December 08, 2008
"I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket, Watson..."
Reason #339 why liberals discourage the study of history... (Thanks to Glenn R.)
If each of us carried a gun--Times Online:
....Rhetoric about standing firm against terrorists aside, in Britain we have no more legal deterrent to prevent an armed assault than did the people of Mumbai, and individually we would be just as helpless as victims. The Mumbai massacre could happen in London tomorrow; but probably it could not have happened to Londoners 100 years ago.
In January 1909 two such anarchists, lately come from an attempt to blow up the president of France, tried to commit a robbery in north London, armed with automatic pistols. Edwardian Londoners, however, shot back -- and the anarchists were pursued through the streets by a spontaneous hue-and-cry. The police, who could not find the key to their own gun cupboard, borrowed at least four pistols from passers-by, while other citizens armed with revolvers and shotguns preferred to use their weapons themselves to bring the assailants down.
Today we are probably more shocked at the idea of so many ordinary Londoners carrying guns in the street than we are at the idea of an armed robbery. But the world of Conan Doyle's Dr Watson, pocketing his revolver before he walked the London streets, was real. The arming of the populace guaranteed rather than disturbed the peace.
That armed England existed within living memory....
I've read about incidents like this in Israel, where people pull out their pistols and chase down terrorists. Terrorism isn't a new concept. what's new is our populations of hapless "protected" people, who are taught to think that nothing's worth fighting for. Also new is the twisted idea that countries can safely wage covert war by supporting terrorist groups. In the past that would have been pointless, because they would have gotten open war pronto. Just another way that pacifism causes war and bloodshed.
The article also has this quote by Ghandi, which I had not seen before:
"Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest"Posted by John Weidner at December 8, 2008 07:55 PM
There are still plenty of guns in the South and always will be. You might want to consider moving down here. Most of the things you rail against are not approved of in the South and your vehicle is considered an extension of your home, so you can carry a weapon legally anywhere you go. You could set up shop and build your projects out of old long leaf pine and cypress and live like a king on the millions you make selling your San Francisco home and property.
Seems like a no-brainer to me.......
Ron, John is an extreemly intelligent person. I have always admired that about him. (That's why I check out his blog every now and then.) I belive he was born with a book in his hands and has read every one that was ever written at least once. He knows far more than many of us about history and politics. But in other ways, unknown to himself, he is very sheltered and is unaware of many things. I don't think he would give up a cushy life in the beautiful bay area for a southern comfort.
John, do you own a gun, have you ever used one?
Posted by: Angry Old Lady at December 10, 2008 08:06 PMRon, John is an extreemly intelligent person. I have always admired that about him. (That's why I check out his blog every now and then.) I belive he was born with a book in his hands and has read every one that was ever written at least once. He knows far more than many of us about history and politics. But in other ways, unknown to himself, he is very sheltered and is unaware of many things. I don't think he would give up a cushy life in the beautiful bay area for a southern comfort.
John, do you own a gun, have you ever used one?
Posted by: Angry Old Lady at December 10, 2008 08:06 PMYes, and yes. However that's not much part of my SF life, though I ought to get back in practice.
I really don't think my area as a whole is any more cushy than elsewhere, though there are enclaves of extravagant wealth and indulgence. And of poverty and crazy violence. And there are plenty of cushy areas in the South.
Posted by: John Weidner at December 10, 2008 09:07 PM
