Aussies on a rant

[boffin]

I really do love watching Aussies tell yanks what to do, when it brings out the howling-moon types, as happened with Rebel Wilson today.

http://worldofwonder.net/twitter-responds-intelligently-and-compassionately-to-rebel-wilsons-call-for-gun-control-ha-just-kidding-they-eviscerate-her/

[Halcyon]

I love reading the response from average Americans. It just proves what most of us are thinking.

[hlokk]

Sadly, the nutters who reply, the ones who are rabid gun nuts are precisely the people you don't want to have guns 

[calexanian]

Sadly, the nutters who reply, the ones who are rabid gun nuts are precisely the people you don't want to have guns 

Unfortunately this sometimes is the case. Not always, and not really that often.. But enough times to matter.

[zapta]

I love reading the response from average Americans. It just proves what most of us are thinking.

That's bad etiquette for an international forum like this one.

[BradC]

I love reading the response from average Americans. It just proves what most of us are thinking.

That's bad etiquette for an international forum like this one.

Maybe. Hard to argue when you read those twitter responses though.

[miguelvp]

I love reading the response from average Americans. It just proves what most of us are thinking.

That's bad etiquette for an international forum like this one.

Maybe. Hard to argue when you read those twitter responses though.

Maybe you want to read all of the responses instead of the cherry picked ones

This is just from her first comment, I only read barely the first page because it probably goes on and on forever:
https://twitter.com/RebelWilson/status/624636086741004288

Anywho, don't know who she was until this post, well I still don't know who she is or what she does.

[zapta]

That's bad etiquette for an international forum like this one.

Maybe. Hard to argue when you read those twitter responses though.
[/quote]

Argue what? "My country is better than yours"? That's improper and childish.

[Corporate666]

Sadly, the nutters who reply, the ones who are rabid gun nuts are precisely the people you don't want to have guns 

That's demonstrably untrue, since it's a tiny tiny fraction who kill with guns, but a vast majority don't like people lording opinions over them who don't really understand anything about guns or American law or American gun culture. 

[Corporate666]

I love reading the response from average Americans. It just proves what most of us are thinking.

That's bad etiquette for an international forum like this one.

Maybe. Hard to argue when you read those twitter responses though.

How well would it go over in Australia if Kim Kardashian posted on Twitter that Australia really needs to fix their human rights laws, being so racist towards Aboriginals, hateful towards gays, and cold and heartless towards asylum seekers?

I am sure Australians would...

1) Think she is an idiot for having an opinion on a topic she really knows so little about, other than some sound bytes she heard
2) Most likely want to tell her to f-off and mind her own business
3) Not appreciate being lectured to by someone like Kim K who has enough obvious flaws in her character as to not really be in a position to lecture anyone

And those Australians would be right.

It's very, very rare that people who don't live in the USA have any understanding of our gun laws or our gun culture.  But I spend about half my time living in Europe, and it's amazing how, frankly, obsessed much of the rest of the world is with everything that goes on in America.

Case in point - I just got back from a trip to the UK and Poland, and every day on local/national news they were talking about Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee, the guy who shot those 2 women in the movie theater, Hulk Hogan, Taylor Swift / Nicki Minaj fued, etc.  Very little to no coverage of the two kids who stabbed their whole family to death.  And nothing about the suicide bomber explosion in Bahrain that killed policemen, or the suicide bomber who blew himself up in a park in China killing and wounding a couple dozen, or the dozen plus killed in the latest Boko Haram raid.

People really don't see how much they are biased by the news they watch.  When Hugo Chavez died, he was regarded as a villanous dictator in the USA.  I was in Belarus shortly after and he was considered a hero there.  Amazing how people's opinions vary so much based on what the news feeds them. Most Americans would probably say Ahmadinejad was genuinely insane, and Israel is absolutely right to defend themselves from the aggressive Palestinian state that wants to commit genocide upon them.  The views of the average person in the street would be radically different in many parts of Europe - even places like France - but especially places like Romania or Turkey.  Whose right?  Is there an objective right and wrong?

