Comments for Brandon Staggs .Com http://www.brandonstaggs.com Software, Society, the Bible, Politics, and everything else. Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:29:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by David http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3978 David Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:29:45 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3978 Peter: Some of us here in the US own guns for sport. Regardless of your views on self-defense, giving the government power to ban guns is a bad precedent. There is nothing wrong with owning a gun. My favourite sport (other than fencing) is shooting trap-targets with pistols. Pistols can be used for more than just self-defense. I think it is unfortunate if we appear as fearful. I do not share this feeling, and I am glad of that. I don't think any Christian should live in fear, but some run to the hospital for anything, even if it is the common flu. I think this is equivalently sad. Peter said: "Your laws in many states that allows someone to shoot at a retreating or unarmed person is not self-defence and to me is just plain murder." That is murder, and I would never sanction that. But I think if that were the circumstances, even our laws wouldn't allow that. And of course, like you said, guns should always be stored away safely, just like pot-handles on hot stove tops should never be turned outward. You know, this was posted in July 2007, it turned out to quite a hot topic. Peter:

Some of us here in the US own guns for sport. Regardless of your views on self-defense, giving the government power to ban guns is a bad precedent. There is nothing wrong with owning a gun. My favourite sport (other than fencing) is shooting trap-targets with pistols. Pistols can be used for more than just self-defense.

I think it is unfortunate if we appear as fearful. I do not share this feeling, and I am glad of that. I don’t think any Christian should live in fear, but some run to the hospital for anything, even if it is the common flu. I think this is equivalently sad.

Peter said:
“Your laws in many states that allows someone to shoot at a retreating or unarmed person is not self-defence and to me is just plain murder.”

That is murder, and I would never sanction that. But I think if that were the circumstances, even our laws wouldn’t allow that. And of course, like you said, guns should always be stored away safely, just like pot-handles on hot stove tops should never be turned outward.

You know, this was posted in July 2007, it turned out to quite a hot topic.

]]> Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by Peter http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3962 Peter Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:12:09 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3962 I live in Canada and am Christian. We have strict hand-gun control and so most households are without guns, except for some with hunting rifles. These have to be stored without ammo and the bolt removed, etc. They have to be locked up. When I go to bed at night, I and all my fellow canadians don't feel fearful as many US citizens do. You seem to the World as paranoid and as Christians that appears to us like lack of faith sometimes. My In-Laws once came up here in their motorhome and left their gun at the border for safe keeping. Their friends would not do that and stayed south of here. That saddened us and made us laugh at the same time. Your laws in many states that allows someone to shoot at a retreating or unarmed person is not self-defence and to me is just plain murder. Any Christian who would sanction that, is in question in my opinion. I live in Canada and am Christian. We have strict hand-gun control and so most households are without guns, except for some with hunting rifles. These have to be stored without ammo and the bolt removed, etc. They have to be locked up.
When I go to bed at night, I and all my fellow canadians don’t feel fearful as many US citizens do. You seem to the World as paranoid and as Christians that appears to us like lack of faith sometimes. My In-Laws once came up here in their motorhome and left their gun at the border for safe keeping. Their friends would not do that and stayed south of here. That saddened us and made us laugh at the same time.
Your laws in many states that allows someone to shoot at a retreating or unarmed person is not self-defence and to me is just plain murder. Any Christian who would sanction that, is in question in my opinion.

]]> Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by Brandon http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3943 Brandon Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:57:12 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3943 Lots of interesting comments here. One additional point I want to make: PROVIDING for your family means ensuring you are there to do so. If you willingly give up your life for the sake of a criminal, you are not providing for your family. Someone who is willing to take my life is robbing my family of their provider, father, husband, etc. As much as I would never want to take a life, I would want to allow that even less. Lots of interesting comments here. One additional point I want to make: PROVIDING for your family means ensuring you are there to do so. If you willingly give up your life for the sake of a criminal, you are not providing for your family. Someone who is willing to take my life is robbing my family of their provider, father, husband, etc. As much as I would never want to take a life, I would want to allow that even less.

