A good friend of mine organized an evening for his Scottish friends living in LA to meet up over dinner. Sort of a Scottish gentleman's club, without the implications that the phrase "gentleman's club" might have.The premise was simple.
Why not have an evening where everyone was understood, and their accents were only an issue to the restaurant staff. We had a shared understanding of humor and a strong cultural link.
I could call someone an eejit and not only would they know what I meant, they'd know I was just having fun.
We had a great night, which included suggestions about what to do when we meet up next time. I suggested we go to a gun club, as this is one of the most alien aspects of American culture to me. And let's face it, it would be both exciting and relatively safe in such a controlled environment. We decided we should also add a particularly Scottish activity - and there are few things more Scottish than going to an Indian restaurant.
We agreed to call the next evening "Guns n Curry" - which sounded to us like the name for a Scottish "Guns n Roses" tribute band. We predicted that we'd be singing "Sweet Japati of Mine" by the end of the evening.
I've just sent out an email and we've all agreed that we're not going to a gun club anymore. We don't need a gun experience right now.
There's a lot of talk right now about gun control and new laws and services. It's good that there is and I hope that something good comes of it. However, I think we need to act as individuals as well.
If you have a gun, I believe it is your obligation to reconsider whether you should have such a weapon. Your gun(s) will probably never protect you and your family. In fact, it is more likely that they will be used to inflict harm on you or your family.
I believe that it is the actions that we make as individuals, that will ultimately make lasting change. And so I hope that you personally decide to get rid of your guns.
The Glasgow Garam Masala evening will now take place in early in the New Year...without the risk of any rock anthems being badly sung with Scottish accents.
I'd love to get your comments
-Do you have a gun and think I am wrong to ask to you to consider getting rid of it? If so, why?
No guns here, but I don't think it's wrong to ask people to consider resigning from gun ownership. I think having the discussion is a good thing. Sadly, the "solution" for most people is to just berate gun owners or seek to remove their weapons by force or by law, which just makes people more defensive and stubborn, and then all the rational discussion and consideration goes right out the window, and everyone's back to square one. :/
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment. Much appreciated. It's an odd / interesting part of the human condition. Laws seem to be the solution for the other people. No one likes laws to affect their lives, the laws should only stop 'the bad people'... Who are these so called 'bad people'?
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