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Feeling the Bern

(3,839 posts)
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:26 AM Dec 2015

BBC reporter’s sobering advice to America: ‘Break’ the NRA or your mass shootings will never stop

BBC host Aaron Heslehurst advised Americans this week that they would have to “break” or “dismantle” the National Rifle Association (NRA) if they wanted the mass shootings in the United States to stop.

On Wednesday’s Morning Business Report, BBC presenter Adnan Nawaz pointed out that journalists still did not have all of the details about the shooting in San Bernardino.

“There have been more mass shootings in the United States this year than there have been days this year,” Nawaz noted. “We’re at about 330-odd days with 350+ mass shootings. And it’s becoming far too common as far as almost any sensible person including President Obama is concerned.”

Words of true wisdom!


Amazing I have to go out of my country to learn real news and perspectives about my country.
55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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BBC reporter’s sobering advice to America: ‘Break’ the NRA or your mass shootings will never stop (Original Post) Feeling the Bern Dec 2015 OP
The Nose on Your Face The Roux Comes First Dec 2015 #1
And break the Second Amendment. onehandle Dec 2015 #2
This! Pacifist Patriot Dec 2015 #38
^^^^^^this^^^^^^^ nt restorefreedom Dec 2015 #46
Why does the opinion of a BBC journalist make it a compelling argument? Yorktown Dec 2015 #3
What horse-shit. SLBM's take care of that. STAM, SAMS, Nukes are the deterrents not AR's. lonestarnot Dec 2015 #6
ACBMs against tyranny? Yorktown Dec 2015 #8
You said invasion lonestarnot Dec 2015 #9
I also mentioned tyranny in my first post Yorktown Dec 2015 #10
Kno. Not tyranny. Cops are militarized. They are also Americans. And we both know they know how lonestarnot Dec 2015 #11
And? Yorktown Dec 2015 #13
What balance are you kidding me. Balance LOL. What Japanese Admiral? lonestarnot Dec 2015 #14
1- balance citizens/government 2- Yamamoto Yorktown Dec 2015 #15
I read all 5 of your posts to this point and they still don't make any sense. SMH Hekate Dec 2015 #30
paranoia Skittles Dec 2015 #50
"Democracies are young, imperfect flowers." Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #24
Putting words in my mouth? Yorktown Dec 2015 #27
I find it funny to take up arms to defend our oligarchy. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #29
"the fact citizens owns weapons is a deterrent against invasion or tyranny" Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #20
I was talking in general terms Yorktown Dec 2015 #21
Okay,....zombies it is then. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #22
Are you saying no mortal Army could ever defeat the USA? Yorktown Dec 2015 #23
The largest air force in the world is the US Air Force.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #26
You are correct in 2015 Yorktown Dec 2015 #28
Damn sneaky those Canadians. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #31
Again, open a historical atlas Yorktown Dec 2015 #32
When plate tectonics jams us up against China? Crunchy Frog Dec 2015 #35
The problem won't be geography, but history. Yorktown Dec 2015 #36
The white man isn't going to be invaded..... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2015 #45
Didn't we have a revolution... NaturalHigh Dec 2015 #48
A very good point Yorktown Dec 2015 #55
K & R !!! WillyT Dec 2015 #4
I would like to see a worldwide boycott of tourism and LibDemAlways Dec 2015 #5
That idea is sure to help Democrats win elections... nt branford Dec 2015 #16
Tourism may plummet anyway, forcing the tourism industry ErikJ Dec 2015 #17
It's not even about breaking the NRA... MoonchildCA Dec 2015 #7
Bloody true flamingdem Dec 2015 #12
Break any group that Supports GOP Daesh elmac Dec 2015 #18
That would be a start. rockfordfile Dec 2015 #19
I was in England recently. Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2015 #25
Sounds like absolute nonsense. "Fuck the BBC"? Really? mr blur Dec 2015 #37
An ax is considered a weapon in England. Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2015 #41
See post #48 above. NaturalHigh Dec 2015 #49
Pretty much. Hekate Dec 2015 #33
The one part of that BBC journalist's statement that I agree with is "Break the NRA". napi21 Dec 2015 #34
I dont really care what a British journalist thinks about our Constitution davidn3600 Dec 2015 #39
Actually, there is. Chan790 Dec 2015 #44
Wonder if he knows the real power behind the NRA. ileus Dec 2015 #40
Interesting. I will have to contact Mr. Heslehurst about my plan/strategy to swamp the NRA. Chan790 Dec 2015 #42
Come on, of course a Brit would say that The2ndWheel Dec 2015 #43
Several journos I know have said the exact same thing upon their return to Homeland Detroit USA. Octafish Dec 2015 #47
let people carry loaded guns at all times in the nra building and in republican headquarters patsimp Dec 2015 #51
Considering that England is the next likely terrorist target TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #52
I have a question about television news, Snobblevitch Dec 2015 #53
Guess he isn't a Bernie fan. Township75 Dec 2015 #54
 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
3. Why does the opinion of a BBC journalist make it a compelling argument?
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:51 AM
Dec 2015

The right to bear arms does entail that some deaths will be caused by firearms.

