Who Says Americans Overreact?
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Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: Anyhow, my point is that if weapons were more regulated in the US, I think there would be less gun related killings. A nervous finger is a lot less dangerous if it's not on a trigger. This is one of those fanciful, but false "things". As an example, Florida had an extremely high crime rate in the recent past. This is a state with a lot of retirees and tourists, all easy targets. "You" would hear about car jackings, etc. Then a couple of years ago Florida passed a "right to carry" law. The crime rate went down. While there are many that would disagree, our constituition (via amendment) gives citizens the right to bare arms. My interpretation of this amendment, and others will disagree, is that this right was not put in place so folks could go hunting but to ensure that the citizens will not have to endure an oppressive government. Suppose that the government decided that everyone who had an Irish heritage could be put in railway cars and carted off to be .... The citizenry would have a way and the means to fight back. I get worried every time the government attempts to restrict this basic, constitutionally guaranteed right. Mike
Mike Gaskey wrote: our constituition (via amendment) gives citizens the right to bear arms. And that is why people have to be so careful with spelling. The word is supposed to be BARE ( as in allowed to get a nice tan ) but one misspelling and a whole country goes nuts.
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](http://www.canucks.com)Sonork 100.11743 Chicken Little "You're obviously a superstar." - Christian Graus about me - 12 Feb '03 Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
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Ed Gadziemski wrote: I'm not familiar with this expression used this way, David. What's the translation? I'm not David, but I supose I will do. Taking the piss, is....Taking the piss. Very hard to explain, so I will use what I believe is an American sayinhg that means the same. Taking the mickey. Shit stirring, not taking it seriously. Something English and Australians do with friends and family almost instinctively. So prevelant now that it happens at work and with people you don't know. Not stereotyping, my last company was American and I ran into many people from the US in the 3 years I was there. Spent 2 and a bit weeks in Cambridge MA in 1999. My experience is with Americans, you have to get to know them really well before piss taking is acceptable. When people would come to Australia to work with us they would get very offended with our standard office interaction. After a couple of weeks/months (depending on the individual) they not only became comfortable, they joined in the shit stirring. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
Michael Martin wrote: My experience is with Americans, you have to get to know them really well before piss taking is acceptable LOL! I've had more than my share of "mis-understandings" at work by pre-emptive piss taking. How long do you need to know someone before you call their mom names? The word abbreviation is awfully long for what it means.
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you gotta be joking! :laugh: If you're serious, boy are we going to have some fun with you over the next few days.. ;P Anna :rose: www.annasplace.me.uk
"Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia GraeschTrouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++
Anna-Jayne Metcalfe wrote: you gotta be joking! I don't know what it means either. :-O Is it like "Taking the shit"? Which, in the US means pretty much being a scapegoat, ot getting picked-on. i.e.: "I'm not gonna take that shit from you!" or: "My wife's giving me shit for playing Warcraft all the time!" (which she does approve BTW, this is just an example) - Nitron
"Those that say a task is impossible shouldn't interrupt the ones who are doing it." - Chinese Proverb
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Michael Martin wrote: My experience is with Americans, you have to get to know them really well before piss taking is acceptable LOL! I've had more than my share of "mis-understandings" at work by pre-emptive piss taking. How long do you need to know someone before you call their mom names? The word abbreviation is awfully long for what it means.
Chris Austin wrote: How long do you need to know someone before you call their mom names? Don't know about England but in Australia people wouldn't get upset if you called their mother a name. I mean if you systematically and continually insulted her you would probably find a few teeth were popping out the back of your head. But the whole 'your momma wears army boots' mentality as seen in Bugs Bunny/Porky Pig banter and US kids movies of the 70's/80's just didn't exist. You never thought to insult someones mother, you insulted them direct. And if someone did insult your mother you would probably think :wtf: this blokes a wanker and feel sorry for him being a bit soft in the head. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
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Mike Gaskey wrote: our constituition (via amendment) gives citizens the right to bear arms. And that is why people have to be so careful with spelling. The word is supposed to be BARE ( as in allowed to get a nice tan ) but one misspelling and a whole country goes nuts.
[
](http://www.canucks.com)Sonork 100.11743 Chicken Little "You're obviously a superstar." - Christian Graus about me - 12 Feb '03 Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
PJ Arends wrote: word is supposed to be BARE ( LOL Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
I'm guessing the concept of a 2 hour movie showing two guys eating a meal and talking struck them as 'foreign' Rob Manderson wrote:
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Michael Martin wrote: My experience is with Americans, you have to get to know them really well before piss taking is acceptable LOL! I've had more than my share of "mis-understandings" at work by pre-emptive piss taking. How long do you need to know someone before you call their mom names? The word abbreviation is awfully long for what it means.
