The Acaeum Dungeons & Dragons
Collecting Forums

Old Random Thoughts or OT Chit-Chat Thread
Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies. Page 24 of 112123 ... 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 ... 110111112
Author

User avatar

Long-Winded Collector

Posts: 4756
Joined: Oct 31, 2004
Last Visit: May 02, 2025
Location: Caddo Mills, TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:56 am 
 

serleran wrote:
I don't agree - witness the domestic cat. They kill because they enjoy killing, not because they have have a need for it. They take down birds, mice, insects... simply because it is fun. Sure, they might do it for other reasons, but they are vicious little murderers. That's the only reason I like them. :)


At first I didnt agree with you Serl, but then I got to thinking about it and you know what?  Domestic cats are probably the most prolific and efficient killers on the planet.  Since I have four of the little bastards, I get to see first hand the number of casualties they inflict on our local bird populace.  I have read several publications regarding cat behavior and for the most part I think they are all incorrect.

The cats we have stay indoors most of the time.  We will let them out into the backyard during the evening when we are home and on weekends they get to go out for the better part of the day.  They are not able to venture beyond the fence and never make the attempt to do so.  They are happy just being outside.  But since we have 15 trees in our front and back yards we have quite a few birds nesting in them.  So far this year we have had two blue jays, a cardinal, a robin, and several smaller, unidentified birds fall prey to our cats.  When the cats catch them, they bring them to the patio and drop them at the glass door leading into the house.  Sometimes the bird has died and other times it is just "playing dead".

It is my unprofessional opinion that house cats think that they are hunter/gatherers for their human tribe.  They kill the bird and then parade around with it in their mouth for everyone else to see.  Then they drop the animal at the feet of the larger "human" in order to get some sort of emotional reward for providing for the rest of their family.

Now if I can only figure out why the alpha male sometimes shits on the bed when there is a perfectly good litter box just down the hall.  :?


You don't like your job, you don't strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way. - Homer Simpson

  

User avatar

Verbose Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 1787
Joined: Apr 26, 2005
Last Visit: Aug 04, 2020
Location: Indianapolis

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:02 am 
 

Kingofpain89 wrote:


Now if I can only figure out why the alpha male sometimes shits on the bed when there is a perfectly good litter box just down the hall.  :?


You wonder about this.  He is simply stating the obvious:  that he, and not you, is the alpha male.  My advice:  you should go shit in his litter box.  That will show him.

Martin

  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
JG Valuation Board
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 5029
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Last Visit: Jan 16, 2017
Location: Texas

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:09 am 
 

Badmike wrote:BTW, for those not of these shores, the Supreme Court of the US pretty much affirmed the Second Admendment (right to bear arms) for the first time in history last week, and most people I know thought it was a good thing.  Should be interesting to see what happens to the crime rate once more and more cities pass concealed or open display handgun laws (Texas has the concealed law and is now contemplating the open carry policy for next session)

Mike B.


I fear our happiness with that ruling will be short lived.
The ruling was 5-4 with ALL of the courts democrat/liberal Justices dissenting.

Once Osamah Obama takes office it is quite likely that two Supreme-Court justices will be replaced and perhaps as many as four of them.
(Especially if Osamah is in office for two terms)
I doubt he will nominate any conservatives for the Supreme Court to go before the democrat-controlled congress.
The Second amendment is likely to be overturned and appealed.
Your guns will be outlawed and then criminals will no longer fear Texans with trigger-happy attitudes.
Your concealed carry rights will also be taken away through Federal Mandate and re-written laws.

Obama voted twice on state gun laws in his home state (As a state senator) and BOTH times he voted against citizens gun rights.
He spoke about those gun rights and how the Constitution does not give indivudual rights for Americans to own personal weapons.

Of course after that Supreme Court ruling he backed the ruling up saying it was the right way for them to vote.
I would be willing to bet my Orange B3 that if the courts ruling had gone the other way, he would be VERY much pleased.


