Newtown shooting: when it comes to guns and violence, America is like a failed state

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/16/newtown-shooting-america-gun-laws-failed-again

In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness the character of Kurtz, at his life's end, has a moment of profound lucidity, which prompts his last words: "The horror."

This weekend in the wake of the latest terrible mass shooting in the US, at a primary school in Connecticut, which claimed the lives of 27 innocent people including 20 children, a similar public mood appears to have taken hold, given its most powerful expression in the moving speech by a President Barack Obama on the edge of tears.

It is early days yet but the first indications are that the Newtown massacre has inspired a rare moment of national self-reflection over what is obvious to outside observers: that gun control in the US has failed with horrific consequences.

In a single year – as Obama articulated – the US has also seen mass killings at a Sikh temple, a shopping mall and a cinema.

[DrDan]

1. "like a failed state"? - when it comes to guns and violence we ARE a failed state

[Cobalt Violet]

2. We've let the baby killers at the NRA control the debate instead of their guns.

[xchrom]

3. +1

[liberal N proud]

4. There is NO save haven!

With all the conceal carry laws and assault weapons in the hands of so many people with questionable values and diminished mental states, you are in danger of being shot absolutely any where in this country.

[Coyotl]

5. "is like" or IS?

Why beat around the bush? It is a societal failure, period!