Are you inveighing against the invention of the gun? I recall reading that when the English long-bow was invented; several argued that war was probably at an end because it was too dangerous and costly to go up against an army armed with such a formidable. I suppose philosophers have always discussed such things, but on the practical level if your enemy has one and may very well use it on you, you'd be foolish not to get one too, if you could - whatever it is. Lawrence _____ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Ward Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 3:28 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Didn't I tell you so? "The inner cities are full of people who need to defend themselves. Guns make it possible." Or rather, guns make it necessary.