# A big middle finger to the people who took advantage to politicize the school shooting **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 19, 2018, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107 "2018-02-19T09:00:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/221 "2018-02-21T00:53:26Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > [Not even close.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_area#Countries_and_dependencies_by_area) Only one portion of Russia really is part of Europe so… ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/222 "2018-02-21T01:28:23Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Only one portion of Russia really is part of Europe so… … try Australia on for size. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/223 "2018-02-21T01:28:24Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Only one portion of Russia really is part of Europe so… It’s still considered a European nation. Give it up, kid. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/224 "2018-02-21T01:30:42Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > It’s still considered a European nation. Give it up, kid. \*youngin ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/225 "2018-02-21T02:23:08Z")
I’m still waiting to see all the rootin’ tootin’ gun lovin’ ammosexuals start their war against the gun grabbers. Oh wait. They won’t. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/226 "2018-02-21T02:42:25Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Most of us have a considerable number of other principles that rank well above states’ rights. I realize this is the Pit, but do you have a cite for your claim about “most of us”? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/227 "2018-02-21T02:49:07Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > I realize this is the Pit, but do you have a cite for your claim about “most of us”? He can use ME for one of his cites if he wants. I’m a gun owning, former Army, mostly pro 2nd Amendment, not pot smoking, guy who says “enough of this shit”. I used to be against too many laws, but this situation has to stop. I can pass a safety course I can pass a marksmanship course. I don’t have any felonies. I can pass a background check. What’s THEIR problem? ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/228 "2018-02-21T03:08:52Z")
Let’s do a trio of Cars vs guns vs knifes Oh yeah is on 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Not\_a\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Not\_a\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_a_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/229 "2018-02-21T03:18:03Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > … try Australia on for size. I can’t tell how serious you are with this, but it’s cracking me up every time I see it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending our new friend here, it’s just the idea of Australia being offered as a “take that!” kind of example to refute his point specifically about the US being larger than any European country, when it’s smaller and not in Europe, just tickles me. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/230 "2018-02-21T03:26:02Z")
> [@Not\_a\_Platypus](#): > > I can’t tell how serious you are with this, but it’s cracking me up every time I see it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending our new friend here, it’s just the idea of Australia being offered as a “take that!” kind of example to refute his point specifically about the US being larger than any European country, when it’s smaller and not in Europe, just tickles me. Never said it was in Europe, and while it’s smaller than the US, it’s emptier, which is the real issue. Of course, you’d need to know a bit of context about the debate to realize the relevance, so I shouldn’t be too condescending. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/231 "2018-02-21T03:32:57Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > America is a much larger country than any European nation ever. And we have a lot of wilderness, open space, and many different types of populations. This is why, for instance, it is almost impossible for anyone to buy a legal gun in NY City. Probably because proximity and population make guns more dangerous in an inner city such as the Big Apple. Yeah _Europe_ is a continent of fairly small countries but why did you pick Europe and exclude large, wealthy countries with no significant gun violence issues like Canada or Australia? Is it because it would undermine your point, because countries like Australia implemented gun controls and saw a corresponding reduction in gun violence and suicides? > [@](#): > > Americans have been heavily armed with all kinds of heavy duty, hardcore weapons for almost 250 years. It is only in the recent decades we have had serious, widespread problems like the one in Florida. So categorically assuming its the guns themselves that are the problem is myopic. That’s a fair point, but has gun ownership always been the same? What I mean is, was it widespread for teenagers to buy the equivalent of an AR-15? While it may not have been illegal, there may have been various practical reasons that it was unlikely. But secondly, no-one is saying it’s _only_ the guns. We’re just saying, if you make it harder for Joe Psycho to buy an SMG, you’ll probably make mass shootings less common, as we’ve seen in the rest of the developed world. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_a\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Not\_a\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_a_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/232 "2018-02-21T03:34:48Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Never said it was in Europe, and while it’s smaller than the US, it’s emptier, which is the real issue. > > Of course, you’d need to know a bit of context about the debate to realize the relevance, so I shouldn’t be too condescending. I understand the debate perfectly well, assumed correctly what your point probably was, and actually wasn’t trying to be condescending. My point was that your example, if taken as a literal refute to what he said, was goddamn hilarious. It still is. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/233 "2018-02-21T04:30:36Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Let’s do a trio of > > Cars vs guns vs knifes > > Oh yeah is on 🆒 Do you ever re-read before you post? What exactly are you proposing here? You make Trump look erudite. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/234 "2018-02-21T04:42:22Z")
Got dang my post glitched. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/235 "2018-02-21T04:50:18Z")
Cleared things right up. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/236 "2018-02-21T05:16:59Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Cleared things right up. Thanks. As for why I bought that up, Idk I want too see truly which one is the biggest killer out of all 3. And lol at comparing to me trump ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/237 "2018-02-21T05:32:24Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > As for why I bought that up, Idk I want too see truly which one is the biggest killer out of all 3. That should be interesting, let us know what you find out. I’d be interested in the rates v the number of the items in circulation, if you can. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/238 "2018-02-21T05:36:30Z")
The tiny mosquito is by far the biggest killer. Responsible for more than 2.7 million deaths every year, the mosquito kills more people than guns, knives and cars. The mosquito sends her thoughts and prayers to all those affected in these difficult times. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/239 "2018-02-21T05:55:59Z")
Helpful word advice, _tovarisch_: Is not correct in formal or colloquial English to begin sentence or clause with “is”. Is stereotypical “Russianism” making you sound like [Krushchev Pig Character in old _Pogo_ cartoon](http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1114628). All over these boards is your characteristic Russian-speaker broken English appearing: “comparing to me trump” for “comparing [T]rump to me” “do gun talk”, “the more talk is done”, “the world will be as dangerous as they come”, “Do petitions”, “other map I saw”, “interesting way to think it”, “the more stress and less good I am to develop as a poster”, etc. Please transmit contact email for your supervisor at Internet Research Agency, where that I can send complaint of your gross incompetence at impersonating American internet user. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/240 "2018-02-21T06:36:41Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Helpful word advice, _tovarisch_: Is not correct in formal or colloquial English to begin sentence or clause with “is”. Is stereotypical “Russianism” making you sound like [Krushchev Pig Character in old _Pogo_ cartoon](http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1114628). > > All over these boards is your characteristic Russian-speaker broken English appearing: > > “comparing to me trump” for “comparing [T]rump to me” > > “do gun talk”, “the more talk is done”, “the world will be as dangerous as they come”, “Do petitions”, “other map I saw”, “interesting way to think it”, “the more stress and less good I am to develop as a poster”, etc. > > Please transmit contact email for your supervisor at Internet Research Agency, where that I can send complaint of your gross incompetence at impersonating American internet user. Is this satire? I hope so. I could care less about formal and proper writing in a messageboard, hence the tendency to do so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107.md?page=13)