America's crime rate is also tied to lots of gang/cartel/syndicate type groups which either (a) follow the money, (b) just walk across the gigantic undefended border, and/or (c) developed as a massive side-effect of segregation and swallowed up whole communities in cyclical violence. And (d) not so much anymore, but prohibition and the widespread cultural glamorization of the bootleggers and smugglers who fed us booze is probably still having some impact on the crime landscape, even though that was a while back. But you can certainly draw parallels to modern drug policies.
I believe one can more readily attribute that to the focus of media and outlets. In the United States the "controversy" about ownership and firearms, as well as their relation to crime, is a well loved topic of public interest, as is any scandal or terrorist attack. Firearms just earn more attention because it stirs up people's emotions and also, uniquely, has a very important role in American history. Consider me none too shocked to hear that Australia was not focused on homicides in their news.
You shouldn't censor free speech but you should also not be surprised of the repercussions. Charlie Hebdo shouldn't have been killed but it was pretty fucking obvious it would happen. I'm not Islamophobic per se, but I think legitimately triggering a people with not the best history shows you have the survival instinct of a strawberry.
Just want you to know I'm not saying you're left or right wing, I meant anyone opposed to it.
Also I am pretty fucking right wing although I've been rethinking my views more recently.
America's crime rate is also tied to lots of gang/cartel/syndicate type groups which either (a) follow the money, (b) just walk across the gigantic undefended border, and/or (c) developed as a massive side-effect of segregation and swallowed up whole communities in cyclical violence. And (d) not so much anymore, but prohibition and the widespread cultural glamorization of the bootleggers and smugglers who fed us booze is probably still having some impact on the crime landscape, even though that was a while back. But you can certainly draw parallels to modern drug policies.
I don't think free-speech should ever be censored but neither do I think people should be protected from the social consequences of that speech. That should apply equally to the Milos and the Kathys of the world.
Agreed. Responsibility is key.
<Snipped quote by POOHEAD189> I worked in Australia for a couple of years and most Australians seem to believe that the gun confiscations did reduce gun violence. Overall rates of gun violence have dropped but it is a little more difficult to tie this trend directly to the stricter gun laws as it might be part of a trend that was already in effect. If only we had a control Australia!
The overall levels of violence are not analogous however in 2001 the rate of homicide in Australia was about 13 deaths per million in 2014 the rate of homicide in the USA was about 47 deaths per million
I'm honestly surprised the difference is that small. Seem's like I very rarely heard about homicides in the news when I was there.
Yeah, like Harbinger said it's popular to attribute America with gun violence because of all of the discussions. However, that's not to say there isn't a huge problem in the states. Plus I believe Australia's gun violence prevention measures were taken in the late 90's so a 2001 statistic might be a tad skewed.
To the thread in general -- I'm hearing a lot of "Well the government shouldn't step in and protect you from violence." And I'm just sitting here like.... I mean, that's pretty much all I want the government doing. Let's reverse the situation for perspective -- let's say a newly married interractial gay couple stands on a street corner in (insert stereotypical redneck cartoon location here -- South Carolina? Is that how liberals think South Carolina is?) and somehow communicates to another human being that they don't believe in Jesus. Are you truly arguing that the gay couple have no rights to personal safety? No rights to protection? The police should just let whatever happens happen, because hey, they shoulda knowed better?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
"Freedom, but then you're fair game" is an abridgment of freedom. To that I say no, absolutely not. Controversial speech is the speech most in need of protection, and Uncle Sam had damn well better protect it. Literally being murdered by the roomfull for publishing a cartoon should not be considered a "logical consequence," from which no protection is deserved. That's downright lunatic. Like.... legitimately, what the actual fuck are some of you on right now?
Plus I believe Australia's gun violence prevention measures were taken in the late 90's so a 2001 statistic might be a tad skewed.
1996 I think, but I wanted to give the laws time to take effect. 2001 was the latest date in the particular report I was looking at. Its actually slightly lower if you use more modern numbers. Approximately 10 murders per million.
@mdk I'm confused. Who said that it was right for someone to commit violence if they dislike someone else?
Know what, I got a little freedom boner and somehow the "Social consequences like Milo" --> "Charlie Hebdo should've seen it coming" --> "I agree, responsibility etc." chain sorta triggered it. I'm REEEEEEEing like a Berkley student over here. I'd say "disregard all that," but actually I still kinda feel like it's worth saying, so instead let's just pretend like I was directing that towards AntiFa and everybody can agree with me and totally virtue-signal the Constitution.
1996 I think, but I wanted to give the laws time to take effect. 2001 was the latest date in the particular report I was looking at. Its actually slightly lower if you use more modern numbers. Approximately 10 murders per million.
@mdk I'm not saying that these people do not deserve protection but it is near impossible to provide; that couple has the preservation instinct of a root vegetable.
One of my favorite things to do whenever I get to a new town is checking out their bookstores. In fact I think that is my favorite thing to do one a trip.
It's only a funny honorable mention for the thread, but I saw a magazine called U.S. Foreign Affairs and opened it up only to find every subject was about domestic matters like top 40 richest men in the country. I was kind of disappointed...
One of my favorite things to do whenever I get to a new town is checking out their bookstores. In fact I think that is my favorite thing to do one a trip.
It's only a funny honorable mention for the thread, but I saw a magazine called U.S. Foreign Affairs and opened it up only to find every subject was about domestic matters like top 40 richest men in the country. I was kind of disappointed...
For the first time in my life, I might actually consider reading such a thing. Perhaps I will better understand the mindset of Europeans when it comes to national and foreign policy. All of it seems a bit strange to me, yet that's come to be expected. At least Poland and the like seem more familiar in their own ways.
Merely peeking in to see the discussions and I saw a lot of strawman walking on by, so I clearly missed nothing.
You shouldn't censor free speech but you should also not be surprised of the repercussions. Also I am pretty fucking right wing although I've been rethinking my views more recently.
This should be clarified, to repercussions NOT including by any government/arrested for just opinionated speech. From my limit discussions with you I can assure you, you aren't as Conservative as you think you are.
@SleepingSilence It seems our long standing feud has finally settled. We have managed to not irritate each other for a while, and also I forgot to give you props on the Jeff Holiday videos and calling molynuex out for being a slap-head cult leading wacko.
Merely peeking in to see the discussions and I saw a lot of strawman walking on by, so I clearly missed nothing.
But can I ask as politely as possible to just leave comments like this at the door, I'm not entirely sure how you meant it, but it seems a little passive aggressive to everyone in the thread in general. It just sets whatever convo/debate you are about to have on a slightly sour note, other than that, please carry on.
