Twitter users flaunt guns brought by Santa: 'I'll shoot more than my eye out'

5 hrs.

Rosa Golijan , NBC News

Last year, much of the Web's post-Christmas ire was directed at Twitter users who, like ungrateful brats, complained that Santa brought the wrong color iPhone?or failed to deliver a car. This year, Internet denizens are upset that some people?are?bragging about their new guns???on Twitter and Instagram.

In the wake of?the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.,??gun control has once again?become a topic of national debate. Yet?the?controversy?isn't preventing those who are excited about the?firearms Santa brought from joyfully posting about them on social media.

No matter which side of the gun control debate you're on, these images ??first noticed by?the Verge's T.C. Sottek?and?the Atlantic Wire's Rebecca Greenfield?? could?make you uncomfortable.?There are plenty of men and women ? some who appear to be teenagers???who appear to be disregarding the NRA's three fundamental?rules of gun safety, particularly keeping fingers away from triggers, and pointing the guns only in safe directions. It's especially problematic?since these posts are often accompanied by the #NRA hashtag.

Not that the recipients seem to care.?"I got just what I wanted," one Twitter user wrote. "An Armalite semi-automatic AR-15 rifle. It's like the Christmas Story, but I'll shoot more than my eye out."

"Aw what a nice #assultRifle #santa left me haha (plus a box of 1200 bullets)," the caption on a young woman's Instagram photo said,?next to the image of a rifle resting on the hearth?next to a pile of wrapped Christmas gifts. (The girl later claimed, in a comment under her own post, that the gun was her dad's.)

Another Instagram user proudly posed in what appear to be fur-lined boots and a fur vest while holding her prized present. "Furs & Guns," she writes, "yes, it was a red-neck Christmas."

Searches for hashtags such as #AR15, #NRA, #Bushmaster, #gun and #SecondAmendment reveal plenty of photos of folks posing with their new firearms in front of Christmas trees and declaring how much they love their gifts.

One does have to wonder whether we'd pay as much attention to these images if it weren't for the recent national?focus on firearms and the anticipation of tighter gun control measures. It's also worth asking if this apparent?surge in gun pride isn't a side effect?of the Newtown?tragedy as well.?As a prior report points out, while "a spike in gun?sales is common after a mass shooting," and "the latest rampage has generated record sales in some states."

Between those sales statistics and social media's never-ending?craving for drama, perhaps it was inevitable that last year's whiny gift?recipients?surrendered the spotlight to this year's gift-wrapped rifles.

Want more tech news?or interesting?links? You'll get plenty of both if you keep up with Rosa Golijan, the writer of this post, by following her on?Twitter, subscribing to her?Facebook?posts,?or circling her?on?Google+.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/twitter-users-flaunt-guns-brought-santa-ill-shoot-more-my-1C7659316

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Video: Debate over gun control fires up

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50291572/

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Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world Tuesday, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria and urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate.

Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies.

He prayed that China's new leaders respect religion, a reference to persecution Chinese Roman Catholics have at times endured under communism.

As the 85-year-old pontiff, bundled up in an ermine-trimmed red cape, gingerly stepped foot on the balcony, the pilgrims, tourists and Romans below backing St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers.

Less than 12 hours earlier, Benedict had led a two-hour long Christmas Eve ceremony in the basilica. He sounded hoarse and looked weary as he read his Christmas message and then holiday greetings in 65 languages.

In his "Urbi et Orbi" speech, which traditionally reviews world events and global challenges, Benedict prayed that "peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict that does not spare even the defenseless and reaps innocent victims."

He called for easier access to help refugees and for "dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict."

Benedict prayed that God "grant Israelis and Palestinians courage to end long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path to negotiation."

Israel, backed by the United States, opposed the Palestinian statehood bid, saying it was a ploy to bypass negotiations, something the Palestinians deny. Talks stalled four years ago.

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said that in a meeting with the pope last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "emphasized our total readiness to resume negotiations." The Palestinians have not dropped their demand that Israel first stop settlement activities before returning to the negotiating table.

Hours earlier, in the ancient Bethlehem church built over the site where tradition holds Jesus was born, candles illuminated the sacred site and the joyous sound of prayer filled its overflowing halls.

Overcast skies and a cold wind in the Holy Land didn't dampen the spirits of worshippers in the biblical West Bank town. Bells pealed and long lines formed inside the fourth-century Church of the Nativity complex as Christian faithful waited to see the grotto that is Jesus' traditional birthplace.

Duncan Hardock, 24, a writer from MacLean, Va., traveled to Bethlehem from the republic of Georgia, where he had been teaching English. After passing through the separation barrier Israel built to ward off West Bank attackers, he walked to Bethlehem's Manger Square where the church stands.

"I feel we got to see both sides of Bethlehem in a really short period of time," Hardock said. "On our walk from the wall, we got to see the lonesome, closed side of Bethlehem ... But the moment we got into town, we're suddenly in the middle of the party."

