From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2013 #141 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe:mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website:http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Monday, January 28 2013 Volume 2013 : Number 141 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: (NJC) Canada and the US (was Lyrics) [Lori Renee Fye Subject: Re: (NJC) Canada and the US (was Lyrics) Phyliss wrote: As an American, I too have problems with the American "best" thing. Why? > What happened to equality? However, I did feel a bit offended being > referred to as "scary" or "violent" or "religious extremist" en masse. > Some Americans may be. I am not. Neither are any of my friends and family > (ok, a few are religious extremists) I can think of. Let's not stereotype. Well, as Catherine said, there are some really loud, vocal extremists in the US. It would be nice if the non-extremists would become as noticed, or more noticed, but they are not loud by nature and so I guess that would be going against their natural tendencies. The scariest bit about the extremists is that they are the most likely people to have guns, and to use them. Laura pointed out that in the US, as of 2007, there were 88.8 guns per 100 people in the US. So almost 89% of people in the US own at least one gun. In Wales and England, there are 6.2 guns per 100 people; about 6% of people in Wales and England own a gun. In terms of percentages, in my mind I am 83% more likely to be shot in the US than I am in Wales. Yes, I know that everyone who owns a gun isn't likely to shoot someone. Still, there are all sorts of accidents, "caught in crossfire" situations to consider. Eighty-three percent more guns is quite significant, to me. It's not like I am completely anti-gun; I used to be a gun owner in the US. I thought I had a reason, at the time, to have a gun. I really didn't have a reason, though, so I got rid of my pistol before I left for Europe and I walked away from the other gun I had (my ex in California has it). What I can't figure out is why so many Americans seem to feel the need to have a gun. For some people, it's for hunting or target shooting. But what about the rest? What about the people who are telling me they need it for personal protection? If that doesn't speak to a violent society, I don't know what does. And who wants to live with that kind of fear? If I were that fearful, I would move as far as I could get from whatever was causing that fear. (And, actually, that's what I did.) Lori Wales ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2013 #141 ***************************** ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------