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November 12, 2013, 10:23 PM | #1 | |
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Now the Philippine Gun Culture's the Problem
There's an article over at the UK Telegraph in which Alex Spillius claims relief efforts are being hampered because of a "prevalence of guns."
This comment is particularly inaccurate when one reflects on the various hotspots on the African continent: Quote:
(It's worth noting that Spillius claims the Philippine murder rate is 3 times ours. I'm not sure where he got that.)
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Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe Last edited by Tom Servo; December 4, 2013 at 01:06 PM. |
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November 12, 2013, 10:50 PM | #2 | |
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It is an interesting article, but not surprising that it contains factual holes spread by the anti-gun media.
Quote:
There is no 2A in the Philippines. Only the rich, corrupt, or military groups (and rebels/criminals) have access to guns. There is no comparison to the US because here most any resident in a free state (or even a restricted one) can own a gun. |
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November 13, 2013, 04:59 AM | #3 |
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I think both your posts are a little off. The Philippines has an active and legal gun culture. Here's the first article I found in a search. It's about the reduced rights they have after a recent law, which still allows armed defense:
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/20...-gun-ownership A great number of people I've talked to on various gun forums over the years have been Filipinos. They talk about owning and going to the range like we do. Also, if the author says that it is unusual to be in a disaster zone where you hear gunfire, I doubt he's including a war zone as a disaster. Much of Africa is living hell, but nearly all of it is from tribal, racial, religious and political fighting. But every tsunami, flood, earthquake, volcano and hurricane I can think of was in the Americas or Asia. And the only other time I recall shooting being part of disaster was Katrina, and there really wasn't much aside from the cops). The Turks weren't shooting at each other after their last quake. I just don't think that every time someone says that gun violence is a problem it is politically motivated. Some areas of the world have problems with gun violence. It sounds like the incredibly desperate survivors are using their guns as assets - which is a problem, and news worthy. |
November 13, 2013, 10:11 AM | #4 |
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According to some reports widespread looting is taking place:
http://news.yahoo.com/philippine-pre...3--sector.html |
November 13, 2013, 11:12 AM | #5 |
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I lived in the Philippines for several years and it is a much different place than most can comprehend, if they have not been there. It is a place of extremes between the haves and have nots. My Navy pay was about $600 a month and I was considered to be in the wealthy category. The "average" person is in a daily struggle just to keep their family fed.
Business is often conducted in a neighborhood or town mafia kind of way. If you want to get something done in a timely manner you have to know somebody that knows somebody or "tip" the right official. If you want to run a business you pay the "tax" to the right people. If you do not your application might never make it to the top of the stack. If you do not pay the correct taxes in a timely manner your business will probably burn down or you might just come up missing. All of the people I new that had guns were private security for the wealthy or were part of the "tax" collectors crew. If looting is going on it is probably more on the end of finding food and water than upgrading to a plasma screen TV. If the TV's are being looted it is probably to sell for food or being held hostage to get money for food. It is an intriguing and beautiful country with some really great and resourceful people. If you want to see amazing things produced from almost nothing it is the place to go. I guess my point is the news reporters and the rest of us should be careful judging a people and place we have little or no understanding of.
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Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it. |
November 13, 2013, 04:55 PM | #6 |
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If that 'gun culture' consists or extreme religious warriors there might be some cause to be concerned.
Kinda doubt that religion, of any sort, was the main focus of the author's intentions. salty
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November 14, 2013, 01:45 AM | #7 |
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I read that today. Unreal. It's not the extreme poverty and logistical nightmare, but the guns that are a problem yet again. 7000 islands with about 2000 populated islands, imagine being on some of those remote locations WITHOUT guns and you'd be in trouble 365 days a year.
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November 14, 2013, 09:35 AM | #8 |
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My wife is Filipina and I have been there many times. Gun ownership among most of the common citizens is not very common. The biggest problem with the relief aid is that areas in greatest need happen to be in the southern parts which have the greatest share of Muslim terrorist groups and anti-government rebels who do happen to be armed. Many of these areas carried travel warnings for foreignors under normal circumstances. The aid convoys are being attacked by organized political groups, not by the few individuals who happen to own a gun.
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November 16, 2013, 12:06 AM | #9 |
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Huge +1 to Chaz88
The Philippines (and much of Asia) is very corrupt. There is the rich and privileged few and huge impoverished masses. Add to that an enormous natural disaster and things get ugly. Make people hungry enough and everyone becomes a criminal. |
November 16, 2013, 08:35 AM | #10 |
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Got the money? You can get a firearm in the Philippines. One coworker had a WW II Thompson that he buried but was dug up by a cousin during the rebellion against Marcos. Another who was a police officer told me that he bought from irregular channels a S&W clone for his duty weapon. It was made there and not very good.
Also had a former coworker who was murdered there. He loved to wear gold jewelry and that got his poorer neighbors jealous. Someone acted on that jealousy/envy.
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December 1, 2013, 01:49 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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December 3, 2013, 02:52 PM | #12 |
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Wikipedia (I know, I know) shows 89 guns per 100 Americans in 2007. I wonder how much it has changed since 2007?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_...ita_by_country |
December 4, 2013, 03:36 AM | #13 | ||
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Quote:
And btw, I lived in the Philippines for over 14yrs. Some of my family on my father's side is military and LEO there. that is probably the only other way to be able to use guns they were issued. Many of my friends there are into airsoft only, not real firearms. Quote:
USA population in 2012: 313 million 4.7/100,000 x 313 million = 27,946 murders Philippines Pop in 2012: 97million 8.9/100,000 x 97 million = 8633 murders way less murders in Philippines Last edited by Justice06RR; December 4, 2013 at 03:47 AM. |
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December 4, 2013, 01:08 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
The opening post has been corrected.
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December 6, 2013, 04:15 AM | #15 |
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Thanks for the correction Tom.
I too thought those figures were off. No way a country that small can have as many guns as the US. Firearms are also not that easy to get/purchase by normal law abiding citizens. Its mostly a money issue, but for the most part the Philippines does not have a "gun culture" like the US does. |
December 6, 2013, 05:02 AM | #16 |
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No matter how they shade it when they report it, its not the "gun" culture that is the problem. It is the culture of the strong preying on the weak, might makes right, and criminal selfishness. They just happen to use guns to do it.
Some criminal(s), are robbing rescue supplies (and I suppose, suppliers), its that simple. Call the "gun culture" the problem? I'd say its more like the LACK of a gun culture that is the problem. The people in need of aid don't have one, nor do those trying to supply aid and failing, because they face armed bandits. In a lot of the US, besides the police and national guard, there is a large pool of armed citizens that can be drawn upon in severe need. In times of disaster, our people, with our guns do a lot to look after things. They do it pretty well, too, when our govt doesn't stop them.
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December 6, 2013, 10:23 AM | #17 | |||
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December 6, 2013, 10:47 AM | #18 | ||
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Quote:
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I lived down the street from and spent a fair amount of time with one such individual. He was the kind of guy that you did not want to know too well but when he invited you to a party you better have a much better than average reason to say no.
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Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it. |
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December 6, 2013, 10:55 AM | #19 | ||
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Quote:
That is true. It was the other statement that is false: Quote:
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Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war. |
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December 6, 2013, 10:58 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
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Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it. |
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