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Lance Groth

lance.groth's picture
St. Paul, Minnesota
Commenter for
1 year 13 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 04/17/13 at 03:36 pm in response to Gun rights in the 1780s and today

He didn't say anything about "citizen disarmament". He suggested changing the 2nd Amendment to put military grade weapons in the hands of the military (only). Personal ownership of handguns and hunting weapons would still be guaranteed. That is hardly disarmament, and in fact is quite reasonable. As for taking weapons away from police and the military, that's just silly talk.

Hyperbole does not strengthen your argument.

Posted on 04/17/13 at 04:00 pm in response to Gun rights in the 1780s and today

No one, absolutely no one, except gun rights supporters who wish to stoke fear through hyperbole, is talking about denying the right of personal ownership of handguns or hunting weapons. You have the means to protect yourself and your family, and no one is trying to undermine it.

As for resisting an oppressive government, reality intrudes. First, re-read the article. If you think a bunch of guys with rifles, of any type, could take on the United States military and succeed, you are...

Posted on 04/16/13 at 12:54 pm in response to The Second Amendment is a mess

The Constitution has been changed 27 times. The changes are called "amendments". No reason there can't be more.

Posted on 04/16/13 at 04:16 pm in response to The Second Amendment is a mess

I didn't reference the 2nd Amendment specifically. I was replying to the OP's comment that the Constitution shouldn't be changed.

However, with respect to the 2nd Amendment, the "grammar" clearly indicates it was created so that armed citizens could be called up in states' militias to repel threats to the young nation, as there was no standing army. So, my question to people such as the gentleman in the photograph holding the sign that says modern "assault" rifles are today's...

Posted on 04/10/13 at 04:19 pm in response to Minneapolis' East Bank stairways lead to quiet riverside solitude

I spent many pleasant interludes along the East Bank bluffs, back in my University days (late 70's) - it was part of a regular walking route I followed, and I used the stairs often. I made a point of visiting a particular mulberry tree when the berries were ripe, for a sweet treat in the middle of my walks. And yes, other than the runners and cyclists on the path above, it felt surprisingly secluded & quiet. I recall a certain groundhog I would sometimes encounter who had taken up...

Posted on 04/09/13 at 12:49 pm in response to Global temp trends may have paused, but hold off on the champagne awhile

I haven't read the Economist article yet, but I see no mention in this article of feedback loops. The release of large amounts of methane (far more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2, but fortunately also fairly short-lived in the atmosphere) from melting tundra, and potentially even melting methane hydrates on the sea bottom, can change the picture dramatically. The disruption of ocean circulation currents due to warming and the influx of fresh water can also dramatically alter the ocean's...

Posted on 04/10/13 at 12:53 pm in response to Global temp trends may have paused, but hold off on the champagne awhile

Rolf - c'mon, you know better. Water is good for you too, unless you drink too much of it. Yes, plants need CO2. The climate system needs a certain amount too, or the planet would be an iceball. But too much overheats the planet, which is abundantly clear from paleo records of various types. With 7+ billion people dependent on our agricultural systems, screwing with the climate system without knowing how it will really play out is just plain dumb.

I tend to view the current "...

Posted on 04/04/13 at 04:01 pm in response to Minnesota researcher says saving lions requires that we fence them in

The fencing plan seems reasonable. I can't think of any other good way to avoid conflicts between people and lions.

But how shall we save the elephants? Is it possible to build fences strong enough to contain African elephants? They are at even greater risk, not only because of the same kinds of conflict, but active poaching for the ivory. Elephants, too, are smart enough to understand who is their enemy, and they sometimes retaliate by attacking villages, which leads to even...

Posted on 03/21/13 at 01:51 pm in response to Sobering looks at groundwater, a critical resource we take for granted

Yes on the vote.

No on combining agencies. Administrative costs are not the problem here, and DNR is leaving (probably a lot of) money on the table by allowing anyone with a permit to pump more than their share for free. I don't believe PCA would have a positive effect on DNR, quite the opposite, DNR would weaken and de-emphasize the PCA role. Giving a dysfunctional agency more power is never the answer. DNR needs to have its house put in order, top to bottom, before any talk...

Posted on 03/20/13 at 04:45 pm in response to Jesus 'enters' legislators' gun control debate

There is actually no evidence he was a carpenter. In the Greek, he is referred to as a tekton, or the son of a tekton - which simply means one who works with his hands. Many think he was probably a stone mason rather than a carpenter.

I have no dog in this fight, and merely mention it to point out the silliness of arguing about minutiae. The salient point of the reference of being a tekton is not whether he worked with wood or stone, it is rather that he was a "blue collar"...