Derek 2.0

It’s simple logic…….placing direct technical restrictions on firearms in nation with the number of firearms measured in the 100s of millions is utter folly.

They oppose “restrictions” that wouldn’t have a positive effect on violence, well only burdening and in some case infringing upon personal rights of the vast majority of law abiding citizens.

Agreed 100%.

The NRA is opposed to criminals and the severely mentally ill obtaining firearms…….hence why they call for more funding to mental health treatment and for Government to enforce laws already on the books to their fullest extent.

Where did I say "those people" should have firearms?

Exactly, Putin has most of Western Europe over the barrel, but of course, both the failed energy and defence policies of the Western Europeans have resulted in a emboldened Russian foreign policy……. Clearly the rest of the World shouldn’t be obligated to go upon this garden path for a third time in 100 years, if the Europeans themselves can’t be bothered.

And of course, Ukrainian army units have joined the separatists wholesale……..bad things tend to happen with a broke army.

Do you suggest we should follow the natural progression of failed diplomacy, devoid of European participation, to it’s full extent over a airliner shot down?

If the Europeans can’t be bothered with sanctions, why should the rest of the World?

Not at all......

Certainly, if Russia’s trading partners don’t partake, why would you waste your time?

Without European support…….nothing, why waste the political capital coming up on the mid-terms?

Where did I suggest that?

First, I like guns........But in all seriousness, aside from the Constitution, both the actual number of guns already in circulation and technology would make such attempts futile..........As such, best to address the actual problem, if you want actual results.

I don’t doubt the Americans will go that route, but it’s doubtful that they would be effective.

read your link:

I don’t, but I’m also realistic……there is both more money and people with skin in the game in the gun rights camp, then there is in the victims camp………If Obama, that had a Democratic senate and congress (and for now a Senate) was unable to make serious changes, what makes you think another attempt will be successful? Wouldn’t those wasted resources be better directed to mental health and diminishing gang violence? Overall, such an initiative would likely have both bipartisan and public support…..and of course, would actually address violence.

Would you think addressing those that kill their fellow (wo)man a more viable approach then another go around at ineffective gun control measures that there is no political appetite for?

Not to any great extent, and less so then the V-22, as made evident several years ago during sea trials aboard the USS Wasp.

Europe, dependant upon Russian energy, won’t play ball……nor would China…….How much trade does Russia have with the United States?

The Ukrainians likely don’t know…….they have been loosing military equipment without a trace, hand over fist since the end of the Cold War……this only escalated when the tensions started in the Ukraine last year.

The Ukrainian army uses the exact same system, a vestige of the Soviet Union.

Perhaps, but why would they shoot down an airliner? A good idea......

Under Obama, ineffective sanctions at best/worst (depending what side of the fence you're on)

What data is that? The Russians, Ukrainians and apparently the rebels all operate the same SAM system……….Who is to say a faction Crimean Tatars weren’t attempting to kill Putin? Or Chechen rebels?