Trying not to think about New Zealand

[summilux]

In a world of anger, lies and pedophilia this gives me comfort that joy, kindness and a shared humanity will ultimately triumph

[Blue Jays]

Congratulations on this being your 999th post here on the forum.

[mjbabcock]

My sister lives in Christchurch. It seems so counter to the entire ethos of the city.

I don’t know what to think right now, but A.I. know it was heartening to hear a nations leader respond to a gun massacre by saying gun laws would change.

[jclay]

Guardian Headlines: Jacinda Ardern is showing the world what real leadership is: sympathy, love and integrity.
Suzanne Moore

I couldn't agree more.

Jacinda Ardern is showing the world what real leadership is: sympathy, love and integrity | Suzanne Moore | Opinion | The Guardian

[BBB]

Indeed. And regrettably the Turkish PM is not showing similar leadership qualities. Elections make people do and say some odd things.

Erdoğan shows Christchurch attack footage at rallies | World news | The Guardian

[Tristan]

In many ways this event has been the best thing to happen to New Zealand in the 17 years I've lived here. The attack had the exact opposite effect which the gunman desired: It's brought the people of this country together and raised some really good conversations and caused a lot of inward reflection.

Like almost every western country immigration is a big issue here and has been for years. We're now having grown-up discussions about migrants and other nationalities, calling-out white supremacy, and having a big wakeup call that terrorism has many flavours and can happen anywhere and everywhere in the world.

I've got a rather unique perspective on the whole thing because I'm an immigrant but I'm English-speaking and white so generally not considered to be one and generally much more accepted than if I were some shade of brown. It's honestly a super interesting period of NZ history - it's just such a shame these conversations required 50 people being murdered to get them started.

[ericpmoss]

And unlike the US, where the NRA has a stranglehold on policy makers, they acted on this. As long as we have money corrupting Congress, we will do nothing, no matter how many get gunned down.

[fastupslowdown]

I did a bike tour on the South Island some fourteen years ago. I loved it. Thought New Zealand was the one place the problems of the rest of the world would never touch -Mike G

[Too Tall]

Thanks Tristian. My deepest sympathy for this. Leadership is to be commended for acting swiftly and without debate.

[jclay]

And unlike the US, where the NRA has a stranglehold on policy makers, they acted on this. As long as we have money corrupting Congress, we will do nothing, no matter how many get gunned down.

Sadly, true. It's also remarkable and disappointing to realize that so many folks here think that private ownership of war fighting weapons is reasonable.

[deano]

Sadly, true. It's also remarkable and disappointing to realize that so many folks here think that private ownership of war fighting weapons is reasonable.

They can pry my General Atomics MQ9 Reaper Drone out of my cold dead fingers!

Seriously though how atrocious. I was thankful for stories focusing on the beautiful people who lost life or acted with courage that day, there was some truly good reporting done on it. And blessings to a country willing to act.

[sine]

Thanks Tristian. My deepest sympathy for this. Leadership is to be commended for acting swiftly and without debate.

It will be debated in parliament but it appears there is overwhelming support.

As noted, in the US the NRA is a major problem as is the US constitution.

[Blue Jays]

"...As noted, in the US the NRA is a major problem as is the US Constitution..."

Many decent, law-abiding, courteous, and friendly people in the United States are in favor of both those institutions.

[King Of Dirk]

...in the US the NRA is a major problem as is the US constitution.

The United States isn't the United States without the US Constitution. The US Constitution is only a problem insofar as the existence of the United States is a problem. To be fair, some may think that's the case.

There's a process for amending the Constitution.

[theflashunc]

Many decent, law-abiding, courteous, and friendly people in the United States are in favor of both those institutions.

And one of those institutions is fine with wanton slaughter in the public square because God forbid we sell fewer guns in this country. Never mind that insure domestic tranquility stuff in the Preamble, there's earnings goals to hit.

The gun policy debate was over in this country when lawmakers refused to act after a spree shooter created a literal pile of dead first graders.

[Blue Jays]

"...And one of those institutions is fine with wanton slaughter in the public square..."

That is untrue.

[ericpmoss]

Many decent, law-abiding, courteous, and friendly people in the United States are in favor of both those institutions.

True, but that doesn't mean that the NRA leadership is reflecting all its members' opinions equally, and it doesn't mean that the NRA position is in line with the other 97% of the country.

Take just one issue. The overwhelming majority of Americans want thorough background checks before selling firearms, but the NRA both lobbies and threatens Congressmen to prevent this from ever even coming to a vote. That kind of obstinance is what prevents any progress on the issue, and they know it.

I don't think background checks would fix *every* problem, but suppose they did, without any further action. That would cool down the supposed division in the nation immensely. And the NRA leadership knows *that*, too. Which is why they won't let it come to a vote -- every time they can scare people into thinking "they're coming for your guns", sales skyrocket, and THAT is what they care about.

[King Of Dirk]

I don't think background checks would fix *every* problem, but suppose they did, without any further action. That would cool down the supposed division in the nation immensely. And the NRA leadership knows *that*, too. Which is why they won't let it come to a vote -- every time they can scare people into thinking "they're coming for your guns", sales skyrocket, and THAT is what they care about.

I think one of the factors that scares some people into thinking "they are coming for your guns" is the fact that, well, some of "them" are (or rather, "would," if given the authority). The person on the cover of the latest issue of Time magazine seems clear on the issue.

I'm not going to debate the validity of various regulations. I'm simply stating that just as there are kooks in the NRA and similar organizations, there are kooks who would author regulations to render the concept of gun ownership essentially meaningless. A de facto if not de jure ban. I completely agree that the NRA uses these people's actual words in valid context to spur gun sales, and that the NRA is more concerned with protecting the industry's profits than the fundamental rights of US citizens.

[sine]

Many decent, law-abiding, courteous, and friendly people in the United States are in favor of both those institutions.

My response was in regards to ".....acting swiftly and without debate".

I have no problem with an armed National Guard. A constitutional amendment.....

Good grief, an organization proposing that we arm teachers.......in the USA. I'm sorry, that's some sort of special.

[Corso]

Apparently this has turned into a USA gun NRA thread. It's a shame it just couldn't stay about New Zealand. Good for them for doing what they feel is best for their own country.

While it's easy to make the NRA the big bad boogieman, consider its membership represents less than 8 percent of American gun owners. So before everyone starts condemning that single organization, consider your family members, friends, co-workers, politicians, doctors, teachers, firefighters, etc etc who legally own guns and do not support the NRA.

Many quietly own guns and support the right to do so. And those voters, that 92%-I propose, matter a bit more to the politicians than the NRA contribution$.

It's simply easier to make the NRA the bad guy, than your friends (who you may not realize) who own guns. But if that makes you sleep better, blame the boogieman.