Seems to me that someone posted somewhere on this board something about the history of the development of our respective countries being different with respect to the right to bear arms. Certainly the development of each country was different, but the paths to the present were not totally different in that much of our military was formed by volunteers who were self-armed in the early years. Military officers were often APPOINTED on the basis of their standing in the community and their ability to network and more succinctly, their ability to rally men and muster a group of armed men to fight in protection of the life and property. Canada and the USA were not always the best of friends and it was not just a matter of lumber rights or tainted beef (does that mad cow thing give you a twitch in YOUR eye too?). Armed conflict was often a matter of 'guerilla warfare' fought by semi-regular troops composed of farmers, clerks, school teachers, etc., that were mustered by a respected member of the community. SO... we are not all that different in our backgrounds. Sorta reminds me of the boys in the old 'hood. Every home in the neighborhood had at least two or three boys in it and we used to form street hockey teams, one block against another. Sometimes each block would have two or three teams! And they were called to action by respected and influential youngsters living on the block. Our weapons of choice were usually chewed up hockey sticks (from the pavement... pavement 'rash') and a beat up old tennis ball or two. Everytime we tried to use a puck someone would get 'beaned' and our parents would ban all sporting activity for a week or two.
Anyone want more 'street hockey' history feel free to ask.
I'm not suppose to be here, but I sure could use a cupcake or Twinkie right about now. 
