On the blame game

Brad also has an insightful reflection on the fallout from the recent tragic shooting in Arizona.

Christian tradition has never been content to leave the blame for sin at the feet of the sinner alone. Sin is not simply something that each of us as individuals choose for ourselves; it is a disease we inherit, a poisoned air we all breathe both in and out. While the shooter is not excused or exonerated by such considerations, ruling out any reflection upon the context within which this assault occurred is short-sighted.

One of Howard's "greatest legacies"

New research into the effect of John Howard's firearms restrictions after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 argues that it has saved more than 200 lives each year and hundreds of millions of dollars. It has also cut multiple death shootings in Australia from one every year or two to zero over the last thirteen years.

The restrictions banned certain weapons (semi-automatic rifles and certain shotguns) and involved the compulsory purchase of about 660,000 weapons. It was one of Howard's first major initiatives after being elected and was very divisive at the time. The new research seems to vindicate his position.

I have always thought it was a good move and coming as it did on the cusp of my eligibility to begin voting, it gave me a positive impression of Howard.