In many places I visit, there's a constant stream of tabloid style news about America.  And people form quite bizarre opinions based on this phenomenon (like my girlfriends Polish mom who is terrified of being shot to death by police if she visits the USA).  It's a bit laughable to form views about another country and their laws or the situation there from such tabloid news without living there and experiencing it one's self.

It's not much different than the aforementioned Kim K lecture on Oz's reprehensible treatment of Aboriginals.

[Halcyon]

I love reading the response from average Americans. It just proves what most of us are thinking.

That's bad etiquette for an international forum like this one.

I disagree. But hey, we're all entitled to an opinion, be it educated or otherwise.

How well would it go over in Australia if Kim Kardashian posted on Twitter that Australia really needs to fix their human rights laws, being so racist towards Aboriginals, hateful towards gays, and cold and heartless towards asylum seekers?

They would probably have a whinge and bitch about it. Mind you the average Australian is pretty average indeed.

I for one would somewhat agree and I couldn't care less who said it.

[Tandy]

...it's amazing how, frankly, obsessed much of the rest of the world is with everything that goes on in America.

I have to agree with this, that the UK news services are obsessed with the United States. We can't vote in the US elections but we get blow-by-blow coverage of what the candidates are doing. While here in the UK it could be argued that the so called historical 'special relationship' means that the UK has more interest in America but as far as I am concerned that special relationship is nothing more than a similar language and the UK being highly indebted to America after two world wars had wiped out our economy leaving us finically dependent on the US.

However I think it is fair to say that even though America is not quite the superpower it once was, what happens in America does affect the world, especially economically. Much international business is conducted in US$ and the US foreign policy has a direct impact on world trade. Therefore who is in power in America is of interest to the world even if we can not influence it. It is also fair to say that everybody has an opinion and it is healthy for people to share their opinions, even Obama has expressed his opinion that Britain should stay in the EU even though the British people will be the ones to decide so he has no influence in the matter.

[BradC]

How well would it go over in Australia if Kim Kardashian posted on Twitter that Australia really needs to fix their human rights laws, being so racist towards Aboriginals, hateful towards gays, and cold and heartless towards asylum seekers?

We'd laugh *hard* and then crack a beer while watching her sex tape again.

I'll edit this to say it's because unlike some other countries who we won't mention (but we all know who I mean), we in Australia have the ability to sagely nod and agree with people who make insightful comments about ourselves without getting our knickers in a twist. We then have a laugh and poke fun at the size of Texas (or the UK for that matter). It's not about who's the best, it's about who is so precious and wound up about their own issues that they are incapable of seeing the funny side. Crack a beer, have a laugh. You *do* have a gun control problem and we *will* continue to point it out. You are likewise free to point out all our flaws, we just don't get wound up about it and have the ability to laugh at ourselves.

[Halcyon]

How well would it go over in Australia if Kim Kardashian posted on Twitter that Australia really needs to fix their human rights laws, being so racist towards Aboriginals, hateful towards gays, and cold and heartless towards asylum seekers?

We'd laugh *hard* and then crack a beer while watching her sex tape again.

I'll edit this to say it's because unlike some other countries who we won't mention (but we all know who I mean), we in Australia have the ability to sagely nod and agree with people who make insightful comments about ourselves without getting our knickers in a twist. We then have a laugh and poke fun at the size of Texas (or the UK for that matter). It's not about who's the best, it's about who is so precious and wound up about their own issues that they are incapable of seeing the funny side. Crack a beer, have a laugh. You *do* have a gun control problem and we *will* continue to point it out. You are likewise free to point out all our flaws, we just don't get wound up about it and have the ability to laugh at ourselves.

  Couldn't be more accurate. Cheers!

I will say this though, I actually respect America for finally ending the debate about same-sex marriage. Too much money has already spent arguing this stupid argument when it really only impacts a small portion of the population. Australia needs to man up, follow suit, get it done so we can move on to more important things like getting my fibre to the home installed!

