The Quotation of the Week (September 15 - 21, 2019)

A quotation of Pope Francis on 'using God and religion
for violence and oppression,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Design: Jerome D'Costa

How Some Cartoonists See Gun Violence in the USA

Cartoon courtesy: The Toronto Star (Dec. 27, 2012)

Cartoon courtesy: The Economist (London: Dec. 22, 2012)

The Cartoon I Like

A cartoon on the National Rifle Association (NRA) of the USA and the children and teachers shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut

Cartoon courtesy: The Toronto Sun (December 18, 2012)

Domestic Terrorism Hits Connecticut Elementary School

We offer this white space surrounded by black border as a symbol of death that visited 20 innocent school children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, USA, on December 14, 2012

Graphics (Toronto: Dec. 14, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa

After shooting his mother dead at home, 20-year-old Adam Lanza killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut, reports the Associated Press. He entered two classrooms in the school and shot them dead. More than 600 children, ranging from kindergarten to Grade 4, attend this school, which is located in one of the wealthiest counties in the USA.

President Barack Obama expressed his grave sadness and called for action against such inhuman actions. 

The USA is notorious for easy availability of all kinds of guns in the name of freedom and individual rights. As a result, besides legitimate owners, many criminals, mentally-imbalanced persons and domestic terrorists can acquire arms under the existing liberal gun laws. 

The US politicians of different parties need to rise up and break the shackle of numbness and take a bold action against easy availability of arms in the country. When one or more persons kill others, it is domestic terrorism bringing in a lot of bleeding of hearts. It must be tackled head on. This violent culture must be stopped for the greater good of the Americans. There was a time in the long past when Americans needed to bear arms for expanding their frontier. Those days are over. In the new situation now, if the politicians still fail to rein in the gun culture, shame on them. They will be failing badly in their responsibility of saving American lives in face of domestic terrorism. We do hope that the American public also will demand of their politicians to make their country safe from senseless gun violence.

We offer our sincere anguish and condolence to families of the victims -- both school children and adults. May their souls rest in peace.


  

Anti-Islam US Video Film Generates Violent Protests in Muslim World

Cartoon courtesy: The Toronto Sun (Sept. 14, 2012)

The Muslim world is violently protesting the release of the amateurish video film, Innocence of Muslims, on the Internet. The video denigrates both Islam and its founder Prophet Muhammad.

Some Coptic Christians in California, USA, released the film on the Internet in last July, but it had failed to draw any attention until recently when it was telecast in Libya. On September 11, some extremist Muslims attacked the US consulate in Bengazi, breached the security barriers and set fire to the buildings. US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans who had barricaded themselves in a secure room lost their lives suffocating by the thick smoke.

The US government condemned the film as well as the violent reaction to it and vowed to bring about justice on the people who killed the Americans. The US also considers the Bengazi attack to be pre-planned by some terrorists who took advantage of the publicity about and people’s protest against the notorious video film.

The anti-film protests spread like wild fire from Libya to Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

Some of the actors in the film said that they did not know the film was about Prophet Muhammad and Islam because the original script they followed portrayed life in Arabia two thousand years ago. The makers finished the film by dubbing new dialogue.   

Some observers believe that the film was made in retaliation of violent Muslim attacks on Coptic Christians and their churches in Egypt. In these attacks, some Christians had lost their lives and properties.

In the World Inter-Faith Gathering, Pope Expresses Shame for Christians' Use of Force In the Name of Religion

In the inter-faith gathering in Assissi are seen (from left) 

Archbishop Norvan Zakarian (Armenian Apostolic Church), 

Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury (Anglican Church),

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople (Eastern 

Orthodox Church), Pope Benedict XVI (Roman Catholic Church), 

Rabbi David Rosen (Chief Rabbinate of Israel), 

Wande Abimbola (representing traditional religion 

of the Yoruba people, Nigeria) and 

Shrivatsa Goswami (representing Hinduism)

Photo @ courtesy of: www.dioceseofraleigh.org/

Pope Benedict XVI, on October 27, welcomed 300 leaders of different religions in Assissi, Italy, and appealed all to work for peace and dialogue. The theme of the one-day gathering was “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace.” 

