Excellent point.

Good, i'm glad that you're actually speaking from experience, someone who has a gun, knows how to use one, not someone who has never had a gun in their life and doesn't know how to fire one. There are pleanty who have posted here who would fit into that catergory.

Thanks, but I should have added that it is completely the perogative of those you ask to reveal any personal info about themselves.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Computer geek here - pretty senior one at that. Not exactly an authoritarian kind of profession. Sorta blows your idea outa the water there doesnt it?

Oh yeah -girlfriend agrees with me - she's an RN.

A neurosurgeon friend of ours ALSO agrees, as does his boyfriend who is a professor at Rice University.

Shall I go on?

In fact, I have yet to find ANYONE in this area (Pasedena is a suburb of Houston - not exactly rural) who believes Horn was in the wrong, and I know a LOT of people from all walks of life. Hell, even the local news media is on his side.

Yeah - we're a little different down here in Texas. We tend to believe that a man has a right to defend his home. Even Austin agrees with that view! (Austin is politically slightly to the left of Berkely)

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

Your inability to understand the law aside, as comical as it may be, you never answered my question:

Does somebody who has gotten an abortion have the right to criticise this killing or is it as you said "anaroma of hypocrasy"?

I don't think our troops actually own their weapons, but I bet they know how to shoot. Just because one hasn't or doesn't own a gun, doesn't mean they don't know how to shoot or use it. One of my best friends never owned a gun, but scored quite high when she participated in her marksmanship competitions when she was in high school.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

It's pretty clear where you put it.

Things, no matter how small, are more important to you than human life. You've already demonstrated a callous disregard for others; I hope that at some point in the future it doesn't cost some innocent their life.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

You can view it that way, or you could consider a different perspective. It is not that the property is more important - it is what that property represents.

I value life on a varying scale. The lives of my loved ones are more important than my own. Then comes my life. Then comes everyone else. Frankly I do not understand the mentality which would place the life of someone who wished to hurt me or my loved ones on the same plane of my own.

It seems to me that you take the position that the lives of all human beings are equal. That raises the question in my mind of how you would react if you had the choice to save the life of your child, for example, by taking the life of someone who is attempting to harm him. In my view, there is no question as to the outcome of that situation. Your stated position indicates you would do nothing and simply let your child die rather than harm another. I find that to be beneath contempt. Even animals defend their young.

It all comes down to respect. A criminal who will violate my home and property has demonstrated that I am not worthy of HIS respect, so frankly I see no reason to respect him.

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

I agree with you here. But, (and I understand the law allows it), why is it necessary for a burgular who is not comitting a crime against you or your loved ones and who is stealing objects to lose his life in the process? And, to make it clear, I am by no means an apologist for criminals.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

The burglar makes the choice when he commits the crime. When stealing objects from my home, he is committing a crime against me and my loved ones.

If the burglar decides that my property is worth risking his life over, then he has decided he is willing to take that chance. He has the option of immediately ceasing his attempt at the crime, returning my property and remaining VERY still until the police arrive, or he can run with my property and hope he can move faster than 2000FPS. That is his choice as well.

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In case you were wondering, yes, there really ARE more idiots these days....technology has made natural selection obsolete.

It's legal to do so, but do you think it's just for a burgular stealing objects from folks other than you or your loved ones to lose his life in the process?

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Yup it stunned me but even Austin is supportive and i wouldn't be susprised to see many surrounding states take up similar proposals soon enough.

I know a ton of folks who support this, even a couple from the forums whom i've asked who aren't from Texas so they haven't added in their interfferance who would be okay with this.

I haven't met anyone who doesn't support this from within our state.

And others who have spent a great deal of time in Texas have met folks who don't support this. So what?

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Turn that question around...

Is it just for the burglar to be taking my stuff, after he broke into my house?

Why all the worrying about the burglar? If he's hungry, ask me for money, and I'll give him what I've got. If his family is hungry, I'll take him to the grocery store for a shopping spree. But, if he steals my stuff, or tries taking it from me by force..... he's given up his right to compassion and empathy.

And no, it isn't "just" possessions, it is the fact he has no respect for others around him. What's he gonna do when he's horny? Politly ask the woman for some nookie? Once you start down the road to criminality, moral barriers start breaking down, and it gets easier to perform even worse crimes. If he already has the balls to break into the house, he probably has the balls to injure the unsuspecting inside that house.


Would it have been better for the police to get there in time to arrest them? Yeah, but they didn't, and a citizen stood up for the community, and said
"No more".

Judge, Jury, and Executioner.... all right in my book for this instance. After all, all the courts do is enforce the laws we allow them to create, and carry out punishments we allow them. If we allow them, how come we can't carry them out when necessary?

Nope. And I thought that I made that perfectly clear. I am speaking not of what a criminal is stealing from you losing his life; rather what that criminal is stealing from others and his loss of life in the process at another's hand. Yes, it's legal, but is it just? If he were arrested and tried, the courts in Texas would not sentence him to death for burglary.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition