I really didn't think I'd want to write something about the massacre in Newtown, CT. After what seems like a particularly horrific year of unnecessary deaths in the US, there aren't many words to express my frustration and sadness. A Danish friend of mine texted me to ask if I was okay. Another asked me if anything would ever change, clearly confused. A Norwegian friend sent me her thoughts and love to the US. Yet another wondered out loud if it was really true that it's easier to legally get a gun than it is to get mental health care in America. (I've heard it is... I won't claim to know the subtleties of gun control laws as compared to mental health access everywhere in the states but YES, this is by and large true.) I don't know what to say to my European friends about America and guns.
Rachel Maddow highlighted a report put together by policy analyst Ezra Klein on her show Friday. One of the findings:
ELEVEN of the 20 most deadly mass shootings in the world over the past 50 years took place in the United States. Five of those have happened since 2007.
So it's not my emotional response or limited political memory - five of the most deadly mass shootings to occur in the world over the past fifty years have happened in my country since I graduated from high school. I'm 24.
To my more conservative friends and family - and random people who disagree with me and happen upon this blog. I challenge you to read this column: 12 facts about guns and mass shootings in the US.
And if you want to do something apart from updating your facebook or blog, here's a petition:
White house petition: stricter gun control.
Rachel Maddow highlighted a report put together by policy analyst Ezra Klein on her show Friday. One of the findings:
ELEVEN of the 20 most deadly mass shootings in the world over the past 50 years took place in the United States. Five of those have happened since 2007.
So it's not my emotional response or limited political memory - five of the most deadly mass shootings to occur in the world over the past fifty years have happened in my country since I graduated from high school. I'm 24.
To my more conservative friends and family - and random people who disagree with me and happen upon this blog. I challenge you to read this column: 12 facts about guns and mass shootings in the US.
And if you want to do something apart from updating your facebook or blog, here's a petition:
White house petition: stricter gun control.
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