Back in the USA

[sqlbullet]

I am back in the US again.  I spent all of last week in Paris.

While there I had an interesting conversation with a co-worker that lives in Paris and is French.  I compared rights to gun ownership for self defense as being as fundamental to the basic right to life as printing/publishing equipment was to the right to expression.

Two things struck me.  First, they had clearly never thought of self-defense and guns in that way.  In their mind a gun was only an offensive weapon.

Second, was the somewhat equivocal position they took on a basic right to life.  They were not sure they personally felt it would be right to take another persons life, even to defend their own.  The person was not a parent, which certainly changed my view point on that subject some.  But I still was a little taken aback by that opinion.

Glad to be back in the US and enjoying my full cadre of human rights again.

[Rojo27]

After reading your thoughtful, insightful, well measured comments about the cultural, political, moral differences between America and France; only one response comes to mind.

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." - George S. Patton
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it." - Marge Simpson
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion." - Norman Schwartzkopf

Q: What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up?
A: The Army

Sorry Sqlbullet, couldn't help myself.

Welcome Home!!!

[harrygunner]

Wouldn't want the French to have my back, but enjoy the country. I've never been to Europe without a stop in Paris. Great city.

Hope you enjoyed it.

[sqlbullet]

I go there all to often.  Don't have to consult a map that much anymore.  Twice a year for a week minimum, sometimes an additional trip.

I do enjoy the food and the people.  Just don't like having an ocean between me and home.

[Wolfie]

Without the French there would have never been a United States.

[The_Shadow]

Welcome back to the land of those who used to be free and still the home of the brave!