tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post9030012478528012827..comments2024-01-22T21:12:20.299+11:00Comments on Lilly's Life: Dear AmericaLillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-56599334491840719092012-12-31T12:54:56.690+11:002012-12-31T12:54:56.690+11:00Lily, there are no easy answers to the gun violenc...Lily, there are no easy answers to the gun violence in our country. I do know that disarming innocent civilians is not the answer. The problem is that criminals will not obey gun control laws. You could outlaw every gun in the USA tomorrow, but would that stop people from obtaining guns. During prohibition, in the 20s in the USA, people still manufactured whiskey and sold it. Would it be unrealistic to assume people still won't make guns and sell them even if there are laws prohibiting them? Using other countries as an example of how gun control works does not apply to the USA. The gun culture is too richly ingrained, starting to the time we decided we wanted independence from British Colonial rule. Personally, I don't see a need for automatic or semi-automatic weapons. But, I'm not going to impose my views on someone else. There has to be a middle ground here for both the gun control advocates and anti-gun control advocates. Unfortunately, both sides are staunchly entrenched in their positions. David Weldyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14939352318549888850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-26282048392088566372012-12-30T03:04:32.456+11:002012-12-30T03:04:32.456+11:00I am a proud American who does not own a gun. I a...I am a proud American who does not own a gun. I am a proud American who votes and believes in the Constitution but does not believe in the right of all our citizens to bear arms. Growing up, my mother once pulled a gun on me in my late teenagehood because I'd made her so angry and she thought I was going down the wrong path in life. Until that time, I didn't know she owned a gun. A flash of anger, a sense of betrayal and except for luck and my sister knocking the gun out of her hand - I would have been killed or maimed. (Mom has calmed down considerably in her old age.)<br />The culture of violence and machismo often seems to speak with the loudest voices and drown out the vioce like the Mayors Against Gun Violence.<br /><br />I think that character education, conflict management, and mental health services need to be provided throughout our schools, health care providers, community organizations, etc. Too many of our children and adults get most of their entertainment, information and misinformation from TV, films, games, etc., which go for the sensational. We get entertainment from activities that are deplored in real life.<br />I shudder at the hatred, evil, anger that people who do mass killings have. In certain sectors - like drug dealings, etc., there are rules for people who are "in the game" and they live accordingly. doesn't mean their lives aren't as precious, it just means that most participants know what their in to. <br />Having just spent most of my vacation around two delightful, hopeful, innocent, lifely 5 and 7 year olds, I can't imagine the grief of the Newtown parents. Now, when my daughter puts her children on the bus, she has to pray that they will make it home. The violence of the world has changed every day activities - going to school, going to church, riding a plane - into activities fraught with anxiety.<br />Those of us who are into peace and love and equality have to push these values as consistently as the other stuff is pushed.<br /> Can-Canhttp://blog.candelariasilva.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-66857897503029160702012-12-25T00:06:59.231+11:002012-12-25T00:06:59.231+11:00Disarming law abiding people is NOT the answer.
Wa...Disarming law abiding people is NOT the answer.<br />Wasting valuable police resources keeping tabs on law abiding gun owners is NOT the answer.<br />Australia has some of the stupidest gun laws in the world. This has not prevented western Sydney from having nightly shootings.<br /><br />Give-us-back-our-guns-NOW!Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10708700124095876002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-91809911963991428562012-12-23T07:51:34.684+11:002012-12-23T07:51:34.684+11:00Some of these comments astound me as an American w...Some of these comments astound me as an American with children.Right now, instead of responding as parents and a nation by saying no to the culture of violence, we are apparently responding by defensively arming ourselves with more and bigger weapons. If that cycle of violence and fear is having such a deep psychological impact on adults, how do we expect our children to navigate or survive it? Celianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-25537063614090639522012-12-22T15:49:59.598+11:002012-12-22T15:49:59.598+11:00Hi Tasha, thanks for your comment. Sarah is right,...Hi Tasha, thanks for your comment. Sarah is right, you make a lot of sense. I was talking to an American today and she said that the reason we AUstralians do not get the gun culture is that we just do not, in the main, get the whole shooting, fishing, hunting past time. There are people here that do of course but not to the levels as in the US. There are going to be interesting arguments ahead and hopefully something can be agreed on that will go someway to ensuring incidents like this are decreased. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. xxLillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-81755045989558741152012-12-21T12:19:23.171+11:002012-12-21T12:19:23.171+11:00That is such a well written comment. Even though I...That is such a well written comment. Even though I have differing views to you, you gave me an insight to how those who have been using weapons for sport etc will also be affected by this. Your comment about the teachers is also a great idea too.Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-64321694559594025192012-12-21T05:27:17.326+11:002012-12-21T05:27:17.326+11:00Hi Lilly,
