Mikhail Kalashnikov Dead: Inventor of AK-47 Dies at 94

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

In every public school. In fact, they did this in pre-school as well.

One of my kiddos said they did it in AK and AR schools in the past year. Grade 7, 8, & 9.

The other said not in AK, but yes in AR. Grade 10 & 11. He also said he's one of only 3 who stand up and recite it, so I guess it's not mandatory. I asked him why he does it, and he said he's proud of our country, even if the government is a little messy right now.

Edited December 25, 2013 by DavenRoxy

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

"I'm proud of my invention, but I'm sad that it is used by terrorists ... I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work for example a lawn mower."

Wise man.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

"I'm proud of my invention, but I'm sad that it is used by terrorists ... I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work for example a lawn mower."

Wise man.

Alfred Nobel? The inventor of dynamite for which the Nobel Peace Prize is named. Right? More terrorist use airplanes and explosives than AK47s

This is pandering to wussies. The AK47 has helped more farmers live in peace than any lawn mower ever could. The advancement of weapons has allowed for smaller armies and more resources for medicine, industrial advances, education, arts and all the things that make life more enjoyable. 2 or 3 planes and 4-6 crew members now, today, are more effective than 100 airplanes and 1000 crew members in WW2...and cause much less collateral damage. An AK cuts the need for men in half compared to the M1891 Moisin Nagant rifle used in WW2 by the USSR. More farmers can stay at home and grow food. Advanced weaons have reduced and eliminated conscripted armies around the world.

The invention of the AK47 allowed other people the opportunity to develop lawn mowers because they dod not have to develop weapons or be enlisted in an army.

This phrase is aimed at people that know nothing about weapons. Works for them.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

No Gary, it's not a quote by Alfred Nobel.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No Gary, it's not a quote by Alfred Nobel.

Someone else pandering to people ignorant of weapons. I wonder if the speaker donated his money to a lawn mower factory. Wanna bet?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Someone else pandering to people ignorant of weapons. I wonder if the speaker donated his money to a lawn mower factory. Wanna bet?

You are feeding the trolls again Gary.....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You are feeding the trolls again Gary.....

I get it, you're biased.

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

More terrorist use airplanes and explosives than AK47s

Hmmm the 2 generations of Marines in my family who have served multiple deployments in OIF and OEF would beg to differ with you. Militants prefer to strong arm local peasants, loyal to them or not, to put together and plant IED's because said IED's have a habit of blowing up while they are being assembled. The fighters stick with their rifles and RPG's. Their aim is sh_t poor but all it takes is one good shot on an unsuspecting target.

That being said the Kalashnikov is the weapon of choice for families in violence-torn countries to protect themselves. I think Mikhail would have taken pride in that fact - he probably did. It would be nice if everyone lived in a place where they didn't have to worry about marauding bandits or militants coming into people's homes, killing, raping, and stealing, but danger is reality for many people. If it were me, I'd rather go out of this world swinging than just lying down in defeat.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't think it's reasonable to blame the inventor for how his invention is used. From what I understand Kalashnikov was realistic about it and it's far more accurate to put the blame on politicians rather than one engineer.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

"I'm proud of my invention, but I'm sad that it is used by terrorists ... I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work for example a lawn mower."

Wise man.

This phrase is aimed at people that know nothing about weapons. Works for them.

Actually, it worked for the guy who invented the AK-47. That's a quote from Mikhail Kalashnikov himself.

One would have thought that the weapons expert you claim to be would know that. Some expert.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ha ha I was waiting for someone to notice that.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Papa Lazarou

[Pooky 3,840]

My school had WWI-era .303 Lee Enfields, WWII-era .303 BREN guns (magazine-fed machine guns) and two fully-operational 25-pounder field artillery pieces.

Talk about inappropriate for 14 year-olds

[JohnR! 5,495]

No, but typically military folks have more understanding and respect for loyalty to the American flag, usually because they have given of themselves to protect the freedoms it represents.

The government doesn't force kids to say the pledge. That's a state/local thing, even down to the school level. If your children don't understand why pledging allegiance is important, perhaps that's something you could teach them yourself. The values of LDRSHIP don't just get taught at school, it begins at home.

In my observations it depends on the individual. I have seen many alleged former military who behaved as though everyone owed them something for their service, which is evidence their time in uniform was completely lost, as was the opportunity for them to learn anything. There is nothing more unbecoming than a serviceman with a sense of entitlement.

What our school system is missing is the opportunity to explain to kids - and to many parents as well - the meaning of the pledge and its significance. Reciting it just because someone else told you to is akin to the indoctrination seen in totalitarian regimes, which is all the more blatant with the adulteration of 1954. Luckily I was raised by enlightened parents who saw the importance of teaching us the value of the original pledge, and open the dialogue at school. Nowadays you are hard pressed to find parents who take the time to attend school functions, let alone participate or initiate a debate or dialogue about what our children are being taught.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

In my observations it depends on the individual. I have seen many alleged former military who behaved as though everyone owed them something for their service, which is evidence their time in uniform was completely lost, as was the opportunity for them to learn anything. There is nothing more unbecoming than a serviceman with a sense of entitlement.

What our school system is missing is the opportunity to explain to kids - and to many parents as well - the meaning of the pledge and its significance. Reciting it just because someone else told you to is akin to the indoctrination seen in totalitarian regimes, which is all the more blatant with the adulteration of 1954. Luckily I was raised by enlightened parents who saw the importance of teaching us the value of the original pledge, and open the dialogue at school. Nowadays you are hard pressed to find parents who take the time to attend school functions, let alone participate or initiate a debate or dialogue about what our children are being taught.

You are correct about the "entitled" folks. Unfortunately, the military is not immune to people like that. Just as any other industry, there are undesirables in the military. However, I would say the vast majority have a sense of loyalty and country that far exceeds those that expect more from their service time. Kind of like the retirees I know now... I haven't heard a single one of them complaining about giving up their COLA raises. Every single one I have talked with about it are indifferent, even though it stand to impact them for many years to come. They signed a contract, they did their part, some gave up body parts, the more fortunate just have their memories to deal with... but they are just happy to be alive. No sense of entitlement there.

I was fortunate enough to have a grandfather who serevd in WWII who taught me the value of being able to shoot and hunt, but it came with a lot more info on repsect for a weapon. One time I got cocky, told him, "I KNOW!" to something he was teaching me. He quietly took the gun from me, put it in his closet, and told me the lesson would commence in a month to give me time to reflect on the importance of listening. He also taught me WHY we said the pledge of allegiance. So I guess it means a lot more to me than if it were just a rote thing I did because I was forced to.

I'm also one who stands at attention when the National Anthem is played, no hat on my head, hand over my heart if appropriate. And it bugs me to see those who don't. It only takes a minute or so of my time, and I DO respect the tradition of paying honor to our great nation, regardless of the messes that we see around us every day. It is still a great place to live...

[JohnR! 5,495]

So I guess it means a lot more to me than if it were just a rote thing I did because I was forced to.

[...]

I'm also one who stands at attention when the National Anthem is played, no hat on my head, hand over my heart if appropriate. And it bugs me to see those who don't. It only takes a minute or so of my time, and I DO respect the tradition of paying honor to our great nation, regardless of the messes that we see around us every day. It is still a great place to live...

Makes two of us.