Contributors

Monday, April 29, 2013

Good Words

If only Americans reacted the same way to the actual threats that exist in their country. There's something quite fitting and ironic about the fact that the Boston freak-out happened in the same week the Senate blocked consideration of a gun control bill that would have strengthened background checks for potential buyers. Even though this reform is supported by more than 90% of Americans, and even though 56 out of 100 senators voted in favour of it, the Republican minority prevented even a vote from being held on the bill because it would have allegedly violated the second amendment rights of "law-abiding Americans". 

So for those of you keeping score at home – locking down an American city: a proper reaction to the threat from one terrorist. A background check to prevent criminals or those with mental illness from purchasing guns: a dastardly attack on civil liberties. All of this would be almost darkly comic if not for the fact that more Americans will die needlessly as a result. Already, more than 30,000 Americans die in gun violence every year (compared to the 17 who died last year in terrorist attacks). 

What makes US gun violence so particularly horrifying is how routine and mundane it has become. After the massacre of 20 kindergartners in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, millions of Americans began to take greater notice of the threat from gun violence. Yet since then, the daily carnage that guns produce has continued unabated and often unnoticed.

People are noticing, though, and I don't think the gun community is going to be happy in the next couple of elections. Kelly Ayotte isn't faring well after her vote. Pat Toomey, however, is faring well. Once again, I don't think the Right cares about winning elections anymore. Just arguments.

7 comments:

Juris Imprudent said...

How wonderful, I got the link before I read the post to which it couldn't be more appropriate.

Dear Gun Control Democrats: 6 Ways to Make a Better Argument

He is speaking to you M.

Mark Ward said...

No, he's not. It's just the same old bullshit, juris. Actually, I would continue to do exactly what is on the list as opposed to stopping it. The author seems pretty nervous:)

Juris Imprudent said...

You are an idiot, do you know that?

Anonymous said...

do you know that?


No he most certainly does not.

Mark Ward said...

Only an idiot would take the advice of the gun movement on how to stop them:)

Anonymous said...

I write this letter as someone who is politically far left of center.

Juris Imprudent said...

Great contrast between the headline and the actual 'confrontation'.

http://news.yahoo.com/daughter-newtown-victim-confronts-gop-senator-voting-against-012821787.html