Where are you coming from?

I’m a leftest, or more precisely left of center because I prefer an egalitarian society over one ruled by an aristocracy. I prefer a democracy over a dictatorship. I prefer a society that favors the common man more than the leader.

 

Thanks for more evidence of my earlier statement to which you alluded. First we are talking shootings here not crime in general there is a difference. 2nd you are trying to contradict statistics with anecdotes. It doesn't work.

 

In the south, as long as you aren't sticking the barrel in your mouth and pulling the trigger you aren't as likely to die by firearms as in northern big cities.

 

The other problem with state to state comparisons is that this isn't 1950 any more the average American no longer dies and is buried within five miles of where he grew up. For good or ill the nation at all socio economic levels is far more mobile than once it was. The internal combustion engine made that possible but what made it happen was what seems to be an innate American belief that there are always greener pastures just over the horizon.
It is also possible, in fact likely, that this belief has political ramifications as well.

 

Oh the irony.

 

Actually I am confirming the statistics with personal experience.

 

Here let me clarify for you there are not more shootings in rural America per capita or other wise.

 

No there is more crimes in cities because is under Democrats control not because of more people, they are frustrated at high Democrat taxes they cant live a decent life.

 

Is it that you are angered that your demographic is not on top?

Study after study has shown consistent group behavior based on certain demographical characterizations. For instance, why is that most of those who oppose the idea of fossil fuel caused global warming also oppose abortion, reject the idea of evolution, and support Donald Trump?

People are born with a basic personality, that is somewhat genetic. That is, one is more likely to have a personality that is similar to one of one’s parents, regardless if that parent is around or not. From there on environmental elements come into play. Strict authoritarian parents are more likely to produce children who grow up to be conservative while more lenient parents tend to produce children who grow up to be liberal.

Growing up in a violent neighborhood produces a different way of thinking than growing up in an idyllic setting. Growing up in a crowded city produces a different way of thinking, than growing up on a farm. Growing up pretty creates a different way of thinking than growing up ugly.

Turns out, many stereotypes can be backed up with statistical analyses. Does not predict individual behavior, but it does predict average behavior. It is kind of the way statistics works. In the early days of particle physics there was the problem that individual particles could not be tracked, or their behavior be specifically predicted. However quantum mechanics solved the problem using statistical methods. Even though the behavior of individual particles can not be exactly predicted, the average behavior of large numbers can be predicted to great precision.

So even though you, personally, may lay outside the common behavior, the behavior of those within your demographic, whatever that may be, including yourself, averages out to very predictable behaviors.

 

A lot of serial killers come from and do their thing in rural America.

Statistically gun owners are twice as likely to be shot than non-gun owners. And more people are killed by gun by accident or suicide than than murder.

 

As individuals, we should feel secure enough to acknowledge the demographic factors that contribute to our differences in perception and political orientation.

Is a young, affluent, Black, secular, female college professor in Boston likely to share the politics of an old, poor, White, evangelical male with limited education in Biloxi? Of course, it is possible that they might align precisely, but their disparate demographic factors makes that unlikely.

There are obviously significant aspects in their respective differences that contribute to differing political orientation.

 

You'll have to provide actual examples of what you are talking about.

If you can't, you are certainly entitles with a baseless opinion.

 

I never suggested any or all factors are 100% determinative.

It is possible for the political perspective of a young, affluent, Black, secular, female college professor in Boston to align precisely with that of an old, poor, White evangelical male with limited education in Biloxi? Of course, but all those demographic factors contribute to a probability they will differ.

 

It means that no demographic profile guarantees 100% conformity - which is not something I would ever claim.

 

Obviously not.

Demographic factors contribute significantly to an individual's probable political orientation, but are not 100% determinative.

 

Firearm laws are generally enacted by state government, not municipalities. Does the concentration of the populace in urban centers reflect the number of firearm fatalities? Of course. It would be strange if that were not the case.

 

I grew up in NYC, Chicago, and Connecticut. Vacationed every summer in Massachusetts (Cape Cod and the islands).

I moved to Texas 34 years ago when I was 23 and I’ve never regretted it.

I have a master’s degree and own two guns.

 

Well apparently a lot of southerners enjoy eating their guns using your logic.

 

Also wrong cities have always been the drivers of gun laws. The earliest gun laws were all city ordinances.

 

No I’m not angered that my demographic isn’t on top. By your very own metrics I’m pretty much in the demographics you guys like. I live in Nebraska and it’s on the fat list, but my health/exercise “behavior” was obviously a product of being born and raised in CO because I’m not fat. That’s the only explanation.

Yes personality is very much influenced by genetics. It’s heritability is quite high.

So you quoted and responded to my post to a different member and didn’t answer the question I asked. What to you think is responsible for that member and yourself attributing beliefs to me I don’t have? Is it genetic, the way you were raised?

 

Then it sounds like we are mostly on the same page. To be sure, would you respect and consider the opinion of both equally, on its merit? Or only if you shared the same opinion?

 

I heartily champion the equal right of both to express a political preference based upon all the demographic determinants and personal proclivities that contribute to them.

 

Ah, you can’t answer the question. Why?

 

You have a strange sense of irony, but if it makes you happy, have at it.

 

This is one of your regular uses of stereotype used as a political weapon.