My girlfriend, Laura, often tells me that i focus too many of my negative thoughts about America on guns. Whether this point is to let me know that my views are not 100% accurate, that my wishes can never come true or whether i am missing so many more issues is still yet to be discovered!
I thought about this, long and hard, about why gun control means so much to me when there are so many other problems in the world. I guess it comes down to knowing something different and knowing that it works. Knowing that needless deaths can be avoided and awful situations, that should never be thought about, will not have to haunt families.
This morning a man shot dead a dozen people in Washington DC. No real motive, no real reasoning. He had access to a gun and he used it. He used it to kill people with friends, families, acquaintances and people who saw them every day on the bus and appreciated their smile. Death casts such a wide net and affects so many people. When this could be avoided, in so many situations, why has nothing been done yet?
In the wake of Sandy Hook, news reports of a similar occurrence in China came to notice. This man was armed with a knife, not a gun, and no one died. Sure, people were injured, but no one died. Tell me that guns do not kill people.
Having lived here for five months though i realised that America is still not ready for enough of a reformation that will make sense to the rest of the world. Still clinging to an amendment which was based around the English Bill of Rights of 1689, America simply is not prepared to give up their hand held freedom. This is where, instead of complaining, sticking to my guns (pardon the pun) and losing, I think it is required to change tact a little bit. When people are dying needlessly, something needs to be done. It is a classic move in negotiation. Once the opposition believes they have won, you snowball some slight changes to them and, often, get under their guard.
An American people, yet to understand that Obama's attempts at reforms have nothing to do with taking power away from the people, or turning America into 1930's Germany ("Hitler did this too" says the conservatives), Anti-gun lobbyists may need to aim a little lower at the moment. The things that i believe should be able to be done and can be done are all things which i have read or heard about and i do not think would infringe on anybody's freedom. basically, i feel all law abiding gun owners should not feel they are getting a raw deal from this. But they are a bloody hard mob to please.
Firstly, all assault weapons should not be available to ordinary citizens. Why do people need them? Seriously. I think at shooting rages people should only be able to shoot at targets and not ones that are in the shape of another human being. Again, why do you want to be able to train yourself to shoot a person between the eyes? I think ammunition should be very limited and any purchases out of the ordinary should be investigated. This is whether there is a spike in sales on one day, over a month, etc. If you are buying weapons, it should be traceable. People should not be able to purchase weapons without it being recorded.
I think this is something which could be effective. If you buy a weapon initially from a gun store, it should be coded and the purchaser then becomes responsible for that weapon. When it is lawfully sold this is changed. It is the same when people buy and sell cars so why can't it work with guns? Then, if something were to happen and a weapon was used in a shooting, the owner would also have to accept some of the responsibility. This would mean owners would be less likely to not keep their guns locked up and/or loaded around their children. Although they would not get the same charge as the perpetrator, some blame must be pointed on the owner of the gun. I would hope these measures would be the motivation to take care of guns and ensure they did not fall into the wrong hands.
Naturally, this is a huge step back for the gun laws i think should be introduced. I mean, sure Australia might be headed toward peril economically, educationally and in terms of human rights, but none of this is due to the fact that guns are harder to come by. Those who think America is a totally different kettle of fish have less respect for the Australian people than they should.
America needs to address its paranoia. I think doing this would be a step forward for the entire world. But that is a longer, more vague, potentially painful blog for perhaps a never day. Just keep your fingers off the trigger. It would save so much heartache.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Fixing America Part 1 - Americonomy
My understanding of economics is definitely dumbed down due to my lack of motivation to take much notice in the frightfully boring core units which i was forced to study in university. My major in Political Economy can be summed up by the fact that i know that the teacher who says "Bueller. Bueller. Bueller" in the movie is trying to teach them about the Hawley Smoot Tariff when the students are all falling asleep on him. This tariff was, in fact, entirely counter productive and the large taxes applied to imported goods actually may have made the Great Depression even worse!
