Another shooting.

[t3ch]

Local news reporting of an 'incident' and shots fired at a local high school in the county over...
Getting a little close for comfort. Will be discussing our future in the states after I finish work today

There was an incident involving a teacher in georgia today... right as Florida makes a motion to arm teachers.

fucking morons. but then, Florida, so...

As an outsider looking in,what's gone wrong? Weekly mass shootings,job security,trump,or just a general feeling of like we have in the UK the country is screwed,or a bit of all that?

what's gone wrong with what? gun violence, or something more general?

That hasn't been any different for years though.

I loved America when living there, but that's neatly 20 years ago now. It seems a much angrier place now but that's from the outside looking in and it's very different to that. Even being back for visits it seems as though the whole place is a bit more on edge.

I never met one person like Alan though.

different looking in, indeed. people could make a case for avoiding London because of bombings, but I'm sure you'd feel fine going there. the rise of nationalism, xenophobia, violence, and economic worry/instability is (unfortunately) not confined to within our north american border. scary.

this is the first time in my life that politics have filtered down to personal levels at such high degrees. normally it's been something people can disagree about and move on, but there's just so much going on that yeah, we as a people have upped the intensity notch a few levels. I've never actively disliked people for their political leanings before the last few years but I find myself thinking "what a piece of shit" relatively often about all sorts while probably not having any right to do so. not sure if this is because of the climate or because I'm getting older. just feels like the stakes are a lot higher. like we're at a turning point of some kind.

 

[Johnny75]

I get that impression to t3ch. Is it just a combination of everything all at the same time, a perfect storm of shitness?

 

[Tredman]

this is the first time in my life that politics have filtered down to personal levels at such high degrees. normally it's been something people can disagree about and move on, but there's just so much going on that yeah, we as a people have upped the intensity notch a few levels. I've never actively disliked people for their political leanings before the last few years but I find myself thinking "what a piece of shit" relatively often about all sorts while probably not having any right to do so. not sure if this is because of the climate of because I'm getting older. just feels like the stakes are a lot higher. like we're at a turning point of some kind.

Agree with a lot and it's the same here too. Society as a whole is more polarised, Trump over there and Corbyn here are massively on the edge of their traditional political parties - it's made everything that's more stark.

On a personal note I've had to stop going on Facebook as people I consider friends repost or like random racist / xenophobic shit. Much like the Brexit debate it drags people to really not good places.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

London isn't bombing central. Since 2005 I struggle to think of any off the top of my head. And trust me 7/7 is tattooed to the inside of my head. I will never forget that day

 

[t3ch]

London isn't bombing central. Since 2005 I struggle to think of any off the top of my head. And trust me 7/7 is tattooed to the inside of my head. I will never forget that day

off the top of my head, there was just one in September.... ???

I hadn't meant to imply it was. I'm just saying shit goes down a lot of places, we have a gun problem right now but I still don't feel unsafe in any general fashion. I'm not scared to go to the store, nor would I avoid any major events, not travel, etc. I just see some of the "I would never go there!" comments and they seem kinda weird to me. My mom didn't want to go to France (France? is that right?) after the bombing last year, and I told her she was being silly.

besides, Americans just need to stay outta high schools and they'll be safe.

 

[t3ch]

I get that impression to t3ch. Is it just a combination of everything all at the same time, a perfect storm of shitness?

when people like murdoch and ailes get to set the agenda via a single point for an entire nationwide party for 20 years... welp this is what we get. the art of controlling politics have gone a bit off the rails and the current rage-soup climate has been a long time coming.

the #1 news source (by far) in America is a network which has consistently shown (for years) to 1) tell the most lies and 2) have the least policy-educated viewership of any other source, and their rabid base rarely questions anything served in front of them... when half of the populace has been trained to be willfully ignorant and unquestioningly partisan of their party to the point of mind numbing hypocrisy and nonsensicality, all while the other party sees no reason to bother with leadership, vision, or a unified party-front... nothing gets done.

both parties gerrymander which causes near guaranteed victory for half of the seats in the country, meaning even some of the shittiest public servants remain in a job. blue districts just get more blue, red get more red, and the talking points get that much more extreme. the middle doesn't exist. a congress that is the most gridlocked in history, with an approval rating lower than that of herpes, somehow keeps getting re-elected...

I mean jesus.

in a time when religious enrollment is trending sharply downward, womens equality is going through a 2nd revolution, gay rights, trans rights, interracial acceptance, immigration, terrorism, rural degradation, globalization/technology, a "youth" the older generations can't relate to, housing bubbles, gentrification, police brutality, medical bankruptcy, prescription addiction, student debt, lagging middle class... and yet no one actually feels represented due to corporate and special interest pressure on representatives (who spend most of their time fundraising, rather than governing) and an increasing inability to reach across the aisle to get things done... FFS disaster relief isn't even a bipartisan issue anymore....

a lot of people are rightfully mad about a lot of things a lot of the time.


edit --- sorry this was really ranty (edit edit -- cleaned up a bit)

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

when people like murdoch and ailes get to set the agenda via a single point for an entire nationwide party for 20 years... the art of controlling politics have gone a bit off the rails and made the current rage-soup has been a long time coming.

the #1 news source (by far) in America is a network which has consistently shown (for years) to 1) tell the most lies and 2) have the least policy-educated viewership of any other source, and their rabid base rarely questions anything served in front of them... FYI when half of the populace is willfully ignorant and partisan to the point of rage inducing hypocrisy and nonsensicality, it doesn't lead to productive conversations.

both parties gerrymander which leads to only further polarization of talking points. blue districts just get more blue, and red more red. the middle doesn't exist. a congress that is the most gridlocked in history, with an approval rating lower than that of herpes, somehow keeps getting re-elected...

