A sign of the times

Lutherf · Dec 9, 2014

CLOVER: Clover teens accused of detonating cannon at First UMC | Crime | Rock Hill Herald Online

Two teenagers were arrested in Clover on Monday after police say the pair confessed to detonating a homemade cannon overnight.
Brandon Campbell, 18, and Justin Ghorley, 19, set off the cannon on the lawn of First United Methodist Church on Elizabeth Avenue around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, prompting several neighbors to call the police, said Lt. Tanner Davis with the Clover Police Department.

Read more here: CLOVER: Clover teens accused of detonating cannon at First UMC | Crime | Rock Hill Herald Online

I don't know if it's something in the water or our education system or the decline of good parenting that causes stuff like this. These kids were 18 and 19. They welded a pipe to a steel plate to make their cannon. Just freaking brainless.

First off, I started making canons at 5 or 6 years old, not at the end of my teen years. These guys were slow movers to begin with. I also had the assistance of a competent adult when I made my canon. Pop was there to make sure I had the basics down and wouldn't blow anything up....then he left so I could shoot things. A year or so later when I wanted to shoot stuff bigger than tennis balls Pop was good enough to explain how real canons worked and even took me to the Watervliet arsenal to show me how canon barrels were made so that I'd know better than to use scrap plumbing parts to make a canon. I got instruction on chamber pressure and why stuff like tin cans and iron pipe was a bad choice for barrel material. I was also told about guys that had made mistakes doing stuff like I had in mind. In a nutshell, I was never really told "don't do it" but, instead, was given the information on how to do it right and what the consequences might be either way.

That's the way America used to work and, frankly, I miss it.

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
That's the way America used to work and, frankly, I miss it.

Sounds like conspiracy to commit domestic terrorism to me. A grand jury should be convened pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act.

CanadaJohn · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
CLOVER: Clover teens accused of detonating cannon at First UMC | Crime | Rock Hill Herald Online

I don't know if it's something in the water or our education system or the decline of good parenting that causes stuff like this. These kids were 18 and 19. They welded a pipe to a steel plate to make their cannon. Just freaking brainless.

First off, I started making canons at 5 or 6 years old, not at the end of my teen years. These guys were slow movers to begin with. I also had the assistance of a competent adult when I made my canon. Pop was there to make sure I had the basics down and wouldn't blow anything up....then he left so I could shoot things. A year or so later when I wanted to shoot stuff bigger than tennis balls Pop was good enough to explain how real canons worked and even took me to the Watervliet arsenal to show me how canon barrels were made so that I'd know better than to use scrap plumbing parts to make a canon. I got instruction on chamber pressure and why stuff like tin cans and iron pipe was a bad choice for barrel material. I was also told about guys that had made mistakes doing stuff like I had in mind. In a nutshell, I was never really told "don't do it" but, instead, was given the information on how to do it right and what the consequences might be either way.

That's the way America used to work and, frankly, I miss it.

I may be in the minority here, but this sounds to me like stuff dads and sons used to do all the time - creating experiments and using knowledge learned in school or in science magazines and seeing if they could be duplicated at home. Of course, that was a time when kids actually had parents who cared about them as more than just a tax deduction.

We also used to burn leaves in oil barrels in the backyard, play road hockey, play with firecrackers on holidays, etc. and never got arrested or rounded up.

But never mind - I'm just an old fool reminiscing about a simpler, happier time. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

joG · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
Sounds like conspiracy to commit domestic terrorism to me. A grand jury should be convened pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act.

Why shouldn't a kid learn how to make a cannon?

MMC · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
CLOVER: Clover teens accused of detonating cannon at First UMC | Crime | Rock Hill Herald Online

I don't know if it's something in the water or our education system or the decline of good parenting that causes stuff like this. These kids were 18 and 19. They welded a pipe to a steel plate to make their cannon. Just freaking brainless.

First off, I started making canons at 5 or 6 years old, not at the end of my teen years. These guys were slow movers to begin with. I also had the assistance of a competent adult when I made my canon. Pop was there to make sure I had the basics down and wouldn't blow anything up....then he left so I could shoot things. A year or so later when I wanted to shoot stuff bigger than tennis balls Pop was good enough to explain how real canons worked and even took me to the Watervliet arsenal to show me how canon barrels were made so that I'd know better than to use scrap plumbing parts to make a canon. I got instruction on chamber pressure and why stuff like tin cans and iron pipe was a bad choice for barrel material. I was also told about guys that had made mistakes doing stuff like I had in mind. In a nutshell, I was never really told "don't do it" but, instead, was given the information on how to do it right and what the consequences might be either way.