Leaders present were Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, Armenian Christians, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, African indigenous religions and others. In addition, four non-believers of God, called ‘atheists,’ were also there, report Reuters and The Catholic Register. This event also marks the 25^th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s initiative for peace by inviting leaders of world religions in Assissi in 1986. Assissi is the hometown of St. Francis, who is well-known as a symbol of peace. 

The emphasis of the Pope’s address was how the faith can bring peace and how its absence can lead to violence. The Pope also mentioned that this violence is showing itself in two contradictory fashions – religious violence and anti-religious violence. He called the first one ‘terrorism,’ which maintains that “religion is a cause of violence, and, in this way, it has fueled hostility towards religions.” At the same time, he said, this analysis is not entirely without historical foundation. 

“As a Christian I want to say at this point: Yes, it is true; in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith,” he said.

“We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature.”

By this the pope meant the use of force by Christians during the Crusades in the Middle East and against people of the New World (especially, in the Americas) to spread the Christianity. Pope John Paul II, in 2000, also mentioned and apologized for Christianity’s historical failures.

“Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon Earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life, love,” the pope said.

The pope said history had also shown the denial of God could bring about “a degree of violence that knows no bounds.” The concentration camps of Hitler and his German Nazis during the Second World War revealed “with utter clarity the consequences of God’s absence.”

 The full text of Pope Benedict XVI can be read below:

Pope's Address in Assissi

The Violent Culture in the USA -- 3

_

An image showing a gun = violence
Image design (Toronto: Jan. 16, 2011) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Where There's a Gun, There's a Violence

Mankind is amenable to the seven "deadly sins." These "sins" are: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger (Wrath), Greed (Covetousness), and Sloth (Acedia or Laziness).

All these "sins" or proclivities make many people weak and they are tempted to do unlawful things in life. The gun-related violence is one of them.

It only takes common sense and life experience, not university degrees, to understand that guns and weapons bring about more violence in the society. These serve as a tool to vent one's anger, take one's revenge, give vent to one's hatred and so on.

When a person possesses a gun, he or she gives the idea of violence a place first in his or her mind -- whether to defend himself or herself, whether to hunt a bird or animal. The idea of opposition first takes over that person's mind. That opposition may be an animal or a person. The idea that is in that person's head, is realized when he or she actually uses the gun or weapon. The use of the gun or weapon just doesn't come instantly from the vacuum, it was incubating in that person for some time waiting for a cause or trigger.

Bangladesh Is a Prime Example of What Happens When a Gunless Country Turns Into a Gunful One

Many of you know of the Bangladesh Civil War or War of Independence in 1971. At that time Bangladesh was called "East Pakistan" and present Pakistan was "West Pakistan." In East Pakistan, before this war, the most lethal weapon or gun was the ordinary hunting gun. Who owned those guns? Mostly, some moneyed people -- few politicians, businessmen, village chiefs and certain criminal elements, called dacoits (robbers). In a dozen village or so, there was hardly one gun owner. So, violence by a gun was a rarity. Burglary by breaking into a house would be a big news at that time.

In 1971, with the deadly crackdown by West Pakistani soldiers and some of their East Pakistani collaborators, about 10 million East Pakistanis fled the country to take refuge to India. It was a golden opportunity for India to weaken its neighbour and arch enemy -- Pakistan. It began to give training to young and energetic East Pakistani refugee youths on guerrilla warfare and ultimately provided thousands and thousands of assault rifles and other weapons to them. These guerrillas (muktijuddhas) got a real taste of successful use of these weapons for five to seven months.

When East Pakistan was liberated with the ultimate fielding of the Indian army in December, 1971, the government of independent Bangladesh asked the muktijuddas to lay down their arms and deposit them with the nearest government offices. Many deposited them, but some in all corners of the country did not. Their reasons being self-defense from local enemies (pre-war, war or post-war rivals -- political or otherwise) and ill-motives (making easy money by robbery, hostage-taking, etc.). Guns give a false sense of power and security. That has been proven in Bangladesh. With the easy availability of these guns, a reign of terror started immediately after the independence in December, 1971. Murder, mass murder, or mayhem -- whatever you want to call -- became the regular fare. In the first few years of independence, it was a normal affair for one person to ask another: "Who was shot today?" or "How many were killed today?" Bangladesh newspapers were full of those reports. At present, the gun-related murder is less than that of the early post-independent period, but regular gun-related deaths are ever present now. The theory of "guns = violence" is proven in the case of Bangladesh. It is a good example of how an innocent region can turn into a violent one with the introduction of easily available guns.

