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<title><![CDATA[Comments for entry "The Value of Ideas - Update" at Dilbert.com Blog]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/848]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Regular thoughts and updates from Dilbert.com]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1872735]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@callcopse

I think its more likely that nation master used different criteria.  According to Nationmaster their data is pretty current, and even if it wasn't its showing the rate of rape is more than twice the US rate.  How many years does it take to go from 100% higher to roughly 5% higher?

Have since tried to look up crime comparison statistics from other websites.  Conclusion:  its all over the place.  Figuring out which one of these sites is definitive is more work than Im willing to put into it.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[WedPMCSTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from callcopse]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1870505]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@whtllnew

I think the nation master statistics were old - according to the most recent here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_statistics

the UK is doing marginally better in 2009 and marginally worse than the US in 2010. So there is not a lot in it.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TuePMCSTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1870505]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from KoutyTory]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1862674]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[If we all get dogs, the burglar will try to be prepared (you seem to know a lot about taking down a dog. have you taken lessons?)Your blog is so beautiful and the topic is so great!Hope you can also come with me to http://www.mmohome.com/.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[ThuAMCDTE_Rstst]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1862674]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1861296]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@callcopse

I got those numbers from the website you provided.  By comparing the assault and rape statistics for the US and the UK.  You say it doesn't make sense that guns would account for our lower rate of rape.  Maybe, but I also used that site to compare the US to a lot of other rich countries and Japan was the only one with fewer rapes and assaults, so SOMETHING is keeping crime low over here.  And I don't know that I want to believe its not guns, because the alternative that comes to mind is that we yanks are the second best people on the planet.

So by all means provide another alternative explanation.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[WedPMCDTE_Rstst]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1861296]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from callcopse]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1859237]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[I don't want to prolong this thread but would point out that most rapes are not carried out by strangers but by people known to the victims. This is certainly borne out by any victims of such that I know. Carrying guns is unlikely to help in those !$%*!$%*!$%*! (it certainly would not have helped the victims I have known). Also, I am not quite sure where 'for every firearm murder we prevent 75 rapes and 500 assaults' comes from but I think we can assume this to be nonsensical. We are not awash in assaults or rapes here by an stretch.

@SonOfRajBlake
&gt;&quot;Re: UK propensity to lock people up for opinions - utter tripe fella, please provide references&quot;
 
&gt;http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/oct/08/april-jones-matthew-woods-jailed
 
&gt;Three months in prison for posting a joke on FaceBook.

Fair play, I kind of agree with you in principle here that this is an imposition on free speech. It's not a joke though. I am a parent though and if my kid was murdered or abducted, and someone started taking the mickey on Facebook (or at least somewhere I could see it) I may well be inclined to physical violence. I can't feel too sorry for Matthew Woods - I see no real reason why he should not learn to be a decent person. I do accept you let the Westboro boys do their thing in the US - however you do have (for instance) quite heavy libel / slander rules and you cannot shout fire in a crowded theater, so essentially this is a question of degree (i.e. speech is never completely free you invariably have to draw a line someplace).
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TueAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1859237]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from Stui]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1853639]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@joethewebmaster, no I'm not stuck in the 70's.

I have a newsflash for you, in the majority of countries around the world, you can't buy handguns legally, let alone carry loaded concealed firearms while going for a jog.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[SatAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from JoetheWebmaster]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852959]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[I agree, the thread is dead as we drifted off topic a bit and have set views that cannot be swayed. Until next time =) Gotta get some work done lol.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from uhmdown]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852955]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@whtllnew

I meant to say that there is no conclusive study in favor of gun-ownership when looking at the net effect. Shouldn't be surprising considering that the topic is very complex.

Either way, I think this thread is dead now. Thx for a satisfying discussion.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852886]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@uhmdown

Those numbers are based on comparing US and UK crime statistics.  If you demonstrated that there are very important factors in UK crime that don't exist in the US and have nothing to do with guns that would be a start.  You could also help your case by demonstrating that crime in the UK is out of control compared to other wealthy gun control countries (don't include poor or becoming-rich countries; not a fair comparison) and, when you compare those countries to the US, things don't look so good.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from uhmdown]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852885]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@whtllnew

&quot;for every firearm murder we prevent 75 rapes and 500 assaults&quot;

If there was a study that was so conclusive in favor of gun-ownership, everybody would know about it.
Nobody has actually proven that the link is causal (in either direction). But for the sake of this discussion, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt.

Since pepperspray is better than a gun in the sense that abuse/accident is less likely to result in a death, I would have to make the case that the reduction in those deaths is larger than the increase in assault (if we assume that pepperspray is less effective than guns in preventing assault).
Naturally, I'm unable to whip up a study like that (unless maybe Denmark goes all in for pepperspray). But I would like to believe its common sense. Maybe thats just me.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852885]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852846]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@uhmdown

NOW Im gonna shove that website in your face again.  But, JIC you missed it before, I should mention that Im not married to that argument.  You are welcome to try and persuade me that my conclusion (for every firearm murder we prevent 75 rapes and 500 assaults) is wrong.  Persuade me the numbers are wrong and you might even persuade me its not such a good deal after all.  But back it up with links.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from uhmdown]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852843]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@JoetheWebmaster

&quot;Your escalation theory is simply retarded&quot;

So says you. Denmarks own police department and intelligence agency regularly warns against escalation of violence when citizens take matters into their own hand. 


&quot;The police generally do not wear bulletproof vests let alone citizens, I do not see people running around with bazookas&quot;

Similarly, not all criminals know how to take down a dog like you do.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852843]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from uhmdown]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852774]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@whtllnew

I admit that if we did legalize some kind of self-defense weapon, I would actually be ok with pepperspray, since abuse/accident is much less likely to lead to a death. But there's no way that doesn't have bad repercussions further down the road.

Here comes a follow-up question you probably saw coming a mile away: if we could settle with pepperspray, what justifies going the extra mile and getting a firearm? The freedom argument wouldn't appear to be useful here, because all you'd do is replace the gun with a can of pepper, right?
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852774]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from JoetheWebmaster]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852739]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[no uhmdown, you are a pansy for your fear of them...]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852739]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from JoetheWebmaster]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852738]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@uhmdown, I've been trained and self trained in various physical and intellectual arts. I would list my capabilities but would probably be called a liar or despised as low skilled people do not like a braggart. I've been through many walks of life and perspectives and fully understand everything is not black and white. Your escalation theory is simply retarded, in the state I live AZ anyone can carry concealed if they do not have a felony record. The police generally do not wear bulletproof vests let alone citizens, I do not see people running around with bazookas etc. Quit being a p.u.s.s and return your batman dvd.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852738]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852737]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@uhmdown

And I might add that what I'm advocating here is the RIGHT to self defense, not that self defense is for everyone.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852737]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852736]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@uhmdown

I would settle for pepperspray.  The other options you mentioned would be good too except that they're not for everyone.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from uhmdown]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852734]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Ok, well then I assume that you're also not saying that if you don't have a gun, you're just a defenseless victim.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852734]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from whtllnew]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852731]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@uhmdown

Dont confuse my point.  Im saying forcing the citizenry into the 'defenseless victim' role is not the answer.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852731]]></guid>
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<title><![CDATA[Comment  from uhmdown]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/1852730]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[@whtllnew

Everybody who doesn't get a gun is a pansy?]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[FriPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
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