That's the way America used to work and, frankly, I miss it.

A Sign of the Times.....eh Luther. :2wave: What is, 21st Century modern art.

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

joG said:
Why shouldn't a kid learn how to make a cannon?

Because the conservatives have decided its terrorism.

joG · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
Because the conservatives have decided its terrorism.

Having your own home made cannon?

justabubba · Dec 9, 2014

joG said:
Having your own home made cannon?

can't infringe on that second amendment right to bear arms you know

Lutherf · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
Sounds like conspiracy to commit domestic terrorism to me. A grand jury should be convened pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act.

Yeah. Most of the stuff I did as a kid would be considered to be a federal offense today. Imagine how it used to be with kids riding bikes without helmets, playing with explosives and guns, getting in fist fights at school. It was chaos I tell you!!

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
Yeah. Most of the stuff I did as a kid would be considered to be a federal offense today. Imagine how it used to be with kids riding bikes without helmets, playing with explosives and guns, getting in fist fights at school. It was chaos I tell you!!

I have met people who blew their fingers off with just fireworks. I haven't me the people who were killed while playing with guns from your generation for obvious reasons. Kids cannot ride bikes today because old pervs snatch them. Anybody who doesn't want their child to be kidnapped should buy them an X-box for Christmas.

Goshin · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
CLOVER: Clover teens accused of detonating cannon at First UMC | Crime | Rock Hill Herald Online

I don't know if it's something in the water or our education system or the decline of good parenting that causes stuff like this. These kids were 18 and 19. They welded a pipe to a steel plate to make their cannon. Just freaking brainless.

First off, I started making canons at 5 or 6 years old, not at the end of my teen years. These guys were slow movers to begin with. I also had the assistance of a competent adult when I made my canon. Pop was there to make sure I had the basics down and wouldn't blow anything up....then he left so I could shoot things. A year or so later when I wanted to shoot stuff bigger than tennis balls Pop was good enough to explain how real canons worked and even took me to the Watervliet arsenal to show me how canon barrels were made so that I'd know better than to use scrap plumbing parts to make a canon. I got instruction on chamber pressure and why stuff like tin cans and iron pipe was a bad choice for barrel material. I was also told about guys that had made mistakes doing stuff like I had in mind. In a nutshell, I was never really told "don't do it" but, instead, was given the information on how to do it right and what the consequences might be either way.

That's the way America used to work and, frankly, I miss it.

Yeah, that's just a couple hours down the road from me.

And yeah, I built my first "cannon" about the same time you did. I disassembled a few pistol cartridges for the propellant, which did not amuse my Dad. "Waste of ammo".

He made me promise not to load it with any projectiles. I did anyway, when he wasn't home.

Of course we lived out on the farm, in the country, and my "cannon" wasn't much louder than a shotgun. Nobody noticed, nobody hurt.

In town where there are people everywhere, got to be more careful. I hope they don't get charged with anything serious though; nobody was hurt and it sounds like they were just screwing around.

MMC · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
Yeah. Most of the stuff I did as a kid would be considered to be a federal offense today. Imagine how it used to be with kids riding bikes without helmets, playing with explosives and guns, getting in fist fights at school. It was chaos I tell you!!

Well some of us did get in trouble for playing Tag.....your It. With BB and Pellet guns. Just sayin.

Lutherf · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
I have met people who blew their fingers off with just fireworks. I haven't me the people who were killed while playing with guns from your generation for obvious reasons. Kids cannot ride bikes today because old pervs snatch them. Anybody who doesn't want their child to be kidnapped should buy them an X-box for Christmas.

I'm a staunch advocate of exposing male children to fire and explosions at rather young ages. By 5 or 6 a boy should be able to safely clear a place for and start a fire. They should also understand the responsibility of tending a fire. That's also about the same age that giving an interested kid some exposure to things that go BANG is a good idea. It's really important that kids get this information before they start experimenting. By the time a kid is 10 he should be able to handle himself in the outdoors with confidence and basic competence.

Lutherf · Dec 9, 2014

MMC said:
Well some of us did get in trouble for playing Tag.....your It. With BB and Pellet guns. Just sayin.

