Okay ... Ode to Billy Joe was about infanticide and suicide. It was part of my repetoire because I had many requests for it.

Actually, I don't have a problem with other's owning guns, as long as they take the necessary precautions and reponsibility of ownership. My father carries a shotgun when he goes fishing in North Florida because he frequently encounters rattlesnaks, cottonmouths, and alligators. My sister lives in Alaska, is an ace shootist, and keeps her guns locked in a steel gun cabinet.

And, yes, I have a tremendous amount of anger in me, and probably will for the rest of my life. And I won't own a gun because I'm afraid of being startled and shooting an innocent. I do, however, have police-quality tear gas foam, and, if someone does cause me to use it, whether they are innocent or not, I will not feel guilty.

And, Alex ... I agree with all those who say you should not open a thread if it screams of BS.

I come from a very conservative family, my closest friends are very conservatiive, my coworkers are conservative. I enjoy the BS threads because it gives me an opportunity to have some rousing "conversations," with a group of mostly intelligent people, whether we all agree or not.

If this isn't your thing, (how many different ways can one say) don't go there ... moonchild