freethefly

If the people in the violent neighborhoods knew what to do about it, why haven't those neighborhoods improved? The obvious answer: they don't know. Second answer: too busy protesting the police trying to do it for them. Look - you got your pet theory, but you've provided not a single bit of evidence to support it. "It just feels logical to me." Let me trumpet out my own: Kids gravitate towards the forbidden. Alcohol is a prime example - they can't have it until they're 21, and spend every waking hour in college in pursuit. In Europe, where the age is typically 16, and it's often served at the family dinner, they don't have the same rate of abuse and issues. Therefore, it's better to show children guns, to demystify them, and to ward off the false impressions given by the media. Feels good to me, and a step past you, actually has a vague analogy thrown in. But if you want to deal with something more tangible, consider: we've had zero tolerance (intelligence) policies at schools regarding fake gun play for quite some time now. It's reasonable to say that the frequency of playing cops/robbers or cowbows/indians is dramatically lower than it once was. Toy guns used to be rather authentic, now they legally and for marketing reasons are quite distorted. And yet, has violence changed at all? Nope. There's no relationship here. First, I said thet toy gun play in violent neighborhoods,may be an element. I also stated that gang culture tends to be carried on into the next generation. I don't think any attempt to curb gun violence should be met with opposition. My understanding for the change is so that fake guns could be distinguished from real guns. http://www.google.com/search?q=fake%20gun%20mistaken%20for%20real&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&source=hp&channel=np I find this to be real interesting. http://whitehouse.gov1.info/doj/index.html The Obama Administration believes that by encouraging parents to buy their young children realistic looking toy (and we mean TOY!) guns, the future level of gun violence will decline over time. Does this mean that I will have to colorize my Model of 1917 Winchester one of these colors, pink, mauve,or purple? The Federal Mandatory Weapon Colorization Program has received widespread support and has recently been endorsed by the National Rifle Association as "A common-sense solution we can all live with". The President is optimistic that his Cradle-to-Grave Gun Control Solution will have a lasting positive impact on our nation. I can almost see a decline in NRA membership by guys angry that they had colorize their favorite Glock pink. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

In an urban area where gang culture tends to be passed from one generation to the next, toy gun play may very well be an element that cultivate real gun violence. "Little kids, they're young adults," Onque said. "They keep growing, and if they keep playing with guns, in a negative way ... Guns in urban communities, there's nothing good about it. We're just trying to change mindsets."http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/08/22/1726018/man-shoots-self-near-kids-nj-toy.html Who is better to know? The people who live in the most violent neighborhoods are. They see it on a daily basis. I do not see them as trying to take away guns from responsible owners, only to change the gun culture in their neighborhood. David Codrea, Gun Rights Examiner http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/toy-buyback-shows-utter-incompetence-of-gungrabbers-at-reducing-violence, attempts to turn the table from its true intention by implying that children are in more danger by playing hockey. His examples: Boy killed with hockey stick‏ - YouTube Another Youtube fake. I conclude that Codrea is an idiot and believes that his followers are idiots, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhE9p6QaXq4 Police probe death of public schoolboy, 12, killed by hockey ball. I searched for this incident and find that the boy was hit by a hockey ball and subsequently died of a heart attack. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1091613/Police-probe-death-public-schoolboy-12-killed-hockey-ball-game.html Further investigation reveals the medical examiners finding. Giancarlo Ferrara, 12, suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage after a friend took a shot at him while he kept goal. Just moments before Giancarlo had been telling his classmates to "bring it on" as they began shooting practice, but he died almost instantly when he was hit by the 5.5oz solid plastic ball. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7037398/Schoolboy-killed-after-being-hit-in-head-by-hockey-ball.html I am assuming the kids would not be playing with a solid plastic ball, rather a ball or puck designed for street hockey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_hockey Man killed with hockey stick Court told of semi-clothed man and woman found in bloodsplattered bedroom. Wasn't hard to find the story. I have no idea what the analogy is to kids playing street hockey. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/man-killed-with-hockey-stick-court-told-of-semi-clothed-man-and-woman-found-in-blood-splattered-bedroom-1.407699 Neighbor says man killed raccoons with hockey stick. Another extremely far stretched and lame attempt to paint street hockey as dangerous. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/07/20/bc-esquimalt-raccoons-deaths-spca.html Family of girl killed by hockey puck gets settlement I remember this incident. A quick search finds: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/03/20/puck_death_ap/ Still, this is not street hockey. There is a major difference between the two. As a teenager, in St. Louis, I played both, street hockey and ice hockey. Never saw any injuries, other than road rash, playing street hockey. I did see some gashes playing on ice. From all indications, the toy gun buy-back is not promoting ice hockey, but street hockey. Playing on ice has cost that the street version does not. I would think that the low income parents could afford the cost. Referee killed by ice hockey puck Again, this is ice hockey. A hard, heavy rubber puck is used on ice. The puck moves at a high rate of speed. In street hockey a lite weight puck is used and moves nowhere near that of a ice hockey puck. http://tvnz.co.nz/othersports-news/ice-hockey-ref-killed-puck-3346093 LOVE RIVAL KILLED MAN WITH HOCKEY STICK, COURT TOLD I'm missing the point. Exactly, what does this have to do with kids playing hockey? http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110798835.html Codrea's examples showing nothing more than his "utter incompetence" at writing a simple argument to support his claim. His examples only weakens the gun rights case by showing that they are desperate enough to go as far as to hold up a faked video from Youtube as an example to the danger of hockey. His piece his comical at most. I am assuming (correct me if I'm wrong) that you did not raise your children in a ghetto that is ruled by gang culture. The dynamics at work in an area that is prone to gang violence and the culture that cultivates such is far different than the dynamics and culture in the rural farming community that I now live. There is no doubt that toy guns are not the main cause of gun violence in gang culture. There is no doubt that some children who grow up in underprivileged communities tend to see guns as a means to power. It should not be hard to draw a conculsion that toy guns at an early age may be an element that breaks down the barrier between play and reality. I have no doubt that the parents of vulnerable children want to change that perception by changing the culture. Gun rights activist would better serve their image by jumping on board with groups aiming to curb gun violence, instead of creating the false pretense of gun grabbing. If gun activist are so concern for the children's playtime, they should then go live in the neighborhoods those kids live in. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Pointed out that they do not pay taxes in response to the patently false whining about the rich 'expecting everything for nothing'? Yes. Moaned about it? No. You *do* like to make those strawmen, don't you? Explain, in detail, how my statement is a straw man. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

