[meteorite-list] Matters Arising (cease fire! - white flag)

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:12:59 -0500
Message-ID: <e51421551002031112u6d56733eh9a711465d13b01f8_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi Mark and List,

Well said Mark.

I apologize to my fellow Americans for the backhanded slap I delivered
in my last post. I do carry a chip on my shoulder regarding the
"coarser" elements of our society and I let that negative attitude
overtake my last post. If anyone is accused of being "elitist", it
should be I, and not Peter. The ironic thing is, I am probably the
most dirt-poor elitist you'll ever see. ;)

I am sure that Geoff and Blaine did not have any ill-will in their
intents, nor did Greg. They were just having a bit of sport. Nobody
would question the contributions to meteoritics that these people have
made, so I think we should cut them a bit of slack regarding this.

But I also think this is a learning moment for the List and Americans.
 Just because our government's legal documents afford us the right to
own firearms in this country, it does not give us license to force our
views on other cultures. The Rocks from Space POD is an eye-candy
pleasure that many members on the List look forward to seeing. These
members are scattered around the world and not all of them share our
viewpoints on firearms and their importance to our civil liberties. I
hope that this episode will teach us to be a little more careful about
how we choose to exhibit our love of liberty and to be more
considerate of others.

As an American, I think it's great that the citizenry of Tucson can
own and carry firearms. I can guarantee that Tucson has a lower crime
rate for it. And I certainly won't argue the security that comes from
hiking the desert with a gun - considering how many drug runners and
immigrant smugglers there are out there. But, if I was a foreign
visitor coming to Tucson for the first time, I would be shocked and
perhaps scared to see a bunch of people walking around armed to the
teeth with loaded firearms in plain view and easy reach. This would
be especially true given the easy availability of alcohol. Frankly,
if I had a room in Tucson and I was selling meteorites out of it - I
would hang a sign on the door of my room - "Please, no firearms
allowed in this room." I don't see the need to carry a loaded gun to
a mineral show. I visit areas of Tampa regularly that are far more
dangerous than any tent at the mineral show, and I don't feel the need
to wear a loaded pistol on my hip. So let's show some consideration
for our overseas guests who are uncomfortable around guns - they are
our guests and it is our duty to be gracious and accomodating.

Best regards,

MikeG




On 2/3/10, Mark Bowling <minador at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Let's please not let this degenerate into a debate surrounding the 2nd
> Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
>
> Lets not beat a vaca muerta. It's been pointed out that the phrase "I
> didn't know it was loaded" is a sad one which can be eliminated by safe
> behavior. Firearms are not toys. As a member of this forum and an
> NRA firearms safety instructor, the Count was duty bound to mention his
> concern (and was the first to show his concern). It is a serious safety
> issue. I hope we leave it to that, regardless of what you believe.
>
> There is no need to discuss it here any further as ONLY HURTFUL WORDS WILL
> FOLLOW.
>
> Let's not make it a debate between Right and Left and assume what the Right
> or Left think. People are diverse in their views and it's not as simple as
> that. Some of us in Arizona near the border live under serious threat
> from cross border smugglers and bandits, regardless of our political
> beliefs. Do not make it a debate between how many people died
> on what continent during select time periods. Stop with the names...
>
> The photos were innocent and for fun, but looking back they didn't treat
> firearms with the respect that they necessitate.
>
> Let's give the members under question the benefit of the doubt.
> It's highly unlikely more questionable photos will be used in the future.
>
> So let's get back to meteorites and keep your powder dry until more
> offensive photos are posted.
>
> If you feel the need to reply to something that someone has already written,
> it's easy to keep it off list (be courteous and reply in private...).
> Nobody should be asked OR feel that they need to leave the list. And
> neither side should subject the list to their private beliefs (unless they
> are relevant to the subject of meteoritics).
>
> Truce please!
>
> Mark Bowling
> Vail, AZ (TUCSON!)
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
> To: bernd.pauli at paulinet.de
> Cc: Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Wed, February 3, 2010 10:14:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Matters Arising
>
> Hi Bernd and List,
>
> I can vouch that Peter is an asset to the List and I would hate to see
> him leave because some of us Americans can't keep our childish
> impulses under control.
>
> I currently own one gun and have owned several, including assault
> weapons. I support the right to private ownership of firearms. But,
> I also believe that all firearms should be treated with respect and
> they have a proper place. My current firearm has not left it's lock
> box in over a year - and the last time it was removed was for a
> cleaning. I would be a happy man if my gun is never discharged or
> brandished.
>
> Again, assuming the pistol that started all of this is real, juvenile
> tomfoolery with guns is not only irresponsible, but it's also
> off-topic for this list.
>
> Unfortunately, I will catch some flak from my fellow Americans for
> stating this in public, but we are an arrogant bunch and we think our
> way is always the right way. As a whole, we have little consideration
> for the cultures or beliefs of others.
>
> To be sure, there are a few right-leaning List members who think that
> Peter just needs to drink a Coca Cola, smoke a Marlboro cigarette,
> drink a Starbucks coffee, and watch a mindless Hollywood 3-D movie.
> And then Peter will realize the errors of his ways. If not, we will
> declare him a terrorist and bomb Scotland. Problem solved.
>
> ;)
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>
>
>
>
> On 03 Feb 2010 16:56:37 UT, bernd.pauli at paulinet.de
> <bernd.pauli at paulinet.de> wrote:
>> Hello Folks,
>>
>> Last year, in Ensisheim 2009, I had the pleasure and the honor of meeting
>> and talking to Peter and I can assure you that he is an extremely
>> friendly,
>> gentle person, a true gentleman. With utmost regret would I want to see
>> him leave the list!
>>
>> He doesn't need anyone's help to make his point. He only mentions Anne
>> because she already stated quite clearly that such pictures should not be
>> presented on this list - they have nothing to do with meteorites.
>>
>> What Anne (who is, as most of you know, a native of France) and Peter
>> state is what and how most Europeans here feel about guns and weapons:
>> they are not toys!
>>
>> We should also be aware of those "subtle" differences between British and
>> American English. Maybe it's the different usage of certain words on both
>> sides of the Big Pond that caused this nasty situation.
>>
>> I am absolutely sure Peter did not intend to attack people as individuals.
>> His
>> post was aimed at the light-headed way they fooled around with guns. Do
>> not
>> forget that it is not only adults who see these pics. It's also children
>> who
>> might
>> feel like having to point a gun, maybe "only"an airgun, right at their
>> friend's face!
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Bernd
>>
>> ______________________________________________
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>
>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Gilmer
> http://www.galactic-stone.com
> http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> ______________________________________________
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-- 
------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Gilmer
http://www.galactic-stone.com
http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
------------------------------------------------------------

Received on Wed 03 Feb 2010 02:12:59 PM PST