Interesting news from around the world

Don M.

Don M.

SF VIP
Location
central Missouri
I find it interesting that people in other nations seem to pay close attention to what happens in the U.S. One would think, by some of their posts, that the U.S. is the only place where senseless acts and violence take place. However, it seems that Human Stupidity is not solely an issue in the U.S. Here are a couple of examples.....

http://www.news.com.au/national/asi...o/news-story/08ef0adc90452c27330b9feb9277f06b

http://www.news.com.au/national/que...e/news-story/caaf664a9988c1f112ed34cd4a13da76

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-37806368

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-37811026

There are countless other examples, daily, in nations all over the globe. It seems that the U.S. is Not the Only place that has idiots roaming its streets.
 

It has been a very bad week for Queensland.

First the tragic accident at Dreamworld where four adults died on one of the rides in particularly gruesome circumstances.

Then the Sikh bus driver was set on fire by a passenger (?) and died a horrible death.

The racist woman on the train is not something new. Muslims and Asians have been vilified for some time by the leader of a micro party called Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party and she speaks for all the racists and xenophobes. There are more of them in Queensland than anywhere else but they do exist all over Australia. While very vocal, they do not represent the majority of Australians and they have a lot in common with angry white folk in US who feel their loss of power as demographics change. However, they tend not to shoot anyone.
 

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No one here has said there is no violent crime anywhere except the US. But comparing a few crimes in Australia and Scotland to the US is laughable.
 
Warrigal said:
It has been a very bad week for Queensland.

First the tragic accident at Dreamworld where four adults died on one of the rides in particularly gruesome circumstances.

Then the Sikh bus driver was set on fire by a passenger (?) and died a horrible death.

The racist woman on the train is not something new. Muslims and Asians have been vilified for some time by the leader of a micro party called Pauline Hansson's One Nation Party and she speaks for all the racists and xenophobes. There are more of them in Queensland than anywhere else but the do exist all over Australia. While very vocal, they do not represent the majority of Australians and they have a lot in common with angry white folk in US who feel their loss of power as demographics change. However, they tend not to shoot anyone.
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Yes, I'm glad that racist troll can't get her hands on a firearm.
 
Don, interesting how and why you picked Scotland as a choice. :rolleyes: Surprised you left our one mass shooting in 1996...oh and the massacre in 1692.

Now, why not show a country that has as many mass shootings and gun homicides as the US?
 
Warrigal said:
It has been a very bad week for Queensland.

First the tragic accident at Dreamworld where four adults died on one of the rides in particularly gruesome circumstances.

Then the Sikh bus driver was set on fire by a passenger (?) and died a horrible death.

The racist woman on the train is not something new. Muslims and Asians have been vilified for some time by the leader of a micro party called Pauline Hansson's One Nation Party and she speaks for all the racists and xenophobes. There are more of them in Queensland than anywhere else but the do exist all over Australia. While very vocal, they do not represent the majority of Australians and they have a lot in common with angry white folk in US who feel their loss of power as demographics change. However, they tend not to shoot anyone.
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Horrifying, Warri! There is/was a party here called Britain First which was very racist. Haven't heard about it lately.
 
Funny the reaction to a thread. I took the input by Don M not as an attack on any particular country just that people are people all over the world. No different than here where each responds in their own unique way.
 
Knight said:
Funny the reaction to a thread. I took the input by Don M not as an attack on any particular country just that people are people all over the world. No different than here where each responds in their own unique way.
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Don and I have our differences and it was obvious to me why he picked Scotland and not the UK in general or other countries in Europe.
 
Knight said:
Funny the reaction to a thread. I took the input by Don M not as an attack on any particular country just that people are people all over the world. No different than here where each responds in their own unique way.
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That's Right....I feel privileged to have been born and raised in the U.S. I fully understand that we have our fair share of lunatics...but, then, so do other nations. When I see someone constantly criticizing this nation, and/or lumping responsible firearms owners into a category of "extremists", I feel the obligation to point out that nonsense occurs all over the world. I'm sure that Scotland is a beautiful country, and a great place to live, But it is far from perfect...as is Any nation. With the huge amount of information available on the Internet, it is not very hard to find examples of issues in virtually Any Nation. Here's a couple more for our friends in Scotland to consider.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4257966.stm

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22276018

I have spent 74 good years in the U.S., and served about 7 years in our military...and am proud and grateful to have had a pretty good life in this nation.....SO, I will continue to stand up for the U.S. On a more negative note, I humbly apologize to the rest of the world for the leadership we are about to receive in this upcoming election...no matter who wins.
 
Don M. said:
That's Right....I feel privileged to have been born and raised in the U.S. I fully understand that we have our fair share of lunatics...but, then, so do other nations. When I see someone constantly criticizing this nation, and/or lumping responsible firearms owners into a category of "extremists", I feel the obligation to point out that nonsense occurs all over the world. I'm sure that Scotland is a beautiful country, and a great place to live, But it is far from perfect...as is Any nation. With the huge amount of information available on the Internet, it is not very hard to find examples of issues in virtually Any Nation. Here's a couple more for our friends in Scotland to consider.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4257966.stm
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Really?? An 11 year old article on a study done in the 90's whose validity is questioned because it was phone surveys, not police reports. Nothing in the article about homicides, no guns. Mostly about drunken fights after pubs close.

Do you really want to do a comparison between Scotland and the US on violent crime?? Annual homicides in Scotland can normally be counted on one hand - how many murders per hour in the US?
 