"Guys, I am starting to think Tegel Manor might be haunted..."
Stated by me as a PC during a run of Tegel Manor DMed by killjoy at NTRPGCon 2010

Charter Member of the ATM

  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector

Posts: 5885
Joined: Jun 30, 2003
Last Visit: Jul 31, 2026
Location: Cow Hampshire, US

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:23 am 
 

No way possible that guns will be outlawed. WAY too many people own them. I would flat-out refuse to give mine up, and law enforcement would never be able to enact any sort of ban.
It is possible that PURCHASES AND SALES of guns could be banned, but even then, all it would do is drive it underground, making it ten times easier for criminals to get pieces.
The only thing in the world that is worse than a liberal is two liberals.


If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.

  

User avatar

Sage Collector

Posts: 2736
Joined: May 31, 2007
Last Visit: Jul 09, 2026

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:35 am 
 

Remember when the word Liberal meant "Free?" Not -- "will take away your rights?" When did "Conservative" become the one that protected your rights, instead of trying to restrict them? When did everything reverse?

Government needs a righteous smack. Not sure how that can be done, though.


Those who can, don't. Those who should not, do.

  

User avatar

Verbose Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 1787
Joined: Apr 26, 2005
Last Visit: Aug 04, 2020
Location: Indianapolis

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:49 am 
 

No way is the 2nd amendment going to be overturned or repealed.   Do your criminals now fear Texans with trigger-happy attitudes.  Given the criminal violence happening in Texas I do not think they do.  Guns do not stop criminal behavior.  A criminal is going to break the law.  A gun may stop him from completing the task.

Take your medication Aneoth.  You and your gun(s) are going to have a long relationship together.


Martin

  

User avatar

Verbose Collector
JG Valuation Board

Posts: 1670
Joined: Jul 01, 2006
Last Visit: Aug 19, 2025
Location: Moncton, NB Canada

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:09 am 
 

The question I would ask is why are there so many criminals in the US?

What conditions invites people to violate the laws so frequently and in such numbers?

Canada is by no means crime free, but there are very few areas in most cities that people are afraid to walk down the streets.

I am not naive, I have worked nights in a downtown hotel and have had knives pulled on me and in one case a gun pointed at my head, but these are very rare occurrences.


Check out my Chaosium sourcebook.
Secrets of Tibet

  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
JG Valuation Board
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 5029
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Last Visit: Jan 16, 2017
Location: Texas

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:51 am 
 

Deadlord39 wrote:No way possible that guns will be outlawed. WAY too many people own them. I would flat-out refuse to give mine up, and law enforcement would never be able to enact any sort of ban.
It is possible that PURCHASES AND SALES of guns could be banned, but even then, all it would do is drive it underground, making it ten times easier for criminals to get pieces.
The only thing in the world that is worse than a liberal is two liberals.


Tell that to the folks in those nations/countries where individuals are not allowed to own weapons.

The main purpose for governments to initiate and enforce gun control (in any form) is to make it easier to control the people.
The story about making things safe for them by only allowing government to have weapons is a simply a ruse.

Check into the socialist agenda.

First you must make most of the people dependant on governement support.
Then you take a few rights and liberties from them (such as the right to bear arms), thereby cementing that control.
Then take other rights away one at a time, so as not to bring about too fast a change.
Don't want to alarm the natives before ultimate control is gained.
Start with something simple, like the "Fairness Doctrine".
(Limiting free speach through legislation)
Soon enough they will have removed your ability to make changes to the government by taking control of every aspect of your lives, and taking control of industry (To protect the people) is an important step in that process.

We all know that the democrats want to Nationalize Healthcare.
It is one of the biggest most pressing issues with which they pound against the republicans.

And how well has that worked out for Canada, or for the UK?

Recently Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CAL. Stated during a house panel investigation about the US' current fuel crises (She was grilling an oil executive at the time) on National TV said that if "Big Oil" did nothing to alleviate the pain at the pump, that the government would nationalize the oil industry (IE. the government would take control over the oil industry) to protect the people from the high prices they have to pay for fuel.

