3 ms·

I don't know that it's worthwhile to compare small countries with ethnically homogenous populations, homogenous communities, different social values, and citize

I don't know that it's worthwhile to compare small countries with ethnically homogenous populations, homogenous communities, different social values, and citizens with reduced access to weaponry to a large, ethnically diverse nation, with diverse and segregated communities, with different social values and history, and citizens with greater access to firearms.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
pjc50 12y ago
thomasfl's comment did point out Northern Ireland, whose communities were so segregated there's a mini Berlin wall in part of the city ("Peace Line"), and where there's plenty of firearms and also high explosives. Disarmament was a critical and controversial part of the peace process.
- TheSpiceIsLife 12y ago
  After reading your comment and it's parent I had this thought: Whereas the case for firearm ownership in the US is ostensibly to call to arms a militia to overthrow a tyrannical government, what has actually happened is the populace are too busy shooting each other to realise tyranny. Although, I think, to believe what I just wrote requires a bunch of biases and leaps of faith with regard to rates of violence governmental tyranny. I'm reading Steven Pinker's 'The Better Angels of Our Nature', which is doing a good job of highlighting that, even in the US, violence has decreased over time. Edit: a word
- tankenmate 12y ago
  Actually there are several peace walls in Belfast; and also there are more now than there were during the '70s / '80s. Also, there are parties on both sides of the divide who are still armed; it's just the largest and most politically engaged groups who are no longer armed.
Zigurd 12y ago
> homogenous populations What I think you mean to say is "populations that are treated with equal discretion and respect by police, and, when they are very young, by school discipline." Otherwise someone might think you are a racist.
redacted 12y ago
> I don't know that it's worthwhile to compare small countries with ethnically homogenous populations, homogenous communities, different social values, and citizens with reduced access to weaponry to a large, ethnically diverse nation, with diverse and segregated communities, with different social values and history, and citizens with greater access to firearms. Your total lack of knowledge about Northern Ireland is showing. Try walking down the Falls Road or Shankill in Belfast, and see if you see a homogenous community (for bonus points, go into any bar in the area flying either a Irish or UK flag proudly, and see if you find much agreement about segregation or firearms). I had a friend in school in Ireland whose family moved from Belfast (in late 1990s!) because he and his brothers were badly beaten for being Catholic. But I'm sure that was a mistake, as they were an ethnically homogenous population. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles

deleted 12y ago

[deleted]

pjc50 12y ago

thomasfl's comment did point out Northern Ireland, whose communities were so segregated there's a mini Berlin wall in part of the city ("Peace Line"), and where there's plenty of firearms and also high explosives. Disarmament was a critical and controversial part of the peace process.

TheSpiceIsLife 12y ago
After reading your comment and it's parent I had this thought: Whereas the case for firearm ownership in the US is ostensibly to call to arms a militia to overthrow a tyrannical government, what has actually happened is the populace are too busy shooting each other to realise tyranny. Although, I think, to believe what I just wrote requires a bunch of biases and leaps of faith with regard to rates of violence governmental tyranny. I'm reading Steven Pinker's 'The Better Angels of Our Nature', which is doing a good job of highlighting that, even in the US, violence has decreased over time. Edit: a word
tankenmate 12y ago
Actually there are several peace walls in Belfast; and also there are more now than there were during the '70s / '80s. Also, there are parties on both sides of the divide who are still armed; it's just the largest and most politically engaged groups who are no longer armed.

Zigurd 12y ago

> homogenous populations What I think you mean to say is "populations that are treated with equal discretion and respect by police, and, when they are very young, by school discipline." Otherwise someone might think you are a racist.

redacted 12y ago

> I don't know that it's worthwhile to compare small countries with ethnically homogenous populations, homogenous communities, different social values, and citizens with reduced access to weaponry to a large, ethnically diverse nation, with diverse and segregated communities, with different social values and history, and citizens with greater access to firearms. Your total lack of knowledge about Northern Ireland is showing. Try walking down the Falls Road or Shankill in Belfast, and see if you see a homogenous community (for bonus points, go into any bar in the area flying either a Irish or UK flag proudly, and see if you find much agreement about segregation or firearms). I had a friend in school in Ireland whose family moved from Belfast (in late 1990s!) because he and his brothers were badly beaten for being Catholic. But I'm sure that was a mistake, as they were an ethnically homogenous population. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles