wwo_mordy ([info]wwo_mordy) wrote,
@ 2007-05-01 00:42:00
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Current location:nyc
Entry tags:guns, oil, world without oil

Guns in the City
"If I had a shiny gun  / I could have a world of fun."
- Dorothy Parker

May 1st. Second night of the Oil Crisis. So, is this thing going to get worse? Let's assume it is. Let's assume that Escape from New York, and other great B-List action movies about escaping New York City, are prophetic. Let's assume that fairly soon, maybe within a couple weeks, this powder keg of a city might esplode.

So what can I do if things get hot? Charlotte and I have family in Philadelphia, but I imagine that cities will be cities will be cities. Especially on the eastcoast. And who knows? Maybe New York will get away relatively unscathed. Just need enough oil to power the subways. Oh! And we'll have to make more subways handicap accessible. Also! We'll have more space for pedestrians and bikers. I mean - imagine it: New York City completely car-less. It's enough to root for the oil collapse.

But this brings me to my current dilemma. If things do turn grisly, in this kind of city, they'll turn grisly fast. Look at examples of citywide riots - like the 1994 Crown Heights riot, or riots in other cities. If this get ugly, we might need a gun.

I know, the g-word is the one people have been trying to avoid. And sure, if you live in Nebraska, or even San Fransisco, maybe you don't need to worry about getting a gun. But if you're in this city, it's something to consider. So here are my problems: I haven't shot a gun since military camp years ago. I don't own a gun. My wife doesn't want a gun in the house. So I'm working through the possibilities, trying to figure something out that'll satisfy all these problems. I'll keep you all updated.


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[info]wwo_baltpiker
2007-05-01 06:39 am UTC (link)
If you don't mind me offering my opinion...

I commented on an earlier post of yours that Philly was the second-best place in America to ride out an oil shock, after New York. I stand by that. The oil is going away, but the uranium, coal, and falling water aren't. The subways will be more popular than ever, and it's easier to find fuel for a bus fleet than for everybody's car.

If there are cities that are going to turn ugly, it's those with inadequate or nonexistent transit systems and no way to expand them quickly. I worry about my parents in Ohio; I asked my mom if she'd like to stay with me until things settle down. I hate to say it, but the only way we're going to have serious issues out here is if we get flooded with people from the rest of the country who we can't support.

As to the gun issue, I would recommend taking your wife's advice and steering clear, if you aren't experienced. If you're seriously worried, though, you could do what I did five years ago, and buy a sword. Adequate for personal defense, unlikely to hurt you or your family, and easier to use without formal training (pointy end goes in the other guy :-) ). Never have to worry about running out of ammo, either.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
New Yorker
(Anonymous)
2007-07-10 04:19 pm UTC (link)
The subways in NYC do indeed run on electricity. But where and how is the electricty made. Con Edison uses coal, at least I presume that they do so that would not be a problem. THe problem will come from how does the coal get here and how will food get to the City? Trucks use gas or diesel and so do ships and tugs so unless these can be converted to some sort of bio-fuel - diesel trucks can be converted fairly quickly and so can diesel trains. If this is true then so long as our food supplies are OK the City will be OK. It is the suburbs and the rural areas where people need cars and trucks to get around that will be the hardest hit, at least in my opinion.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]artimaeis
2007-05-01 05:19 pm UTC (link)
I was under the presumption that subway trains ran on electricity, not gasoline. I could very well be incorrect given the fact that I have never actually seen one (never been in a city with a subway system). But isn't there a big electric line that powers the subway running along the wall? I'll look it up to make sure. Regardless, we don't need to get violent. People get violent when they have their hands on weapons. Looters, murderers, rapists, all the sort. So, just take care. Don't start shooting everyone who looks threatening. We need order, not chaos.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Dumbass
(Anonymous)
2007-05-03 05:21 am UTC (link)
People get violent when they are violent. People don't become loopy if they get a hold of a gun. Crime is stopped by good people with guns. Being unarmed and helpless is just stupid.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Dumbass
(Anonymous)
2007-05-04 06:51 pm UTC (link)
super dumbass. that commie spic che gueverra wouldn't have gotten too far with those evil firearms you spoke so ill of, he is your hero isn't he? what are you a hyporcrit. I got a few shiny firearms and I am glad I got 'em. Specially now, cuz its on, soon as someone tries to take my shit or siphon my gas, there ass is going bye bye. Am I the criminal, hell no, they are and I am just protecting the order. So obey the law, or I will enforce it.

RB

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Ultra Dumbass
[info]clinart
2007-05-10 09:39 pm UTC (link)
What kind of dumbass uses racial slurs, asshole?

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Re: Dumbass
(Anonymous)
2008-05-14 01:35 am UTC (link)
Just so you guys know, this "dumbass" doesn't represent gun owners. The vast majority of 'em are nice folks, not racist and backwards.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

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