Random chit
If you happen to see Mark Chesnutt while you're running errands today, don't forget to wish him a Happy Birthday. It's #46 for him.
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I don't feel like commenting more on the current BS outta DC, I've already put in my 2 cents in other blogs, so I'm probably up to about $.50.
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In a sad commentary on events, the British Scouting Association has banned carrying any knives. Despite British law still allowing non-locking pocketknives with blades no-more-than 3 inches, the officials claim it is because of concerns over a "growing (British) knife culture." I'm calling BS, it's over a lack of arresting-and-punishing-the-guilty-yobs culture! I can't imagine being in Scouts and not being encouraged to have a pocketknife on your person. In fact, I recall a meeting after a campout (that I missed), where one of the advisors was disappointed that several of the Scouts on that trip didn't have a basic pocketknife, so he was presenting them all with an Opinel, and the reminder to "Be Prepared," you know, that "Scout motto" thing. Now? {sigh} I'm pretty sure that Sir Baden-Powell is spinning in his grave.
Funny thing about it all, from what opinions I've gathered online, is that England is the only one with this "problem," across the English Channel in France (and the rest of Europe), a pocketknife is perfectly normal to have with you, you know, as long as you're not up to no good. As examples, if you're in the park and using your Opinel or Swiss Army knife for slicing up some cheese and summer sausage for lunch, the Gendarmes will probably wish you bon appetit; whilst if you're out drinking and fighting in the alley behind the bar and the cops find you with a big ol' RamboNinjatronicDeathMaker2000, well, kiss your ass good night, you're going to jail! Hell, I was reading another Texan's blog, where he chronicled his adventures in nanny-state-ism, after using his pocketknife in a restaurant to cut up his food ('cause frankly, restaurant knives ain't good for cutting soft cheese, much less a steak). One of the employees called the cops on him, and they stopped him three times along his way home! They all chatted with him for a minute and let him go, but it still added up to wasting 45 minutes of his time, plus the expense to the taxpayers to investigate this "crime." Oh yeah, he's more than a little pissed about it, as would I. (Oh, by the way, welcome to my blogroll!)
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I don't feel like commenting more on the current BS outta DC, I've already put in my 2 cents in other blogs, so I'm probably up to about $.50.
*********************
In a sad commentary on events, the British Scouting Association has banned carrying any knives. Despite British law still allowing non-locking pocketknives with blades no-more-than 3 inches, the officials claim it is because of concerns over a "growing (British) knife culture." I'm calling BS, it's over a lack of arresting-and-punishing-the-guilty-yobs culture! I can't imagine being in Scouts and not being encouraged to have a pocketknife on your person. In fact, I recall a meeting after a campout (that I missed), where one of the advisors was disappointed that several of the Scouts on that trip didn't have a basic pocketknife, so he was presenting them all with an Opinel, and the reminder to "Be Prepared," you know, that "Scout motto" thing. Now? {sigh} I'm pretty sure that Sir Baden-Powell is spinning in his grave.
Funny thing about it all, from what opinions I've gathered online, is that England is the only one with this "problem," across the English Channel in France (and the rest of Europe), a pocketknife is perfectly normal to have with you, you know, as long as you're not up to no good. As examples, if you're in the park and using your Opinel or Swiss Army knife for slicing up some cheese and summer sausage for lunch, the Gendarmes will probably wish you bon appetit; whilst if you're out drinking and fighting in the alley behind the bar and the cops find you with a big ol' RamboNinjatronicDeathMaker2000, well, kiss your ass good night, you're going to jail! Hell, I was reading another Texan's blog, where he chronicled his adventures in nanny-state-ism, after using his pocketknife in a restaurant to cut up his food ('cause frankly, restaurant knives ain't good for cutting soft cheese, much less a steak). One of the employees called the cops on him, and they stopped him three times along his way home! They all chatted with him for a minute and let him go, but it still added up to wasting 45 minutes of his time, plus the expense to the taxpayers to investigate this "crime." Oh yeah, he's more than a little pissed about it, as would I. (Oh, by the way, welcome to my blogroll!)
posted by Mattexian at 4:33 PM
2 Comments:
In Australia it's illegal to carry a knife. That way only the criminals have knives. In fact it's illegal to have a stun gun or pepper spray. Maybe even to carry a baseball bat...
Really? I've got a couple of online acquaintances Down Under who are into bushcrafting, who haven't said anything about knives being verbotten. Maybe it's one of those laws that the cops use for going after the thugs, but not so much the regular Joe and Jane? I know, selective prosecution and all that. Or is it that most cities have laws, but get out in the countryside and as long as you ain't pointing your machete/parang at the park rangers, they'll let you use whatever on your campout?
Slight update on the "no Brit Scouts having knives": apparently they're "strongly advised" not to bring them, and the individual troops and leaders can set rules regarding them (much like the US Scout troops, lots of "no big sheath knives"). Also, it is advised that any pocketknives be buried deep in one's pack or checked with the troop leader, and if it is needed, it is gotten out, used, and immediately put back! I still stand by my "so much for 'Being Prepared'!"
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