knee-jerk quote: "Who are these people?!?"

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
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Earlier this evening when watching, I think MSNBC(??) or one of those channels, there was a middle-aged male reporter talking to a female correspondent about airline safety, and at some point the subject of banning knives on planes came up. The correspondent said something like, "...and all knives are banned from all airline flights."
The reporter asked in a loud, obnoxious, voice, "Knives? Why does anyone need to carry a knife?"

The correspondent said, "Well, some people want to carry their little Swiss Army knives on their keychain. Something about their rights."

The reporter said in his best Limbaughian voice, "Who??? Who carries knives??? Who are these people? We know knives are used to stab people on the streets. Why were they ever allowed on planes?"

The correspondent seemed to use body language to indicate "obviously," and shortly the subject changed. (Note: the above conversation is not verbatim, but is to the best of my memory).

Well, I'll tell him who "those people" are. They are ordinary citizens, police officers, military, firefighters, housewives, grandfathers, etc., etc. Many or most of whom have the greatest patriotism and respect for human life. They are us. Knives have saved as many lives as they have taken. Knives are the oldest tool of mankind. I just could NOT STAND hearing these people's pompous, arrogant, ignorant, condescending manner and remarks. I forgot the names of the reporter and his correspondent, and I'm sorry if I will offend anyone, but they make me SICK.:mad: (I do not consider those responsible in the terrorism to be humans so for me personally they don't qualify as human life). Just needed to get that off my chest.
Jim
 
Silly subjects, I mean "citizens" - thinking they have "rights".
 
We're seeing this even more now than ever before. Beware of any man or woman who so casually and disdainfully dimisses your "rights," and be more wary still of any human being who presumes to tell you what you do or do not "need."

These are little tyrants. Every one of them.
 
People who talk like that are the same people who walk through life thinking that nothing will ever happen to them because the gov't will always be there to protect them:rolleyes: It amazes me how many so called educated or smart American people can't seem to grasp the fact that we are living in times when 2 legged predators are running rampart all around us whether terrorists or common street thugs. As with most devastating occurences that happen the first question that arises is "How to take more and more self defense options away from the people" Well frankly I am sick of it and refuse to buckle down to the cowards who call for any type of weapons confiscation. :mad: :mad: :mad:The simple truth is that many of these tragedys could have been prevented if people were able to arm themselves.
Bob
 
Don't be so surprised when the General Public just see knives as weapons, look at how many members here only see knives as weapons. Take a look at your own collection and see how many of them are Tactical knives designed and advertised for the sole purpose to look like weapons? If your insist on carrying knives as weapons you can be sure someone else is going to feel threathened and are going to want to take them out of your hands.
 
Phil thats my point. Why do people feel threatened? Why are people so dead set against defending themselves? Forget knives for a minute and just concentrate on why people are so complacent in their everyday dealings with life? Why blame the messenger for any bad news? I know this topic is older then the internet but now more then ever people have to say enough of the goverment telling us whats good or bad for us and let we the people decide for ourselves. We are not sheep going to slaughter.
Bob
 
Originally posted by Strider
Why do people feel threatened?
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Bob, you just proved my point. You want the right to carry a knife as a defensive weapon, and anyone that doesn't know you or your intentions can look at that same knife as an offensive weapon and a threat to their well-being. I carry knives, but I don't carry them as a weapon. Once again as long as you do someone is going to want to take them away from you.

Individuals rights are a funny thing, sometimes your rights end when they infringe on someone else's. Let's say for example you want the right to play your stereo as loud as you want, but I prefer not to listen to it, who's right?

My point is this, if you're carrying a knife as a weapon, you're part of the problem. Until WE start looking at knives as pratical and handy tools it's the height of hypocracy to call others "Sheeple" and wonder why they feel threatened.

Should people have the right to defend themselves? Of course, but if you're betting your life on a knife to do that, you may want to rethink your options.
 
I respectfully disagree, Phil. Those who view with disdain or irrational fear the entire concept of self-defense tools are part of the problem. Law-abiding citizens who take responsibility for their own protection, be it with a knife or a gun or something else, are not the problem.

This is a question of prior restraint. How much are we willing to accept? It's my belief that viewing all citizens as potential criminals is antithetical to living in a free society, and incompatible with the concept that one is innocent until proven guilty. A free society is also built on the presumption that you are competent and law-abiding until you prove otherwise through your actions.

[added through edit, because I forgot to include it:]This is also a question of attitude. We as individuals must decide whether we view another man's freedom of action as a blessing, or as a threat.[edit ends]

What we must decide is whether or not we value safety more than freedom. That is the proposition before us, and always has been. Our government may, of course, make a good-faith effort to protect us -- and there are ways to protect us from terrorism that need not infringe on civil liberties or amplify hysterical fear of cutting tools.

On a related note, I'm glad you are safe, and sorry you and Dave (among others) are living through this at close range.

