Since American universities have lots of foreign students on their campuses, security of students is not just an American issue, it is also a global one. The North Illinois University, for example, has 862 international students from 88 countries. NIU has an Indian link -- it has a tieup with Karnataka's Manipal University.
So what has Barack Obama, a senator from Illinois, got to say on this?
"Today we offer them our thoughts and prayers, but we also have to offer them our determination to do whatever it takes to eradicate this violence from our streets, from our schools, from our neighborhoods and our cities," Obama said. "That is our duty as Americans," he tells a news conference.
But he nullifies all the determination with this:
"I think there is an individual right to bear arms, but it's subject to commonsense regulation."
Why doesn't America completely ban ownership of guns, except by people who need it as part of their work?Why should people carry guns for their protection when there is a well-armed security force? Of all people, why should students be legally allowed to possess guns?
None of the candidates -- Hillary, Obama or McCain -- has a clear cut policy on gun control.
America is supposedly leading a war against terroism. Aren't students living in a state of terror on US campuses, not knowing who will spray bullets on whom? When innocent lives are lost, aren't the classical terrorist and the student with a gun in the same league?
Election year may not be a good time to hammer out bipartisan agreements. But an effort on the part of the two parties and their leading candidates to hammer one out against possessing firearms will signal to the Americans and to the world at large that the American establishment doesn't have two standards when it comes to gun culture.
It is because guns are big business in America.
ReplyDeleteYou start with the kids, give them guns and end with countries where you give them missiles and its likes.
The weapon industry in US is one of the biggest and none can touch it. I dont know what Obama has touched so far since there are already questions being asked.. is Obama good for business?
well..like HK said, the gun lobby is not far behind the tobacco lobby and the oil lobby. it is alla question of which money rules...free market economy and human selfishness does have its faults!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right! Guns have to be banned! I felt so bad and angry hearing about that Indian student's senseless killing. Even the Indian government has done nothing towards it.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep.. I have long wondered about this too.. Why allow people to possess stuff they dont require..I have seen a lot of violence in Africa too.. a gun shot is as common as a cracker in India!
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