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This has been a great conversation. Time for some further thoughts. The core problem with gun violence in the U.S. has little to do with access to weapons. It has little to do with crazy people. We've always had guns and crazy people. What's changed is the nature of society and more than anything else, what's changed the nature of society is hate. When I grew up in the peaceful, safe 1950s, I hated the kid who always bullied me on the way to school. I didn't hate anyone else; had no reason to. My father also hated somebody, the president. When Kennedy was assinated, my father said, "There, that son-of-a-bitch got what he deserved." It was the first time I ever heard my father swear. But he hated Kennedy for getting us involved in Vietnam. I don't think he hated anyone else. Today, we hate each other with a passion and you're seeing the result. Between 1982 and 2011, a mass shooting occurred roughly once every 200 days in the U.S. However, between 2011 and 2015, that rate accelerated greatly with at least one mass shooting occurring every 64 days. You may not believe it but to date in 2022, there have been 246 mass shootings in the United States. Why? What happened? I'm no expert in sociology but as a journalist for 52 years who continues to write editorials and columns for several newspapers, I've been watching societal evolution up close for a long time and in my view, two factors are responsible for turning us into a nation of hate: the Internet, and the dishonest and corrupt media. Before the Internet, people, generally, found their place in society and generally, stayed there. Their sphere of influence was very limited. They associated with each other over the lunch table at work, at the club, the baseball game, the tavern, etc., and argued about pretty much everything and went back to work the next day and life went on. Then came the Internet. Suddenly, an argument over a bar table became an argument for the masses. Suddenly, people who had little knowledge of anything and didn't much care about anything except perhaps their family, had a worldside audience and, long ignored, found they could use their voice and get a reaction. Suddenly, they could bring attention to themselves and we all crave attention. The world had always been broken down into tribes. That's why we have many different nations, many different religions, and people associated by custom, etc. But with the Internet, we started to separate into more and more tribes, tribes based, for example, on but one particular view of but one subject because there were so many of us in the room that we could always find new people to agree with us and join our tribe. And when we're all in the same room, you've (your tribe) got to yell to be heard. With more yelling at each other came more animosity and we began to learn to hate those in the other tribe. But how could society become so damaged, so quickly? Blame the corrupt media. Time was when the purpose of media was to expose truth. It used its free speech protections to help keep politicians honest. But the Internet changed things. Primarily, it took advertising dollars away from print and broadcast media and moved them to the Internet. To survive, media found that it had to appeal to as many tribes as it could. It moved away from writing about what it thought people should know, to what the people wanted to know. It started selling opinion, rather than news. The two largest tribes in the U.S. are Republicans and Democrats. Media chose sides. It wrote one side or the other to keep audience. Today, instead of supporting America, media - all of it - is a threat to the health and welfare of the nation. Those on the left are lied to every day by leftist media, those on the right get much the same. All national media lies to keep audience. Worse, much worse, it hides truth. Their audience does not watch or listen to any other media because they don't want to hear other opinion. And so, they have not a clue what's really going on in the world. A recent example: Fox reported on the attempted assassination of Supeme Court Justice Kavanaugh. CNN, CBS, MSNBC, the New York Times - every leftist media, you name it - have said not a word about it. Because to do so undermines their political platform. Their audience is brainwashed, which is why we have such absolute bullshit going on as allowing men into women's restrooms, as telling children they can be any sex they want, and, well, let's keep to the point. Which is: Americans hate each other intensely over political issues because they don't know the truth of them and that hate has fueled increasing violence and will continue to. One last point. Because of this hate-filled societal evolution, over just the past several years, in my opinion, all of the tremendous progress that we made on race relations in this country has been largely destroyed. Because hate breeds hate. And I have to blame the left for this. The race riots manufactured by racists and the corrupt media, and the destruction of our history which resulted, have done incredible damage. (NOTE: As an XI member, you are well aware of our prohibition on any demonstration of racism so please be careful if you touch on this topic in further discussion.) Thanks for listening... Your thoughts are welcome!

As some of you know I am having issues with my left hand,,I have osteoarthritis ,,bone on bone in my thumb joint. I have to wear a brace which limits my thumb. I try to play for a bit without the brace,,some days better then others . new pain meds are on the way!!lol I camp alot more so I dont have to hit the spacebar,,and no im not getting a foot pedal!!hahahahah So if I disappear in game it because of the pain. If i sit to long in spec I may be watching the game as I love playing and hate I cant play as much!