]]> Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by David http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3942 David Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:04:53 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3942 I think that in any case, it would be a hard choice to take a gun and shoot someone, although I am with all who say it isn't wrong. I do think however, that killing is sometimes unnecessary, and God can sometimes give another way to protect you family without killing. Violent self-defense may be a reaction based on fear. If someone came to shoot me with a gun, shooting him would be simply me or him. If I die, I will go to heaven, but he? Why not forgive him and let him have another chance. On the other hand, shooting to defend someone else, or several others goes beyond you. I can forgive what people do to me. But if someone is threatening the lives of many, (as in the case of a school shooting, I think it would be un-Christian to stand by and watch, especially if you could stop it. "Whoever saves his life will lose it” (Matthew 16:24) refers to self-defense, but not defense of others. Also, cold-blooded murder and defense are to separate things. I would probably not kill someone who broke into my house to steal. If he wanted my car that much, maybe he needed it more than I did. I am against gun-banning, and I think generally everyone should be. There are times when hunting is useful, etc. Besides, target shooting is very fun, I am good with both pistol and rifle. And it is no more dangerous than race car driving. (It is actually less dangerous.) Besides, banning guns won't keep them from criminals, who steal them anyway. "A gun is a tool, ... no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it." I think that in any case, it would be a hard choice to take a gun and shoot someone, although I am with all who say it isn’t wrong. I do think however, that killing is sometimes unnecessary, and God can sometimes give another way to protect you family without killing.

Violent self-defense may be a reaction based on fear. If someone came to shoot me with a gun, shooting him would be simply me or him. If I die, I will go to heaven, but he? Why not forgive him and let him have another chance. On the other hand, shooting to defend someone else, or several others goes beyond you. I can forgive what people do to me. But if someone is threatening the lives of many, (as in the case of a school shooting, I think it would be un-Christian to stand by and watch, especially if you could stop it.

“Whoever saves his life will lose it” (Matthew 16:24) refers to self-defense, but not defense of others. Also, cold-blooded murder and defense are to separate things.

I would probably not kill someone who broke into my house to steal. If he wanted my car that much, maybe he needed it more than I did.

I am against gun-banning, and I think generally everyone should be. There are times when hunting is useful, etc. Besides, target shooting is very fun, I am good with both pistol and rifle. And it is no more dangerous than race car driving. (It is actually less dangerous.) Besides, banning guns won’t keep them from criminals, who steal them anyway.

“A gun is a tool, … no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it.”

]]> Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by Lillian http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3937 Lillian Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:17:52 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3937 Violent self-defense is a reaction based in fear, not love. Over and over again the Bible tells us, "Do not be afraid." In Matthew 10:28 Jesus himself says not to be afraid of men because the worst thing a human can do to you is kill you. Jesus promises many things, but he never promises a life of safety. And we learn from the Gospels the futility of this pursuit: "Whoever saves his life will lose it" (Matthew 16:24). In response to the quote from John 15, how is shooting a thief who breaks and enters the same as laying down your life for a friend? The passage in Exodus 22 was intended to be a guide for the judicial system, not personal morality. Jesus looks at other verses from the same section and expands them when he says, "You've heard it said not to murder, I tell you not to hate." Violent self-defense is a reaction based in fear, not love. Over and over again the Bible tells us, “Do not be afraid.” In Matthew 10:28 Jesus himself says not to be afraid of men because the worst thing a human can do to you is kill you.
Jesus promises many things, but he never promises a life of safety. And we learn from the Gospels the futility of this pursuit: “Whoever saves his life will lose it” (Matthew 16:24).
In response to the quote from John 15, how is shooting a thief who breaks and enters the same as laying down your life for a friend?
The passage in Exodus 22 was intended to be a guide for the judicial system, not personal morality. Jesus looks at other verses from the same section and expands them when he says, “You’ve heard it said not to murder, I tell you not to hate.”

