Teen performer at inaugural events fatally shot in Chicago

Originally Posted by evolved

I'm not denying it at all. A large majority of the gun crime in my city happens in a predominantly black, poor, uneducated area. Same thing with Chicago. Both cities have completely opposite approaches to gun control laws with similar outcomes.

Just waiting for someone to come out and say "It's not a gun problem, it's a black problem..." and I don't mean here, I mean in the mainstream media. I want to hear Sharpton, Jackson, and the rest of them blame their own people, and not the guns.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000nyc

Just waiting for someone to come out and say "It's not a gun problem, it's a black problem..." and I don't mean here, I mean in the mainstream media. I want to hear Sharpton, Jackson, and the rest of them blame their own people, and not the guns.

Look at the Cosby interviews from the other thread. The man has spent the last ten years begging black men to stand up and take responsibility for their actions, their behavior, their advancements, and their children. Of course, this isn't a reflection on ALL black men... but when you have a leader in the black community telling "his people" to take a long, hard look in the mirror... perhaps it's due.

Originally Posted by 2000_328CI

Look at the Cosby interviews from the other thread. The man has spent the last ten years begging black men to stand up and take responsibility for their actions, their behavior, their advancements, and their children. Of course, this isn't a reflection on ALL black men... but when you have a leader in the black community telling "his people" to take a long, hard look in the mirror... perhaps it's due.

Unfortunately Cosby isnt a prominent figure with a loud voice.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000nyc

Unfortunately Cosby isnt a prominent figure with a loud voice.

Well, years ago he was... he basically was shunned and ignored BECAUSE he took that position.

Unfortunately, the color and texture of a person's hair has zero demonstrable impact on one's propensity for violence.

Except gingers. They're evil.

Originally Posted by NOVAbimmer

Unfortunately, the color and texture of a person's hair has zero demonstrable impact on one's propensity for violence.

Except gingers. They're evil.

I would be evil too if I got a sunburn from an incandescent light bulb.

Originally Posted by NOVAbimmer

Unfortunately, the color and texture of a person's hair has zero demonstrable impact on one's propensity for violence.

Except gingers. They're evil.

Homeland is awesome.

Originally Posted by 2000_328CI

You clown... Chicago has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation. And look where it has gotten them.

In the 80's DC was the gun crime capital of the nation... and they were one of the few places in the nation that banned ALL firearms.

How can people be dumb enough to believe that criminals will abide stricter gun laws

Chicago, as with DC, were but small islands surrounded by seas of easy gun access basically making their strict laws moot and ineffective. Hence the need to address guns more broadly/nationally to have any real impact on mitigating gun related violence.

Do note, I am in no way arguing that stricter gun laws are THE answer to our levels of societal violence nor that other serious deep thinking, whether legislatively or socially, needs to also take place.

However, these two threads are not mutually exclusive, either/or approaches either and I think all should be on the table to create a more cohesive and effective approach to our high levels of societal violence.

I certainly don't expect criminals to abide by any gun laws, they are criminals after all (though this argument can get rather circular too). However, national-level gun control could make it far more difficult, over time, for criminals to acquire and eventually use guns. Yes, they may then resort to knives and fists, but those are far less effective and deadly so would represent at least a real-world mitigation of the problem, not some Utopian solution.

Originally Posted by Rhumb

Chicago, as with DC, were but small islands surrounded by seas of easy gun access basically making their strict laws moot and ineffective. Hence the need to address guns more broadly/nationally to have any real impact on mitigating gun related violence.

Have you been to Illinois? Chicago is basically the only thing in that state outside of corn fields, soybean fields and highway 55. They are not surrounded by a sea of easy gun access, lol.

Originally Posted by evolved

Have you been to Illinois? Chicago is basically the only thing in that state outside of corn fields, soybean fields and highway 55. They are not surrounded by a sea of easy gun access, lol.

Chicago itself is roughly 3 million people when going by city lines. It's surrounded by another 7-10 million people depending how far you watch to draw the "metropolitan" line.

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

Chicago itself is roughly 3 million people when going by city lines. It's surrounded by another 7-10 million people depending how far you watch to draw the "metropolitan" line.

I was referring to the greater Chicagoland area......DT, suburbs both near and far, etc.

Originally Posted by evolved

I was referring to the greater Chicagoland area......DT, suburbs both near and far, etc.

Regardless, there are plenty of enthusiasts and sportsmen in the surrounding areas. Two of my colleagues go hunting on a regular basis. The problem is really only isolated to the South and West sides of Chicago.

