: : Survivalism because of, in some instances, it's gun junkie element has always attached itself to the right wing of the political spectrum (in the US, the patriots movement, the capitalist militias, the racist organicists etc.) and has, at times, had an unhealthy militaristic dimension.: Well, that's the message that the anti-gun crowd wants everyone to believe anyway. It's certainly true that the ultra right-wingers are going for their guns but there is a fairly vast percentage of people over here who, although they no own guns, are quite supportive of the right to do so. Something to do with history, I suppose. Personally, I own four guns but they have no particular value to me other than the enjoyment of the occasional target shoot. I rarely hunt but enjoy it when I do. Although a viceral experience, there is much a man can understand about himself and his place in this world through hunting.
: It keeps a man rooted.
C'mon Stuart, do you really believe you need to shed blood to understand yourself? What does it teach you: that you're capable of taking a life? Some lesson. How about refraining from taking a life? That will teach you far more than shedding blood for some amorphous link to your inner savage.
: : However I think this is unfortunate, survivalism contains a concern for self-sufficiency and ecological understanding that the left could learn from, I mean if you can survive you can become independent from the powers that be, well maybe temporarily anyway.
: That's quite a conservative concept there, Lark. Better watch yourself or you'll get booted out of the opium den. You've hit the mother lode of conservative principle when you suggest individualism, independence, and self-sufficiency might be positive values.
Concern for others is also a positive value, and that concern ought to include the willingness to make a sacrifice for the greater good. How many Americans have to die by handgun for you and other conservatives to sacrifice your right to have a handgun? Is your right to carry a small lethal weapon worth more than the tens of thousands of lives taken by these evil things?
I don't see the European countries which have strict gun control falling into tyranny; what I do see is that they have far, far fewer handgun deaths, and their streets and homes are safer. Do you think in Europe people express their road rage by taking their guns and shooting others? Remember, Stuart, responsible gun owners are not criminals -- until they shoot someone in rage or recklessness, that is.
: What books are reading now, dude?
"Infinity's Shore," by David Brin.
: : Perhaps this is nothing more than a primitivist or Waldon style utopianism but I'd be very glad to hear the opinion of all the comrades and friends in political opposition or disagreement on this issue.
: : Cheers,
: : Lark.
