If there is one thing our European friends seem to be obsessed with when it comes to American news, it is our gun culture. Actually I'm not sure what that expression specifically refers to. But I hear it a lot on MSNBCforObama and find that network really likes to report on anything involving deadly weapons, our right to own them, and their misuse. Assault rifles, gun shows, military grade hardware, school shootings, stand-your ground, Chicago gang-violence, 2nd Amendment rights... the phrase list goes on. I suppose it all does make up some kind of "culture" but it is undeniable that media coverage is a loose bonding agent and invites us all to take a side and keep tuning in.
It's not surprising that the recent death of a range instructor near Las Vegas involving a nine year old girl and an Uzi weapon was instant fast news food for many in Europe. I listen to BBC when I have the chance and this story has been getting a lot of coverage these days. (It used to be 'Guantanamo' every day when Bush was president). The words scale and perspective seem to have no meaning when it comes to news editors and what they choose or how much they follow up certain stories. To many radio listening Brits, every other kid in the U.S. must be a delicate arm length and one unlocked gun away from mayhem.
Nine year old girls don't need to shoot an Uzi. Why her parents decided to allow her to handle that weapon is beyond me. I can understand the instructor's or the range owner's motive: they wanted to get paid. But if we're going to blame someone in this case, it is the parents.
A few weeks ago, I played a round of golf with my 17 year old son. We get to the course regularly and it is usually highlight of my week. On that particular day we were paired up with two other guys who brought a four year old on the course. The little boy was cute and seemed to be having fun, but had no earthly idea what was going on. He was too young. Had that day ended with the young one being seriously injured by a golf ball or club, it might have made the news - but probably not BBC.
I'll say it again. The average four year old belongs on a playground and not on a golf course or for that matter a gun range or the first class cabin of an airliner or a lot of other places. Maybe that golfing father heard the Harry Chapin song 'Cats on the Cradle' the day before we played. Or maybe he just does what a lot of parents do these days which is to expose their kids to things much more grown-up than they are ready for. A few young teens have died mountain climbing or trying to pilot a plane stupidly and needlessly. Many more youngsters are killed because of accidental gun violence - but just to keep it in perspective, more die in accidental pool drownings.
I know, Tiger Woods was televised shaping nine irons out of a bunker on the Mike Douglas Show at age 2. Good for him. But Tiger was and still is very not average. His ex-wife would be happy to elaborate on that.
