Peter van Uhm: Why I chose a gun

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  • Опубліковано 29 січ 2012
  • www.ted.com Peter van Uhm is the Netherlands' chief of defense, but that does not mean he is pro-war. At TEDxAmsterdam he explains how his career is one shaped by a love of peace, not a desire for bloodshed -- and why we need armies if we want peace.
    TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/translate
    If you have questions or comments about this or other TED videos, please go to support.ted.com

КОМЕНТАРІ • 15 тис.

  • @nixter87
    @nixter87 4 роки тому +9620

    “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”

    • @BicycleFunk
      @BicycleFunk 4 роки тому +563

      I'd rather be a gardener in a garden.

    • @22burst2020ddsspec
      @22burst2020ddsspec 4 роки тому +461

      @@BicycleFunk Unfortunately we need to accept we don't live in a perfect world.

    • @aachen800
      @aachen800 4 роки тому +231

      @@BicycleFunk I think the point is that if you're ready for a fight people won't mess with you.

    • @DaddyKratosOfTheShire
      @DaddyKratosOfTheShire 4 роки тому +48

      Well said, and target practice and hunting for food is fun at times

    • @OriflammeGaming
      @OriflammeGaming 4 роки тому +39

      mmoore I’m sure you would, but here’s your gun; now you’re gonna fight this war. Cheerio!

  • @bjarnealgra1452
    @bjarnealgra1452 4 роки тому +4312

    His son was killed in action while serving 4 years before this ted talk. Yet he stands here to tell people why the gun makes the world a better place. What a legend

    • @Timonster007
      @Timonster007 3 роки тому +28

      Oh…

    • @mr.lostrythm7876
      @mr.lostrythm7876 3 роки тому +259

      *That is a true soldier right there!* Despite the loss, he still firmly believes the world can be made a better place using a gun.

    • @user-zl9vh2xr6b
      @user-zl9vh2xr6b 3 роки тому +90

      What a devoted man. So glad that our future will be peaceful, no matter how many dead sons he and the others will build it on.

    • @m.d.1733
      @m.d.1733 3 роки тому +4

      @@user-zl9vh2xr6b sure .... Not

    • @abyssinia4ever
      @abyssinia4ever 3 роки тому +5

      Sounds like a deluded old man. Enjoy having a corpse for a son.

  • @josephdemartino6053
    @josephdemartino6053 Рік тому +604

    "The true soldier does not fight because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." G.K. Chesterton

    • @joehoc4922
      @joehoc4922 Рік тому

      Amen brother!

    • @djseeweed8561
      @djseeweed8561 Рік тому +1

      got this tattood on my arm

    • @greenbrickbox3392
      @greenbrickbox3392 Рік тому +3

      ​​@ShutUpChuck! yeah lots of the most elite military units today are filled with people who love combat and fight because that is their lifestyle, plenty of elite warriors throughout history have been like that as well. The "true soldier" is a nice idea but many professional combat arms soldiers will care more about their brothers in arms next to them than anyone at home.

    • @tommysmithlein3417
      @tommysmithlein3417 Рік тому +1

      Well said. I was an infantry squad leader, in my mid-thirties in 2003. I was ninth child of a WW2 veteran. So Im a "thrown back". The youngsters of modern day, I felt where not so understanding or thoughtfil. My best,. Most competent squad member toldr n Gesmy

    • @ThePerpetualStudent
      @ThePerpetualStudent Рік тому

      @ShutUpChuck! shut up chuck.

  • @bakerboy8910
    @bakerboy8910 Рік тому +488

    Finally watched this as it was recommended by the algorithm. This man hits it on the head. A gun can cause chaos or it can cause peace. It's the person behind the gun that determines the outcome

    • @pavelborisov515
      @pavelborisov515 Рік тому +5

      also it cause money

    • @boerbeun
      @boerbeun Рік тому +8

      @@pavelborisov515 and tyranny if you can not stand up against

    • @watup110875
      @watup110875 Рік тому +2

      Alcohol drugs is no diff

    • @billybutlin7857
      @billybutlin7857 Рік тому +6

      It's the person behind the person with the gun who causes the violence!

    • @watup110875
      @watup110875 Рік тому

      @@billybutlin7857 2-FACED LIARS GOVERNMENTS CORPORATIONS AND EVEN PU55Y AZZ RELIGION LEADERS

  • @owenlastname.3500
    @owenlastname.3500 4 роки тому +7256

    "some of you may feel uneasy around this gun"
    "Most of you have never seen a gun"
    Me: *visable confusion*
    Me: *realizes* OH because it is not America that is why.

  • @knight_lautrec_of_carim
    @knight_lautrec_of_carim 4 роки тому +4109

    I, as a German, can only recommend going to a shooting range to shoot at least once in your life. Many people in unarmed countries like Germany have a totally wrong perception of guns and many irrational fears.

    • @shaihulud4515
      @shaihulud4515 4 роки тому +24

      Âhm, aber du hast schon verstanden worum es ging, oder?

    • @Tyrion-ks6rp
      @Tyrion-ks6rp 3 роки тому +17

      @@shaihulud4515 ich denke Mal nicht.

    • @douglasmueller4684
      @douglasmueller4684 3 роки тому +159

      My fellow countrymen, I live in United States, we at this point of time are blessed to be able to be armed. I am sorry for you in the fatherland. It is a lot of fun to go shooting try different tactics. Well anyway. Be safe.

    • @Ogrematic
      @Ogrematic 3 роки тому +9

      Thank you for your insightfulness.

    • @knight_lautrec_of_carim
      @knight_lautrec_of_carim 3 роки тому +72

      @Dave I know but it's also quite expensive for young people. You have to be a member of a shooting club for a year before you can even apply for a ownership license. Then you need to do tests which cost money and need at least two gun safes that are verified by the state which also aren't cheap. Then to keep your guns you have to go shooting once a month or 24 times a year.
      The weapons themselves are also way more expensive here than in the US.
      You can also make a hunter's license but this also costs 2000-3000€ and you still need the safes.

  • @fshalor738
    @fshalor738 Рік тому +40

    The "gun" is only a tool. It's the hearts and minds which will set us free or enslave us. Thank you for your words, van Uhm.

  • @whybother8400
    @whybother8400 Рік тому +89

    This is the first time I have seen this TED talk and I'm absolutely blown away.
    This gentlemen is a pleasure to listen to. A firearm is almost like a balancing act. It can be used for evil, or it can be used for good. Imagine a rifle being used by a dictator's army to oppress the people. One day the soldier carrying that rifle changes sides and now fights back against the dictator's oppression with that very same rifle - and its in this context that we must use the gun for good to outweigh evil as perfect equilibrium and balance is against the laws of nature. Whether it be in the hands of a soldier, a policeman, a farmer or a regular person.
    It reminds me of a quote adapted from a Roman writer by the name of Publius Vegetius Renatus which states "Sī vīs pācem, parā bellum" which translates to "Those who want peace, must be prepared for war" and in this day and age that quote could not be further from the truth. Its very important that people know and understand firearms as they are such an integral part of our society.

    • @reinbeers5322
      @reinbeers5322 Рік тому +8

      I think many didn't quite realize before watching this that a gun is merely an object, a tool - its use is completely dictated by the user. A gun cannot be evil as it has no will of its own.
      The old quote is still accurate. If you want peace, prepare for war. A country's military might or a civillian's firearm of choice both serve the same purpose - first as a deterrent, and secondly as a means to end the threat.

  • @josehurghenburghen3154
    @josehurghenburghen3154 4 роки тому +4918

    "The man who sleeps with a machete is a fool every night except for one."

    • @levonh.378
      @levonh.378 4 роки тому +94

      -Sir James May

    • @sendingit2601
      @sendingit2601 4 роки тому +39

      @@levonh.378 from top gear...?

    • @levonh.378
      @levonh.378 4 роки тому +14

      Sean Unrein yup

    • @nialmurphy9622
      @nialmurphy9622 4 роки тому +55

      The show for the utmost intellectual people

    • @rmallico
      @rmallico 4 роки тому +4

      he is always a fool

  • @glemwheatley9425
    @glemwheatley9425 4 роки тому +4985

    Dutch Commander: “You may feel uncomfortable around this gun.”
    An American: “Here. Hold my beer.”

    • @patrichausammann
      @patrichausammann 4 роки тому +234

      A Swiss: "Are you joking? The gun is unloaded and it does not even has a magazine, and if so." 😂

    • @sbritton1313
      @sbritton1313 4 роки тому +62

      You mean most Americans

    • @johannesswillery5146
      @johannesswillery5146 4 роки тому +142

      @@patrichausammann I wish the Americans were as well armed as the Swiss.

    • @richbrownsberger5452
      @richbrownsberger5452 4 роки тому +8

      Mark Burch don't

    • @glemwheatley9425
      @glemwheatley9425 4 роки тому +91

      ClingyCrab1951 I didn’t understand your comment response before, I think maybe it was the wine,😁but now I do, so thanks for clarifying.😊But just to keep the record straight, I don’t have a problem with people who don’t like guns, don’t want to own them, or don’t want to have them in their homes. They are the sheep and I will be there to assist in their protection. I only have a problem with those who tell ME I shouldn’t like them, shouldn’t own them, and shouldn’t have them in my home, and then they want to make laws enforcing that. They are the wolves and should be shut down. But yes, I should have clarified, I should have stated, “An American Guard Dog” but it would have lost a little something in the translation.😏🤣And FTR, I’m a “she” not a “he” and have been one my entire life. No plans to switch anytime soon.😅

  • @johnmcclain3887
    @johnmcclain3887 Рік тому +19

    It is rare that those who step up and take up arms in defense, get to speak the truth about why we do. I enlisted in the Marines in 1975, for the same reason. I'm glad a man of such words is able to speak so well, so credibly in the name of peace. It only ever comes when good men take up arms, and stand on the wall. Thanks for speaking for a great many of us. I served two decades, I never had to kill anyone, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. Semper Fidelis, John McClain, GySgt, USMC, ret.

