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JI7

(93,647 posts) Tue Aug 20, 2013, 06:02 PM Aug 2013

Australian calls for Boycott of US over lack of Gun Control after shooting [View all]

<Yesterday, former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has urged Australian tourists to boycott the US in the wake of the shooting murder of the Melbourne baseball star.

Mr Fischer said he was deeply angered by the latest tragedy and said turning our backs on America would help send a stern message about the need for tighter gun control.

Mr Fischer, who led Australia's gun control reforms alongside former prime minister John Howard in 1996, said choosing not to travel to the US would help build pressure on the US Congress to finally act.

"Tourists thinking of going to the USA should think twice,'' Mr Fischer said.

"This is the bitter harvest and legacy of the policies of the NRA that even blocked background checks for people buying guns at gunshows.>

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/two-teens-charged-with-murdering-melbourne-baseball-player-chris-lane/story-fni0fiyv-1226700172461

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Australian calls for Boycott of US over lack of Gun Control after shooting [View all] JI7 Aug 2013 OP

money is the only thing our country seems to undertand. I don't blame him for wanting liberal_at_heart Aug 2013 #1

What the Aussies really need to do is stop giving a market to US gun runners. nt kelliekat44 Aug 2013 #93

So long as its OK for Americans to boycott Australian tourism, good and services in response. branford Aug 2013 #2

generally supporting gun control is a great idea but the cold hard facts are that the NRA and the liberal_at_heart Aug 2013 #3

Our laws most certainly favor gun ownership, it's in the damn federal Constitution. branford Aug 2013 #16

Many of the amendments have exceptions. MissMarple Aug 2013 #17

The problems you focus on are mostly addressed by current law. branford Aug 2013 #22

Thank you for your thoughtful replies. I live in Colorado Springs, CO. MissMarple Aug 2013 #60

My point is basically that the gun debate is complicated. branford Aug 2013 #63

Concealed carry is insane? VADem1980 Aug 2013 #54

To obtain a concealed carry license on line seems insane to me. MissMarple Aug 2013 #55

Actually, it is. VADem1980 Aug 2013 #84

In my state, anyone over 16 can conceal carry- no license necessary cali Aug 2013 #95

Yeah, because those stupid punks who shot the Aussie were clearly Tanuki Aug 2013 #31

Did you even read my comment? branford Aug 2013 #37

I live in Australia � and travel internationally a lot . . . MrModerate Aug 2013 #44

Australians have a much higher median wealth than we do. It probably hurts us more than them if we stevenleser Aug 2013 #7

US population is 14 times that of Australia. tritsofme Aug 2013 #18

It's likely that people in other countries may join in. MissMarple Aug 2013 #19

One can only hope... NeoConsSuck Aug 2013 #30

The difference is huge, not "marginal". That overcomes the population difference stevenleser Aug 2013 #21

Interesting. Curious, is this your theory? tritsofme Aug 2013 #23

Theory? I've included the stats on median wealth per adult for the countries. Do the math. stevenleser Aug 2013 #25

So then the answer is no? tritsofme Aug 2013 #32

OK, took some doing. Here are the stats... stevenleser Aug 2013 #36

Interesting, the Aussies definitely get out! tritsofme Aug 2013 #38

See #39 below. I should dig further into my own links!!!!!! nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #40

Good catch! Kenneth Thomas Aug 2013 #70

Thank you so much for your great blogpost. stevenleser Aug 2013 #79

I'd be happy to Kenneth Thomas Aug 2013 #85

Sent! nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #100

And I did cite you in my new column at US News & World Report Kenneth Thomas Aug 2013 #98

There are a couple of other factors that affect the significance of 'median wealth' . . . MrModerate Aug 2013 #86

Many of those prices are very similar to the big US cities and their suburbs stevenleser Aug 2013 #88

Your point is well taken, but. . . MrModerate Aug 2013 #89

Here it is. This is it. From those same links, another important stat I didn't see at first stevenleser Aug 2013 #39

One in eight Aussies live in poverty Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #92

Interesting. From reading your own link, both stats can be more or less true stevenleser Aug 2013 #97

Not quite Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #99

Ugh. I've never seen these statistics before. ForgoTheConsequence Aug 2013 #59

It's actually more dramatic than that indicates stevenleser Aug 2013 #64

WTF? An average Italian is worth almost 3x the average German?! Rstrstx Aug 2013 #66

That's one reason so many Germans oppose the bailouts Kenneth Thomas Aug 2013 #69

