I was fortunate to have lived a very large part of the 1980’s in Australia and that nation taught me a great deal. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that until well after I’d left her.
While “down under” I once attended a sporting event of some 10,000 to 15,000 spectators and I don’t recall whether it was soccer, or rugby. But I do recall there being but one lonely police officer in attendance. I assume his presence was to address that rare “just in case” scenario that might happen at a sporting event of that size in a civilized nation.
Couple of years later I found myself back in the United States . It being pre personal computer days we all still read books and so one Saturday morning I found myself arrive at a Dalton Books Store for a quiet perusal of their wares . Little did I know that Daltons was holding a book signing event that day with a small time author in attendance.
That meant my expected quiet perusal had to be shared with a crowd of some “sixty five” other people …. along with three police officers. The officers presence I assume being to address any “just in case” scenario that might occur at a book signing of that magnitude here in the United States .
I’m a gun owner, and I guess I do believe in the second amendment. But I don’t believe in the need to attend a political protest with an AR 15 semi auto rifle and five 20 round magazines of ammo hanging off my chest. To me that’s just little boy playing soldier just because he has the freedom to play little boy playing soldier. It embarrasses me as an American when friends from overseas ask me why people carry rifles to protests here.
I’m embarrassed even more that I can’t answer the question as I don’t view the carrying of a semi automatic rifle in public as a freedom.
I view it as fear…. and when I’m afraid I don’t feel free .