Nonetheless, i did pass every subject in my major and i believe that it has helped me to work something out with the American economy. I believe that there is a huge efficiency problem in America. Productivity and efficiency is easy enough to bluff. You rush around, tell people how busy you are and ensure your superior knows all about the inept subordinate who is making your job even harder. Just ask George Costanza. But when it gets to the number crunching it is a bit easier to see where money and resources are being wasted.
I feel that America want to give the impression that they are being efficient. Examples i have seen is the complete lack of respect given to people applying for jobs and going to interviews. I have been to plenty but they all have resulted in me being clumped in with other people or the interviewee admitting that my resume has not even been read. There is nothing efficient about interviewing twelve people at a time. It just increases the likelihood that you are getting the wrong, incorrect or useless information and, hence, will not hire the right person. By doing this, a manager probably thinks that the are saving time but, in the long run, it will cause a loss of time, money and resources. And probably a bad employee.
Also, i have noticed that some government offices close at 3pm each day and on Wednesday's closes at noon. This leads to queues. Lots of people simply like waiting in queues and use it as a way to pass the time. However, with the hours stunted and shortened, i found the employees to be quite on the ball, fast and easy to deal with. They knew that they had to make up the time when the office was not open. The government simply cannot afford the wages and this is why the office has strange hours. But it does save cash!
On the flip side, car dealerships, food stores and just about any other business seem to pride themselves on their accessibility and availability. In short, they are almost always open! Who is going to buy a car at 7am? Or at 8pm on a Sunday for that matter?? All this is doing is driving profits lower, increasing expenses for wages, power, supplies and decreasing their productivity.
Youth unemployment seems to be a serious issue which i can tie in to an aging workforce. People do not seem to have the desire, or wealth, to retire and as a result work for too long. Thus keeping a younger prospect out of a job. I mean, even some guys play baseball until they are in their late thirties! This is partly due to an inefficient retirement plan (401K) and also the wage rate. There is no doubt that the rich have no problem in retiring but, when you live week to week given the pittance you are paid, there is really not much room to scrimp and save for retirement. Another thing i think which would help would be to raise the minimum wage around the country. The multiplier effect would possibly result in much of this "extra" wage being put back into the economy but would also allow for more saving. Which is never, ever a bad thing.
Again, my knowledge of economics is far from exceptional and, naturally, there are many more issues that could be raised which would play a part. If you think you are the love child of Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, or believe in Hockeynomics, rather than attempt to rip me and this piece to shreds, please just see it as satire. But in my sleep deprived, queasy state, I do believe that this small solution would probably save the world.
And employing these tactics would create what? Anyone? Anyone? A stronger. A stronger what? A stronger economy.
Nonetheless, i did pass every subject in my major and i believe that it has helped me to work something out with the American economy. I believe that there is a huge efficiency problem in America. Productivity and efficiency is easy enough to bluff. You rush around, tell people how busy you are and ensure your superior knows all about the inept subordinate who is making your job even harder. Just ask George Costanza. But when it gets to the number crunching it is a bit easier to see where money and resources are being wasted.
I feel that America want to give the impression that they are being efficient. Examples i have seen is the complete lack of respect given to people applying for jobs and going to interviews. I have been to plenty but they all have resulted in me being clumped in with other people or the interviewee admitting that my resume has not even been read. There is nothing efficient about interviewing twelve people at a time. It just increases the likelihood that you are getting the wrong, incorrect or useless information and, hence, will not hire the right person. By doing this, a manager probably thinks that the are saving time but, in the long run, it will cause a loss of time, money and resources. And probably a bad employee.
Also, i have noticed that some government offices close at 3pm each day and on Wednesday's closes at noon. This leads to queues. Lots of people simply like waiting in queues and use it as a way to pass the time. However, with the hours stunted and shortened, i found the employees to be quite on the ball, fast and easy to deal with. They knew that they had to make up the time when the office was not open. The government simply cannot afford the wages and this is why the office has strange hours. But it does save cash!
