Comments by britlit1964#308640

Written on Pat Andrews letter: Give church's efforts away from church a try:

Christians in the 1950s didn't go to movies and thought they were "of the devil?" Poppycock. Or is this kind of like that joke about how Baptists don't recognize each other at the liquor store?

Written on Texas House approves raising vehicle registration fees:

Another thing -- from what I have heard, if you own a car, it has to be registered and inspected whether you use the car or not. Elderly and disabled people in poor health don't have much money and aren't using their cars/the roads much. Is it fair that they should pay the same fees as younger, healthier, and wealthier people who are always in their cars and on the roads? No.

If transportation, highways, and other infrastructure are the real concerns and there are real plans for statewide improvements then raise the money from the people who use the infrastructure the most through something like a dedicated half-cent gas tax for road improvements. Nothing else.

But the Repubs won't do that, will they? They fear anything that might make folks conserve gas and thus crimp their oil buddies and portfolios. They also love the smokescreen that allows them to raise fees all they want so they can claim they don't raise taxes.

Well if I'm paying more money to the state goverment for something, I'm still paying more and keeping less of my money, whether it's called a tax or a fee. The funny thing is that they can seemingly sneak through all sorts of new fees and fee increases in Austin at will. Fees never go away and they're rarely reduced. Taxes, however, can be and are reduced, with much fanfare and especially during election years.

Written on Texas House approves raising vehicle registration fees:

in response to wild_bill#233490:

$30 will barely fill the gas tank on a small car. $15 might buy a two-burger-and-fries meal. What are y'all squawking about? It takes money to repair roads and highways and if they can't get enough from gas taxes it has to come from somewhere. I'd rather see an increase for registration and inspection than an individual state income tax.

You REALLY think they'll use the funds to fairly and equitably improve the roads for all Texans? I highly doubt it. Pet projects for areas with smart politicians would be funded -- in other words, we'd all be paying but wouldn't reap any benefits here.

Being nickled and dimed every time we turn around smacks of chicanery, especially with our state's rankings in education, health care and such being darn near shameful.

Maybe Righty is correct and we should put in casinos.

Written on Texas House approves raising vehicle registration fees:

Am I reading this right -- this joker wants to increase the registration fee by $30 and the inspection fee by $15? He's got to be kidding. The roads around here are horrible and chew up one's tires but he thinks we should pay more for the "privilege" of driving on them. I don't believe for one second that the roads will be improved with the increased fees. It would just go to someone's pet projects -- and those wouldn't be here.

Written on Big Country Journal: What you can do to help monarch butterflies:

Some of the quotes and sentences in this article don't make sense because of the poor syntax, misspellings and/or typos. If the writer doesn't know the difference between "their" and "there," aren't there any editors who do?

Written on 'Bible' producers dismiss Obama-Satan connection:

in response to Squeezer:

Hard to imagine how pitiful an individual must be to pay attention to Beck tweets.

You don't need a twitter or tweet to see the resemblance. I don't pay a whit of attention to any mouthpieces and I don't do Twitter. I was watching the show and noticed it immediately, as did other folks.

Written on 'Bible' producers dismiss Obama-Satan connection:

Oh, come on. The guy who played Satan objectively does look like an older Obama. I was watching the show and gasped when the face was revealed. There's no way the producers couldn't have noticed.

Written on Harold Meyerson: To help younger Americans in the future does not mean hurting older Americans now:

Righty, I would agree that people are stupid but that doesn't diminish the fact that basing part of your retirement savings on the stock market involves inherent risk and the traditional savings accounts that are safe pay a tiny fraction of what they used to pay.

You may be doing well but many others have not been so fortunate. I know plenty of intelligent, conscientious older people who lost a sizable portion of their retirement fund when the market plummeted after 9/11.

The point is that there used to be a positive sense of reciprocity between employees and employers. Workers were rewarded for hard work, loyalty, and many years of service with good wages, benefits, and a pension plan. No more. Now, wages are stagnant and workers have to pay for their own insurances and retirement. Salaries can only be stretched so far.

Social Security was instituted at a time when people retired at age 65 with good pensions and Social Security as a supplement. No one expected that corporate America would abdicate responsibility for the employees who made them their fortunes. Nowadays, companies see their longstanding employees as salary drains, not as assets. They want people to leave so they can replace them with people they can pay less.

