Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / [LOCKED] North America vs. Europe

Author
Message
Kravenwolf
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Apr 2009
Location: Silent Hill
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 00:51 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 01:10
Link
Quote: "England does fine without everyone havign guns. America could never go to the way we are, because you can't tell who's trustworthy or not."


So there's absolutely zero crime in England? None whatsoever? Everyone is trustworthy over there?

Quote: "we can tell who the bad guy is, it's the one carrying an object capable of killing someone."


Just about any object you can carry can be used to kill someone if those are your intentions. It sounds like, "innocent until proven guilty" seems to have been replaced over there with, "guilty because you look like you are; because we say you are; end of story". No due process? No jury of your peers? Just absolute tyranny? Where exactly should the line be drawn? There are still car accidents in England with fatalities. When is the decision made that anyone driving a car is a bad guy?


Quote: "There are a million other self defence weapons from stun guns, to Tazers, to Mace. Why kill someone because they want your money?"


Stun guns, tazers and mace are all capable of killing someone if the conditions are right. Heart problems, allergies, etc. The downside for you is, those defense items don't always prove to be effective in all circumstances. Sure, you managed to ram that stungun into your attackers chest, but unfortunately for you, being at arm's length, he manage to get his knife into your gut before being temporarily incapactitated.

And to answer your question with another question, if someone comes up to you holding a knife against your person; threatening your life, just because they want the $10 you're carrying in your wallet, are you honestly going to care about their well-being, and weather or not he's going to make it out of this alive? Why be killed because someone wants your money?


Quote: "In Britain? You have a gun? Armed Police. Shootout if they're dumb/CoD players, ass on the floor if they're smart...er."


That's the same way it would go down here in the States if someone decided to brandish their firearm in any place where the authorities would get a call from a concerned citizen.


Quote: " I seriously wouldn't feel safe walking the streets knowing that people around me legally had guns, it'd be insane."

Like the police?

Concealed carry permits aren't just handed out to anyone and everyone that wants a gun. If you have any blemish on your record, you don't get a license.

Kravenwolf

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Indicium
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th May 2008
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:09
Link
Quote: "Like the police?"


Like I said, the police in the UK don't carry guns, only specialized armed units do. Besides, police are trained in law enforcement, that's what they do.

Your tone suggests this debate is far more heated than I want to participate in, so I've made the points I wanted to make, count me out.

Thanks
Back to top
Profile PM
Kravenwolf
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Apr 2009
Location: Silent Hill
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:15 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 01:19
Link
Quote: "Like I said, the police in the UK don't carry guns, only specialized armed units do."


Alright then, like the specialized armed units?


Quote: "Your tone suggests this debate is far more heated than I want to participate in"


Sorry, I try to throw in the occasional smily icon every now and then so my responses don't come off so harsh; but it doesn't always work that way.

Kravenwolf

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Benjamin
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2002
Location: France
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:19
Link
I'm all for civilians being able to own guns. As a civilian I'd like to be able to end someone else's life with a simple pull of the trigger. It's too much effort stabbing someone, and I'd have to actually be within melee range which means there's a chance they'd be able to disarm me and my plan would fail.



Support a charitable indie game project!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Indicium
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th May 2008
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:20
Link
Quote: "special armed units"


You know, the ones who get called in when there's a man mad with a gun running rampage?

I guess I lied about leaving, it's almost as if you're openly insulting me.
Back to top
Profile PM
Kravenwolf
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Apr 2009
Location: Silent Hill
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:21
Link
Quote: "As a civilian I'd like to be able to end someone else's life with a simple pull of the trigger."


Or a push of the gas pedal

Kravenwolf

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Benjamin
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2002
Location: France
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:22
Link
Quote: "Or a push of the gas pedal"


Nah, over here we have manual transmission which means you have to actually move a stick about too. Not to mention you have to keep the steering steady too. It's too much effort.



Support a charitable indie game project!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Errant AI
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Aug 2006
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:31 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 01:51
Link
Quote: "Over here a mugging would involve getting the crap kicked outta me, possibly a knife in the kidneys, thankfully have never been stabbed, but would imagine it'd be better than a bullet to the brain in terms of survivability."