Bethlehem lies 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Jerusalem. Entry to the city is controlled by Israel, which occupied the West Bank in 1967.

For those who couldn't fit into the cavernous Bethlehem church, a loudspeaker outside broadcast the Christmas day service to hundreds of faithful in the square.

Their Palestinian hosts, who welcome this holiday as the high point of their city's year, were especially joyous this season, proud of the United Nations' recognition of an independent state of Palestine just last month.

"From this holy place, I invite politicians and men of good will to work with determination for peace and reconciliation that encompasses Palestine and Israel in the midst of all the suffering in the Middle East," said the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal in his annual address.

Back at the Vatican, Benedict offered encouragement to countries after the Arab spring of democracy protests. He had a special word for Egypt, "blessed by the childhood of Jesus."

Without citing the tumultuous politics and clashes in the region, he urged the North African region to build societies "founded on justice and respect for the dignity of every person."

Benedict prayed for the return of peace in Mali and harmony in Nigeria, where, he recalled "savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians."

The Vatican for decades has been worried about the well-being of its flock in China, who are loyal to the pope in defiance of the communist's government support of an officially sponsored church, and relations between Beijing and the Holy See are often tense.

Speaking about China's newly installed regime leaders, Benedict expressed hope that "they will esteem the contribution of the religions, in respect for each other, in such a way that they can help to build a fraternal society for the benefit of that noble people and of the whole world."

Acknowledging Latin America's predominant Christian population, he urged government leaders to carry out commitments to development and to fighting organized crime.

In Britain, the royal family was attending Christmas Day church services at St. Mary Magdelene Church on Queen Elizabeth II's sprawling Sandringham estate, though there were a few notable absences. Prince William is spending the holiday with his pregnant wife Kate and his in-laws in the southern England village of Bucklebury, while Prince Harry is serving with British troops in Afghanistan.

Later Tuesday, the queen will deliver her traditional, pre-recorded Christmas message, which for the first time will be broadcast in 3D.

______

Dalia Nammari in Bethlehem and Cassandra Vinograd in London contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pope-decries-slaughter-defenseless-syrians-111207075.html

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Twoo's Brews ? The Gift of Gaming : ChannelFireball ? Magic: The ...

Posted by Travis Woo

December 24, 2012 |

Seventeen years ago I reached my hand into my Christmas stocking? I pulled out a booster pack of Magic cards.

Here I am. It has been a WILD RIDE.

The Gift of Gaming

I can not overstate the value of gaming in the development of human beings- children and adults. Mental and physical games side by side are incredibly beneficial. You SHOULD play games and you SHOULD encourage your children to play games. And you should have confidence that gaming IS productive and IS beneficial to both the gamer AND greater society.

In games you learn:

How to emotionally deal with yourself and opponents in defeat or victory.

How to emotionally deal with yourself and teammates in defeat or victory.

Long-term planning.

Sacrifice.

Resource management.

Acceptance of things you can?t control, and focus on things you can control.

Through gaming. you will learn how to SMASH standardized tests to get into school. And in school, gaming will teach you alternative life strategy so that when you graduate you will not just ?have a job,? but have work that is fulfilling.

Games also bring you close to people. Your teammates and competitors may be your siblings. They are people like you?you have seen how their emotions play out in the game, and they have seen yours. A bond is created between you that is strong and intimate. All because you share the same love for a game.

Now is a good time to give gifts. If you want to make a difference, give the gift of gaming. That could be a booster pack of Magic cards, it could be a chess board, or it could be a basketball. It could be simply your presence at the gaming table. THIS is the most powerful gift. THIS is a gift from which the recipient can learn for a lifetime.

My Journey

My journey is filled with tears, laughter, hatred, love, frustration, satisfaction, longing, and belonging. It is a tale of a complainer and blamer slowly becoming a responsible adult. It is the tale of a quiet, shy child slowly becoming a loud, confident leader. It is a tale of a selfish brat slowly becoming a community leader through a card game.

I was lucky. My parents gave my brother and me board games, card games, video games, and computer games. They enrolled us in team sports. They gave us balls and bats and said GO PLAY, with CONFIDENCE that the gaming was productive.

And it was. It is.

What some people see as goofing off turned out to be hard work. Hours in the back yard, hours at the kitchen table, and hours in front of the computer turned out to be productive, foundational hours.

At each stage of my life, I can tell you how Magic helped me develop. I can explain how Magic taught me how to trade in elementary school. I can explain how Magic taught me to be PROUD of who I am in high school. I can tell you Magic taught me that hard work pays off in college. And I can tell you that Magic is much, much, more than a game today. It is productive. It is fulfilling. It is a learning tool and a way of life.

Gaming is the pursuit of knowledge. It is the pursuit of practice. The pursuit of teamwork. The pursuit of success. The pursuit of community recognition. The pursuit of changing a community for the better. Children want to play. Adults want to play. And they SHOULD play.