Lets not forget the "Bad Parenting or Lack Of", that has been going on for the past few decades. Thats a huge factor in the bad shape civilization is in.

Man....I post a joke and you guys in the replies get all serious on me.

Thank you Harry, I have returned especially to congratulate you on your common sense and wisdom, all the best Rob. See you up there my friend

Just got back from doing stuff and had to fill the tank with gas. Now I know that I don't have it as bad as others but DAM !!!!!! There goes my retirement !!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I hear the empty headed Pres blame this on Putin, I will scream. I think the big thing is how they think we are all stupid out here. I think that bothers me the most. All all know the solution, grow a pair and fix this. Opto66

My stats always come back the same. It say "you suck" lol

PS Pete Remember in the political column when I pointed out I was worried by manoeuvres by the Russians on the Ukraine border and you said 'It was nothing to worry about?' Stick to the day job mate

Do not 'play' with any real guns. Also do not 'play' with real vehicles or real drugs or etc. Having said that I can show you awesome folks having fun with all of the above.

I parked my money in 2018 because I knew I was leaving work in 2019, just waiting for the longest bull market to ease off so I could reinvest. So then Covid happened and the world took a SH!T. Yes I lost a bunch of speculated money I might have made, but didn’t loose my initial cash or any sleep over it! I’m happy with my decision. Yes inflation is eating up my savings but I still can enjoy life.

People often wonder why the bond market is “smarter” than the stock market It all boils down to this: Bond traders read books filled with difficult math and go to AGMs and corporate briefings Equity traders read magazines and go to ball games and strip clubs

Most on the left are oblivious to "how life and society really work". They never get it right !!!

Do not get me going on the media. Holy crap . The bigest one lately for me is the redidential schools. Kamloops BC . Kamloops BC The remains of 250 dead shildren found at residential school. This exploded and was just pure crap. Even to thios day all the unmarked graves found people still believe they are murdered children. Thank you media. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tk-emlúps-te-secwépemc-215-children-former-kamloops-indian-residential-school-1.6043778 So everybody knows any child lost is horrible. But to say the possiblility of of discovered graves are those of dead children to sell adds on media sites is a crime in my mind.

And fucking with bats to kill us all !!!!

Or start riding horses, oh wait a minute , food prices are soring too! scratch that.

Be like the Chinese and start driving a moped or scooter

Everyone around is forgetting about Covid around here. For most it isn't a problem, but for people like me that have VERY BAD LUNGS, I still have to be careful. What I hate is people looking down on me and saying crap when they see me having a mask in public. I think it is just a lack of compassion. Opto66

Yeah,.. it is sad. We(Netherlands) pay 2,50 Euro's for ... ONE freaking liter(E10). (Gallon is 3,7 Liters I believe). But, maybe I am planning to fill up my gastank just over the border in Germany. Doing groceries and tabaco. And E10 fuel, is so bad for engines and you have to buy 'Fuel Cleaner' (€14,99) too.

This has been the longest running bull market ever... imho this bull market ending time, yes things get bumpy and to be honest, if you need some cash from investments, do it asap, should have done it sooner, but hold on to your remaining investments, what goes down will go up again and then some... Choose wisely though. I am actually relived that this bull run is ending, and after all the bumps and jumps, cannot wait for another bull run to start up again. Here are my rules. 1. buy low 2 sell high 3. invest, invest, invest 4. don't panic (Wanna be well off as an old person? Save, invest DO IT NOW.) https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/how-to-invest

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your above statement is fine, but it seems what you don't want to hear and continue to not address Is it the right to demise/ attack the person if one disagrees. And you are head admin, and you know better, and this post is largely a political post in the first place. But thanks for the personal attack, I know you mean well, my friend.

@Gatorgirland I had our annual trip to the dragon, this year it included about 400 camaros. Our personal group had any where from 10 to almost 20 cars. We had people from all over the country, And as far away as Oregon with us.. It's a awesome time to be had.. VID_43340409_011616_642.mp4

you may have to try out another key layout like i do so the only time i use my thumb is to move backward and i press the space bar with my pinky finger.

it cost me $175 to fill up now and i can not wait till august to fill up will cost over $350

We miss having you on more often. Sucks to hear how bad it truly is. The pain is not easy I'm sure. Hopefully your meds help u enough to come join in the fun once and a while

May have to eat that horse !!! Time to stock up on can goods people !!! Start that garden !!! And do not forget your ammo !!! I mentioned before during the 70's, everyone was buying "locking gas caps". Back then the gas caps on 99% of all cars were not behind a locking door. Siphoning others gas was a big deal !!! Especially in my area where farmers have huge gas tanks to fill equipment. Kids would take 5 gallon cans and go around town at night siphoning tanks. Or better yet find a farmer with no lock on his filling station tank. Crazy ass kids !!!! Oh wait, I was a teenager then.

