Duelling

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Do you support duelling as a manner of settling disputes and/or "recreational" duelling (Mensur)?

[Ronin]

I don´t fight fair.....I´m more inclined to smash a chair on your noggin when you´re not looking.

[FactionHeir]

What type of duel you talking? Handgun and 10 feet or with a Rapier? Maybe even a fistfight?

I quite like those in old films and in games, though I imagine people nowadays will try to cheat. Like walking 9 instead of 10 before turning with the gun and all.

Is there actually a law banning those? They used to be legal I think.

[BigTex]

All for it, but not with handguns. There needs to be some skill involved. Swords make it to quick at that, knife's and fists.

Pretty sure that duel's qualify as mansluaghter in most countries. If they arent outlawed specifically their covered in laws dealing with homicide, sadly.

[King Henry V]

It is the only honourable way to resolve a dispute between gentlemen, provided of course that they are gentlemen. If they are not, then the old fisty-cuffs is just as acceptable.

[PBI]

I am opposed to it.

Resolving disputes is what the law is for. Failing that, the ability to deal with those you don't like with without resorting to violence is a basic prerequisite of civilized society.

I certainly don't see why prowess in physical combat has any bearing on the legitimacy of either side in a dispute. Seems mostly like a means for those skilled in combat to take whatever they want from those who are not.

Furthermore, I consider the right to life to be inalienable. Meaning, there is no contract you can enter into to surrender it. Since your opponent in a duel cannot have legitimately waived their right to life, killing them is murder.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Is there actually a law banning those? They used to be legal I think.

It is illegal in most jurisdictions, but I believe it is legal in certain US states, except by members of the National Guard.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I am opposed to it.

Resolving disputes is what the law is for. Failing that, the ability to deal with those you don't like with without resorting to violence is a basic prerequisite of civilized society.

I certainly don't see why prowess in physical combat has any bearing on the legitimacy of either side in a dispute. Seems mostly like a means for those skilled in combat to take whatever they want from those who are not.

It is a way of settling questions of honour which must be agreed to by both parties, not a way of doing divorce settlements.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Nope. I'm against it.

The only one who can harm my honor is myself.

CR

[Kralizec]

Against. You don't stand a chance against Jotun anyway We have courts to settle disputes.

It is a way of settling questions of honour which must be agreed to by both parties, not a way of doing divorce settlements.

It's as backwards and primitive as honour killings. But if it's on mutual agreement, I grant that it's a great plus that it will only lead to idiots killing idiots.

Just curious, what sort of disputes do you have in mind that ought to be settled by duels?

[FactionHeir]

Usually tends to be over material goods or women I think.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Just curious, what sort of disputes do you have in mind that ought to be settled by duels?

Well, naturally legal disputes can be settled in a court of law. I was thinking more where a party has been insulted, or a third party has been insulted. Defending honour, so to speak. Or, as in the case of Mensur, tradition.

[Lemur]

Much more interesting if you could duel over small claims and insurance issues. Your neighbor built a fence that you believe is two feet into your property? Duel!

[Kralizec]

Who is the barbarian wuss who voted for non-lethal dueling?

Joking, of course.

[Hosakawa Tito]

"recreational" duelling (Mensur)?

Killing for fun? Not my cup of tea. However, some of my colleagues from work and I get together for some paintball madness once in a while. Kind of like 'playing army' for adults, and them babies do sting and leave welts & bruises. Paintball dueling...could be a happy compromise.

[yesdachi]

If both participants agree to the rules then I am ok with it. But I am also ok with suicide, abortion and euthanasia.

IIRC the concept of sword duels in the “west” fell out of favor when they started cheating (sucker moves that were planned and practiced) in France back in the time of wigs. But they used little girl swords only fit for dancing and tea. I would choose a Dotanuki or something with a little more testosterone.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Killing for fun? Not my cup of tea.

Mensur is not killing - it is very rare for death to occur. It's not really a duel either, as there is no winner or loser. This also answers Fenring's statement.

[Devastatin Dave]

Its hard to consider. Now if we're talking about duelling bangos and the possibility of forced sodomy, I'm all for it!!!

[PBI]

I retract my earlier opposition. I had not considered the possibilities of banjo duelling.

[LittleGrizzly]

If used instead of huge armies to settle national disputes then im all for it...

[yesdachi]

If used instead of huge armies to settle national disputes then im all for it...

Well then it is just an extension of the Olympics. in which case I suggest the duel be… swimming.

[BigTex]

Much more interesting if you could duel over small claims and insurance issues. Your neighbor built a fence that you believe is two feet into your property? Duel!

Exactly, get rid of that puritanicle feminate slap fest known as small claims court. Man up, solve it the proper way, duel! If you win, then obviously your arguement was the stronger and correct.

[CountArach]

Might is not right... This has to be the worst way to settle disputes.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Might is not right... This has to be the worst way to settle disputes.

Not legal disputes necessarily, but disputes of honour.

[PBI]

Regarding honour, I feel Crazed Rabbit was right on the money with this:

The only one who can harm my honor is myself.

[Incongruous]

Might is not right... This has to be the worst way to settle disputes.

Yeah, money makes right tends to be so much better.
Or perhaps even, technicality makes right?

[HoreTore]

Do you support duelling as a manner of settling disputes and/or "recreational" duelling (Mensur)?

You're asking whether or not I support "Might is right"?

No, the stone age was a few thousand years ago....

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

You're asking whether or not I support "Might is right"?

It has nothing to do with "might is right", but two consenting adults who, for whatever reason, decide to duel.

[HoreTore]

It has nothing to do with "might is right", but two consenting adults who, for whatever reason, decide to duel.

Bah. I spit on your flirt with aristocratic macho-nonsense.

Taking a life is illegal. And it should remain as such.

[Incongruous]

Bah. I spit on your flirt with aristocratic macho-nonsense.

Taking a life is illegal. And it should remain as such.

No it isn't, at least not in certain circumstances.