I mean jesus.

in a time when religious enrollment is trending sharply downward, womens equality is going through a 2nd revolution, gay rights, trans rights, interracial acceptance, immigration, terrorism, rural degradation, globalization/technology, a "youth" the older generations can't relate to... and yet no one actually feels represented due to corporate and special interest pressure on representatives (who spend most of their time fundraising, rather than governing).... a lot of people are rightfully mad.


edit --- sorry this was really ranty

Don't fucking apologise!

That is a powerful statement. Be proud of it. At least you have the insight to pick the bones out of it so eloquently.

(And yes - I did forget Parsons Green)

 

[Johnny75]

Don't fucking apologise!

That is a powerful statement. Be proud of it. At least you have the insight to pick the bones out of it so eloquently.

What he said t3ch. As I said earlier I think the USA is a great place and I'd leave no problem living there.

 

[Derby Wolf]

If you can ignore the parts which are publicity stunts Michael Moore does an excellent content analysis of the main stream media in America in Bowling for Columbine, he highlights how a constant fear of an attack coming anywhere, at any time by anybody is literally just around the corner, nobody is safe. Quite easy then for that hypervigilance to become trigger happy, particularly if you add A with T3ch's analysis of the audience.

 

[UKYankieWWFC]

Not sure why you'd want to stay here if you had the option to leave, honestly.

Why would I leave? Murica (so far) been kind to us. Not saying that the UK didn't but I'm certainly an outsider looking in and often feel that way but i am guessing i am only 1 of a handful of people who have lived in both countries and see the pros and cons of each.
America has offered so much, i have probably travelled more than the average American since i moved here 6 years ago, the weather is pretty cool where we live, 4 actual seasons, the scenery is lovely and a short ride to some nice metro areas like Nashville, Atlanta and Knoxville.

However I do have a get out of jail card, I can go back home pretty much anytime we choose, I kept my bank accounts open and pay my NI stamp bi-annually.

 

[Alan]

Maybe I'm just jaded. I don't particularly care to stay here.

 

[UKYankieWWFC]

Maybe I'm just jaded. I don't particularly care to stay here.

And you have options to go elsewhere?

 

[lemonjelly]

when people like murdoch and ailes get to set the agenda via a single point for an entire nationwide party for 20 years... welp this is what we get. the art of controlling politics have gone a bit off the rails and the current rage-soup climate has been a long time coming.

the #1 news source (by far) in America is a network which has consistently shown (for years) to 1) tell the most lies and 2) have the least policy-educated viewership of any other source, and their rabid base rarely questions anything served in front of them... when half of the populace has been trained to be willfully ignorant and unquestioningly partisan of their party to the point of mind numbing hypocrisy and nonsensicality, all while the other party sees no reason to bother with leadership, vision, or a unified party-front... nothing gets done.

both parties gerrymander which causes near guaranteed victory for half of the seats in the country, meaning even some of the shittiest public servants remain in a job. blue districts just get more blue, red get more red, and the talking points get that much more extreme. the middle doesn't exist. a congress that is the most gridlocked in history, with an approval rating lower than that of herpes, somehow keeps getting re-elected...

I mean jesus.

in a time when religious enrollment is trending sharply downward, womens equality is going through a 2nd revolution, gay rights, trans rights, interracial acceptance, immigration, terrorism, rural degradation, globalization/technology, a "youth" the older generations can't relate to, housing bubbles, gentrification, police brutality, medical bankruptcy, prescription addiction, student debt, lagging middle class... and yet no one actually feels represented due to corporate and special interest pressure on representatives (who spend most of their time fundraising, rather than governing) and an increasing inability to reach across the aisle to get things done... FFS disaster relief isn't even a bipartisan issue anymore....

a lot of people are rightfully mad about a lot of things a lot of the time.


edit --- sorry this was really ranty (edit edit -- cleaned up a bit)

tbf, that doesn't just apply to the US matey.

 

[Alan]

And you have options to go elsewhere?

Not as far as I know!

 

[The Bear]

Canada/Alaska. It's lovely and cold up there so you'd love it.

 

[Alan]

I'm working on making those opportunities, Bear. Norway is my top choice, then probably Canada as you suggest.

 

[lemonjelly]

Arm the teachers! great idea!
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/a-georgia-teacher-fired-a-shot-in-his-classroom/ar-BBJJfTI?li=AAnZ9Ug&ocid=mailsignout

 

[PPB]

In today's news, Wal-Mart will stop selling guns to people under 21.

I suppose it's a start!!

Still seems unreal to me that you can go and buy ya sprouts, crisps, soup and milk, then pop into the next aisle and buy a big fuck off gun!

 

[Parkins left foot]

In today's news, Wal-Mart will stop selling guns to people under 21.

I suppose it's a start!!

Still seems unreal to me that you can go and buy ya sprouts, crisps, soup and milk, then pop into the next aisle and buy a big fuck off gun!

Another US store (can't remember the name) said they were stopping selling automatic weapons as well - it's a start

 

[darlowolf64]

Another US store (can't remember the name) said they were stopping selling automatic weapons as well - it's a start

Toys-R-Us?