Message Forum

Welcome to the Watterson High School Message Forum.

The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Message" button to add your entry to the forum.


 
go to bottom 
  Post Message
  
    Prior Page
 Page  
Next Page      

08/07/19 10:20 AM #5887    

 

John Jackson

By most accounts, we are one of the most religious nations on earth but our rate of mass shootings and  ordinary garden-variety gun violence is off the charts – our gun homicide rate is on average ten times higher than other advanced nations: https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/americas/us-gun-statistics/index.html.   

Are our mental health problems ten times worse?  Are we ten times more godless?  Do we play video games ten times more?   Are our societal norms and social cohesion that dysfunctional?

I totally agree with Dave – there is no reason that any American needs to own a military-style weapon.  Can’t we at least start by banning them along with high capacity magazines?

But, apart from mass shootings we have a huge problem with everyday gun violence, and banning assault weapons does not seriously address that problem.  If you like to hunt, I have no problem if you want to own a hunting rifle or shotgun.  I live in a safe community but I recognize that others may not be so fortunate and if keeping a gun (not an assault rifle) in your home provides a sense of security, I’m OK with that. 

But the need for Americans to run around with guns (openly or concealed) ended about 150 years ago when we ceased to be a pioneer nation. If for any reason you think you need to carry a handgun around, before you do so I’d say you need to demonstrate a really good reason to a judge.  By no means would this solve all our problems (we will still be awash with guns) but it will help in curbing the casual, spur of the moment violence so common in our inner cities.

I've said my piece and will get out of the way for others to have the last word.


08/07/19 11:17 AM #5888    

 

Michael McLeod

If I can just add something quite simple to something you said quite well, John.

I wish everybody could see what bullets that are made to tumble through a body can do to a human being.

Particularly a child.

I wish everybody could see the difference between the entry and the exit wound, though calling it an exit wound doesn't do it justice. It's really quite astonishing. 

And then I wish everybody could ask themselves how in the hell we can be so stubborn and so stupid and so willfully ignorant and so prideful as to not do everything we can to keep that kind of ammunition and those kind of weapons out of the grasp of madmen.

 

 

 


08/07/19 11:51 AM #5889    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike and others interested in ballistic wounds, just type in the name Colonel Martin Fackler on your search engine. Marty was a surgeon at Ft. Carson who later directed the Army's ballistic lab, developed ballistic gel and authored hundreds of articles on the subject. He died a few years ago.

Jim

 

P. S. By the way, it seems like many of us agree on not having assault weapons available to the civilian population. 


08/07/19 06:41 PM #5890    

 

David Mitchell

If I may change the subject for a moment.

Back in my post #5871 (boat photos - second photo of the post), I pointed out Keith, my '60's hippie friend who worked on and hid out in the boat the night of the launch. And I shared his funny passion for posting great shots of strange and wild looking VW buses. I just saw this tonight.

He never ceases to bring a smile to my face. We could all use a smile tonight.

 

 


08/07/19 07:09 PM #5891    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

As if some on the left in the movie industry could not crawl any lower, a film to be released 27 September 2019 called "The Hunt" reaches new depths. Look it up. Talk about promoting hatred...

Jim 


08/07/19 08:57 PM #5892    

 

Mark Schweickart

As with Dave's post below, here's my contribution to suggest something of a more feel-good nature in these dark times. Let me highly recommend the film Yesterday, that is playing in most cities currently (I hope). I am not one generally drawn to Fantasy or Sci-Fi premises, but occasionally a magical-realism piece comes along (like Groundhog Day way back when) that really is utterly beguiling and heartfelt. The premise here is that after a weird, momentary, world-wide electrical blackout, certain things have disappeared from our collective past -- in this case, it is (primarily) the Beatles and their music. They never existed. Except, that is, in the mind of one second-rate, aspiring musician who begins singing their songs as if they were his own. This is as funny and beautifully shot, acted, and edited a Rom-Com as I have seen in years, if ever. Treat yourself to a breath of fresh air, and hurry out to see it. (Oh, and the still of Ed Sheeran below is a bit misleading. He has a wonderful supporting role in this, but is not the main character.)