Written on Men's Wearhouse, Mattress Firm to set up in Abilene; 2 chain restaurants also eyeing site:

in response to Ronald_Erdrich:

This is me speculating along with y'all, so don't think I've got any info from the inside track.

In California we had a place called El Pollo Loco that I've missed for years. I've heard they have some in San Antonio but I don't know where. It was a San Felipe-style grilled chicken with tortillas, spicy pinto beans and salsa. Simple but good and good for you.

One thing I've never understood is why isn't there a real Cajun joint around here? Pappadeux's or, even better, Landry's would be awesome.

It's possible that it could be In-N-Out Burger, too, though I personally doubt it. But with their distribution center in the Dallas area they are set up to cover the entire state and a little beyond as well. Abilene though has a quite a number of burger joints already, and the local ones are hard to beat.

It could also be a Carl's Jr. I've been seeing those pop up around the state, too.

Yeah, Pollo Loco is in South Texas. The one where I used to live was terrible. The chicken was always dry and burnt. Haha, they said it was supposed to be like that if you complained. Nasty food -- I would never try another one.


in response to arex81:

A 3000 calorie burrito joint. High priced, low quality food

Ah, I see. Yuppified Mexican food.


Isn't Blue Taco gone or did just the Ambler one close?

Why would Men's Warehouse move here where the dudes don't dress up/nicely. Weird choice, unless they sell a lot of jeans and cotton shirts.

Wishing for Joe's but not getting my hopes up. Geez, we do not need a Cheesecake Factory with their 3,000-calorie meals.

What's Freebirds?

Written on Sequestration could effect federal funding for Neighborhood Services programs in Abilene:

Well, there's a surprise -- a Realtor urging a program to devote more money for home-buying, lol. Here's the problem: Upkeep is expensive and Dalzell is long gone when the family doesn't have the money for repairs.

Yes, owning a home is a stabilizing factor but a cursory look at our city reveals far too many delapidated and neglected houses. I would rather see more money made available to help people fix up their properties and make them safe to live in.

Written on Update: Investigation after woman dies when CPR refused:

in response to dr__dawggy:

Perhaps you could point out a reputable source to document your repeated statement that all residents at the facility were DNR. Nothing I have read indicates this is so.

Exactly. PR Newswire isn't a source - the first two letters refer to public relations. That wire simply distributes press releases.

Gee, I wonder which company/industry is in dire need of public relations over this and is busily spinning away, lol. Russell here seems intent on selling the facility-required DNR storyline. Hmm...

Written on Update: Investigation after woman dies when CPR refused:

Sorry, but what y'all are stating as a DNR requirement for that facility makes no sense -- they called 911 for EMTs to be sent. If there truly was a mandatory DNR in place, then they wouldn't have a policy of calling the EMTs in for resuscitation. If you watched the TV news, that's what the staff member told dispatch that they did every time.

If the patient really had a DNR then they'd only be calling a coroner or funeral home.

Written on Mixed feelings on start of Austin plastic bag ban:

Why are you people so attached to trashy plastic bags? I like using cloth bags. They're sturdy, more comfortable to carry and hold more. And I don't know why family-fun doesn't understand the concept but you wash them.

Y'all rant about Austin being liberal but the flipside of the coin around here isn't any improvement. People will abandon common sense and improvement just to be ornery and claim the redneck badge.

Written on Between several protest interruptions, Perry vows not to expand Medicaid:

in response to lthomas999:

I love using the word "czar". It feels, so, so, Obama like. A warm & fuzzy feeling!

Oh, I know! Anything so you don't have to actually read fact-driven, logical stuff and realize that the pied pipers you follow have made us the laughingstock of the nation and Western world. You do know that even the other GOP governors are signing on to the Medicaid expansion while the stinky cheese stands alone and will force Texans to pay for his grandstanding, right?

Do let us all know how warm and fuzzy you're feeling when you're paying for Perry's stupidity.


in response to lthomas999:

Do you work for a living? I have a feeling that you are on the teet too.