However:
1- the overall crime rate in the US is not greater than the world average
2- the fact citizens owns weapons is a deterrent against invasion or tyranny

The issue has different aspects , but a BBC journalist alone certainly doesn't solve it.

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
6. What horse-shit. SLBM's take care of that. STAM, SAMS, Nukes are the deterrents not AR's.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:59 AM
Dec 2015

Should every household run out and load up on military weapons? Why have Americans become so cowardly?

 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
8. ACBMs against tyranny?
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:01 AM
Dec 2015

Democracies are young, imperfect flowers.

Never take them for granted.

imho.

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
11. Kno. Not tyranny. Cops are militarized. They are also Americans. And we both know they know how
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:08 AM
Dec 2015

to kill.

 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
13. And?
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:11 AM
Dec 2015

Never trust democracy and freedom are eternal.

I feel safer knowing there are checks and balances.

That's the main reason I am for the right to bear arms.

But I also like the fact it deterred a famous Japanese Admiral.

 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
15. 1- balance citizens/government 2- Yamamoto
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:27 AM
Dec 2015

1- when citizens do not have weapons, it is possible
• for a person to stay in power unopposed (Mugabe, rigging elections using police)
• for a small, determined group to seize and hold power against the majority (Lenin in 17-22)

2- the quote by Admiral Yamamoto, while maybe apocryphal, does reflect something rather true. I don't think anyone, China included, could entertain any hope of holding the continental US.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
24. "Democracies are young, imperfect flowers."
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:44 AM
Dec 2015

I suppose next you will claim other countries aren't as free as us.

 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
27. Putting words in my mouth?
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:48 AM
Dec 2015

I was talking about democracies in general.

And at 'Democracy Index' rankings, the US is never at the top.

Besides, where would you ever have detected nationalism in anything I ever wrote, I wonder.

 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
21. I was talking in general terms
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:34 AM
Dec 2015

But China itself was invaded and ruled by the Mongols.

Who is to say who would want to invade the US one day?

History grinds slowly but grinds exceedingly fine.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
26. The largest air force in the world is the US Air Force....
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:48 AM
Dec 2015

The second largest in the US Navy.

It's doubtful they'll go against each other outside of the gridiron.

 

Yorktown

(2,884 posts)
36. The problem won't be geography, but history.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 04:52 AM
Dec 2015

Example: Califronia and Nevada secede to keep sole exploitation of mines of birchtonium which have been discovered in 2072 and is incredibly valuable (birchtonium being the primary additive to make zlapisctrum, as anyone knows)

To keep on to their riches, they invite in China which has turned ultracapitalistic and inclusive while the US East Coast is ruled by a US President which wants to levy a tax on birchtonium mines.

It's just one scenario. I don't know the future, but the chances of the USA having the same borders as today in 100 years time are historically doubtful.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
48. Didn't we have a revolution...
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:54 PM
Dec 2015

so we wouldn't have to pay any fucking attention to what the British say?

LibDemAlways

(15,139 posts)
5. I would like to see a worldwide boycott of tourism and
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:57 AM
Dec 2015

nonessential business travel to the US. If citizens of other countries stopped coming until stricter gun control measures were enacted, and corporate America suffered as a result, Congress might finally decide to act. Money is the only thing these assholes understand.

 

ErikJ

(6,335 posts)
17. Tourism may plummet anyway, forcing the tourism industry
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:46 AM
Dec 2015

to battle the gun industry in Washington.

MoonchildCA

(1,301 posts)
7. It's not even about breaking the NRA...
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:00 AM
Dec 2015

...that's just a symptom of the larger problem. We have to break the hold of monied interests in politics. They are now simply lobbyists for the gun industry. You cannot break that until you break the system that supports it.

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
12. Bloody true
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 01:09 AM
Dec 2015

They must see us as barbarians. There is no excuse. I wish they'd come save us, I will bow to the queen I swear!!!

 

Boudica the Lyoness

(2,899 posts)
25. I was in England recently.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:48 AM
Dec 2015

I was chopping down ivy in my very elderly parent's garden and asked my 75 yr old uncle if he could sharpen the ax I was using. He said sure and put on the back seat of his car to take to his house to sharpen it. Suddenly his wife shouted in horror and he jumped out and put the ax in his trunk. They were afraid of getting arrested for possession of a deadly weapon.

You can't own pepper spray/mace, carry any sort of point sharp object. You can't hurt a criminal while they are in your house doing you mischief. Fuck the BBC.