People die from single knife wounds or survive bullets to the head more often than you might think. There are also other crimes such as rape where there's more at stake than a bit of pocket money. In areas of the states where an armed citizenry is a way of life there's a lot less predatory crime because criminals prefer easy prey.

Quote: "I've had knives put up to my ribs, threatened by guns. It's part of american life, not a good part, but not much i can do about it except move to canada."

You could maybe move out of the ghetto. I've lived in Santa Monica, CA and Seattle, Wa and was never threatened or mugged (Granted, in Seattle I had a CPL and bad guys learn how to spot when someone is carrying and choose another victim). In my home area of Southern Oregon that sort of crime is almost unheard of. This area also happens to be carry-friendly (simple couple hour class, pay a fee and pass background check and your legal to carry here and in a dozen other states). It's also NFA-friendly as well (silencers,short barrelled shotguns/rifles, machineguns, etc). Maybe one person is murdered every year and its usually a domestic dispute. There's about 207,000 people in the county.

Quote: "guns belong in the Army, or Special Police units"

Over here, the right citizens to bear arms is specifically protected so that those groups can not monopolize force in the country.

Quote: "Face it, everyone in America can say, "It's for self-defence" when caught with a Glock on them, then rob a shop when the officer leaves."

Depends on where you live. When I got my carry permit, not only did I need to pass a background check but they took prints of all my fingers and palms- 2 sets. One set for the state and another that goes on file at the FBI and they took my photo, measurements, marks/tattoos etc. If I were to rob a place there's basically zero chance I wouldn't be caught. If I was carrying without a permit when stopped by police you can bet they wouldn't just send me on my way. And even so, if no permit was required it still wouldn't matter in my opinion. You could get stopped driving your car and have the officer send you on your way then go aggro and turn down a pedestrian mall and run over a couple dozen people.

It just seems really irrational to me the amount of power and emotion that gets placed onto firearms. They're just objects with no will of their own. And strangely topic related two of my favorite guns I own are from Europe- A Glock from Austria and a Benelli from Italy.

When discussing the difference between US and UK culture (or even US culture as a whole) I think it's really important to understand the difference in scale and population density. The US has an average population density of 83 people per square kilometer vs 255 in the UK and the whole of England and Wales would fit inside the state of California. Every region is different and has different things that work better in some areas but not others.

The main problem with crime in the USA isn't guns at all. It's a broken justice system. For a free society to work well there needs to be rule of law and decriminalization of acts which aren't real crimes to keep the system efficient. It's insane that violent criminals only serve half their time because the prisons have to make room for idiots caught with too much weed or other ridiculous things and ironically leave the prison system a much worse criminal than when they entered it.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
crispex
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 01:47
Link
I'd trust a European gun before an American gun.

Anyway, you can't tell me crime does NOT happen in places where guns are prohibited for normal people. If you want something, you'll stop at no length to get it. End of story. People in the UK have guns, whether or not they're legal. Not to mention, a fellow online friend who lives in the UK says that stabbing and shanking is a real issue. All guns do is make it easier to kill someone. Whether you like it or not, the person behind the gun is the one controlling the situation and whether someone lives or dies. The guns is just an object in the matter. It's no different than throwing a stone and killing someone.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
Back to top
Profile PM
Kravenwolf
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Apr 2009
Location: Silent Hill
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 02:07 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 02:09
Link
Quote: "it's almost as if you're openly insulting me."


Not at all. Nor do I really have anything else to add to the argument that hasn't already been addressed in the last couple of posts.

Quote: "you have to actually move a stick about too. Not to mention you have to keep the steering steady too. It's too much effort."


Well, we don't want to make it too easy otherwise everyone will start doing it, and then it won't be fun anymore.

Kravenwolf

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Fatal Berserker
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 2nd Jul 2010
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 02:09
Link
You can very easily obtain legal guns in the UK...
Its actually safer if everyone had guns as it becomes an equalizer.