She has NO idea what she is talking about, or if she does know more than is obvious from her own statements, then she is lying to the country for some sort of monetary or political gain.

1st - Crude Oil is a global issue, not a US issue.
2nd - About 90 percent of the world's crude oil reserves are not even owned by "big oil" companies, or by any private companies no matter how big or small. Those reserves are controlled by whatever countries government pumps it out of the ground.
Nationalized oil IS the problem.
3rd - The "big oil" companies whose CEO's were being grilled by Waters, and friends only control about 4% of the world's oil.
4th -- This country loves to allow feelings to override need. As long as drilling/pumping for oil is not allowed in Anwar and the Gulf of Mexico (And other areas where the US has an abundant amount of reserves in the ground) this country will continue to depend on other sources for fuel, such as the Middle East, Mexico, and Canada, NONE of which have any problem pumping oil from the ground or at sea in their own countries.
5th -- Other countries are pumping oil from the Gulf of Mexico with NO control, and NO restrictions at an alarming rate. China and North Korea are two examples. I wonder if the Environmentalists go to them with complaints about Nature being destroyed by thier actions?

Government control from cradle to grave and beyond..........

Socialism.


"Guys, I am starting to think Tegel Manor might be haunted..."
Stated by me as a PC during a run of Tegel Manor DMed by killjoy at NTRPGCon 2010

Charter Member of the ATM


Last edited by Gnat the Beggar on Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
  

User avatar

Verbose Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 1787
Joined: Apr 26, 2005
Last Visit: Aug 04, 2020
Location: Indianapolis

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:55 am 
 

Jasonw1239

Of course I live in America, and I have never had a knife or gun pulled on me.

Your question is a good one, though.  I think the answer is:  the amount of freedom in america.  You are free to be a criminal.  You are free to quit school.  Free to be a lazy, scumbag.  No free health care to rely on.  But plenty of government tets to suck on.  Hell, unless you really do something bad (murder, child rapist) you will only do a short time in jail/prison.

Martin

  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:08 pm 
 

Aneoth wrote:
The Second amendment is likely to be overturned and appealed.
Your guns will be outlawed and then criminals will no longer fear Texans with trigger-happy attitudes.
Your concealed carry rights will also be taken away through Federal Mandate and re-written laws.

.


Will never happen. Too many politicians get money from the NRA (on both sides), too many politicans are hunters and ex-military, and too many constituents enjoy hunting or protecting themselves. When it comes to both Dems and Repubs, their own convictions are secondary to who writes them checks.....

Mike B.


"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

 WWW  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:16 pm 
 

Prufrock wrote:Jasonw1239

Of course I live in America, and I have never had a knife or gun pulled on me.

Your question is a good one, though.  I think the answer is:  the amount of freedom in america.  You are free to be a criminal.  You are free to quit school.  Free to be a lazy, scumbag.  No free health care to rely on.  But plenty of government tets to suck on.  Hell, unless you really do something bad (murder, child rapist) you will only do a short time in jail/prison.

Martin


I agree with Martin.  No weapons pulled on me yet, but probably just been lucky.  But yeh he's right....with freedom comes responsibility, and some people just aren't wired to be responsible. Really sad, considering how some people in repressive dictatorships (North Korea, Burma, Cuba, Sudan) would give their right arm to live and work and be a responsible citizen here, and some of the ones that are here abuse the privilege.  I wish we could work out an exchange program with, say, Iran....you send us your prisons full of dissidents and we'll send you ours.  Something tells me we'd end up with the better deal.

Mike B.


"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

 WWW  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
JG Valuation Board
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 5029
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Last Visit: Jan 16, 2017
Location: Texas

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:24 pm 
 

Badmike wrote:
Will never happen. Too many politicians get money from the NRA (on both sides), too many politicans are hunters and ex-military, and too many constituents enjoy hunting or protecting themselves. When it comes to both Dems and Repubs, their own convictions are secondary to who writes them checks.....

Mike B.


