So, It's come to this...

[Ken]

The problem lawyers, are the ones writing these laws. Vote them out of office, and they can't do that stupid crap, any more........Right?

2dumb, some decades back, most state legislatures were "part time" in nature. A great percentage of legislators were lawyers then. And the laws that were passed usually made sense.

Today, most, if not all, state legislatures are in session practically year-round. Most legislators today are not lawyers. They are "career" politicians who vote in a knee-jerk reaction to every shift in public sentiment that passes by.

For example, isn't "assault and battery" just that? Why do we need to pass countless other similar laws? Assault and battery of a police officer; assault and battery of a firefighter; assault and battery of a person over age 65; assault and battery of a publc servant; assault and battery of a mentally retarded person; assault and battery of a child under 14; assault and battery of a "protected class" of individual.......... Get my point? Assault and battery is the same crime no matter who the victim is. However, our legislators feel a need to pander to public opinion and the press, so we just keep seeing new laws being passed.

Most of the laws - criminal and otherwise - passed over the last few decades are a travesty. We incarcerate more of our citizens (in real numbers) than any other nation in the world and we have the highest percentage of our citizens in prison than does any other nation in the world. And the public response to everything is "lock-em-up and throw away the key." Why?

We tolerate "drunk-driving" roadblocks as a quick-fix to stop drunk drivers and we accept (often non-existent) "confidential informants" as a basis for issuing search warrants. We tolerate routine beatings of criminal suspects by law enforcement officials (yes, a small minority of them) and actually applaud such conduct.

Our prosecutors are more concerned with winning convictions than with doing justice. How is justice served when police and prosecutors withhold evidence and achieve a conviction of an innocent party? Have you ever really gotten angry when you've read one of the countless news stories about a man being freed because he was found innocent of a crime he served decades of his life in jail for after being wrongfully convicted?

Do you believe that a police officer who punches a handcuffed suspect in the face and breaks his nose should go to prison?

Do you understand that there is really a good reason for the so called presumption of innocence?

Do you understand that lawyers are the thin line that separates the people from a government going haywire?

[doug1980]

As bad as some hate to hear it, the problem is that not enough hard working, honest people with common sense, get out and vote for the right ones. We are being out numbered, by the give-me crowd.

There is no need yelling at a dumb liberal, for being a dumb liberal. That's like yelling at the sun, for being the sun. We need to be yelling at the ones who think about like we do, but don't bother to vote! They are the ones giving the country away.

Kinda hard to use that as an answer when no matter who you vote for is bad. And in all honesty they are....all bad. They may be good in your eys but bad in mine or vice versa. The problem is not everyone can agree, period. What one argues is a violation of a civil liberty isn't to another. Like a pat down at a concert is considered a violation of a civil liberty to the OP. But to the Band playing they will argue that it is their right to request a pat down for their own safety. So for every arguement there is and always will be an opposing side. So the question is who is right? Who gets to make the final desicion? Who has the right to say either way?

[Trabitha]

I'm not about to give up my freedoms or my rights, but I'm not going to stand in the way of the police, military, or security force to do their jobs. Now obviously things would be rather different if WE had behaved differently in the past. But we didn't. Far too many (no matter the numbers because even one is too many), people have done the wrong thing and in doing so, FAR too many of US have paid the price. It is what it is, at this point. What else do we do? Hold our breath each time we go into large groups, fly planes, or government buildings or TRY and make things harder for those who are HERE to hurt us. Not our military...US.

If I go to a concert and don't want to deal with my privacy being invaded, I don't bring a purse. Then all I have to deal with is a stupid little metal detector wand and I'm outta there.

Listen...I KNOW what y'all are getting at, and I totally respect it. The problem is that we are no longer living in that world. Now zip it...I'm not calling you old. "That world" was still in play when I was a little girl. Too much has happened, and we aren't as safe as we once were. Hold on to your freedoms by all means...but adjust to the way the world is today. Todays world SUCKS and her people are mean.

