TX vs. other states and America vs. Americans
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:29 pm
A friend in Kansas sent me a gun-related joke and it evoked the following emotional/political response. I thought I'd share it with you for what it's worth....
For reference, the BTK killer was a serial killer in the 70's and 80's that struck blocks from my friend's house. The Carr brothers were some violent criminals that raped and killed several co-eds on multiple occasions viciously and wontonly in Wichita in the late 90's. Still the sheep bray...
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It's a shame that I am trusted by over 30 states to carry my gun with me almost everywhere, yet if I carry a 3" pocket knife to the Post Office, the Government can throw me in the pen for a year (see 18 USC 930).
The gun issue has really highlighted for me the difference between the states and the Federal Gov't as well as the difference between states. We are all so proud of America as a country. I've decided that I am proud of AmericanS--the people, not the Government. Americans are great. It is the Americans that are serving so nobly in the Middle East and elsewhere. It is the Americans that came together to unite after the 9/11 disaster. It is Americans that came together to help the hurricane victims, that give to the Red Cross and other charities.
As for States, Texas will trust its law-abiding citizens to go about armed, if they so choose. In states like Massachusets, NY or California as well as the District of Columbia, the honest are not trusted to be equipped to protect themselves yet the criminal element goes freely armed. The few who would be inclined to go armed (stalking victims, single women, those that work at night or in bad areas) are enough in the minority that they cannot sway the vote against the herds of sheep who do not feel the hot breath of crime on their neck, or would not be inclined to protect themselves. I have no idea how those two different approaches to the problem can get such a strong foothold--guns in TX, OK and FL and blinders in NY, MA, CA, but they do. Those states have a different culture. You want citizen-gun-free crime zones? There are states where you can go to get that. You want the ability to go about with deadly force to face the criminal version of same? There are states where you can go to get that. No longer is USA one entity and your choice of states in which to live decided only by a job or scenery. There are now states in this country in which I would never live and generally avoid when possible.
Now I know why being a Texan means something. Our laws ARE different. Our approach to honest citizens IS different. Most laws that matter are state laws, not Federal ones. If I lived in Kansas, I would not have many of the freedoms that I think every honest man is endowed with by the founders of our country. I think it is sad. Unfortunately, too few voters feel touched by these issues until they themselves feel the real threat of crime. What if the BTK came to my house? What if the Carr Brothers picked on my family? In TX, I would have a chance at protecting myself. In KS, I'd be another victim.
For reference, the BTK killer was a serial killer in the 70's and 80's that struck blocks from my friend's house. The Carr brothers were some violent criminals that raped and killed several co-eds on multiple occasions viciously and wontonly in Wichita in the late 90's. Still the sheep bray...
---------------------------
It's a shame that I am trusted by over 30 states to carry my gun with me almost everywhere, yet if I carry a 3" pocket knife to the Post Office, the Government can throw me in the pen for a year (see 18 USC 930).
The gun issue has really highlighted for me the difference between the states and the Federal Gov't as well as the difference between states. We are all so proud of America as a country. I've decided that I am proud of AmericanS--the people, not the Government. Americans are great. It is the Americans that are serving so nobly in the Middle East and elsewhere. It is the Americans that came together to unite after the 9/11 disaster. It is Americans that came together to help the hurricane victims, that give to the Red Cross and other charities.
As for States, Texas will trust its law-abiding citizens to go about armed, if they so choose. In states like Massachusets, NY or California as well as the District of Columbia, the honest are not trusted to be equipped to protect themselves yet the criminal element goes freely armed. The few who would be inclined to go armed (stalking victims, single women, those that work at night or in bad areas) are enough in the minority that they cannot sway the vote against the herds of sheep who do not feel the hot breath of crime on their neck, or would not be inclined to protect themselves. I have no idea how those two different approaches to the problem can get such a strong foothold--guns in TX, OK and FL and blinders in NY, MA, CA, but they do. Those states have a different culture. You want citizen-gun-free crime zones? There are states where you can go to get that. You want the ability to go about with deadly force to face the criminal version of same? There are states where you can go to get that. No longer is USA one entity and your choice of states in which to live decided only by a job or scenery. There are now states in this country in which I would never live and generally avoid when possible.
Now I know why being a Texan means something. Our laws ARE different. Our approach to honest citizens IS different. Most laws that matter are state laws, not Federal ones. If I lived in Kansas, I would not have many of the freedoms that I think every honest man is endowed with by the founders of our country. I think it is sad. Unfortunately, too few voters feel touched by these issues until they themselves feel the real threat of crime. What if the BTK came to my house? What if the Carr Brothers picked on my family? In TX, I would have a chance at protecting myself. In KS, I'd be another victim.
