GUN CULTURE
   Date :07-Aug-2019

 
THE United States, it appears, is paying very dearly for the gun culture and its liberal gun licensing policies. Former President Mr. Barrak Obama felt concerned about it and had mulled on curbing the menace. However, there is a strange standstill on the issue at the highest echelons of the US system ever since. Several mass shootings in public places have taken place since then by somewhat psychopathic and not so psychopathic individuals. The latest are two cases in which a 21-year-old boy killed 21 people in a Walmart store in Texas and another one killed nine people on Sunday in Dayton, Ohio. It is surprising that the US political community and the Government do not feel concerned about such mass murders. Many of these killings have taken place out of racial hatred, though the authorities deny any racially discriminating policies. Officially there may not be any racial discrimination, but there is a political atmosphere that fuels such thoughts. It is time the US lawmakers take a fresh look at the their strange and suicidal liberal gun licensing policy.
 
REDEMPTION
 
THE spectacular comeback by Australia to win the first Ashes Test with a convincing margin has totally changed the dynamics of the oldest cricketing rivalry. The way England lorded over the decrepit Aussies on the first day of the Edgbaston Test sent out feelers that this edition of the Ashes would also peter into a no-contest. And then rose Steve Smith, like a phoenix, to dismantle every perception, every negativity, to propel a fightback that will find a place among the top innings in the annals of Test cricket. The two centuries (144, 142) at Birmingham have completed Smith’s redemption. He has well and truly overcome his self-inflicted dark hour. Notwithstanding the raucous remonstrance by the English crowd, Smith wrote his own script and provided Australia a blockbuster. Australia are back to their best and World Champs England have lost their fortress. Over the years, the Ashes have seen gripping drama but the circumstances and situation under which this series is being played will definitely add a wonderful story in the coming few weeks.