  • @AwokenEntertainment
    @AwokenEntertainment Рік тому +79

    I respect his want to use a gun for peace and stability

  • @douggracey7558
    @douggracey7558 4 роки тому +7291

    “I prefer a dangerous freedom to a peaceful slavery...” Thomas Jefferson

    • @Bristecom
      @Bristecom 4 роки тому +273

      That's what America was supposed to be all about yet so many Americans want to change it to be like every other country in the world. It's like, if you don't like the American philosophy of freedom, then go anywhere else in the world! (BTW, I'm not saying the USA is totally free now - it has obviously changed dramatically over the years)

    • @douggracey7558
      @douggracey7558 4 роки тому +79

      Bristecom: So many have forgotten that our country, the USA, was initially founded/built on treason... ^_^

    • @f.palmero5010
      @f.palmero5010 4 роки тому +34

      No one:
      Cod Bullet hole Artists: I chose the gun.

    • @patrickparmer1648
      @patrickparmer1648 4 роки тому +10

      A-to the motherfucking-men.

    • @gbm6882
      @gbm6882 4 роки тому +61

      Britain: Pay ur taxes
      America: No
      Britain: No you gotta do yoyr civic dutes
      America: (...)GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!” - said one guy who may or may not have owned slaves, “Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”.- said another who definitely owned slaves
      Britain: Then war it shall be
      America: *Wins War*
      America: Alright so what now?
      States: Piss off
      Federals: Piss on dare I say? Without centralized government we are but another snake sliced and chopped into thirteen pieces
      States: Ah yea ok
      Feds: So we start off with having federal taxes so we can fund a continental army or use it for general welfare
      States: Makes sense to me
      Feds: And we have 3 centralized sectors of government in D.C. so we can make decisions fast
      States: Yeah
      Feds: And we will use our continental taxes to expand westward so we can find room for the growing population
      States: Makes sense to me
      Feds: And those lands will be conquered, colonized and incorporated into our em- I mean union
      States: Do what you want
      America: *skips a few years while also having the white house burned*
      Feds: so this slavery thing is getting out of hand huh
      States: *divides into two*
      Northerns: frick slavery
      Southerns: Yes slavery
      America: *Skips some time ahead*
      Southerns: This is unethical and unlawful encroachment on our states’ rights
      National Guard with a gun aimed: Say that again
      America: *Skips some more time*
      Also America: WELCOME TO THE AGE OF SOCIAL REFORM
      America: *Skips some more time*
      Also America: WELCOME TO THE RENAISSANCE OF THE AGE OF SOCIAL REFORM
      America: *Skips some more time*
      America: *War, yes, there is too much to cover during this period mainly because too many things happened*
      America: *Skip to the end of the war*
      Rightists: I think we should chill on the socia-
      leftists: WOULD YOU LIKE A BETTER RETIREMENT FUND THAT IS ALSO A TAX CUT? WOULD YOU LIKE A GOVERNMENT FUNDED ABORTION SERVICE?
      Rightists: sure whatever
      Government: guys, how about we do the britain to south america?
      Government: oh wait no one can hear me be cause I classified these files
      America: R*pes every corner of the globe until there is a military presence on every continent
      Leftists: *Discovers this*
      Leftists: now hold up diddly darn second
      Rightists: how bout not
      LEFTISTS: SOCIAL REFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORM

  • @stretchopotomus2385
    @stretchopotomus2385 5 років тому +5219

    Seeing real soldiers talking about World War II and the price of freedom makes me all the more ashamed to hear my countrymen calling each other "Nazis" out of personal spite.

    • @dontgettoknowm9864
      @dontgettoknowm9864 5 років тому +90

      If the shoe fits

    • @dhardy6654
      @dhardy6654 5 років тому +53

      He isnt a real soldier, he is from europe and europe hasnt created any warriors in 3-4 generations. He just wear a Uniform and that doesn't make a soldier....he just sucks like every other wimp in Europe that was neutered. If you want to talk to warriors the you'll only listen to americans speak

    • @jacobmccandles1767
      @jacobmccandles1767 5 років тому +412

      D Hardy, As your fellow American I will be blunt: You've been brainwashed. Not all countries can spend what we spend on tbeir military. That doesn't mean the men OR their training are soft.

    • @temakozlovski8435
      @temakozlovski8435 5 років тому +16

      @@dhardy6654 Wow!!!

    • @monalisa72775
      @monalisa72775 5 років тому +36

      @@dontgettoknowm9864
      If the shoe Don't Fit...
      Don't wear it.

  • @theoriginaldonutdude4950
    @theoriginaldonutdude4950 Рік тому +62

    This needs to go viral for today’s world it seems as though many of us have forgotten what a gun can do for the good people

    • @2adamast
      @2adamast Рік тому

      Since 1914 the guy with the gun holds the terrain, artillery and equivalent do the killing. And of course, generals will pep talk their cannon fodder.

    • @boerbeun
      @boerbeun Рік тому

      His main point was gun-monopolys. Not safety.
      You are not safe domestically if your government decides to turn against you. History has seen MANY examples of genocide right after disarmements

    • @625098evan
      @625098evan Рік тому +5

      10:20 - he said state monopoly on violence. this man is not interested in good people having guns. he is interested in government people having guns. theoretically legitimized by free elections. I've heard that one before.

    • @theoriginaldonutdude4950
      @theoriginaldonutdude4950 Рік тому +2

      @@625098evan I didn’t even catch that that’s crap

    • @1337_bean
      @1337_bean Рік тому

      @@theoriginaldonutdude4950 lmao, "i can't have my own gun so that sucks"

  • @kevinhines3706
    @kevinhines3706 Рік тому +8

    This is what a hero sounds like. Leaders like this empower soldiers to drive on even when they don’t fully understand what their part of a mission means to overall success. God bless you sir!

  • @bobbyd8503
    @bobbyd8503 Рік тому +1965

    As an American Airman who was stationed in West Germany in the mid 80's, I was really touched by the gratitude of the people of the Netherlands. It was really humbling to have an older coffee shop owner who lived thru WWII come up and thank me for their freedom.

    • @Man_fay_the_Bru
      @Man_fay_the_Bru Рік тому +34

      I really doubt that happened

    • @scottd345
      @scottd345 Рік тому +116

      @@Man_fay_the_Bru Happened to me many times when I was stationed there with the 1st IDF in the early 80s.

    • @princevalencia8816
      @princevalencia8816 Рік тому +142

      @@Man_fay_the_Bru just because you’re an ungrateful sob doesn’t mean everyone else around you is. Not everything is about you.

    • @tknows470
      @tknows470 Рік тому +15

      Thank you.

    • @joelpauls9437
      @joelpauls9437 Рік тому +85

      @@Man_fay_the_Bru you really need to educate yourself or at least try to get a life. I spent close to 10 years overseas most of it in Germany and when you talk to the older people who come to find out they prayed to God that the Americans would get to them before the Russians read up on your history you'll understand why

  • @xstrawarot
    @xstrawarot 5 років тому +1824

    To sum it up: Weapon for self defence good, only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun.

    • @ghollisjr
      @ghollisjr 4 роки тому +74

      It is a truth so simple and profound that only someone who wants to hurt you would tell you otherwise.

    • @ReasonAboveEverything
      @ReasonAboveEverything 4 роки тому +69

      Bad guys don't care about laws. They will buy guns regardless illegally.

    • @TheJTcol
      @TheJTcol 4 роки тому +57

      I really don't think you were listening good enough. His true message was that the state should have a monopoly on violence. Much different than the message you got. So to sum it up if you listened well is that the people should submit to to ruling class and STFU.

    • @ReasonAboveEverything
      @ReasonAboveEverything 4 роки тому +23

      Jay ThColonel Which is why i disagree with him.

    • @USMCArchAngel03
      @USMCArchAngel03 4 роки тому +14

      Exactly! Let's spend all the time and effort into turning some of those bad guys into good guys instead of grabbing guns.

  • @garydergut4741
    @garydergut4741 Рік тому +30

    Very good speech. Thank you for your service. Thank you to the soldier who stands with you
    It is better to have a gun and not need it , than need it and not have one.

    • @GeorgeWBushDid911
      @GeorgeWBushDid911 Рік тому +4

      That last sentence is why all Americans should concealed carry

    • @khangnguyen1759
      @khangnguyen1759 Рік тому

      @@GeorgeWBushDid911 Kids getting killed for adults playing resistance fantasy, as if the same adults didn't wanted a stronger police force and bigger military.

    • @reinbeers5322
      @reinbeers5322 Рік тому

      @@khangnguyen1759 Bad parenting causes 99% of the tragedies involving children.
      Like this man and many others, the guns are not the problem.

    • @khangnguyen1759
      @khangnguyen1759 Рік тому

      @@reinbeers5322 How well has your gun isn't the problem helped out? We can already see that bad parenting is a factor. But maybe making guns harder to reach would help as well? Most countries with gun control laws don't have this issue. And if you say Mexico or Canada, a good amount of guns were smuggled from the U.S to their.

    • @Wolf-ln1ml
      @Wolf-ln1ml Рік тому

      @@GeorgeWBushDid911 ...aaaand another cherry-picker who ignored the entire part starting at 10:04....