Americans Need to Rethink of Their Gun Policy

In the last 234 years, Americans left a tremendous contribution to world advancement, civilization, invention and discovery, but in the realm of gun violence its contribution is also unparalled. Gun violence is a sign of immaturity and emotional infantilism, even though committed by educated or literate people. It's being proven time and again that easy availability of firearms is never a healthy policy.

Americans need to ask their conscience whether the Second Amendment's sanctions still make it right and good for the greater number of Americans to acquire firearms so easily. A country's constitution is made at a certain time taking into consideration the prevailing situation of that time. If the situation changes, the constitution also can be changed to suit the new situation. Men and women make a country's constitution and laws, they can change those, too, to fit another era or situation.

Some people say that the Second Amendment is in the Constitution of the USA and it can't be touched. Not necessarily. In Pakistan, radical Islamists brought amendments to their constitution to include the existing Blasphemy Laws. It's now well-known how those blasphemy laws are being misused by a certain quarter to suit their whims and punish their rivals. The minority communities in that country is a regular victims of these infamous laws. Being in the constitution does not mean that the interests of the greater number of a country's citizens will be served.

A country's constitution should serve the people and not the people serve the constitution. Americans need to look at this under the new circumstances and new thinking and decide what to do about it. It's they and only they as a whole who can decide what's overall good for them and their country and act on it as responsible persons. Instead of mourning after a gun-related violent incident, they should take preventative measures for the greater good in future. Our prayers are with them.

For Further Understanding of the Violent Culture in the US

You may read the following for deeper understanding of this violent situation in the USA, because what happens in the USA affects the world, too. The gun violence is the extremity of the other types of violences in the society.


A) Gun Violence in General:

• Gun Violence in the United States
• Violence in the United States
• Hate, Violence and Death on Main Stree USA
• US Gun Violence by Numbers
• Statistics: Gun Violence in Our Communities
• Why Is America So Violent?
• The USA Is the World's Most Violent Industrialized Country When It Comes to Mass Shootings

B) Political Violence:

• Political Violence in America

• Political Violence in the United States

C) Domestic Violence:

• Domestic Violence Fact Sheet

• Fast Facts on Domestic Violence
• Statistics on Domestic Violence in the United States

D) Violence Against Children:

• The Signs of Violence and Neglect Against Children
• Sexual Abuse Statistics
• Sexual Abuse/Trauma

E) Teen Violence:

• Teen Violence
• Ten Hard Facts About School Violence
• Teen Violence, School Shootings...Teen Suicide

F) Media (TV, Film, Video Games) Violence:

• Television Violence: A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages
• Teen Violence...Internet Addiction...TV Violence...
• Violence in Today's Media Base and How It Is Growing
• TV & Film Violence
• Children & Television Violence
• Violence, Media (Position Paper)
• Why Do Hollywood and TV Keep Showing U.S. Violence?
• Video Games: A Cause of Violence and Aggression
• Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents

G) Gun Control Efforts in the USA:

• Are Gun Control Laws Strict Enough?
• Gun Control Policy Issues
• Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
• Real Solutions to Gun Violence
• Gun Control
• Blair Holt, Other Gun Control Efforts, on Horizon
• Videos on Gun Control Efforts in the USA

(The End)

The Violent Culture in the USA -- 2

_

The arms terminology, commonly used in the USA,tells a lot about the violent culture of that country
Layout & design (Toronto: Jan. 15, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The US Constitution Guarantees Possession of Guns and WeaponsThe Second Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees an individual's right to keep and bear arms. This Amendment is considered very sacrosanct by the pro-gun lobby. That's why it is extremely difficult in the USA to change this right of keeping and bearing arms.

Guns Kill Their Presidents, Too

Guns know no class and race. They kill the poorest, people of middle class and also high society people. They kill the illiterate and literate alike. In the 235 years of US history, there were 44 presidents. Of them, four U.S. presidents have been assassinated. They are (1) President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865): He was shot at a close range at a theatre by John Wilkes Booth, a drama actor and Confederate (the southern States that had tried to secede from the US union) spy. (2) President James Abram Garfield (1831-1881): He was killed by Charles Julius Guiteau, an American lawyer. (3) William McKinley, Jr. (1843-1901): He was killed by an anarchist, named Leon Czolgosz. (4) President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963): He was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald with a rifle.

