I indeed meant "guns" in the broad category of "any violent force." I disagree with your assesment that all you succeed at doing is creating an environment of poor security, which leads to a poor economy
A poor economy is one of the historically great motivators for revolution. If the government cannot feed the army, it will collapse.
See, the great thing about oppression is that unity among the people increases along with it. If we reach a point where the army is flat out destroying cities to save the government, pretty much the entire US population would be on the side of the rebellion.
As soon as the military/police power is strong enough (and enough Americans stop owning guns), they can and will go further.
Though it certainly doesn't help things, I beleive you really underestimate the power of the people. A conservative estimate of 4 million members of the military and higher government means we still outnumber them by about 75-to-one. Guerilla tactics and explosives are the great equalizer. Can go further? May be. But there's no question as to what would happen if a single event/person could unite the people together.
when your DNA test comes back as someone else, you are fired. Or, you are sent to a prison labor camp for the fraud you have committed.
I see you left out the antiquated "trial" step in that sequence of events. Excellent job, citizen. There may be an extra quarter-ounce in your chocolate ration this week.
In New York, attacking an employee of the government (Bloomberg may indeed qualifty) is a greater crime than attacking a regular citizen. All other things being equal, this could be as much a difference of 3 1/2 years for the latter and 7 years for the former.
All people are equal. Some are more equal than others.
Actually, power lies with guns (as it always has), whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive that it is the Duty of the People to alter or abolish it.
See, that's the problem. No one minds corruption as long as "things could be worse"
A couple of wise men 200 years ago realized this. They made a big stink about it, too...
all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed.
That would be a private company, as opposed to a government giving you no (realistic) choice but to comply.
This is like if the government says "We do not torture", then doing so anyway when they discover the people support it.
Oh, wait...
Um, wouldn't that be the only choice? It's not like I can go to the police and say "Hi, I'd like to report Lucasarts for third-degree theft, please..."
If you destroy the product somehow, it's not really unfair if you have to rebuy it.
Funny, game companies are always telling me I'm buying a "liscence" to use the game, not an actual product. Therefore, I have the right to sue for a refund if they are not holding up their end of the liscence by providing me with the software, correct?
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial"
I see, you would rather more Americans die than we torture known terrorists.
Torture is, hands down, the single most evil and indefensible act that can be committed. If you do not feel the same way -- guess what? End of meeting!
I don't expect them to see it my way. That's why we try to keep people with an emotional investment from important decisions such as national policy.
Judges have to step down from a case that they feel so strongly in they cannot be impartial. Why not extend that idea to our President, who beleives magic sky deities give him secret knowledge about what is right and wrong?
Slashdot Mirror
You make a compelling arguement.
I indeed meant "guns" in the broad category of "any violent force." I disagree with your assesment that all you succeed at doing is creating an environment of poor security, which leads to a poor economy
A poor economy is one of the historically great motivators for revolution. If the government cannot feed the army, it will collapse.
See, the great thing about oppression is that unity among the people increases along with it. If we reach a point where the army is flat out destroying cities to save the government, pretty much the entire US population would be on the side of the rebellion.
Oh course Koresh and Weaver didn't succeed. They had less guns than their opposition. Revolution only works when everyone helps out.
As soon as the military/police power is strong enough (and enough Americans stop owning guns), they can and will go further.
Though it certainly doesn't help things, I beleive you really underestimate the power of the people. A conservative estimate of 4 million members of the military and higher government means we still outnumber them by about 75-to-one. Guerilla tactics and explosives are the great equalizer. Can go further? May be. But there's no question as to what would happen if a single event/person could unite the people together.
when your DNA test comes back as someone else, you are fired. Or, you are sent to a prison labor camp for the fraud you have committed.
I see you left out the antiquated "trial" step in that sequence of events. Excellent job, citizen. There may be an extra quarter-ounce in your chocolate ration this week.
Unfortunately, you will be immediately executed when this is discovered.
Have you seen any "solution" to identity theft?
Step 1: Impale heads of government leaders on stakes. Step 2: Repeal Social Security Act. Step 3: Profit.
In New York, attacking an employee of the government (Bloomberg may indeed qualifty) is a greater crime than attacking a regular citizen. All other things being equal, this could be as much a difference of 3 1/2 years for the latter and 7 years for the former.
All people are equal. Some are more equal than others.
Actually, power lies with guns (as it always has), whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive that it is the Duty of the People to alter or abolish it.
Sony would also like us to only sleep with virgins too, right?
It's not like there aren't any countries where that is pretty much how it is. Durka durka!
See, that's the problem. No one minds corruption as long as "things could be worse"
A couple of wise men 200 years ago realized this. They made a big stink about it, too...
all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed.
What part of "do not broadly oppress the people to (try and) stop crime" do you not understand?
That would be a private company, as opposed to a government giving you no (realistic) choice but to comply. This is like if the government says "We do not torture", then doing so anyway when they discover the people support it. Oh, wait...
You are demonstrating a surprisingly keen knowledge of the Law, citizen. Only terrorists need to know information like that!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internets_(colloquial ism)
It's a joke, son.
UK businesses have to charge more for electronics because they are required to open each device up and check for terrorists first.
Um, wouldn't that be the only choice? It's not like I can go to the police and say "Hi, I'd like to report Lucasarts for third-degree theft, please..."
If you destroy the product somehow, it's not really unfair if you have to rebuy it.
Funny, game companies are always telling me I'm buying a "liscence" to use the game, not an actual product. Therefore, I have the right to sue for a refund if they are not holding up their end of the liscence by providing me with the software, correct?
Why, actually, yes. I want everyone to uphold only just laws.
Why would MS have the time or inclination to spend resources supporting and checking out update patches for every piece of software on the planet?
We'd have a field day if they let Commander_Keen_2.1 go live and it was really a goat porn trojan.
We don't need to let non-citizens see lawyers.
O RLY?
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial"
I see, you would rather more Americans die than we torture known terrorists.
Torture is, hands down, the single most evil and indefensible act that can be committed. If you do not feel the same way -- guess what? End of meeting!
Yes.
Seriously. Grow up, emo kids.
I don't expect them to see it my way. That's why we try to keep people with an emotional investment from important decisions such as national policy.
Judges have to step down from a case that they feel so strongly in they cannot be impartial. Why not extend that idea to our President, who beleives magic sky deities give him secret knowledge about what is right and wrong?
Easy, he shouldn't have censored information at all. The sixth amendment's guarantee of a public trial already prohibited him from doing so.