw me with bags in my hands and didn't know what to think. I pointed with one finger up to an upper floor window, where there was a little kid looking out of the open window, laughing. He had a string of fire-crackers in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. The kid quickly disappeared out of the window. The policeman apologized to me, said something into his radio, and went into that building, I assume to deliver a stern lecture. Looking back on it, it was a bit funny, but at the time, I was not amused.

Sounds like ETA activity. They once put a bomb in the railwaystation of Ghent, where I used to live.

Oh, believe me, I know about the ETA... A few days earlier, the ETA planted a bomb on the bus I was riding on in Northern Spain. At least I must say that for a bunch of Terrorists, the ETA were rather civilized about it. They did have a habit of informing the authorities about the bombs, so the authorities were able to stop the bus and remove the bomb before it went off.

About my only bad experiences over there was during a trip to Spain back in 1980. Ive mentioned the bomb scare on the bus already, but there was one other incident that happened to me over there. The ONLY time someone has pointed a loaded automatic rifle at me (to my knowledge). I was in Madrid for President Carter's state visit to King Juan Carlos. Walking back to my hotel after buying lunch, there was a series of loud bangs right in front of me. There was a policeman standing about 20 feet ahead of me (carrying a military machine gun). As the bangs rang out, he wheeled around and pointed it at me. He saw me with bags in my hands and didn't know what to think. I pointed with one finger up to an upper floor window, where there was a little kid looking out of the open window, laughing. He had a string of fire-crackers in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. The kid quickly disappeared out of the window. The policeman apologized to me, said something into his radio, and went into that building, I assume to deliver a stern lecture. Looking back on it, it was a bit funny, but at the time, I was not amused.

Yeah the police are always a bit nervous when it comes to American presidents visiting the country and security. And you know, Spain has to deal with ETA. The poor policeman must have thought some ETA terrorist started shooting.

Yep. The police are ALWAYS on edge when a head of government/head of state is around, even if it is their own. Add to that that it was a foreign head of state only makes the tension worse. Stir into the pot the fact that there was an active group of terrorists in the area, and it became, to use an old USAF expression, 'pucker factor 9.5'.

I don't know whose 'undies' were browner after it happened... Mine, or the policeman's.

I don't know whose 'undies' were browner after it happened... Mine, or the policeman's.

Probably those of the kid that thought it was a good idea to light up firecrackers, after he got that stern lecture from the police ;)

I don't know whose 'undies' were browner after it happened... Mine, or the policeman's.

Probably those of the kid that thought it was a good idea to light up firecrackers, after he got that stern lecture from the police ;)

LOL

You have a good point there.

About my only bad experiences over there was during a trip to Spain back in 1980. Ive mentioned the bomb scare on the bus already, but there was one other incident that happened to me over there. The ONLY time someone has pointed a loaded automatic rifle at me (to my knowledge). I was in Madrid for President Carter's state visit to King Juan Carlos. Walking back to my hotel after buying lunch, there was a series of loud bangs right in front of me. There was a policeman standing about 20 feet ahead of me (carrying a military machine gun). As the bangs rang out, he wheeled around and pointed it at me. He saw me with bags in my hands and didn't know what to think. I pointed with one finger up to an upper floor window, where there was a little kid looking out of the open window, laughing. He had a string of fire-crackers in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. The kid quickly disappeared out of the window. The policeman apologized to me, said something into his radio, and went into that building, I assume to deliver a stern lecture. Looking back on it, it was a bit funny, but at the time, I was not amused.

Yeah the police are always a bit nervous when it comes to American presidents visiting the country and security. And you know, Spain has to deal with ETA. The poor policeman must have thought some ETA terrorist started shooting.

Yep. The police are ALWAYS on edge when a head of government/head of state is around, even if it is their own. Add to that that it was a foreign head of state only makes the tension worse. Stir into the pot the fact that there was an active group of terrorists in the area, and it became, to use an old USAF expression, 'pucker factor 9.5'.

I don't know whose 'undies' were browner after it happened... Mine, or the policeman's.

Oh you reminded me of Clinton's visit to the UK back when I was still working for the government. It was the first time I'd seen snipers on the roof and I really didn't like it. The security was insane.

Of course living in London for so long I've been through my fair share of bomb scares and bombs.

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Reality Internet Personality

So have I & some of them were devastating for a young man not long out of school.