Back to top
Profile PM
CapnBuzz
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Jan 2010
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 03:17 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 04:02
Link
...
Back to top
Profile PM Email
OutdoorGamer
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Dec 2009
Location: everywhere...
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 03:58
Link
Quote: "You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass. "


This is probably one of the best and funniest quote about the U.S. as I could find. Yes, I am a U.S. citizen. My grandfather was in the Korean war and I do love the country. However, I know that we have problems and so does every other country on Earth.

The U.S. has many problems with arrogant people, EVERY COUNTRY does. The fact is I hate people that are like this and want nothing to do with them. However, if you look more into a country you will find that they all have good people. Some you just got to search a little harder for.

Prices: Well, prices over here are lower than you guys but I see it rising in the next few weeks. I mean Libya is still in chaos as well as Cuba talking about a revolution. It seems like all countries are following Egypt's lead in removing a tyrant from office.

Van B? the moderator: I think that is his name, anyways why are you envious of our attitude?

Back to top
Profile PM Email
crispex
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 05:47
Link
Cuba isn't really planning any kind of revolution, at least not a significant one. Most people there actually like Fidel. This sounds crazy, but only if you buy into the propaganda our government still rams down your throat about it.

Regardless, most people don't mind Fidel simply because the country's needs are taken care of. They get free healthcare, a greater part of them have decent jobs, crime is significantly lower than the United States, and generally most citizens approve of the way things have been going in the last 20 years. Cuba isn't as bad as America makes it out to be. American's fear socialism for some strange reason. The government has control over your businesses anyway, so free enterprise really couldn't be an excuse. I'm not sure why. People in Cuba have freedom of religion, speech (a bit more censored, though), etc. and they manage with a socialist society.

Anyhoo, that's just my thoughts.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
Back to top
Profile PM
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 09:55 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 09:56
Link
Quote: "So there's absolutely zero crime in England? None whatsoever? Everyone is trustworthy over there?"


No but look at violent crime statistics per capita. I've had this debate before and have found the statistics, though I can't remember exactly where I found them, but if need be, I'll look them up again.

The US suffers more for violent crime and suffers a great deal more for gun related murders. I don't agree that America should ban guns because I think it'll make things worse over there and that's the situation. But there are countries where people aren't packing that don't need guns, because they're not necessarily the greatest deterrent for crime. Whilst the argument is, "if they want one, they can get hold of one", but it seems the case is, people are less inclined to obtain one. If everyone obtaining a gun was safer then violent crime in the UK, Iceland, Japan, Sweden and many other countries where guns aren't legal would be higher and in countries like the US and South Africa, violent crime would be lower, but it isn't the case.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
kaedroho
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 21st Aug 2007
Location: Oxford,UK
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 11:26
Link
Guns are legal in the UK. You just need a licence and you cant get automatic weapons (semi autos .22 and lower are legal though) or pistols. You just need a licence and be a member of a range or have permission to shoot on someones land.


I would say that the thing the USA beats everyone else in the world in is music. Theres been so many great genres come out of america. Blues, Jazz, Soul, etc.

Your signature has been erased by a mod please reduce it to no larger than 600 x 120.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Benjamin
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2002
Location: France
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 12:11
Link
Quote: "I would say that the thing the USA beats everyone else in the world in is music. Theres been so many great genres come out of america. Blues, Jazz, Soul, etc."


Agreed.



Support a charitable indie game project!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
BatVink
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Apr 2003
Location: Gods own County, UK
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 12:55
Link
Quote: "The crime stats don't adhere to your asumptions."


CapnBuzz, Murder rates per capita are 3 times higher in the US than the UK, fact not supposition. Additionally, in the UK our worst ever gun massacre (of which no repetition has ever occurred) was carried out by a licensed gun owner, not somebody who illegally obtained a firearm.

You shouldn't accuse people of rash assumptions when your own don't stand up.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 15:18
Link
Quote: "You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."


Such a cold war ideal. No-one would want to invade the States anyway, much in the same reason the States don't want to invade Russia. It'd be an unGodly expenditure of resources for what gain?