It sure was a tragedy that happened in ...Hi Lilly,<br /><br />It sure was a tragedy that happened in Connecticut. My heart goes out to all the families who lost their love ones. <br /><br />It's also a tragedy to the MILLIONS of responsible gun owners because their ownership of guns is mired and will be restricted by the actions of handful lunatics. <br /><br />My family own guns of all makes, including semi-automatics. Many of our friends in diffrerent parts of the U.S, own guns for hunting,for recreation, and for collection. None of us and any of our friends are gun-toting people. We are the sensitive and responsible gun owners that you don't hear about. <br /><br />When my husband and I didn't have children, we had all our guns displayed in glass covered gun cases. But after we have children, my husband put all of them in metal gun safes. I think this is the most responsible way in gun control. Even though my son has a gun given to him when he was in highschool, his gun is locked up in a gun safe and will never be given to him again because of his medical condition. He understands that. We've owned guns for more than 35 years, and we haven't killed anyone. <br /><br />I don't agree in arming every teacher. I suggest that schools should hire professional security guards and allow them to actually carry guns. Some banks, malls, and hospitals have security guards, but can you believe that they're not allowed to carry guns? I think that they should, so if lunatics with guns are at those establishments to do harm, they're able to stop them right away. tashabudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17707659728810975773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-46684471319647985352012-12-20T18:22:15.590+11:002012-12-20T18:22:15.590+11:00I checked out that supposedly beautiful post. I go...I checked out that supposedly beautiful post. I got distracted because of the naked picture of the mommy blogger who owns this blog. Seriously why would anyone think that was ok. What the hell seriously. Also just for info, the top commenter was saying that if we do nothing then we are putting weapons ahead of the safety of our children. Think big picture not personally.. So glad Obama shares the same opinion and is moving quickly on gun control. Timing is everything when this has happened multiple times before.Sally Francis (Utah)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-18173208629622145862012-12-19T21:44:54.848+11:002012-12-19T21:44:54.848+11:00Yes it is Helen, so very funny and tue and I am no...Yes it is Helen, so very funny and tue and I am now following.Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-32790909345835531232012-12-19T18:10:41.315+11:002012-12-19T18:10:41.315+11:00Merry Christmas to you too Dar. Will come over for...Merry Christmas to you too Dar. Will come over for a visit soon. Fantastic comment. There has to be a middle ground and if enought people talk about it there will be, thanks!!Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-86691238582383100682012-12-19T10:52:22.356+11:002012-12-19T10:52:22.356+11:00PS I love all opinions too..it is what makes us al...PS I love all opinions too..it is what makes us all US ! We don't always have to agree. But, what people need to re-learn is how to debate, have a discussion without taking it on such a personal level all the time. <br /><br />We have to figure it out together because we are all in it together... " we are the world "<br /><br />I don't mean to offend anybody. I will always listen to the other side..politely disagree.<br /><br />Merry Christmas from Mississippi darsdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06204592599045715814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-65745108811012461102012-12-19T09:32:21.779+11:002012-12-19T09:32:21.779+11:00Thanks for your comment Summer and lovely to see y...Thanks for your comment Summer and lovely to see you drop by to give your views.Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-60510513558394012332012-12-19T04:36:29.165+11:002012-12-19T04:36:29.165+11:00I agree with you, Lilly. And every time I voice t...I agree with you, Lilly. And every time I voice these things, people get really upset with me. I don't know what the correct answer is, but I know what we as Americans are doing now--- isn't working. I didn't read through the comments, because I can only imagine the dialogue. I've argued with too many people this week on this matter. There has to be a happy medium between Wild West and No Gun Zone. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12551501505348753532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-7676960477677455192012-12-18T19:36:49.582+11:002012-12-18T19:36:49.582+11:00OK, I apologise Lilly and other readers if my comm...OK, I apologise Lilly and other readers if my comments were seen as offensive. I have a view as does anyone else. My father was born in NYC and me in the UK. I have family there and we discuss this subject often. The reality is if these issues are not discussed across the world when the incidents happen they never get discussed. Are Americans even aware of the tenticles their country has on everyone else? No-one is denying that people are sad, in shock and in grief. People are truly living in la la land if they think that the obvious questions cannot be asked on blogs across the world. They are splashed across the media in the US as it is. When is the mourning period meant to be up for this to happen I wonder. Two weeks, six months. Lady Fi says it all and the figures speak for themselves. According to one commenter you are meant to be writing stirring, heart wrenching posts like other bloggers. She clearly has never visited your blog before and knows nothing at all about you. My last word on the subject I promise.Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-9187830452915184452012-12-18T17:41:11.420+11:002012-12-18T17:41:11.420+11:00I am so sorry Keeksaz. I do not know you and perha...I am so sorry Keeksaz. I do not know you and perhaps if you knew me you may know that I would never do anything to inflame the situation. I asked a question that everyone here is asking and a lot of people in your own country are asking, particularly those who have been involved in previous incidents such as this. <br /><br />I understand this triggered something and perhaps I should have put a warning on the post. My readers are just telling me their views and experiences. At least we may go away better informed about how others feel about the subject.<br /><br />I am aware you may have just wanted to view positive posts with lots of kind words that other bloggers may have done. I have done that in other forums, said lots of prayers and understand more than you might know about violence. <br /><br />My blog is a place I ask questions and to be honest given what I was hearing in other places I wanted to get the views direct from my readers about how they felt. I am sorry you felt it was too early to read etc. I wanted to do this post so that when I heard yet another person say, but why doesn't the USA do something, then at least I can say well it is not that simple for X and Y reasons. Simply bcause someone in New Orleans has told me their perspective, or another person in the south or California or wherever. <br /><br />As you know, issues are not black and white but grey and I think it is important that the rest of the World sees this too otherwise we carry our stereotypes with us. And regardless of how you may like to grieve, a lot of people are asking the questions now. To truly care about other people's situations I think you have to understand as much as you can.<br /><br />What I was not aware about was the polarising views about gun control. And that is where debate will happen. However, I believe every person is on the exact same page when it comes to agreeing that these are senseless and unecessary deaths. <br /><br />Thanks for your comments. Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-9969410184264040042012-12-18T17:10:53.804+11:002012-12-18T17:10:53.804+11:00Thanks SFM, you can reply any time you like. It is...Thanks SFM, you can reply any time you like. It is great to hear everyone's views. I think we are all seen by other countries as different then how we like to see ourselves. I know we are and it aint pretty at times, lol. It is hard to be tarnished with the same big brush. <br /><br />The USA is so huge that it is like many different countries in one. You cannot broad brush anything but like you about us, we get our views about America mainly because we watch the news, read the newspapers, watch your TV shows etc. Those of us lucky to visit your country will find the most hospitable people on the planet. Our cultures are different in some ways and the same in most others.<br /><br />That is why I truly love blogging. We get to find out how each other thinks about issues and can make our own minds up. We can cut out the BS we have to wade through with the media. Thanks so much for your input and comments. It has been great and much appreciated. Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-15402311419704844692012-12-18T17:05:06.667+11:002012-12-18T17:05:06.667+11:00Thanks Anton. I think the differing views is healt...Thanks Anton. I think the differing views is healthy and it is good to see different sides of the argument. That is what I love about blogging, we get to share ideas and viewpoints from different places in the world direct from one to the other. We do not have to listen to what is said on the TV, radio etc and believe it as gospel. Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-14671117620498024602012-12-18T17:03:17.008+11:002012-12-18T17:03:17.008+11:00Thanks Ladyfi, I think for us it is just so cultur...Thanks Ladyfi, I think for us it is just so culturally different to how we live and for me it was important to try and understand it a bit better. I imagine Sweden as being one of the most peaceful places on earth. <br /><br />I am not really sure about the impact of our gun laws. I have tried to get to the bottom of it. I know suicides have gone down a lot which may also be attributed to better services for those who are depressed. You can read different statistics about the impact on homicides. So it is hard to know who to believe. However, it is true that we have not had any scatter killings since 1996 when he laws were introduced. This could be a lucky streak or a direct result of the gun laws. <br /><br />This episode is senseless as they all are and I do feel very sorry for everyone involved and the country at large. It is clearly such a very big issue. No-one would have foreseen this or been able to stop it I dont believe. I hope that some thing can be done to lessen the likelihood of this happening in the future in any country around the world. Thanks for your comment Lady Fi. Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-56914174879021306252012-12-18T16:55:22.166+11:002012-12-18T16:55:22.166+11:00Thanks Dar for your comment. It is exactly what I ...Thanks Dar for your comment. It is exactly what I wanted, evgeryone's opinions as diverse as they are so that others in the world can see what Americans really do think. You see we get so much infomration from the media channels and often it is hard to know what 'regular people' as opposed 'journalists' think about the issue. I hope that it can all be sorted out and that as you say some more precautions can be put in place in some way. People who were bought up with guns, like my father and his family, respect the weapons and how they are used. I am just not sure others do the same unfortunately. Thanks heaps for your comment Darsden. It is appreciated. Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-83155769913151038462012-12-18T16:44:45.679+11:002012-12-18T16:44:45.679+11:00Thanks Laurie I shall go and look at your post. I ...Thanks Laurie I shall go and look at your post. I hope other readers do too. Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-58809720751029579682012-12-18T15:41:38.119+11:002012-12-18T15:41:38.119+11:00I just don't understand the need to carry fire...I just don't understand the need to carry firearms either. In fact, if you look at statistics you'll see a huge difference in fatal shootings between the countries like Sweden and the UK where people don't have to guns (21 and 7 fatalities last year) and the US, which had over 10,000 fatal shootings!<br /><br />Such a senseless tragedy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-49338833729749947372012-12-18T14:50:57.231+11:002012-12-18T14:50:57.231+11:00I was all prepared to delete my above comment, and...I was all prepared to delete my above comment, and do wish I could edit it because I was way too upset when I wrote it and not all of that had to even do with these posts. But then I reread the original post and your response and wow. I mean, I don't think I'm the one missing the point. I can say, with confidence, that America does not care more for guns than for children. And I can't even put into words how offensive that is and was to read on the first day of school after the attack.<br /><br />I don't know what the news reports in your country. I don't know what's said about America. I do know that I have lived in several different states, and there are certainly plenty of horrible people here, as I'm sure there is everywhere, but there is also so much good, so many amazing people, so much kindness - again, as I'm sure you have in your country as well.<br /><br />The point is to use a tragedy like this to come together to make this world better, safer, happier.<br /><br />Here's a beautiful post written today (not mine): www.edenriley.comkeeksazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112010025258329306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-66820295361041344622012-12-18T14:43:44.161+11:002012-12-18T14:43:44.161+11:00I was having a remarkably bad morning and got way ...I was having a remarkably bad morning and got way too emotional and parts of my replies were as biased as the comments I was upset about. I deleted my *more* offensive comments and apologize. I do stand behind the fact that SOME of what I read was very offensive to me in that I felt it was unfair and one sided and there were blatant things like the comment that Americans love guns more than our children. I mean, that's just not true. For every psycho lunatic that would harm a child there are a million people who would die trying to protect that child. But, I do apologize for the way I wrote my replies. I was tired, and stressed out and oversensitive and my replies weren't okay and did nothing to further my cause of defending everyone.<br /><br />And also just generally I feel like the timing is off. There are so many beautiful posts today, respectful and honoring the memory and bravery of the lives lost. And I understand about the importance of debates and of information, but feel like it is way too soon. I mean they are not even laid to rest. I just feel like let's hold out for a little more peace and love out of respect for what happened. Today was the first day taking our kids back to school - it was a sad day, not a day for such a hot topic debate. IMO. Which is just my opinion. But that is part of what was so upsetting. I just wasn't prepared to read this type of post this morning as I was getting ready to drop off my son to school.keeksazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112010025258329306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-68274689259368067652012-12-18T14:09:38.453+11:002012-12-18T14:09:38.453+11:00My heart is so heavy for the loss of innocent live...My heart is so heavy for the loss of innocent lives. It has taking its toll on us all.<br /><br />I believe in the right to have guns. I also know I can defend myself in other ways than just a gun. But knowing I have one and could and would stop somebody in a heartbeat from hurting innocent others...oh you bet ya I would pull it out!!<br /><br />I think if those in the position of carrying for our most precious of precious our kids. YES they should be armed. Principals should be allowed to protect at all cost. <br /><br />They had precautions in place...just wasn't enough to stop him But a gun pointed at him could have possibly.<br /><br />Sad to say but these are the signs of the times and people have to start protecting themselves. If he knew there were others in the school with guns...I doubt it would have ended this way.<br /><br />(yes I live in the South and was brought up with guns. NEVER have I thought of ever hurting anybody or any animal with one)darsdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06204592599045715814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339261543193718354.post-6406426224705285682012-12-18T14:08:59.050+11:002012-12-18T14:08:59.050+11:00SAW...(Lilly, forgive me for replying on your blog...SAW...(Lilly, forgive me for replying on your blog)<br />No we are not all alike, and not all support the gun culture. And no, not all American's love guns more than children. But some do, and many in the first example. <br />Can you blame people around the world for their view of the US? I'd like it if everyone in on the globe sees us as we like to see ourselves. But it just ain't accurate. Our culture, accurate or not, has been seen as cowboys, gangsters, and gun-happy. I like it as little as you, but it's the view. And what happened in CT, at VTech and in CO just feed into that view. <br />And the number of gun-related deaths in comparison to other countries just multiplies the notion. <br />I hope we can change it. Should Fish Morehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18400586203204886095noreply@blogger.com