Of course you don't understand. You are not a citizen of the United States. Slag puts up a very well thought out dissertation, and your only response is to talk about someone's pecker. And you take such an arrogant approach. Thought ever occur to you that it was that cultural arrogance from your leaders that played a large role in the creation of the culture of the US? Do you get that one of the main reasons that our culture contains a desire to keep and bear arms rests squarely with the government of your country? It is a cultural piece that will never go away, because it was a very important part of the formation of our country to escape the repression of yours. Kendall points out very correctly that should anyone attempt to attack and take over this country, they would contend with military, the police, and an armed populace.

I will take issue with Slag on one piece of his post. He indicates that the Democrats are anti gun. That is just a little to general and political for me. The facts are that many Dems, as well as many of their labor supporters, have come to see that the people they purport to represent are gun owners. There is much rethinking going on in the party, as they are determined that the Repubs not be allowed to use these wedge issues any longer. Hell, the Pennsylvania AFLCIO, with support from many in the party, has an annual Skeet/Trap shoot. The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, John Cherry, had an annual shooting event/fundraiser for years.

I have said it many times. I don't care that you lot on the other side of the pond don't get it. You didn't get 200+ years ago. This is a part of who we are. You really don't understand. Ask Bill Sables if, when he toured the US by car if he felt unsafe at any time other than in large urban areas. And then I am sure he felt no less safe than he would in London these days. Ask him if he saw folks brandishing weapons in the streets and shooting at each other. Ask him if he even heard a gun report. This is just an element of our culture that was borne of revolution from an arrogant King and culture. It has evolved into a right that has expressed itself in hunting and tradition, including the right to defend ones hearth and home from invaders, foreign or domestic, whether they be criminals or anyone who threatens our families. It is simply a part of us. We may not all agree, as in the case of my good friend Bill D, but that too is a part of the culture that was created in the revolution against yours. The idea of free speech, and free assembly to protest and put forth ideas also was smelted of the same ore. Those ideas actually make our country vital. The debate is why we still have many remnants from the 1700's, as well as many new ones. Ours is a living document that will change what needs changing and keep what needs keeping.

Mick