Chris Austin wrote: How long do you need to know someone before you call their mom names? Here in NZ, the faster it happens means the faster you are accepted. If I was to go to work with someone and it didn't happen in an hour, I'd think it was a bit of a stressful place. I think we treat it like an ice-breaker of sorts. Also doing it in a real serious way is really accepted, with everyone breaking into laughter at the end. Like others here, I find American culture isn't similar at all. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
I'm guessing the concept of a 2 hour movie showing two guys eating a meal and talking struck them as 'foreign' Rob Manderson wrote:
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Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: Anyhow, my point is that if weapons were more regulated in the US, I think there would be less gun related killings. A nervous finger is a lot less dangerous if it's not on a trigger. This is one of those fanciful, but false "things". As an example, Florida had an extremely high crime rate in the recent past. This is a state with a lot of retirees and tourists, all easy targets. "You" would hear about car jackings, etc. Then a couple of years ago Florida passed a "right to carry" law. The crime rate went down. While there are many that would disagree, our constituition (via amendment) gives citizens the right to bare arms. My interpretation of this amendment, and others will disagree, is that this right was not put in place so folks could go hunting but to ensure that the citizens will not have to endure an oppressive government. Suppose that the government decided that everyone who had an Irish heritage could be put in railway cars and carted off to be .... The citizenry would have a way and the means to fight back. I get worried every time the government attempts to restrict this basic, constitutionally guaranteed right. Mike
Mike Gaskey wrote: but to ensure that the citizens will not have to endure an oppressive government. sure. but now, if more than one person gets together and damages persons or property (with or without the use of guns) they are classified as "terrorists" (via the USA PATRIOT act, look it up) and can be held as enemy combatants, sent to a military jail, without a lawyer, or even without having charges brought against them. (as you probably know, this has already happened). ie. good bye due process, hello military justice. so, if you and your buddies decided to get together and storm the local courthouse, brandishing your precious 2nd amendment weapons, and happen to damage something in the name of "Free Billy and His Old Lady" (or whatever cause you're championing that day) you stand a good chance of ending up in an army base in Cuba - never to be heard from again. even better, is PATRIOT II (now working its way through the back rooms of congress and the attorney general's office): if this passes, the govt. will have the right to immediately strip you of your US citizenship, if they feel you're acting as a terrorist. sure, it's a little far fetched right now, since we all know terrorists have dark skin. but, once the laws are in place, all you need is a prosecutor willing to use it in court and *poof* you was gone. -c
When history comes, it always takes you by surprise.
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"I don't even own a gun, let alone know how to use one." I reckon we should frame that comment!!!! Dave Dave Carkeet.
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Chris Austin wrote: How long do you need to know someone before you call their mom names? Here in NZ, the faster it happens means the faster you are accepted. If I was to go to work with someone and it didn't happen in an hour, I'd think it was a bit of a stressful place. I think we treat it like an ice-breaker of sorts. Also doing it in a real serious way is really accepted, with everyone breaking into laughter at the end. Like others here, I find American culture isn't similar at all. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
I'm guessing the concept of a 2 hour movie showing two guys eating a meal and talking struck them as 'foreign' Rob Manderson wrote:
Colin Davies wrote: Like others here, I find American culture isn't similar at all. I guess it just depends on you circle of friends. The guys I grew up held nothing sacred. I have quite an extensive library of insults thanks to those guys. I really have to watch myself though, I have managed to upset quite a few people with what I though was just banter. The word abbreviation is awfully long for what it means.
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Within 5 years, more people in America will be killed by guns each year than in automobile accidents. Somebody is pulling all those triggers; it's a bigger problem than just this one idiot.
Anonymous wrote: Within 5 years, more people in America will be killed by guns each year than in automobile accidents We'll see in 5 years if that is true. I have my doubts. Anonymous wrote: it's a bigger problem than just this one idiot. I agree, but the gun didn't do it, the idiot did. 99% of Americans don't kill people.
Jason Henderson
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi -
Of course not, but how'd such a nutcase get a gun licence in the first place? Anna :rose: www.annasplace.me.uk
"Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia GraeschTrouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++
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Its a thought........... The tigress is here :-D
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Mike Gaskey wrote: but to ensure that the citizens will not have to endure an oppressive government. sure. but now, if more than one person gets together and damages persons or property (with or without the use of guns) they are classified as "terrorists" (via the USA PATRIOT act, look it up) and can be held as enemy combatants, sent to a military jail, without a lawyer, or even without having charges brought against them. (as you probably know, this has already happened). ie. good bye due process, hello military justice. so, if you and your buddies decided to get together and storm the local courthouse, brandishing your precious 2nd amendment weapons, and happen to damage something in the name of "Free Billy and His Old Lady" (or whatever cause you're championing that day) you stand a good chance of ending up in an army base in Cuba - never to be heard from again. even better, is PATRIOT II (now working its way through the back rooms of congress and the attorney general's office): if this passes, the govt. will have the right to immediately strip you of your US citizenship, if they feel you're acting as a terrorist. sure, it's a little far fetched right now, since we all know terrorists have dark skin. but, once the laws are in place, all you need is a prosecutor willing to use it in court and *poof* you was gone. -c
When history comes, it always takes you by surprise.