So your response to his reasonable, substantive, and polite post is to attack him personally (and misspell "teat," besides)? Smh

Written on The little ones speak: Circus is fun but opinions differ on elephants:

Please don't support the animal acts. People doing acts and stunts are fine -- it's their choice. It's not a good, healthy life for animals and they have no choice.

At the last circus I attended many years ago, a pipsqueak of a man was jabbing an elephant in the side with a sharp, metal-tipped stick for no reason while the poor creature was eating. I yelled at him to stop and he claimed the elephant couldn't feel it. I offered to test the stick out on him so he could see how sharp it was. The jerk stopped jabbing the animal but probably only briefly. I won't support circuses with wild/exotic animals.

At every stop, a humane society veterinarian should inspect the condition of the animals, the quality of their food and accommodation, and the traveling arrangements. If anything is poor, the circus owners should be fined and the animals impounded until improvements are made. If it isn't profitable for these outfits to have exotic animals, they won't.

Written on Be amazed and astounded by Circus Gatti show:

in response to Dually_Driver:

Time to do away with this ancient form of entertainment. Just plain cruel to force animals to live in rail cars and semi trucks.

I agree. It's especially cruel to elephants, which is why the poor things often freak out and rampage. If the named presenter was really a "wildlife expert, " he'd have nothing to do with treating elephants this way.

Written on Abilene diesel prices rise above $4 a gallon:

Wow, this is rich. The people who support the party that constantly champions the oil industry are accusing Obama of being in its pocket? Hahahaha.

Written on Lydia Long: Economic solutions to crime and education:

in response to Sonofagun:

Britlit we had a huge career tech high school vote a few years ago. It failed because Dr Polnick presented it as a give me 25 million dollars, and trust me vote. No plans, no given place for the school, and no curriculum. It was a sad deal. All the proponents promised to do it any way, They haven't been seen hide nor hair since.

I remember that, Sonofagun. I voted against it b/c it was like a "build it and they will come" mentality with some loose support from several businesses. You don't start out asking for an expensive facility -- you have to do years of research, planning, curriculum development and real business partnerships.

Abilene folks funded construction of Tech's new nursing school here. That's what proper planning, organization and communication yields.

Written on Lydia Long: Economic solutions to crime and education:

in response to Righty:

We told AISD this several years ignored. The chickens are coming home to roost.

It's probably not something a school district can change on its own. The state would have to change the philosophy, curricula, and scheme for everyone. Perhaps some charter schools could be authorized to try it out, though.

Written on Lydia Long: Economic solutions to crime and education:

Why do kids drop out? They're bored, they want or need to start making money, and what we offer in school does not meet the needs of kids who seek a trade. No, almost every kid does not need or want to go to university and, let's be honest, many are not cut out for it.

So let's quit acting like there's something wrong with or inferior about kids who want to be welders, plumbers, mechanics, electricians, etc. We need them and they make good money. They don't need to be warehoused in high school until age 18 taking more academic subjects and they don't need to be pushed into college, either.

End compulsory, traditional education at age 16 and then allow the students to specialize -- vocational training, apprenticeship in the trades, internships with businesses, and advanced academics and tutoring for those heading to university.

This is what they do in other countries; we need to try it. We do NOT need to be enrolling students in remedial reading courses in our universities. I'm sorry, but if you can't do college-level work then you shouldn't be in college. We do need to improve vocational training, though, plus add apprenticeships and business partnerships. Drop the myth that everyone needs a degree but increase support to those who do.

Written on Dave McNeely: With our state of education, would businesses move to Texas?:

in response to Righty:

We don't know if throwing more money at schools will help because we've never tried it? We don't have to try it...check in other states. Did it work for them?

Find a school district, somewhere, anywhere, that is doing a great job with a diverse student population and copy them. Is that possible? If not, then you have to consider its not the STATE or GOVERNMENT that is the problem.

Define "great job." Would that be defined by test scores or percentage going on to higher education? Right now, we have a lot of trained seals who can toot all of the horns and accomplish nothing because they are functionally illiterate. I'm not kidding.

I have to think that at least the poorly performing schools in the areas with socio-economic problems are reflecting what's really going on. Wealthy, homogeneous schools implement ways to prop up their scores.

