Do you take it in stride when people ask you your reasons for doing various things?

I'm not asking to be combative, I'm just asking in general because I guess I would wonder why you feel you need to ask someone that. Even if the only reason is because "it's their right," so what?

I feel as though I need it for protection. It goes beyond the fact that it is my right. And lately, I have had more and more incidents that have made me glad that I started carrying. Plus, I am quick to jump in my car and take off on a road trip. Often I travel alone and meet up with friends and family once I reach my destination. But I like having it with me in case something happens while I'm out on the road at night.

Congratulations.

I don't currently have a concealed/carry permit nor do I own a handgun, but honestly, I would. Gun ownership, in my case, however, is more of a hobby to me. I like to go to shooting ranges and when I lived in BFE I did go hunting on occasion.

Really? Is that even necessary? Do you respond the same way when the people you ask say they need it for protection?

I've never been hunting, but I do enjoy going to the range.

Yes.

You jumped the gun. Pun intended.

How did I jump the gun?

Similar to how you did with Kevin. You don't read for context.

ETA: Not to mention that I didn't ask you anything. ;)

lmao

I know that, and I agree that would have solved all of these issues. But that doesn't make him wrong.

Indeed, I thought you were from the west coast until this thread - I have literally no idea where you're from. I don't disagree with you because of some innate characteristic you have - that's a great example of the Fundamental Attribution Error. We come from different angles, but I think you'd be surprised that I'm a devout Libertarian, etc.

I don't hate you- I bet we'd get along in person and have interesting conversations. But I'm really not ready to cede the word "you" in a connotation sense, unless it's clearly a racial issue (the only way I've ever seen "you" be a problem in the past).

All of this over a damn "you Northeasterners?"

Shit....

You thought I was from the west coast? Why is that? (And I'm not being combative, I just think that's funny) :)

We probably would get along in person. I agree.

But the word "you" doesn't have to be used in a racial context in order to be offensive. Because I am a gun owner and carrier, I don't like to be lumped in with those who are so strongly opposed.

As far as finding "you" offensive in this type of context in which Kevin put it, that attitude would probably carry over in a multitude of situations. For example, if someone said, "you people in the South supporting Palin are crazy." Someone who lives in the South and is extremely opposed to Palin would most definitely take offense to that, and that would be completely understandable.

:eek:

I completely missed the part about her chatting with her friend via webcam when she was shot. I can't imagine what her friend must be going through to have seen that...

I think we need a little lesson in subject-predicate.

In your example "You people in the south supporting Palin" is the subject.
"are crazy" is the predicate. If the subject doesn't apply - in this case if you live in the South, but don't support Palin or if you support Palin, but don't live in the South - then the predicate doesn't apply. No offense necessary.

A lesson on subject-predicate is not necessary in the least.

I find it amusing that people are supporting Kevin in this, when they know dang well that if I said something similar using "you," offense would be taken.

Face it. Kevin is presumptuous and made a sweeping generalization about people in the north east. According to many of the people who post on this forum, making sweeping generalizations is not okay. So why the sudden change? Probably because I am the one taking issue with his stupid statement.

Not to mention the fact that what he said was condescending.