]]> Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by Matt28:28 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3936 Matt28:28 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:22:38 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3936 I continue to see people post I Timothy 5:8 as a defense for lethal force. I cannot say that I can side with either case, because I am studying and seeking guidance, but the word "provide" in this verse is from a Greek word that is not associated with "protection." It is used in the sense of material provision. I am not a "gun banner" by any means. I have my own firearms and am well familiar with how to use them. I have always grown up under the impression that I have the right to my own life. Based upon the constitution alone, I would agree, but the Bible tells us that our life is no longer our own. It also says that the wages of our sin is death. Our sins may be forgiven and covered by Christ's blood, but we still deserve death each time we sin. We are therefore Biblically deserving of death whether it comes at the hands of God or the hands of man. In a sovereign God's eyes, we have no right to our own lives. I'm not seeking to cause conflict, only healthy discussion, and any constructive response would be much welcomed. I continue to see people post I Timothy 5:8 as a defense for lethal force. I cannot say that I can side with either case, because I am studying and seeking guidance, but the word “provide” in this verse is from a Greek word that is not associated with “protection.” It is used in the sense of material provision. I am not a “gun banner” by any means. I have my own firearms and am well familiar with how to use them. I have always grown up under the impression that I have the right to my own life. Based upon the constitution alone, I would agree, but the Bible tells us that our life is no longer our own. It also says that the wages of our sin is death. Our sins may be forgiven and covered by Christ’s blood, but we still deserve death each time we sin. We are therefore Biblically deserving of death whether it comes at the hands of God or the hands of man. In a sovereign God’s eyes, we have no right to our own lives. I’m not seeking to cause conflict, only healthy discussion, and any constructive response would be much welcomed.

]]> Comment on Continuous Ink Systems by nick chan http://www.brandonstaggs.com/epson-r200-continous-ink-system-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3927 nick chan Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:22:52 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/wordpress/continuous-ink-systems/#comment-3927 hi there, there are "two" types of CISS system. I bought a Canon Pixma i2770 which comes with 3 years warranty. And a CISS system for $20 What this CISS system does is, it directly "punctures and connects" to the original ink cartridge itself, without disturbing any of the printer's electronics. so, if the printer breaks down, I can claim warranty. if it breaks down after 3 years, I'll buy another printer, and re-use my cartridge. It is not recommended to let the printer be idle more than 1 week to prevent drying of the head. so for printers that uses cartridge with built-in heads like canon, CISS is advantageous and "portable" hi there, there are “two” types of CISS system.

I bought a Canon Pixma i2770 which comes with 3 years warranty. And a CISS system for $20

What this CISS system does is, it directly “punctures and connects” to the original ink cartridge itself, without disturbing any of the printer’s electronics.

so, if the printer breaks down, I can claim warranty. if it breaks down after 3 years, I’ll buy another printer, and re-use my cartridge.

It is not recommended to let the printer be idle more than 1 week to prevent drying of the head.

so for printers that uses cartridge with built-in heads like canon, CISS is advantageous and “portable”

]]> Comment on Continuous Ink Systems by Ande http://www.brandonstaggs.com/epson-r200-continous-ink-system-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3921 Ande Wed, 26 May 2010 00:51:28 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/wordpress/continuous-ink-systems/#comment-3921 Graham, I dont know if your p50 is identical to Artisan 50 in US market? I also suggest only get a real good system like InkRepublic's Artisan 50, not the one with air bubbles and leaks all the time which would waste you a lot of inks and time. you may want to re-prime the ink lines or something. below is the setup pictures from inkrepublic's artisan 50 cis users. http://www.inkrepublic.com/members/SteveMathieu/review.asp God bless. Ande Graham, I dont know if your p50 is identical to Artisan 50 in US market?

I also suggest only get a real good system like InkRepublic’s Artisan 50, not the one with air bubbles and leaks all the time which would waste you a lot of inks and time. you may want to re-prime the ink lines or something.

below is the setup pictures from inkrepublic’s artisan 50 cis users.

http://www.inkrepublic.com/members/SteveMathieu/review.asp

God bless.

