archenemy

especially in my case

Yeah, there is certainly room for argument on that one. I was trying to think of a way to include some measure of security in our economy. I think it is part of the gov't job to not let a totally unfettered market system fuck up people's lives. I think that is fertile grounds for great discussions. I waver back and forth on a lot of those lines.

I'll take the first one.

No matter what your clip capacity is, it will eventually run out of bullets.

Guns are simply objects. It is your state of being that dictates attraction or nonchalance. True!

Climb at Index. Drink beer. Smoke my Cuban cigar.

I don't know if this comes across as splitting hairs, but I would venture to say that a government's only job is to provide security. (I think of protection from foreign invasion, our court systems, police force, FDIC, that kind of stuff). It is not the job of the government to specifically protect you--that is your responsibility. If you are harmed, the gov't can help afterwards (call the cop, use the prosecutor, put the bad guy in jail, etc). But the gov't cannot come and hang out with you to be sure you don't get shot in the head by some kid with a gun. I believe the sad statement that says "Liberties are never given, they are only taken" and that the gov't is not going to give you any. And if they had their druthers, they remove as many from you as possible.

Perhaps, the definition is closer to "more than one shot fired per pull of the trigger" as three-round bursts would also qualify. An even closer definition would include that it will only fire until it runs out of bullets.

I just saw the snopes thing. That pisses me off. Fuck you SS

I'll bet the parents are happier to pay for a counselor than for a casket.

Do you have an AMEX card? It may be covered under them.

There is a monument of sorts right down the way from my place. It is a registered Noble Fir--the second largest one registered in WA if I remember correctly. It is called the "Mother Tree" by the locals. Last summer someone came and carved a HUGE anarchy sign on the trunk. The mark stands almost as tall as I do. It makes me want to cry. Even though it is tempting to see some graffiti as acceptable (I know I am surprised and pleased when I see actual artwork in spraypaint somewhere), the trouble is that sending that message out to a group of people who seem to think that they have the right (or the duty) to mark everything is a slippery slope. I heard that Seattle just passed a law that punishes a business owner for not removing/covering graffiti on their property within 24 or 48 hours. Isn't it sad that it's come to this?

This makes me sooo mad. This industry gets worse and worse every year. They are the Mafia of current times.

Ah ha!! I get it! I agree these are not the strongest arguments for gun rights. Of course, I don't see where they are arguing for unrestricted gun ownership (the man in the first story is appying for his CW permit and everyone under a certain age (30 y/o in WA) has to also get a permit (hunter saftey) to handle a weapon) but I think you may mean that these stories won't work as fodder for someone who does believe in unmoderated free-for-all guns-in-every-home ownership. Whew, I am done thinking for the day.

Fair enough. I am also against the ownership of fully automatic assault weapons and very much for the current laws that outline fair, logical restrictions on any type of gun ownership. It may be because you are a Canadian, but it may be because you are a human being who can't bear the senseless violence that goes on around us. I am so sorry that you have been touched so closely by this violence, and my heart goes out to you.

I'm sorry, but I am not following you. Sometimes I am super slow, and right now is one of those times. Will you flesh out your argument #2 for me again? I am going to reread through your posts too. Hope I am not frustrating you, I just want to understand what you are saying.

Sweet! I love it when something like that works to your benefit. After the flood I called the Snohomish Cty Asessor and asked the to reassess the value of my place now that I have to ford a river to get to it. They halved my taxes. I even got a check in the mail yesterday for 71 whole dollars as a refund for the first quarter taxes this year! Paaaartaaaaay

exactly. Both of you do. "redrum, redrum"

I agree that people act differently when threatened. I believe deciding whether you want to risk escalating a situation by pulling a gun out is your decision--not ours. I do not assume these are dependent variables. I was using the first story as an example for the argument I had against your second statement. If it makes it more clear for you I can use a different example.

Aw, she can sleep when she's dead. That outta be pretty soon.

I was very sorry to hear about the shooting in Moscow. I am also sorry to find that you knew one of the victims. I am a Vandal and lived in Moscow for six years--I love that town. I am also a member of the NRA. The NRA don't feel that the restriction of fully automatic weapons is an "unbearable" thing. The reason they fought the renewal of the assualt weapons ban is because many gun features in that ban affect semi-auto weapons. As a matter of fact, it directly applies to each of the hunting rifles I own/have owned. It impacts many, many MFA hunters--people like me who are just regular schmoes and aren't going to run out in the streets with an AK-47. To punish regular folk for others' actions would be like taking everyone's cars away b/c some people used theirs to commit vehicular manslaughter. Again, my sympathy to you after this terrible trauma. But please don't let it polarize people--not everyone who owns a gun is a gun nut.

You first statement seems to assume that if he had a gun with him he could have been shot--but ignores the fact that he could have been shot anyway. And saying that the example of the girl protecting herself with a shotgun is proof that others who want a gun for self protection shouldn't need a handgun just doesn't make sense. I mean, can you picture the guy in the first story stopping by McDonalds with a shotgun slung over his shoulder?

A free provocative news story and 'Joe Camel' moneyclip with every carton. I think Phillip Morris must be the author. If this is the Plain Dealer that started out way back when as a Labor paper, it couldn't possibly be owned by Phillip Morris. Maybe the name of the paper is just a coincidence...

1. Filing a claim of theft will not most likely result in a change in your homeowner's policy. I know this from personal experience. If you know of someone who has had their policy changed or cancelled as the result of one claim, they either chose the wrong insurance company or the wrong representative. 2. It is rarely the case that "no one" will insure you. You may end up paying a huge amount with a less reputable company if you have a spotty history and poor credit, but someone will insure you (as long as the property itself qualifies of course) 3. The insurance you have to get when you buy your home is PMI, which is different than other insurance. It is insurance that you will not default on your loan and it is only required for people who have not paid 20% down on their first home. Other insurance you have on your (mortgaged) home is required for the same reason is required on a car with a lien on it--you don't own the property yet and if something happens to it the bank will be out the money they lent you. That is why the bank must see your proof of insurance before they will loan you money for your mortgage. If you have theft claims on your Renters' insurance that were not made at the property you are going to purchase, that should make no impact on Homeowner's insurance for that property. 4. I am not 100% sure about this, but I believe that your claims history cannot be shared with other insurance companies without your consent. I may be wrong about this--if someone else knows for sure it would be great to hear from you. I am sure this is very boring for many folks, but its also really important for us to educate ourselves and each other on the world of insurance--it basically rules our lives.

This is not your friend's problem: it is a problem we all face. And I don't think people are interested in saying "I told you so" (none of us knew your friend nor told him to not leave his stuff in the car) but instead, we are offering up our own current workarounds and insurance experience to others who might find themselves in this same situation.