We live in a state which takes pride in eschewing recognized standards and doing its own thing.
True story: I was taken to task for not making my high school students complete TAKS workbook pages and for teaching them how to read and analyze poetry. My principal said, and this is a direct quote, "Them kids don't need no poetry." Sigh ...

I pointed out that the state curriculum requires the teaching of poetry and poetic devices but he said the workbooks cover that well enough to pass the tests. There would be no need to "waste time" on stupid things that the kids don't need.

He is far from alone in this mindset. The gang freaks out over the math and science scores and insists that English doesn't matter much. How can you pass any test, let alone function optimally in society if you can't read the words, understand what they mean, and respond appropriately?

The majority thinks it's cute that our governor sounds uneducated, that many drop the g off gerunds, and that social awkwardness is acceptable. None of this serves our kids well. At the very least, they must read, write, and speak well to be able to accomplish anything else.

At least for English, our state curriculum is spot on. The problem is the state culture and values, which do not consistently support good teaching practices and teachers/administrators who are devoted to students and knowledge.

If you want to see some frightening stats, check out college retention rates and the number of freshmen enrolled in at least one remedial college course inTexas. Our colleges would be almost empty if they only admitted those who could handle the work. Sad, no?

Written on Abilene chimes in on Obama's proposed minimum wage increase:

in response to paz:


I run two small businesses, and a third, part time. One has been operating for more than thirty years.

All of my employees make above the proposed minimum wage.

If a business can't pay a livable wage, or at least provide a reasonable wage, with a few benefits, it shouldn't be in business.

It's just a matter of history, Republicons can't handle the truth. Every time the minimum wage is raised, they whine and whimper about it, yet the world hasn't ended yet.

EXACTLY! Starting a business is a huge undertaking because of the responsibility one accepts to do right by the customers and employees. If you can't afford to provide excellent customer service while charging fair prices and you can't pay employees good, living wages with provisions for merit raises and benefits, then you shouldn't be in business.

Too many people, however, think they can do their own thing and make big bucks by skimping on expenses and payroll. They shouldn't be in business and won't be if there is any decent competition in their sector. Customers can tell when they're being short-changed and employees aren't treated well. Poorly paid employees often won't do more than the bare minimum.

Why would an employer seek minimum skills for minimum wage instead of expecting more and paying more? I'd rather pay good wages to a couple of well-qualified people who can multi-task than have several minimum-wage workers. I'd want to attract a better field of capable applicants, not start people out at the bottom and expect them to prove themselves.

People get discouraged when they are working hard and still can't meet basic expenses. It's a long slog to a living wage when you're starting at minimum.

Written on DPS releases blood alcohol results from fatal crash:

in response to kodiaktexan:

It is not about destroying someone's reputation. I do see the issue differently. One of the most dangerous things we do in our culture is drink and drive. One of the most dangerous things we do is minimize the danger of such irresponsible actions. He was drinking and driving, but not considered intoxicated by the standard of the law. Did it influence him that day? No one will know. He was wrong to drive even with a small amount of alcohol on board and I am saddened by the desire to diminish the act of driving under any influence. Thank you ARN for the information in the first article and this one. We need a drastic change in citizens attitudes and penalties on drinking ANY amount and driving. May we all think about our past actions and change our future ones. peace

You've got to be kidding. That tiny result in no way indicates "drinking and driving." Why don't you ask a cop if that reading would impair someone and if that result could come from any other source than an alcoholic beverage. I'll bet it could. Before making accusations against people, it's only fair to make certain there are no other explanations. But I'm probably being presumptuous in thinking you care about fairness.

Written on Abilene chimes in on Obama's proposed minimum wage increase:

in response to TheReporter:

So if we get paid more, then we spend more? Are we spending more for the price of goods that will go up. Now 10 per hour is not enough so we make it 15. Now items go up that much more to compensate the wages. Now we need to pay 20... Revolving door logic. Now the ones truly working hard to get a raise are being paid the same amount as the lazy one collecting a check by doing the bare minimum. This is your problem. Most people that go to work and do a great job get paid more than minimum.

Seriously? Why on Earth would production costs be considered when just about everything we buy was made in countries with the cheapest production costs available?

