tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post6217689931938894437..comments2024-03-29T07:14:10.018-04:00Comments on Blunders on the Danube: A Tragedy Too Close to HomeGonsalvohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-86316171800258619552012-12-19T13:48:01.755-05:002012-12-19T13:48:01.755-05:00Thanks, Aaaron. I don't think there is an &quo...Thanks, Aaaron. I don't think there is an "American" attitude towards guns, as much as an array of attitudes. We certainly accept a much higher rate of private gun ownership and use than most otherwise comparable contemorary societies. <br /><br />At the time that the Constitution was established, the right to bear arms made good sense for a variety of reasons, including the frontier nature of many homes, including vulnerability to attack by Indians and beasts, the fact that hunting wasn't a hobby but necessary for many, etc. That situation no longer exists for 99.9% of the US population. There's no denying the fact that there was a political element to it as well, having just completed an armed revolt against authority (the British Crown). <br /><br />In addition to hunters and recreational shooting enthusiasts, there is also an element of our society that views the right to bear arms as an essential final guarrantee against tyranny by the Government; while a small minority, most with some degree of paranoid disorder in my opinion, they cannot be ignored either. Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-27220150757638212062012-12-19T11:44:12.127-05:002012-12-19T11:44:12.127-05:00I have also felt uncomfortable about playing at wa...I have also felt uncomfortable about playing at war after this. As a teacher myself and a father of three - one of my girls being of the age of those who died - it has hit me pretty hard, and one naturally puts oneself into the shoes of those affected. I am not an American and would not presume to comment on the American attitude to guns, but I think we can all imagine how awful it must be for the communities involved at this time.<br /><br />Thank you for your post, and there is much sympathy for you all.<br /><br />AaronPrufrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659918463589870423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-10346091353003486882012-12-16T19:06:39.308-05:002012-12-16T19:06:39.308-05:00Thanks, James!Thanks, James!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-67375666599967058332012-12-16T17:30:59.223-05:002012-12-16T17:30:59.223-05:00Thanks for such a thoughtful and thought-provoking...Thanks for such a thoughtful and thought-provoking post Peter. I thought of you when I first heard about this terrible tragedy, wondering how close (geographically) it was to you; mr google soon told me.<br />The heart-felt thoughts of us all go to the families and friends of so many innocent little children and of those amazingly brave, courageous and dedicated teachers.<br />I did not agree with much that Howard did as PM, but his leadership after the massacre at Port Arthur was statesman-like, especially as it went against many in the 'natural' constituency of his government.<br />James James Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-70337170322177987072012-12-16T09:33:15.358-05:002012-12-16T09:33:15.358-05:00I agree, Rafa, there are no adequate words for som...I agree, Rafa, there are no adequate words for something like this in any language, except perhaps the language of the heart.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-21568371806728142812012-12-16T09:01:44.479-05:002012-12-16T09:01:44.479-05:00No words for a such tragedy
RafaNo words for a such tragedy<br />RafaRafael Pardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482026140017463557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-42851792987211462852012-12-16T08:43:22.718-05:002012-12-16T08:43:22.718-05:00You're welcome. It is difficult to find suitab...You're welcome. It is difficult to find suitable words for an event like this, because it really defies explanation.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-64948692756437329702012-12-16T03:37:26.296-05:002012-12-16T03:37:26.296-05:00This is an awesome post THANK YOUThis is an awesome post THANK YOUMurdocKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08693711825249632305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-62845982617059386912012-12-16T00:16:18.042-05:002012-12-16T00:16:18.042-05:00I would agree with you overall, Ian. I have a an &...I would agree with you overall, Ian. I have a an "anti-khaki rule", which pretty much ends my interest at about the first Bower WarGonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-44716469531575875942012-12-16T00:12:28.513-05:002012-12-16T00:12:28.513-05:00One can hope that this time will be different, but...One can hope that this time will be different, but it is not likely.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-56958071875271912062012-12-15T23:48:56.775-05:002012-12-15T23:48:56.775-05:00Agreed, Ray.Agreed, Ray.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-15660622617448598212012-12-15T23:47:06.790-05:002012-12-15T23:47:06.790-05:00Disagreement is to be expected, but I thank your ...Disagreement is to be expected, but I thank your for your prayers.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-76414054390004567032012-12-15T21:23:15.669-05:002012-12-15T21:23:15.669-05:00Any event like this is truly awful, but especially...Any event like this is truly awful, but especially when young kids are involved. Mindless and senseless.Ray Rousellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07352596392520905197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-26510589300416754402012-12-15T21:09:02.564-05:002012-12-15T21:09:02.564-05:00I respectfully disagree with your asessment of fir...I respectfully disagree with your asessment of firearms ownership; however, instead of debating the issue I will instead say a prayer for the innocent victims in CT.Greg Saparahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-76503502427969184262012-12-15T18:26:32.952-05:002012-12-15T18:26:32.952-05:00Coming days will be truly awful with so many funer...Coming days will be truly awful with so many funerals and so many of those children. <br /><br />A scary trend this type of tragedy and seemingly not a 'cultural' thing as recent knife attacks in Chinese schools attest (Lord knows the death tools there if they had easy access to firearms). Sadly UK has Dunblane, Hungerford and Cumbrian tragedies to add to list.<br /><br />Sadly it will all be forgotten by those not immediately affected all to quickly. Sgt Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805201299484374889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-2838667374259400092012-12-15T17:44:41.669-05:002012-12-15T17:44:41.669-05:00The scary thing is that it can happen anywhere, an...The scary thing is that it can happen anywhere, any time. New Zealand has had once such massacre (not in a school, though in my last year at high school, a school principal of a high school 10 miles from where I lived, and at which I had played in the provincial Chess teams competition, was shot by one of his pupils).<br /><br />Australia has had a couple of massacres, and you have to wonder at what to make of the Norwegian maniac who gunned down more than 70 children. His rationale was worthless.<br /><br />Of course, to the fatuous remark that 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people,' one might rejoin: 'Yeah: with guns.' I'm one of the pacific branch of wargamers - not a 'conscientious objector' withal - I can see that there are reasons to fight - but I have long felt that war, as an instrument of policy, has long since outlived its usefulness. I tend to date this from somewhere between 1789 and 1815...<br /><br />Doesn't stop me war gaming. Though I have to admit to drawing a rather fuzzy line at circa 1945...<br /><br />Events like this I feel leave a deep wound in any nation, even if it doesn't know it, and one that takes a long time to heal - if it ever does.<br /><br />All one can do is offer commiserations and best wishes, <br />Ion<br />Archduke Piccolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15533325665451889661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-65796717492845417532012-12-15T17:19:35.800-05:002012-12-15T17:19:35.800-05:00Exactly, Garry. There really *are* no words for it...Exactly, Garry. There really *are* no words for it despite my temptation to try.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9170582445870210697.post-48762607730271618712012-12-15T16:57:51.943-05:002012-12-15T16:57:51.943-05:00Words just do not suffice for events like this Words just do not suffice for events like this Sgt Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805201299484374889noreply@blogger.com