Dave’s Write Away
By Dave Scott, Host, Spaced Out Radio
Political Correctness Has Gone Too Far Again!
One of the things in life I find concerning is when people go overboard with their being ‘offended’. Over the last decade we have seen this all too many times. People getting offended by everything, and unfortunately, the loud minority always seems to get their way with changes to everything from historic monuments to classic television shows of the past being cancelled from syndication because of their content that isn’t up to par with today’s ‘offended’ crowd.
The latest in this scheme of changing and forgetting history comes from the creators of Looney Tunes cartoons. According to a recent article, June 7th, by the New York Post, parent company Warner Brothers has decided that in today’s anti-gun culture, that they’ve decided to strip Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam of their guns, for the fear that children my copy-cat their actions and use guns themselves. You have to be kidding me? Chuck Jones is probably rolling over in his grave trying to figure that out. Since 1937, Elmer Fudd has been trying to hunt Bugs Bunny and to this day, he hasn’t had any luck in capturing or killing that wascally wabbit! Same as Yosemite Sam with Daffy Duck since 1945! Here we are, the ‘offended’ crowd going after ageless cartoons for their so-called violence. The irony of it all is Warner Brothers will still allow scenes with TNT, and other acme related weapons. You know, because explosives and IED training makes kids want to blow things up in their own back yard!
I’m going to preface this by stating that I’ve never owned a gun. I do not have a gun licence. I have fired guns under controlled circumstances before. My family is a victim of gun violence, when back in 1984 my sister was shot and her friend was killed in an act of rage and violence. The scars still show on my sister as she is missing her ring finger on her right hand because of it. I’m not American, so the rights to the Second Amendment mean nothing to me. I’m not a member of the NRA or any sort of gun club. But I do know responsible citizens who are gun owners. Responsible citizens who collect fire arms. Responsible citizens who hunt for food. Responsible citizens who have never pulled a gun on someone out of anger or threat. In fact, statistics show that the majority of gun owners have never used their weapons as an act of violence.
Up here in Canada recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government tightened up gun laws banning anything that looks like an assault style weapon. This even included ‘airsoft’ rifles that shoot plastic bb’s. Why? Because of the horrific shooting in Nova Scotia that lead to the deaths of 22 innocent people in the worst act of domestic terrorism in recent Canadian history. Trudeau was quoted as saying, “These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time.” What Trudeau, and other fire arms activists failed to tell you is the man who was responsible for the murderous spree, Gabriel Wortman, who was shot and killed by Nova Scotia RCMP officers, purchased his gun illegally from the United States and was not allowed to have a fire arms licence in Canada. What Trudeau failed to mention to the public is that Canada has a massive problem, especially in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, with guns being smuggled into those port cities and being used for criminal purposes. What Trudeau failed to tell the public was that Canadian gun laws restrict the amount of ammunition a magazine can hold to a limit of ten bullets. What Trudeau failed to mention to the world was that these new laws to allegedly keep Canada safe, only harm the legal, law biding citizens of the country, many of whom are rural farmers who use those weapons to protect their live stock from predatory animals like bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes. The Prime Minister also failed in giving a plan on how his government was going to try and police the ports to thwart illegal guns from entering the country, so criminals don’t use illegal guns in their crime sprees.
Back to Warner Brothers. For almost 80-years both Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam have used their weapons in a cartoonish style. They have ZERO murders to their name. Yet, we still see Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Doom, Grand Theft Auto, and more still being produced and some of the most popular video games with their share of gun violence. Earlier this year, the American Psychological Association weighed in on the argument of violence in video games, and the stigma that this creates violent behaviour and promotes mass shootings. In an article from their website, dated March 3, 2020, “Violence is a complex social problem that likely stems from many factors that warrant attention from researchers, policymakers and the public,” said APA President Sandra L. Shullman, PhD. “Attributing violence to video gaming is not scientifically sound and draws attention away from other factors, such as a history of violence, which we know from the research is a major predictor of future violence.”
If these interactive video games, which in my opinion are much more violent than any Looney Tunes cartoon I’ve ever seen, are not contributing to the increase in societal gun violence, then where does Warner Brother get off on bowing to those who are ‘offended’? What’s next? Does Marvin The Martian have to turn in his Illudium PU36 Space Modulator because he was going to use it to not only blow up the moon but earth as well?
Look, I am sad that violence has taken over everywhere. I’m sad that bad cops are murdering innocent people. I’m sad that people of colour are picked on for nothing more than their skin tone. Coming from a blended family where my Mom’s sister is black, this drives me insane and I’m glad I don’t understand the hate over colour. I’m sad by the looters who are ruining peaceful protests. I’m sad for people affected by any tragedy no matter how big or how small. As a society, we do have to do better. But being ‘offended’ does not warrant actions because it’s the cause of your day, week or month. We have real issues out there to deal with, that have nothing to do with cartoons or Elmer Fudd using a double barreled shot gun. Elmer Fudd is the storm trooper of cartoons. He couldn’t hit a barn door if it was two feet in front of him.
But alas, the loud minority has spoken, and they’ve been heard. At some point, the media, politicians and corporations have to start listening to the silent majority who is sick and tired of Karen and her friends running around wanting change for everything they don’t agree with. No wonder society is becoming a cess-pool of idiocy. We officially lack critical thinking, because someone got offended. If you choose to bark at me about my blog, once again, please re-read the third paragraph of this blog before putting words in my mouth about being a gun nut or any other cheap shot you may have towards me.
Political Correctness Goes Too Far Again!
Gail Hodson Shirk
I’m going to preface this by stating that I’ve never owned a gun. I do not have a gun licence. I have fired guns under controlled circumstances before. My family is a victim of gun violence, when back in 1984 my sister was shot and her friend was killed in an act of rage and violence. The scars still show on my sister as she is missing her ring finger on her right hand because of it. I’m not American, so the rights to the Second Amendment mean nothing to me. I’m not a member of the NRA or any sort of gun club. But I do know responsible citizens who are gun owners. Responsible citizens who collect fire arms. Responsible citizens who hunt for food. Responsible citizens who have never pulled a gun on someone out of anger or threat. In fact, statistics show that the majority of gun owners have never used their weapons as an act of violence.
Up here in Canada recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government tightened up gun laws banning anything that looks like an assault style weapon. This even included ‘airsoft’ rifles that shoot plastic bb’s. Why? Because of the horrific shooting in Nova Scotia that lead to the deaths of 22 innocent people in the worst act of domestic terrorism in recent Canadian history. Trudeau was quoted as saying, “These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time.” What Trudeau, and other fire arms activists failed to tell you is the man who was responsible for the murderous spree, Gabriel Wortman, who was shot and killed by Nova Scotia RCMP officers, purchased his gun illegally from the United States and was not allowed to have a fire arms licence in Canada. What Trudeau failed to mention to the public is that Canada has a massive problem, especially in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, with guns being smuggled into those port cities and being used for criminal purposes. What Trudeau failed to tell the public was that Canadian gun laws restrict the amount of ammunition a magazine can hold to a limit of ten bullets. What Trudeau failed to mention to the world was that these new laws to allegedly keep Canada safe, only harm the legal, law biding citizens of the country, many of whom are rural farmers who use those weapons to protect their live stock from predatory animals like bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes. The Prime Minister also failed in giving a plan on how his government was going to try and police the ports to thwart illegal guns from entering the country, so criminals don’t use illegal guns in their crime sprees.