Do you people loathe the blue-collar American worker so much that you not only find no problem with all of the manufacturing jobs that have been moved overseas but you also scream about paying a minimum wage that covers the most basic needs?

No, businesses around here don't pay their good employees more. No one says they have to, their competitors don't, so most of them won't. Unions negotiated raises for workers but y'all ran those off, too. Nothing but fairness and a good conscience demand paying a living wage -- unfortunately, many business owners don't follow either one.

Written on Abilene chimes in on Obama's proposed minimum wage increase:

So the small business owner says the last increase set him back and people should be paid according to their skill and effort. OK, I agree. But if he's only paying minimum wage, then he employs low-skilled people? So why doesn't he hire people with better skills? Oh right -- he'd have to pay such people more and he won't.

Why do the majority of young people move after they get their degrees? Because of the low wages here. Why doesn't this city grow? Because of the low wages, the low spending power, the inability to keep the young and educated, and the narrowmindedness.

Higher wages maintain a good workforce. A good workforce has spending power. A good population with spending power brings in new businesses without having to bigtime bribe them to consider your city.

The only thing keeping Abilene from population deficit is Dyess. Heck, I have noticed lately that even the doctors are fleeing. If Dyess closes, this city is doomed if the cheapskate, condescending attitudes don't change.

Written on DPS releases blood alcohol results from fatal crash:

According to "Bulldawg," "the public's right to know is never in poor taste." Really? I'll bet he'd be howling at a different moon if the public demanded to know the skinny on his family members. Unless they're all perfect, there could be all sorts of things that could be printed due to a variety of circumstances.

Why does it seem strange to some of you that a lot of us value treating people with dignity and respecting a family's privacy? There's a saying that goes something like people are better than their worst act. I believe that.

And even if the toxicology report reveals something, what good does it do to dredge up the past? The man is dead. He won't be on the roads. He can't hurt anyone. But people can continue to hurt his family. What sort of sick individuals would want to keep hurting them?

IMO, this notion that the i---- public has NO right to people's personal business. Yes, I realize that 21st Century narcissism has everyone posting all of their business for millions to see everywhere but there are still some of us who value our privacy and use fake names/throwaway emails online.

If all of these nonstop reality intrusions have shown us anything, it's how pathetic our society has become. Wild dogs have more grace and decorum than "the public." They are owed nothing.

Written on DPS releases blood alcohol results from fatal crash:

I hope the family keeps in touch with investigators so they get the rest of the results. If the drug panel is negative, the newspaper won't be eager to print the results. They painted the deceased as a drunk and a druggie in this accident and they're half wrong so far.

Written on Today, Feb. 13, is Ash Wednesday and Get a Different Name Day:

Haha, not bad. You don't "anoint" with ashes, though. You impose ashes. Anointing is specifically with oil.

Written on Deceased driver involved in ACU student crash had previous arrests:

in response to TroyA:

Brit, that happens ALL the time. If a wife or G/F is found dead, the media releases prior arrests of the Boyfriend or husband.

After the death was ruled a homicide, Troy. Not before. That's why I mentioned autopsy. How would you like to be labeled a wife killer if she died from an accident? That's what may be happening here, based only on the past, at this point. A fatality based on running a stop sign is legally very different from a dui fatality.


in response to whatmustbe:

I believe for it to be libel it would have to be proved the newspaper knowingly published false information. This all a matter of public record, I've looked it up today since reading the article this morning. However if someone is taking a poll, I don't agree with the timing of this article.

No, truth is no defense, particularly if the person is just an average Joe and not a public figure. It's difficult to libel public figures because they willingly entered the limelight and can count on attention and scrutiny. Private people do not.

Defamation and willful disregard for the truth mustbe shown. The past record may be true but the journalists applied it to a new situation in a reckless manner. Reason and prudence would dictate holding the prior record until the truth (data) is revealed. Instead, the newspaper opted for being irresponsible.


in response to TroyA:

So Mr. Davis breaks the law by running a red light causing a collision that results in two lives lost including his own.
The Reporter News reports prior arrests including other traffic violations and they are being slammed for it. Why? This is a good job by ARN that informs us this isn't the only time he has broken the law. Mistake or not.
Good job ARN.