Quote: "Additionally, in the UK our worst ever gun massacre (of which no repetition has ever occurred) was carried out by a licensed gun owner, not somebody who illegally obtained a firearm."


Raul Moat was the only man last year to be classed as a serial killer with a firearm as far as I remember.

You misinterpreted my argument though Kraven, or twisted it. In the US, everyone ha guns, it's the norm. Over here, noone but criminals have guns - because they're, (largely), illegal.

An American without a gun is vulnerable, but not a Brit. therefore giving every Brit a gun would only make things much worse. It's an item exclusively owned by either Pheasant hunters and the like, or Drug dealers and Gangsters.

Hence why gun crime always receives such a shock here, like that boy who was shot in LiverPool, (can't remember his name, first name was Ben though).

America can't go back to unarmed life, but we can stay put with it, and I'd be happy with that. Not saying Britain is a Utopian state with no fear of death, it's just that we don't get shot while pumping our cars at our gas stations by a gun toting maniac who never got over the cold war quite as often.

Raoul Moat's Northumbria killing spree: 12 people,

Columbine Massacre: the same.

When a kid can kill as many people in America at his High School prom, as a mentally disturbed middle aged man did here, I wouldn't feel safe, personally.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Indicium
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th May 2008
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 15:21
Link
Quote: "Raoul Moat's Northumbria killing spree: 12 people"


I think you're mistaken, as far as I remember just one man was killed, although he opened fire on a police officer at point blank range and blinded him. Even so, if that's not enough reason for guns to be banned, I don't know what is.
Back to top
Profile PM
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 15:24
Link
Wikipedia says 12 were killed, during the spree in his Taxi.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 15:45
Link
Quote: "Wikipedia says 12 were killed, during the spree in his Taxi"



Then again it's wikipedia and can be mistaken:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/28/tasers-raoul-moat-standoff-firm-licence

From The Guardian
Quote: "Moat shot and wounded his former girlfriend, 22-year-old Samantha Stobbart, killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29, and blinded 42-year-old PC David Rathband before being cornered by police."


Back to top
Profile PM Website
crispex
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
Location:
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 18:12
Link
Quote: " toting maniac who never got over the cold war"


You realize that nobody was actually ever invaded during the Cold War, correct? I think you mean Vietnam. A large amount of Vietnam veterans have shot and killed people for simple reasons.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
Back to top
Profile PM
BatVink
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Apr 2003
Location: Gods own County, UK
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 18:46
Link
Moat only killed one person. I was referring to Dunblane in 1996 15 Years later it's never happened again.

Ironically, the 15th anniversary of Dunblane is tomorrow.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
kaedroho
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 21st Aug 2007
Location: Oxford,UK
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 22:43 Edited at: 12th Mar 2011 22:45
Link
Quote: "Over here, noone but criminals have guns - because they're, (largely), illegal."


Thats incorrect. I know loads of people who own guns here. All legal. You only have to be 14 years or over and have a safe to store it in and you can own a gun. The only guns which are illegal are autos and pistols. But you are allowed semi autos if theyre .22 or under. Long barrelled pistols and muzzle loading pistols are legal aswell.

Your signature has been erased by a mod please reduce it to no larger than 600 x 120.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Slow Programmer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Apr 2006
Location: USA, Tennessee
Posted: 12th Mar 2011 23:57
Link
I believe I will stay in the USA where I can legally protect myself and those around me with a firearm. I have a carry permit and never go anyplace without a gun. I have never felt safer.


http://www.gallup.com/poll/21346/Crime-Rate-Lower-United-States-Canada-Than-Britain.aspx

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196941/The-violent-country-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/3/21/205139.shtml

There are two kinds of computer users. Those that use Macs and those that wish they did.
Back to top
Profile PM
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 00:45
Link
Quote: "Thats incorrect. I know loads of people who own guns here. All legal. You only have to be 14 years or over and have a safe to store it in and you can own a gun. The only guns which are illegal are autos and pistols. But you are allowed semi autos if theyre .22 or under. Long barrelled pistols and muzzle loading pistols are legal aswell.
"


Quote: ""Over here, noone but criminals have guns - because they're, (largely), illegal.""


