Combining my pre and post US election rants into one article:
Guns, Booze, Cars, Education …. and the X-Factor…
Enjoy (or sleep)…
I wrote this before the US elections – It was in response to some of the thoughts and rants a few Americans were having at the time.
The 29th October in 1919 saw America start prohibition.
Why on earth am I mentioning that then?
I was blindly surfing the net on my iPhone as I didn’t have a great deal more to do at the time (due to a bad back – see earlier posts), and I found that the Volstead Act (Prohibition) came into being on this day in history…and it made me think.
I know a lot of Americans who are worried about the up and coming elections, and how it may well restrict their gun ownership. Many that I have talked to say that something as huge as banning all guns, or certain types of gun, just wouldn’t be possible – logistically it surely wouldn’t be possible – and anyway, it would upset far to many people and be far too difficult to enforce because too many people would oppose it.
A ban on alcohol over the entire United States. It may not have been hugely successful, but it was carried out, and stayed in force until 1933. Now I can’t help but think that banning guns is a darn site easier than banning a liquid that most people could make themselves (with a little knowledge and not much equipment). I would also think that more people enjoy a drink than own a gun – yet that mass of people couldn’t stand up to the Government of 1919… what chance is there against a Government with the technology and information of today?
So – Gun owning Americans, please don’t sit too comfortably on your freedoms, you’re not untouchable.
I’m all for the education of firearms, and not the all out banning. I shoot target rifle, and get really annoyed when the UK Government keep restricting use. They only do this to pander to the masses so they can win more votes. If anyone took a blind bit of interest they could see that firearms are not a serious threat – but peoples views on them are tainted.
Someone who wants a gun to commit a crime is not going to go through the health and Police security checks, the joining of registered government gun clubs, and the 3 to 6 months probation waiting period before they get a license.
They are not going to put Police approved security into their house and have the Police visit to ensure it is safe, and that the user has a valid reason to own the gun.
They are not going to go out and buy a firearm from a registered dealer who notifies the police so they know who the firearm is registered to.
They are also not going to put down a restriction on a license as to what firearms they can carry, and what the limit of ammunition is they are allowed to buy.
NO….. they’ll get a gun illegally and go out and commit a crime.
The trouble is, when one of these illegal gun owners go and shoot someone or hold up a shop, it is the legal gun owners… the ones who go through probation, back ground checks, Police interviews etc, that get further restricted…. and why? So that the Government can say they have reduced gun ownership in the UK…Yeah, great… you’ve reduced it from the ones that weren’t illegal.
This is like those idiots who steel cars and put YOUR insurance up!!! What have you done? Nothing!!! But the insurance companies can’t get money from some untaxed, unlicensed and uninsured idiot thief can they? No…. but they can get it from you.
The Government may as well ban all people who legally hold a drivers licence and have taxed and tested cars. Okay… it won’t stop those that are carrying out illegal driving in the first place, but who cares? Not the voters, because they’ll have seen that the government has reduced the amount of car drivers, regardless of the fact that the illegal drivers won’t care, and will still blitz around dangerously in stolen cars… and those illegals won’t lose their licenses because they didn’t even have one in the first place!!!
So you see, this won’t stop illegal road activity – thefts etc., but that’s how those in charge deal with firearms. They restrict the people they know legally own guns, because the legal gun owners are the only ones that the government know for sure have guns…
I blame statistics as well – or at least peoples misunderstanding of them – and the misuse of them. Statistics are warped and only reported in a way that works for the case in hand. It is the misuse of power by those in charge that scares me more than the very low gun crime in the UK (YES – it is low, don’t be mislead).
People need educating about firearms – In fact they need educating more on most things they vote about, because the group uninformed mentality of people is now starting to run the county – and not the educated vote of people who make considered opinions.
The Government seems to be in to win votes and to stay in power as long as the wave will carry them – even if that means making decisions that are not so great for the country, but WILL still keep them the vote. It’s like the X-Factor or Big Brother generation hold the future of the UK in its hands – and it is the political party with that X-Factor “Wow” that will win – and not so much the party with the countries best interest at heart.
Phew… that feels better.
Prohibition! Pah!!!
Anyway… The election happened and some peoples nightmares started… well, it’s what they think will be a nightmare, but only time will tell..
Obama – Lap dog or Leader?
What were you doing on the day of the inauguration?
The first day on a job is always a bit daunting – so imagine how you’d feel if several million people watched you as you start out in the position.
Yes, that’s right – On the 20th January 2009 America welcomed in a new President. President Barack Obama gave a speech at his inauguration that sounded full of challenge and hope for both America and the World. Sure – as with all leaders – he’ll do things that really upset some people and make others happy, but it is how he deals with it all that will make or break him.
Will he just say things to be popular, or will he grasp even the most unpopular decisions in the course of improving and bettering the USA?
Look at Baroness Margaret Thatcher – love her or loath her, she stood for her principals and didn’t turn tail when the people started complaining. She did what she thought was best for the country – and not chase that public arse kissing popularity vote. We need a leader like her again – she may not make cheap instant gratifying vote winning plays, but she wouldn’t have let the UK get into the state it is today.
I think our Prime minister is a joke at the moment (the last few haven’t impressed me at all). It appears that he just tries to please the mass voters – and not do what is right for the Country.
I think a leader should do what is right for the better development of a company or country – and not try to be a friend to everyone – after all, look at the state of UK Government now – it’s like the X-Factor. The party leaders do what they can to get the vote – but it isn’t necessarily the right thing for the actual country. They remind me of Hugh Dennis – Once they get the mic they just HAVE to hold on to it in case they never get another chance! Popularity over effectivity – but you need to blame the voters really…. but that’s down to the state of education and peoples understanding of politics and the running of a country. Maybe we need a Dictator? …. no….. not yet.
It’s a hard balance, but you need to be a boss first and a friend second.The trouble is that people need to see you have their best interests at heart, even if they don’t like it. If you fail at this then you won’t stay in power long enough to start making things better.
The President has high popularity at the moment (a lot due to the fact that he isn’t George Bush), and is at the start of his (first?) four years. This may well be the best time to make the unpopular decisions that upset people – as that will give several years for those decisions to then reap benefits and show to the people that he does have the interest of the people at heart (even if they didn’t realise it at the time), and will do what he has to do to forge a better future.
Being a good boss will win you the respect and then the friendship of those around you – and not the other way around.
Good luck President Obama – good or bad policies, I hope you stick to what is right for the people, and not just go for the easy popularity votes.
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