2009-11-26, 21:25 | Link #4742 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: China
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Is this a personal sentiment, or did he make a candid quote somewhere outside of a political rally?
JMvS, IMHO, is right in claiming the relationship is primarily that of rivals. Russia, esp. these days, does appear to be trying to go back to its glory days - if not those of the USSR, then to the times of the czars. Not entirely sure how well that's going, though. Alcohol - among other things - is taking a rather severe toll on its people, and the divide between the haves and the havenots looks to be wider there than in the U.S. - at least for now. Russia's naval ability is also poor these days when compared to the old USSR's.
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2009-11-26, 21:50 | Link #4743 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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2009-11-27, 18:14 | Link #4745 | |||||
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PMB Headquarters
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Japan, China defense heads agree on more exchanges
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2009-11-28, 00:33 | Link #4746 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boston
Age: 35
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Some members of the RNC are proposing a litmus test for Republican Party candidates standing in the 2010 Congressional elections. Candidates who fail to agree with 8 of the 10 principles would not receive funding from the RNC.
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2009-11-28, 00:47 | Link #4747 | |
Impostor Cutie
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Why is Russia holding on to South Kurils?
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2009-11-28, 00:52 | Link #4748 | ||||||||||
In scientific terms only.
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I heard of the Republican litmus test yesterday, but the 8 out of 10 thing is new. Whoo, these Republicans...
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Last edited by WordShaker; 2009-11-28 at 01:38. Reason: Pfft. Redundant sentences need to be purged immediately. |
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2009-11-28, 01:31 | Link #4749 |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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Regarding the part about guns, I think banning firearms totally is a bad idea.
With so many drug cartels and illegal firearms circulating due to the availability and (declining) international usage of the USD, you can't rely on your local police armed with 9mm's and .45 ACP's to beat a nut with illegal military grade body armor and home-mod assault rifles. Buy a .50 cal pistol, which is not police-issued, and you might stand a chance. Otherwise, you might want to kevlar plate your walls and install bullet-proof glass. P.S It has been proven that regular kevlar helmets with ceramic plates installed can barely stop a swiss-army knife being thrown at 20m by an angry madman. Do you feel safe now with a gun, or with body armor?
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2009-11-28, 01:56 | Link #4750 | |
In scientific terms only.
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2009-11-28, 02:27 | Link #4751 | |
I disagree with you all.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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2009-11-28, 02:30 | Link #4752 | |
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 34
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2009-11-28, 05:09 | Link #4755 |
Rawrrr!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CH aka Chocaholic Heaven
Age: 40
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The thing about firearms is that them being widely available does not equate necessarily with higher gunshot casualties.
Like in my country, where we probably have more firearms in circulation per inhabitants than everywhere, and where every male citizen is given his very own military assault rifle (some starting as early as 16), we even used to receive a can of rounds with it, but even if this latter measure was canceled recently, we still do our yearly mandatory shooting practice, where procuring ammunition is easy (and anyway those are obtainable in every weapon shop). Yet "despite" such large availability for the common citizen, our country is one of the safest in the world, most firearms casualties being suicides (which are the major fuel for those who advocate restriction).
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2009-11-28, 05:13 | Link #4756 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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2009-11-28, 05:18 | Link #4757 | |
Speaker
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Even though Switzerland has less gun deaths than the US, they are still near the top of the list. Compared to countries at the bottom which generally have very strict gun control for non-military use. (Japan, South Korea, England) Edit: I realize that you said crime whereas I linked stats for deaths. I suppose that list is somewhat dependent on whether or not you consider suicide a crime.
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2009-11-28, 06:42 | Link #4758 |
In scientific terms only.
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This might seem odd, seeing as I'm not actually part of that country, but eh.
Despite the large number of firearms in Switzerland, aren't the gun control measures far stricter than it generally is in the States? Far as I know, a permit, a clean bill of mental health, and a blank criminal record are all necessary to purchase a firearm. However, getting a permit in the first place requires demonstrating that you're knowledgeable about gun use and gun laws before you can actually apply for the permit. Even then, the permit limits the number of guns an individual can buy. Military rifles are similarly kept under lock and key in the home, etcetera and so forth. To my knowledge, the US doesn't come close to this amount of regulation, high gun ownership numbers or not. ETA: Upon further digging, the rate of firearms ownership in Switzerland is 46 to every 100 citizens, as compared to a rate of 90 for every 100 citizens in the United States. Add in the fact that many people own multiple guns, and the percentage of gun owners to the total population in Switzerland might not be all that high. Last edited by WordShaker; 2009-11-28 at 07:23. |
2009-11-28, 06:56 | Link #4759 |
Observer/Bookman wannabe
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 38
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On gun issues, I believe there is a need for people living in rural areas to have their own firearms. Help may not come in time, given the distance involved. Now, in urban areas, there really is no business for civilians to hold firearms. Not every criminal will get the chance to hold military-grade equipment.
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current affairs, discussion, international |
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