I'd put it in Font Size 50 and red if I could.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Plystire
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Feb 2003
Location: Staring into the digital ether
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 01:35
Link
Why can't we go back to "unarmed" (I would hardly call it unarmed, but w/e) life?

1) Our country was founded under the ideals that should the citizens need to rise up against the government, they should be well equipped to do so. Granted, we've had a few presidents shot because a few individuals felt they "needed" to do it, but I mean, look at our country's origins and you get the picture.

2) Removing our rights? **** NO! Take our right to bear arms away from us, and you're looking at a pretty pissed off citizenry.


"Every american owns a gun" is far from the truth. I do not own a gun, my father does not own a gun, we do not have a gun in our house. We just dont need one. We don't hunt, and we live out in the boonies. Even when we lived in the city, the crimerate here is so low there's really no point.


The one and only,


Only those who sow the seeds of their desires will reap their benefits later.
However, I have seeds of my own to tend to. I don't have time to be someone else's watering can.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Virtual Nomad
Moderator
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Dec 2005
Location: SF Bay Area, USA
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 05:58 Edited at: 13th Mar 2011 05:59
Link
Quote: "Coffee: Europe. By g-d, american coffee sucks."

i had to chuckle when i saw this. my trip to europe last year became "the search for a good cup of coffee and a decent steak".
i fell short on finding both (so-so steak followed by decent coffee was finally found in germany). but this is all a matter of taste not fact (i remember a coffee thread in the recent past and cringing at what most were touting as the best, especially in the UK where i found plenty of folks drinking instant coffee).

beef raised in the midwest here, i doubt can be topped as far as my taste is concerned, and the only coffee the us can claim is kona which is one of the world's best while south american and african coffees suit me fine (turkish, too).

it's just interesting how quick we turn our personal favorites into "the best". tho, from the europe trip, i can say with confidence that french pastries & desserts can't be beat!

Virtual Nomad @ California, USA . DBPro V7.5
AMD Phenom™ X4 9750 Quad-Core @ 2.4 GHz . 8 GB PC2-6400 RAM
ATI Radeon HD 3650 @ 512 MB . Vista Home Premium 64 Bit
Back to top
Profile PM Website
CapnBuzz
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Jan 2010
Location:
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 06:21 Edited at: 14th Mar 2011 03:48
Link
...........................................................
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Gil Galvanti
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Dec 2004
Location: Texas, United States
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 06:26 Edited at: 13th Mar 2011 07:01
Link
Obviously what's "best" as far as TV, music, food, etc. is a matter of taste, and I like some from both. I've seen some hilarious TV shows from the UK (watched some Outnumbered on YouTube recently and thought it was pretty hilarious) and like several from the US (The Office, Modern Family), and like a lot of music from the US and UK (Snow Patrol and Coldplay are two of my favorite bands).

As the world becomes more globalized though, the lines are becoming more blurred, and I think it's becoming less relevant and we are moving toward a more global culture, which I think could be good as far as unification and tolerance goes and will hopefully lead to less patriotism and cultural arrogance. This is a pretty funny and true comic about that I've run across before (warning for language):
http://themetapicture.com/media/the-differences-between-europe-and-the-usa.jpg

There does seem to be some kind of misconception of America and guns though. While many people own guns (including many people in my family), in most of the US, gun crime against innocent people is not much of an issue. The majority of gun crime is between gangs, or in low-income, high crime areas. It's not like we're all over here dodging bullets every day. I've never heard a gun shot or seen a gun holder (other than on military/police) outside of a firing range. Also, the vast majority of times an armed robbery occurs against innocent people, the gun is never fired and would likely have been just as effective in getting the money as another weapon like a knife. And a huge majority of gun owners are completely normal, stable people that just want one for sport or protection.

As far as gun control goes, I'm on the fence. You can't outlaw guns, because most people that use them for crime obtain them illegally anyways. At the same time, someone like the shooter of Senator Gabrielle Giffords with a history of mental illness, should not be able to obtain a gun legally, as he did.