Yes. Many misconceptions about Italy as a "poor country". Democracyinkind Aug 2013 #77

That assumes all American's would agree to participate in this reverse boycott CincyDem Aug 2013 #27

Right, the motivations would be totally different. Don't go to a place that might kill you, or stevenleser Aug 2013 #33

It's silly all around. It assumes that anyone of any consequence would agree to it on either side. tritsofme Aug 2013 #34

Ask South Africa how that worked for them. CincyDem Aug 2013 #35

hey you let us know how that boycott works out for you, mkay? frylock Aug 2013 #56

I'm not advocating a boycott, that is precisely my point. branford Aug 2013 #65

they shot him in the back while he was jogging and they were in a car JI7 Aug 2013 #73

given the choice, would you rather face someone with a kitchen knife.. frylock Aug 2013 #82

Aussies are some of the most traveled people on the planet. joshcryer Aug 2013 #78

I imagine that there some who would boycott Australia due to their low rate LanternWaste Aug 2013 #91

Can't say I blame them. I'm glad I live in a city with a lot of gun control. nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #4

I don't blame them either (feel free to frame this rare point of agreement). n/t DisgustipatedinCA Aug 2013 #9

I'll blow it out of the water and agree with BOTH of you. nt Robb Aug 2013 #43

Good for him Ruby the Liberal Aug 2013 #5

The NRA is about to turn the outrage/smear machine up to 11 Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #6

when that happens DU's resident gun humpers get animated too Skittles Aug 2013 #47

Maybe this will get the Australian gun laws and their effect on gun violence on the radar here. MissMarple Aug 2013 #8

If dancing in the middle of times square in a speedo swimsuit and top hat would work, I'd try that. stevenleser Aug 2013 #10

Maybe the three crazy teens with a gun in the middle of Oklahoma will make some people blink. MissMarple Aug 2013 #13

It's unfalthomable the depravity that went into killing Cha Aug 2013 #11

If you go to Australia marions ghost Aug 2013 #12

Add the wage and wealth fairness they have there and I am sure crime and violence is low. stevenleser Aug 2013 #26

The truth that many Americans don't want to see... marions ghost Aug 2013 #41

I talk about wage fairness on my show a lot. It will be the top topic again this week! nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #42

Keep on talkin marions ghost Aug 2013 #46

I certainly understand the anger...and he's right...the NRA owns our joeybee12 Aug 2013 #14

That would be awesome. nt bemildred Aug 2013 #15

Good n/t malaise Aug 2013 #20

That didn't take long. PowerToThePeople Aug 2013 #24

an individual calling for a boycott isn't international relations n/t Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #48

Good for them! n/t Moses2SandyKoufax Aug 2013 #28

K&R I'm game for just about anything that will improve gun control. Number23 Aug 2013 #29

Yeah, the perps were clearly NRA members. Skip Intro Aug 2013 #45

He didn't say they were NRA members... Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #76

If only the US would pass a law making it illegal for minors to buy firearms (nt) Recursion Aug 2013 #49

Stay on your side of the Hemisphere then HolyMoley Aug 2013 #50

It's actually "Men At Work" Scootaloo Aug 2013 #58

plus they seem to be confused about AC/DC Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #61

Now that's just mean Scootaloo Aug 2013 #62

I know, but claiming they're our greatest gift to civilisation deserves a harsh response... Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #71

Pffft. Everyone knows what your greatest gift to civilization REALLY is... Scootaloo Aug 2013 #75

Check with most unattached young women . . . MrModerate Aug 2013 #87

We continue to horrify the world. DirkGently Aug 2013 #51

Boy I need to stay out of this one. BlueJazz Aug 2013 #52

Yes, it might be difficult for you... Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #72

Ah..Yes...No matter what I say, feelings will get hurt. BlueJazz Aug 2013 #83

Don't blame 'em. There should be a world wide boycott. MotherPetrie Aug 2013 #53

My family and I don't go back anymore (2003) I just don't feel safe joelz Aug 2013 #57

I totally sympathize with his point and request, but he seems to not understand that Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #67

Full-Auto with hookers and blow. Who needs gambling? :) branford Aug 2013 #68

Well, the gambling has and continues to be less of a draw, overall. Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #80

they are able to buy guns and take them back home with them ? JI7 Aug 2013 #74

Not even close to most, but many and the numbers are still growing Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #81

there are times i would like the boycott the us too dembotoz Aug 2013 #90

But we do have gun control typeviic Aug 2013 #94

We have varying degrees of gun control depending on the jurisdiction cali Aug 2013 #96