You're right, it is not new. It dates back to when some people believed that the earth was the center of the universe. Funny that some still believe that the book of NoTruth are the words of a magical ghost. Maybe I'll buy stock in Kraft Foods. Kool-Aid sales should rocket in the next 4 years. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Years ago, in a civics class, our teacher had someone run into the class and "assault" him. Everyone had to write about what they saw and describe the assailant. I believe, everyone was wrong, out of about 30 people. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

The drug itself? No. The drug along with a number of other influences and it is just a case of simple transition to something else. I applied that with the toy gun issue. Playing with the toy itself is not the transition. Apply a number of other elements and a child could very well be looking to be like the gang banger he/she sees on a daily basis. The one in the Escalade, gold chains and flashing his gun and money. I would think that some ghetto kids who see that may relate having a gun to having power and riches. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Dreadful actor, worse human being. As a child, I wasn't aware of his support of Nixon and the Vietnam war until I got older. However, as a child, I loved the cowboy movies. Particularly, True Grit. The book is even better. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Not strongly against it, I just don't think it makes a lick of difference. And in the greater sense, sheltering children from 'scary things' or things that vaguely resemble them has its own issues. You know, when I first read the article, I thought it was just plain silly. After all, I played with toy guns as a child. I even got my first real gun at age ten, a Mossberg 20ga pump. Then I got to thinking about the culture of that era, 1970. Where I was growing up, in the country. I thought about who my heroes were. John Wayne, Jim Arness (Matt Dillon on Gun Smoke.) I grew up in a far different era, in a far different community, with completely different heroes. I weighed that with what a child in a gang infested Newark ghetto neighborhood is up against. I did a search and found that gun violence is up 40% in Newark http://criminaljustice.posterous.com/crime-justice-news-newark-gun-violence-up-40 I cannot help but think that those kids have it far harder than I did as a child. I see desperate people desperate to try anything to stop the violence there. I don't believe that toy guns are the only reason for children, in these types of environments, to grow to be gang bangers. I do believe it is an element in some cases. The parents should encourage playing with musical instruments instead. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Kids have been playing cowboys and indians since there actually were cowboys and indians. If parents want to avoid these sort of negative outcomes, the key is actual parenting, not silly notions that playing with a cap gun will make them thugs later. Absentee parents are the problem - no one sees the beginning of the bad behavior and therefore doesn't nip it in the bud. Or worse, they contribute to the problem with the same sort of behavior. (See Bill Cosby) All the good parenting in the world does not necessarily mean that a child will grow to be a model citizen. Kids tend to latch on to outside role models. They tend to emulate their role models. Good role model = good behavior (not always.) Bad role model = bad behavior (not always.) Are you against parents not wanting their children playing with toy guns? "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