As far as armed police officers, I think it's strange that some European countries don't give every officer a gun. Of course you have the rare occasion where an officer fires at someone when he shouldn't, but most officers follow the strict guidelines for firing the weapons and use restraint.


Back to top
Profile PM Website
CapnBuzz
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Jan 2010
Location:
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 06:47 Edited at: 14th Mar 2011 03:46
Link
..................
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 10:15
Link
Childish comments...where? All I've seen is a discussion about gun law, peoples views and arguments as well as discussion over statistics. There's nothing childish about that. If people were saying: "The US is full of trigger happy nutjobs you'll shoot you in the face if you're not careful", then I'd see an argument for there being childishness, but nobody made any claims like that or anything to the same quality.

The closest thing to snarkiness I've read is basically you being told to not accuse people of making rash assumptions. I didn't even see arrogance. Basically, what people were saying is that: guns aren't necessarily good for society because in countries where it's more legal (it doesn't JUST include the US, in my posts I mentioned South Africa) there's more violent crime. Many of these so-called arrogant Europeans have acknowledge that the US is in a situation where banning guns would be irresponsible.


So calm down mate, people aren't trying to be offensive or arrogant or anything like that, they just, like you, want to voice their own views and demonstrate their side of the argument.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Indicium
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th May 2008
Location:
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 15:52
Link
Quote: ""the search for a good cup of coffee"


We Europeans are well aware that tea is far superior, we like to emphasise that point by enforcing the law "NO GOOD COFFEE!"

Back to top
Profile PM
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 16:04
Link
@CapnBuzz

Tell meh "teh reality" then. Is you ghetto 4 lyf or sumthin?

Quote: "Sure, it's fun to play little games and label the US as "crazy" and "despotic," but that's childish and lazy."


Why use quote marks? Who are you quoting?

Quote: "Blair still sent you to war."


Widely seen as a mistake due to lack of funding.

Quote: "Thank goodness my European friends in RL aren't as childish and snarky."


If they live with you in your town, surely they're American citizens?

Quote: "Maybe we can get back to talking about products (like the thread was supposed to be about) instead of value judgments on cultures and ways-of-life."


This thread is about the differences between US/EU. We were purely discussing the differences between each. One of which was guns.

The only one who was offended, was you. Everyone has agreed the US is better off keeping guns, but Britain would be worse off with them.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
BiggAdd
Retired Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Aug 2004
Location: != null
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 18:20 Edited at: 13th Mar 2011 18:20
Link
@CapnBuzz - You are the only one making "childish and snarky" remarks in this thread. I suggest if you can't play nice you just don't post at all. Nobody is being rude in this thread apart from you, and the way you are carrying on will drag the thread down.

Back to top
Profile PM
KeithC
Senior Moderator
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2005
Location: Michigan
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 18:41
Link
This is turning into a gun-law debate. That is what will get this shut down.

-Keith

Back to top
Profile PM Email
crispex
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
Location:
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 18:41
Link
Let's face it, this is a pretty much indisputable fact: The entire world view of America is solely based on the South. Sure, other parts of the country have gun enthusiasts and fat people, but the whole, "Country-singing, gun-toting, yee-haw, my-country-tis-of-thee cowboy" outlook other countries have on us is simply based on the way Southerners act. I don't want to offend, but I hate how people view America. The South is still rather backwards compared to how the rest of the country has changed over time.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
Back to top
Profile PM
BiggAdd
Retired Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Aug 2004
Location: != null
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 18:42
Link
Quote: "That is what will get this shut down."


Or shot down! (Oh Hoses!)

Back to top
Profile PM
kaedroho
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 21st Aug 2007
Location: Oxford,UK
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 21:59 Edited at: 13th Mar 2011 22:04
Link
CoffeeGrunt, I was more looking at

Quote: "Over here, noone but criminals have guns- because they're, (largely), illegal."


I was just pointing out that good people have guns too in the UK. And the fact that it isnt very difficult to get hold of one legally here.

