Same thing goes for the liberals here. Our military budget under them was 1.1% GNP , they took almost all the traditions out of the military, thought our military was a humanitarian peacekeeping force that worked for the UN,etc etc. Plus, I dont remember the last liberal politician here that was in the military. The conservative party here has some and I think they're more qualified to run the military.
In our US primary elections, you must declare a party in order to vote... and you must be a registered voter. I am "registered" as a Republican, but I always try to vote for the person best suited to an office... regardless of party "endorsements." Heck, I voted for "Bubba" Clinton in his first-run for the presidency. Today, I'm much more jaded in terms of believing in the "sweeping changes" each candidate promises if he/she is elected. Talk is cheap--and that's what politicians do best--and the resulting "action" is rarely forthcoming. Frankly, I don't trust "Billary" Clinton any farther than I could pitch her fat-arse, but that's just me... The discussion was guns and gun-control though, wasn't it? Tim
Im rooting for Huckabee in '08 most experience in executive on republicans. Hes a great public speaker. I dont want Obama, invading our ally Pakistan just doesnt go down right in my book. "Hillary" care will curb stomp our economy. The only democrat I would like is Bill Richardson, on Yugo (Gay TV) he says gays choose to be that way in front of all the gays. McCain & Guiliani cant talk worth beans. Romney is ok.
Back on the subject of guns proof you should not under any circumstanced give your dog a gun http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7068549.stm They're just waiting for you to drop your guard.
Ahhh, Ebar. Remind me not to do anything really stupid that will get on the news, because you are sure to find it. On a more topic-related note, I saw an interesting statistic recently. Apparently, in 2000 one gun was sold every 13.5 seconds in the USA. By my calculation that works out at 1,168,000 guns sold in a year. Which is quite a lot, even considering the size of the population. Just for information, really.
Ricky: Immediately following 9-11 there was a tremendous spike in U.S. gun sales for personal protection... if memory serves. Or, as I'm fond of saying: "There's nothing like a gaping chest-wound to take the fight out of a man." heh-heh. Tim
That's an interesting reaction to the attacks - do all these people think having another gun by their bed is going to stop hijacked planes from crashing into their office buildings? Of course, I bet that every country where guns are legal sees gun sales peak after every kind of disaster, be it human or natural. Still, the leap of thought required is quite interesting...
Hunting accidents happen alot. its in my state as well, didnt know it would be on the BBC, im surprised they put that up not very special.
On the other hand hunting accidents in the UK are very rare occurances, Most of us learn from someone else's mistake, and gun safety in hunting and target shooting circles in the UK has almost become a religion, ie. if you're carrying a Double barrel 12 Bore, then the gun should always be broken to show that it is empty or if it is loaded that there isn't an imediate threat of the gun discharging.
Not such thing as hunting accidents. If folks are follwing the rules of proper gun handling, nobody gets hurt. One of the rules is you are suppossed to be sure of the target you are going to shoot and everything around it. If you can't possitively identify it as a game animal, you don't frickin' shoot at it! Guns are also suppossed to be unloaded unless you are actually carrying them in the field. Once you are carrying a gun, it should always be pointed away from others and the safety should be on. Also, never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire. When you are off the hunt, unload the gun and open the bolt. A little common sense goes a very long way. All that said, I'm happy to say thet Alabama had no reported hunting related accidents last year. I'm sure there will always be hunters who fall and break an arm or something but those don't count.
and...... what has that to do with it? it would be proportional in theory but it isnt, Most hunters in the UK have been doing it for many years, and the few who wish to learn, are very keen and gain alot of experience from people who have often been doing it for decades. No matter where you hunt to gun safety should be your priority. There Hasn't been a hunting accident that I can recall of hearing in the area where I live for many years, not since, one man tried to climb over a fence with a loaded 12 Bore and ended up blowing himself in half, we all learnt from that quickly as where I live is a very close nit community.
What i ment to say im sure the number of hunters in the US is vastly superior to that of the UK, so of course they have more chances for accidents to happen.
Hunting accidents in the US are at an historic low. The rate for the past 10 years is one accident per 26,250 hunting licenses issued. However unless you know what the hunting accident rate is in the UK one cannot make a meaningful comparison.
here in california one must attend a weekend hunter saftey course to obtain a hunting liscense .in many eastern states only shotguns with solid slugs are allowed for deer season to lessen the range of errant shots ...
I personally think that anyone who buys a gun of any kind should have to undergo a mandatory training course in order that they may use it properly and safely. I do not own a gun, but I have thought about it, and I want that decision to be in my hands, not those of the government. And that's how it should be everywhere.
Corp: The Hunter Safety program is a mandate for anyone in Indiana born after December 3, 1986. While I was "grandfathered" into the program due to my age, I went ahead and took the course and have my certification card. It is now required in some states where non-residents travel to hunt. I was first checked by an Indiana Conservation Officer in 1966. I was a twelve year-old waterfowler hunting with my father. Tim
I fully agree. Unfortunately, simply teaching somebody how to do something is no guarentee that they will do it.
