Will you reconsider traveling to the USA?

[betsy]

yes, it's a toucan.... thank you Betsy for pointing that out a dozen times.

I'm just kidding with you, Squid. It's your avatar. You know what it is. Okay....if you say it's a squid, it's a squid.

Edited December 20, 2012 by betsy

[Bryan]

Btw, do you know any grown-up Canadian who lives within 100km from the US-border but has never been to the USA?

Of course. Despite the large numbers that do go to the US, the ones that don't are still substantial in number. Might even be a majority.

[Moonlight Graham]

You seem to be so obsessed with gay issues. Well at least your avatar is a good representation of your....<ahem> ....."philosophy."

Are you trying to insist I'm obsessed with gay issues, and therefore insinuating I might be gay myself? Are you trying to use this to somehow belittle me? If so that's pathetic.

I like the way you changed avatars to produce a bearded gay. I tried but somehow....you still come to mind. You're still that guy in the photo- with a statement. I guess that's what first impresssion is all about. Two things that really stuck though - bare hairless chest. And beautiful long flowing hairdo.

The previous avatar had a much more cooler pose, though..... this current one looks like a former biker who just came out.

At least you seem to have taken time to have not one - but two varying avatars that upholds the same message! Talk about something really, really close to your heart.

Not sure what you're talking about... I've had this same avatar since the new forum upgrade.

If you insists that Jesus accepts homosexuality.....there's nothing stopping you to interpret it anyway you want, to suit you.

I don't think I ever insisted Jesus accepts homosexuality. I said that he never mentioned anything about homosexuality, to my knowledge anyways.

[betsy]

Not sure what you're talking about... I've had this same avatar since the new forum upgrade.

I don't care how long you've had them All I'm saying is you've got another one too. The one I was talking about when your avatar was first brought up....the one without the beard. Which you replaced pronto with the bearded one....I guess because I said it might be the lack of beard that's why it wasn't giving me any sting at all.

But you know what....it's not really about the beard. Like I said, your avatar is what I visualize as you, when I "talk" to you. I don't know.....but that's how I am. I tend to put a face on posters based on their tone, or ways of communicating. One poster here (SmallC) reminds me strongly of an old poster in early years of Maple leaf. "QC- something," was his handle. So, in my head, I visualize him the way I visualized QC. ...

Anyway....come to think of it, most Christians will not take any offense with your avatar. You know why? First of all....your avatar is too immature - like c'mon, unless we're children....who really cares about your message? it's an eye-roller, that's all.

Remember the t-shirt slogan analogy? It speaks more about the person who wears it?

Do I say you're gay? I'm saying you come across to me as gay. Like I said, your avatar is my impression of you.

I could be wrong....I couldn't help it. I guess avatars are important....since they could be suggestive.

Second, we know that Satan will use anything and anyone to get us away from Jesus/God. Christians will just tend to look at you as someone doing the devil's work. Satan using your angst against Christianity. You may deny it....but you come to me as someone with a lot of personal issues against Christianity. Instead, they'll most likely to be praying for you. MOST ESPECIALLY that you were a former brother....therefore, a lost sheep. We'd want you to be found again.

That'll be a Christian's position. I don't expect you or everyone to believe that. I'm just explaining from a Christian perspective.

Your avatar only got brought up because of the discussion about "trolling" and as evidence of hypocrisy. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been mentioned at all.

I don't think I ever insisted Jesus accepts homosexuality. I said that he never mentioned anything about homosexuality, to my knowledge anyways.

We've already discussed about homosexuality and the Bible....to my knowledge. Somewhere in Religion section. Create a thread for it, if you want and we'll discuss it there. Also if you want to pursue the avatar discussion.

Back to Squid's topic now.

Edited December 21, 2012 by betsy

[betsy]

My husband and I were discussing about travel not too long ago, and we've both agreed that the way things are going around the world, we'd rather travel all over Canada AND the USA. With the expenses involved in travel, it'd be a real bummer to ruin a holiday by experiencing riots, first-hand corruption, and crimes.....and racism.

[guyser]

. Like I said, your avatar is what I visualize as you, when I "talk" to you. I don't know.....but that's how I am.

And yours is an empty head avatar.

Hmm....

[-TSS-]

Why would anyone now stop travelling to the USA because of violence and gun-crime over there? I don't think anyone is old enough to remember a time when violence and gun-crime wouldn't have been a problem in the USA. Besides, despite the recent days tragic news the homicide-rate in the USA is down. If you don't choose to socialize with the underworld the likelihood of being a victim of gun-crime in the USA is certainly not considerably higher than being a victim of gun-crime in any major Canadian city as well.

[Guest American Woman]

Why would anyone now stop travelling to the USA because of violence and gun-crime over there? I don't think anyone is old enough to remember a time when violence and gun-crime wouldn't have been a problem in the USA. Besides, despite the recent days tragic news the homicide-rate in the USA is down. If you don't choose to socialize with the underworld the likelihood of being a victim of gun-crime in the USA is certainly not considerably higher than being a victim of gun-crime in any major Canadian city as well.

How refreshing to see it put into perspective. It's exactly as you said.

[guyser]

Why would anyone now stop travelling to the USA because of violence and gun-crime over there? I don't think anyone is old enough to remember a time when violence and gun-crime wouldn't have been a problem in the USA. Besides, despite the recent days tragic news the homicide-rate in the USA is down.

And some of us recall when certain parts of the USA, notably New York , were much worse tha they are now.

And yes, rates are down and thats great news and we all need more of that.

If you don't choose to socialize with the underworld the likelihood of being a victim of gun-crime in the USA is certainly not considerably higher than being a victim of gun-crime in any major Canadian city as well.

I am pretty darn sure thats not true at all.