Your signature has been erased by a mod please reduce it to no larger than 600 x 120.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Slow Programmer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Apr 2006
Location: USA, Tennessee
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:01
Link
Quote: "Let's face it, this is a pretty much indisputable fact: The entire world view of America is solely based on the South. Sure, other parts of the country have gun enthusiasts and fat people, but the whole, "Country-singing, gun-toting, yee-haw, my-country-tis-of-thee cowboy" outlook other countries have on us is simply based on the way Southerners act. I don't want to offend, but I hate how people view America. The South is still rather backwards compared to how the rest of the country has changed over time.
"



Wow. I don't even know what to say to that. Since there are members from around the world on this board I would be interested to know if they agree with the statements made above. Maybe I am just out of touch, but I have never heard that before.

There are two kinds of computer users. Those that use Macs and those that wish they did.
Back to top
Profile PM
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:19
Link
Quote: "The entire world view of America is solely based on the South. Sure, other parts of the country have gun enthusiasts and fat people, but the whole, "Country-singing, gun-toting, yee-haw, my-country-tis-of-thee cowboy""


Not really. We're aware there are two stereotypes, sadly the other one involves obesity and McDonalds. Stereotype that I don't support though, mind.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Green Gandalf
VIP Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jan 2005
Playing: Malevolence:Sword of Ahkranox, Skyrim, Civ6.
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:25
Link
Quote: "Maybe I am just out of touch, but I have never heard that before."


I'd say you were out of touch.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:31
Link
I'm afraid it's true, that is a stereotype given to Americans. See why people shouldn't stereotype. Saying that, I've not yet met a sober Irish person, including my own grandmother.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:40
Link
Quote: "Saying that, I've not yet met a sober Irish person, including my own grandmother."


If you're Irish, your profile pic of you punching the wall ironically fits the stereotype too

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Happy Cheesecake
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Jun 2009
Location: My non-vice-presidential refrigerator.
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:45
Link
Quote: "Let's face it, this is a pretty much indisputable fact: The entire world view of America is solely based on the South. Sure, other parts of the country have gun enthusiasts and fat people, but the whole, "Country-singing, gun-toting, yee-haw, my-country-tis-of-thee cowboy" outlook other countries have on us is simply based on the way Southerners act. I don't want to offend, but I hate how people view America. The South is still rather backwards compared to how the rest of the country has changed over time."


Thanks...

Have you ever actually been to any southern state? I can't help but doubt it. I've lived in southern states my entire life, and taken numerous trips to northern states, and the only difference I can come up with from my experiences between the two, are:

Southern States' communities are closer to each other and they have Southern accents.

Northern States' communities keep to themselves and the ones close to them and have Northern accents.

Neither region is bad or should be viewed badly.

Peace and love, people.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 22:58
Link
Part Irish, so I'm only partly an alcoholic.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Bootlicker
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2009
Location: Germany
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 23:04
Link
i like the way that it seems to be a debate between americans and europeans. And without trying to become falmebait it seems that the americans are living upto the name of warmongers who think that firearms are ok. makes me think about a few controversial laws that most MEDC's dont really have these days.


Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Jeku
Moderator
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 23:12
Link
Hmm.

All I can say is if the government bans guns here, then the "bad guys" will still have them. I'm completely against banning rifles in Canada, because people like my grandfather and an uncle trap and hunt animals for their living. Arrest and KEEP violent people in prisons, and gun crime will go down; not banning guns. In Canada you can get as little as a 3 or 4 year sentence for murdering your wife. Lax sentences are THE problem, in my mind.


Senior Web Developer - Nokia
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Green Gandalf
VIP Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jan 2005
Playing: Malevolence:Sword of Ahkranox, Skyrim, Civ6.
Posted: 13th Mar 2011 23:17
Link
Quote: "I'm completely against banning rifles in Canada, because people like my grandfather and an uncle trap and hunt animals for their living."


Then have a sytem of licensing as in the UK for lawful ownership and use of guns. Simple.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-05-23 13:23:14
Your offset time is: 2025-05-23 13:23:14