Why are people so afraid of everything??? (St. George, Joseph: environment, travel)

[Trebek]

A few (not most), protestant Fundamentalists bombed abortion clinics.
A few (not most), Islamic fundamentalists blew up the World Trade Center.
A few (not most), Catholic fundamentalists assassinated Lord Mountbatten.
That was my initial, badly worded, point.

Sorry Kaiser (and the rest of the fundamentalists out there), my choice of words does sound hypocritical, because my wording did seem to "tar" all fundamentalists for the actions of a very few.

Please forgive..

[kaiser]

Trebek,

I am not offended, I was just adding my two cents!

I don't get offended easily, I just wante dto expand your mind just in case you meant things the way they sounded. I read what you wrote after words and clearly see what you are saying now!

As for forgiving you...... well, there isn't any offense to forgive!;-)

[Trebek]

I read many of the posts on KSR, concerning the bear attack this past weekend. Many posters there, share the same opinion concerning guns as bear protection.

Here are some facts (sorry I love enlightening folks, it's the teacher in me):

This insident was the first fatality involving black bears in Utah (according to KSL).

The childs parents taught bear awareness to their kids and there was no food in the tent.

The parents couldn't have even used a gun to save the child if they had one since they were all asleep.

The previous day, in the exact same spot, people scared a bear away that ripped their tent by shooting a gun.

Bears do have long memories and will seek revenge if shot or shot at.

I read a book that chronicled all the bear deaths in Alaska since 1900, over half were caused by people shooting at them. (incidently, I read the book while camping in Alaska, "thinking" it would ease my fear of bears...)

I'm also a gun owner, and carry guns while camping: mainly due to human invaders. I carry pepper spray, pots and pans, and a flashlight for bear protection.

Bears run 98 percent of the time using the noise/pepper spray method, unless cubs are involved, then slowly back away while facing the bear, keeping your pepper spray ready. Never run, it triggers a chase, and they are much faster.

If you have to shoot an attacking bear and fail to kill it (which is usually the case), it will often get angry and try to kill you.

I think being in a tent, with children, in a public campsite, while shooting at bears in the dark might be a bad idea. Yelling and banging on pots and pans is effective and safer for bystanders.

Saying all that....I'm getting me a travel trailer!


Anyway, my two cents.

[Elder_Shawn]

AIRSTREAM trailer!

[kaiser]

Trebek,

I respect you thoughts, but I still will stick with my gun!;-)

[Trebek]

A 12 gauge police shotgun loaded with 3" buckshot rounds staggered with slugs, seems to be the preferred method of bear protection by many native Alaskans. 357's and 44 mags can stop bears....but only after they kick your butt for shooting them.

Think about it...shooting a grizz with a 357???

[Trebek]

Back to fears: Bears and sharks are my greatest fears. Mother in Laws can be very scary as well! I used to fear scorpions until I accidentally wiped my bum with an old t-shirt in the woods, and covered an unfortunate scorp with dung....didn't get stung neither. It was a pitiful site.... Poor thing.

I still swim in the ocean and hike through the woods. But I shake my boots out every morning religiously. Does Utah have those big deadly 12 inch long centipedes? Those things are friggin' scary. I killed one in Oklahoma and haven't seen one since. Yikes, give me a copperhead in the house any day!

[GreggB]

And back to the original Question--"why are people so afraid of everything"? The media has a lot to do with that. Always reporting just the bad news-the scary stuff. Remember after 9-11, when the government told us all to have "Duck Tape" on hand, just in case. Right?? Just in case of what?? See what I mean. The media has a way of spreading fear in a blink of the eye. We are led to believe that crime exsists on every square inch of the planet, that we are all going to be a victim of something horrendous at any given moment. "The only thing we have to fear--is fear itself". Seems like that most famous saying has all been but forgotten!!

[SergeantL]

Originally Posted by GreggB

And back to the original Question--"why are people so afraid of everything"? The media has a lot to do with that. Always reporting just the bad news-the scary stuff. Remember after 9-11, when the government told us all to have "Duck Tape" on hand, just in case. Right?? Just in case of what?? See what I mean. The media has a way of spreading fear in a blink of the eye. We are led to believe that crime exsists on every square inch of the planet, that we are all going to be a victim of something horrendous at any given moment. "The only thing we have to fear--is fear itself". Seems like that most famous saying has all been but forgotten!!

Gregg, although I agree with you in principle, I need to make a few points. First, after an eon or so in law enforcement, I am amazed at how people blithely go about their lives. It’s as if they are on autopilot and pay no attention to the environment around them. They are as sheep walking to slaughter. Next, I understand what you are saying; however, for the most part, there is crime wherever there are people. Additionally, the potential for a “horrendous” criminal event to affect one’s life does not usually come from a stranger; it comes from friends and family.

Yes, the Press does focus on the negative, but it is foolish not to pay attention to these “snapshots” and take precautions. During my law enforcement career, I learned to live with my head on a swivel both on and off-duty. Even though I am now retired, I continue to pay attention. It is not fear; it is a matter of prudence. There is an old saying: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

[BuckeyezRule]

Originally Posted by Calibelle

I just laugh. What it comes down to Trebek... is people PHYSICALLY needing to spend time in Utah, and educate themselves as much as possible, about the LDS religion. We usually fear, what we do not understand.

Exactly, couldn't have said it any better myself. I moved to a burb of SLC from Ohio in Jan. I too, had all the same fears about the church. I learned alot about the religion before we moved, but I needed to actually meet people! LOL My neighbors are wonderful, & I've made some great friends. Actually, I like the people out here better than most back in Ohio. LOL