Gun Control

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Sunday Link-Off: Taking Control

Another week, another mass shooting in America. By some analysis, there have been as many mass shootings in the US so far this year as there have been days this year. Sure, America loves their guns but at a certain point, they have to admit that they may have a problem that can’t be solved by just throwing more guns at it.

Anyway, it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s kick off this post with Salma Hayek who I wasn’t able to see at TIFF. That reminds me that I still owe you guys some film festival reviews.

The last known photos of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo were taken by a French tourist who also found himself making eye contact with the shooter. (Ottawa Citizen)

There was another mass shooting in America this week. Mass shootings illustrate many problems, including what’s wrong with news reporters in America. (The Concourse)

And that mass shooting also gave us another chance to see what’s wrong with America’s gun culture. (Vox)

Continue reading →

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Taking Control

nina-agdal-nicholasroutzen13-02It’s the end of the week. It’s been a busy one at Lowdown HQ too with all the work we did for Canadian Gaming Week. Maybe we’ll do that again in the future but for now we’ll resume normal programming. So let’s start today’s links with Nina Agdal.

The week before last was about two things: Terrorism and gun control. At first, those were two separate issues. Now, you can actually link the two as bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev was on an FBI watch list but was still able to buy high-powered firearms. (Bloomberg)

Midterm elections in the US Congress is still a ways away but gun control could be the biggest issue in 2014. (The New Republic)

Australia banned all semi-automatic and automatic firearms despite concerns over the effect it might have over people’s safety. Almost 20 years later, Australia is one of the safest places in the world to live. To be honest, I felt safer in Australia than I did in Toronto or Ottawa. (Uproxx)

Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Under Control

We’ve reached the end of another week. Shockingly, I didn’t freeze to death here in Canada. The week before last was above zero and most of the snow melted. From Thursday through to last night, I’d say I’ve seen about a foot-and-a-half of snow. Why the hell did anyone establish a permanent settlement somewhere so cold and snowy? Anyway, let’s heat things up with Jennifer Garner.

President Obama signed his executive orders on gun control that Congress will eventually veto because the NRA has intimidated what little common sense remains in the Republican Party. Anyhow, here’s a look at what Obama’s proposal includes. (Think Progress)

Shootings in America aren’t just a mass shooting problem. In the month after Newtown, 919 people were killed by guns. (National Post)

It’s only four years after Barack Obama made history by becoming the first black President in United States history. However, just by looking at him, you couldn’t tell that it’s been only four years. (Washington Post)

After the jump, a look at the inconclusive link between violence and video games, where does Livestrong’s money go and Luongo Unchained. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: ‘Twas 48 Hours Before Christmas

bar-refaeli-underme12-05It’s time for our last linkdump before Christmas. Don’t worry, we’ll still be posting over the holidays. I still haven’t sorted out what is going up on Tuesday but we’ll even have something then. For now, here’s a Christmas-themed Bar Refaeli.

The NRA finally spoke about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Friday. Their solution, as expected, was more guns. The problem is that what they’re asking for to protect people’s freedoms is going to have the exact opposite effect. (Slate)

The other problem with more guns is that giving every Tom, Dick and Harry guns won’t solve anything. Armed civilians only solve problems when they’re trained police or military personnel who happen to be in the right place at the right time. (Mother Jones)

The right might think more guns is the answer but the man who owns the loudest “news” voice of the right disagrees. Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch is advocating for gun control while Fox News isn’t. (New York Magazine)

After the jump, more about the Newtown shooting, the history of Fire Joe Morgan, and a modernized Home Alone sequel. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Reframing the Discussion

kelly-brook-newlook12-25‘Twas middle of the week before Christmas and all through HQ,
not a blogger was blogging. Not even… using undo?

Okay, I’m never going to make it as a poet. Maybe I’ll just stick to the links for today. Don’t worry, though. We’re still busy plugging away on posts. I’ll have a couple of video game posts to close out the week. Still working on next week, though. Next Wednesday will be our year-in-review set of links. I’ll probably have a best games of 2012 post next week, too. For today, it’s normal programming. Let’s start with English model Kelly Brook.

A lot of the hate after the Sunny Hook Elementary School Shooting was focused on the NRA and the so-called gun nuts. However, this has allowed the gun companies who make these guns to get away without any criticism or scorn. Maybe it’s time for that to change. (Gawker)

Contrary to some of the excuses people grasp at when tragedies like this occurs, part of the problem of why mass shootings is that easy access to excessively destructive firearms to very much engrained in American culture. (CBC News)

The NRA made a statement yesterday saying they won’t make a statement until Friday. They’ve been extremely silent since the Newtown shooting. (Ad Week) Like the Magary column up top said, maybe we should focus on Big Gun instead.

After the jump, the lack of connection between video games and gun violence, the story behind the fake Mass Effect 4 interview and an NBA Christmas album. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: The Right Time To Talk

chrissy-teigen-beachbunny12-07It’s the end of the week… Or maybe it’s the start of a new week. It all depends on your perspective and calendar. Maybe we should go with new week after the last couple of weeks. Anyway, let’s get started with one of Twitter’s common sense advocates, Chrissy Teigen.

The gun control debate might finally get going in earnest after Friday’s shooting in Newtown. If you’re looking for facts about mass shooting in the United States, start here. (Wonkblog – Washington Post)

Everyone that says that we shouldn’t politicize the Newtown shooting is politicizing it by trying to let any discourse over gun control end quietly. When they stop using that line, those trying to protect “freedoms” will start parroting these lies. (Think Progress) The fact of the matter is that if gun control would eliminate freedoms, traffic lights and speed limits should go too. If you think if this wouldn’t have happened if the kids and teachers were all packing heat, you are also obligated to believe that people should be free to buy cocaine, heroin, crystal meth and bath salts without fear of criminal penalty. It’s just the same damn thing.

The truth is that now isn’t the right time to talk about gun control. It’s too late. Everyday is the right day to talk about gun control. (The Daily Beast)

After the jump, the media’s coverage of the shooting, a breakdown of the new Wii Mini and Gangnam Style martial arts. Continue reading →