On the flip side, car dealerships, food stores and just about any other business seem to pride themselves on their accessibility and availability. In short, they are almost always open! Who is going to buy a car at 7am? Or at 8pm on a Sunday for that matter?? All this is doing is driving profits lower, increasing expenses for wages, power, supplies and decreasing their productivity.
Youth unemployment seems to be a serious issue which i can tie in to an aging workforce. People do not seem to have the desire, or wealth, to retire and as a result work for too long. Thus keeping a younger prospect out of a job. I mean, even some guys play baseball until they are in their late thirties! This is partly due to an inefficient retirement plan (401K) and also the wage rate. There is no doubt that the rich have no problem in retiring but, when you live week to week given the pittance you are paid, there is really not much room to scrimp and save for retirement. Another thing i think which would help would be to raise the minimum wage around the country. The multiplier effect would possibly result in much of this "extra" wage being put back into the economy but would also allow for more saving. Which is never, ever a bad thing.
Again, my knowledge of economics is far from exceptional and, naturally, there are many more issues that could be raised which would play a part. If you think you are the love child of Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, or believe in Hockeynomics, rather than attempt to rip me and this piece to shreds, please just see it as satire. But in my sleep deprived, queasy state, I do believe that this small solution would probably save the world.
And employing these tactics would create what? Anyone? Anyone? A stronger. A stronger what? A stronger economy.
Friday, 6 September 2013
An Aussie in the States - my election experience
After returning from my little holiday, i realised there were only three more days of me being able to vote. There was only one location in Los Angeles which i could go to and, due to work, there was only one real day where i could turn up. Friday before 4pm had to be it so i let my supervisor know that my country would be needing me and prepared for the journey.
Los Angeles is not far from Glendora - as the crow flies. Unfortunately i would not be flying on the crow's back. Rather, i would be driving on the I-10 or the 680 or the CA60 or a combination of all three to reach my destination which was, naturally, about as far away as could be while still in an LA post code.
I took off from work at about eleven after some touching up for the week and, donning my Aussie soccer shirt and feeling very patriotic, took off to do my bit for the democracy. The traffic stood in the way. I was just thinking to myself how well i was doing until i hit it. Surely this back up was caused by an accident. Alas, it was just traffic for the sake of traffic. At one stage i was wondering why on earth the car in front and behind had their hazard lights on after merging into their lane. Then i saw a sticker on a window saying "Funeral" and a hearse a bit further up. Surely this is bad luck or a curse on your family or something like that to be in the middle of a procession so i swerved out post haste and almost took a smart car with me.
After some late lane changing, turns down streets i had never heard of and searching for a parking lot, i found myself outside the building which housed the Australian Consulate. Thank you, Siri baby for the directions. It had taken about an hour and a half but, thankfully, i have excellent taste in music.
I felt proud. I am proud to call Australia home. Proud to be able to vote despite being so far away and very proud to feel as though my voice is being heard.
Upon entering the Suite for the consulate, i found myself in a room with a whole bunch of other Australians. ABC was being streamed on the big tv and there was a general chatter. A young, beautiful girl sat at the desk with a distinctly Australian look. I still call Australia home. All of the voting was just off to the side but still visible. There was a bit of a wait and no way of dealing with it but the Aussies handled it in the relaxed, efficient manner i knew they would. I found a seat any old place and the guy next to me said "we are just keeping track of the order. That man over there (he pointed to a young guy in an LA Clippers hat) was last before you came so you will be after him." Many people entered after me and someone always gave that same instruction and everyone smiled, laughed at the simplistic way we were handling it and joined the chatter.
After a little while it became my turn to vote. I knew the drill and required no instruction from the attendant. Just filled out my form and off i went. Up until i got to the booth i planned to vote below the line. Simply because it had been quite an effort to get here and i thought i ought to make the most of it. As i unfurled the paper for the Senate i changed my mind quickly. It just kept unfurling. I could not be that bothered to go through 1-110.