[G7PSK]

What beats me is the 2nd amendment is just that an amendment. If you have amended something once you can amend it again. But as we sell lots of guns to the US and make money from it we cant judge them.

[Zero999]

It's very, very rare that people who don't live in the USA have any understanding of our gun laws or our gun culture.  But I spend about half my time living in Europe, and it's amazing how, frankly, obsessed much of the rest of the world is with everything that goes on in America.

Case in point - I just got back from a trip to the UK and Poland, and every day on local/national news they were talking about Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee, the guy who shot those 2 women in the movie theater, Hulk Hogan, Taylor Swift / Nicki Minaj fued, etc.  Very little to no coverage of the two kids who stabbed their whole family to death.  And nothing about the suicide bomber explosion in Bahrain that killed policemen, or the suicide bomber who blew himself up in a park in China killing and wounding a couple dozen, or the dozen plus killed in the latest Boko Haram raid.

I get fed up with it to be quite honest. I understand that what goes on in America does affect the rest of the world and it's nice to be aware of it but we do get too much American news here.

[rsjsouza]

I'll just leave this here...
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2014/09/03/australian-comedian-jim-jefferies-on-gun-control/

[Deathwish]

Personally I believe that all constitutions, amendments,  articles , bill of rights and other such documents are only ever valid on the day they were signed, or imposed on the weaker class by the stronger class, thereafter they are manipulated, interpreted, or otherwise abused, by successive ruling parties in order to suit their needs at the time, in order to stay in power.

Every country brings in gun control as far as I am concerned to stop it's general population from revolting over abuses and overthrowing the government of the day. Riots and such without guns lead to the government staying in control, what would have been the outcome in the UK if Cromwell had no guns ?. Plain old control of the masses. The UK is led by a bunch of pedophiles so it seems in the news of late, and a herd of over a thousand lords who sit on their rumps doing nothing for the money they get.

As far as I am concerned if you do not pee on my lawn then I won't take a dump on yours.

[Zero999]

Every country brings in gun control as far as I am concerned to stop it's general population from revolting over abuses and overthrowing the government of the day. Riots and such without guns lead to the government staying in control, what would have been the outcome in the UK if Cromwell had no guns ?. Plain old control of the masses.

That's ancient history.

Allowing everyone to bear arms will not stop any of that. The army will always have more effective weapons than civilians and will be better trained. What good are guns against tanks, rocket launchers and nuclear weapons?

[Deathwish]

Well , I suppose you could ask that as you watch a country sell those same rockets , tanks or such to whatever freedom fighter or other such civilian group of people they want to take over a country, then have to fight them after they take over for trying to take over their own country.

Guns are no worse than any other weapon to my mind, if someone wants to kill another they will, be it with poison, knives, crossbows or any other thing, killers , assassins, freedom fighters, have been doing it for centuries.

[Mechanical Menace]

It's very, very rare that people who don't live in the USA have any understanding of our gun laws or our gun culture.

I'll admit that, but I'd also say there's some places where people don't understand their own countries gun laws and cultures. You probably wouldn't be surprised how many people here are surprised when they find out I legally own multiple firearms. I just don't look or act how they'd expect any type of gun owner to and many just assume they must be illegal...

I'd also have to say some of that is the fault of the "ultra gun nuts*" and the US politicians and news media on both sides of the argument. I've seen the stats on even NRA members views on mandatory background checks and registration etc,  I've seen the stats from Democratic and Republican voters, police officers, gun owners and those who wouldn't even consider owning a gun. Amazingly it seems that the vast majority of all groups agree that getting rid of the loopholes to get around background checks, waiting periods, etc, etc is what should be done. To a level where I'd say "You might as well just have mandatory licensing." Most even seem to agree with a maximum magazine size ffs**. Are those options and views presented by politicians or the news? Are things ever presented as any less than "they're gonna take our guns!!!1!" even when something as simple as "maybe you shouldn't be able to get around the waiting times and registration if it's a private sale or gun fair" is proposed? If you present yourselves in a certain way you can't really complain when that's how people perceive you. Well you can complain but that's just buyers remorse lol.