Double standards indeed!

... I was working at the Reader's Digest, does anyone remember their address at that time?

To a fair extent, a trained professional have standards to maintain & more often as not, they are adhered to...

... unfortunately in modern society today, one cannot trust any civilian with weapons!

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...but aren't they civilians?

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...but aren't they civilians?

Individuals within it may be civilians, but the government as an entity is not.

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Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

...but aren't they civilians?

Individuals within it may be civilians, but the government as an entity is not.

So if it's not classed as military or civilian, I take it then that they're "3rd Class"?

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So have I & some of them were devastating for a young man not long out of school.

Double standards indeed!

... I was working at the Reader's Digest, does anyone remember their address at that time?

To a fair extent, a trained professional have standards to maintain & more often as not, they are adhered to...

... unfortunately in modern society today, one cannot trust any civilian with weapons!

Why should a goverment fear a law abiding civilian who has a weapon? They should be a hell of a lot more afraid of the criminals in hate groups who have them. Why pass all these stupid laws against honest hard working law abiding folks and go after the criminals who use firearms for crimes. How about a law that says if you use a firearm or even allude to having one during the commission of a crime you get 30 years in prison with no possible parole. Dont you think that would make the gang bangers think twice?

Here in the states we have career criminals with felony records longer than your arm , But they still get to walk. Why, Idiots now run the asylum.

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[/quote]

Old James

It's all good and well debating the do's & don'ts of weapons, but anyone stop to think of the victims?

Or does the sight of incidents such as the Boston Marathon bombing & the school shootings give rise to the thoughts...

"It wasn't me"

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It's all good and well debating the do's & don'ts of weapons, but anyone stop to think of the victims?

Or does the sight of incidents such as the Boston Marathon bombing & the school shootings give rise to the thoughts...

"It wasn't me"

"It wasn't me"?

Of course "It wasn't me" means "I DIDN'T COMMIT THE CRIMINAL ACT"!!!!

Your philosophy makes ALL citizen's responsible for Criminal Acts.

No. They are not. Except if one believes in Controlling Innocent People.

Not my philosophy at all, the regular reports we see of "some civilian" running amok with a weapon states that...

...or is the media lying to us & it's all a Hollywood scenario?

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Here is 5 top countries that have the most weapons per capita.
USA, Yemen, Finland, Canada, Sweden.
Apart from Yemen you don't see all this gunrelated voilence as in the US.

A report in September 2013 on ABC gives the following figures*:

Country Guns per 100 , Total Firearm-related Deaths per 100,000
United States 88.8 , 10.2
Switzerland 45.7 , 3.84
Finland 45.3 , 3.64
Sweden 31.6 , 1.47
Norway 31.3 , 1.78
France 31.2 , 3
Canada 30.8 , 2.44


This scares me - the US has about twice as many guns per capita as the next country, but those countries have a lower "deaths per gun" rate, but France has a much lower "guns per capita rate", but a similar "deaths per gun rate"... And its only 22 miles from Dover to France :-(

*http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/09/19/u-s-has-more-guns-and-gun-deaths-than-any-other-country-study-finds/



[edit to try and sort out formatting....)

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Clyde you ignoring the FACTS - the shear number of Americans killed EVERY year by guns, be it legal, or illegal. Far more than those killed annually by guns in Europe - you are AFRAID to give you your weapon of murder, mayhem and destruction. These weapons are held legally, or illegally, by the population of your country, and you persist in the denial of that one FACT - MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED IN YOUR COUNTRY by these guns than in the whole of of Europe.

You persist in harking back to events of the last century, events from which Europe has learnt a lot, and has taken steps to prevent them happening again. However America refuses to take the step, the very simple step, required to reduce the waste of human life resulting from all those guns "washing around" in your society. Control the guns better and you will reduce that human toll.

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Country Guns per 100 , Total Firearm-related Deaths per 100,000
United States 88.8 , 10.2
Switzerland 45.7 , 3.84
Finland 45.3 , 3.64
Sweden 31.6 , 1.47
Norway 31.3 , 1.78
France 31.2 , 3
Canada 30.8 , 2.44

Thanks for your update on statistics.
I'm surprised of the difference of firearm-related deaths between Sweden and Finland.
But maybe there are statistics that also include how this deaths also are alcohol and drugs related.