The difference is the good guy was glorified, not the bad guy. One of my movie heroes was John Wayne. "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." Maybe more shows like Rifleman and movies like True Grit is part of the answer? "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

In gang areas, guns are portrayed as the means to move up the ladder on the street. It has been glorified to the point that gun violence is emulated by children. Playing gang banger with either a squirt gun or a cap gun only glorifies the lifestyles. If parents want their children to not be be playing such games then they need to find an alternative. This program seems to be an attempt to do just that. So many people are fast to scream that it is the fault of the parent for not teaching their children good values. Here we have an attempt to promote better values and here we have those who are screaming "gunophobe." I contend it depends on where one lives and the lifestyle that is prevalent. If all a child sees, on a daily basis, it very well could be just a case of simple transition from a cap gun to a Glock. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Yet, in a past thread, you moaned about all those poor people not paying taxes! You are funny. Must....stop....laugh....ing.....side.....is.....split.....ting. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Err, that looks more like the cost of crime. You are correct. However, it is a result from bad behavior. If this group that is promoting to change a child's future behavior by deterring illegal gun use, such cost to the taxpayer can be reduced. Understood that such results may be quite some time in the future. It doesn't hurt to start towards positive results now. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Changing the scenario again? I said it was analogous to a state. Driver's licenses/license plates aren't issued against a city, but against a state or similar analogue. Let's see how they're treated by Congress, shall we? We'll use that favorite of the Libs, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: (this one is repeated several times, but I'm only quoting it once) Looks like that 'dog' of yours won't hunt. What you posted is merely clarification in regards to an Act. They are only lumping everything together under one heading to makes it easier. That alone does not make D.C., which is a city, comparable to a State. In regards to statistics, D.C. is lumped in with States also as it's schools and other entities are separate from the surrounding States. That alone, still, does not make D.C. comparable to a State. It is not even close in comparison. Your analogy is without merit. From the link I posted: Experts disagree on whether the district should achieve statehood. U.S. Senate historian Donald Ritchie said, “You’d think a democracy would be embarrassed to have a half-million of its citizens disenfranchised.” Ritchie’s argument is that, by setting aside a capital district, the authors of the Constitution clearly expected the area to have a population. Historian Jeff Brauer disagrees: “From the Framers’ viewpoint, the idea was the capital city would be a federal district … (not) part of any state, and a district that would not be a state itself.” The Framers, he says, feared that if the capital city was within a state, or if its citizens had full representation as a state, it and they would have too much access to federal power. “They saw it as more of a place of transition, not of permanence … especially since the ideal was a citizen government with a high turnover rate,” Brauer says. The federal government also was expected to play a relatively small role back then. Therefore, a huge bureaucracy with lots of public workers living in the district was not anticipated. So the district’s original purpose was to be the federal government’s seat – and not much more. As for Strauss, he said his job is not without its advantages: “I do get to walk in parades.” "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

