I always find the discussion of US murder rates a little surreal. We have less than 300 murders a year in the entire country (of which less than 50 involve a firearm). We have similar rates of non-violent crime to the US, but murder rates are about a third the US rate.
That's the thrill of living in the Hellmouth! There's a veritable cornucopia of fiends and devils and ghouls to engage ... Pardon me for finding the glass half-full.
Giles ,'Same Time, Same Place'
Natter 64: Yes, we still need you
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
billytea - Jul 21, 2009 8:11:58 pm PDT #179 of 30001
You were a wrong baby who grew up wrong. The wrong kind of wrong. It's better you hear it from a friend.
DavidS - Jul 21, 2009 8:28:36 pm PDT #180 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Yeah, billytea, but Australia isn't the land of opportunity.
Here you have an opportunity to get shot in the head at rates far greater than in the antipodes.
erikaj - Jul 21, 2009 8:29:13 pm PDT #181 of 30001
Always Anti-fascist!
Guess it's the guns. But in my state, there are still morons who want the right to bring guns in bars. Seriously, you don't have to be a pinko(although I totally am) to find that problematic.
meara - Jul 21, 2009 8:48:00 pm PDT #182 of 30001
Hey Kalshane! I don't see you around these parts much. Hi!
I have no guns. But I would like to learn to shoot one. Just because it seems like one of those things on a life list to check off. Like knowing how to drive a stick shift.
shrift - Jul 21, 2009 8:48:53 pm PDT #183 of 30001
"You can't put a price on the joy of not giving a shit." -Zenkitty
I always find the discussion of US murder rates a little surreal.
Illinois not only has one of the most entertainingly corrupt governors and had this junior Senator we now get to call Mr. President, but in Chicago it also gets to be number one in murder. Last year, it was 510.
SuziQ - Jul 21, 2009 9:15:24 pm PDT #184 of 30001
Back tattoos of the mother is that you are absolutely right - Ame
I have no guns. But I would like to learn to shoot one. Just because it seems like one of those things on a life list to check off. Like knowing how to drive a stick shift.
I know how to drive stick, but I have never shot a gun. Maybe I need to start a bucket list.
Theodosia - Jul 22, 2009 2:02:27 am PDT #185 of 30001
'we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn't end any time soon"
I understand there's a gun range up in NH where they have Uzis you can rent (and very carefully fire, with an instructor at your side). Anybody want to go?
Steph L. - Jul 22, 2009 2:42:35 am PDT #186 of 30001
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe
This story has: dwarf Lucha Libre wrestlers, a gang of old women and poison eye drops.
That's kind of beautiful.
Except for the 2 wrestlers who died, of course. Not so beautiful for them.
Laura - Jul 22, 2009 4:08:51 am PDT #187 of 30001
Our wings are not tired.
My father took us to target practice when we were kids and I learned to drive on a stick, so those items are covered. I think the main reason my son likes to come to Otter Lake for the summer is the opportunity to shoot at stuff in the back yard. He's pretty good at it.
Only 1 murder last year in Delray Beach. Property crime seems to be a big issue though.
Jesse - Jul 22, 2009 4:50:01 am PDT #188 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Yeah, I'd like to learn to shoot a handgun at some point. Too much crime fiction, I guess...
I am moderately cranky today, and my annoying boss and her even more annoying assistant are having stupid conversations that I can't help but listen to! Maybe if I did some actual work, that would help. Meh!