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I know better understand why my dictionnary didn't have the definition of "drigger" in it :) If there's one thing I've learnt through the CP forums, it's that the word "American" means "inhabitants of America", no more :)
Angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become demons Cowboy Bebop
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wasn't it supposed to be taking the piss? I'm not familiar with this expression used this way, David. What's the translation?
It is a very hard expression to explain in words, but Michael summed it up well. Taking the piss is like making fun of something or someone without intending anything by it, though I think it has to have at least some grounding else it would just be foolish. Like most of the stuff I say about the locals, sure they are *very* short and are all related via immeadiate family, but they don't quite have orange faces and green hair. (reference to Umpa Loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.) Well some of them anyway. ;)
David Wulff
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Mike Gaskey wrote: but to ensure that the citizens will not have to endure an oppressive government. sure. but now, if more than one person gets together and damages persons or property (with or without the use of guns) they are classified as "terrorists" (via the USA PATRIOT act, look it up) and can be held as enemy combatants, sent to a military jail, without a lawyer, or even without having charges brought against them. (as you probably know, this has already happened). ie. good bye due process, hello military justice. so, if you and your buddies decided to get together and storm the local courthouse, brandishing your precious 2nd amendment weapons, and happen to damage something in the name of "Free Billy and His Old Lady" (or whatever cause you're championing that day) you stand a good chance of ending up in an army base in Cuba - never to be heard from again. even better, is PATRIOT II (now working its way through the back rooms of congress and the attorney general's office): if this passes, the govt. will have the right to immediately strip you of your US citizenship, if they feel you're acting as a terrorist. sure, it's a little far fetched right now, since we all know terrorists have dark skin. but, once the laws are in place, all you need is a prosecutor willing to use it in court and *poof* you was gone. -c
When history comes, it always takes you by surprise.
Chris Losinger wrote: so, if you and your buddies decided to get together and storm the local courthouse, brandishing your precious 2nd amendment weapons Actually I only own 3. Two inherited from my father, one an old target pistol, the other a shotgun. The third is an antique "market" gun that dates from the late 1700's to early 1800's. None have been fired in more than 20 years. But, you've helped me make my point regarding oppressive government, 2nd admendment rights and the fact that I only get worried when the governmemnt tries to restrict my rights. Mike
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Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: Anyhow, my point is that if weapons were more regulated in the US, I think there would be less gun related killings. A nervous finger is a lot less dangerous if it's not on a trigger. This is one of those fanciful, but false "things". As an example, Florida had an extremely high crime rate in the recent past. This is a state with a lot of retirees and tourists, all easy targets. "You" would hear about car jackings, etc. Then a couple of years ago Florida passed a "right to carry" law. The crime rate went down. While there are many that would disagree, our constituition (via amendment) gives citizens the right to bare arms. My interpretation of this amendment, and others will disagree, is that this right was not put in place so folks could go hunting but to ensure that the citizens will not have to endure an oppressive government. Suppose that the government decided that everyone who had an Irish heritage could be put in railway cars and carted off to be .... The citizenry would have a way and the means to fight back. I get worried every time the government attempts to restrict this basic, constitutionally guaranteed right. Mike
Then a couple of years ago Florida passed a "right to carry" law. The crime rate went down. The crime rate also went down in every other state, including those without "right to carry." the right to bare arms. (Sorry, can't help myself!) Yeah, I wear short sleeves all the time. Oh, did you mean "bear arms", not "bare arms"? The citizenry would have a way and the means to fight back. Useless argument. The US government would use every means at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, to put down an insurrection. Read up on Whiskey Rebellion, Shay's Rebellion, Civil War, etc.
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you gotta be joking! :laugh: If you're serious, boy are we going to have some fun with you over the next few days.. ;P Anna :rose: www.annasplace.me.uk
"Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia GraeschTrouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++
If he meant I was stirring up trouble just for the fun of it, then no, I wasn't. My brother Mike was shot to death when he was 20 years old, so I feel strongly about the topic of guns and the nuts who use them.
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Chris Losinger wrote: so, if you and your buddies decided to get together and storm the local courthouse, brandishing your precious 2nd amendment weapons Actually I only own 3. Two inherited from my father, one an old target pistol, the other a shotgun. The third is an antique "market" gun that dates from the late 1700's to early 1800's. None have been fired in more than 20 years. But, you've helped me make my point regarding oppressive government, 2nd admendment rights and the fact that I only get worried when the governmemnt tries to restrict my rights. Mike
and what are your three guns gonna do once the federal govt. has declared you a 'terrorist', stripped you of your US citizenship and sent the military in to collect you as an 'enemy-combatant' ? -c
When history comes, it always takes you by surprise.