No, by printing prior dui incidents from several years ago, the newspaper is implying that Davis was DUI in this case. That hasn't been proven. The responsible thing to do was to refrain from comment until the tox results returned.

Let's put it another way. Say TroyA's wife is found dead but before the autopsy and investigation results are released, the ARN reports that TroyA (who hasn't been arrested) had a couple of assault arrests several years ago. Guess what that implies?


in response to junebug:

You should have waited to post this story after the toxicology report was released. What you did was insert supposition of guilt. Very, very unprofessional.

Agreed, BUT it would only be relevant info if the tox screens revealed DUI. The problem here is this story presupposes that the deceased was DUI because of his past and that's not fair. Unless the tests are positive, there is no story.

The newspaper may and probably should be sued for libel if Davis' tox screen doesn't reveal DUI. The reporter was stupid to write this story; the editors are idiots to have let it go to print. Very poor judgment.

Total bias against Davis, too, unless they also dug into the other driver's background. Don't the cops and insurance agents insist that it's every driver's responsibility to respond defensively to driver error and avoid accidents? I am NOT implying anything or casting blame. I'm just saying that these "journalists" are being reckless and biased and it could cost them.

Written on Greg Jaklewicz: Hair is some history behind my beard :

Very sad. It screams, "If I can't have hair on top of my head, then I'll grow the heck out of it on the bottom." And that's more pathetic than a comb-over.

Written on Letter: Her body, her choice :

in response to Bulldawg:

I guess it's just me, but I find this statement disturbing in its implication... "Lastly, for those who say "save the children," I highly suggest reading David Benatar's excellent book "Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence" as for why abortion is the kindest choice one can make for every pregnancy." Note the use of "every".

Apparently, the author believes this is one hell of a cruel world and we should spare all children.

Yeah, I found it disturbing, too. The letter-writer seems to be a dark, depressed person. Can you imagine living in her skin, believing that every time a child is born it's a tragedy? It's hard to believe that people here are actually agreeing with her because if she's the face of the abortion movement, then it's not pro-choice, it's pro-death.

Written on Letter: Her body, her choice :

in response to june:

So, Lynn, since you are adamantly anti-child, have you taken measures to prevent pregnancy? Since you know you do not want children, have you gotten your tubes tied or had a hysterectomy?

Exactly. I don't get why the letter-writer is so in-your-face about pregnancy being forced on someone like herself when she has her choice of foolproof measures to make sure she doesn't get pregnant in the first place. Maybe she just wants an opportunity to rant.

Written on Thousands march for gun control in Washington:

"Doomed" because everyone would have to undergo a background check before buying a weapon and they wouldn't be able to shoot over 30 rounds without reloading? My heart bleeds over the tyranny of it all! I mean, what will American psychos do if they can't mow down a couple dozen people in a minute or two if they want before they kill themselves?! (rolling eyes)

I wish the blind or gonad insufficient wonders who "need" huge magazines to be happy and feel powerful would move to a lawless Third World country instead of wanting the US to become one so they can play "citizen soldier." Heck, in the Third World, they could start their own rebels group and maybe even be elected King of the Wasteland!

Written on Hal Mumme resigns as McMurry's football coach:

in response to dr__dawggy:

USA Today recently did an article on Mumme and his contributions to the game of college football. They did an interesting chart with names of the several dozen college coaches that are part of the Mumme legacy, including Kliff Kingsbury, the new coach at Texas Tech and Sonny Dykes, Cal's new coach.

Didn't he work with Mike Leach in the past, too?

Written on No Budget/No Pay Act: Conaway, Thornberry vote yes; Neugebauer no :

in response to Hey_Now:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Oh, I can read, Hey_Now. And if you're posting this in all earnestness and with no sarcasm then I must ask, Can't you think? Or do you just believe everything Randy feeds you?

This guy doesn't believe in spending EXCEPT when it comes to his own pet causes and special interests. For those, and to feather his own nest, he'd mortgage this country to the hilt, just like every other politician.


Uh, Reporter News, wouldn't it be a tad helpful to put at least a one-sentence summary of the act itself? People should know that, "after careful consideration," Randy decided not to jeopardize his own paycheck so he could continue to grandstand.