  • @mattrohr1266
    @mattrohr1266 Рік тому +72

    Amazing, that deserved a better applause, my dad fought in the Pacific, lost his leg and some teeth etc.. blown off the edge of a mtn. the last week of the war after fighting for almost 3 years, he was a captain. He went through over 50 surgeries in the next 4 years, graduated from college in 1950 with 4 young kids. He was a barber at the end of college on weekends. Then later became the general manager of a huge fortune 50 company. Raised 6 kids, He was a great dancer, took up golf at 60 and was really good. Raised in Kansas in the depression, his life should be a book. Lost him in 2000, never met a wiser-better man, not even close. RIP IRR

    • @donfss5088
      @donfss5088 Рік тому +2

      You were blessed to have such a great man for your father.

    • @joshuakang4507
      @joshuakang4507 Рік тому

      What a beast of a man your father is.

  • @jonnporter6081
    @jonnporter6081 4 роки тому +2565

    A gun in my hand is worth an entire police force on the phone.

    • @Social_Infidel
      @Social_Infidel 4 роки тому +56

      When seconds count!!!

    • @jst1man
      @jst1man 4 роки тому +39

      @Marcos P Any and all that show up late.

    • @jonnporter6081
      @jonnporter6081 4 роки тому +17

      @Marcos P If they're all on the phone, how many police forces do you want to listen to someone break into your house and do you harm?

    • @russmerritt6508
      @russmerritt6508 4 роки тому +1

      @Marcos P All of them.

    • @jonnporter6081
      @jonnporter6081 4 роки тому +15

      @Marcos P Maybe you should get somebody to explain my original post to you. I think we're on the same page. I'm AM pro-gun. When all the shooting is over, use a wood chipper and don't bother the police.

  • @POBulkhead
    @POBulkhead 5 років тому +1962

    "This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine..."

    • @carlospena9453
      @carlospena9453 5 років тому +61

      Show me your war face

    • @jamesthornton3670
      @jamesthornton3670 5 років тому +22

      This one's for killin, this one's for fun!

    • @willeschberger6754
      @willeschberger6754 5 років тому +28

      My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

    • @adamsmaase2581
      @adamsmaase2581 5 років тому +14

      There are many like it... but this one is mine.

    • @nigelft
      @nigelft 5 років тому +7

      I would give you a like ... but there is no such caliber as a 229 ... 😊

  • @done-pg8os
    @done-pg8os Рік тому +21

    It doesn't seem to me often that both Reason and Reality are presented in the same TED talk.. Thank you, Peter van Uhm

    • @kimocoloma4123
      @kimocoloma4123 Рік тому

      How did Our Forefathers foresee of an evil empire or tyrant as we call it in America would someday arise to rule a nation may be the world and the people could not fight or defend themselves and their families because of a Democrat Law to prevent owning even confiscate their guns. They were genius. Who are becoming Nazi's? I'm soooo confuse.

  • @christianeasley767
    @christianeasley767 Рік тому +6

    This man--is speaking from the heart!!!!!! Some of us gave up all of our tomorrow’s to make sure that our countries tomorrow’s dreams always came true!!!!! To protect everything within our area of responsibility and sacrifice it all to do so-- from any soldier from any country---that’s how much you love what you are fighting for!!!!! 😓😓😓😓😓😓😓😓😓
    SALUTE, BROTHER!!!!!!!! 20 + years of service!!!!! SALUTE, SIR!!!!

  • @RedneckRealist
    @RedneckRealist 4 роки тому +375

    “Peace and stability do not come free of charge.” Well said.

    • @darbywing2
      @darbywing2 Рік тому

      He would have you pay for that with your freedom.

    • @Valenciarony
      @Valenciarony Рік тому +2

      Shhhhh… some people can’t handle the truth!

    • @pablobeltran3028
      @pablobeltran3028 Рік тому

      reminds me of Tom Berenger's dialogue: "Freedom isn't free...!!!"

    • @khangnguyen1759
      @khangnguyen1759 Рік тому

      @@Valenciarony The freedom of our kids in school will require you to sacrifice your resistance fantasy. Same people who are gun nuts also wanted bigger police and military, so that is a contradiction.

  • @jackofmanytrades4396
    @jackofmanytrades4396 4 роки тому +2275

    Q: "Why do you need an AR-15?" A: "Because I don't have superpowers."

    • @glemwheatley9425
      @glemwheatley9425 4 роки тому +127

      Jack of Many Trades And, unlike many vocal anti-gunners, I can’t afford an armed bodyguard.

    • @jackofmanytrades4396
      @jackofmanytrades4396 4 роки тому +17

      @Jackson Turner True. The most common (military) version is chambered for a varmint round.

    • @jackofmanytrades4396
      @jackofmanytrades4396 4 роки тому +31

      @Jackson Turner Yes, .223/5.56 NATO is essentially a varmint round. It is illegal to use that round for hunting deer or other larger game in many US states.

    • @glemwheatley9425
      @glemwheatley9425 4 роки тому +41

      Still my favorite weapon, thanks to endless, monotonous training during my military life. I can load it, shoot it, clean it, fix a jam, break it down, reassemble it, identify all the parts, teach someone else these things... basically, it’s the one weapon with which I am extremely comfortable and don’t have to keep turning to my husband asking him to remind me what he told me 3 times already about the gun I’m currently shooting. I think all shooters should use the weapon with which they are most comfortable when given the situation they will need it. Unfortunately, no one makes handbags large enough for them, so I carry a pistol when I’m out and about. But they’re a great home defense weapon and no one is taking mine. Ever. Even after I’m, you know.

    • @rosendorx77
      @rosendorx77 4 роки тому

      two thumbs up

  • @justatallguy
    @justatallguy Рік тому +26

    "The price of a rule is enforcement". An old and wise saying I heard in many languages. It also conveys simply the price of freedom and peace. The law is nothing but a set of rules, with no enforcement, having the rule means nothing. This will never go away, because there are always people willing to break the rules for personal gain and selfish motives, and someone else, who understands the price of rules, has to show up and enforce them. This works for everything in life, big or small, it simply is. We use whatever tool we have, right now those tools are firearms.

  • @ChrisBrown-pw2lb
    @ChrisBrown-pw2lb Рік тому +46

    My father used to have a saying,....
    "Better to have a gun and not need it, than need a gun and not ha enough it.
    I'm a 15 year disabled combat veteran of the United States Army.

  • @peacefulwarrior4151
    @peacefulwarrior4151 5 років тому +3930

    I would rather have a gun and not need it... than need a gun and not have one

    • @moto1p1
      @moto1p1 4 роки тому +37

      #me too

    • @arbyarby3259
      @arbyarby3259 4 роки тому +22

      Well put .....well put!!

    • @xandervincent9374
      @xandervincent9374 4 роки тому +21

      Amen

    • @TheArabianKnightMC
      @TheArabianKnightMC 4 роки тому +39

      My reason for carrying. Stay safe, brother.

    • @deadeyecpt.7765
      @deadeyecpt.7765 4 роки тому +162

      Wish I could carry one here in Italy, sadly we cannot. Americans are more lucky than they know. Do not give up your guns, guys.

  • @gunnut81
    @gunnut81 7 років тому +1193

    My grandfather was one of those men who came to your country and brought his gun. It brings great joy to hear that his and his fellow soldiers efforts have not been forgotten by the Dutch people. May America and the kingdom of Netherlands enjoy long friendship

    • @scotty79
      @scotty79 7 років тому +88

      gun nut Before you mentioned you are from America, I thought you were German.

    • @autohmae
      @autohmae 7 років тому +20

      The US and other countries did a lot of good work during WWII. And we thank them for it. But it's getting harder and harder to have a good friendship with the US. The US does many things which might have good intentions, but cause more problems than they were trying to solve because they only want to do half of the work these days. The Iraq war is probably a good and fairly recent example. The US went into the country, and left chaos and a power vacuum. Now we have ISIS and lots of refugees. The same thing happened in Afghanistan during the cold war. The US helped the groups in Afghanistan prevent the Russians from taking Afghanistan, after that conflict only chaos and a power vacuum existed, those groups later came to the US and flew 2 planes into the twin towers under the banner of Al-Qaeda. The US/CIA does many of these kinds of things. Many times foreigners think it's not just good intentions but also oil and profit that drives these decisions. This makes the US an unpredictable partner. In the past the US, for example in Europe and Japan, not only drove away or killed the bad people but helped rebuild the government. This helped create a lot of prosperity for those countries, but more importantly also for the US. So we know this model already worked really well. It's a sad situation.

    • @GreatValueBleach
      @GreatValueBleach 7 років тому +3

      gun nut was your grandfather part of the German army?

    • @nicholaspetros7267
      @nicholaspetros7267 7 років тому +24

      autohmae as an American, and not a particularly leftward-leaning one, i hear you and i agree with you for the most part. personally, i'm against war, but i think that the US has already earned a reputation for being the police of the world to an extent, so i feel like we do have somewhat of a moral obligation to stand for those who cannot do so, and drive away those who wish to do harm to innocent people. i agree that the world can't rely on the US currently. national ties are a bit shaky right now but that will pass. someone above in the comment section said something that i found fitting for the world today. hard times breed tough men, tough men create peaceful times, peaceful times create weak men, weak men create hard times. i think we're just in the weak men/hard times part of that cycle right now, and i hope that in the next few decades or sooner, that my country can stand tall along with europe and anyone else who wishes to promote a better world for the good and the innocent.

    • @jorgemendez4517
      @jorgemendez4517 7 років тому +6

      nicholas petros Yeah, we need desperate the strong men again. I have always admired some of the things that Americans did in the past century. for the past 40 years, things havent gone so well. Hope the circle keeps going.

