LDSGator

That’s how @NeuroTypical got me hooked on drugs.

I like him already. Send me the link in private via Facebook. That’s great, and I’m super happy that works for you-not kidding, it is my prayer that all of us here stay safe. Now, let’s convince those who have never ever seen a gun in real life, have no experience with them, and don’t like them to do the same. I’m not being mean, just asking a practical, real life question. Muffy from exclusive suburban Boston will not be convinced to carry a .45 while she teaches ethnic studies. When her school gets shot up, do you think the anti gunners are going to just give up? No, they are going to do the same things, and the cycle will repeat itself. I’m glad that you are who you are @Backroads. You know I have nothing but love for you. I also own two handguns and several long guns. I’m no expert though. All self taught, and yes, everyone here knows way more about guns than I ever will know, or in all honesty care to know. But I still am highly skeptical that arming teachers will help.

I actually agree with you for the most part, I’m just not naive. Like I mentioned above (I edited it, sorry) your average teacher lacks the desire, time and talent to become Dirty Harry. We all know that you can’t become an expert marksman in two weeks of training. Arming teachers makes second amendment advocates (and again I’m one of them) feel good, but it’ll do very little in the long run. Not to mention that when teacher X becomes distracted or over powered little Johnny Psycopath can now have full access to a nice, shiny toy to go kill people with.

Oh. Because for some of us, it seems at the very least-a little weird- that yesterday one side was screaming about teachers being incapable of choosing what to teach, but today that same side wants to give them AK-47’s. “False equivalences” or not, that line of thinking can confuse stupid people like me. After all, I wouldn’t want to arm people who I thought were “groomers” who target children. I’m as pro second amendment as they get, but I’m not naive or blind. Arming teachers will do nothing if we don’t address mental health. Especially because most teachers almost certainly lack the will and talent to become competent enough with a firearm to actually protect anyone. They are teachers, not Navy Seals.

I don’t fully understand the “arm teachers” movement. Apparently teachers aren’t trusted to teach children (we’ve had this discussion in society very recently), but are trusted to protect them with guns?

Oh agree.

Ironically, that’s sort of what Trump did. His supporters, especially the hardcore ones, were absolutely “angry”. I don’t know them well enough to say they were “hurting”.

Ahh, okay.

These are all great questions, but remember that most people who enter witness protection aren’t innocent bystanders but mostly criminals. I’m not saying the don’t deserve a second chance, they absolutely do, but you’d be amazed how many people in the witness protection program engage in criminal activity again. Yes, they have every right to be forgiven and welcomed into the church. But when you see their face in the news for robbing a bank or embezzling dirty money, don’t be surprised.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!! Love it.

Down here no one gets too excited unless it’s category 5 or above. And even then we just evacuate, relax up north for a few days then come back home.

Thanks for the update. Stay strong my friend.

Lol!!! That’s awesome.

That’s true for my generation and the Boomers like @Just_A_Guy-but younger religious leaders tend to be much more welcoming of those with tattoos, blue hair, etc. You'll still get some eye rolls but in 2022 that’s fading away. Good riddance.

Good. I think religion is a good thing so I’m hoping that the decline in church affiliation is overstated. However, I’m not stupid or sticking my head in the sand. The Southern Baptists (the most common religion where I live) are shaking in their boots because of shrinking numbers. For years they thought it (reports of membership decline) was a left wing media conspiracy or they just denied the reports, turned up the music and kept the lights off. Now the problem is far worse because their pride didn’t allow then to accept reality. I hope other churches listen and learn from them.

Very good.

I’m not saying you are wrong-but with people leaving organized religion in record numbers, I’m not sure this is the case, sadly.

Is the church helping you out?

I understand where you are coming from, even if I disagree. We were so divided back then that it led to an actual, legit war. We’re not there in 2022.

Okay. Well, I’m sorry I came across that way. You are, of course, free to comment and talk about any issue you’d like.

That’s fine FP, I understand fully. But that sounds like “your team” lost the Super Bowl on a questionable call. That’s unfortunate-but no matter what you say from here you can’t go back in time. Perhaps it best if the right focuses on regrouping and winning in 2024 rather than talking about how bad the referee’s call was.

Sorry my friend, but Biden is president. Trump lost.

Trump won because he wasn’t Hillary. The moment the democrats ran anyone other than her, he lost. Now, back to division for a second. Did Obama help? Not really. Like many others here I also think he was not a great president. He didn't start the division though. We’ve been very divided as a nation for 100+ years now. And that’s okay. Frankly, I don’t want to unite politically with people who don’t share my values. I’m blessed with having right wing friends, left wing friends and apolitical friends. I have a great ability to be friends with people who I don’t agree with politically. One thing we all agree on is that we’d never vote for one another if we ran for office!

I’d love for politics to be a pretty, polite game between gentlemen but that’s so naive that it’s a little ridiculous. The truth is that if someone can’t handle division, personal attacks, one side winning and one side losing-they should not even think about following politics.

All good points. You might be right.