He said, 'If you come on my land, I'll kill you'

http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/1000land.htm ^

[wideminded]

You see, to most of the people who work in government and the media these days -- especially in our urban centers -- "private property" is a concept out of some dusty, 18th century history book. Oh, sure, "property owners" are allowed to live on their land, so long as they pay rent to the state in the form of "property taxes."

This guy is misinformed. Here's a quote from a "dusty, 18th century history book":

"Men did not make the earth... It is the value of the improvements only, and not the earth itself, that is individual property... Every proprietor owes to the community a ground rent for the land which he holds." - Thomas Paine

[brwnsuga]

It is what happens to families on both sides in a war. War is hell.

Anyone who could see this issue as a war, has a screw loose, just like the man who shot those utility workers. My husband retired from the military after 20 years of honorable service. He knows what real war is about... and I'm sure this ain't it. I am a firm believer in protecting the rights of a property owner, but this killing makes no sense absolutely. It is TOTALLY, not G-dly.

[UpAllNight]

--And that is what other people in the area said. They also said he was pushed.--

One person identified as "told to a big city reporter". Which reporter? Which media? Is this fact?

[Artemis Webb]

You know...this is the last thing I will type in this stupid argument. If you want to shoot some city worker because you don't like him digging on your lawn you go right ahead.

You're an idiot.

[oldvike]

Very well said.

[UpAllNight]

--One thing is for sure, if more people did it, we would all enjoy more freedom. In a real way, one could say he gave his life for our freedom.--

If more people did this, we would lose all our freedoms for a civil society cannot exist if it condones murder.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I have yet to comment on this incident, the reason being that there is not enough information on the article to make a determination.

Having said that, if you stand at the edge of my property and I warn you that I will shoot you if you enter it, you entering my property gives me cause to defend myself.

Isn't defending yourself the reason why you want a gun in your car?

If you can't use it when you feel that your life or property are in danger, then what the hell do you want the gun for?

[durasell]

You haven't noticed that America has been invaded by a government. It's everywhere! They put up street lights so they can see you at night. They build roads to get to you faster. And they steal our raw sewage -- who knows what they do with it!

[spunkets]

"Uh, when you go to work for the employer, you agree to abide by his rules."

When someone decides to operate as an employer, they must respect the rights of their employees.

[UpAllNight]

--You gotta kill the grunts in the foxholes to get to Hitler.--

I am surprised to here you refer to Bush that way.

[Lancey Howard]

Thanks for the additional details. Clearly, Watson was a nutcase.
And you are right, the piece by Suprynowicz is sloppy and deceptive.

Regards,
LH

[UpAllNight]

--Look, stick to the subject at hand, if you want to continue the debate with me. The fact is there was obviously some kind of problem with the sewer line, which the city wouldn't fix.--

Kind of hard to fix the problem when the guy won't let you on the easement and ends up murdering your workers ...

[OKIEDOC]

Good for you.

Just goes to show miracles can happen.

[UpAllNight]

--If you want to split hairs and launch into red herring diversions, that's fine...I have better things to do. If you want to debate property rights and the logic or illogic of what Mr. Watson did, please stick to that subject.--

I understand. You feel free to make up 'facts' in your support for this murderer but when I call you on you this, I am splitting hairs. Good one.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thomas Paine was a collectivist, a precursor to communism.

[ripley]

"what tyranny
he bought a piece of property that included an easement. if he didn't like that easement, he should neverr have bought the property."

the questions remain.: was the man insane? did he overreact? was he psychotic? what happened between him and the authorities? was the easement in some way abused or arrogated by the authorities?

(in old soviet union all authority was always correct...and simple statement always sufficed for explanation.)

[UpAllNight]

--It is what happens to families on both sides in a war. War is hell.--

You sound like one of those radial fundamentalists.

[UpAllNight]

radical.

[tpaine]

--The shooters 'principle' about property was flawed. So was that of the 'authorities'.

--UpAllNight wrote:

What was flawed about the 'authorities'?

Both parties were absolutists about their imagined powers..

Owning land doesn't give you godlike powers over your peers.

Nor does administrating our laws give you godlike powers over your peers.

We've written a Constitution to guide us about abusing power. Amazing how so few of us admit we are ALL bound to honor the document.

[durasell]

This isn't difficult to figure out. This thing was probably going on for awhile. He couldn't afford a lawyer to make his case, neither could he make his case adequately by himself. So, he went home and stewed and the thing became a huge issue in his mind. Finally, it just overtook him.