08/08/19 10:23 AM #5893    

 

David Mitchell

Mark,

I was just about to ask if you had taken a long nap. I also promoted this film a few weeks back. I hope it  is still in the theaters. It is everything you said it was. Just good clean fun. 


08/08/19 10:50 AM #5894    

 

Frank Ganley

John as Joan Baez sang “there but for fortune go you or I”. Thank God most of us, not just the class but americans live in nice safe quiet neighborhoods. And in our minds we are safe and feel at this time there is no need of personal protection, thank the Lord. But today with hate displayed towards our President and those that surpport him has been ramped up to a fever pitch by the left that no if but when cival unrest takes place. With economic inequality being piched, and where’s mine? Type of demands, the spread of antifa, black lives matter, gay rights and political correctness being preached as this is now the norm and if those that support our President will be dealt with. You say how stupid an idea that those of the left will rise as if it was the south. Rod Serling, with his pipe or ciggy looks into the camera and says” picture for a moment, Americans are boarding up their homes to help stop roving gangs of antifa and the like giing through neighborhood and culling the right as if seperating the wheat from the shaft.  Impossible you say! With the lefties running for President who are preaching equality for all in everything. Free college, free health care, free free and exhorting their supporters to resist, rebel and and preach the white conservatives have destroyed the opportunities for the lower strata of our citizens. They are the ones to be feared. Boy it doesn’t take much imagination to conjure up Hitler ranting about the dangers of those who will not follow the nazis. Kill the jews, kill the white man. So john and the rest that want to get rid of assault weapons, and ultimately all guns, remember that was Hitlers first action when he was elected. Next came the jews. Listen well my friends this acceptance of antifa etc will destroy america. As Lincoln said a nation devided against itself can not survive.  


08/08/19 11:27 AM #5895    

 

Michael McLeod

Guess I missed all the stories about antifa massacres, Frank.


08/08/19 01:57 PM #5896    

 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

In sifting through some internet research, I came across an article from FiveThrity-Eight (originally owned by Nate Silver, now owned by ABC/Walt Disney, stated as left-leaning).  The statistics cited were a compilation from 2012-2014 cited by the CDC.  

"In light of recent tragedies, America has become fixated on terrorism, mass shootings, police officers killed in the line of duty and civilians killed by officers. Yet, of the 33,000 annual gun deaths analyzed, nearly two-thirds of annual gun deaths in the United States are suicides, with more than 85 percent committed by males. Homicides, which trend toward 12,000 every year, make up the other third. Of those victims, more than half are young men, and two-thirds of those victims are young black men." 

Given this information, will more gun laws prevent more tragedies?  Presently, access to guns is controlled by law under a number of federal and state statutes.  "These laws regulate the manufacture, trade, possession, transfer, record keeping, transport, and destruction of firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories.  They are enforced by state agencies and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Wikipedia 

Many advocate for banning all assault weapons.....what specifically is included in an assault weapon.  Are we talking only military "style" assault weapons?  Semi-automatic?  Long rifles and guns included? Pistols and revolvers?  Should magazines be restricted?  How many is too many?  5, 10, 20, 30?  What if you live in parts of the U.S. that are home to bear, moose, coyote, mountain lions, wild pigs, etc and your livelihood demands that you may encounter such an animal? Would carrying a 5 magazine fiream firearm be sufficient?   https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19138318/how-guns-work/

I worry that the more restrictive the federal government becomes in issuing federal laws against certain guns, the more power we grant them. Ergo, the more power they have to regulate every area of our lives. There already seems to be enough of the population willing to turn their lives over to the whims of the state and forego personal responsiblitiy.  With each new law the state, and the elitist class who feed it, continues to garner ever more power over us through increased taxation, healthcare, education, political correctness,  Where does it stop?  How many freedoms do we sacrifice?   Where else might we focus our attention?  Provide more mentoring to young aimless men?  Investigate the reasons so many turn to alcohol and drugs?   Encourage men who father children to remain present to raise their own children?  I am sure we can all think of many more areas where we can do better as a society to foster the virtues of faith, hope, charity, prudence, temperance, courage, justice and fortitude.


08/08/19 07:30 PM #5897    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

When I go out into "the wild" to photograph my only defense againt 4 and 2 legged critters is bear spray. Good for ~45 feet and hope the wind is not blowing toward me. If I ever decide to take a firearm it would be a handgun with either considerable fire power or a large capacity clip. Even then, there is no guarantee it would stop a charging bear. But carrying a rifle would not be an option for me, what with all the camera stuff and tripod slung around my shoulders, I could never get a rifle positioned quickly.

Jim 


08/08/19 08:24 PM #5898    

 

David Mitchell

Wow!

I am amazed at how far we can stray from one point, and project inferences about topics that are separate and unconnected - based on philosphical generalities. I try to make one point, and it gets turned into a whole manifesto of other matters. Mixing them all together seems confusing and unfair.

 

To begin with, I do not beleive it is "elitism" to promote change and enforce common sense laws. I am forced to drive on the right side of the road and observe the speed limit. Is that "elitism" - taking away my rights?

Second, I am grateful for the informative artcile about what a gun is. I myself had no idea.

 

But I do know this. The Second Ammendemnt was writtten back when those gun things were single shot, ball & powder, muzzle loading devices. That means you had to stop and re-load after every single shot. I think you all knew that. Since then, I seem to recall that our world has changed just a bit and that document has too - as Franklin hinted it would. Now, I realize NRA folks swear that this one ammendment is "sacred" and therefore cannot be messed with. Except that we have "updated" the Documenet 27 other times!  Like giving Women and African slaves the right to vote.  

After 1836, when Samuel Colt patented the revolver, American murder rates spiked upward dramatically. In nore recent years, since we (for some unfathomable reason - maybe NRA lobby gifts) lifted the ban on "assualt rifles" *  we have seen a dramatic resurgence in "mass killings"  - (yes MM, by deranged, unguided, undicsiplined, and unloved lonely, young males - who need help in other ways). But if we can "update" any other portion of the "sacred" document, why in heaven's name can't we update this ammendment?  Do you honestly think that our forefathers ever concieved of such weapons at the time of writing this Document? I think not.

* (Can we all agree on a point that is already clear to anyone this side of Mars? - "Assault rifles" = "military rifles" = "semi-automatic rifles")

And let me just take a wild guess here. As combat veteran, life-long conservative Republican, raised to beleive in respect and gratitude, and the dignity of all human life, (who agrees with SOME of the above concepts,) I ask, could it be that "his" being a life-long cheat, coward, and narcissistic, sociopahtic, whore monger - weaseling millions out of his sub-contrators, fleecing thousands out of their money with his "university" (you ought to read some of the details about that one- yikes) - could that maybe what engenders a little vitriol about this Chump guy?

Or could it be that his mouth is a non-stop sewer of divisive flaming, blaming, shaming, and inciting hatred in people, like few men in our history, and unprecidened  in the office of President of the United States?

He insults patriots. He insults minorities (espcecaily judges). He insults the press - (yes the liberal press is annoying - but so is most of the conservative press). He despises our intelligence community. He seems to care little about the havoc he is wreaking in certain sectors of our economy (especially the shelllacking our farmers are taking right now, and even more specifically, Wisconsin's dairy farmers - who are on the verge of being wiped out by the trade wars).

But oh, how he adores a couple of our sworn enemies - including a couple of the most dangerous vicous, corrupt men on earth.

(damn it all anyway, he shoulda been more clever about that hotel deal in Moscow during the campaign. That would have netted him a fortune! )

Yes, I support better moral guidance in our society, more discipline in schools, and better mental healthcare. (see my next post) I worry about the degeneration of morality in our society - and his utterly disgraceful immoral contribution to it.  