Don M. said:
I find it interesting that people in other nations seem to pay close attention to what happens in the U.S. One would think, by some of their posts, that the U.S. is the only place where senseless acts and violence take place. However, it seems that Human Stupidity is not solely an issue in the U.S. It seems that the U.S. is Not the Only place that has idiots roaming its streets.
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I completely agree with you Don. They pay close attention because America has always taken the spotlight when it comes to aiding other countries, helping the poorer and more vulnerable in the world, and generously and compassionately giving to those who need our assistance...including the blood and lives of our troops. Thank you for your service Don. I don't think any of us who see things in a realistic light can question that "idiots" are worldwide.

Don M. said:
That's Right....I feel privileged to have been born and raised in the U.S. I fully understand that we have our fair share of lunatics...but, then, so do other nations. When I see someone constantly criticizing this nation, and/or lumping responsible firearms owners into a category of "extremists", I feel the obligation to point out that nonsense occurs all over the world. I'm sure that Scotland is a beautiful country, and a great place to live, But it is far from perfect...as is Any nation.

I have spent 74 good years in the U.S., and served about 7 years in our military...and am proud and grateful to have had a pretty good life in this nation.....SO, I will continue to stand up for the U.S.
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Like you Don, I feel blessed to have been born and raised in the United States of America, and I intend to stay here well into my old age, can't think of anywhere else I'd rather live than this great and free country.

We do have our share of lunatics, and we have an extremely diverse cultural population. Considering the density of our population, the issues we face due to our positive welcoming of all immigrants since way before I was born (I'm 63), and the way we've positively managed everything so far is quite commendable. Just look up the population and land mass of other places like the UK/Scotland, Australia, etc. The fact that we constantly reach out to other poorer and less fortunate people around the world is an added burden that we've been strong enough to bear in an admirable way.

It's funny that there is so much criticism of America and its citizens, especially the many responsible folks who have owned firearms for so many years. Good thing there are stable men and women here with broad shoulders to consider the source of all the criticism, and only give it the attention it deserves. Easy for all, regardless of country, to look down their noses and judge...if they walked 'a mile in our shoes', they'd be blubbering like babies. IMO.
 
I completely agree with you Don. They pay close attention because America has always taken the spotlight when it comes to aiding other countries, helping the poorer and more vulnerable in the world, and generously and compassionately giving to those who need our assistance...including the blood and lives of our troops.
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The US has certainly taken the spotlight with respect to foreign aid and military interventions but you are not unique in these areas. Perhaps if Americans showed more interest in the affairs of other countries we could have more generalised discussions. I do try to showcase my country, warts and all, but most members are not really very interested. Consequently I can only get a real conversation going when I raise something that I have seen on Google News US.
 
Warrigal said:
The US has certainly taken the spotlight with respect to foreign aid and military interventions but you are not unique in these areas. Perhaps if Americans showed more interest in the affairs of other countries we could have more generalised discussions. I do try to showcase my country, warts and all, but most members are not really very interested. Consequently I can only get a real conversation going when I raise something that I have seen on Google News US.
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I think we are unique to the extent that we have given to foreign aid and military interventions. Sorry Warrigal, but I can only speak for myself, and I have said repeatedly in the past here on the forum that I'm not very political and am only learning some things regarding my own country now that I'm retired and have more time to read and listen.

If I don't show great interest in your country or others, especially during these times in America, it's because I'm trying to understand what's going on in my own backyard, definitely not meant as a slight to you or anyone else. But, I'm not quick to jump on and criticize Australia, etc., I respect those who wish to live there and abide by the rules and regulations of the land. I'm not getting the feel of that same respect from others, but that's okay, something else I'm slowly learning with time. Luckily it's not too late, and I'm not too old to learn.
 
Warrigal said:
Here is some interesting news from Australia, and by interesting, I mean disgusting.
Looking at the comments so far, it would seem that American readers applaud this piece of bastardry on the part of our government and most likely it will be supported by the opposition too.
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I don't applaud it at all, in fact I think it's sad. Not all of us are hateful you know.
 
I do know that QuickSilver, but I also think that few people outside Australia are aware just how appallingly these people have been treated. I wish the world understood that asylum seekers commit no crime when they cross borders seeking safety and freedom. 98% of the asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru have been found to be genuine refugees. Some have family already in Australia and now they will be forever banished from our shores. It is inhumane.
 
Warrigal said:
I do know that QuickSilver, but I also think that few people outside Australia are aware just how appallingly these people have been treated. I wish the world understood that asylum seekers commit no crime when they cross borders seeking safety and freedom. 98% of the asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru have been found to be genuine refugees. Some have family already in Australia and now they will be forever banished from our shores. It is inhumane.
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I wasn't aware Quicksilver was posting in this thread. I've read about how those people have been treated, and I do believe that they are genuine refugees, and also wholeheartedly agree that it is very inhumane. :(
 
SeaBreeze said:
I wasn't aware Quicksilver was posting in this thread. I've read about how those people have been treated, and I do believe that they are genuine refugees, and also wholeheartedly agree that it is very inhumane. :(
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Oops, my mistake. I was responding to your post, SeaBreeze. Please accept my apology.

I have sent an email to my local MP, who is a back bencher in the government, expressing my dismay at this deplorable piece of legislation. I am still thinking how I will approach the opposition party but this is how my favourite clergyman has reached out to the Leader of the Opposition.

CwDb0igVYAAumWK.jpg


I hope he listens but I doubt he will have the political courage.
 
I also am proud to be an American and I count myself as very blessed to have been born here and to have enjoyed the hard-won liberty we have here.

I also regret that the world press has characterized America as some sort of latter-day OK corral, which is not true.
 

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