 

mr blur

(7,753 posts)
37. Sounds like absolute nonsense. "Fuck the BBC"? Really?
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 09:48 AM
Dec 2015

Because your uncle's wife thinks they could get arrested for having an axe on the back seat of the car? Or carry any sharp object? Please.

Perhaps you think we should all have automatic rifles over here so that we can take them with us when we go out grocery shopping? You know, just to prove how free we are and to settle any arguments over a parking space?

 

Boudica the Lyoness

(2,899 posts)
41. An ax is considered a weapon in England.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:16 PM
Dec 2015

And to you that sounds ludicrous, like it should. The offense weapon laws in the UK are the end result of taking away people's rights to defend themselves. They understand if a gun is a weapon so is a ax, hammer, screw driver. You can only carry those objects if you are performing your job that requires them.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
49. See post #48 above.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 03:57 PM
Dec 2015
"Fuck the BBC."

I couldn't agree more, except they carry lots of Star Trek and those occasional shows about big breasts.

napi21

(45,806 posts)
34. The one part of that BBC journalist's statement that I agree with is "Break the NRA".
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 04:13 AM
Dec 2015

I however would modify it to BREAK THE STRANGLEHOLD THE NRA HAS ON OUR LAWMAKERS! There are lots of ways to improve the gun mess we now have WITHOUT infringing on the second amendment. The dumb asses in the Senate voted a good one down today! Why are you all so upset that omeone from another country pointed out our failure regarding guns? Truth hurts?

My hubby is a lifetime member of the NRA, but he's told them EVERY TIME THEY CALL that they are 100% WRONG in their stubborn position of "NO RESTRICTIONS" on guns. When he's not available I tell them the same thing. They called once trying to convince he how BAD Obama is. They hung up when he told them H thought he was doing a good job.

I understand that a lot of the members of the NRA feel the same as we do and are not afraid to voice their opinion. I want the patsies in congress to vote for what's best for the Country, their campaign contributions be damned!

 

davidn3600

(6,342 posts)
39. I dont really care what a British journalist thinks about our Constitution
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 09:55 AM
Dec 2015

There is no way to "dismantle" the NRA unless you want to trample the first, second, and fourth amendments.

And I'm not going to support that.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
44. Actually, there is.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:26 PM
Dec 2015

I've been yelling it from the rooftops for 2 days. If you want to scuttle the NRA, join the NRA because then you can vote for leadership.

They only have 5M members and most of those people don't vote for their leadership. It wouldn't take a lot of effort to swamp-out their leadership by stacking the ranks with people that want real gun-control change. It doesn't require trampling the Constitution...it just requires planned action.

Join the NRA so you too can vote to fire Wayne LaPierre!

ileus

(15,396 posts)
40. Wonder if he knows the real power behind the NRA.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 09:57 AM
Dec 2015

It's not a silly 5 million membership to a non-profit that's for sure.




But it's an easy target so the brits can go for it I suppose.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
42. Interesting. I will have to contact Mr. Heslehurst about my plan/strategy to swamp the NRA.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 12:23 PM
Dec 2015

It's not hard really. Most members of the NRA eligible to vote for their leadership don't vote.

I figure it would only take about 25,000 gun-control activists to swamp-out the NRA membership, nominate an alternate slate of board members and directors, vote for those alternates thus removing the hardliners from the board and kicking Wayne LaPierre out on his ass, advocate for sensible gun-control laws, and deprive the gun-nutters of both their largest war-chest and loudest mouthpiece. It wouldn't take as much to break the NRA as some people think.

It's a 9-figure war-chest and it would only take a bit of planned action to take it from the rabid gun-nuts forever.

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
47. Several journos I know have said the exact same thing upon their return to Homeland Detroit USA.
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 02:04 PM
Dec 2015

They are sooooo surprised at the difference in news coverage, from what gets covered to its depth and to the context it's placed.

They're even amazed at how different CNN covers the news from back home sweet home.

I've asked some if they feel like fish out of water, being journalists swimming around in a pool of falsehood, and they just stare back then look away.

patsimp

(915 posts)
51. let people carry loaded guns at all times in the nra building and in republican headquarters
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 10:22 PM
Dec 2015

we'll see what happens to their support for their twisted version of the 2nd amendment.

TexasMommaWithAHat

(3,212 posts)
52. Considering that England is the next likely terrorist target
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 10:36 PM
Dec 2015

I don't think it was very smart to make that particular comment at this particular time.

Snobblevitch

(1,958 posts)
53. I have a question about television news,
Fri Dec 4, 2015, 10:38 PM
Dec 2015

not a question about guns in the U.S.

It is common in U.S. television to see reporters and anchors from the U.K. Is it common in the U.K. to see TV reporters and anchors who are from the U.S.? I have wondered about this for a while. (This is not about guns, I have a background in broadcasting.)

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