Column Comments Were Off the Mark
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This is in response to Paul R. Dunn’s comments about concealed carry holders in Pinehurst (“Pinehurst: Quiet Retirement Spot or Armed Camp?” Sept. 14).
First, I am a concealed carry permit holder who resides in Pinehurst. Second, I am a recently retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army with nine combat deployments to the global war on terror.
Mr. Dunn’s comments accusing and referring to law-abiding citizens being “thugs” with carry permits, toting Smith and Wessons in backpacks raising havoc in Pinehurst, is so far off the mark and beyond offensive to someone like me.
Our community is full of quiet professionals who defend freedom. Many of us have concealed carry permits. It’s nice to know that Mr. Dunn can exercise his right to free speech secured by many concealed carry permit holders. By doing so he has managed to offend and call “thugs” those of us who defended his right to make a fool of himself.
Mr. Dunn, you should be thankful that we sheepdogs are out here to defend sheep like you. His remarks are an affront to our citizens who, like me, have gone to war and have written a blank check with their lives to defend our nation.
James Reed
Pinehurst
Editor’s note: In fairness, columnist Dunn did not call gun owners “thugs.” He quoted a worried Pinehurst resident as using that term at a public hearing on the ordinance’s revocation. Dunn criticized the NRA for “instilling such fear into our once-brave citizenry that some apparently believe ‘thugs’ are about to raise havoc in Pinehurst.”
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Comments
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
Paul Dunn doesn't comment on these internet pages...I guess it's below him and doesn't get printed in the paper Pilot. Paul Dunn you realize is the world's foremost authority on anything and everything and he is not above telling the occasional lie to bolster his anti-gun ravings a couple of times a year. He led off a few years back by making the statement that "fully automatic weapons are not needed for hunting" and it's been more or less on that tack ever since. The Pilot prints his diatribes without comment or correction even when he tells a blatent lie. We keep him straight on the web but in all honesty I don't know why the Pilot continues to print his crap.
JimRussell44 8 months ago
skylinefirepest, they print his "crap" right along with yours. There are those of us who do not need to go around armed because we are not freightened little girls or macho Rambo types. I don't know about Mr. Dunn, but I have never advocated having your precious guns pried from your trembling hands. I just like to point out that you can live life without them, as I have done for almost 70 years. And as for the need for weapons that can spray rounds all over the place in a very short period of time, I would think that feature would only be valuable to someone who lacked any sort of shooting skill. For example, shooting birds with a shotgun is the same as fishing with dynamite as far as I'm concerned.
JimRussell44 8 months ago
Mr. Reed, the subject was people carrying concealed weapons in Pinehurst. The additional information you provided concerning your career in the military was not relevant to this conversation. I suggest you added it to attempt to give your comments more weight than they otherwise might have. I am not a sheep and you are not a sheepdog. My freedom of speech is not secured by people walking around with concealed weapons. Whatever gave you that idea? All of us contribute to making this country what it is. Some of us don't need constant affirmation of our contributions nor do we need to have our views looked upon as superior to others. If you want to debate the pros and cons of concealed carry in Pinehurst, do so simply as a Pinehurst resident who favors it.
greatbrit 8 months ago
I agree with JR - I don't see why being "a retired lieutenant colonel" should give anyone cause to denigrate the rest of the population as "sheep". This arrogant pomposity carries no weight for us, Just because you had the luxury of being able to order others around in your career, please be aware that that all stopped the moment you accepted retirement. As far as my views are concerned, I came from a country where the only guns are in the criminal element where they are dealt with by the police weilding a big stick!
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
Jim, as I have said before you are entitled to protect your wife and kids in any manner that you choose...even if you decide not to protect them at all but hide in your closet and call 911 and wait for who knows how long for help to arrive. Your choice, and I haven't bothered you about "your choice" near as much as you have commented on "my choice", right?? Your comment about "spraying rounds" and shooting birds with shotguns just highlights your lack of informed thought about firearms. While I wish you no harm at all, and you are one of the few that will give a reasonable back and forth about most any subject, I do think it would be interesting if you were targeted by a criminal or confronted on the "safe streets" of wherever you live, just to see what your reaction would be. Greatbrit, you're kidding, right?? Britian is now a crime ridden place with so called "gun crime" rising in numbers and your Bobbies are being armed, slowly but surely. It's a shame that a once great country fell into a position of not trusting their subjects ( not citizens, because a citizen has a means of protection from his political leaders ). What a drop from the once world leader. By the way, the bobbies have not dealt ( with or without their sticks ) with the mass killings rendered by the few nut cases. Typical of "gun free zones" the public is simply left to plea for their lives. ( Movie theater in Colorado, anyone?? )
Yukonjohn 8 months ago
As far as my views are concerned, I came from a country where the only guns are in the criminal element where they are dealt with by the police weilding a big stick!
LMAO, GreatBrit!! All l can think of is: "Halt, or l'll say Halt again"!!!
Just think, when you need a policeman in seconds, one will be there in minutes. And, an armed society is a polite society.
