I have watched in
gaping horror as mass killings in the USA seem to have become a
weekly occurrence, differing only in degree since the slayings in
Newtown. Prolonging this travesty, I see that American gun clubs are
shrilly screaming that their rights will be trampled if they are not
allowed to own assault weapons. Weapons made for the sole purpose of
killing human beings by profiteering arms manufacturers. One
shouldn't blame the arms manufacturers though. The only reason they
stoop to making these assault weapons is because they aren't allowed
to sell grenade launchers and nerve gas to the general public.
The Americans, by
and large, seem to be persuaded by gun clubs that not only is it
their right, but their duty to have an arsenal of murderous weapons
to protect themselves from 'these insane killers.' Maybe 'belief' is
a better word than 'persuade' as is evidenced by the unquestioning
obedience of their followers and a parroting of every utterance from
Wayne LaPierre, the CEO and spokesman for the National Rifle
Association. May God help you if you criticise these beliefs. You
would be launching a "hostile attack against the U.S.
Constitution" by attacking their second amendment right to bear
arms. Never mind your first amendment right to free speech. You're
probably just a damn foreigner anyway.
The American
contagion: the dogmatic belief that the only way to cure mass
shootings is to get more guns is like treating a rotten foundation by
adding termites. Their ability to maintain these dangerous beliefs in
the face of contrary evidence is astounding. They are unable to see
that by making it easy to purchase assault weapons for themselves as
protection against mostly imaginary threats, they are creating real
threats.
I propose we limit
this contagion. Those of us living in the rest of the (real) world
need to put up barriers. To protect us and keep this toxic culture
from escaping, Americans travelling internationally should be
subjected to extra security measures at their point of departure and
a psychological evaluation. This would help ensure that, if given the
chance to leave the USA, they won't try to infect the rest of us with
their warped values. Every international flight which originates in
the USA should have a warning sticker attached to the cabin doors,
"Caution: May contain Americans."