I suppose I didn't make myself clear.
It wont be the elected politicians who will change the Constitution, or at least re-interpret it to have some other meaning than the one we feel is perfectly clear.
It will be the Supreme Court.
They do it often and the people do not elect them.
So, the Supreme Court Justices have no constituents to be concerned about.
Nor are they normally concerned about monetary situations.
They are Nominated by the President and approved by the congress and that selection is ALWAYS based on political leanings and which party controls the Legislative Branch (Congress, Senate) and the Executive Branch (president).
Starting next year the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch with both be completely controlled by the democrats.
Soon thereafter the democrats will gain control of the last Branch (Judicial) through new appoinments to the Supreme Court and the lower courts as well.


"Guys, I am starting to think Tegel Manor might be haunted..."
Stated by me as a PC during a run of Tegel Manor DMed by killjoy at NTRPGCon 2010

Charter Member of the ATM

  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:27 pm 
 

Aneoth wrote:
Tell that to the folks in those nations/countries where individuals are not allowed to own weapons.

The main purpose for governments to initiate and enforce gun control (in any form) is to make it easier to control the people.
The story about making things safe for them by only allowing government to have weapons is a simply a ruse.

(Oil Rant Deleted)  :D


Despite the rantings of right wing conservative talk show hosts (and I consider myself pretty conservative myself) what you are worried about Aneoth will never come to pass.  It's just the pre-election cycle of fear and hatred that both sides stir up before November 4th to make people think if you don't vote for their party the world will end. The process to put a stop to gun ownership, heck even gun registration, in a nation with the history of private gun ownership like the US is impossible.    Even then, certain states will never kow-tow to federal leadership on these measures. You can't even get elected to any state office in Texas without publicity shots of you standing with your shotgun beside your pickup.  Heck even Ann Richards went duck hunting during the season.  You live in a state, Texas, that told President Bush to take a flying leap when he demanded we release all our Mexican nationals on death row (Texas won that case in the supreme court, btw).  So ignore the dire warnings, Aneoth, as long as the NRA is writing campaign contribution checks we have nothing to fear...

Mike B.


"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

 WWW  

User avatar

Verbose Collector

Posts: 1296
Joined: Nov 06, 2002
Last Visit: Aug 07, 2026
Location: Essex, UK

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:31 pm 
 

Yep, DEFINITELY getting a taxi to/from the Acaeum evening meal!  8O

Cheers,
Malc

 WWW  


Sage Collector
JG Valuation Board

Posts: 2886
Joined: Feb 10, 2003
Last Visit: Aug 07, 2026
Location: Olde London Towne

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:42 pm 
 

Aneoth wrote:
Tell that to the folks in those nations/countries where individuals are not allowed to own weapons.

The main purpose for governments to initiate and enforce gun control (in any form) is to make it easier to control the people.
The story about making things safe for them by only allowing government to have weapons is a simply a ruse.

Check into the socialist agenda.

First you must make most of the people dependant on governement support.
Then you take a few rights and liberties from them (such as the right to bear arms), thereby cementing that control.
Then take other rights away one at a time, so as not to bring about too fast a change.
Don't want to alarm the natives before ultimate control is gained.
Start with something simple, like the "Fairness Doctrine".
(Limiting free speach through legislation)
Soon enough they will have removed your ability to make changes to the government by taking control of every aspect of your lives, and taking control of industry (To protect the people) is an important step in that process.

We all know that the democrats want to Nationalize Healthcare.
It is one of the biggest most pressing issues with which they pound against the republicans.

And how well has that worked out for Canada, or for the UK?
...


Well now...  I think it is working out alright for the UK.  Things are by no means perfect here - and could do with improving.  But relatively very few people are murdered here compared to many other countries,

Our "nationalised healthcare" system works well in many respects.  For example, I have a young relative who suffers from an extremely serious heart problem -- which is rare enough to not be covered by most health insurance plans -- but who has received astonishingly good medical care, the kind of care that would bankrupt most families -- all free of charge.  Of course, the National Health Service always needs improving, but I would much rather have that than a system of private health care which leaves the poor or unlucky in desperate straights.  Similarly we could do with better policing and criminal justice, but licensing firearms is not the right way to make the UK safer.