[glockcop]

Years ago I was "searched" by a metal detector weilding "security guard" at the Superdome. I was off duty and carrying a pocket knife. I left my weapon in the car for the sole intent of not being slowed down by the "security officers". When my pocket knife set off his wand he smugly ordered me to step to the side of the line where a more thorough search could be done. I stepped to the side of the line without question. He then waved his wand over the "suspicious" area again and boldly ordered me to empty my pockets, which I did. Upon seeing the pocket knife he attempted to grab it from the tray. I was waiting for this little stunt and quickly snached it away and placed it back into my pocket safely away from his "confiscation". In an attempt to intimidate and embarrass me, he barked, "If you do not turn it over I will take it from you and have you arrested". I promptly advised him that If he touched my person there would be no need to call the police and that he would be arrested for Simple Battery and Attempted Theft after his short stay at Charity Hospital. Upon pulling out my badge he quickly understood fully what I meant and said that I still could not pass his check point. I ignored his "request" and walked on past w/o incident, leaving him with a wide open mouth of disbelief. Apparently he was unaware that I could have lawfully carried my weapon inside much less my pocket knife but chose not to out of fear of alarming people in line when it was discovered. The moral of the story is that "security guards" will sometimes attempt to abuse their authority and power without regard for even a policeman much less a citizen. I realize that some police officers have been known to do the same. I am equally infuriated by their actions. I am not saying that my right to carry my pocket knife or weapon outweighs a citizen's. What I am saying is that some "security guards" are unaware of their "lawful parameters" and often overstep them out of ignorance or spite. You have to be careful with some of these guys. I believe it should be law that a "security officer" has to have some sort of minimal legal training and be licensed before working in that field of work. Sometimes their actions are a law suit waiting to happen. Stay safe.

[2dumb2kwit]

Kinda hard to use that as an answer when no matter who you vote for is bad. And in all honesty they are....all bad.

Then as a people, you have to pick the lesser of two evils. Then in the next election, you pick the lesser of those two evils. Then when people vote in landslides, a certain way, the politicians start acting that way. Politicians will do what ever gets them elected.

The problem is when 3 people think one way and 7 think another way, but only 2 of those 7 vote. Guess who wins.

...and it really ticks me off, when the 5 that didn't vote, whine about not being able to make a difference.

[2dumb2kwit]

I'm not about to give up my freedoms or my rights, but I'm not going to stand in the way of the police, military, or security force to do their jobs. Now obviously things would be rather different if WE had behaved differently in the past. But we didn't. Far too many (no matter the numbers because even one is too many), people have done the wrong thing and in doing so, FAR too many of US have paid the price. It is what it is, at this point. What else do we do? Hold our breath each time we go into large groups, fly planes, or government buildings or TRY and make things harder for those who are HERE to hurt us. Not our military...US.

If I go to a concert and don't want to deal with my privacy being invaded, I don't bring a purse. Then all I have to deal with is a stupid little metal detector wand and I'm outta there.

Listen...I KNOW what y'all are getting at, and I totally respect it. The problem is that we are no longer living in that world. Now zip it...I'm not calling you old. "That world" was still in play when I was a little girl. Too much has happened, and we aren't as safe as we once were. Hold on to your freedoms by all means...but adjust to the way the world is today. Todays world SUCKS and her people are mean.

I agree with what you are saying. I was speaking in more general terms.
I have very simplistic views. I think that if someone doesn't like an hour long wait at the airport, for security searches....don't fly. If enough people stop flying, they'll figure out how to make it safe, without being such a pain.

If we don't like something, don't vote for it...with your vote, or with your dollars. And tell people what you're doing, and why.

I'm just sick of a small minority of people yelling the loudest, and getting whatever they want. Especially if it's taken away from me!

