Victory for US Gun Lobby

Yesterday's split decision by the US Supreme Court that secured an individual's contitutional right to bear arms in every corner of the country and thus overturned a ban on handguns in Chicago has been strongly condemned by the Violence Policy Centre. See their official reaction below:

People will die because of this decision. It is a victory only for the gun lobby and America's fading firearms industry. The inevitable tide of frivolous pro-gun litigation destined to follow will force cities, counties, and states to expend scarce resources to defend longstanding, effective public safety laws. The gun lobby and gunmakers are seeking nothing less than the complete dismantling of our nation’s gun laws in a cynical effort to try and stem the long-term drop in gun ownership and save the dwindling gun industry. The 30,000 lives claimed annually by gun violence and the families destroyed in the wake of mass shootings and murder-suicides mean little to the gun lobby and the firearm manufacturers it protects.

It is our hope that Chicago’s citizens will follow the lead of the residents of the District of Columbia--who were stripped of their handgun ban in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. In the two years since that decision, only 900 firearms have been registered in the District that otherwise could not have been registered before the Heller ruling. The citizens of DC reject the wrong-headed notion that more guns make us safer. We know the facts prove the opposite and that areas of the country with the highest concentration of gun ownership also have the highest rates of gun death. We urge Chicago residents to consider these indisputable facts before considering bringing a handgun into their homes--an act that could well prove fatal to themselves or a loved one.

Death to the Death Penalty

Great new video from Amnesty:

Update: Israeli Inquiry

The commission set up by Israel to investigate the raid of a Gaza bound flotilla has been unsurprisingly welcomed by White House officials. This is despite the fact that:

(1) It will be headed and dominated by Israeli citizens,
(2) Denies a vote to the foreign observing members,
(3) Does not appear to possess a mandate to examine the Israeli government's decision making role in the raid and,
(4) Will no be allowed to interview the soldiers that were involved.

Manifestly the composition and scope of the commission lacks credibility. If there is to be an inquiry, it must be international and genuinely independent. Otherwise it will be nothing more than self serving propaganda.

Alternative World Cup Ratings

The World Development Movement has set up an online ranking system for the world cup based on social justice.

WhoShouldICheerFor.com examines factors such as aid contribution, maternal mortality, life expectancy and carbon emissions and has rated the competing nations as follows:

1. Ghana
2. Paraguay
3. Honduras
4. Cote d’Ivoire
5. Cameroon
6. The Netherlands
7. Nigeria
8. Spain
9. Germany
10. Switzerland
11. Denmark
12. Slovakia
13. New Zealand
14. Japan
15. Mexico
16. Brazil
17. Serbia
18. France
19. Argentina
20. Slovenia
21. Uruguay
22. Algeria
23. Chile
24. Italy
25. Australia
26. Portugal
27. England
28. South Africa
29. South Korea
30. Greece
31. USA
32. North Korea* (Not enough data available)

Update - Mapping Peace

The 2010 Global Peace Index was released today and accompanied with an excellent map. Once again, New Zealand topped the poll of 149 countries as most peaceful nation. Retaining its position at the top of the league, New Zealand scored well in related areas such as civil liberties, political participation, life expectancy and education enrolment.

PS: If you enjoy the interactive map, take a look at these visualisations from Information is Beautiful.

Take Action Against Israel

Israel has broken international law, committed acts of state terrorism, killed innocent civilians and acted with impunity. This was unfortunately true long before Israel ordered its commandos to intercept the Gaza bound flotilla and has been the modus operandi of the country for decades.

For all those seeking to take action against Israel, here is a brief list of some that are currently live in Ireland:

• Demand an investigation - Amnesty International.
• Call on the Irish Government to take action against Israel - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
• Sign the petition to expel the Israeli Ambassador - Contact.ie.
• Call for action against Israel - Free Gaza Movement Ireland.

Internationally, Avaaz have also just launched a petition calling for an immediate and independent investigation in addition to the lifting of the Gaza blockade.

Protests have already taken place throughout Ireland and more will follow. Take part and don't allow this atrocity to slip from the news desks.