Date: Mon, 27 Mar 95 16:52 PST
From: Clayton_Cramer@optilink.dsccc.com
To: ca-firearms@shell.portal.com, fap@world.std.com
Subject: letter to the editor


							   CLAYTON E. CRAMER
							  7198 Camino Colegio
							 Rohnert Park, CA 94928
								 (707) 795-7306
							   (707) 795-7921 fax
					  Internet: cramer@optilink.dsccc.com



March 27, 1995


Santa Rosa Press-Democrat
427 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
attn: Letters to the Editor


Dear Sirs:

Sunday's paper was full of articles about the virtues of non-violence.
But I am reminded of Bertrand Russell's observation that conventions
of sheep, passing resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, are of no
importance, if the wolves do not agree.

The sort of people most likely to be persuaded by Mr. Cullinen's
article about non-violence are those least likely to aggress against
others.  Mr. Cullinen insists that we can decide not to own a gun
"because we never want to be responsible for the injury or death of
another human being."  This sort of pacifism is to easy to believe
in, if you don't know anyone who has been murdered, raped, or beaten
to a pulp because they were unable to defend themselves.  (I know 
plenty; I'm from Los Angeles.)  

It is also easy to believe in non-violence if you think that the 
police will arrive in time to protect you.  Of course, the police 
will use violence to protect you -- but the pacifist can continue
his fantasy of being "non-violent."

In the real world, "non-violent" people suffer physically and emotionally
for years after being a victim of violent crimes -- and the violent 
savages are free to continue brutalizing other victims.  The net effect
of promoting nonviolence to the sheep is to give the wolves more
opportunity to enjoy lamb chops.

Finally, Mr. Cullinen seems to think highly of Henry David Thoreau.
I therefore recommend that he read Thoreau's, "A Defense Of Captain
John Brown" -- one of those "violent" people who refused to let the
slave owners continue business as usual.  Thoreau was no pacifist.

Non-violence "works" only as long as a significant fraction of the
members of society are prepared to defend themselves -- with the
threat or use of violence.


Very Truly Yours,





Clayton E. Cramer