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Since I managed to write my post without thinking of you once, Tom, I'm going to have to say you're being a little paranoid. Oh, and you've said you don't believe in handguns, never had. So should we add them to assault rifles?<br><br>Unless what you just posted was intended as a joke, in which case let me say "Bravo."<br><br>OK?<br><br>Sunil<br><br><div><div id="SkyDrivePlaceholder"></div><hr id="stopSpelling">CC: vision2020@moscow.com<br>From: thansen@moscow.com<br>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .<br>Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:57:31 -0800<br>To: sunilramalingam@hotmail.com<br><br><div>For the umpteenth time . . . </div><div><br></div><div>I am NOT anti-gun. I AM anti-assault rifle.</div><div><br></div><div>Ok?<br><br><div>Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .</div><div><br></div><div>"Moscow Cares"</div><div><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com" target="_blank">http://www.MoscowCares.com</a></div><div> </div><div><div>Tom Hansen</div><div>Moscow, Idaho</div><div> </div></div></div><div><br>On Dec 20, 2012, at 11:49 AM, Sunil Ramalingam <<a href="mailto:sunilramalingam@hotmail.com">sunilramalingam@hotmail.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote><div>
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<div dir="ltr">I don't think Paul or anyone else is paranoid for wanting to own a gun for defense. I can think of an event just a few years ago in Moscow, close to my home, when I'll bet folks in the neighorhood who owned guns were glad to have them. Those are exceptional events, I think, but it happened here. And I believe there has been at least one home invasion in Pullman in recent years. <br><br>At the same time I had a job that gave me a pretty good look at the crime in Moscow, and I do think it's a pretty safe place.<br><br>If one is going to have firearms in the home, then of course they should take steps to make sure they're stored where kids (or thieves) can't get to them. <br><br>Having said all that, I think Paul that you are also overreacting. It is time we discuss what to do about the price our society is paying with our current approach to gun ownership. We shouldn't wait. If we talk rationally we can separate bad policies from good policies. <br><br>Sunil<br><br><div><div id="ecxSkyDrivePlaceholder"></div><hr id="ecxstopSpelling">Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:24:42 -0800<br>From: <a href="mailto:godshatter@yahoo.com">godshatter@yahoo.com</a><br>To: <a href="mailto:philosopher.joe@gmail.com">philosopher.joe@gmail.com</a><br>CC: <a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a><br>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .<br><br><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt">Thanks for the free psychoanalysis. Is it your opinion that nobody in Moscow should need to defend themselves in their own home at any time? Do you recommend keeping your doors and windows unlocked at night?<br><br>Crime is real. Even in innocent little Moscow. I don't find it paranoid to want to be able to defend myself if the need should arise. Feel free to think of my calm, rational decision to be prepared for an unlikely but plausible scenario as a mental health problem, though, if it makes you feel superior.<br><br>I see this current round of trying to ban the low hanging fruit to be an overreaction. It's an excuse that people who don't think the Second Amendment is worth anything can use to do what they have always wanted to do anyway. While I also realize that no one is
trying to ban weapons used for personal defense inside their homes, provided they are not assault weapons or have too many rounds in the clip, I have no doubt that there are people out there that would if they thought they had a chance in hell of getting away with it.<br><br>Banning assault weapons will have as little effect on the overall situation as taking off our shoes in airports has had fighting terrorism.<br><br>Paul<br><div><span><br></span></div><div><br></div> <div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"> <div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"> <div dir="ltr"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> Joe Campbell <<a href="mailto:philosopher.joe@gmail.com">philosopher.joe@gmail.com</a>><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> Paul Rumelhart <<a href="mailto:godshatter@yahoo.com">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>> <br><b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> Ron
Force <<a href="mailto:rforce2003@yahoo.com">rforce2003@yahoo.com</a>>; "<a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>" <<a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>> <br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Thursday, December 20, 2012 9:30 AM<br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .<br> </font> </div> <br>
<div id="ecxyiv2074043193">You sound paranoid, Paul. There is little evidence that a gun is needed for protection in this town. Could happen. Could happen that a brick falls out of a window and strikes you on the head, too. But if you walked around town with a helmet, you would LOOK paranoid. You would look paranoid precisely because you are preparing for something that has a VERY low probability of occurring.<br>
<br>What exactly am I missing in this analogy? And like Carl said, neither I nor anyone else is going to take away your handgun. But I'll try my best not to let paranoia dictate public policy.<br><br><div class="ecxyiv2074043193gmail_quote">
On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 8:59 AM, Paul Rumelhart <span dir="ltr"><<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:godshatter@yahoo.com">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="ecxyiv2074043193gmail_quote" style="border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif">That's your recommended defense against someone who, for whatever reason, has broken into my house with me inside of it? Expect the best of them? Should I trust in fate and never wear seat belts?<br>
<br>Oh, and pardon me for relating a story relevant to the topic at hand.<span class="ecxyiv2074043193HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><br><br>Paul<br></font></span><div class="ecxyiv2074043193hm ecxyiv2074043193HOEnZb"><div><span><br></span></div><div><br></div> </div><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt">
<div class="ecxyiv2074043193hm ecxyiv2074043193HOEnZb"> </div><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div class="ecxyiv2074043193hm ecxyiv2074043193HOEnZb"> </div><div dir="ltr"><div class="ecxyiv2074043193hm ecxyiv2074043193HOEnZb"> </div><font face="Arial"><div class="ecxyiv2074043193hm ecxyiv2074043193HOEnZb">
<hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> Ron Force <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:rforce2003@yahoo.com">rforce2003@yahoo.com</a>><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> Paul Rumelhart <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:godshatter@yahoo.com">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>>; <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:philosopher.joe@gmail.com">philosopher.joe@gmail.com</a> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a> <br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Thursday, December 20, 2012 6:32 AM</div>
<div><div class="ecxyiv2074043193h5"><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .<br> </div></div></font> </div><div><div class="ecxyiv2074043193h5"> <br>