Regards,
 
I think everyone should carry a knife, because they are useful tools.
I don't count on a knife to defend my person.
If you do, my feelings are that you are helping to show knives in the wrong light. If you need to carry a knife to feel safe while the vast majority of the people don't, who would you say the "Sheeple" are?

Thanks for your comments.
 
Originally posted by PhilL


Bob, you just proved my point. You want the right to carry a knife as a defensive weapon, and anyone that doesn't know you or your intentions can look at that same knife as an offensive weapon and a threat to their well-being. I carry knives, but I don't carry them as a weapon. Once again as long as you do someone is going to want to take them away from you.

Phil tool or weapon whatever your choice of words but regardless of what you call it, it is still in your pocket. Lets be sensible here a knife can be a tool or a weapon as they always have been since man first invented a knife and names don't change that one iota. You miss my point that Razor doesn't and that is self defense is not something to ignore and hope it goes away.If you have what you call a tool in your pocket and run into a difficult situation does your thinking it a tool change what it really is? Hardly.

Individuals rights are a funny thing, sometimes your rights end when they infringe on someone else's. Let's say for example you want the right to play your stereo as loud as you want, but I prefer not to listen to it, who's right?

We are talking about someone willing to do extreme violence here not someone just annoying you with a loud boombox.

My point is this, if you're carrying a knife as a weapon, you're part of the problem. Until WE start looking at knives as pratical and handy tools it's the height of hypocracy to call others "Sheeple" and wonder why they feel threatened.

No Phil its called common sense as I said before your choice of words doesn't change the implement.

Should people have the right to defend themselves? Of course, but if you're betting your life on a knife to do that, you may want to rethink your options.
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No one said or advocated wholesale knife fighting here what is being advocated is the individuals right to protect themselves with whatever they happen to have handy without retribution from the goverment whether that is a knife,gun or a"tool".
Bob
 
Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't need a knife to feel safe(er). The whole concept behind the "tactical folder," however, is one of a utility tool that can, if absolutely necessary, be used to tilt the odds in your favor (however slightly) in the event a self-defense scenario arises. As one mindful of self-defense issues, I see no reason not to have all options available to me, which is why I select utility knives that can serve both functions. That's also why I went through the time and hassle to obtain a CCW permit.

The reason I feel so strongly about knives and their connection to self-defense issues is that I see their possession intertwined with that of handguns. Suspicion and hysteria aimed at tools of any kind, regardless of their marketed or intended use, does us all a disservice -- particularly when we start to associate (wrongly) armed self-defense with some sort of weakness or insecurity. When we decide there is no need for self-defense tools, or when we too-casually dismiss out of hand the usefullness of a particular implement, we endanger ourselves whether we know it or not.

Sheep -- the animals, mind -- are probably best known for the fact that they're afraid of everything. The term "sheeple" was coined for those who experience irrational fear of weapons, an emotion termed by Jeff Cooper as "hoplophobia." I believe it is the hoplophobes, rather than the hoplophiles (if you'll indulge my use of the term) who represent the greater long-term threat to a free society.

Thank you for your consideration despite the fact that we disagree, Phil. I know the last few days have not been easy. I think I speak for all our fellow forumites when I say that if there's anything those of you in NYC (or DC, for that matter) need by way of assistance, you need only to ask.
 
Originally posted by Razoredj
I see their possession intertwined with that of handguns.
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I'd rather we didn't look at knives that way. Once again, as long as you do someone is going to want to take them away from you.
 
I understand. I don't think it's possible to separate the two, but I do see from where you're coming.
 
Originally posted by Razoredj
I don't think it's possible to separate the two,
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Of course it's possible. Why don't you try this, get a piece of paper, draw a line down the center and put Uses of a Pocket Knife on one side and the Uses of a Handgun on the other side, and see what you can come up with? :rolleyes:

Bob, it's not a matter of just words, it's a matter of perception. If you see tham as a weapon, why would you be surprised that someone else sees them the same way?
 
So what if you carry a knife for self-defense. So long as you don't hurt people with it. We cannot read each others minds. You do not know anybodies motives for carrying one unless they attack you with it. Knives will always be assiciated with guns. The NANNY state and its minions demand it so they can control us.
 
The multitude of utility uses of the knife are undeniable, as is the singular purpose of the handgun. But the reason I believe the two cannot be separated is because both can be used as weapons, regardless of how and by whom they are perceived. It is that potential use that makes them, particularly in the minds of those who fear weapons, inseparable -- regardless of the attitudes of others.

Why did you call me Bob?
 
Phil I understand completley what you are saying and my perception is it is a tool but it is a tool with many uses one of which can't be denied is its use as a weapon if the odds so choose to make it one. And that fact will always remain just as a baseball bat is used to hit balls in the ballpark but can also be used to hit heads on the street. My point is trying to legislate new laws against knives only hurts those who do use them as tools. The whole mindset is take away anything that can be used as a weapon from law abiding citizens regardless of its intended use leaving people without any options when a difficult situation arises.
Bob
 
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