[Trabitha]

I get what you're saying and I have to say I agree.
The loudest are always those that want a hand out, I've found. While I think WE should be just as loud...we've got more important things to do in our day and CAN'T get the numbers big enough to irritate as much. We rely on ourselves, pay our own bills, don't walk out on our mortgages and bills, and TRY to keep our jobs. LOL! Kind of plays against us, huh?

[mcgyver]

I have very simplistic views. I think that if someone doesn't like an hour long wait at the airport, for security searches....don't fly. If enough people stop flying, they'll figure out how to make it safe, without being such a pain.

If we don't like something, don't vote for it...with your vote, or with your dollars. And tell people what you're doing, and why.

I'm just sick of a small minority of people yelling the loudest, and getting whatever they want. Especially if it's taken away from me!

I refuse to fly for that very reason.
I will not be spending money at a venue that treats me as a criminal.
And I do not vote for enemies of the Constitution I swore to defend.

My original gripe had to do with an overly invasive search and confiscation of personal property without pre-warning. By unrestricted rent-a cops.
They call a knife a weapon, I say it's a tool.
They call a pencil a tool, I say it's a very viable weapon.
Everyone is so "Bomb shy" these days, when you stand a greater chance of getting offed by a texting driver.

If Really Bad people are intent on doing harm. They would take it serious enough that security searches won't do a lot of good.

[2dumb2kwit]

I refuse to fly for that very reason.
I will not be spending money at a venue that treats me as a criminal.
And I do not vote for enemies of the Constitution I swore to defend.

My original gripe had to do with an overly invasive search and confiscation of personal property without pre-warning. By unrestricted rent-a cops.
They call a knife a weapon, I say it's a tool.
They call a pencil a tool, I say it's a very viable weapon.
Everyone is so "Bomb shy" these days, when you stand a greater chance of getting offed by a texting driver.

If Really Bad people are intent on doing harm. They would take it serious enough that security searches won't do a lot of good.

LOL. You and I are on the same page. I just went on a little rant........I feel better now. LOL

[mcgyver]

...I just went on a little rant........I feel better now. LOL

Isn't that what this is all about?

[Mountaintrekker]

True story. Just last week, I went in to get my hair cut at my usual place and removed my coat. I was wearing my Galco shoulder holster and my Glock 20. My barber lady asked why I was armed, I replied... "because I feel like exercising my second ammendment right". She replied "oh", and kept cutting my hair. I also went to the Safeway and open carried the other day and I got a few looks from the squeemish, but no one said a thing.
No carry permit, no license and no hassels.
I'm starting to carry when I deal with customers and so far, only one comment on "what caliber is that?"
Gotta love Alaska! Oh, just went to a movie theater in Anchorage today and watched a movie for $3.00 per person and had a pitcher of beer with wife and friends and had a pizza delivered to our seats! Yes, while in the theater!
Not bad for having to deal with Los Anchorage today!

[crashdive123]

Oh, just went to a movie theater in Anchorage today and watched a movie for $3.00 per person and had a pitcher of beer with wife and friends and had a pizza delivered to our seats! Yes, while in the theater!
Not bad for having to deal with Los Anchorage today!

Yeah, but they didn't try and make you think it was a new release did they? Gone With The Wind has been out for a little bit now.

[Batch]

A pocket knife is a tool. But, so is a box cutter. I'm for an armed society. Less laws and more common sense. There is more truth to what Ken posted than most will agree to.

We need to stop the knee jerk legislation. Every time somebody subcumbs to any sort of tragedy they want to legislate their pain away with some minimum mandatory law. Let's let the jury decide.

As for what is happening with the war on terror. The goal of a terrorist is to use the fear of their attacks to disrupt your daily lives until you get so fed up with it that you give into their demands. You know like giving up your rights and being delayed by searches.

Also, it is not reasonable to think that we can just kill all of the terrorists. Nor, is it reasonable for then to kill all of them. So we might want to focus on a more intelligent solution.

[Trabitha]

A pocket knife is a tool. But, so is a box cutter. I'm for an armed society. Less laws and more common sense. There is more truth to what Ken posted than most will agree to.