  • @firatsanliturk
    @firatsanliturk Рік тому +6

    "Of all evil I deem you capable: Therefore I want good from you. Verily, I have often laughed at the weaklings who thought themselves good because they had no claws.” F. Nietzsche

  • @nixonsmateruby1
    @nixonsmateruby1 Рік тому +6

    This is a man who I would leave Britain to protect, and probably the reason our grandparents did. Thank you for your service. My dad was a soldier, and my hero. We in Europe (western) have learnt that violence is needed, and can deliver it, but the spear can be kept in a cupboard out of sight. Other nation's flaunt their spears in a show of bravado, while we get on with life, and create things useful to humankind, instead of living in the past, like Russia.

  • @wimpwampwomp
    @wimpwampwomp 3 роки тому +359

    "You may be uncomfortable around this gun"
    "I'm Indonesian, discomfort around literally any authority figure is a part of life"

    • @EggyJeff2725
      @EggyJeff2725 3 роки тому +2

      relatable

    • @Mrjohnnymoo1
      @Mrjohnnymoo1 3 роки тому +7

      "My family is Indo from the '40s. discomfort around Indonesians is literally part of our life."

    • @ananda9404
      @ananda9404 3 роки тому

      As a fellow Indonesian were still better than some place example in africa still there is gang wars running rampant

    • @EggyJeff2725
      @EggyJeff2725 3 роки тому +4

      @@ananda9404 well, we have tawuran

    • @ismailhamdan3289
      @ismailhamdan3289 3 роки тому +4

      @@EggyJeff2725 however, the murder rate in Indonesia are among the LOWEST in the world, even compared to Canada and many other developed states

  • @harrisonphillips8609
    @harrisonphillips8609 3 роки тому +150

    “One sword drawn keeps another in the sheath.” Ancient saying of the samurai which is simple and perfectly clear

  • @kimocoloma4123
    @kimocoloma4123 Рік тому +3

    Thank you sir for your recognition of those who came to fight for freedom and especially for those who sacrifice the ultimate price.

  • @danieltucker3506
    @danieltucker3506 Рік тому +14

    As a Texan I watch this an wonder why people don't have guns in their lives. I've had them my whole life

    • @kraigrichard7043
      @kraigrichard7043 Рік тому

      Here from people who leave guns in their cars, 25% of cars getting broken into yield a firearm

    • @TEAserOne
      @TEAserOne Рік тому +2

      Cause of the diverences between The Netherlands and the United States, we have a more robust political system to prevent tyranny from even happen in the first place, having 20+ political parties needing to work together(successfully) kinda prevents the ability for 1 group of people ever taking full control, unlike in the US where 1 party takes control of the nation for 4 years or so.
      Also the fact we are a small nation helps with keeping the streets safe, our nation is very developed and much less rural than the US.
      I'm not saying this to hate on the US btw, you guys have been friends of The Netherlands ever since you became a nation and wouldn't have it any other way, but that 2 party system is just a bit old fashioned and just leads to problems.

    • @PALACIO254
      @PALACIO254 Рік тому +1

      ​@@TEAserOne oh I agree the 2 party system is a literal cancer that has unfortunately become terminal the us v. them mentality is sickening. "a house divided cannot stand"

    • @TEAserOne
      @TEAserOne Рік тому

      @@PALACIO254 Yeah the Dutch system obviously isn't perfect, cause strategic voting is sadly still a thing, which means newer smaller parties have a hard time getting votes. But it's definitely more representative.
      I am still hoping for the day that you can make a top 5 list of candidates. Or even a top 3.
      It will allow people to put a candidate with a low chance of success up at their first choice(cause that candidate fits their own opinion best) and rank their 2nd, 3rd, etc. choices. If the first choice fails to get enough votes to get a seat, your vote would automatically go to your 2nd choice and so on. This ensures votes don't "disappear" when candidates don't reach the minimum votes for 1 seat.
      This will increase the time and work counting will take, but it will basically promise a perfect representation.
      CPG Grey has a better explanation on this system, but I hope my explanation got the concept across ^^

    • @qawamity
      @qawamity Рік тому

      I'm a 47 year old American, born and raised. I spent 4 years active duty in the Army. During my entire civilian life I have not so much as once been in a situation that would have been made better or easier by having a firearm. Quite simply put, most of us have no need of them. Most of the anecdotes I've seen of people using a firearm for self defense involve the gun owner being frightened merely by a person's presence and pulling their weapon before any words are even exchanged. /shrug. If you use hunting as a means to feed your family or if you live in one of the places where you need to dissuade the local wildlife from claiming your backyard as their territory, I get it. Even target shooting as a hobby I can get. Outside of that, most of the time having a firearm does not make you well defended, it makes you a loot drop.

  • @LanternOfLiberty
    @LanternOfLiberty Рік тому +1434

    I was born and raised in Sweden. I served in her JROTC, Army mandatory service and 11 years in the National Guard in the 1980s and 1990s.
    I have now been an American for almost 25 years. I own many guns and train regularly.
    I believe that all citizens who feel comfortable doing so, should own at least a long gun and practice often.
    Freedom does not come free.
    If the population of NE Bosnia had been able to defend themselves, I might not have had to deploy there and might not have had to kill those who attacked our patrol. It was worth it, though.

    • @theRPGmaster
      @theRPGmaster Рік тому +78

      I was also born and raised in Sweden. I completely agree with you. I practice shooting regularly, but laws where I live are sadly not as good as in the US. I'm jealous!

    • @oddjonsson2815
      @oddjonsson2815 Рік тому +21

      In a country like Bosnia in the 90s that may be true. However we see when the state monopoly of violence is lost or is dispersed. The amount of violence within even a democratic society like the US, increases dramaticly.
      That may be why the amount of gun violence in the US is so high. Since pretty much everyone in most states can without difficulty buy a firearm. So no, I strongly disagree with you. There are however some pros with an armed populous but in my mind that does not outweigh the negatives in a developed society. Having a firearmed trained civilian population is a good thing for times of need is good, so if need be they can be armed to defend themselves and their country. A constantly armed populous is not.

    • @oddjonsson2815
      @oddjonsson2815 Рік тому +7

      Tack för din insats!

    • @joesmith8784
      @joesmith8784 Рік тому +108

      @@oddjonsson2815 With all due respect you couldn't be more wrong. The main point of having an armed population is to prevent a tyrannical government from overstepping it's boundaries and infringing on the rights of the people. Furthermore the places in the US with high gun violence DO NOT allow citizens to concealed/open carry or they make it extremely expensive and very difficult for the average citizen to legally do so. This is why we end up with 97% of mass shootings in "gun free" zones and most of the firearm homicides in places with extremely tight gun laws. The crime for possession of an illegally obtained firearm is 3 years minimum sentence but criminals will do this anyways so it leaves law abiding citizens defenseless. Also not just any US citizen can easily buy a legal firearm there is a FBI federal background check conducted on anyone who buys a gun over the counter that takes into account your criminal history/ mental issues and it takes 3 days minimum in states with looser gun laws and up to a year in places like NewYork city. Keep in mind the state can have very loose gun laws like in Florida but you can have a city like Miami with very tight guns laws and this will always cause the per capita firearm homicide rate to be much higher in the liberal leaning city than in the rural cities (check FBI statistics for proof). Keep in mind this is the per capita rate so its not because of population density it's because of unconstitutional restrictions on Americans 2nd amendment rights. Look into what happened in Kenesaw Georgia when the city required the head of every household own a firearm look into what happened in Orlando in the 70s when the police department trained 2,500 women on how to use a gun to defend themselves (home invasions dropped over 80% and rvpe dropped 90%+ respectively). My gun is my best friend and I will never give her up

    • @oddjonsson2815
      @oddjonsson2815 Рік тому +13

      @@joesmith8784 I suppose the situation is very different then between the US and most of Europe. The idea that the citizenry should have weapons to, if necessary, overthrow an illegal government is just not most other democratic countries can understand since we have a much higher degree of trust in our institutions. Also the idea that an armed citizenry, even in the US could stand up against the American armed forces is simply not realistic, if they would become a repressive regime tool. The statistics are clear as well. The US have incredibly many mass shootings and most of those weapons were acquired legally. Australia did away with their gun laws that were similar to the US and low and behold. There haven't been a mass shooting since. I get that banning ordinary citizens to own guns in the US would be INCREDIBLY difficult. So maybe such a solution isn't viable. Criminals will always be able to acquire guns but people still aren't able to defend themselves if they don't have a gun available all of the time which of course, most don't.
      Personally I'm trained with firearms. I serve in the armed forces and am not uncomfortable with them. I am however VERY uncomfortable with the idea of most ordinary civilians carrying them on the street. In pockets, hand bags etcetera. Since they don't have the same training as I do.

  • @cameltanker1286
    @cameltanker1286 4 роки тому +1910

    “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on
    what to have for lunch. Liberty
    is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!” Benjamin
    Franklin

    • @CitizenPerkins
      @CitizenPerkins 4 роки тому +38

      Hehehe -- I like that last part! 👍🤣 (Let me spiff that up for you:)
      *Democracy* is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
      *Liberty* is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote! -- _Benjamin Franklin_

    • @johngraf4283
      @johngraf4283 4 роки тому +12

      I'm a SHEEPDOG!

    • @sansocie
      @sansocie 4 роки тому +8

      Ben was correct

    • @peacebestillgaming3073
      @peacebestillgaming3073 4 роки тому

      while all three of them are enslaving the black sheep

    • @tomryan5948
      @tomryan5948 4 роки тому +5

      You should make a t-shirt with fully kitted operator lamb.

  • @MberEnder
    @MberEnder Рік тому +22

    A very effective argument for the defensive carry of firearms, even if not intentional.

    • @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb
      @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb Рік тому

      He literally argued the exact opposite

    • @MberEnder
      @MberEnder Рік тому

      @@Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb then he didn't do a very good job of it.

