And a friend of mine built a .22 single shot pistol in machine shop. Got a pretty good grade for it, too. If I remember right, it was not rifled. But he used it to dispatch critters on his trap line, so long range accuracy was no issue.
Again, we don't live in that world anymore. And just as many things have contributed to that change to get where we are, just as many things, if not more, will have to change to get back to that world.
One of my pet theories is the anonymity factor of modern life. The increased urbanization of our population coupled with the automobile and television (and yes, the computer) have fragmented our social skills such that we do not know our community members. We no longer fear for our reputations. For when we get in our cars and drive to our homes, nobody on the block know our names. No one knows what we have done. There is no shame or stigma to bad behavior.
You can treat your waitress like dirt at the restaurant because she isn't going to tell anyone you know. She doesn't know who you are! You can verbally abuse someone on the other end of the phone line when calling for customer service because chances are they are't even in your country, much less your own county, city, or neighborhood. Never mind that these people go home to their families feeling like crap because of your behavior. Face it, the whole world is enduring Karmic blowback because of the way we treat each other.
Color me disappointed with my own species. And yes, myself as well. That's why this time of year is meant for renewals. Whether it is the promise of the Child, or the turning of the calendar to a New Year and it's resolutions, it's time to make the changes from within.
