Kelly Oxford is a poster on twitter who is usually quite humorous and enjoyable, with a keen sense of snark. However, in response to last weekend's tragic shootings in Arizona, she took it upon herself to lecture the US about why Canada's gun laws are better.
It's unfortunate that she's fallen into the trap our two closely related countries frequently rediscover, why we shouldn't try to urge the other country to emulate us. When I visit Canada, I embrace their country without trying to encourage gun rights activism or even encouraging them to at least allow women to carry pepper spray for self defense. I suggest she do the same, especially as she is now doing some work for Hollywood.
(Full disclosure: I consider myself a consistent liberal and therefore consider most gun controls about as appetizing and smart as analogous attacks on reproductive rights. And attacking the NRA is about as cool in my mind as attacking the ACLU or GLAAD)
One thing that I found disturbing about her comments is how blithely they gloss over the fact that in Canada, a bad breakup ever can mean you can never own a gun. If all it takes is a vindictive ex without even the legal proof of a restraining order, that's a pretty poor basis for governing.
Finally, another of her tweets concludes with "and you aren't billed for treating your cancer", which is demonstrably untrue. Otherwise, why would Spider Robinson and his unfortunately now-deceased wife and collaborator have been financially devastated by her battle with cancer?
Stick to being amusing, kellyoxford, you're much better at it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
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