This is a tuff one ! Reported 3 hours ago:

[poppy]

Someone please use the word Guns so Poppy can break out her/his only other talking point besides religion. After all there isn't a single topic that aging hippies are more sure they are against than guns and religion. Secular humanist liberals have always solved all the worlds problems. Let's get the first and only page of their playbook out of the way

My talking points, are you joking? Guns and religion are the two largest planks in the Republican platform. Every Conservative candidate will wave a bible and promise to return god and prayer back to the schools and protect your guns from Obama and the federal gun grabbers. It's all just RW fear mongering for the low info Fox News viewer. In reality god and prayer never left the schools and Obama has no interest in seizing your guns. We just want to live in a society without forced religion and have a discussion about sensible gun laws.

 

[poppy]

Hi guys... I am here. What a mess. What a tragedy. I don't know if i have the energy to get into all of whats been going on in my hometown for the last 6 days, but i will say this. Don't believe everything you see on tv. There are certain news organizations that would like you to believe that the St. Louis County Police department were using tear gas and rubber bullets on "peaceful demonstrators" Im sorry, this is simply not the case. There has been peaceful demonstration for 5 days. At churches, around city hall, at the ball park. The police were present, but did not interfere. Then there was the other. Where the looting and the rioting started. Sunday night was terrible. By nightfall on Monday, the police where not going to let that happen again. These were not peaceful people. They were instigators. Screaming at the police, spitting, throwing rocks, bricks, bottles, fire bombs and gun fire. Only then was tear gas and rubber bullets used. Frankly I'm amazed no one was seriously injured and the cops kept their cool for as long as they did. I do not live in Ferguson, but if i did, I would be glad to see them there to protect the majority -- who are the peaceful residence and business owners. BTW, i agree with the Jim Pasco and pray for all our men and women in blue who are brave enough to do a job and make the split second - life or death decisions, everyday, not most of us could not.

I'm confused. At first you are there and it's your hometown and then you don't live in Ferguson but if you did you would be glad to see the police there. You seemed rattled so I will give you the benefit.
I agree with you on the looting, there is no reason for that. Among the disturbing things we have seen is the two reporters in a McDonalds resting and charging their phones. There was no rioting or looting either inside or outside. They were arrested and one of them slammed into a wall when they filmed the police who were entering which is perfectly legal all across this country. Another thing captured on film was the police firing tear gas at a news crew setting up to film. Again, a legal act in the US.

 

[steel1man]

Delta is Ready when You are

 

[poppy]

not shooting them up? Why? because there justice is swift and complete. Unlike here where we put the most obvious convicted criminals in tax payer jails for over 20 years before justice is administered. A couple of years ago in China or Japan A convicted criminal was sentenced to death. Justice was administered the next day. if we worked that way some of these guys may just think twice before doing these death penalty crimes.

I was in Japan for three months years ago and there is more to it. It's been a while so bear with me. If I recall correctly, the Japanese people believe in the collective good of society over the individual so a crime basically affects everyone. Here at home many claim individual rights over the collective good. My right to carry a weapon trumps the rights of you and your family to feel safe. We're forced to concentrate more on punishment as opposed to prevention like Japan. It's been forty years, but I believe this is fairly accurate.

 

[poppy]

Delta is Ready when You are

Well then what are you waiting for? Buy yourself a ticket and enjoy life!

 

[Lake View Too]

I was in Japan for three months years ago and there is more to it. It's been a while so bear with me. If I recall correctly, the Japanese people believe in the collective good of society over the individual so a crime basically affects everyone. Here at home many claim individual rights over the collective good. My right to carry a weapon trumps the rights of you and your family to feel safe. We're forced to concentrate more on punishment as opposed to prevention like Japan. It's been forty years, but I believe this is fairly accurate.

Poppy: This was very well said. Almost eloquent in the simplicity by which you delineated the difference in Americans versus the civilized world in general. Again, well said.

 

[jodiFL]

Does anyone here remember the Stanford Experiment in the 70s?? It was proven that the uniform has a definite affect on the one in the uniform. Maybe we should look back on this test and try to incorporate the results into our arguments.

 

[Andy A]

As I remember, the Japanese, who are now our friends, attacked us some 73 years ago this Dec. 7th. But then it was a long time ago and I may not be remembering correctly. They have a wonderful philosophy, though.

 

[poppy]

And we attacked Iraq not so long ago. What's your point?

 

[Andy A]

No point. Just an observation. You're entitled to your opinions, flawed as they may be, and I am entitled to mine. As I've told you before, I don't correspond with what I consider stupidity.