 

Well okay -  smaller clips, more efficient backgroudn checks (currently a state by state mess), mandatory intsruction - (we do it for driver's licenses), MUUUCH stricter rules about "gun shows" (a virtual playground of illegal gun sales), and a few other things.

But my whole point from the beginning has been one thing - just as with fully automatic (machine guns), "semi-automatic", "assault rifles" have no place in the hands of the general public

So, I'd say clips of maybe 8 to 10 rounds. The smaller the better. Start somewhere !!!!

 


08/08/19 11:13 PM #5899    

 

David Mitchell

Mary Margaret,

To be clear, I fully agree with your final sentence. But I see no trace of any of those traits in Donald Trump - none whatsoever.

 

However, I will expand on your nearly last sentence about  "encouraging men to remain present to raise their children."

We avoid this topic here, and I would also, but that you raised it. I am a "right-to-lifer", but I do not suppport the severe punishment some of the recent  "anti-abortion" bills have called for, and on whom, these laws place the blame.

* But I urge you to please see what follows - all of you on both sides of this divisivve issue.

 

In a recent article in USA Today, an interesting essay appeared, writtien by a self admitted "right-to-lifer" who also happend to be a divorce attorney. HIs unique insight was compelling.

His point was so well put. I hope I can capsulize it accurtely.

He explained that we on the right are great at shaming, an casting out women who turn up pregnant and wanting abortion. We call for punishment for them (and the doctors - which I agree with to a point). But we do nothing to hold accountable the men who impregnate them and walk away. The vast morjority of women in this category are young, uninformed, and scared. Many are also without much financial support. Hardy the kind of hardened "criminals" deserving of severe punishment. Meanwhile we are great at carrying signs and threatening the clinic staff, but say nothing about the "perpetrators". Shame on us! We are not doing what needs to be done for these mothers, and we do nothing to force the "fathers" do accept theri responsibiblity.

Without going further into his essay, I have a thought that I think both sides of this arguement could possibly agree on. It is a charity that is working on another answer to the issue,  and I wish there were more support for this idea from those of us who are so great at accusing from the "right" - while completely forgetting the concept of forgivgeness.

I learned of this charity a few years ago because of it's proximity to (and affiliation with) a small Catholic college near Charlotte NC. I had a niece who was a stellar athlete there. It is Belmont Abbey College, and the charity (started by a group of Knights of Columbus men from Charlotte) is called Mira Via.

Note: it used to be called "Room at the Inn",  but had to change it's name due to a conflict with another organization.

Here is their concept. They built a house on or right near the campus at Belmont Abbey. And they accept young pregnant women who are single and unable to afford their pregnancy, and who also wished to go to college. They take them in and give them help in giving birth, raising and caring for the child, baby sitting, college education, and job counseling, as well as a lot of loving support througout the program. 

What a concept!  (I will post their website shortly)

 


08/08/19 11:36 PM #5900    

 

David Mitchell

Seems to me, anybody on either side of this "argument" can get behind this.

(except for the folks in charge of Xavier Univeristy in Cincinnat - where my youngest daugter graduated. At that Catholic Univesrity they were so rude to me whan I tried to suggest the idea I was shocked! )

 




08/09/19 02:22 PM #5901    

 

David Mitchell

Seems like a good day for a bus ride. Have fun kids. Say "Hi" to Thomas and Henry for the rest of us.




08/09/19 05:08 PM #5902    

 

Michael McLeod

 

Is this real or am I in a Stephen King story?

I keep asking "do we really need guns that spit out 600 tumbling, internal organ-exploding bullets per second to be widely available?"  

And people keep saying, never mind that. Here's my talking point.


08/09/19 06:40 PM #5903    

 

John Maxwell

Anyone who is coming to Dearborn in September, give me a call with any questions or concerns. Glad to help. Don't forget to book your room at the Comfort Inn. And if anyone has made alternate arrangements, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone who is coming.
Jack

08/09/19 07:15 PM #5904    

 

Jeanine Eilers (Decker)

Jack--Sure wish I could join you.  Hope all of you have a wonderful time.  How about the Grand Canyon next time?


