I blogged about this about two weeks ago, but due to the proximity of the anniversaries of the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings, it's worth another look.
This is a BBC essay, "America's Safety Catch", by correspondent Justin Webb. Here is a sample:
This is a BBC essay, "America's Safety Catch", by correspondent Justin Webb. Here is a sample:
Brits arriving in New York, hoping to avoid being slaughtered on day one of their shopping mission to Manhattan are, by day two, beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about. By day three they have had the scales lifted from their eyes.
I have met incredulous British tourists who have been shocked to the core by the peacefulness of the place, the lack of the violent undercurrent so ubiquitous in British cities, even British market towns.
"It seems so nice here," they quaver.
Well, it is!
....
It is a paradox. Along with the guns there is a tranquility and civility about American life of which most British people can only dream.
It's a miracle! Of course, the author of a piece like this will never draw the conclusion that, just perhaps, the reason for all this peace and tranquility is the very EXISTENCE of those guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens (except in places like, you know, New York City).
ReplyDeleteFunny that Darling Rachel has drawn the same conclusion -- surprising civility contrasting with media reports -- about England.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one part of the problem is the media reports?
M
Yeah, Rachel is already starting to get the "Eloi vs Morlocks" vibe.
ReplyDelete