Global complicity
Re: Mass murderer is a product of our culture, Christie Blatchford, March 16
Never mind blaming guns for Friday’s bloodbath in New Zealand, that nation has some of the most stringent firearm laws in the world. However, we must take a closer look at social media, a modern phenomenon which has benefited society to a great degree, but also has a very dark side. How many atrocities including the horrendous bloodbath in New Zealand in some way can be attributed to the World Wide Web? The killer’s manifesto and his name were published in many media circles, which can only push other obsessed and troubled individuals to perhaps emulate this horrific incident. Stephen Flanagan, Ottawa It would be more correct for Christie Blatchford to say that the New Zealand gunman is a product of the world culture. No culture in the world remains innocent of the terrorist activities that have become so commonplace and no culture should be excused from the work that must be done to end these atrocities. The gunman, having become obsessed with Muslim terrorist attacks in Europe, is living proof that hatred begets hatred and violence begets violence.
It would be a huge mistake to explain terrorism by focusing narrowly on certain groups, whether that be white supremacists or Muslim jihadists. We are all guilty to some degree, we must all participate in the solution. Simply expressing our shock when atrocities occur is not enough. When will the never ending and noisy hypocritical blather emanating from political and cultural extremists be replaced by straight talk from a much more active silent majority? Peter Mannistu, Calgary