I waved goodbye and left the room happy to have done my duty but not looking forward to the drive ahead. LA traffic was a bitch but, as a good friend put it, at least i did not have to contend with mortars, blackmail, gun fire or any other difficulties to vote.
And so that was it. Until next election, double dissolution or whatever comes, my voice had been heard for Federal Politics. It is something we should be proud of. Something which we respect and something that we do not take for granted. We are responsible for who runs this country and by not voting, voting informally (because donkey voting is not what you think it is) or not taking it seriously, you show contempt and disdain for your country and how it is run.
Los Angeles is not far from Glendora - as the crow flies. Unfortunately i would not be flying on the crow's back. Rather, i would be driving on the I-10 or the 680 or the CA60 or a combination of all three to reach my destination which was, naturally, about as far away as could be while still in an LA post code.
I took off from work at about eleven after some touching up for the week and, donning my Aussie soccer shirt and feeling very patriotic, took off to do my bit for the democracy. The traffic stood in the way. I was just thinking to myself how well i was doing until i hit it. Surely this back up was caused by an accident. Alas, it was just traffic for the sake of traffic. At one stage i was wondering why on earth the car in front and behind had their hazard lights on after merging into their lane. Then i saw a sticker on a window saying "Funeral" and a hearse a bit further up. Surely this is bad luck or a curse on your family or something like that to be in the middle of a procession so i swerved out post haste and almost took a smart car with me.
After some late lane changing, turns down streets i had never heard of and searching for a parking lot, i found myself outside the building which housed the Australian Consulate. Thank you, Siri baby for the directions. It had taken about an hour and a half but, thankfully, i have excellent taste in music.
I felt proud. I am proud to call Australia home. Proud to be able to vote despite being so far away and very proud to feel as though my voice is being heard.
Upon entering the Suite for the consulate, i found myself in a room with a whole bunch of other Australians. ABC was being streamed on the big tv and there was a general chatter. A young, beautiful girl sat at the desk with a distinctly Australian look. I still call Australia home. All of the voting was just off to the side but still visible. There was a bit of a wait and no way of dealing with it but the Aussies handled it in the relaxed, efficient manner i knew they would. I found a seat any old place and the guy next to me said "we are just keeping track of the order. That man over there (he pointed to a young guy in an LA Clippers hat) was last before you came so you will be after him." Many people entered after me and someone always gave that same instruction and everyone smiled, laughed at the simplistic way we were handling it and joined the chatter.
After a little while it became my turn to vote. I knew the drill and required no instruction from the attendant. Just filled out my form and off i went. Up until i got to the booth i planned to vote below the line. Simply because it had been quite an effort to get here and i thought i ought to make the most of it. As i unfurled the paper for the Senate i changed my mind quickly. It just kept unfurling. I could not be that bothered to go through 1-110.
I waved goodbye and left the room happy to have done my duty but not looking forward to the drive ahead. LA traffic was a bitch but, as a good friend put it, at least i did not have to contend with mortars, blackmail, gun fire or any other difficulties to vote.
And so that was it. Until next election, double dissolution or whatever comes, my voice had been heard for Federal Politics. It is something we should be proud of. Something which we respect and something that we do not take for granted. We are responsible for who runs this country and by not voting, voting informally (because donkey voting is not what you think it is) or not taking it seriously, you show contempt and disdain for your country and how it is run.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Seattle!
Having to wake up at three in the morning in order to get there, Seattle had a lot to do to make me feel as though it had been worth the trouble! Excited to get to a new state (especially one which is much cooler) and see what the fuss is all about. Needless to say, having been up late the night before and then the early morning rise, i did my best to resist references to a certain movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
We made it to Sea-Tac airport and made our way down to the waterside. Here there were more homeless people than i expected as well as your usual port restaurants and cafes. Past the Sea Shepherd Gallery and up many stairs we found Pike Place Markets and walked along, sampling different foods and marveling at the flowers, seafood and knick-knacks. Deciding against the use of taxis or public transport, we traversed on foot towards the middle of town with the Space Needle to be our destination.
