[Defenestrated]

The government doesn't fear your guns... when the population is pacified by complacency, crippled with ignorance, and divided by apathy there is no need to fear guns. This is why governments in Europe are more afraid of their people than ours is despite the unbelievably lower guns per capita.

 

[ohio]

The government doesn't fear your guns...

Exactly. The Bush government proved that all you have to do to pacify those with the capability to actual fight (gun-owners) is pretend you like guns and are on their side, all the while robbing their house and raping their wife.

Apparently, the populace needs to be both armed AND intelligent, or the whole effort is pointless.

 

[sanjuro]

The government doesn't fear your guns... when the population is pacified by complacency, crippled with ignorance, and divided by apathy there is no need to fear guns. This is why governments in Europe are more afraid of their people than ours is despite the unbelievably lower guns per capita.

Things change...

 

[dante]

Things change...

Governments in Europe are paranoid of their population because they've shown a propensity to riot, burn things, and generally make life hell for the rulers. Armed rebellion is a thing of the past, since it's far easier (not to mention safer) to bring down a country economically by staging strikes, blocking businesses from operating, or general destruction than it is to have some Waco-style armed resistance.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Baader-Meinhof ftw!!!

Oh wait...this isn't the 80's...

 

[sanjuro]

Governments in Europe are paranoid of their population because they've shown a propensity to riot, burn things, and generally make life hell for the rulers. Armed rebellion is a thing of the past, since it's far easier (not to mention safer) to bring down a country economically by staging strikes, blocking businesses from operating, or general destruction than it is to have some Waco-style armed resistance.

I think we are comparing apples and oranges.

American riots vary from LA Riots of 92 to the WTO protests.

I agree that Euro riots are larger and over less provocation.

However, if things get crappier (which I hope they don't), we will see larger and larger riots.

 

[Defenestrated]

America is the land of complacent idiots, and when you are stupid and satisfied rioting is the last thing on your mind, this was the point I was originally trying to make.