(no subject)

[fpb]

One person I met on someone else's LJ called Sarah Palin a Nazi. This person, luckily, is already banned from my LJ.

Another, at the same time, showed a picture of an eleven-year-old girl with an AK-47 and thought it cute. This person also suggested that the ability to use such implements should be a test of citizenship.

Needless to say, I defriended this person on the spot. I try to understand Americans, but there is a limit.

Comments

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you're aware of this, but in rural regions of America, it's actually not that uncommon for a minor (sometimes even as young as 11) to own a gun. Not a fully-automatic military rifle, obviously, but rather a small-caliber bolt-action hunting rifle. I'm not sure why the 11-year-old with the AK-47 shocked you so much.

Someone is being rather ignorant here

[fpb.livejournal.com]

I know for a fact that you aren't aware of this, but in the rural regions of Europe it's actually not that uncommon for a minor (sometimes even as young as 11) to own a gun. Not a fully-automatic military rifle, obviously, but rather a small-caliber bolt-action hunting rifle. The idea, however, that a child would look cute playing irresponsibly with an implement designed to kill people in plural numbers, as well as the idea that the possession and care of such an implement should be a precondition for citizenship, seems to me both uncivilized and immature. It is also rather stupid. If being able to kill people is a test of citizenship, I can do it with two hands. Just get your neck over here, I'll show you.

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

The idea, however, that a child would look cute playing irresponsibly with an implement designed to kill people in plural numbers, as well as the idea that the possession and care of such an implement should be a precondition for citizenship, seems to me both uncivilized and immature.

I didn't actually see the video. As to the "gun ownership a citizenship requirement," there is a country which makes that de facto for male adults. A very "uncivilized and immature" country, famous for mountains, banking, and cuckoo clocks.

It is also rather stupid. If being able to kill people is a test of citizenship, I can do it with two hands. Just get your neck over here, I'll show you.

My neck's thicker than you think, and if you're unarmed and I had a military rifle, you'd be at rather the disadvantage ...

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[fpb.livejournal.com]

The point is not advantage or disadvantage, the point is the sick notion that murder is a part of citizenship. That was intended for sarcasm. However, if I ever set out to annihilate someone, I would do it rather better. And I would still not need a rifle - not even the one I learned to shoot in the Italian Army.

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

... the point is the sick notion that murder is a part of citizenship.

I think the idea is that the ability to fight in defense of one's rights is a part of citizenship. Though I don't totally agree with the idea (what about the handicapped?), I do understand it, and as more than just "murder."

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[fpb.livejournal.com]

No, no, no, no, no. To be a member of your country's army; to have taken an oath to defend the constitution and the country; to be willing to be recalled to arms if your government needs you - that is part of citizenship. To rejoice in the irresponsible control of implements to kill people - that is not.

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, forgetting for a minute that it is not wise to praise the Swiss in front of an Italian (we know far too much) you seem to be slightly confused between the notion of belonging to a militia army and the notion of owning a gun with no control and no particular command structure. You see, I have been a soldier. I hope that 11-year-old kid has not.

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, forgetting for a minute that it is not wise to praise the Swiss in front of an Italian (we know far too much) ...

Heh, good point :)

... you seem to be slightly confused between the notion of belonging to a militia army and the notion of owning a gun with no control and no particular command structure.

You have a point there.

Again, I'm not agreeing with the video. I'm just saying you're going a bit far by de-friending people for posting it.

Re: Someone is being rather ignorant here

[fpb.livejournal.com]

This has been coming for a while. The video was the last straw. Anyway, what is so strange? You post a video meant to shock the bourgeois, and the bourgeois are duly shocked.