<div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font:inherit" valign="top"><div>As long as we're substituting anecdotes for data, I can say that I do get on airplanes frequently. In 71 years of life, my home has never been burglarized or invaded. I have never been mugged or even threatened on the street. I have traveled to fifty states, seven continents and thirty countries and found only friendly and cooperative people. I observe common-sense precautions to avoid situations where I could be put in danger, like patronizing sleazy bars while flashing a big roll of bills (I know, no fun).<br>
<br>The only time I found it necessary to be armed was during a year in Vietnam and even there, the great majority of the people I met were non-belligerent. I sold my personal guns when I returned, and don't miss them. Life is a happier place if you expect the best
of people and don't look for dangers lurking around every
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Paul Rumelhart <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:godshatter@yahoo.com">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>>; <br>
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<span>To:</span>
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Joe Campbell <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:philosopher.joe@gmail.com">philosopher.joe@gmail.com</a>>; <br>
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vision 2020 <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>>; <br>
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<span>Subject:</span>
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Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . . <br>
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Wed, Dec 19, 2012 10:02:26 PM <br>
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<td style="font:inherit" valign="top"><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif">I get on an airplane very infrequently, even less so now that the TSA is out of control. I go to bed every night. My friend's dad stopped someone from climbing through his bedroom window a number of years ago by the simple expedient of pointing a large revolver in his face. This had a deterrent effect; the suspected burglar backed out the window quickly and ran off, probably to go get a change of underwear. You live long enough, something strange will happen. Better to be prepared.<br>
<br>Gun safety is an issue. Many newer guns have extra safety features. I hope they continue to innovate in this area. Certainly there is much more that can be done to reduce firearm-related
accidents.<br><br>Paul<br><div><span><br></span></div><div><br></div> <div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"> <div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt">
<div dir="ltr"> <font face="Arial"> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> Joe Campbell <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:philosopher.joe@gmail.com">philosopher.joe@gmail.com</a>><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> Paul Rumelhart <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:godshatter@yahoo.com">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> Tom Hansen <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:thansen@moscow.com">thansen@moscow.com</a>>; Sue Hovey <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:suehovey@moscow.com">suehovey@moscow.com</a>>; vision 2020 <<a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, December 19, 2012 9:55 AM<br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .<br> </font> </div> <br>
<div>Paul,<br><br>Again you are mistaken about the facts. Do some research. If you live in a high crime district, having a gun might provide more safety than potential for harm. If not, the potential for harm is greater. Those are the facts. No matter how much confidence you have in yourself, living in Moscow, ID your gun is much more likely to do you harm than good. I promise you that (unfortunately) we are much more likely to read about someone committing suicide with a firearm, or harming another, than protecting him- or herself in this particular town.<br>
<br>Think of this analogy. Would you ever think of bringing a parachute aboard an airplane? Well, there was a time when it was much more probable that you would die in a plane crash than via a home invasion. (I'm not sure of the statistics now; not many people die on commercial airlines.) If you were to bring a parachute aboard a plane, you would be perceived as suffering from wild paranoia. Of course there is a chance the plane will go down but (a) it is very unlikely and (b) very unlikely to help were a situation to arise (remember the point I made yesterday that in order for a gun to be useful it has to be loaded and available for use, yet that increases the likelihood of accident).<br>
<br>I'm sorry but you and others who are unyielding about gun control seem as paranoid as a guy with a parachute boarding an airplane. The analogy is very close. But the difference is that the proliferation of guns increases risks of gun violence for all of us, as the Sandy Hook episode shows. It isn't just a personal liberty debate; it is a public harm debate, as well. We have a history of sacrificing liberties in order to prevent harms. Again, I don't always agree with these choices and we need to be very cautious about how to proceed. But to dismiss gun control as an option based on some flawed view of liberty is unwise.<br>
<br>Joe<br><br><div>On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 9:23 AM, Paul Rumelhart <span dir="ltr"><<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote style="border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div><div style="font-size:12pt;font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif">What was I thinking? Home invasions never happen.<span><font color="#888888"><br><br>Paul<br><div><span></span></div></font></span><div>
<div><br></div> </div><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div> </div><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div>
</div><div dir="ltr"><div> </div><font face="Arial"><div> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">From:</span></b> Tom Hansen <<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thansen@moscow.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> Paul Rumelhart <<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>> <br><b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> Joe Campbell <<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">philosopher.joe@gmail.com</a>>; Sue Hovey <<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">suehovey@moscow.com</a>>; vision 2020 <<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vision2020@moscow.com</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, December 19, 2012 8:44 AM</div><div><br> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .<br> </div>
</font> </div><div><div> <br>
Paul Rumelhart tells us:<br><br>"Yet I'd still prefer having one available if I ever needed one."<br><br>Paranoia . . . Self-Destroya!<br><br>Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .<br><br>"Moscow Cares"<br>
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" target="_blank">http://www.MoscowCares.com</a><br> <br>Tom Hansen<br>Moscow, Idaho<br> <br><br>On Dec 19, 2012, at 8:37 AM, Paul Rumelhart <<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">godshatter@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br>
<br>> Yet I'd still prefer having one available if I ever needed one.<br><br><br> </div></div></div> </div> </div></div></blockquote></div><br>
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