Originally Posted by casino is no lie

Regardless, there are plenty of enthusiasts and sportsmen in the surrounding areas. Two of my colleagues go hunting on a regular basis. The problem is really only isolated to the South and West sides of Chicago.

You're missing the point of what I am saying. Rhumb was insinuating if a person goes outside of Chicago that it is a sea of easy gun access, which it is not as far as I know. You don't see thugs on the south side mowing people down with a bolt action Remington hunting rifle.

I'm aware of where it's isolated, as well. I've made the point several times.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000nyc

Just waiting for someone to come out and say "It's not a gun problem, it's a black problem..." and I don't mean here, I mean in the mainstream media. I want to hear Sharpton, Jackson, and the rest of them blame their own people, and not the guns.

Stop being a prick! It's an American problem, not specific to a race! These black inner city kids killing each other are Americans, and no matter what, it should be categorized as an American problem. Keep trying to pin it to a race... It'll get you nowhere!

Edit: racist will always try and pin it to a particular race... Patriots will realize its a national problem!

Originally Posted by evolved

Have you been to Illinois? Chicago is basically the only thing in that state outside of corn fields, soybean fields and highway 55. They are not surrounded by a sea of easy gun access, lol.

Yes. Sea I was referring to was the greater U.S. of A.

Originally Posted by Swish

Stop being a prick! It's an American problem, not specific to a race! These black inner city kids killing each other are Americans, and no matter what, it should be categorized as an American problem. Keep trying to pin it to a race... It'll get you nowhere!

We are definitely all Americans, but you really can sort of pinpoint this type of behavior. When you try to alleviate race from the discussion I think it undermines any real attempt at finding a solution to the problem.

The problem is an epidemic within the black community. This isn't happening in other American communities (although it looks like Latino gangs are looking to take their place). Half the problem is that we CAN'T say this is a black community problem. You aren't helping anyone by pretending this happens everywhere and with everyone.

Sorry man, but it's true. Saw your edit, and that is a pretty low blow.

Originally Posted by Act of God

We are definitely all Americans, but you really can sort of pinpoint this type of behavior. When you try to alleviate race from the discussion I think it undermines any real attempt at finding a solution to the problem.

The problem is an epidemic within the black community. This isn't happening in other American communities (although it looks like Latino gangs are looking to take their place). Half the problem is that we CAN'T say this is a black community problem. You aren't helping anyone by pretending this happens everywhere and with everyone.

Sorry man, but it's true. Saw your edit, and that is a pretty low blow.

As stated above, I'm an American, and I see it as a national problem! We need to provide answers and solutions as a nation, not as a bunch of finger pointers...

Originally Posted by Swish

Stop being a prick! It's an American problem, not specific to a race! These black inner city kids killing each other are Americans, and no matter what, it should be categorized as an American problem. Keep trying to pin it to a race... It'll get you nowhere!

Edit: racist will always try and pin it to a particular race... Patriots will realize its a national problem!

Are you black, just curious.

Originally Posted by Act of God

We are definitely all Americans, but you really can sort of pinpoint this type of behavior. When you try to alleviate race from the discussion I think it undermines any real attempt at finding a solution to the problem.

The problem is an epidemic within the black community. This isn't happening in other American communities (although it looks like Latino gangs are looking to take their place). Half the problem is that we CAN'T say this is a black community problem. You aren't helping anyone by pretending this happens everywhere and with everyone.

Sorry man, but it's true. Saw your edit, and that is a pretty low blow.

To be fair, every race has had their violent times. Whites (Italians, Irish, etc., etc.) had it, asians have had it, blacks, hispanics, and so on.

Originally Posted by Act of God

We are definitely all Americans, but you really can sort of pinpoint this type of behavior. When you try to alleviate race from the discussion I think it undermines any real attempt at finding a solution to the problem.

The problem is an epidemic within the black community. This isn't happening in other American communities (although it looks like Latino gangs are looking to take their place). Half the problem is that we CAN'T say this is a black community problem. You aren't helping anyone by pretending this happens everywhere and with everyone.

Sorry man, but it's true. Saw your edit, and that is a pretty low blow.

You're saying you want to be honest about it all, right? That's not a low blow, it's honesty! Sometimes it's so easy to tell civilians that don't have a sense of country vs. patriots that see our nations problems as a nation wide epidemic, not a finger pointing contest. The Reagan's didn't do the war on drugs for the black community! You need to re-evaluate your stance as an American my friend!