"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." ~~Thomas Jefferson
"Who will protect us from those who protect us?"
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. ~ Thomas Jefferson
"None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free." ~~Goethe
10 comments:
I started college after 4 years in the Air Force. The U.S. government trained me to use an M-16 and a .38 revolver. They even trusted me to carry them during exercises.
I was 22 years old when I started college. I was 39 years old when I finally got my degree; working full time and going part time takes a while.
If Bloomberg wasn't responsible and didn't know anyone responsible; that is an indictment of his ethics and mental status, not mine.
Speaking as a college instructor...most of those raised in a big city, or even a large town, and who went straight into college from high school really aren't responsible enough to be around guns. It's a cultural thing--they're socialized by their peers instead of their parents and other adults.
Bob... Yeah, I joined the Army in '72 at 18. They trusted me with several weapons. Sometimes they even trusted me withe the ammo to go with them :)
I went to college after I got out, too. 7 1/2 years on active duty made me older (and wiser) than the vast majority of my fellow students... I'd do it all the same way again, given the opportunity.
HH... Have you seen a change in the kids attitudes and levels of responsibility over the span of your career? Better or worse today as compared to a few years ago?
I gave my son his first rifle, when he was nine, and his first handgun at 16. Wow. I guess that makes me a felon. Damn...I wonder what the statute of limitation is on that...
I wonder if Mr. Bloomberg speaks ancient Greek. Molon Labe, Mr. Mayor.
Exactly, David. Molon Labe.
Blue, freshmen (the ones I see, mostly) are younger and less responsible every year. That tends to happen when they're infantilized by their parents, their "educators," their peers, and the government. I mean, I get temper tantrums thrown over a B on a paper! I wouldn't trust the kids I see coming into college straight from high school with a paintball gun, much less one that shoots real bullets.
HH... And they are the "leaders" of tomorrow... The self absorbed little snots that will create policy when I'm old and gray.
That's a bit scary... :)
HH,
Having been a scout leader and more importantly a college student for many years; I notice a bias in your statements.
It necessarily wrong but indicting the entire population of college kids based on the actions of a few (or even many) isn't fair to those who aren't whiny snots.
Now I will agree with you that many parents are doing their kids wrong but let's not tar the ones who don't complain, who do the work and are responsible with the same brush as the irresponsible ones.
Most of the responsible ones I've seen are the ones who've spent a few years in the army, and the few that have been home schooled and/or come from farm families--and the non-traditional students. The vast majority of my students that don't fit in those groups are so irresponsible that I wouldn't trust them with a Nerf gun.
There are always exceptions, but they are exactly that: exceptions. I've been teaching for ten years as of this upcoming fall semester, and maturity levels in traditional, straight from high school students is falling dramatically.
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