the view from abroad

A couple of thoughts on gun control and the Virginia Tech massacre, as seen from abroad. First, the BBC:

Despite this week's bloodbath there will be no overwhelming demand for gun control in this country. Like evangelical Christianity, baseball and a love of Pumpkin Pie it is just one of those things that separates Europeans from Americans.
Next, Le Monde:
Après la tragédie, des voix se sont élevées pour déplorer que les professeurs et les étudiants ne soient pas autorisés à s'armer, car l'un d'entre eux aurait pu neutraliser le tueur. Avec de tels raisonnements, l'Amérique n'est pas près de maîtriser sa violence.
"After the tragedy, voices were raised deploring the fact that the professors and students weren't allowed to be armed, so one of them could have neutralized the killer. With this reasoning, the US is not ready to take control of its violence."
brycemania commented:
They are not crying for gun control, no, instead people seem to be crying for video gaming control. To get a look at what some public types think, there is a good article over at http://kotaku.com/gaming/rush-limbaugh/limbaugh-games-arent-to-blame-253132.php that I think shows how some people feel, on both sides of the issue. Also, this is one of those rare times where I agree with one of Rush Limbaugh's statements!
on Wed Apr 18 11:17:56 2007

Nikki commented:
I read that BBC article and wondered if I could be classified as European? I actually, through some sick twisted happenchance had Fox News on last night and they literally interviewed a man who said gun control isn't the problem, the wrong people having guns is the problem... I think something broke in my head at that moment, and I went back to getting my news from comedy central but I think until we rewrite that bill of rights or revise it anyway, nothing will happen of any worth even if someone really tried. Speaking of... how is that revision effort of yours going?
on Wed Apr 18 20:28:09 2007

David commented:
It's very interesting, that on the one hand we can look at guns, which give people the immediate ability to kill, and say "that's not a problem" and then turn around and look at environmental factors like, for crying out loud, video games, and say "that's where the problem lies".

As for the revision of the constitution, it's still there, but it got awfully quiet for a while. I think it needs more stuff. Maybe we should specify which medical procedures doctors can perform in it, to prevent any future difficulties....
on Thu Apr 19 13:09:31 2007

Nikki commented:
Well, as I am sleep deprviced, and as I'm in DC, and as I walked past the White House today (which, I have to say looks like a really bad, really big wedding cake), and caught glimpse of the supreme idiot, I'm feeling very much like mandating medical procedures and the restraint of various other "rights" afforded those too stupid to vote in this country. Perhaps, I will give it another whirl... or maybe I will just go to bed. And this is why we are without new Constition.
on Thu Apr 19 22:12:42 2007

Nikki commented:
And I forgot, I'm also mandating video games... I'm not a fan; let's do away with them, but as you recall, there was NO violence in life prior to their advent.
on Thu Apr 19 22:14:05 2007

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