*Best viewed using Firefox
.: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 :.
The Politics of Politics What difference can a gun make?
The buffalo police department received a shipment of new 40 Calibur hand guns to replace the older, less powerful models that they had been using.
A bullet to the head is going to kill you. What difference does it make wether that bullet came from a 40 calibur hand gun, or a 9mm gun.
The newscaster on channel 7 news spoke with an air of optimisim as she revealed the news to the public. On a side to the story, a reporter was sent to the police firing range to give one of the new guns a test run. Her conclusion? The new guns are so powerful, that they're hard to even handle properly. This is exactly the kind of thing that buffalo's citizens should feel proud about. Their Police force now uses weapons that they can hardly handle.
American thinking when it comes to guns is a scary thing. They get excited when talking about newer more efficient weapons. What is a gun to an American? A Toy? Here in Canada its a weapon with a sole, deadly, purpose. I'm glad to be Canadian when such issues are raised.
At the same time that we're looking at the role of guns, we'll also have to look at the role of American news itself. In the beginning it was a method to communicate important facts between people, and occasionaly, expose a fradulant activity. Today the news is no more then another vessel for propaganda.
The news is controled, you are told what to think, and your opinions are formed for you. Bias creeps in every word that is uttered. A clear side is taken on every story. A clear side should NOT be taken on any story. The news should deliver facts to people so that they may form their own opinions. News today tries very hard to replace the role of a detective.
Canadian news is much better at giving facts, rather then opinions. Then again, Canada is a lot better then the United States at a great many things. Our government seems to have retained a common sense that the American Government lacks.
Take for instance the new legislation for Marijuana use. Possesion of fifteen grams or less will now result in a ticket/fine, without a criminal charge. This has been said to be less of a punishment then before, which it is, but its a much easier thing to enforce.
Criminal charges involve taking the perps to police stations, writing them up, and whatever other measures are taken under such circumstances. A costly process. Often a verbal warning was given to the offenders to avoid it.
A ticket doesn't involve any of that, the offender is given the paper, and must pay the fine, if anything the government will make money. And because of ease, a police officer will be much more likley to actually give a ticket, rather then a warning. So yes, while at its core a ticket is less of a punishment, its also a lot more of a threat to marijuana users. A very smart move by the Canadian Government.
Now why can't the American Government be so clever?
Peace Out Clear Vision, Clear Thoughts, Clear Outcome
<< Home


|