    • @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb
      @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb Рік тому

      @@MberEnder he said it over and over again, perhaps you only heard what you want to hear

    • @MberEnder
      @MberEnder Рік тому

      @@Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb the whole thing was about why the military is necessary for keeping peace. And mose of the logic he uses also applies to citizens owning weapons.

    • @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb
      @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb Рік тому +1

      @@MberEnder do you know what a monopoly is? He repeats that the military having a monopoly on violence is the key to peace a multitude of times. That directly contradicts civilian firearm ownership

  • @ehass85
    @ehass85 Рік тому +3

    An immaculate presentation. Fantasticly delivered.
    I could listen to this gentleman speak all day.

  • @holdintheaces7468
    @holdintheaces7468 4 роки тому +631

    "Sometimes, only the gun can stand between good and evil."
    Brings to mind the common saying "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

    • @Nergal_Slayer
      @Nergal_Slayer 3 роки тому +42

      "World needs bad men. We keep the other bad men from the door. "
      -Rust Cohle

    • @D_Chess
      @D_Chess Рік тому +10

      One of my favorite Orwell quotes. I still get slightly emotional at times when I hear it or speak it.

    • @williampfaffjr7684
      @williampfaffjr7684 Рік тому +4

      Amen.....

    • @kbanghart
      @kbanghart Рік тому +3

      @@D_Chess so sad that a lot of the 2A nutjobs think that it justifies their reasoning.

    • @benjamintherogue2421
      @benjamintherogue2421 Рік тому +5

      @@kbanghart And what do you imagine that reasoning is?

  • @neo4016
    @neo4016 3 роки тому +309

    "the netherlands is a peacefull country"
    dutch new years eve: allow me to introduce myself

    • @booz8313
      @booz8313 3 роки тому +1

      💀💀😂😂😂

    • @friendlyjester8482
      @friendlyjester8482 3 роки тому +6

      2020 Versie:
      Regering: ''Hé jongens, geen vuurwerk dit jaar, er is een nieuwe wet''
      Illegaal vuurwerk: ''Jullie volgen wetten?''

    • @stroopeter
      @stroopeter 3 роки тому +1

      @@friendlyjester8482 het bbp van belgië gaat dit jaar met 700% omhoog

    • @friendlyjester8482
      @friendlyjester8482 3 роки тому +1

      @@stroopeter G E K O L O N I S E E R D

    • @jesusemmanuelcordero4509
      @jesusemmanuelcordero4509 Рік тому +6

      @@friendlyjester8482 as a Mexican who lived in the Netherlands since 2017. Those random fireworks keep me happy at nights as it reminds of the gun shots back home. Truly beautiful 😍.

  • @jakesgenuineanarchy5955
    @jakesgenuineanarchy5955 Рік тому +1

    This was an amazing talk. Absolutely adored this one.

  • @Armilar255
    @Armilar255 Рік тому +3

    Seriously, many people misunderstood this talk.
    He's not saying that everyone should buy a gun, instead he's talking about only police/military having access to weapons (that what monopoly of violence means), like in every European country.
    That's why murder rate went down, not because of people who can't understand a basic ted talk carrying weapons in a daily basis.

    • @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb
      @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb Рік тому

      It is flying over everyone's head. The talk can be summarized thusly:
      _"Only the military should be able to defend against attack. If we are told to strike, we strike. Only the government can be trusted to decide who should be defended, not your judgement. Obey. Fund our weapons so more invading forces don't slip by, do not attempt to gain power. Optherwise, this relative peace will end"_

  • @GoingRampant92
    @GoingRampant92 4 роки тому +183

    It's amazing how many friendly people you meet when you have a gun.

    • @jonathanwright5550
      @jonathanwright5550 Рік тому +20

      I find people are now too disconnected from rural life style that brings more common firearm use... here in New Zealand licensed fire arm owners took the blame for tarrants behavior....

    • @jeffprice6421
      @jeffprice6421 Рік тому +21

      An armed society, is a polite society. :)

    • @itsnerfornothing7554
      @itsnerfornothing7554 Рік тому +7

      @@jeffprice6421 an armed society is a society living in fear. If the guy next door can buy a gun, you fear him and buy one of your own, and now you cant leave the house without one. No guns means no fear of guns

    • @jeffprice6421
      @jeffprice6421 Рік тому

      @@itsnerfornothing7554 Nothing you just wrote is true. I have no idea if my neighbors are armed. I neither care if they are are armed or fear it. Japan has no guns and yet Abe was assassinated with one. The children in the day care in Oklahoma city were killed by a ryder truck willed with fertilizer and fuel oil. The airline passengers on 9/11 were killed by men with box cutters. Violence comes form the heart of man. Fixating on banning objects will NOT bring you safety. Look at Great Britain. They banned guns and yet they still have lots of violence. So now they are trying to ban knives. When that doesn't work, what next? Ban rocks and sticks? Is it the ultimate fate of humanity to be sitting naked in cushioned rooms where they cannot be harmed? That rather sounds like the state humans were kept in the movie the matrix. Is that living? Better dangerous liberty than safe servitude.

    • @donkeedic4451
      @donkeedic4451 Рік тому +17

      @@itsnerfornothing7554 as a knife, I agree with your statement

  • @bryanlangley5337
    @bryanlangley5337 6 років тому +141

    In 2011 I was serving with the U.S. Army in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan -- a base built by the Dutch. Rather than use unarmored 20-foot containers to house their soldiers, they used HESCO barriers and metal plates to protect the housing units.
    This proved key when, one night, one of the units housing six of my soldiers was hit by a rocket. I give credit to the Dutch Army for preventing their deaths -- if General Van Uhm's army hadn't learned from his father's unfortunate experience with an old gun, I imagine there would be six more people with at Purple Hearts rather than Combat Action Badges.

    • @steveowen5143
      @steveowen5143 Рік тому +10

      I was in Tarin Kowt 2010-2011 just after the Netherlands govt decided to pull out. Their civil-military operations team trained us before we went over. They left behind their share of blood and treasure, and I have a lot of respect for what they did in TK.

    • @Area-51td3vq
      @Area-51td3vq Рік тому +7

      I Thank both of you for your service 💯✌️

    • @TEAserOne
      @TEAserOne Рік тому +2

      That sounds like typical Dutch Engineering.
      We have a saying: "Better do something good once, then bad and do it twice"
      I guess another part is also that the Dutch army doesn't have the funding the US has, so I guess, it might sound very morbid, but it's probably true that the Dutch Army really can't afford losing soldiers, whilst for the US it's a small cost. Not implying the US army doesn't try it's best to avoid combat losses, but I guess a small nation like The Netherlands has to go through extra hoops to ensure safety sometimes :D

  • @mangofett927
    @mangofett927 Рік тому +9

    I have to disagree with one of his points. The state should not have a monopoly on violence. The people need to have equal access to weapons and ammunition in order to keep the state in check. Imagine if Hitler had been unable to disarm the population before starting to ship "undesirables" off to the concentration camps. If the state has a monopoly on violence, there is no one to keep the state in check.

    • @Avatar_Hoodie
      @Avatar_Hoodie Рік тому +2

      Yeah but the people are the ones who elect the government. Although admittedly in non democratic countries, it would be more effective

    • @demi3115
      @demi3115 Рік тому

      Clean your ears. He's talking about democratic elected governments. Your point is not related to his speech.

  • @anthonymiller8989
    @anthonymiller8989 Рік тому +2

    I have met many a solder in my day, just like the one he has complimented here. So proud to serve with them where ever the deployment has been. USMC

  • @neversaydiegaming4868
    @neversaydiegaming4868 4 роки тому +722

    Speaker: Some of you may feel uncomfortable around this gun.
    Americans: I want!

    • @joebank6556
      @joebank6556 4 роки тому +26

      Legit I do want. Lol. I’m a classic American. Where are you from?

    • @neversaydiegaming4868
      @neversaydiegaming4868 4 роки тому +9

      @@joebank6556 utah

    • @joebank6556
      @joebank6556 4 роки тому +28

      Neversaydie Gaming damn lucky. I’m Californian so I have ridiculous gun laws.

    • @mr.lostrythm7876
      @mr.lostrythm7876 4 роки тому +16

      Not even gonna lie, that gun looks so cool!

    • @drew7155
      @drew7155 4 роки тому +37

      Haha yep. They think a one million man army can conquer 300 million people with a half a billion guns. Idc how much technology advantage there is I'll put my money on the people every day. Just like the founders designed

  • @Hodmokrin
    @Hodmokrin 4 роки тому +1320

    Weapons can bring freedom, as they can bring tyranny, it only matters who's hands they are in and who's they aren't.

    • @DWHalse
      @DWHalse 4 роки тому +18

      Thank God they are in the right hands in America! The People's hands. Any Hitler will find him/her self up a shitcreek without any paddle!

    • @ernestpaul2484
      @ernestpaul2484 4 роки тому +38

      And that is exactly why we have the 2nd Amendment in our Constitution, to protect all the other Amendments and our freedom as citizens, not subjects.

    • @quickdeuce
      @quickdeuce 4 роки тому +16

      Thank you Hodmokrin, truer words were never spoken. Emphasis is on "who's they aren't". Thank GOD for our 2nd Amendment!