08/09/19 11:42 PM #5905    

 

David Mitchell

I can't believe I had the wrong month (again). And I was so excited to post that "bus" video.

 

Memory shot to hell !


08/10/19 10:47 AM #5906    

 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Mike to respond to your talking point....the debate can continue about adding more regulations on the buying/selling of semi-automatic weapons, however the physical reality of that many rounds per minute is disputed. While the politifact article is regarding a statement made that a person can fire about 700 rounds/minute using an automatic style weapon, the fact is that a semi-automatic can only be fired as rapidly as the shooter can pull the trigger and then have to reload once the magazine is spent.  This would seem to question the truth of a person actually being physically able to shoot a semi-automatic weapon at 600 rounds per minute. 

 https://www.pholitifact.com/florida/statements/2016/jun/14/alan-grayson/orlando-democrat-alan-grayson-700-rounds-minute/ 

https://www.quora.com/How-many-rounds-does-a-semi-automatic-rifle-fire-per-minute

Additionally, an opinion piece in the NYT yesterday expressed frustration over another reality regarding the ban on miltary style semi-automatic rifles.

 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/opinion/ar15-assault-weapon-ban.html 

I personally believe that the real crisis in America revolves around our acceptance of abortion. As St. Mother Teresa said,  "The acceptance of abortion is not teaching people to love, but to use violence to get what they want".  If we could begin with that premise, we might have a chance to change the hearts that seek to commit the murders of other innocent human beings. For it is in one's heart that either love or evil takes root.

https://www.catholic.org/clife/teresa/address.php


08/10/19 03:25 PM #5907    

 

David Mitchell

I woke up this morning to the news about Jeffrey Epstein's suicide. I have been following that story and all it's disgusting details very closely I thought I would make a comment about that and how disapointing it is not to see him come to trial. But I will just leave it at these comments;

The problem of sex trafficking is a horrifying one, adn again I urge you to visit the website of "Exodus Cry". It is an organization devoted to exposing the (world-wide) problem, educating the public, and helping women (and men) escape the "slavery" of sex traffickers, pimps, and brothels. Another charitable cause worth giving a few dollars or your suppoort. And their Blog is full of unbleiveable stories from across the globe that will absolutely shock you. The overall awareness of the seriousnes of this problem is frightfully low.

There will no doubt be more to come on this Epstein story as the court documents had just been released (a suspected reason for the timing of his suicide). One detail - (in addition to his island in the Carribean - known as "pedophile island" by the locals) is his ranch in New Mexico where he invited many world-renouned scientists to hear his plan to "seed" a new generation of intelligent beings by impregnating intelligent women of the scientific and academic community, is so utterly disgsuting as to defy the imagination. And dozens of famous scientists had actually bought into the idea. Many of them are sudenly back peddaling from their connection to Epstein. 

(one last point - I am dumbfounded that there seems to have been no suicde watch on this man, especailly after he was found last week, crying on the floor of his cell, with serious marks on his neck - ?????)

----------------------

But today brings a new chapter in the debate about guns, and I am simply flabbergasted at some of your remarks,  Mary Margaret

To begin with, I will agree with your belief that there is evil in the world, and I myself believe there is a thread of connection between most evils. When we were children we called evil deeds that archaic word - sin. But nobody is allowed to use that term anymore, without being called an old fashioned religeous fanatic or a fool.

I choose to be one of those fools! And I choose to believe there is a "higher power" to guide us toward a more peaceful world. And I choose to beleive that that same "higher power" expects us to use the brains He gave us.

I think I made my position on abortion clear. But I don't think in my lifetime we will see any kind of compromise bill against it. So I choose to promote ideas like "VIRA NOVA" and it's  "Mother Theresa-like" answer to the problem.   (see my post above)

 

BUT, AS FOR ASSAULT RIFLES, I not only think you are not only waaaaaay off base, but you don''t even appear to be listening to the points of our disccussion !!!!