Chicago and Toronto get paired up quite often, and if thats the case then you are assuredly wrong.

2007 homicide rate for Toronto - 3.3 per 100,000

Detroit 33.8

Atlanta 19.7

Chicago 15.5 (much higher this year)

Worst year for murder in Toronto was 89 . Chicago this year alone is nearing 500.

[Guest American Woman]

And what percentage of those homicides were committed by a stranger? - and what were the conditions?

Edited December 21, 2012 by American Woman

[cybercoma]

And what percentage of those homicides were committed by a stranger? - and what were the conditions?

Roughly 1/4 homicides are committed by strangers. So in Detroit that would be a little more than 8 per 100,000 that are done by complete strangers. That's more than double the total homicide rate for Toronto.

Edit: Oh and for what it's worth, murders by strangers are usually committed by firearms.

Edited December 21, 2012 by cybercoma

[Smallc]

Actually, CMA Toronto has a homicide rate of just 1.5 (will be a bit higher this year).

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1231229--toronto-canadian-crime-rates-decline-but-more-homicide-reported

I don't think the 3.3 number is correct for the city, either.

[Guest American Woman]

Roughly 1/4 homicides are committed by strangers. So in Detroit that would be a little more than 8 per 100,000 that are done by complete strangers. That's more than double the total homicide rate for Toronto.

Note that I also said "what were the conditions?" A drug deal gone bad, for example, falls under "stranger homicides." Furthermore, the stats would vary from city to city for various reasons, so it doesn't necessarily follow that more than 8 per 100,000 were done by complete strangers. Do you have any statistics specific to Detroit?

[Moonlight Graham]

I don't care how long you've had them All I'm saying is you've got another one too. The one I was talking about when your avatar was first brought up....the one without the beard. Which you replaced pronto with the bearded one....I guess because I said it might be the lack of beard that's why it wasn't giving me any sting at all.

There's only been one avatar. I've never changed it. Never been any pic without a beard or whatever. It is a figment of your imagination.

Do I say you're gay? I'm saying you come across to me as gay. Like I said, your avatar is my impression of you.

??? Ok lol. The_Squid comes across to me as a holy squid toucan smiley fish lol.

Back to Squid's topic now.

Please. I'm done with this discussion.

[The_Squid]

???  Ok lol.  The_Squid comes across to me as a holy squid toucan smiley fish lol.

Thanks brother gay Jesus!

[betsy]

There's only been one avatar. I've never changed it. Never been any pic without a beard or whatever. It is a figment of your imagination.

??? Ok lol. The_Squid comes across to me as a holy squid toucan smiley fish lol.

Please. I'm done with this discussion.

Good.

Edited December 22, 2012 by betsy

[cybercoma]

Better add this one to your "win" column, batsy.

[-TSS-]

This only goes to show that you can prove exactly oposite things with statistics and they all are equally true. Namely, if you want to make a point how dangerous and violent a country the USA is then you can show the statistics of downtown Detroit or Atlanta. Equally you can say that statistically some states in the USA are safer than Finland and that is saying something.

So, the old adage holds true; Lies, damned lies, statistics.

[Bryan]

True. Statistics rarely tell the story they appear to when taken individually.

[guyser]

This only goes to show that you can prove exactly oposite things with statistics and they all are equally true. Namely, if you want to make a point how dangerous and violent a country the USA is then you can show the statistics of downtown Detroit or Atlanta. Equally you can say that statistically some states in the USA are safer than Finland and that is saying something.

So, the old adage holds true; Lies, damned lies, statistics.

Not sure why youre fleeing on this one.

You were the one who mentioned that one would be about as safe in majopr city in Canada vs the same size city in the US. There are numerous reasons why, but the simple fact is that it is not true.

[Guest American Woman]

Not sure why youre fleeing on this one.

You were the one who mentioned that one would be about as safe in majopr city in Canada vs the same size city in the US. There are numerous reasons why, but the simple fact is that it is not true.

This is what was said: "Why would anyone now stop travelling to the USA because of violence and gun-crime over there? [...] If you don't choose to socialize with the underworld the likelihood of being a victim of gun-crime in the USA is certainly not considerably higher than being a victim of gun-crime in any major Canadian city as well." You've yet to prove that it's not true, so I'm curious - what are the "numerous reasons why that's not true?"

[guyser]

This is what was said: "Why would anyone now stop travelling to the USA because of violence and gun-crime over there? [...] If you don't choose to socialize with the underworld the likelihood of being a victim of gun-crime in the USA is certainly not considerably higher than being a victim of gun-crime in any major Canadian city as well." You've yet to prove that it's not true, so I'm curious - what are the "numerous reasons why that's not true?"

Pretty sure the per capita stats earlier tells the story,

One does not feel as safe in Chicago vs Toronto.

One does not feel as safe in Detroit than they would in the UP. One wouldnt feel as safe in Winnepeg vs rural Pennsylvania

He was comparing like size cities and he was wrong The latter two comparisons are not apt.

[Guest American Woman]

Pretty sure the per capita stats earlier tells the story,

No, actually, they don't - and you said "numerous reasons."

One does not feel as safe in Chicago vs Toronto.

I certainly do. One just has to be smart about where they go in both cities - which actually applies to all cities throughout the world.

One does not feel as safe in Detroit than they would in the UP. One wouldnt feel as safe in Winnepeg vs rural Pennsylvania

Which isn't what he was saying ....

He was comparing like size cities and he was wrong The latter two comparisons are not apt.

No, the latter two comparisons are not apt, and I don't see where he made any such comparisons in the statement I quoted. You keep repeating that he was wrong in what he said, yet you're not coming up with any evidence. The per capita stats alone do not prove what you think they do.

Edited December 22, 2012 by American Woman