Logistics change. People come and go. But 17 years later I am still playing and the game is still here. If I am alive, I will still be here in 17 years. And if I?m not, the game, and this community will be here.

Your Journey

Where were you when you started gaming? Where were you when you held a Magic card for the first time? And where are you now?

You might be able to think back to early childhood memories playing games with your parents and siblings. You might be able to think back to playing games with friends from school. You might be able to remember having gaming parties with friends on the weekends. Why do we do this? Is it just goofing off?

No!

Whether you realize it yet or not, YOU have learned a lot from gaming. You have learned a lot from THIS game. It has brought you closer to your family, and closer to friends. Think about it, and you will realize that you are not just a gamer, but that you are a hard-working human being with an expanded knowledge from a pursuit of gaming.

Your journey started many years ago and it has many years to go. If you are alive, you will still be here. This game will still be here. And this community will still be here.

The Gift of Community

Here I am. This is my work. This is what I do. This is how I produce for society. And I will continue to do what I do until the day I die. Truthfully. I have not slowed down since I started, and I will not slow down before I finish.

Many of you come here for the Magic cards. That?s how I started too. But I?m hoping that you stay for something more?the pursuit of change and improvement and fitness THROUGH Magic cards. Of yourselves and of the community.

Sometimes it is hard to see, but the cards are a vehicle for change. The change starts with our play. Our play affects our thinking. Our thinking affects our behavior. We win more at the table, we win more at life.

You are my community?the Magic community. And I am your community. Do you have an LGS? Do you have a Facebook? Do you have a message board? Then you have a voice in this community. BE LOUD! Let your community know what is good and what needs to be improved. Let the world know that YOU BELIEVE IN GAMING. The world will believe as you do.

The community will give back to you. They will give you free advice. They will give you free content. Some will give you free cards. They will give you the Gift of Community. Enjoy it! And know that giving back is as simple as being LOUD about why this game is great.

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas, sit down with your family and play a board game. Play a card game. Play any kind of game, but PLAY A GAME. You give out a booster pack this Christmas and it might change a life, and that life might go on to change the world. One tiny little booster pack is all it takes.

This Christmas, give the gift of gaming!

Questions! Comments! Think there?s something I forgot??

Facebook.com/travisdwoo
Twitter.com/travisdwoo
Twitchtv.com/traviswoo

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-12-25-Mexico-Outspoken-Bishop/id-3dc334a7395b43ed9f9f4b9363f30cd8

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Afghan policewoman kills U.S. adviser in police chief's compound

KABUL (Reuters) - An Afghan policewoman shot dead on Monday a U.S. forces member in the chief of police's compound in Kabul, police and NATO said, another "insider attack" that is bound to raise troubling questions about the direction of an unpopular war.

It appeared to be the first time that a woman member of Afghanistan's security forces shot a member of the Western coalition force supporting and training Afghanistan's military and police.

"A U.S. police adviser was killed in an attack by an Afghan policewoman," a spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.

Mohammad Zahir, head of the police criminal investigation department, described the incident as an "insider attack" in which Afghan forces turn their weapons on Western troops they are supposed to be working with.

After more than 10 years of conflict, militants are capable of staging attacks on Western targets in the heart of the capital, and foreign forces worry that members of the Afghan police and military they are supposed to work with can suddenly turn on them.

The policewoman approached the American adviser as he was walking in the heavily guarded police chief's compound in a bustling area of the capital. She then drew a pistol and shot him once, a senior police official told Reuters.

The police compound is close to the Interior Ministry where in February, two American officers were shot dead at close range at a time anger gripped the country over the burning of copies of the Muslim holy book at a NATO base.

"She is now under interrogation. She is crying and saying 'what have I done'," said the official of the police officer who worked in a section of the Interior Ministry responsible for gender awareness issues.

The insider incidents, also known as green-on-blue attacks, have undermined trust between coalition and Afghan forces who are under mounting pressure to contain the Taliban insurgency before most NATO combat troops withdraw by the end of 2014.

Security responsibilities in a country plagued by conflict for decades will be handed to Afghan security forces.

Many Afghans fear a civil war like one dominated by warlords after the withdrawal of Soviet occupying forces in 1989 could erupt again, or the Taliban will make another push to seize power if they reject a nascent peace process.

At least 52 members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force have been killed this year by Afghans wearing police or army uniforms.

Insider attacks now account for one in every five combat deaths suffered by NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, and 16 percent of all U.S. combat casualties, according to 2012 data.

Hoping to stop the alarming rise in the attacks, Afghan Defense Ministry officials have given their troops tips in foreign culture, telling them not to be offended by a hearty pat on the back or an American soldier asking after your wife's health.

NATO attributes only about a quarter of the attacks to the Taliban, saying the rest are caused by personal grievances and misunderstandings. Last year, there were 35 deaths in such attacks.

(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Robert Birsel)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/afghan-policewoman-wounds-u-soldier-police-compound-062825742.html

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