Well, since my wranglin' buddy. DougR dragged my poor butt into this thread I figuered I'd at least say, HEY, So, DougR, you were surprised that I woulod kill in self defense or in the defense of my family or friends, or just innocent folks standing around. Well, it certainly wouldn't be my first choice.

Katlaughing and McGrath have both brought up the concept of minimum force and that is where I come down on the issue. I also learned the concept many years ago while diddling around with Karate. It would take an extreme situation for me to kill another human and one where there were absolutely no other alternatives.

But with that said, I'm stcking with the premise that if we expect a more civilized society we're not going to get there by killing folks. I have no problem with life with no parole for dangerous folks, however.

Sorcha: Sorry about the cat. I lost my border collie, Shep, last fall and still miss that old flea bite hound.

Lepus Rex: I try not to let the mesquetos breed to begin with. That way I don't have to swat them. But I do show a lot more respect for those living creatures further up the food chain. I am a gardener and rabbits, moles, voles and deer can be a pain BUT I don't kill 'em, but I do irritate them with a variety of sprays, noisemankers, and have on occasion stung a bad doe with my air rifle.

DougR: Gotta respect the way you hang in there, buddy. You stick around here long enough and one day you'll wake up with a "Red Book" in your pajama pocket... Woaa! Slow down there, Bobert... Jus' funnin with ya', buddy...