It was pleasant weather, sunny but not too hot, and we picked out places to see along the way and bars to stop into on our way back. The Space Needle was built for a World's Fair in 1962. The plan was to rival the Eiffel Tower or Pyramids of Giza. Although it was a gallant effort (sort of), the whole point of it was lost on me. It is not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as the Eiffel Tower (in fact they are in different weight classes) and the surrounding area is hardly the Champ deMars. Comparing the Eiffel Tower to the Space Needle is a bit unfair but just saying... Upon reaching the top we had a look at the view all the way around and tried to find the bar but it was closed.
We went back down and saw Part Two of our ticket which was the Chihuly Gardens. I had this recommended to me but knew next to nothing about it. We bought the double ticket simply because we were there. Who knew when we would be back! This turned out to be a winning move. The Gardens were made of glass that had been blown using traditional methods. Chihuly was a revolutionary influence on the art form and his use of colour and different shapes were incredible! We walked into rooms of bright oranges, purples, blues and reds with the glass forming seascapes or other shapes. It turned out to be the highlight of Seattle and something you can not miss given the opportunity.
There were plenty of shops, cafes and bars to explore in the area and we did our best to see as many as possible. One thing that blindsided me was the amazing shopping in Seattle. I suppose it is a major city and a tourist town but, being so small and hardly the forefront of fashion, i did not have high hopes for picking anything up. Due to this, you can imagine my surprise when i bought myself probably the nicest jumper (they call it sweater) in the world. Only problem is that my Winters seem to be very short lived! Nonetheless i can not wait to model it.
Seattle was a sweet town. It is well worth a visit although is probably best for a couple of days en route to somewhere else. There is enough to see, enough to eat and enough to buy to give you happy memories and a lovely time.
We made it to Sea-Tac airport and made our way down to the waterside. Here there were more homeless people than i expected as well as your usual port restaurants and cafes. Past the Sea Shepherd Gallery and up many stairs we found Pike Place Markets and walked along, sampling different foods and marveling at the flowers, seafood and knick-knacks. Deciding against the use of taxis or public transport, we traversed on foot towards the middle of town with the Space Needle to be our destination.
It was pleasant weather, sunny but not too hot, and we picked out places to see along the way and bars to stop into on our way back. The Space Needle was built for a World's Fair in 1962. The plan was to rival the Eiffel Tower or Pyramids of Giza. Although it was a gallant effort (sort of), the whole point of it was lost on me. It is not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as the Eiffel Tower (in fact they are in different weight classes) and the surrounding area is hardly the Champ deMars. Comparing the Eiffel Tower to the Space Needle is a bit unfair but just saying... Upon reaching the top we had a look at the view all the way around and tried to find the bar but it was closed.
We went back down and saw Part Two of our ticket which was the Chihuly Gardens. I had this recommended to me but knew next to nothing about it. We bought the double ticket simply because we were there. Who knew when we would be back! This turned out to be a winning move. The Gardens were made of glass that had been blown using traditional methods. Chihuly was a revolutionary influence on the art form and his use of colour and different shapes were incredible! We walked into rooms of bright oranges, purples, blues and reds with the glass forming seascapes or other shapes. It turned out to be the highlight of Seattle and something you can not miss given the opportunity.
There were plenty of shops, cafes and bars to explore in the area and we did our best to see as many as possible. One thing that blindsided me was the amazing shopping in Seattle. I suppose it is a major city and a tourist town but, being so small and hardly the forefront of fashion, i did not have high hopes for picking anything up. Due to this, you can imagine my surprise when i bought myself probably the nicest jumper (they call it sweater) in the world. Only problem is that my Winters seem to be very short lived! Nonetheless i can not wait to model it.
Seattle was a sweet town. It is well worth a visit although is probably best for a couple of days en route to somewhere else. There is enough to see, enough to eat and enough to buy to give you happy memories and a lovely time.
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