Ande

]]> Comment on Christians, the Bible, and Guns: is Self-Defense Vengeance? by the pilgrim http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/comment-page-1/#comment-3904 the pilgrim Sat, 22 May 2010 10:14:11 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2007/07/28/christians-the-bible-and-guns-is-self-defense-vengeance/#comment-3904 OMG. Please read the Bible and ask the Holy spirit to guide you. First of all, if I understand what a lot of people are saying all christians should have a gun since the streets are not safe and the world system is against us. Now if we should have guns to protect ourselves against thieves we should also protect ourselves against sickness, natural disaster, car accident, etc. So at the time the thieve will break into your house God will not be here or he will not know that's why you should not wait for God to help you but you should do it by yourself. How do you know that God did not send the thief in order for you to preach him? Also, you forgot Roman 8 verse 28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose." or maybe you prefer taking the word "all" and put "all except" when someone break into my house, when my life is in danger,etc? Also, when you go to preach i supposed that you carry your gun or maybe when you go to the church? How do you preach the gospel of God if you don't trust god to protect you? So we are not ready to suffer for God? Because if I were not a christian I would defend myself but since I am a christian I can't do so. It is very easy to understand it. If it was not by grace we all should be dead if we were still living in the old testament. If you don't want to believe that because you think it is not a sin to have a gun do it for your testimony. Because remember what Paul said about eating meat and anything that is not prohibited but cause someone not to come to Christ. Do you think that your testimony will be very good and you could preach the gospel after killing someone who broke up into your house. You could ask those people who were doing the so called "Holy war". you think that God could not help the marthirs who died by the hands of Neron or else? If you think that God can not prevent you from a thief attack or from being rape, or killed, or whatever you need to relearn about the power of God, the knowledge of God and God himself because there are some basics things about God you did not understand. May God help you all my brothers in Christ. OMG. Please read the Bible and ask the Holy spirit to guide you. First of all, if I understand what a lot of people are saying all christians should have a gun since the streets are not safe and the world system is against us. Now if we should have guns to protect ourselves against thieves we should also protect ourselves against sickness, natural disaster, car accident, etc. So at the time the thieve will break into your house God will not be here or he will not know that’s why you should not wait for God to help you but you should do it by yourself. How do you know that God did not send the thief in order for you to preach him? Also, you forgot Roman 8 verse 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose.” or maybe you prefer taking the word “all” and put “all except” when someone break into my house, when my life is in danger,etc?
Also, when you go to preach i supposed that you carry your gun or maybe when you go to the church? How do you preach the gospel of God if you don’t trust god to protect you? So we are not ready to suffer for God? Because if I were not a christian I would defend myself but since I am a christian I can’t do so. It is very easy to understand it. If it was not by grace we all should be dead if we were still living in the old testament. If you don’t want to believe that because you think it is not a sin to have a gun do it for your testimony. Because remember what Paul said about eating meat and anything that is not prohibited but cause someone not to come to Christ. Do you think that your testimony will be very good and you could preach the gospel after killing someone who broke up into your house. You could ask those people who were doing the so called “Holy war”. you think that God could not help the marthirs who died by the hands of Neron or else? If you think that God can not prevent you from a thief attack or from being rape, or killed, or whatever you need to relearn about the power of God, the knowledge of God and God himself because there are some basics things about God you did not understand. May God help you all my brothers in Christ.

]]> Comment on Web work can be fun; Forge update. by Ava Davis http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2008/04/19/web-work-can-be-fun-forge-update/comment-page-1/#comment-3892 Ava Davis Wed, 12 May 2010 16:35:52 +0000 http://www.brandonstaggs.com/2008/04/19/web-work-can-be-fun-forge-update/#comment-3892 I always use Adobe illustrator at work because i work in an animation studio. this is really a serious tool for the graphic artist."*" I always use Adobe illustrator at work because i work in an animation studio. this is really a serious tool for the graphic artist.”*”

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