    • @ethandonnelly1973
      @ethandonnelly1973 4 роки тому +13

      This talk is about armed forces, soldiers. People that have been checked, verified, people that do not take the gun for granted.
      Not civilians. This talk is not a justification of American constitution.
      It is not a justification for the three of you, to wield guns.
      And I mean no offense when I say this, for I can only base it off what you have said in these comments, but you did not understand the point being made here.
      All of you are comfortable with your guns, and in fact have a reverance for them.
      This speaker has disgust for them, But an understanding of the need for them IN PROPER HANDS.
      Under proper laws, regulation, and guidance.
      The american way is "If you have a gun, just use it when you think you need it"
      And yet the only situations in which you need it, are the ones in which no civilian would be capable of coherent thought, only instinct.
      And you seem to have ignored that point.
      This talk is not for you, it never was.
      And personally, I do not think any of you would be a person this speaker would agree with, simply for your lack of respect towards what a gun is, and the human life it can take.
      I speak respectfully to you all, when I say you should take some time to rewatch this, and think about it without considering your constitution.
      David, You speak of disorganized vigilante concepts.
      John, You speak of who is the right people to wield them.
      And this speaker has pretty clearly outlined that only people that do not wish to use them, and would like to see them removed, and who would only use them under the strictest of instruction from an authority kept in check, are the people that should have these weapons.
      This talk is to bring respect and understanding to what it means to be a soldier under democratic command, and to inform people that when they support this man and his men, This is what they are supporting.
      I do not think you understood that, if you took it as an endorsement of your possession of weapons.
      Please, Rewatch, and listen. And do not think of yourselves, for thats not what this is about.

    • @jessezendejas4627
      @jessezendejas4627 4 роки тому

      Same can be said about rhetoric, ie hitlers anti Semitic rhetoric. All depends on who is using it

  • @paulnewkirk7351
    @paulnewkirk7351 Рік тому +5

    This guy needs an audience with the house of representatives and the senate here in the United States.

    • @kimocoloma4123
      @kimocoloma4123 Рік тому

      Rephrase your sentence "Democrat House of Representatives" to be specific. Don't involved other people.

  • @troybreedlove4195
    @troybreedlove4195 Рік тому +4

    That's the best speech I have ever heard. Thank you, and much respect for all the soldiers who risk their life for peace and freedom aroundtheworld. Biblical times we're living in ✨️ 🙌

  • @SgtBuck01
    @SgtBuck01 4 роки тому +1007

    The best samurai is one that knows how to use his blade, but keeps it sheathed unless absolutely necessary.

    • @Carebear_Pooh
      @Carebear_Pooh 4 роки тому +17

      Sgt. Buck ok sensei

    • @koolaidman8048
      @koolaidman8048 4 роки тому +10

      Same with a good America citizen

    • @AmokBR
      @AmokBR 4 роки тому

      You can't know how to user it unless you use it with a certain frequency.

    • @ProfiresKnight
      @ProfiresKnight 4 роки тому +19

      @@AmokBR Training and practice exists.

    • @ildart8738
      @ildart8738 4 роки тому

      @ALSO-RAN ! Eeh - basically bring a gun to a sword fight?

  • @MoleFortress
    @MoleFortress 4 роки тому +501

    I chose a guitar. But, I come from a place where there are ten guns for every guitar. I absolutely agree with this speaker. Some good people must choose guns. Some good people must choose the sword, or the bad ones will rule the world.

    • @_.BlackArmor._
      @_.BlackArmor._ 4 роки тому +7

      I chose a pen. We need God and each other to survive this world and it's madness. Until it's over.

    • @pitagoras3468
      @pitagoras3468 3 роки тому +3

      I was hoping to find a song on your channel. You let me intrigue about your choosing

    • @Ogrematic
      @Ogrematic 3 роки тому +8

      All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.

    • @scunthorpe5513
      @scunthorpe5513 3 роки тому +14

      @@_.BlackArmor._ "whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously doesn't know automatic weapons." - General Douglas MacArthur

    • @johnrildo2325
      @johnrildo2325 3 роки тому +9

      @@_.BlackArmor._ The pen only has power when it commands an army of gun wielding soldiers.

  • @AudieCollinsSoftHeartPC
    @AudieCollinsSoftHeartPC Рік тому +2

    Most eloquently stated. God bless you and yours.

  • @spookypunky
    @spookypunky 8 місяців тому +1

    This is why people expose young people to firearms-to face the fear and misunderstandings about what firearms are/aren't. Responsible gun ownership needs to be taught nation wide

  • @mrpirate6187
    @mrpirate6187 4 роки тому +734

    "Don't quote people like this and neglect to put their name at the end"

  • @smashing523
    @smashing523 4 роки тому +1173

    "Si vis pacem para bellum" - If you want peace, prepare for war.

    • @johncarter6238
      @johncarter6238 4 роки тому +54

      if guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns, god created man samuel colt made them equal

    • @khorehmandirani
      @khorehmandirani 4 роки тому +18

      @@johncarter6238 John Browning and Mikhail Kalashnikov are unpleased due to the lack of mention ;-;

    • @johncarter6238
      @johncarter6238 4 роки тому +5

      @@khorehmandiraniJohn Browning and Mikhail Kalashnikov are top key figures. S&W too. but Kalashnikov is at the top of my list, his weapon the AK47 is the most produced weapon in the world in many countries, without a AK, A Terorist is no longer a Terorist

    • @sevenseth1612
      @sevenseth1612 4 роки тому +5

      @@johncarter6238 You don't need a gun ak or ar or else. Even a blade or a simple piece of wood can be use for the good or bad reasons.

    • @johncarter6238
      @johncarter6238 4 роки тому +8

      @@sevenseth1612 Yes it is, but I defend my life better, with a Glock 17 - 9MM, Than a bat / knife / or a piece of wood / or else

  • @jeroenstrompf5064
    @jeroenstrompf5064 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for this amazing talk!

  • @tonyl3762
    @tonyl3762 Рік тому +37

    As someone who knows the history of tyranny, the State having a monopoly on guns and violence is NOT a guarantee of peace. Governments, even constitutional states, are quite capable of and willing to violate the rights of its citizens. It is not hard for radicals to even win elected office and then use the machinery of freedom against the people and their freedoms. And culture matters. You can't just train a bunch of foreigners in how to do certain things and expect it to work if their nation doesn't have the culture to sustain the institutions of peace and prosperity. We have seen the failure in Afghanistan now.

    • @jakobmax3299
      @jakobmax3299 Рік тому

      Yes Afghanistan was a faliure and the and the state couldnt sustain itself. Bur now more than ever is military strength needed. Peace isnt made by pacifists. Peace is by war.

    • @tonyl3762
      @tonyl3762 Рік тому +5

      @@jakobmax3299 Don't mistake me for a pacifist. I'm a believer in peace through strength. I just object to van Uhm's notion that a State monopoly on violence and guns is ideal. It's not. According to traditional American ideals, citizens have a right to their own self-protection, even from their own tyrannical government if necessary. Military violence was needed to kill terrorists in Afghanistan, but the US/West should not attempt to re-build non-Western nations in their image. The only reason it worked in Germany and Japan is because their nation and culture were completely self-contained and demoralized by devastating warfare.

    • @Ryan-mech-muffin
      @Ryan-mech-muffin Рік тому +3

      @@tonyl3762 agreed. An armed populace is far superior than a government monopoly. A government monopoly on guns leads to N.Korea, not the Netherlands.

    • @demi3115
      @demi3115 Рік тому

      Clean your ears. He's talking about democratic elected governments. Your point is not related to his speech.

    • @tonyl3762
      @tonyl3762 Рік тому +1

      @@demi3115 Study your history. You think "democratic elected" government cannot be or become tyrannical? Did you even read my comment? Should I tell you to get your eyes/brain checked? I wrote: "Governments, even constitutional states, are quite capable of and willing to violate the rights of its citizens. It is not hard for radicals to even win elected office and then use the machinery of freedom against the people and their freedoms."

  • @mcnallywacka
    @mcnallywacka Рік тому +1128

    Honestly, one of the best TED talks I’ve heard to date.

  • @kilroysadventures2556
    @kilroysadventures2556 4 роки тому +2094

    When the government fears the people there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny.... Thomas Jefferson

    • @DownWithBureaucracy
      @DownWithBureaucracy 4 роки тому +47

      And guess what countries are now confronted with civil wars due to oppressive government? Hong Kong anyone?

    • @jacobbowl303
      @jacobbowl303 4 роки тому +3

      Kilroys Adventures literally every leader ever

    • @DownWithBureaucracy
      @DownWithBureaucracy 4 роки тому +17

      @Yeshua is Lord. but China is. Y'know, the country that Hong Kong could really use some firearms to protect themselves from?

    • @nous93
      @nous93 4 роки тому +5

      People don't need guns to scare government

    • @kilroysadventures2556
      @kilroysadventures2556 4 роки тому +19

      @@nous93 sheep

  • @1965ace
    @1965ace Рік тому +23

    I totally agree with this perspective of the military use of guns. What about the civilian use of guns to make life better? I grew up in America around dozens of guns, as children we went hunting and target practicing. In High School, many of the students had guns in their vehicles in gun racks and pistols in the glove box. This was no secret. We don't fear guns nor do we cower from violent criminals. Guns here prevent far more crime than they cause because the overwhelming number of people who own them are good people with good intentions.

    • @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb
      @Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb Рік тому

      No, he said the opposite. The military has a monopoly on violence, and they point and shoot where the government tells them. They don't decide the right thing to do, they don't respond to threats. They don't protect good and root out evil. Instead, they take orders from some of the people that society openly claims to be inherently corrupt and consistently disingenuous. The whole point of the talk was "we are in control. You should appreciate us. Do not attempt to gain control."

    • @hayrotheguye7511
      @hayrotheguye7511 Рік тому

      You're also the 2nd highest on the list for gun deaths, right behind brazil.

    • @1965ace
      @1965ace Рік тому

      @@hayrotheguye7511 Ya you're right it's much better in Communist China and North Korea where no citizens are allowed to protect themselves.