My son was 12 y/o, when a hockey bat hit him just above the eye. The scar looks good on him. I just prefer to see my son with a scar instead of a bullet in the head. Blah blah blah. (In your Jeff Foxworthy "you might be a redneck" voice:) If you would rather have your son almost lose an eye playing hockey, then to be squirted with water from a toy gun, then you might be a gun-o-phobe. The goal of the toy gun buy-back is to promote a positive learned behavior. Kids in gang territory are more likely to use a real gun later in life. You complain about how kids are criminals and their illegal use of firearms make it harder for legal, responsible owners. Yet you balk at an attempt to deter children from what could someday be a very real gun by teaching them now that guns do not belong in their community. I don't understand why you view this as bad. http://criminaljustice.posterous.com/crime-justice-news-newark-gun-violence-up-40 Newark Gun Violence up 40% But Acting Police Director Optimistic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Newark has seen a 40 percent surge in gun violence this year, but the city's top cop tells the Newark Star-Ledger that despite a recent rash of shootings, his "Safe City" anti-violence campaign is helping to reverse the trend. Between Jan. 1 and July 10, there were 175 shootings in Newark, leaving 213 people dead or injured. During the same period last year, there were 125 shootings and 161 victims. "We're not going to turn everything around in one month. That's an impossibility. But we're heading in the right direction," said Acting Police Director Samuel DeMaio, who was named police director in May when Garry McCarthy resigned after four years to become superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Within a month of taking over, DeMaio launched his "Safe City" campaign, the goal of which is to increase police presence in dangerous neighborhoods and boost community involvement. Costs of Gun Violence Firearm-related deaths and injuries result in estimated medical costs of $2.3 billion each year – half of which are borne by U.S. taxpayers. Once all the direct and indirect medical, legal and societal costs are factored together, the annual cost of gun violence in America amounts to $100 billion. On teen violence in New Jersey: http://www.njisj.org/document/NJISJYouthViolencePreventionTestimony_Final_112006.pdf As stated in the report, while other programs do work, gang membership is on the rise. A study of teen violence in Chicago: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/217397.pdf http://www.nij.gov/nij/topics/crime/gun-violence/youths-gangs-guns/why-carry.htm Violence is a learned behavior. Newark is riddled with gang activity. I've tied up the rail car in the rail yard there and would not walk the streets at night. Kids in gang territory learn just what they see. If they see shootings, they are more than likely to emulate that with toy guns. If the people in a community such as Newark wish to use programs to change the mindset of their children to reduce the chance of losing those kids, more power to them. It's their neighborhood, they should do everything they can to turn their neighborhood around. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