Mass Murderers & Serial Killers Shook the Conscience of Americans, Yet There's No Restrictions on Guns and Weapons

Mass murderers and serial killers also tainted the US history with their gun and other weapon related crimes. Opponents of easy proliferation of guns could not do anything yet to restrict guns and other hand-held weapons.

Educated Mass-murderers in Schools and Universities

In recent past, students of certain schools, colleges and universities fell victim to fellow students' bullets. In Littleton, Colorado, Columbine High School murders were committed on April 20, 1999 by two of its students. On April 16, 2007, one student shot dead 32 fellow students at the Virginia Institute of Technology and nearby State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Besides these, there were many other school shootings in the USA in the past.

Gun & Weapon Production and Sale Are a Multi-billion Dollar Business

There are literally not dozens but hundreds of manufacturers and distributors of guns and other lethal weapons in the USA. This business brings in billions of dollars. The USA is also the topmost exporter of guns and other sophisticated weapons in the world. Many governments in different continents are its clients. One must remember that the US is the ultra-capitalist country. The main motive of capitalism is making profit as much as possible. If gun and weapon sale is restricted, they can't make enough profit.

The Pro-Gun Lobby's Influence Among Politicians Is the Strongest

The pro-gun lobby in the USA exerts the strongest influence among law makers and politicians. They want to ensure that guns and weapons sale and distribution are as free and easy as possible. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a strong proponent of easier guns and other arms sale and possession. This organization's influence is as strong as ever.

(Continued)

The Violent Culture in the USA -- 1

_

The cartoon depicts the gun-loving culture
of the Americans
Cartoon courtesy: Michael de Adder
Published in Metro (Toronto: Jan. 12, 2011)

The United States of America (USA) is in mourning now. The mourning is for the January 8 shooting and killing of six persons who have been shot dead at close range when attending a political event organized by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords near the Safeway supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. There is also anger for these senseless deaths as well as 13 other people, at the same venue, who have been wounded.

Jared Lee Loughner (22) went to the venue and without any warning began to shoot first at Gabrielle Giffords and then at others with his 9mm Glock multi-bullet-holding pistol. He fired 15-20 rounds of bullets before he was overcome and arrested.

Among the dead were Federal court judge John Roll and a 9-year-old school girl Christina Taylor Green. Congresswoman Giffords, although fatally wounded in the head, is very likely to survive. Her husband, Mark Kelly, is now in the space station as the NASA shuttle commander.

President Barack Obama condemned the shooting terming it as an "unspeakable crime." He also said: "This is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for the entire country." Local sheriff Dupnick blamed the toxic and violently-charged political environment of Arizona for this tragedy.

Gun Violence As Old As the Country

The USA was born through the use of guns. Thirteen colonies in the eastern part of the USA were under the British. The colony-dwellers, mostly Europeans -- of British and some other country origin, were unhappy at the treatment they received from the British authority. As a result, discontentment started. The colony-dwellers declared independence in 1776 and finally won the war. The newly-independent country was named the United States of America (USA).

Guns Needed to Protect the Newly Independent Country

From its birth, the USA needed guns and weapons to protect its citizens from the defeated British forces who were still present in their Canadian possessions in the north, the Spanish in the south-east and west, the French in south and the so-called "Red Indians" -- the original inhabitants of this country, and also from wild animals.

Later they also needed guns and weapons to expand their territories. The "Wild Wild West" stories, that you see in the American movies, are stories of their expansions. They expanded their territories later by defeating the Spanish.

Guns Available Like Corner Store Lozenges

Guns and weapons have been available in the USA for purchase and sale like corner store lozenges and treats. Anyone can buy and sell them. This situation, with some restrictions, is still valid. Their easy availability in the USA is affecting Canada, too, in spite of its stricter laws. Criminal elements in Canada acquire these in the USA and smuggle them to Canada for illegal sale and distribution. Canada, in the last few years, has been experiencing an increased gun-related crimes. Most of these guns were illegally acquired.

(Continued)