[jlisenbe]

Yep. And those cars have to go as well. Same principle.

[Wondergirl]

The principal with a principle.

Guns kill far more people than cars do. Get rid of food too since it can poison us.

[jlisenbe]

Guns kill far more people than cars do.

That's not entirely true. Gun homicides are at about twenty thou a year. Car accidents are closer to forty thousand.

"The principal with a principle". Very clever!

You cannot have a militia without an armed citizenry. To suggest otherwise is to display a lack of knowledge as to what a "militia" is.

[Wondergirl]

Miitia -- (in the US) all able-bodied citizens eligible by law to be called on to provide military service supplementary to the regular armed forces.

That sure eliminates a lot of people! Are YOU willing to be called on to fight for your country?

[jlisenbe]

Miitia -- (in the US) all able-bodied citizens eligible by law to be called on to provide military service supplementary to the regular armed forces.

Even using that definition, which was not the meaning of "militia" in colonial days, it would still allow everyone from 17 to 45 to own a firearm.

Me? Would I fight? You better believe it, but it would have to be a local defense effort. At 70, I'm not physically fit enough to walk the mountains of Afghanistan.

We still need an answer to this question. What has changed over the past sixty years to account for the amazing increase in mass shootings? It's not the availability of guns since that has changed but little. What has changed? You mentioned several days ago a mental health crisis aggravated by the decline of healthy families. I'd agree with that. Anything else?

[Wondergirl]

Even using that definition, which was not the meaning of "militia" in colonial days, it would still allow everyone from 17 to 45 to own a firearm.

And what was the meaning in colonial times?

Me? Would I fight? You better believe it, but it would have to be a local defense effort. At 70, I'm not physically fit enough to walk the mountains of Afghanistan.

Not Afghanistan. A militia is local. You'd grab your musket, load it, and trot over to the VFW Hall for orders for defending your town.

We still need an answer to this question. What has changed over the past sixty years to account for the amazing increase in mass shootings? It's not the availability of guns since that has changed but little. What has changed? You mentioned several days ago a mental health crisis aggravated by the decline of healthy families. I'd agree with that. Anything else?

C'mon! THINK!!! What has changed our lives in incredibly wonderful -- and also in horrible -- ways in this century?

(P.S. The guns available to the public now are NOT what has been available in the past. Gunowners now are twitchy. And be careful not to drive up the wrong driveway or ring the doorbell at the wrong house....)

[jlisenbe]

Not Afghanistan. A militia is local.

You didn't ask if I was wiling to join a militia. You asked if I was willing to fight for my country.

C'mon! THINK!!! What has changed our lives in incredibly wonderful -- and also in horrible -- ways in this century?

I've already given you three good ones. You have yet to come up with one aside from the mental illness/family connection I noted earlier.

(P.S. The guns available to the public now are NOT what has been available in the past. Gunowners now are twitchy. And be careful not to drive up the wrong driveway or ring the doorbell at the wrong house....)

Don't be ridiculous. ANYONE could get his hands on an M-1 in the sixties as they were available in large numbers due to being military surplus. It is a semi-auto rifle in the same sense as an AR-15, but the M-1 fires a much more powerful bullet.

It would help if you knew the subject better.

[Wondergirl]

You didn't ask if I was wiling to join a militia. You asked if I was willing to fight for my country.

Nooooo, I said "supplementary to the regular armed forces". That could be local.

I've already given you three good ones. You have yet to come up with one aside from the mental illness/family connection I noted earlier.

The internet -- websites, email, Facebook, AND social media, the death of us all.

It would help if you knew the subject better.

Dear Christian, I thank you so much for that wonderfully encouraging and loving comment!

[jlisenbe]

Nope. This was your question. "Are YOU willing to be called on to fight for your country?"

I don't think the internet is a major contributor. These mass shootings started before the internet was a huge deal like it is now. However, I think these insane "shoot em up" video games are a really bad idea, and I think you would agree with that.

You mean I should make encouraging and loving comments like this one? "C'mon! THINK!!!" Hmmm. Physician heal thyself???

[Wondergirl]

Nope. This was your question. "Are YOU willing to be called on to fight for your country?"

Back when the Second Amendment was written, "your country" was your immediate environs, most likely on the East Coast and probably what we now call New England.

I don't think the internet is a major contributor. These mass shootings started before the internet was a huge deal like it is now. However, I think these insane "shoot em up" video games are a really bad idea, and I think you would agree with that.

Of course the internet has been a huge influence! Back when I was a kid, I played in the treehouse my brother and I had built in the cherry tree, read Uncle Scrooge comics (I still have them!), played with my stuffed animals and dolls, and built a ranch with Lincoln Logs, added plastic cowboys and cowgirls and horses, combined that with a Playskool farm set (with fences and plastic cattle!). That kept my brother and me busy for hours. Now it's Reddit, TikTok, Facebook, youtube videos from which kids can learn and see all sorts of things -- and so much more.

You mean I should make encouraging and loving comments like this one? "C'mon! THINK!!!" Hmmm. Physician heal thyself???

That was very appropriate. Sure. You know how much I care about you! Hope it's mutual.

[jlisenbe]

Back when the Second Amendment was written, "your country" was your immediate environs, most likely on the East Coast and probably what we now call New England.

Where are the words "your country" found in the second amendment?

As to the internet, you did not read my comment carefully enough. I will simply encourage you to read it again, a little more slowly.

Why is it always "appropriate" when it comes from you? Prejudiced, perhaps?

I do care for you. I pray for you regularly.

[Wondergirl]

Second Amendment:

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

I had written, "Are YOU willing to be called on to fight for your country?" Now it's a country. Back then, it wasn't.

[jlisenbe]

It was very much a country, even prior to the ratification of the Constitution. Remember the Articles of confederation?

[Wondergirl]

It was very much a country, even prior to the ratification of the Constitution. Remember the Articles of confederation?

Thirteen states.

[jlisenbe]

And your point is???

[Wondergirl]

And your point is???

Very small area, no hardship to travel to locations where militiamen were needed with their muskets.

And "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" is for the defense of the country, not for the purpose of killing each other.

[jlisenbe]

Self-defense is a perfectly legit use of guns.

[Wondergirl]

And self-defense is rare. Most of the time it's aggression, kill them before they kill me. Or because of mental illness. Or unresolved anger.

[tomder55]

Sorry how can he effectively represent the people of PA ? He has not recovered and his being in Senate is a disservice to the people of his state and to himself.

'Hunger Is Not A Republican Or Democrat Issue': John Fetterman Gives Opening Statement At Ag Cmte - YouTube

Democrats can't wait to be rid of Dianne Feinstein, who is also incapable of performing her duties. They know that in California, her replacement will be farther to the left. There is no such guarantee in Pennsylvania and that is why they tolerate this charade .

[Wondergirl]

Was he reading that statement?

Is he receiving ongoing treatment?

What about Mitch?