Sword Question?

[Archangel]

This part is more for fun:

And I consider any city, state, or country that forbids a Free Man (and this isn't a sexist remark, I an old fart who learned to use Man to refer to all of humanity, not just one gender, and I refuse to change with the times) the right of self defense to be in a mighty sad state of affairs.

First, I'm fifty but I'm learning not to say "army refers to all armed forces, not just one service, and I refuse to change with the times." Obviously, you've changed to the age of computers from the era of pencils. Something to think about.

Second, Freeman is a title, a rank, and specifically did not include women, so there's no need for a disclaimer anyway.

Swords and I, I started fencing in Edinburgh when I was eight. Foolishly declined the Canadian Olympic team at 16 having just discovered girls and motorcycles. Refused entry into the states at 17 for carrying fencing swords, to a competition, go figure. Routinely use a katana and bokken to trim hedges and bushes and sober up hungover neighbours (long story). All this to say that, unless you have a second to carry it most of the time, a sword is as James described it.

Legal stuff, usual disclaimers, but I understand British and Canadian laws are more similar. A cane would be legally safer but it would still be a weapon if the police chose to call it that. Usually it comes down to one more whack than legally necessary (my students learn the difference between the two defence laws: "to stop and attack" and "to stop a continuing attack".)

Having said all that, I still find myself quite aware when I see swords at Celtic festival that they're out of place. They're not toys.

May I ask, Doc, if your statement regarding rapiers and small swords represents a slippage from your usual stance on carrying firearms?

[Archangel]

BTW, regarding carrying swords at Balmoral. The woman I married has, for her great-grandfather, the last of the heridatary Queens' Champions. The male line ran out with that generation. Shame, that would be an interesting relative to meet up with.

[Doc Hudson]

May I ask, Doc, if your statement regarding rapiers and small swords represents a slippage from your usual stance on carrying firearms?

Hardly!

Handguns are more effective, but a sword is more elegant.

If I were wearing a sword as part of daily dress, I'd still have a revolver to lend support if needed.

Some folks would say that Colonel Colt made all edged weapons obsolete in 1835. Then again, some folks consider kilts to be an obsolete mode of dress. I disagree with both groups.

[highlander_Daz]

In britain the law says one can use "reasonable force" thats about it, on a like for like basis. if someone has a knife then I assumethat I could use a similar knife for defence, if I were to bump into a gun toting mugger, I assume I would be justified in gunning him down where he stood. I would however be breaking the law just haveing the aforesaid gun in my possesion.

Lets not get into an argument about the rights and wrongs of guns etc. My point was and still is a sword is not appropriate for carrying around for self defence or what ever reason. what next towing a cannon behind our cars i case were the victim of road rage?

Oh by the way Japans greatest swordsman was defeated by a man with a stick.

[highlander_Daz]

Doc I agree with you about the abuse of the term "man" when attached to another word like postman or chairman with the "a" sound silent , then the word is non gender specific. How I laughed when i first saw the words Chairperson and postperson.

[Archangel]

Doc I agree with you about the abuse of the term "man" when attached to another word like postman or chairman with the "a" sound silent , then the word is non gender specific. How I laughed when i first saw the words Chairperson and postperson.

without going there, I always like it when they get "neutral" (read indecisive) and call the person a "chair". Now, they've either really objectified the person or, even funnier, given that person the title of traditional carrier of the royal toilet, and royal bum wiper (which sometimes fits).

[airforce_sxs]

Question

"If I were wearing a sword as part of daily dress, I'd still have a revolver to lend support if needed."

Im a concealed carry permit holder and was just kind of currious were you would hide a revolver while wearing a kilt? thanks agian Chris

[Southern Breeze]

Question

"If I were wearing a sword as part of daily dress, I'd still have a revolver to lend support if needed."

Im a concealed carry permit holder and was just kind of currious were you would hide a revolver while wearing a kilt? thanks agian Chris

Simple.Put it in your sporran.Better yet,get a Freelander and you can hide a shotgun!:-D

[Shay]

How I laughed when i first saw the words Chairperson and postperson.

Me too- why not call them chairwoman or postman if they are in fact, that gender? It's when speaking in generalities that it gets a little silly- the Chairmen instead of the Chairs, or postmen instead of post office personnel. (Not all of whom are men or even, strictly mail carriers, y'know?) (PS- I like gender-neutral language)

The 'a' isn't silent, BTW, I don't know what you mean by that. Are you talking about the plural 'men' when attached to a word? (Just curious- I've never heard that before)

Anyway- the Japanese stick and sword story- Miyamoto Musashi, whom the story is about, then became Japan's greatest swordsman, and it was only due to his (really good) opponent underestimating him and being sloppy with over-confidence that he managed to get in and whack the guy in the head with a boat oar. It's a story about overconfidence in one's weapon more than anything else.

[highlander_Daz]

the word man "man" means a male person, but when attached directly to a noun as in "postman" or "fireman" or "chairman" the word is pronounced correctly as "mn" silent "a" and is none gender specific. eg a "chairman" could be either sex whereas a "chair man" is a man whos has something to do with a chair. maybe with an american accent the "a" might not be silent. But then they dont speak English proper like we does. pedantic? yep and im not even English