Offline 
Background
Name: Bob
Birthday: May 8
Gender: Male
Status:
Widowed
Ethnicity:
Caucasian
Location:
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada
United States
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada
United States
School:
University of Toledo Ohio
University of Toledo Ohio
Work:
Retired
with way too much time on my hands
Retired
with way too much time on my hands
Hometown(s):
Toledo Ohio
Perris, CA
Lambertville, MI
Albany, NY
Largo, FL
Morristown, TN
Arlington, TX
Las Vegas, NV
Toledo Ohio
Perris, CA
Lambertville, MI
Albany, NY
Largo, FL
Morristown, TN
Arlington, TX
Las Vegas, NV
Quote:
"My candle burns at both ends, It will not last the night - But oh my foes and oh my friends It makes a lovely light."
"My candle burns at both ends, It will not last the night - But oh my foes and oh my friends It makes a lovely light."
Sharlet at the Marina 2008.8.17.jpgAbout Me
I live in North Las Vegas, Nevada with my brother and his two sons. I moved here after my wife passed away in 2002 after 20 years in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. I am a retired videographer, having done primarily weddings for 13 years. I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, but have lived all over the US. I have a 35-y.o. daughter who lives in Houston, Texas.
Interests:
I enjoy computing, reading, TV and movies and eating buffets at the casinos. I enjoy working at home repairs and landscaping. I belong to the National Rifle Association, American Philatelic Society, American Mensa Society. As far as Religious Beliefs - I consider myself a latitudinarian.My Photos (240)
My Videos (17)
Length: 0:00
Length: 1:55
Length: 2:02
My Journals (7)
DorKul says:
P.S. I see you deleted the "Taoist" from your profile, but I'm still interested to know what a "latitudinarian" is?
Posted: September 4, 2008 12:22AM EDT
BobInLV says:
[This is a comment submitted by my daughter, concerning the journal entry above:]
I would agree that that in order to affect a change we, as Americans, will need to "collectively rebel" against the status quo - not necessarily by the taking up of arms but via some "we're not going to take it anymore" mechanism. Equally effective would be a collective failure to pay taxes. Or collective failure to vote...maybe. I don't think many would disagree that it will take citizens united to make any kind of drastic change (and we have already seen that gradual change is ineffective). So to me, the real dilemma is not how to affect the change but rather how to unify and motivate citizens to action. I think the downfall of the American culture (and therefore ultimately our government) is the inability to compromise. While we won't be able to all unify on an exact agenda, we probably are all generally upset about the same type of things - but people can't see the forest for the trees. Until people are ready to set aside their own agendas for the greater good we won't see the collaboration required to make the needed significant changes
I would agree that that in order to affect a change we, as Americans, will need to "collectively rebel" against the status quo - not necessarily by the taking up of arms but via some "we're not going to take it anymore" mechanism. Equally effective would be a collective failure to pay taxes. Or collective failure to vote...maybe. I don't think many would disagree that it will take citizens united to make any kind of drastic change (and we have already seen that gradual change is ineffective). So to me, the real dilemma is not how to affect the change but rather how to unify and motivate citizens to action. I think the downfall of the American culture (and therefore ultimately our government) is the inability to compromise. While we won't be able to all unify on an exact agenda, we probably are all generally upset about the same type of things - but people can't see the forest for the trees. Until people are ready to set aside their own agendas for the greater good we won't see the collaboration required to make the needed significant changes
Posted: September 4, 2008 3:03AM EDT
DorKul says:
I totally agree with you and your friend as to - "if so many people think it's bad, then why is nothing happening to change it?" - especially since we are talking about a democracy, with built-in tools for change. I hate to admit it (since I am very much against civilian gun ownership - but we don't have to go into that) - but I do have to agree with your 1776 example - in an oppressive regime, it seems there is no other way out. Still, I don't really see the connection between this and the right to bear arms, since we agree that democracy does enable peaceful change, and that is still not happening.
I also don't see the connection of all of the above with the international perception of the US as "the greatest threat to international security". The fact that the US is a democracy (and the fact that many US citizens own guns) has nothing to do with the international perception of the US. I think that perception is based on US international policy - not how the government treats its citizens, but how it behaves outside of US boundaries. I've lived outside the US for many, many years, and most people I've spoken with don't know (and don't care) about US gun-ownership policy. Most people (including US citizens) are mainly concerned with what affects them directly. Which would also explain "American's perception of themselves" - it's very easy to have a good opinion of yourself when you are cut off from (or refuse to listen to) people who might think otherwise. A friend from Singapore told me a few years ago that only 7% of US citizens have passports - which leaves 93% who have never visited another country, and don't know how it looks from the outside. I'm not sure the numbers are accurate, but I'm sure the general idea is true
I also don't see the connection of all of the above with the international perception of the US as "the greatest threat to international security". The fact that the US is a democracy (and the fact that many US citizens own guns) has nothing to do with the international perception of the US. I think that perception is based on US international policy - not how the government treats its citizens, but how it behaves outside of US boundaries. I've lived outside the US for many, many years, and most people I've spoken with don't know (and don't care) about US gun-ownership policy. Most people (including US citizens) are mainly concerned with what affects them directly. Which would also explain "American's perception of themselves" - it's very easy to have a good opinion of yourself when you are cut off from (or refuse to listen to) people who might think otherwise. A friend from Singapore told me a few years ago that only 7% of US citizens have passports - which leaves 93% who have never visited another country, and don't know how it looks from the outside. I'm not sure the numbers are accurate, but I'm sure the general idea is true
Posted: September 3, 2008 11:45PM EDT
