Once the US gets their own affairs (government) in order then I will grant you the right to give advice to us in Australia. Even perhaps to sneer at us.
Meanwhile, your addiction to guns has done nothing except to escalate the level of violence in your country.
A "might is right" attitude works up to a point, both internationally and domestically. But I think we are fast getting to the point where some more sophisticated problem solving is called for.
That's true. I try to stay out of the gun debate in the US, because the Second Amendment was a hard-won right, and it is a particularly emotive issue for Americans. And yes, heavily manipulated on both sides.
However, I don't like the repeated comments from Americans about "Australia gave up their guns", as though we are living in some sort of inferior status because of not having easy gun ownership.
But I don't want to get into it here, or it will open a whole new can of worms. There are arguments on both sides, good arguments - but let's stick to one highly emotive topic at a time!
There is no way I meant to insinuate that the USA is in any way "better" WRT prostituting itself. If you want to take it as a "sneer" then talk to JuiceMedia.
As far as the adiction to guns is concerned, in theory I agree with you.
Now, give me an alternative that might actually make a difference.
I do not, and never have, own a gun. I was just pointing out that the Black Panthers made a point very effectively.
If you don't like "might makes right" give me the alternative. They seem to get assassinated.
Mind, I agree with most of what you say, but it's one thing to criticise your own country, and another to have someone else do it.
As for the "might is right" issue, there is no easy answer, and maybe there isn't one at all.
Ultimately, power is a universal principle, and if not physical power, than some other level of power: psychological, spiritual, whatever.
I'm no snowflake pacifist - I've spent over 10 years (3 of them in Japan) training in Aikido, which embodies a philosophy of peacefulness in self-defence. I've not ever been in a real physical fight, but I did work for 5 years in the correctional system in this country, as a psychologist, and found that the principle of "extending ki" served me well, in de-escalating conflict situations.
Internationally, it used to be understood that diplomacy was an important part of resolving conflict. But unfortunately we have no statesmen in the West anymore, and the art of diplomacy and conflict resolution seem to be forgotten these days.
Once the US gets their own affairs (government) in order then I will grant you the right to give advice to us in Australia. Even perhaps to sneer at us.
Meanwhile, your addiction to guns has done nothing except to escalate the level of violence in your country.
A "might is right" attitude works up to a point, both internationally and domestically. But I think we are fast getting to the point where some more sophisticated problem solving is called for.
I feel "your addiction to guns has done nothing except to escalate the level of violence..." is below belt since the
the whole "gun issue" and violence has been, and for a very long time, heavily manipulated socially and politically.
That's true. I try to stay out of the gun debate in the US, because the Second Amendment was a hard-won right, and it is a particularly emotive issue for Americans. And yes, heavily manipulated on both sides.
However, I don't like the repeated comments from Americans about "Australia gave up their guns", as though we are living in some sort of inferior status because of not having easy gun ownership.
But I don't want to get into it here, or it will open a whole new can of worms. There are arguments on both sides, good arguments - but let's stick to one highly emotive topic at a time!
My apologies.
There is no way I meant to insinuate that the USA is in any way "better" WRT prostituting itself. If you want to take it as a "sneer" then talk to JuiceMedia.
As far as the adiction to guns is concerned, in theory I agree with you.
Now, give me an alternative that might actually make a difference.
I do not, and never have, own a gun. I was just pointing out that the Black Panthers made a point very effectively.
If you don't like "might makes right" give me the alternative. They seem to get assassinated.
Apology accepted!
Mind, I agree with most of what you say, but it's one thing to criticise your own country, and another to have someone else do it.
As for the "might is right" issue, there is no easy answer, and maybe there isn't one at all.
Ultimately, power is a universal principle, and if not physical power, than some other level of power: psychological, spiritual, whatever.
I'm no snowflake pacifist - I've spent over 10 years (3 of them in Japan) training in Aikido, which embodies a philosophy of peacefulness in self-defence. I've not ever been in a real physical fight, but I did work for 5 years in the correctional system in this country, as a psychologist, and found that the principle of "extending ki" served me well, in de-escalating conflict situations.
Internationally, it used to be understood that diplomacy was an important part of resolving conflict. But unfortunately we have no statesmen in the West anymore, and the art of diplomacy and conflict resolution seem to be forgotten these days.