But I spend about half my time living in Europe, and it's amazing how, frankly, obsessed much of the rest of the world is with everything that goes on in America.

That, I'm afraid, is the price of being the biggest bully in the playground. When the USA farts we all have to smell it. Was the case with every top world power before the "US Pacific Empire" and will be the case with every one after.

Personally I'm happy we live now when my country is a tiny insignificant one with no real power or influence beyond (and some would claim within) our borders and the rest of the world barely being aware we're still here.



*Most of whom I've got to say sound more like wannabe revolutionaries than sensible gun owners to me. But I know these are not the average American gun owner. They're just who you've chosen to be the public face of American gun owners.

**Not something I think would make a difference personally.

[Stray Electron]

What beats me is the 2nd amendment is just that an amendment. If you have amended something once you can amend it again. But as we sell lots of guns to the US and make money from it we cant judge them.

  No the 2nd amendment is not just an amendment. It's one of the first ten amendments and collectively they're referred to as 'The Bill of Rights' . They were a package of amendments that the original  states insisted be included when the Constitution was passed. As such they're not amendments but a core part of the US Constitution.  People like Wilson that haven't lived in the US and that don't understand our system of Constitutional rights, really should shut up. Whether they like it or not, gun rights are part of our rights and a part of our culture. If you don't like it, then stay away. We won't miss you.

  Maybe taking away every one else's rights because of the actions of a few, sells in your country but not in this one!

[GK]

People like Wilson that haven't lived in the US and that don't understand our system of Constitutional rights, really should shut up. Whether they like it or not, gun rights are part of our rights and a part of our culture. If you don't like it, then stay away. We won't miss you.

She simply expressed an opinion that looked pretty benign to me; certainly in comparison to the largely deranged response. What's more, what she said probably wouldn't be much out of accord with the opinion of as much as half of the American population:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/01/09/a-public-opinion-trend-that-matters-priorities-for-gun-policy/   

Why do the most earnest to the most rabid of pro-gun rights proponents (that being the types that get all bent out of shape over comments like Rebel Wilson's) always presume to speak on behalf of all of America?

Maybe taking away every one else's rights because of the actions of a few, sells in your country but not in this one!

We do have gun rights over here numbnuts, they are just restricted to a sensible degree. And our annual gun-related homicide rate is currently running at about 0.11 deaths per 100,000, as opposed to Americas ~2.7 deaths per 100,000.

But no, there is still nothing particularly backwards or deranged about gun culture in America that an outsider could comprehend:

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/apr/29/armed-to-the-milk-teeth-america-gun-toting-kids

[Mechanical Menace]

But no, there is still nothing particularly backwards or deranged about gun culture in America that an outsider could comprehend:

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/apr/29/armed-to-the-milk-teeth-america-gun-toting-kids

After seeing that I can now more understand the reaction of a certain American police officer to the 12 year old with the toy gun. There are very sensible laws stating that toy guns must obviously be toy guns, either by having an orange tip OR being brightly coloured. When toy guns must look like toy guns allowing real guns to look like toy guns defeats the point of such laws.

[GK]

There are very sensible laws stating that toy guns must obviously be toy guns, either by having an orange tip OR being brightly coloured. When toy guns must look like toy guns allowing real guns to look like toy guns defeats the point of such laws.

Such guns could never be sold and distributed over here, but I guess it really is a totally sensible thing and anyone who doesn't get it is just too stoopid to comprehend Americas system of constitutional rights - they should just STFU and get/keep out of the place - freedom of speech y'all!
LOL.


EDIT: I just made bold some parts of the text for the benefit of those not quite sharp enough to spot the amusing double standard being pointed out.