Guns/Self Defense/Politics
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:08 pm
If the following is not appropriate on this site just delete it,no sweat.
Obviously we live in troubled times.Times much different than I grew up in.Sad and unfortunate shootings and other crimes involving firearms are daily occurrences and with todays instant communication systems are spread around and hammered home repeatedly in an almost numbing fashion.
Our new leader and this congress,I believe,are serious threats to our 2nd amendment rights.While the new administration and congress have not done much yet,I suspect in time,after achieving other objectives,they will try-and try hard.
I think its important for all of us to prepare to act to protect our rights now while we all have time to reflect on how WE intend to respond to this threat when it comes.IMO the best way is to get the e-address's for your senators and representatives(State and Federal) on your 'contact' list now. Then consider doing what I do,and will continue to do.E-MAIL them all EVERY TIME an issue that concerns me comes up.I suggest you also consider providing this same simple contact info to all your friends and neighbors who support the 2nd amendment.Many bitch about things but FEW actually act.The easier you can make it for people to act,the more likely they will.Contact works!Professional politicians act when the numbers suggest they should.
Also,of course,consider supporting the 2nd amendment through the NRA and other similar orgs.
Finally,I've found it helpful and motivating to really think about the future absent the 2nd amendment rights we now enjoy.Scary.
What follows is a position on 'self defense' that I found interesting.
Good hunting!
Hopefully none of us will ever need a firearm to defend ourselves but,
more importantly, the following puts into perspective a way of thinking
that use to be respected but now is strangely under attack.
In one way or another I have been armed since I was old enough to have
my own .22 rifle. When I was of age I applied for and received a carry
permit, and have held one most of my years since then. Truth be told,
permit or not I have always had a weapon near me.
Since I grew up with weapons as tools, the morality of being armed was
never raised as an issue. You had a chain saw to cut wood, and you had a
firearm to defend yourself. You learned to use the chainsaw safely
because you would need the skill as a capable adult. For the same reason
you learned to shoot well and safely keep a weapon, as defending oneself
is what a capable adult does. Personal responsibility demands one be
able to do what's needed, and be able to use the tools to meet that
need. Anything less is a failure to oneself, ones loved ones, and ones
community.
Later, in adult years, as introspection grew and answers to life's
questions were sought, I faced the issue of self defense. After carrying
a weapon for years I finally took the time to ask myself why, and took
the time to reason out an answer, or at least one of them.
I carry a weapon because it is the moral thing to do. It meets with my
definition of doing 'right'. Being prepared to defend myself and loved
ones is part of being a responsible person.
Please allow me to explain...
I believe people have a 'moral obligation' to take responsibility for
themselves, not leaving the task as a burden to others. I know this may
not be a popular concept in some circles, but that does not change it as
my belief. I know we are laden with entire generations of people who
honestly think they bear no responsibility for their own safety,
wellbeing, and actions.
I choose not to be one of those people.
I carry a weapon for much the same reasons as I usually have a pocket
knife and a flashlight around me. These are all tools I may need to take
care of myself and pull my own weight. To think of them other than tools
is silly. Everything a man lays his hands on to complete a task is a
tool, and no morality can possibly reside in the inanimate objects we
use.
Why not leave my personal defense to 'The Authorities'?
For several reasons, as I'll explain.
It's simply not possible for any government authority to defend my
person. There is no arguing this point. Even in the most restrictive
environments imaginable, our federal prison system, there are daily
physical attacks resulting in death and injury. There is no 'civilized'
society in the world where government authority has been able to protect
and defend the individual citizen from criminals bent on harm. There is
an element, a breed, of humans who live as predators on their fellow
humans, and they reside next door to each of us. No amount of authority
can take on the task of defending the individual, no matter how well
meaning. If it must be done, then I must do it myself.
This notion of 'The Authorities' is often a nebulous one, with folks
forgetting that government service is peopled with humans no different
than ourselves. Good and bad, competent and worthless, our government
mirrors our population and that should cause a moments thought. When I
call on the police to help me, what am I really doing? I am asking my
neighbor to put his life on the line for my needs. Perhaps not when
simply investigating a break in or calming a troubled situation, but
often enough when danger calls. For an unreasonably small handful of
dollars I should expect the officer to arrive with weapon in hand and
interpose himself between trouble and I? Is this right?
It's here that morality raises its ugly head. How can I ask my neighbor
to risk his life for me when I am not willing to do so for myself? How
can I in good conscience expect an officer to care more for my loved
ones and me, than I do myself?
I was raised understanding that a man did for himself, and only asked
for help when he had to. This went hand in hand with the idea that you
always helped your neighbor when they asked, because they wouldn't ask
if they didn't really need it. That and it was part of the contract that
they would be there when you asked in return. This contract has fallen
by the wayside in our society, in many places. Too many now demand
'help' with every problem real or perceived, and too many honestly
believe that 'help' is owed them by society for some unknown reason. Far
too often, 'help' is defined as 'Someone come and do this for me because
I don't want to!'
I carry a weapon because I believe a person has a moral responsibility
to take care of themselves and not be a burden on others. The pistol I
carry on my belt, and the rifle stored in my safe, are nothing more than
tools needed to meet my responsibility. This is not a responsibility
that can be relieved by some fool wishing it so and announcing it.
It's a moral obligation that can only be self imposed, self delivered,
and self administered.