Written on UPDATED: Authorities: Fight led to Texas college shooting:

in response to wbarloww#247077:

Just did some checking for you. Look what I found:

go to page 100 and read II.1.06 Systems Firearms policy

I think their campus is a 'Gun Free Zone'

Apparently not, since students are walking around with guns in their backpacks. I guess no one read the policy. Perry did this big splash about how concealed weapons should be permitted on college campuses in Texas, and most agreed with him.

Written on Just in: Abilene mayor wishes for a downtown hotel in 2013:

There's a motel/hotel right across the street from the civic center. Wasn't it called something like the Civic Center hotel?


I'm watching CNN and it ISN'T a copycat shooting at all. It was two students involved in an argument shooting at each other and someone else was caught in the crossfire.


Guns are permitted on Texas college campuses so why didn't someone take out the shooters? Oh, right -- these things happen so quickly and unexpectedly that it gets people off-guard.

I pray that there aren't any fatalities.

Written on Hundreds join pro-gun rallies in state capitals :

Uh, I never said I had qualifications and I'm not applying for any such job. I simply support the proposed legislation and measures. But people like you would argue for everyone being able to buy any weapon they fancy and have at-home arsenals for whatever reason so it's probably pointless to suggest that limits are reasonable to you.

Open doors and windows and 18th Century crime rates? Oh come on. That doesn't even make any sense, in response to modern-day comparisons. Haha, according to APD, unlocked doors are responsible for Abilene's property crime, too.

As legislation states, strict gun control is ONE PART of the equation. NYC also has strict gun control and among the lowest violent crime rates for large metros. It takes good policing and community cooperation, too. But without gun control, it's a non-starter.

Written on Hundreds join pro-gun rallies in state capitals :

in response to FederalFarmer:

Actually, crime rates then were miniscule compared to today. As to our forefathers not wanting people armed with semi-automatic weapons, you are mistaken. Most of the colonies had laws requiring almost every house hold to be armed. They had weapons at least equal to any army on earth and in many cases superior to what armies had. While our society has advanced beyond the point where every household should be required to be armed, there are times when social order breaks down. A classic example is provided by the Korean grocers during the Rodney King riots.

I think we need to be honest here. We had no military. Without the help of France, Spain, and the Dutch, we would have lost the Revolutionary War. Thus, there was a need for households to have guns because our "military might" was pathetic.

I don't know how you can say that "crime rates were miniscule compared to today" when it's not even possible to make such a legitimate comparison. We have a huge criminal code that simply didn't exist back then, along with a huge, diverse population.

There are guns that provide good self-defense and guns designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible because they were meant for law enforcement and the military. Just about everyone supports the former. I can't imagine thinking that it's OK to provide a military-grade weapon for everyone who wants one. It takes extensive training, education, and maturity to handle those weapons safely. Most Americans don't have the ability to undergo that sort of training and education. Maturity is another question entirely.

Written on Hundreds join pro-gun rallies in state capitals :

in response to FederalFarmer:

I’m attempting to point that there isn’t a mass slaughter of children with firearms occurring. In fact, as tragic as any child’s death is, firearms are a very minor hazard compared to automobiles and water. In 2010, in the ten to fourteen year old group, unintentional injury was the leading cause of death with 885 deaths. Firearms ranked seventh with 26 deaths. By contrast, automobiles killed 452 children and drowning killed another 117. In the five to nine age group unintentional injury was again the leading cause of death at 758 with firearms ranked twelfth with 11 deaths. Again autos and drowning were the big killers with 354 and 134 respectively. Why don’t we hear calls to ban or limit backyard pools? They kill more children the guns by far.

Seriously? Besides the Newtown shootings, do you have any idea what is going on in Chicago night after night? And you're going to compare car accidents and drownings to intentional MURDERS or even self-defense killings?

People are going on around here about the right to defend themselves and oppose their government. In other words, they're buying guns with the full intention of having to use them one day to kill someone or someones. Are people putting in pools and buying cars believing that someone will die by them? It's all about primary use and intent.

And even though the primary use for pools and cars isn't to kill, there are still lots of restrictions and regulations concerning them. You people don't want restrictions and limitations on guns/gun usage.