It's really too bad that so many useful discussion threads tend to veer off onto 2d Amendment issues. Can't we just acknowledge that not everyone sees these questions in the same light and that there is room for disagreement? This forum is so incredibly valuable -- it is a pity to get involved in unproductive disputes, especially since individual posters may be discouraged from participating due to a dislike of getting "flamed." (Plus we risk getting shut down by our moderator, who nobly suffers in silence until things reach a certain point.)