Starbucks Boycott Over Marriage Equality Spurs Tenfold Backlash

[sarisataka]

131. "But we do not live in a world of wonderful people"

I did not mean for that statement to be an absolute though it may seem I did.
I have met many wonderful people, some of them had been trying to kill me moments before. It was their job; I don't hold grudges.
Of all the awards I have the one I hold most dear is a purple blue and black strip buried in the middle of other bits of colored cloth. It is the Humanitarian Service Medal, received when we deployed into a disaster zone.

I think the culture is at fault, rather than the laws. The glorification of gun violence. The idea that having a handgun and shooting someone is macho or cool and necessary for some gang initiation.

Lt. Col. Grossman goes into this at some length in his book. He argues that our current culture and entertainment is similar to the techniques used in military training to break down our innate resistance to violence. I am not sure I buy into the theory completely but it has given me food for thought and to reevaluate some of my ideas. I strongly believe in the phrase "You never stop learning"

I think the message needs to go out that guns are not cool, in fact, they are very uncool. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shooting guns and have since I was a kid. But, they are not cool when used to resolve conflicts, prove oneself, acquire things, protect things and most of all, to take lives.

I agree 100%. My own children are very aware of guns and that they are extremely dangerous. They do not touch even toy guns without first asking permission. Never the less I do not take chances. Any gun not secured on my person is under lock and key.
They look forward to the day when they can shoot a real gun, my 5 year old boy believes "When I(he) am 85" Love him and I have until he is 18 to teach him right...

Your last paragraph is a good summary. Most people should not carry a gun as they are not prepared to use it, hence my little reading assignment. Not everyone has the ability (disability?) to take the life of another, even at the cost of their own. There is no shame in that. I wish everyone was of that mind set then we would live in peace with each other.
Our best weapon lies between our ears. Avoid, retreat, not out of duty but because it is the smartest damn thing you can do, deescalate and if you have to engage, think one last time. The time dilation in a violent encounter makes each second seem like ten. Force your brain to its max before that trigger reaches the point of no return.

Have one on me To Peace and Safety