Comedy legend Eric Idle, a member of Monty Python, recently made a social media post that sparked controversy. It all started when a user on X (formerly known as Twitter) asked their followers to name something the USA invented without using Google. Idle responded with just three words: “Mass school shootings.”
This response struck a chord with many people, considering the alarming number of mass shootings that have occurred in American schools and colleges. From the 1999 Columbine High School massacre to the recent Nashville, Tennessee, school shooting in March, a total of 175 lives have been lost in these tragic events.
Some commenters on Idle’s post even added to the discussion, pointing out America’s notorious reputation for producing serial killers and the common use of “thoughts and prayers” as a seemingly empty response to gun violence.
Others highlighted how the issue of school shootings has affected different aspects of American life, including the invention of bulletproof vests for kindergartners.
However, not everyone appreciated Idle’s comment. Some individuals took offense and suggested that he should stick to being “almost funny.” This criticism highlighted Idle’s career in comedy, referencing his iconic works like the sketch “Nudge Nudge,” the comedy song “Bright Side of Life,” and the parody band “The Ruttles.”
The post and subsequent reactions serve as a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding gun violence in the United States, and the need for more effective measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
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