Interesting news from around the world

[SeaBreeze]

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.

It isn't true Butterfly, I agree. I'm not a big gun person and I don't hunt, but would if I needed to for food. We have several firearms in the home, most kept in a safe except for one that is always at the ready and has been for the past 40 years. Of all the people I've known over the years who own firearms, none of them are criminals, none of them have ever shot anyone accidentally or on purpose and they are all law abiding, upstanding citizens who are caring of others and want to do no harm.

The press is about sensational headlines that make them money, so I can understand where they're coming from. What I don't care for is all the people who are buying it hook, line and sinker....an insult to all good Americans who choose to arm themselves for whatever the reason, even if just for collecting and pleasure.

 

[Ruthanne]

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.



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.

Thank you SB!! I am proud to be an American too. We do help a lot of nations and peoples. I agree with you.

 

[Butterfly]

It isn't true Butterfly, I agree. I'm not a big gun person and I don't hunt, but would if I needed to for food. We have several firearms in the home, most kept in a safe except for one that is always at the ready and has been for the past 40 years. Of all the people I've known over the years who own firearms, none of them are criminals, none of them have ever shot anyone accidentally or on purpose and they are all law abiding, upstanding citizens who are caring of others and want to do no harm.

The press is about sensational headlines that make them money, so I can understand where they're coming from. What I don't care for is all the people who are buying it hook, line and sinker....an insult to all good Americans who choose to arm themselves for whatever the reason, even if just for collecting and pleasure.

Right, SB. We'll never see headlines about the millions of people who DO own firearms responsibly, a la "GRANDMOTHER IN SMALL TOWN USA DIDN'T SHOOT ANYONE TODAY, 0 DEAD, 0 WOUNDED." Most of us with firearms just own them, but are not obsessed with them, just like anything else. Like you, I know many people who I know have firearms in their home, but not a one of them has ever shot anybody, and they are, as you said, just law abiding citizens living their lives. In my work in the legal system, of course I saw another side, but those people WERE criminals and that's why I knew of them.

The press portrays us as a bunch of gun-totin' idiots and our society as if it were the wild west. Neither is true.

 

[Knight]

Sure are a lot of posts about countries,I suppose that happens. This began about people who are different in a negative way than the good folks posting here.

I think Don brought that back by apologizing for the two candidates that are both pointing out the negatives in the other candidtae hoping to represent America on the world stage.

 

[Warrigal]

More interesting news from OZ that concerns US Again, by interesting I mean appalling.

US judge sentences Australian child predator to 12 years' jailRead more at http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/...ild-predator-jailed-in-us#ywKLULSsxuYIy0UJ.99

We have a huge problem with domestic violence and to a lesser but still disturbing extent, child sexual abuse.
The authorities do what they can and we have had an ongoing Royal Commission into abuse of children in institutions including church and government organisations. The rocks are being turned over one by one to expose what has long been hidden.

Australian paedophiles often go overseas looking for children victims and our laws are such that they can be pursued back in Australia if they escape prosecution in a foreign country. However, in this case that will not be necessary. My congratulations to your undercover cops.