MikeNC 8 months ago
Thanks for your service and sacrifice Colonel Reed and also the same to your wife and family. It may seldom occur on a personal basis, but many times a person's life has been spared another day because of those like you, who legally 'have our back'. It takes time, committment and expertise in doing so. Those spared have been the individual, a loved one, friend or total stranger. I understood the entire content of your post and why you shared a personal note about yourself. Some like JER have always enjoyed any opportunity to attempt a slam at a Soldier as he wears such comments as qualification badges and ribbons. It normally works out very badly for him.....Thanks again! Mike Hoohaa
Thatcher 8 months ago
Yukon! Great to see you here. Mr. Dunn, as skyline noted, is the resident expert on everything from guns to the Village Green. He'll even tell you who to vote for, or what trees can be cut down. Amazing. I have never understood why some get so angry about Americans owning, and using, guns. Your "Halt! Or I'll say Halt again!" is too funny. Be well my friend. Cheers!
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
Good comment, Mike. People like JER and JD give no credit to the military for their sacrifices. I believe JD said just a short while ago that they were PAID for their service and probably couldn't find a job out in the real world anyway. It's a shame that people like JER and JD and Sgt.Chickensnake are allowed to celibrate their freedom on the sacrifices of others. If they had to stand the line I wonder how many would show up??
AFCHIEF 8 months ago
Skyline, that's why people like JD, JeR, and JImr are sheep.
CNMT 8 months ago
I love the reference to those who serve in the military being paid for their service. Yes, they are paid to serve in the military and protect OUR freedoms. But it is also true that a percentage of the enlisted ranks are living below the poverty level and are on food stamps. As to the comment about them not being able to find a job out in the real world - with unemployment rates where they are today there are a lot of people unable to find a job in the real world. But they are collecting unemployment, food stamps etc not joining the military where they can get training free of charge and quite possibly have a new career when they get out.
JimRussell44 8 months ago
The column is about concealed carry of firearms in Pinehurst. The writer of the letter brought the military into this conversation, not me. My views on the role of the US military have been presented in the past and regular readers of these posts are aware of where I stand on that subject. That discussion need not cloud this completly different subject.
Back on subject: skylinefirepest seems to think I would run and hide if and when my family or myself were to ever be confronted by "bad guys". He does not know me. He does not know if that has not already happened. He does not know how I would respond. But I do know. I know how the situation was resolved. And I know that I didn't need a gun to blow anyone away to resolve the conflict. Skylinefirepest says my comments about semi-automatic weapons and shotguns shows a "lack of informed thought about firearms". By all means, educate me on why I'm wrong. AFCHIEF thinks people who can get along without firearms are "sheep". I think people like AFCHIEF are little cowards who must rely on guns to make themselves feel big and safe. You see, Chief, we can all have an opinion.
JD 8 months ago
Oh look a bunch of ignorant whiners. Pestilence and and AFPogue if you want to name call and start and internet fight then best with better material.
I believe JD said just a short while ago that they were PAID for their service and probably couldn't find a job out in the real world anyway.
This belief like that in imaginary friends you have is false. I said some in military service volunteer and get paid for it. Fancy that! And many can not pass basic skills test to be employed when they get home. Fancy that! Trained to shoot and disarm bombs limits civilian life employment? Only other jobs are to become mercs..er umm security contractors. Fancy that!
You two like the author (sheepdog pfft) have an over inflated ego and superiority complex that is not healthy. Seek help anons.
AFCHIEF 8 months ago
Jimruss and Jd you whiny little sheep would not know the first thing about military life so quit blabbing about something you have no knowledge of
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
JD...you don't have a clue about the military so pretty much all your comments regarding service life are delved from your wanna-be movies or games. I put you in the same category as Sgt. chickensnake, never served, never will, don't wanna get hurt, you can contribute more to society being at home gaurding the refrigerator from rogue children. In other words you are correct in one thing...I don't know you...and I don't care to. I know what people in the service to their country ( read military, not ambassadors and such ) sacrifice for their country and it puts them head and shoulders above you who don't have the guts
JD 8 months ago
Oh look Pestilence displaying his ignorance again. Shocking. So because I had better life choices I don't know sacrifice? How about you, you ever serve or just watch MASH and pretend. Pestilence learn to spell too it would help to take you seriously.
And AFPogue calling someone else a sheep is hilarious. Mr. Needs to be told when to get up and go to bed tells someone else they are a sheep, so funny if you weren't such a sad sack of a person.
Someone else said on here as well and I will paraphrase.
Military people volunteer and serve. If you are doing it for recognition or someone to kiss your butt then you deserve nothing. If you get paid for services rendered, you get what you signed up for, Pestilence and Pogue are the disgraceful types that want everyone to break their hands patting them on the back. Such a joke you both are being.
The biggest joke is you two losers think you are telling me off and I'm sipping my coffee and laughing at you.
