This is just classic what Dustin Hoffman wrote to the NRA.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20031029/od_nm/blacklist_dc_1

That pony is outta the barn. Those guns are out there and never coming back.

It would be far more productive for Mr. Hoffman and his anti-gun lobby to throw their support behind a plan for universal medical coverage. We’re gonna need it to patch up all those casualties...and there will be a lot.

We like to kill each other.

Originally posted by Brainchild
We like to kill each other.

i wonder if at at any day closure, the US casualities in Iraq outnumbered murder victims in USA?
one of my workmates mentioned just in NY alone blows the war casualty figure away - but that couldn't be true could it?:confused:

Originally posted by Gaz
i wonder if at at any day closure, the US casualities in Iraq outnumbered murder victims in USA?
one of my workmates mentioned just in NY alone blows the war casualty figure away - but that couldn't be true could it?:confused:

It is absolutely true. In a two year period - 1990/1991 - there were 4,298 homicides in New York City alone, mostly drug related.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol10N2/Homicide.html

Although the overall US homicide rates are stabilizing, they still average around 50 per million, or about 13,000 homicides per year. That blows away whatever is happening in Iraq, although they seem determined to catch up. :sigh:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/hmrt.htm

Originally posted by Virgule

Although the overall US homicide rates are stabilizing, they still average around 50 per million, or about 13,000 homicides per year.

its safer for the Usa citizen to be stationed in iraq than live in Usa?

I observe too,
it more likely to be shot by an actual sniper ( specifically ) in the usa than while on patrol in Iraq?

Iraq is a war zone. Anyone goes there who gets shot can be considered a casualty of war.

Stateside, it’s a bit different. U.S. is huge and there are many underpopulated places. Statistics may be somewhat exaggerated because crime with short or long firearms are inherently sensational. Living here and being aware that everywhere around you folks are armed to the teeth puts an edge on everyday life. The point is, knowing we are armed is not as scary as knowing we are armed and emotionally shakey.

Your neighbor across the hallway may murder his wife and children, the mailman, his boss, and himself while you are having dinner. Happens all the time here, and we won’t even get up from the table. Living with guns desensitizes us so we have become comfortable with idea that guns may be dangerous. More than likely, it will happen to somebody else.

Guns are sexy technology. (Illusion of power.)

Public figgers are more likely to have a problem cus they’re visible.

Snipers are rare here. Most homicides, are drug related. There is a social theory that says homicides among drug users and dealers is an acceptable loss and perhaps a net gain to society.

You are most likely to be murdered as a result of a robbery if you are not otherwise involved in the drug trade.

When visiting here, you must always be aware of where you are. Many tourists start driving around our large cities and forget where they are. They find themselves in drug neighborhoods and make the fatal mistake of getting out of the car and asking someone for directions.

BAD MOVE! Always ask the car hire agent for a map and ask them which areas of town to avoid. They will gladly tell you, mostly because they want the car back bloodless with as few bullet holes as possible.

Other than that, the US is a great place to visit as long as you remember the basic survival skills of inner-city life. Go where the tourists go and you'll be okay. All of life is risk-taking, and you can certainly prove that by going against instinct and common sense.

I had a relative visit from Holland several years ago who decided to ignore certain warnings. He ended up robbed of his Nikon and shot in the knee. He went back to Holland with his bullet hole as proud proof to all his friends that he had survived America.

He hasn't been back since. :laugh:

but even without guns...violence and violent death happens.

When little girls and boys disappear and turn up dead...I get really upset. No guns involved...just twisted mean crazy people with bad wiring. Plenty of crazy frustration here. Waaay too much. Casual violence...beating on the weak.