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Random Thoughts, Presented Randomly
Sep. 26th, 2013 10:15 amThought #1
Various gun people will tell you that "an armed society is a polite society." By that standard, modern-day Somalia must be the most polite country in the world, and the post Civil War American west the most polite era in American history.
Thought #2
We frequently call terrorists "cowardly" even those that launch suicide attacks. Now, there is some "bravery" in being willing to die. On the other hand, attacking those that can't defend themselves isn't particularly "brave."
Thought #3
There was an article I read (behind a paywall, alas) about a shopping mall in a very conservative backwater of Saudi Arabia. The point of the article was that religious fundamentalists are fighting a losing battle. The attractions of western civilization will eventually win - what Jerry Pournelle calls the "weapons of mass distraction."
Various gun people will tell you that "an armed society is a polite society." By that standard, modern-day Somalia must be the most polite country in the world, and the post Civil War American west the most polite era in American history.
Thought #2
We frequently call terrorists "cowardly" even those that launch suicide attacks. Now, there is some "bravery" in being willing to die. On the other hand, attacking those that can't defend themselves isn't particularly "brave."
Thought #3
There was an article I read (behind a paywall, alas) about a shopping mall in a very conservative backwater of Saudi Arabia. The point of the article was that religious fundamentalists are fighting a losing battle. The attractions of western civilization will eventually win - what Jerry Pournelle calls the "weapons of mass distraction."