As to the US, well, I don't think it is right for me to comment on gun laws over thereand people's attitudes to killing, because, as has been already said here -- the national culture/attitudes are different in many respects.  Plus practically I can't see how you could remove guns from a society where they are already so prevalent.


Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!


Last edited by red_bus on Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:43 pm 
 

Aneoth wrote:
I suppose I didn't make myself clear.
It wont be the elected politicians who will change the Constitution, or at least re-interpret it to have some other meaning than the one we feel is perfectly clear.
It will be the Supreme Court.
They do it often and the people do not elect them.
So, the Supreme Court Justices have no constituents to be concerned about.
Nor are they normally concerned about monetary situations.
They are Nominated by the President and approved by the congress and that selection is ALWAYS based on political leanings and which party controls the Legislative Branch (Congress, Senate) and the Executive Branch (president).
Starting next year the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch with both be completely controlled by the democrats.
Soon thereafter the democrats will gain control of the last Branch (Judicial) through new appoinments to the Supreme Court and the lower courts as well.


Aneoth, the supreme court doesn't have the power to change the constitution, they can only interpret it. And, even in the case of the recent 2nd admendment ruling, there are loopholes. For example the ruling justices in the case said gun bans are still possible under narrow guidelines (for example, on school grounds, or public property, or in gated communities, etc).  Conversely, even if a "ban" or law was voted on by the chief justices in favor of gun control, there would be loopholes especially in regards to state rights (even liberal judges over the years have time and again given preference to state rights over federal rights in numbers of cases).

Not to mention, if you are worried about the Dems having control of congress, senate and judiciary, they had it for about 50 years or so (1930---1980) without any loss of gun rights.  And it'snot like having a Republican president has led to a landslade of conservative judges, anyway...Reagan appointed left leaning Sandra Day OConnor, George Bush senior made the absolute dumbest appointment in history with the left of left wing nut David Souter, and the present President attempted to appoint his good buddy Harriet Miers until shamed into appointing someone with a pedigree and intelligence. So don't assume a Democratic president is automatically going to appoint another Ruth Bader Ginsberg (one of the top ten worst supreme court judges in history and an embarrasment to her profession); sure as heck the Republicans haven't always used their powers wisely in this regard.

Mike B.


"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

 WWW  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:48 pm 
 

red_bus wrote:
As to the US, well, I don't think it is right for me to comment on gun laws over thereand people's attitudes to killing, because, as has been already said here -- the national culture/attitudes are different in many respects.  Plus practically I can't see how you could remove guns from a society where they are already so prevalent.


That's very insightful because most people don't understand in comparing the US and UK it's apples and oranges.  One society has traditionally regulated what private citizens can arm themselves with almost throughout their recorded history, whereas another society from their very inception has had firearms a part of their culture so intwined it's actually in our constitution.   Each society had unique advantages and disadvantages over the other and many of them are cultural; unfortunately the ownership of guns is one cultural aspect that UKers are glad they don't have to deal with, while we here in the US couldn't comprehend a life without...

Mike B.


Last edited by Badmike on Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 WWW  

User avatar

Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 8079
Joined: Jun 23, 2003
Last Visit: Jun 24, 2026
Location: DFW TX

Post Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:49 pm 
 

lawrenson wrote:Yep, DEFINITELY getting a taxi to/from the Acaeum evening meal!  8O

Cheers,
Malc


Don't worry Malcolm, I'll be packing heat, we'll be ok on the long walk!!!!!  :D

Mike B.


"THE MORE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY i DONE WHAT i DONE THE MORE i LAUGH" Cougar
"The Acaeum hates fun" Sir Allen
"I had a collecting emergency" Nogrod
Co-founder of the North Texas RPG Con
NTRPGCON

 WWW  
PreviousNext
Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies. Page 24 of 112123 ... 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 ... 110111112