Earl G. Nash
If you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front
of them.
Obviously we live in troubled times.Times much different than I grew up in.Sad and unfortunate shootings and other crimes involving firearms are daily occurrences and with todays instant communication systems are spread around and hammered home repeatedly in an almost numbing fashion.
Our new leader and this congress,I believe,are serious threats to our 2nd amendment rights.While the new administration and congress have not done much yet,I suspect in time,after achieving other objectives,they will try-and try hard.
I think its important for all of us to prepare to act to protect our rights now while we all have time to reflect on how WE intend to respond to this threat when it comes.IMO the best way is to get the e-address's for your senators and representatives(State and Federal) on your 'contact' list now. Then consider doing what I do,and will continue to do.E-MAIL them all EVERY TIME an issue that concerns me comes up.I suggest you also consider providing this same simple contact info to all your friends and neighbors who support the 2nd amendment.Many bitch about things but FEW actually act.The easier you can make it for people to act,the more likely they will.Contact works!Professional politicians act when the numbers suggest they should.
Also,of course,consider supporting the 2nd amendment through the NRA and other similar orgs.
Finally,I've found it helpful and motivating to really think about the future absent the 2nd amendment rights we now enjoy.Scary.
What follows is a position on 'self defense' that I found interesting.
Good hunting!
Hopefully none of us will ever need a firearm to defend ourselves but,
more importantly, the following puts into perspective a way of thinking
that use to be respected but now is strangely under attack.
In one way or another I have been armed since I was old enough to have
my own .22 rifle. When I was of age I applied for and received a carry
permit, and have held one most of my years since then. Truth be told,
permit or not I have always had a weapon near me.
Since I grew up with weapons as tools, the morality of being armed was
never raised as an issue. You had a chain saw to cut wood, and you had a
firearm to defend yourself. You learned to use the chainsaw safely
because you would need the skill as a capable adult. For the same reason
you learned to shoot well and safely keep a weapon, as defending oneself
is what a capable adult does. Personal responsibility demands one be
able to do what's needed, and be able to use the tools to meet that
need. Anything less is a failure to oneself, ones loved ones, and ones
community.
Later, in adult years, as introspection grew and answers to life's
questions were sought, I faced the issue of self defense. After carrying
a weapon for years I finally took the time to ask myself why, and took
the time to reason out an answer, or at least one of them.
I carry a weapon because it is the moral thing to do. It meets with my
definition of doing 'right'. Being prepared to defend myself and loved
ones is part of being a responsible person.
Please allow me to explain...
I believe people have a 'moral obligation' to take responsibility for
themselves, not leaving the task as a burden to others. I know this may
not be a popular concept in some circles, but that does not change it as
my belief. I know we are laden with entire generations of people who
honestly think they bear no responsibility for their own safety,
wellbeing, and actions.
I choose not to be one of those people.
I carry a weapon for much the same reasons as I usually have a pocket
knife and a flashlight around me. These are all tools I may need to take
care of myself and pull my own weight. To think of them other than tools
is silly. Everything a man lays his hands on to complete a task is a
tool, and no morality can possibly reside in the inanimate objects we
use.
Why not leave my personal defense to 'The Authorities'?
For several reasons, as I'll explain.
It's simply not possible for any government authority to defend my
person. There is no arguing this point. Even in the most restrictive
environments imaginable, our federal prison system, there are daily
physical attacks resulting in death and injury. There is no 'civilized'
society in the world where government authority has been able to protect
and defend the individual citizen from criminals bent on harm. There is
an element, a breed, of humans who live as predators on their fellow
humans, and they reside next door to each of us. No amount of authority
can take on the task of defending the individual, no matter how well
meaning. If it must be done, then I must do it myself.
This notion of 'The Authorities' is often a nebulous one, with folks
forgetting that government service is peopled with humans no different
than ourselves. Good and bad, competent and worthless, our government
mirrors our population and that should cause a moments thought. When I
call on the police to help me, what am I really doing? I am asking my
neighbor to put his life on the line for my needs. Perhaps not when
simply investigating a break in or calming a troubled situation, but
often enough when danger calls. For an unreasonably small handful of
dollars I should expect the officer to arrive with weapon in hand and
interpose himself between trouble and I? Is this right?
It's here that morality raises its ugly head. How can I ask my neighbor
to risk his life for me when I am not willing to do so for myself? How
can I in good conscience expect an officer to care more for my loved
ones and me, than I do myself?
I was raised understanding that a man did for himself, and only asked
for help when he had to. This went hand in hand with the idea that you
always helped your neighbor when they asked, because they wouldn't ask
if they didn't really need it. That and it was part of the contract that
they would be there when you asked in return. This contract has fallen
by the wayside in our society, in many places. Too many now demand
'help' with every problem real or perceived, and too many honestly
believe that 'help' is owed them by society for some unknown reason. Far
too often, 'help' is defined as 'Someone come and do this for me because
I don't want to!'
I carry a weapon because I believe a person has a moral responsibility
to take care of themselves and not be a burden on others. The pistol I
carry on my belt, and the rifle stored in my safe, are nothing more than
tools needed to meet my responsibility. This is not a responsibility
that can be relieved by some fool wishing it so and announcing it.
It's a moral obligation that can only be self imposed, self delivered,
and self administered.
Earl G. Nash
If you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front
of them.