No the guns weren’t as fetishized. On the other hand in the first half of the 20th century large bits of Europe had been occupied by the Germans twice. The idea that you wanted to be armed in case of a foreign invasion happening was a lot stronger, and more well founded, than the wettest dream of a 2nd amendement lover. Lots of people had been in the armed resistance and a lot of those who had not wished they had had the opportunity.

Which is why they lable anyone they arrest as a criminal, doesn’t have to be true. You heard Trump, having a trial for each one would take too long. So just slap a label on them and say you’re though on crime.

It can be done. Europe as a whole was on its way to become as car centric as the US back in the 1960’s. People seriously revolted against that, most strongly in the Netherlands which is why it has such nice bike infrastructure.

We got gun laws because after WW2 Europe was full of guns, they were everywhere and it was untenable. So we got our shit together and did something about it.

Perhaps you should read your own comments with that in mind.

Cars are much safer than they used to be, so why get trucks and SUV instead as these are exempt from a number of car safety requirements (like crumple zones) in the US. They have a likelihood of causing fatal unjuries when they collide with other cars and pedestrians that is 8 times higher than the average sedan, according to a UK study. Due to their size, weight and bad visibility for obstacles close by, they are also much more likely to crash into stuff.

And get safer cars. The US has some kind of car arms race going on where you need a super large heavy car to be safe because the roads are full of big heavy cars… Resulting in much more deadly crashes for everyone. Besides most states driving test is a joke.

Ah yes, Afearican’s never worry, famously.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/comments/13ejzr5/afearican_us_person_enjoying_freedom_in_a_safe/

Why do you believe I see homeless people as less than myself? Quite a lot of people are only a short term breakdown away from being homeless, especially in ultra capitalist places like the US. Certainly they need help, but help is not always directly available, and you want to argue that while they look for help, making the world as hostile as possible is a good thing? And then you try to gaslight me with that? I think you need help.

That may be true in some cases but most of the time anti homeless street furniture is just made to get homeless people to not hang around that particular area.

I live in a country with rather restrictive gun laws. That stuff works great! I never have to worry about getting shot.

Yeah, American thoughts and prayers system works better, not.

In Dutch you get fun stuff like 16.35 being vijf over half vijf, being 5 past half five. I’m sure German is similar in that regard.

When all the ones who are disgusted leave, you are left with only those who are disgusting. Not my words but somehow they apply again.

We are, despite centuries upon centuries of evolution, civilization, philisophy and education, deeply tribal creatures. While right wing propaganda most blatantly and directly calls upon our tribalism to dehumanize the “other” of the day, it is a trait we all share. Frankly when you look at how far some people take the denial of easily verifiable reality to stick to a feeble story and prop up the most deplorable of men, it’s easy to feel they are terminally lost and can no longer be part of any kind of moral and positive society. But that way we just end up dehumanizing them as much as they do to us.

Even as they have been brainwashed and molded to be perpetually scared and angry and to reject other feelings, they are people nontheless who need to be treated fairly.

To some extent I understand that murderer, misguided as he is. It would, for me be a better world if I could remove people I see as harmful to the world from existence. If someone were to remove a bunch of republican supporting billionaires, the whole of that parties leadership and the heritage foundation from the world I would not be angry at all. Not because I hate them. I don’t really, I don’t know them personally. But because they are so harmful to all of us.

We may say things like “eat the rich” but we don’t really do that, at most we affectionately nibble a bit, without breaking skin. I’m too well aware that to people who live in actual abject povery, my middle class ass could be part of the group of rich folk on the menu. Once we start killing the people we see as harmful, where do we stop. Where do we draw the line? Who makes the grade? We could easily end up in a situation where, like in post revolutionary China or France anyone could be accused and convicted for not being revolutionary enough. Accused by an angry neighbor, a jealous lover or your own kids.

So while I understand the feelings that lead to the actions, I cannot condone murder, nor do I take such action myself, besides, I have a job to do, kids to care for, bills to pay etc, etc, etc.

And no, I have no solution for any of this, it’s way too complex to solve with rigid ideology or easy to shout slogans.

That’s the onion though.

Just wanted to say, in the face of downvotes and angry replied, that I think you are absolutely right.

I fully expect the GOP to give make him a talk show host on Fox.

Indeed, in a little maids dress and apron, selling an albatross during the movie intermission.

Would have been better with a red wine. That is better at room temperature and we can include drinks of color!

Headline translated: in the US state of Minnesota, police are on the hunt for the 57 year old shooter who shot 2 Democratic politicians and their spouse in their homes. Two victims have died. The attacs seem politically motivated. A list of names of politicians was found in the suspects car.

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/06/14/twee-democratische-politici-doodgeschoten-in-amerikaanse-staat-m/

This is from a national news site. I haven’t seen their television news of today yet but usually their television news and the site story are identical.

I’m not saying the news reporting here is not colored a bit, but it tends to be non sensationalist so there is that.