4 News Stories That Probably Make the Rest of the World Think Americans Are Gun-Crazed Bigots
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/4-news-stories-probably-make-rest-world-think-americans-are-gun-crazed-bigots
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Looking back at the stories that dominated the news over the past few months, it’s clear that many of them are indications of the state of our nation. In particular, they point to some of our major problems as a country: persistent economic inequality and prejudice against people of color, LGBTQ Americans, and women, to name a few. Though we have seen some progress toward a more equitable and fair society, a future person reading our newspapers from the past several months would surely conclude that the Americans of 2012 were a bigoted, gun-crazed bunch.
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1. Shootings, shootings, and more shootings
There are some people -- conservatives for sure, but some moderates and liberals too -- who argue that “this isn’t the appropriate time” to talk about gun control legislation. I understand the impulse to avoid politicizing personal tragedies, but if the aftermath of three deadly shootings – in Colorado, Wisconsin and just this week, Texas – isn’t a good time to talk about gun control, when is ? As this infographic created for the Nation by Tracy Loeffelholz Dunn illustrates, every year we see some 20 mass murders using guns in this country. Meanwhile, 30,000 people die each year from guns, while 70,000 are injured. You will literally never find a time when multiple Americans have not recently suffered because of guns. So if not now, when?
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2. The Olympics
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There was, for instance, the absurd chatter about gold medal-winning gymnast Gabby Douglas’ hair. Douglas made history by becoming the first African-American woman to win the all-around gymnastics gold, immediately becoming a role model for girls everywhere. Although this story may have been overblown on sites like Jezebel, she also took some legitimate heat for not having a perfectly coiffed ‘do. To her credit, Douglas was unflappable. “I don't know where this is coming from. What's wrong with my hair?" Douglas told the Huffington Post . "I'm like, I just made history and people are focused on my hair?"
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3. Chick-fil-A
The Chick-fil-A story is one that just won’t die. Day after day, week after week, it reminds us that a large number of our fellow Americans were willing to spend hours standing in line for fast-food chicken sandwiches to prove how much they don’t want gay people to get married.
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My salute to captain obvious. Do professional writers actually put this kind of stuff in print these days? Apparently so. Such is the state of journalism in our nation today.
Be that as it may, as a country we have have had many discussions about race and gender discrimination and homophobia. In fact there is legislation, actual law, designed to protect people from these types of social dysfunctions. Are they hand waving attempts at pacification? Some would say so. Others would say they go too far. But the discussions rage on.
Gun control is a different animal entirely. No - it will NEVER be the appropriate time to talk about gun control legislation - but it definitely is time.
The nRa will scream and argue every micrometer of the way. Same old tired arguments, same stonewalling, same denial and resistance to try anything because it won't be 100% effective or it's been tried before or it's a poll tax or it's unfair or it infringes on some extraordinary imaginative interpretation of the 2A. They will keep blaming government and law enforcement for not enforcing the laws or enforcing too many laws, and the health care system for not providing mental health services to everyone. They will continue threatening elected government representatives and American citizens. Anything. Absolutely anything to disrupt, stifle, and prevent a national discussion that might eventually lead to a legislative proposal.
4 News Stories That Probably Make the Rest of the World Think Americans Are Gun-Crazed Bigots
... if the aftermath of three deadly shootings – in Colorado, Wisconsin and just this week, Texas – isn't a good time to talk about gun control, when is?
You will literally never find a time when multiple Americans have not recently suffered because of guns. So if not now, when?
... the widely publicized shootings this summer illustrate that the need to get our gun laws under control has never been greater.
A bit hyperbolic but essentially correct.
Clearly the desire and perceived need to ban possession of firearms or ammunition (with the exception of military grade full auto imo) is shortsighted and erroneous, and I would oppose such efforts. There needs to be some compromise. But as far as I can see, only one side is willing to talk.