A district cannot be argumentatively compared to a state. Tell it to the FBI and the DMV. Well now, if a license plate is the qualification to consider an area to be a State, let's add Puerto Rico, American Virgin Islands, The Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Those areas are closer to being a State than D.C.. The District of Columbia is widely considered to be a city and not a State. D.C. does not have a governor, but a mayor. D.C. only has a non-voting representative in the house, but does not have a Senator. They do have two "shadow senators" who do lobby for statehood, Paul Strauss and Michael Brown http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2684419/posts. Residents of D.C. can only vote in the Presidential election, since 1961. To say that D.C. is similar to a State is to say that a giraffe is similar to a dog. Both analogy could not be more wrong. Although, a giraffe would be closer in comparison to a dog than D.C. to a State. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Let''s be honest. There is a large number of adults who have used guns for violence, since the invention. Every generation has their outlaws. It is nothing new. The last couple of generations, however, has grown up on media that encourage bad behavior. We can blame their actions on bad parenting, violent video games, gangsta rap..., or we can look at the whole picture and see that a number of elements come together to encourage behavior. Young children tend to be very impressed by what is portrayed as cool. I'll use gangsta rap as an example of encouraging inner-city gang violence. Gangsta rap reflects the reality of life in the worst parts of the city. The song 'Gangsta Paradise' illustrates the gangsta life. Gangsta's Paradise As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I take a look at my life and realize there's nuttin left Cause I've been blastin and laughin so long that Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of You better watch how you talkin, and where you walkin Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like On my knees in the night Sayin prayers in the street light We've been spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paraside Look at the situation, they got me facin I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the state So I gotta be down with the hood team Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams I'm a educated fool with money on my mind Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say? I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'? The way things is goin I dunno Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me We've been spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise Power and the money, money and the power Minute after minute, hour after hour Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me If they cant understand it, how can they reach me? I guess they cain't -- I guess they won't I guess they frontin; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool We've been spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise We keep spending most our lives Living in the Gangsta's Paradise Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me I can see how young minds can be impressed and try to emulate who they consider to be their heroes. Gangsta's Paradise does not paint a pretty picture of their reality. I see the artist trying to show that the lifestyle is anything but a paradise. The artist makes his case his the line: Tell me why are we -- so blind to see That the ones we hurt -- are you and me The Ice T song tends to go in the opposite direction and promotes gun violence. Cop Killer I got my black shirt on. I got my black gloves on. I got my ski mask on. This shit's been too long. I got my twelve gauge sawed off. I got my headlights turned off. I'm 'bout to bust some shots off. I'm 'bout to dust some cops off. Cop killer, better you than me. Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your family's grievin' (fuck 'em) Cop killer, but tonight we get even. I got my brain on hype. Tonight'll be your night. I got this long-assed knife, and your neck looks just right. My adrenaline's pumpin'. I got my stereo bumpin'. I'm 'bout to kill me somethin' A pig stopped me for nuthin'! Cop killer, better you than me. Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your mama's grievin' (fuck her) Cop killer, but tonight we get even. Die, die, die pig, die! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police yeah! Cop killer, better you than me. I'm a Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your family's grievin' (fuck 'em) Cop killer, but tonight we get even. Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police, break it down. Fuck the police, yeah. Fuck the police, for Darryl Gates. Fuck the police, for Rodney King. Fuck the police, for my dead homies. Fuck the police, for your freedom. Fuck the police, don't be a pussy. Fuck the police, have some muthafuckin' courage. Fuck the police, sing along. Cop killer! Cop killer! Cop killer! Cop killer! Cop killer, what you're gonna be when you grown up? Cop killer, good choice. Cop killer! I'm a muthafuckin' cop killer! Cop killer, better you than me. Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your mama's grievin' (fuck her) Cop killer, but tonight we get even! I can see how songs, such as Cop Killer, can lead a child, who has only seen the worst in life, down the wrong road. The music of my generation promoted love and peaceful protest. It would be disingenuous to say that it did not help shape my character. As a teenager, the movies I watched were comedy. I played pinball and not Grand Theft Auto. There were no drive-by shootings in my community. We used our guns, shotgun and deer rifle, for hunting. If I had been a teenager in the inner-city with a barrage of daily violence soaking my mind, I might as easily turned out as so many young people do. If a program, that is aimed to stop the killing, proves to be a positive for a community, it should be applied elsewhere. If gun violence goes down and continues to do so, the NRA should promote it. Gun violence should be their number one concern as it sways the view of non-gun owners. All responsible gun owners should view programs to reduce gun violence as the right thing to do. They should realize that the aim of reducing guns in the hands of criminals only serves their purpose of promoting responsible ownership. The best place to start is with the very young. For the last few generations of people who have grown up in negative environments, the cause may very well be lost, but for the new generation coming up, there may very well be a chance to change their perception. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I'll say that this is a negative for gun owners. Sport shooting is not gun violence. They should encourage the positive aspect of ownership and responsibility. Some kids only see the negative use and that is all they learn. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I would think that an opinion depends on the type of community that such a program is in. Certainly, an area where 'gansta' mentality is prevalent, gun violence tends to be higher than in a farming community. I love guns, but hate the negative view that is cast upon gun owners due to those who use them for the wrong reason. I see nothing wrong with an attempt to change the community's mentality. This could be a positive for gun owners who do not participate in drive-by shootings. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Ron Paul 2012...he'll buy us time! I have to agree. There are things that I do not like, concerning Ron Paul, but those are out weighed by what I do like. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

If you are capable of doing, please point out what I am to rebut. So far, I've yet to see your argument. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Condescending rhetoric cannot be considered to be a proper rebuttal. Truth, as above, is, however. Says the man who can't rebut without changing the argument to support his point. Just shows how badly your 'arguments' suck. See above, re: changing the argument. Speaking of...planning on rebutting the China thing, or are you going to continue to run from it? It's all your attempts at an argument rate. I contend that one liners do not support an oppositions claim. You have given support to my claim. You constant use of the one line rhetorical reply is my proof. Your never ending support is greatly appreciated. Please continue to entertain us. I expect nothing more. Anything less would be disappointing. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

A district cannot be argumentatively compared to a state. Perhaps that was the way it was taught in Texican schools Seems to be a lot of cognitive dissonance down that way I am, eagerly, awaiting another Mike Neal one line, condescending, rhetorical zingers. They are priceless gems in their own regards. Don't disappoint us Mike. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Condescending rhetoric cannot be considered to be a proper rebuttal. Your style of debate is lacking the skill of a third grade playground argument. I have yet to see you compose a full paragraph in order to support any argument. I can only conclude that you lack even the most elementary skill to complete such a simple task. Your use of age old rhetoric only serves to support my argument that you have no argument. One would be better to debate points with a wall. I expect your rebuttal will be more of the same. It is, however, the most you are capable of. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

A district cannot be argumentatively compared to a state. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young