Let's all lighten up.
I have one more statement to make and then I will be quiet.
This forum
is the place for these discussions because this is one of the few forums that isn't dedicated to a particular ideology or political persuasion. Forums in which people get all of their information from a single source do not serve the greater good. This is the kind of debate that is needed more in this country, where we can be honest about our emotions and our fears, regardless of how we feel about a subject. This is a forum that serves a community of people around the world who have chosen to become friends because of a common interest - Xbase++, but who have very diverse world views and experiences.
Nothing has ever been censored or edited here and never will be.
Now for my final rant:
Your statement about Barack Obama touched a nerve. Every time I try to have a conversation it turns to Barack Obama. He has done nothing to limit gun rights in America. In fact, he signed legislation giving more rights to gun owners, not less.
I live in an area (Southwest Idaho) where nearly 90% of the people I know are paranoid about something. My family and most of my friends constantly rant about the government and especially about Barack Obama. I cannot have a conversation with anyone about anything in which they don't make a negative statement about Obama. I get bombarded with emails from my old shipmates and old friends that are vitriolic in their racial hatred. When I go on motorcycle rides there is no conversation we can have (other than about our Harleys), that won't lead to a comment that everything that is wrong in their lives or could go wrong in their lives is the fault of Barack Obama or the government.
Over the years, I learned to stop trying to communicate with people about politics, religion, or society because all it ever did was give them reason not to like me and to drive a wedge between us. This goes for my family and my friends too. I sat still and listened to the paranoia and hate without comment. For years, I beared this torment of vitriol. Since the last ship's reunion, I thought that maybe I should not go to any more of these and that I should resign as secretary and historian of the association because it was no longer fun anymore being around so many angry old white men.
A few days ago, I was at a dinner party in which I met an intelligent 13-year boy. We got into conversation about American history and the world wars, and then we played together with a toy helicopter that I brought to the party. He said that he was surprised that I am a veteran and said that I was different from any veteran he had ever seen or talked to. He said that they are always grumpy and angry about everything. These were his words, not mine.
This 13-year old is the future of our country. It is the one thing that gives me hope.
I have said what I needed to say about the gun issue and I have signed the appropriate petitions and send letters to my congressmen and the newspapers. I haven't feel so strongly about an issue since I came back from Vietnam in 1969 and I could not live with myself if I failed to voice my opinion in every forum.
Now I will lighten up and say no more so as to not offend my friends, family, shipmates, veterans, motorcyle enthusiasts, gun owners, women, Christians, conservatives, liberals, libertarians and customers.
Peace
