Canada’s latest crime numbers are down despite the hype caused by recent shooting in Toronto and in the Unites States. This might just be an indication of how complex is the problem of violence in the 24/7 information age. Data from Statistics Canada offered little that was new. Violent crime numbers generally have been declining for more than a decade. Yet the hysteria over the level of crime continues to rise, fed by a political class hungry to capitalize on any incident worthy of making the news. No sooner, had the Stats Can report been released - Public Safety Minister Vic Towes was crediting last year’s decline in crime. Even though it was passed AFTER most of the data was collected, the conservative majority rammed a new bill through Parliament, which remains to wrote into law. The full impact of the changes to the criminal law provisions in Canada have yet to be placed into law.
It isn’t just in United States where hypocrisy rules the political class; it’s been a situation within Canada’s government as well – not to mention Europe.
In the wake of Aurora, Colorado’s shootings, United States politicians have been dancing around Americas absurd gun ownership laws. New York City Mayor Bloomberg demanded to know what President Obama and Republican contender Romney intend to do to curb the availability of military- style automatic weapons with the high capacity clips. In past lives both had advocated for stricter gun control, but with the presidency on the line, neither wants to go up against the National Rifle Association. The NRA’s opposition to gun control not only affects America. Its impact affects counties on both side of the border.
The majority of handguns and military-style weapons used in crimes in Mexico and Canada come from the United States. While Canadians might get outraged about the American gun laws, meanwhile, the Canadian is trying to derail or at least water down an attempt by the United Nations to construct an effective international treaty to govern global arms trade.
Now that’s two side of the coin – not just one. Where Canada sits within all of this? It does not support mandatory reporting of ammunition, parts and components, as well as technology and equipment transfers.
One would wonder why Canada would oppose a freight gun control when gun violence at home provides such a handy debate for politicians. In the wake of a meeting between Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Prime Minister Harper. Harper blamed the courts and immigration for Canada’s problem with violence. While wide-open gun laws may make certain incidents worse, strict gun laws don’t stop the violence either. That has been clear in Europe, where mass killings have occurred in Finland, Norway, Britain, Germany, and France in recent years. Many experts suggest that many factors give rise to violence. Which include; mental health issues, poverty, isolation, radicalization, cultural tolerance – yet most of all – ACCESS.
As long as politicians exploit Violence as a Weapon to Promote their own agenda and degrade their opponents’ policies, it shall be a hard to adopt an approach to combat the problem.
Whatever happened to LEADER-SHIP?
Good post Jack...I've noticed in Canada your courts don't hand down the extreme sentences that are handed down by courts here in the US. Hell we have thousands of people serving life on simple pot charges...many people here in the US figure they might as well try and shoot their way out of an arrest as to face life in prison.always head "the stiffer the punishment, the more desperate the criminal"
ReplyDeleteTrue what I was amazed with is two fold Mike. The leadership banter that goes on within Canada's government as well as in the US as well for that matter real leadership. Last I was amazed at how guns do get traded into Canada is that they are sent within parts only. Yet the UN is trying to come up with a cohesive plan and all are shuffling away from it. I was surprised at how Canada has much of this. It leave much to be considered.
ReplyDeleteYes there is a different judicial system here I am not sure how it compares - yet no one is ever sentenced to death. I would assume it's the same judical system as in the UK.
ReplyDeleteOnce again in the US special interest groups have twisted legislation to support their needs. Of course as soon as this happened they started spin to make removing guns like this from available purchase taking away people's rights. I wish I didn't have the right to die because someone has the right to buy, carry and use their gun when the voices tell them to.
ReplyDeleteWith all those given factors roled into one, it is the ACCESS or what we called Accesibility' that plays an important role. But then again, that is a flourishing business. Ownership of it shouldn't be available to just anybody, yet, again, who can stop that. Even if the United Nations passed an International Treaty or make a 'Truce' within member nations with regards to governing global arms trade, there's still 'the back door' so to speak. And that is where the problems lies.