I did in fact know that 700 rounds per minute (or 600, or 850) was "fully automatic". And I was vaguely aware of the rate of "semi-automatic" - somehwere beween 150 add 190 rounds per minute (if you are really fast with your finger - and thank God "The Donald" signed a bill outlawing "bump stocks"). But there is still a huge difference in single shot (or "double action") firing mechanisms, and semi-automatic. 

 

And it is not just the rate of fire, but the general overal attraction to use these weapons by young exciteable males, who grow fascinated with the idea of a "military style" gun to "go into battle". 

*Many of us (incuding your brother, RIP, Kevin Cull, Al Judy, myself, and others) throughout history, were excited to "go to battle".  In many young American Indian tribes the younger "braves" were been excited to "go to battle". Its been a fact of nature. But it must be channeled. And I don't think the lonely lifestyles, with no spiritual guidance - nor the video games help the problem any.

 

But to restate: THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANYONE OUTSIDE OF LAW ENFOREMENT OR THE MILITARY TO POSSESS ONE OF THESE GUNS!

And no one's rights are violated without them - NO ONE'S. 

* Even a growing portion of the NRA members are in disagreement with it's (totally corrupt) leadership's position on this. I could spend a whole chapter on Wayne LaPierre's history as a congenital liar.  

I am never going to get a perfect compromise bill on abortion, and we are never going to erase the entire problem with guns, or mental health, or better discipline in schools, or happier healthier children, or working single moms (some of the unsung heroes of our socciety) . But we can try and take small steps. Failure to try is capitulation. 

I am NOT being and Elitest and I am NOT saying take away all their guns. I am saying there is a rational, reasonable, practical step to take this one part of the problem out of the equation. 

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?


08/10/19 04:10 PM #5908    

 

David Mitchell

Jim,

Your comments on the hollywood film "The Hunt" are well taken. The previews are so shocking and disgusting that it is astounding that anyone (of ANY political persausion) could make, sponsor, or support such a perverted piece of violence. 

 

I just read where it's release has been cancelled - thank God!

 

With all that "talent" in Hollywood, you'd think someone could make a few more good films - Historical, Literate, Romantic, Funny, even somewhat Clean. But those seem to be the exception to the rule.

Again, Mark and I strongly recommend  "YESTERDAY".


08/11/19 03:52 AM #5909    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

O. K., now for some news about love. Soon, in the southeastern part of Colorado near the Comanche National Grasslands, the annual migration of males searching for females will begin. Yes, the mating season of  Aphonopelma hentzi is about to commence. These male Oklahoma Brown Tarantulas will risk their lives crossing the highways near La Junta in search of their soul mates. Some will die "where the rubber meets the road" (remember that jingle from the tire commercial?) but many will survive to propagate the species. Alas, those successful males who avoid becoming roadkill will be destined to perish during the winter after their approximately ten year existence.

Thus is life and death on the plains...

Jim 


08/11/19 11:19 AM #5910    

 

David Barbour

Jim

I recall something like that on Carmel Valley road, Monterey county, Ca.  There was a migration of toads

across the valley road to the river, I think, didn't get any interviews.  Must have been several thousand

killed, searching for love.  The fresh ones were a little slippery.  Love is very important, isn't it?

DB


08/11/19 01:02 PM #5911    

 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Two great inspirational stories for your enjoyment.  The second link is to the IndyStar - you will have to scroll down to find the story about Notre Dame WR, Chris Finke.  Chris was just elected one of ND's 2019's captains getting over 70% of the votes.  He is the son of my sister's best friend, Suzy Bernard Finke, who graduated with her from IC and Watterson. 

https://www.facebook.com/dailygoalcast/videos/2298162530433024/UzpfSTE2MDExMzAxNTQ6Vks6MjM5NzcxNjYwNzE1MTgxNA/?multi_permalinks=2397716607151814&notif_id=1565537446059321&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2019/08/09/notre-dame-football-wr-chris-finke-keeps-converting-his-doubters/1920649001/   


go to top 
  Post Message
  
    Prior Page
 Page  
Next Page