Quote:
Originally Posted by armedandsafe
This thread is a very good example of the type of forum we have tried to build here. One troll comes in and tries to start a fight, to prove that we are all incapable of controlling ourselves and we respond (mostly) in a calm, thoughtful manner. It is that respect for others that I have learned to expect from gun owners.
Gentlemen, I am proud of you. I'm going to let this one continue, so long as the members remain civil. I don't expect to have to take any action, because that is the way we are. Armed and polite. 
Pops |
Actually, as a new member with no real say about the goings on around here, I thought as a whole we didn't do ourselves any good.
1st possibility: She came here looking for answers to something she does not understand, probably due to her upbringing/life experiences. She has strong convictions and doesn't know how to communicate her thoughts without interjecting emotion into her words, and so she came across as demeaning and accusatory. By defending ourselves from her accusations/insults we merely helped to confirmed her predisposition against gun owners. Yes, she started it, and maybe deserved worse than she received here. But we didn't win any victory. We only reaffirmed her incorrect understanding of guns and gun owners.
2nd possibilty: (More likely) She came purposely looking for a fight simply to hurl insults, stir up trouble, and reaffirm her beliefs. And even though our response was fairly mild, we gave her what she wanted, which was to reaffirm to herself that we are all ignorant redneck gun owners.
But I think we could have either informed her better if that's what she was looking for, or spoiled her plans for a fight, if we had not given one back.
That would have really pissed her off.
Bottom line is, we can't change most peoples mind who have no interest in seeking knowledge for the purpose of making a more informed decision.
She probably is a d*** liberal c***
Ultimately, people can call me what they want, or think what they want about me, and I am not offended because I know the truth, and how I live my life.
As gun owners, we don't need to defend ourselves against false accusations from someone like that. As CCW holders, we are held to a higher standard than that lady can comprehend, and we should try to uphold that standard in our discussions with people who don't understand. It is the only way to have a chance at convincing them, or to win the fight if that's what they want.
Now back to your regular broadcast
Tom