I still remember while playing cowboys and indians I ran into the house to get some rope. Mom asked what I needed the rope for so I told her that we were going to lasso the girls and shoot them. I didn't get any rope. My buddies were a little frustrated but the girls made us mud pies and everything resolved itself.

Goshin · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
I have met people who blew their fingers off with just fireworks. I haven't me the people who were killed while playing with guns from your generation for obvious reasons. Kids cannot ride bikes today because old pervs snatch them.....

All those things are far less common than is popularly supposed...

CanadaJohn · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
Because the conservatives have decided its terrorism.

I'm pretty sure, in fact I'm positive, that it's not conservatives taking all the fun out of being a kid these days. It's most definitely the nanny state "progressives" who feel the need to mother to death every living being for their own good. Cradle to grave control of citizens' every move is not a conservative idea.

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
I'm a staunch advocate of exposing male children to fire and explosions at rather young ages. By 5 or 6 a boy should be able to safely clear a place for and start a fire. They should also understand the responsibility of tending a fire. That's also about the same age that giving an interested kid some exposure to things that go BANG is a good idea. It's really important that kids get this information before they start experimenting. By the time a kid is 10 he should be able to handle himself in the outdoors with confidence and basic competence.

I am a firm advocate in air conditioning in a tick and mosquito free environment in which children watch TV and play video games until they are 30.

longview · Dec 9, 2014

CanadaJohn said:
I'm pretty sure, in fact I'm positive, that it's not conservatives taking all the fun out of being a kid these days. It's most definitely the nanny state "progressives" who feel the need to mother to death every living being for their own good. Cradle to grave control of citizens' every move is not a conservative idea.

This made me laugh, I was thinking, are progressives the new Puritans,
who lay awake in bed at night in deathly fear that someone somewhere is having a good time!

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

CanadaJohn said:
I'm pretty sure, in fact I'm positive, that it's not conservatives taking all the fun out of being a kid these days. It's most definitely the nanny state "progressives" who feel the need to mother to death every living being for their own good. Cradle to grave control of citizens' every move is not a conservative idea.

We are the ones trying to save the polar bears so they can eat your maple-flavored children.

MMC · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
I still remember while playing cowboys and indians I ran into the house to get some rope. Mom asked what I needed the rope for so I told her that we were going to lasso the girls and shoot them. I didn't get any rope. My buddies were a little frustrated but the girls made us mud pies and everything resolved itself.

Yeah, the good ole days where parents told the kids to go out and play because they are cleaning things up.. Even though any other time they were always telling us to get into this house and clean things up.

I remember after my parents got divorced and it was like a couple years later. I was like 11 or 12. My Mother came home early from suppose to be going out that night. Well I still had people in the house.....which that's wasn't suppose to happen. But you know how girls were back then and wanting to check out ya room. Anyhow here comes my Moms and her date.

So as people were going out the back door. I answered with the Chain on and opened it. (After she said you had better open this door.) I was like oh mom, you're not suppose to be home yet. Go out and play. We are cleaning things up. Should have seen the look on her face. We didn't have cell phones to take selfies back then....huh?

Didn't work. That's all I'm sayin.

Lutherf · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
I am a firm advocate in air conditioning in a tick and mosquito free environment in which children watch TV and play video games until they are 30.

And if your goal is to raise children with a stunted imagination, a fear of failure and the idea that entitlement evolves from simple existence that would be just fine.

CanadaJohn · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
We are the ones trying to save the polar bears so they can eat your maple-flavored children.

Indeed - and pretty much every post you've had on this thread screams I love the Nanny State. You're wearing a Nancy Pelosi "Save the Babies" pin right now, aren't you?

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

CanadaJohn said:
Indeed - and pretty much every post you've had on this thread screams I love the Nanny State. You're wearing a Nancy Pelosi "Save the Babies" pin right now, aren't you?

No I am naked, smoking pot and laying down tracks with the bongos. Play them backwards and you will hear "Hail Canada".

Declan · Dec 9, 2014

Lutherf said:
And if your goal is to raise children with a stunted imagination, a fear of failure and the idea that entitlement evolves from simple existence that would be just fine.

Better than having them suffer through Lyme disease only to be killed by yet another republican war for big oil.

CanadaJohn · Dec 9, 2014

Declan said:
No I am naked, smoking pot and laying down tracks with the bongos. Play them backwards and you will hear "Hail Canada".

Same difference. Nancy Pelosi = bongos.

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