ReplyDeletethe NRA has everyone shaking in their boots for fear they will be outspent and lose their seat in congress or becoming president. I think there should be a ban on all weapons of high capacity and put back the musket because thats the one firearm that was used back when the Constitution was written....not these high powered rifles with magazines to hold a hundred bullets....maybe if they had to pour in the powder and take one shot every time...the crime rate would go down drastically.
ReplyDeletePresident Clinton placed into effect a law Sharon - it in fact contained only certain guns which could be used on civi street. I forget the name but it expired and no one thought to renew the bill.
ReplyDeleteI guess that was within George W's time - and he opted not to renew a ruling which was in effect but went down the drain as it was not renewed - silly it is.
I do understand and certainly do appreciate where your coming from.
Maritess, there never will be a complete within any given law. Nor where it comes from. Laws serve as a judicial purpuse and people shall break laws.
ReplyDeleteYet when there is a bill placed into law. It gives much more opportunity for enforcement. What I found was that it's not only within America over on this
side of the pond - it's a situation which does take place in Canada as well as what is considered a third world country - Mexico. Now this all taken into
consideration. I found that within Canada's system as well as America's there is politics which have entered within this process. The NRA has never
been able to penetrate into Canada as it does within United States. Regardless of this fact - I see a lack of leadership on Canada's side as well as
within America. I don't figure in Mexico's government as I don't consider the Mexican government legit. Due to a very corrupt "state" within Latin
America.
Marty precisely so & it does come down to some leaders being leaders and if there is one organization which I see as a very corrupt organization it's the NRA.
ReplyDeleteThey have allot of clout, yet Clinton was the last one able to do what you have said here. That was leadership as he could have lost his entire
2nd term. Yet he did it. This is what discerns me with PM Harper - Pres. Obama right now. I would tend to believe that more would be behind
a leader that forgets about the electoral process. Obama could do this. Harper could inact a law which contains a clause in legislation where
the amunition parts are not allowed to enter the country. Yet no one wishes to take that chance. This is why I mentioned Leadership. Harper
whom has swayed away from making a decision and Obama understands right now it's numbers. I do like both of these leaders - Harper and
Obama (as you know) but leadership as taken a backseat with gun law regulations.
I would love to be a fly on the wall and hear what former President Clinton's thoughts are.
What I think Jack is when President Obama becomes president for a second term...he will tackle these guns and the NRA, he will get some bills out there to pass a gun ban on those firearms that only are good for killing human beings. But right now...he will not try because he knows how powerful NRA is and how it has all the politicians in their pocket....and if I was the president, I would also hold off my opinions on the gun laws and bans...why get all these gun owners pissed and vote for the other guy?...only makes sense to me.
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ReplyDeleteMarty I think your right. I so wish the electoral process had a set period of time and not so lengthy.
You are so right Jack...its too long. We need it like other country's have a couple of weeks....state your case and lets get on with the vote....this is crap taking all year for these elections....and listening to the claptrap from some.
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ReplyDeleteJust arriving home again here Marty. I feel that we do have a different process going on within industralized countries. While I was heading to the grocery store I was thinking to myself - are we coming to be somewhat of a era which mimics what takes place within unindustralized countries. Is the nature of what we worked so hard for come within our own society in the nature of what we never thought would happen? I have always been an optimist. Yet when you
step aside Marty - I recall a kindred member of my family which was privy to much information. When we talked he thought that democracy was on the verge of loss. That is he felt that society on our shores was beginning to mimic within a different lingo and culture the fanatic culture of the Middle East.
Take some time and think on it. I was while I headed out and then arrived back.
There was some man that quoted that this may happen - I forget his name but it does give much to consider. Now and then I often will look outside of the platforms and then I kinda see what this man (father) had ment.
Yet I am not a radical but I do think on things...