    • @Philosopherus
      @Philosopherus Рік тому +2

      I am guessing that is also very much due to having a cultural difference. The netherlands has very little need for guns since crime is usually not violent and the crime rate itself is fairly low. The average homocide rate is 0.6 out of 100.000 people (measured in 2018). Also, wealth is distributed quite fairly meaning that there is less reason to commit crime (for example, the goverment pays for 90% of your health insurance if you can't afford it and try to help you financially if you aren't fit for work ). I am guessing that america and guns for safety is a symptom of a much deeper issue which comes forth from inequality, the feeling of being unsafe and a lot more political polarisation. (i could be wrong, but this is mosty an educated guess). Of course, this is not to say that there isn't organised crime in the netherlands but they are mostly concerned about each other and very rarely do innocent people get involved.

    • @1965ace
      @1965ace Рік тому

      @@Philosopherus I was a cop for 18 years and never once did I need to point or fire my gun at a human being. Most crime is a failure of consequences, social and criminal. Crime is not a matter of need. We have a huge welfare net here that fosters and coddles the crime culture. People who have nothing to lose are dangerous. They are parasites on society while the rest of us pay for everything.

  • @OzcarMike641
    @OzcarMike641 Рік тому +3

    Quite inspirational. Thank you, General Van Uhm

  • @xmacola1239
    @xmacola1239 4 роки тому +3031

    “I’m a Mandalorian. Weapons are part of my religion”

  • @Tex-el7kk
    @Tex-el7kk 4 роки тому +1787

    Most of these comments missed the point of this ted talk

    • @benjaminchen4367
      @benjaminchen4367 4 роки тому +95

      Yeah this wasn't a Ted talk abt gun control or gun ownership, it's 7 years old lmao

    • @tineriddell5733
      @tineriddell5733 4 роки тому +38

      True but us gun owner are still gonna talk about it

    • @JusticeBackstrom
      @JusticeBackstrom 4 роки тому +3

      No, most of the comments are rebutting the talk.

    • @Tex-el7kk
      @Tex-el7kk 4 роки тому +88

      Justice Backstrom from what I am reading, the first 5 comments or so are probably from Americans quoting pro gun quotes. They are agreeing with a point that he never made yet assumed formed the title. They are not rebutting the talk much. I might need to scroll further down.

    • @JusticeBackstrom
      @JusticeBackstrom 4 роки тому +16

      @@Tex-el7kk No, they're not agreeing with him they're rebutting him. I'm an American. My comment on this video is pro gun, and it's a rebuttal. Don't try to tell me thet I think I'm agreeing with him.

  • @MiguelLopez-uy2uu
    @MiguelLopez-uy2uu Рік тому +2

    fantastic show of love of our soldiers.

  • @Jjwalways70
    @Jjwalways70 Рік тому +1

    Thank you sir , a captivating speech from a great man and human being , our freedoms and safety and all the things we sometimes take for granted have only come from men and women like yourself who have sacrificed for the rest of us , we thank you .

  • @apex_7766
    @apex_7766 5 років тому +575

    8 years now, and still relevant. I listened to this man's words and waited for some political agenda, there was none.
    He truly has my respect, regardless of me being American and he from the Netherlands, I salute him as a soldier nonetheless.

    • @SuPerTrapp87
      @SuPerTrapp87 4 роки тому +23

      Then you were not listening very well at all. He is advocating for solely the government to have guns and not citizens.

    • @TheJTcol
      @TheJTcol 4 роки тому +22

      Really? Hey you need a little practice on your critical listening. Don't you see he is advocating for the confiscation of private firearms? Just like the Nazi's and the communists. A government policy of having a monopoly on violence has led to the slaughter of over a 100million people in the last hundred years probably much more than that. Give groups like the Democrat party that are constantly looking for new groups of victims to murder, first the un-born then the newly born now the sick and elderly and soon the deplorable's . Just let them have your guns and find our how fast the start making the world into their utopia. A world without freedom loving patriots.

    • @dylanmorgan2752
      @dylanmorgan2752 4 роки тому +15

      Who are these Americans wanting other countries to have as many guns as they do? Netherlands is a small peaceful country, last thing they need is a hundred thousand rifles and pistols lying around in cottages for absolutely no reason. It has literally no effect on American gun laws and I don’t see why there would ever be a reason to automatically not mutually respect someone just because you’re from two different countries.

    • @jozefsan
      @jozefsan 4 роки тому +2

      i doubt you understanding what he talking about.......but same goes for your Math :-D

    • @travushaynz547
      @travushaynz547 4 роки тому +5

      Do you instictivly not respect someone from another country?

  • @Alexwaltman850
    @Alexwaltman850 4 роки тому +1779

    You know you're an American when you look at the generals rifle and think "eh, mine is better"

    • @aliharajli95
      @aliharajli95 4 роки тому +86

      LMAO im glad i found someone whose thinking like me

    • @johnthiessen4749
      @johnthiessen4749 4 роки тому +103

      Haha, true. Though the general does have access to full auto and you probably don’t.

    • @Alexwaltman850
      @Alexwaltman850 4 роки тому +119

      @@johnthiessen4749 I mean, we all have access to full auto. It's just most of us can't afford $30k+ for a pre-ban full auto m16

    • @dgs266
      @dgs266 4 роки тому +31

      John Thiessen you should come to America almost everyone can get a full auto it’s just expensive and time consuming

    • @dgs266
      @dgs266 4 роки тому +9

      Alex Waltman facts

  • @jimmio1622
    @jimmio1622 Рік тому +1

    Stunning speech from a warrior …. Well said !

  • @filipedoria9561
    @filipedoria9561 Рік тому

    One of the best TED I've ever seen in my live, everybody should watch it, specially athletes of shooting. It's very important to respect the guns.

  • @lukevj
    @lukevj 4 роки тому +739

    I don’t carry my gun to kill, I carry my gun to save a life if needed... I take responsibility for my own safety

    • @leevkop8229
      @leevkop8229 4 роки тому +18

      I feel safe in the Netherlands because I know most people don't have a gun. I totally understand that if people in your area have guns that you would want / need one yourself but if you live in a safe country where guns are illegal and uncommon it would only make matters worse because then the lethality rate for self defense would go up.
      So in short: having gun in country with many guns? Sure.
      Having gun in country with close to no guns? No thank you.

    • @grenadeout562
      @grenadeout562 4 роки тому +3

      @Good Ol'boy whe you said "average" that implies that it most likely doesn't apply to all black people

    • @ProfessionalNeet222
      @ProfessionalNeet222 4 роки тому +11

      @@leevkop8229 u say that till someone pulls a knife on u. U live in the Netherlands. Very different from America or South America where gangs are rampant and the culture is extremely different

    • @leevkop8229
      @leevkop8229 4 роки тому +1

      @@ProfessionalNeet222 did you not read the part where I said that I understood that?

    • @ProfessionalNeet222
      @ProfessionalNeet222 4 роки тому +13

      @@leevkop8229 yes. But u make it sound like cause u live in the Netherlands nothing bad will happen to u. That is a terrible way of thinking

  • @bobbertee5945
    @bobbertee5945 10 років тому +2393

    This General lost his son in Afghan in 2008.......

    • @N0lan15
      @N0lan15 9 років тому +62

      How is that relevant to anything he was talking about?

    • @TheShadow960
      @TheShadow960 8 років тому +443

      +Nolan A1 Did you even listen?

    • @lordilluminati5836
      @lordilluminati5836 7 років тому +560

      it means he believes so strongly in what he says that even having lost his son to them, his ideal remain.

    • @jalalkphilosophy
      @jalalkphilosophy 7 років тому +38

      for invading a country

    • @mbpaintballa
      @mbpaintballa 7 років тому +221

      you mean helping remove the invaders. dont forget the taliban arent afgani

  • @juicy4joey
    @juicy4joey Рік тому +3

    as american i stay armed to the teeth and hope to god i never have to use my firepower against another human

  • @RobtheAviator
    @RobtheAviator Рік тому +2

    “Wars between European countries are no longer common place”
    Putin: hold my beer

  • @semirslezovic4533
    @semirslezovic4533 4 роки тому +1790

    "We get dirty and the world stays clean, that's the mission"

  • @kunschner
    @kunschner 8 років тому +1682

    "Where goods do not cross borders, troops will."

    • @aristeidislykas7163
      @aristeidislykas7163 7 років тому +24

      Kunschner Say that to the self-righteous neocons, my friend.

    • @aristeidislykas7163
      @aristeidislykas7163 7 років тому +19

      "lunatic liberal scum" and neocons are the two sides of the same coin, my "all-knowing" friend.

    • @alecstahl2387
      @alecstahl2387 7 років тому +50

      gun is the great equalizer

    • @aristeidislykas7163
      @aristeidislykas7163 7 років тому +4

      ...and the knowledge of making bombs, my friend. I was able to steer world history because of my ability to use extreme violence.

    • @JohnnyWishbone85
      @JohnnyWishbone85 7 років тому +28

      Not true, actually. Germany's most important trading partner in 1940 was who? Japan's most important trading partner in 1941 was who?
      The problem is that there will always be people who cannot see that violence is not an effective way to resolve conflict in a way that is just and equitable. For them, we have guns.

  • @lannyhoover1625
    @lannyhoover1625 Рік тому

    Extremely well said!! Thank you!

  • @StreetMachine18
    @StreetMachine18 Рік тому +2

    Wow hearing these words is pretty powerful

  • @originalbluebuddha
    @originalbluebuddha 6 років тому +1890

    No slave ever owned a gun. No free man ever got that way without one.

    • @jaden6640
      @jaden6640 6 років тому +118

      that makes zero sense. You are essentially saying without weapons to defend ourselves we are free, but with the ability to defend ourselves, we are not.