About crypto currencies, I believe they are fake, so SELL SELL SELL asap. 2 cents and you are welcome. IF you own crypto "money", please read this article. ---> https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/founding-fathers-money-problems-bitcoin-180968393/

? press for checking credability MM

Nice pics and what about the warning you had showing on the last picture??? i said multiple offense ??? LOL

So you're saying take out the dragunov_mp and it should be good to go like this below? "beretta_mp;usp_mp;deserteagle_mp;deserteaglegold_mp;m16_mp;ak47_mp;m4_mp;g3_mp;g36c_mp;m14_mp;mp44_mp;mp5_mp;skorpion_mp;uzi_mp;ak74u_mp;p90_mp;m1014_mp;winchester1200_mp;saw_mp;rpd_mp;m40a3_mp;barrett_mp;remington700_mp;m21_mp;frag_grenade_mp;c4_mp;rpg_mp;knife_mp"

Weed have fan controller to adjust speeds so is rear fastest and rest are a little slower than rear, can check with smoking ember the air flow in sucking fans

But there wasn't a need for this to happen

Fuel Cleaners, watch this; (great guy)

Thanks to everyone's kinds words. It helps to know there is people out there that truly understand. Thanks my brothers and sisters in gaming. Opto66

Thank you Skuz

Happy Birthday guys! HB @BlackRose! Didn't know u were so young! Much more than me anyway (sry to be late)

Dot 80 makes a killer apple pie, hasn't made one in years though, MMMM flaky crust, just like her mom used to make lol.

Happy Birthday you three! Especially Black Rose who is always looking out for us.

Ted, are you ok? Post what you want! DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! I am not going to stop you or prevent you, it’s a free word. If You don’t want me to question anything and peg it as a “personal attack” on some random media personality then I won’t bother. I have no concerns either way. The “ Trudeau is an asshole” is all yours. Note: Harry, Trudeau is still an asshole… lol shout to you my friend lol

Happy Birthday to all of you, I hope you have a wonderful one !

Have a GREAT birthday!!!

I’m sorry hear about your trouble my friend, my wife is immune compromised so we both wear a mask in public. I’m sympathetic to your situation for sure.

This is a discussion about gun control and how we should address tragedies such as this. Harry is American (red, white and blue) with Canadian ties and I can truly appreciate his insight, hell I encourage it. We all have an opinion regardless where we are from. This is not a question of patriotism for no one here is questioning ones intent or trash anyone's home. If your patriotism is fragile then I would suggest not talking about, with respect of course. Its just a chat between idiots about something we all can be passionate about.

Well I can see there is no patriotism in you. You cant even make up your mind where to settle down.

Im a dual citizen numb nuts and been part of XI since 2007. I will get you a pass since your an idiot like myself (lol).

I wish people that know nothing about firearms (or rights, for that matter) would quit posting nonsense. Ignorance can be repaired, but stupid is DNA deep. Assault rifle is just a catch phrase used by knee jerkers. it gives them a feel good righteous label to tag something. Armalite was the name of the company that Stoner started.

I just wish idiots would stop referring that the AR15 is an "Assault Rifle". AR does not stand for "Assault Rifle". And rifles based on the AR15 lower receiver design, come in many calibers, including shotguns. So to ban a weapon based on looks is asinine. But I do agree the application process for any weapon should be an in depth process. I hold a couple different type of firearms license and the process for them was way, way, more stringent than just buying an over the counter gun. Im talking, fingerprints, registering with the local sheriffs department, and a wait of several months for the detailed background check to get processed. But..... thats for law abiding owners. Criminals dont buy through local gun dealers. In my neck of the woods every weekend there is a gun auction, or an estate auction with guns going on. No background checks at these events. So this debate is pretty much a mute subject.

Need more exercise?? Chase after @Icequeen - she's really fast and impossible to catch - don't ask me how I know