Bravo to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand for demonstrating what leadership in a democracy is all about when national security is at stake. Her announcement of an outright ban on all military-style semiautomatic weapons, large-capacity magazines, and related parts is decisive, widely supported, and (as she said) “in the national interest.” More than that, as she also said, this ban warrants international action. Without the cooperation of other countries, and a tone-deaf social media industry, the proliferation of personal military-style weapons and their purchase and use by home-grown terrorists cannot be stopped. Of course here in the US, the National Rifle Association, with the support of a white-nationalist president, is no doubt gearing up for another well-financed defense of the right to arm, with no restrictions on the kind of weapon and without regard to how deranged the buyer might be. So we must look abroad for inspiration and guidance, for in America “free choice” and profit trump real (human and environmental) security every time.
APB: New Zealand Shows the Way
In the Human Interest - Mel Gurtov 
Dear Mel,
“Bravo” is right. We are just too deeply stupid to take this obvious step here. Will take an event involving hundreds of legislators…for them to think that maybe the slightest thing does need to be done, after all.
Thanks for your work.
Very dear Mel,
She is indeed a very impressive leader. I only wish we had more leaders like her.
Hope all’s well with you and the family.
Warm regards, Benon
Go long and make this your cogent best, or, as they say in Kiwiland, (a Kiwi actually said this to me, much to my eternal delight) “Nonviolence brings out the beast in you!”
On Thu, Mar 21, 2019 at 9:30 AM In the Human Interest – Mel Gurtov wrote:
> Mel Gurtov posted: ” Bravo to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand > for demonstrating what leadership in a democracy is all about when national > security is at stake. Her announcement of an outright ban on all > military-style semiautomatic weapons, large-capacity maga” >
Great to see a leader take decisive action.
Will be interesting to see what push back, if any, she gets.