GO 'MURRIKA
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
Since you ask, yes, I was an NCO in the Air Force...for you that's "Sarge"...only a real one, not a Sgt. chickensnake one, ok? Next, yes, I probably have more friends in the service than you have total, ok?? And yes, I think that anyone serving their country deserves every pat on the back that they can get. And no, I don't think you have a clue about sacrifice as compared to serving your country. Does your pitiful job put you in Harm's Way?? Faced with real challenge, like the new Marine ad says, which way would you run?? I think you're a whiney, never served, never will...wait, I already said all that...apparently you missed it. So I'll elaborate for you...I think you're a pimple on a soldier's butt...include in that sailors, Marines, airmen, merchant mariners, and while we're at it, firemen, policemen, and medics!!! I think you're breathing air that somebody worth a hoot could use better than you. Hate to say it but I put people like you into a category of lesser importance than ANYONE who served!!
JimRussell44 8 months ago
We have active combat troops in Afghanistan (about 50,000?)that make up a small percentage of the 1,400,000 military personell currently "employed" by the USA. Here are where the large majority are placing themselves in harms way: 1) the friendly confines of the lower 48 states of the USA - over 1,000,000 living next door to you. 2) Germany- almost 54,000 honing their beer drinking skills. 3) Hawaii - over 42,000 working on their surfing skills. 4) Japan - 37,000 in danger of poking out an eye with a chopstick. 5) South Korea - 28,500 contributing to the local economy. 6) Alaska - over 21,000 preventing Palin from leaving that state ever again. 7) Kuwait - about 15,000 keeping an eye on our oil. 8) Italy - almost 11,000 doing daily fitness drills to work off all that pasta. 9) Guam - over 4,000 in case China plans a "sneak attack" on our west coast. 10) Cuba - about 1,000 to guard prisoners so we don't have to follow US laws to hold them.
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
Jim, your last comment was beneath you. Check the multiples of combat tours for our troops. Check the ratio of suicides for military members as compared to almost any other job profile in America. As regards your last comment...the prisoners kept at Gitmo are not uniformed combatants...they are Islamic terrorists and already too many have been released and returned to the fold to try and kill Americans. As they are not troops as we define them I really don't care if they turn to skeletons in their cells at Gitmo!
AFCHIEF 8 months ago
Sky don't know why you waste you time with JER. He obviously is nothing but a liberal anti military protestor who swaps spit with Moon
JD 8 months ago
Pestilence and Pogue are showing that they are not fans of democracy but of military fascism. You two need to seek professional help. You think citizens are lower than soldiers? Well your bias is showing along with your ignorance.
Why do so many soldiers wind up unemployed compared to private citizens? No training for real life. Why do soldiers have higher suicides rates? Because they are damaged like you obviously. Hey follow their lead Pestilence, no one would miss you. Why do soldiers shoot unarmed women and children if they are the most chivalrous of our brethren?
Truth is grunts like you were just cannon fodder. You take orders, shut up and do as your told. Yep you are heads and shoulders above others prick. I have no respect for you for volunteering to do a job. Your attitude is the issue and whatever complex that makes you such a raving egotist for joining a volunteer army. If you want everyone to be a soldier, move to Israel.
cooldaddy 8 months ago
Jim...you can have your opinion, but don't impose it on the rest of us. If you don't want to shoot birds with a shotgun, as you stated, then don't. Leave everyone else alone. I will remind you that Audubon (John), was an avid hunter, killing over a hundred birds a day frequently. What do you suggest? A trampoline and a tennis racquet? :>)
fugitiveguy 8 months ago
"Why do soldiers have higher suicides rates? Because they are damaged like you obviously. Hey follow their lead Pestilence, no one would miss you. Why do soldiers shoot unarmed women and children if they are the most chivalrous of our brethren?"
By far some of the most blatant ignorance I have ever seen in any public forum.
JD 8 months ago
Yes your posts are ignorant. You treat all soldiers like they are better people, rather than just another member of society. While serving you have seen first hand some soldiers should not have ever been armed, yet you continually ignore facts. Hence you are ignorant.
But then that would mean not looking at the world through your tinted lenses. I am sure the sunlight burns your eyes like most insects Pestilence.
Noluv4thugs 8 months ago
How's a guy to go duck hunting w/out a shotgun??? To those who oppose CC they are mostly ignorant of the law and of the peolpe that choose to carry firearms. They don't seem concerned about the criminal element that doesn't pay to legally carry a weapon, but do everyday....
Noluv4thugs 8 months ago
I like this guy JD!!! He doesn't know when to stop flexing his keyboard muscles...Keep it up...seems like you really know what you are talking about. Maybe if you had a loved one that had their legs blown off or died during combat you would have a different view. Until then keep fighting the good fight.
skylinefirepest 8 months ago
I'll say it again, typing real slow so you can follow, you are breathing air that SOMEONE ELSE put their life in danger to allow you to use...you do owe a debt of gratitude yet you seem to get p'd off that someone actually did that for you. You do not appreciate the sacrifice of others for your benefit. Wow! That, to me anyway, actually makes you a lesser person. When your house is on fire and the guys come and take a risk to save your family and pets do you thank them or say that they get paid to do that?? What's your prime beef here...a soldier take your girl away from you when you were a teenie bopper????