[KingKangaroo]

Ahhh, the old chestnut, Americans and guns: for people in nations where one encounters metal detectors in airports rather than schools, watching US news is like sitting helplessly behind glass, watching a baby play with a knife and a power socket. Terrifying and tragic, yet strangely, horribly, the sort of thing you can't stop watching. You scream and you shout but they can't hear you!!! And in regards to "downtrodden serf of the british Crown anti-gun conspiracy" comments - I respect the US greatly for its status as the proudest republic (nation) in the world and look forward to the day when Republican Australia can take its rightful seat alongside Uncle Sam in the Theatre of Nation. But times have changed. Are Australian republicans in 2001 meant to take up arms, seize the Governor's mansion and the powder magazine - rebel like you guys did? That would make us terrorists liable to blowing-to-crap under the Bush Doctrine. Blow up London pubs like the IRA? Bomb British Emnbassies like the Israelis? Obviously none of these are feasible. Australian Republicans are doing what we can --- so please don't blame it on our gun laws. As I have always said ... if the Yanks want to shoot each other its their call. We, however shall do differently and when I pass the unbalanced postal officer at work, I shall be thankful for it.

[jjbrouwer]

Actually, Kanga: if I move back to a gun-friendly area of the States, I will take advantage of the friendly gun laws to arm myself to the teeth. I quite like guns though I don't think I would sit for hours lovingly polishing them like some Americans do.

I don't have any wish to be 'tooled-up' in Britain though. And the Labour and Conservative parties are never going to allow anything like that through in my lifetime.

Regarding your comment here... We, however shall do differently and when I pass the unbalanced postal officer at work, I shall be thankful for it.

There is actually a poster here with a name like 'Going Postal!'

[Revelation 911]

so please don't blame it on our gun laws

with all due respect, why are you hanging out in an American conservative forum ? -

[Constantine XIII]

Australia: Lions, and tigers, and bears, OH MY!

America: Lions, and tigers, and bears, OH JOY!

(bang!)