We need to stop the knee jerk legislation. Every time somebody subcumbs to any sort of tragedy they want to legislate their pain away with some minimum mandatory law. Let's let the jury decide.

As for what is happening with the war on terror. The goal of a terrorist is to use the fear of their attacks to disrupt your daily lives until you get so fed up with it that you give into their demands. You know like giving up your rights and being delayed by searches.

Also, it is not reasonable to think that we can just kill all of the terrorists. Nor, is it reasonable for then to kill all of them. So we might want to focus on a more intelligent solution.

I can't fully get on board with all of that, Batch.
I agree...that the "run of the mill" terrorist is indeed focusing on manipulating you through fear. However we're dealing with a totally different bread of terrorist now. We're dealing with extremists who don't care if they scare you into anything. They just want you dead if you're an American or non-Muslim.

Regardless of what is reported, we ARE in the middle of a Holy War and we can't even identify who our enemy is much of the time.

That's what I don't think many people understand, to be honest with you. It's not as simple as "hold on to your rights" anymore. We're between a rock and a hard place. If we give everyone the 100% freedom to be armed and protect themselves, we run the risk of full blown anarchy. Even our forefathers knew this wasn't the best idea. We run the risk of destroying ourselves if we lean TOO far in any direction. Anarchy is far too far to the right.

The jehad against America isn't a war against our freedoms. It's a war against our culture. There isn't a damn thing that we can do, to make them stop. While some may think that the preservation of freedom is more important than anything...our current enemy only cares about inflicting bodily harm upon their enemy. (that's us.) They don't care if we're unhappy. They just want us to turn our backs on Israel.

Sadly, we've entered into an age where anything and everything can and has been used as a weapon. Tools, automobiles, air planes, household chemicals, cell phones, the list goes on and on. This enemy is resourceful and smart and our laws not only allow for them to enter this country untouched, but to be treated with "kid gloves" when they ARE caught.

[LowKey]

I'm not going to give up my rights because of someone else's religion. Nor would I want to lie down with the sheep who give up those rights, one by one, in the name of 'national security'. We have troops out there fighting for our freedom every day with little or no support from the rest of the free world. It would be a shame if they came home to find their own state and federal governments had taken all those rights away anyway.

There is more than a lot of truth to what Ken says. And it will get worse as the generations who were given whatever they wanted as children, never got their fannies paddled, never went outdoors without a bicycle helmet, and feel entitled to everything their little hearts desire, go out to vote, or run for office. Everyone wants the Free Lunch.

What I long for is a politician with the guts to stand on common sense rather than kowtow to the popular opinion. Politicians should look at what Scott Brown, a Republican, did in Massachusetts. If the guy stands on his campaign promises, his platform was the closest thing to common sense I've seen in a while. It'll be interesting to see if he falls victim to the Washingon bus.
<sorry if that treads too close to political discussion.>

[Rick]

Does it strike anyone as odd that after 9 years (9 YEARS!) we still have not cut off the head of the snake?

I'm not at all certain where you draw the line on this. Whatever is done some will see as an abuse of power and still others as not being enough. Having 20/20 vision is there anyone that would not have ordered Timothy McVey to move his van? To deny him his right to carry a weapon?

I'm not going to back down to some group of morons that twist religious writings to fit their model of the world. I will fly when I need to, travel where and when I WANT to and proclaim my allegiance to God, country, flag and family. Okay, mom and apple pie, too. We've been at war with radical Muslims since well before the crusades. This is just the same thing extended.

[LowKey]

Here Here, Rick!

[crashdive123]

Once we stop fighting politically correct wars that try and win the hearts and minds of those that hate us - and go in, eliminate the threat and then leave and let them rebuild their own darn country - maybe they'll think twice about allowing that sort of stuff to go on inside their borders. This could have and should have been over and done with many years ago.

[Winnie]

What Crash said.

[2dumb2kwit]

What Crash said.

'Zactly!!!