    • @col.strayga1389
      @col.strayga1389 5 років тому +58

      Commie Logic

    • @bluelionsage99
      @bluelionsage99 5 років тому +8

      Actually the CSA armed slaves at the end of the war to fight against the US, and while guns had not been invented yet many slave forces like the Janisaries were armed military units for the power that controlled them.

    • @reizayin
      @reizayin 5 років тому +28

      Mark, you can't secure freedom without violence, or the threat of violence.

    • @DNFDESTROYER
      @DNFDESTROYER 5 років тому +2

      They do now. There kin won't turn them in, when the law abiding citizens are forced to

  • @wynandkoegelenberg5659
    @wynandkoegelenberg5659 4 роки тому +96

    "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." Theodore Roosevelt

  • @RojaJaneman
    @RojaJaneman Рік тому +3

    Salute to such a man. Nothing but respect.

  • @runertje550
    @runertje550 2 місяці тому

    I know it has been commented a few times but I will say it again to remind people that his son died in action in Afghanistan a few years before this speech.. Yet still he is determined and idealizes about a violence & war free world. What an amazing man.

  • @istp1967
    @istp1967 Рік тому +77

    "Eternal vigilance is a price we must be willing to pay; if we are to maintain our freedom" -- Aldous Huxley, 1958.

  • @multiHappyHacker
    @multiHappyHacker 7 років тому +580

    Defensive gun uses are held to standards of the justice system, it is absolutely a legitimate use of violence as per the speaker's definition.

    • @aaronlayes4485
      @aaronlayes4485 7 років тому +3

      multiHappyHacker the legitimate use is weighed by the courts of course but I got what you meant.

    • @andgen
      @andgen 7 років тому +7

      multiHappyHacker Violence is a part of human nature. It will serve those liberals well.

    • @MisterCOM
      @MisterCOM 7 років тому +5

      multiHappyHacker not in the netherlands

    • @poggylp1169
      @poggylp1169 7 років тому +4

      Are you refering to gun use by civilians? Because this contradicts the speech and the stated concepts of a society.

    • @jasongoff9723
      @jasongoff9723 7 років тому +23

      Poggy LP this contradicts in no way. we are all soldiers (I served my time too)... in even the 1700's or earlier farmers took a stand as civilian / citizen soldiers to protect their families and neighbors... If you choose to not train yourself with skills to protect your family and the thief comes, weak men as you ( untrained ) will contribute to the death of your family and country eventually as a whole. your interpretation of contradiction will prove to be a failure in your life. one who stands for nothing, falls for everything. thank you for your lack of support

  • @aaronsmith4940
    @aaronsmith4940 Рік тому +1

    Seen this a few times, very powerful

  • @runneruwu
    @runneruwu Рік тому +1

    Peace requires strength. Peace fades when strength fades.

  • @todkapuz
    @todkapuz 5 років тому +130

    why do I feel that 1.8k people just saw the title and clicked dislike and didn't actually listen to speech?

    • @lonewolfzor
      @lonewolfzor 5 років тому +10

      Or they listened to the speaker talk about how government Monopoly of violence is good lol

    • @giampaolomannucci8281
      @giampaolomannucci8281 5 років тому +7

      todkapuz
      because you believe you're always right and others must be stupid for not thinking the same as you do
      you'll go far in life man

    • @brazenbull636
      @brazenbull636 5 років тому +8

      "We don't need no stinkin self preservation! The state will take care of my fate!"
      Meanwhile these same people claim to have no problem bludgeoning someone to death with a bat. Ive heard that during many gun discussions with leftist. Its just "gun = bad" having been hardcoded into their programming. No real reason for it. The only conclusion i can come to is that they dont want you to have a gun on you when the come and try to bludgeon you to death with a bat..

    • @lonewolfzor
      @lonewolfzor 5 років тому +12

      @@brazenbull636 leftist are weak people that don't understand real violence, and don't comprehend the need for a gun, they believe that people have the right to defend, but don't understand that guns are what equalize the playing field for all to defend themselves, to them they only see a weapon for attacking, and to remove that weapon is to help themselves, when right leaning persons view guns as a last resort for self preservation. The individual is not what the left ideology cares about, it's the collective. But humans by nature are not designed to care about 380 million others as if they are family the disconnection between persons leads to a lack of compassion for all when forced compassion becomes rule. The ideology is flawed by nature, historically shown in repetition.

    • @The.Red.Tomahawk
      @The.Red.Tomahawk 5 років тому

      John Sullivan Amen.

  • @patrichausammann
    @patrichausammann 4 роки тому +115

    „God made men, but Samuel Colt made them equal.“ Quote with a deep truth from an advertising slogan from the early days of the Colt armory.

    • @GiarkReleos
      @GiarkReleos 4 роки тому

      wasn't true then, still isn't -- sorry for your luck !!

    • @PhoenixT70
      @PhoenixT70 4 роки тому +3

      @@GiarkReleos No, no, no, you were doing fine. God made man, Sam Colt made them equal, then the government came and made us unequal again.

    • @OmnistarEast
      @OmnistarEast 4 роки тому +2

      "One man with a gun can control 100 without one"

    • @GiarkReleos
      @GiarkReleos 4 роки тому

      @@PhoenixT70 yeah,because they have the gun. . . THAT's the point. fools !!

    • @apfeltasche5669
      @apfeltasche5669 4 роки тому

      ... Samuel Colt made them equal. Only talking having power over other Humans which is an ethical-fragile topic. Though, you still can be the devil if you want to...

  • @blue_tree_meadow
    @blue_tree_meadow Рік тому +1

    Well said, And thanks to you and yours for your service. ❤

  • @Adam_-zl4hs
    @Adam_-zl4hs Рік тому +1

    Part of hearing this man speak is him saying civilians shouldn’t have arms. I understand his points and respect his service and perspective but it’s a clear undertone in the speech.

  • @startmeup775
    @startmeup775 Рік тому +167

    As a reservist I had to do a duty at the target end of a rifle range, raising, lowering and marking targets. We were protected by a concrete bunker and sat below the targets, but the bullets came within a meter or two above us. I wish I could convey the sizzling sound of multiple 7.62mm rounds as they passed overhead, smacked into the targets and then into the stop butts. It was as they say, a sobering moment. All our training and yes, shooting was a vital part of that, was a good experience. But being on that butts party relieved me of any desire to see active service.

    • @richardlovell7316
      @richardlovell7316 Рік тому +5

      I was attached to a MO Company in Miesau, FRG and had the honor of training for my Schutzen Badge with a great group of soldiers from both sides....what a blast the training was and meeting the FRG soldiers. Did something similar near Bremerhaven with the Brits that trained to go to Northern Ireland. Another great group go ups that could drink and train.

    • @soldierboyUSA26
      @soldierboyUSA26 Рік тому +12

      Being under that range pit does not guarantee safety; we were conducting range target detail in Oberdachstetten, GE in the 80's, when we heard a ricochet, it was too late to duck at the speed of that 5.56 mm. A Soldier holding the wooden hoist was grazed on his cheek by that bullet; too bad there were no cell phone cameras then.🙏

    • @startmeup775
      @startmeup775 Рік тому

      @@soldierboyUSA26 wow, very lucky by the sounds!

    • @davidh4374
      @davidh4374 Рік тому +6

      sounds like a good assignment to send all consiencious objectors to. It would build respect for them and so it would be good for everyone.

    • @justme_gb
      @justme_gb Рік тому +6

      "Man the butts." You want me to do what?! At 100 yards, you hear the crack, report, and dirt practically simultaneously. It is definitely un-nerving.

  • @PastLight
    @PastLight 4 роки тому +191

    I was almost expecting him to finish up with "So sign up today, we set up a recruitment booth right outside"

    • @Spanky00Cheeks
      @Spanky00Cheeks 3 роки тому +6

      Would you like to know more?

    • @DarthErdmaennchen23
      @DarthErdmaennchen23 3 роки тому +12

      This is Europe, not US, we're not trying to get our military as big as humanly possible.

    • @thewierdlemon5956
      @thewierdlemon5956 3 роки тому +5

      @@DarthErdmaennchen23 i think us recruiters have a quota they need to fill

    • @DarthErdmaennchen23
      @DarthErdmaennchen23 3 роки тому +3

      @@thewierdlemon5956 for a number of people you send to certain death, that's great imo

    • @arkell7763
      @arkell7763 3 роки тому +3

      @@Spanky00Cheeks "service guarantees citizenship!"

  • @comagram1594
    @comagram1594 Рік тому +3

    Mad respect towards this man.

  • @michaelbast6151
    @michaelbast6151 Рік тому +1

    “The gun signifies the ugly side of the human mind” and the “monopoly on violence” are deep insights.

  • @ross.venner
    @ross.venner 4 роки тому +54

    "Si vis pacem para bellum." An expression so old that the familiar Latin was a borrowing from even earlier times. "If you love peace, prepare for war."

  • @edmc1000
    @edmc1000 Рік тому +106

    My wife and I were able to visit the Netherlands this spring during the Invictus Games. The people were gracious and friendly. We saw the competition and camaraderie between the many countries in the games. I will always remember the spirit of those injured but unbeaten soldiers.
    Support our veterans ! As they serve to keep us all safe.

    • @sgtcrusher66
      @sgtcrusher66 Рік тому

      sheep usually are very docile

    • @TEAserOne
      @TEAserOne Рік тому +2

      @@sgtcrusher66 So the Dutch are sheep now are we?
      Little rude ngl.

    • @Wolf-ln1ml
      @Wolf-ln1ml Рік тому

      @@sgtcrusher66 Like the sheep following the propaganda of the NRA that's fully supported by the ever-greedy weapons industry?

  • @tenno1981
    @tenno1981 Рік тому

    Words of wisdom. Greatly appreciated!

  • @renatopaes
    @renatopaes Рік тому +1

    Fantastic explanation! 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