Campus Shootings - Let's discuss the REAL issue

[Alien]

I find it annoying and disappointing, although not at all surprising, that all but a few posters on BF's thread regarding the most recent campus shooting in Oregon are ignoring the actual issue.  It's not about the President.  It's not about guns.  It's not about gun control.  It's not about religion.  The real issue here is that we have a lot of young people walking around with the desire to take the lives of the people around them.  People who they resent for one reason or another.

What has happened to young people to fill them with such rage and hate?  Why do they feel that the only solution to their problems is to kill multiple people?  Where is the disconnect from simple human empathy that gives them the resolve to carry out such an act?  Most importantly, Why does this continue to happen with ever increasing frequency?

We can not hope to formulate a strategy to prevent these occurrences until we have answered these questions.

Guns are not the answer.  The mechanism of the act of murder is not important.  Once the decision to kill has been made, the killer will find a way.  Arming more people on campus is a reactive solution at best and a hellish death by firefight at worst.  What is needed is a proactive solution that stops these folks from becoming murderous assholes in the first place.  

The root cause must be identified and addressed.   But don't waste any time on that, just go back to bashing Obama.  That will fix everything, right?

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Skinhead]

I don't disagree, but there are multiple issues, not just one.  Providing a location with little to no resistance to carrying out there plan doesn't help.  But I agree guns are not the issue.

[BF]

Every single one of these incidents have occurred in a so called "gun free zone".  

The first thing that needs to be done is to do away with that insanity where people are not allowed to defend themselves.  

If they chose to not defend themselves, then that's up to them.  But don't take away everyone's right to self defense.  

The second thing is that by and large...and outside of the moooslums and other wackos that want to take out the entire planet, most of these wackos are mental.  We need to do away with the PC crap....if you know that Joe Blow has mental issues and talks crazy stuff about guns and killing people, then Joe Blow needs to be put away.  Period.  

Stop the PC crap, stop playing nice.  PC crap and playing nice is going to get everyone killed.  

And yes....it's time to bash Obama.  The man couldn't wait to get to his podium to push his anti-gun adgenda.  The blood hadn't even dried yet before that jackass gets up to push his adgenda. 

[indybobm]

I cannot help to think that a steady indoctrination of guns and violence from Hollywood and the First Person Shooter video games has something to do with this. Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens is not the answer. If Washington wants to make a difference with gun violence, stop the steady stream of gun violence that we see every day on TV and at the movies.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well stated Alien. I think until we figure what is driving these young men we are doomed for more.
BF, There were people with guns there.

[Jess from VA]

While seemingly pretty cliche', one would think that parents, schools and society in general is failing youths that come to believe they will be better off dead with a multiple murderer reputation, than alive and struggling along with the rest of us.  Lives without values, meaning, love, respect, or direction.  The devaluation of life and mayhem-for-fun in media and video games may be a contributor, though I don't believe it creates psychopaths, just reinforces preexisting psychopaths.  

Placing self worth and importance above all else seems a classic sign of the psychopath.  

With 322 million humans inside our borders, I think it is fair to say that pure numbers dictate we are guaranteed to have a certain percentage of defective units.   How to come up with a plan to identify (and deal with) defective units BEFORE they commit mass murder is a worthy goal, but doing so within the confines of our constitutionally guaranteed personal liberties may be impossible.

Even if they came up with a blood/urine lab pathology and brain scan that was shown to have a high degree of accuracy in identifying defective units (and psychopaths), how to make a universal testing requirement, and what to do with positives who have not yet committed crimes (and some never will), approaches an Orwellian world most of us would reject.

My constitutional liberties are more important than societal safety...... every time and forever.

Human behavior (especially child development) is influenced by the carrot and the hammer. The carrot comes from parents, siblings, schools, churches and peers.  The hammer comes from parents, siblings, schools, peers, and the police, prosecutors, prisons, and the needle.  Without proper application of the carrot and the hammer, many humans will fail, and some will murder.  It has always been so..... and obviously will increase in direct proportion to population increases.   

We so far have no idea how to effectively identify defective humans before they kill/maim/rape, but the neanderthal/old school method of guarding things we value with armed good guys does work, and leaving schools un or under defended is getting harder to justify.  Armed good guys is but one part of increased security, which also includes, cameras (monitors), communications, locks, and procedures.  

As far as schools and universities are concerned, it is probably time that political subdivisions and local govt/police tax bases will have to be merged geographically with schools, tuition and their tax base.  Off hand, it seems that K-12 should be publicly funded, but college and universities should pay their own way.

[solo1]

I cannot help to think that a steady indoctrination of guns and violence from Hollywood and the First Person Shooter video games has something to do with this. Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens is not the answer. If Washington wants to make a difference with gun violence, stop the steady stream of gun violence that we see every day on TV and at the movies.

I agree completely.  I also agree with Alien.  While Obama has certainly done his share of creating this, there are all kinds of factors involved.  Malaise and no idea of what the real world is.  A callous approach toward taking human lives,  Demanding respect by one who has no respect, a fleeting 'claim to fame" in the minds of some, the list goes on.

Overall, an instant response,  deadly if necessary, to give these twisted souls second thoughts.

I don't know the answers, i don't even know the questions, but, in any case, the answer does not lie with more government 'gun control'

[Wizzard]

I find it annoying and disappointing, although not at all surprising, that all but a few posters on BF's thread regarding the most recent campus shooting in Oregon are ignoring the actual issue.  It's not about the President.  It's not about guns.  It's not about gun control.  It's not about religion.  The real issue here is that we have a lot of young people walking around with the desire to take the lives of the people around them.  People who they resent for one reason or another.

What has happened to young people to fill them with such rage and hate?  Why do they feel that the only solution to their problems is to kill multiple people?  Where is the disconnect from simple human empathy that gives them the resolve to carry out such an act?  Most importantly, Why does this continue to happen with ever increasing frequency?

We can not hope to formulate a strategy to prevent these occurrences until we have answered these questions.

Guns are not the answer.  The mechanism of the act of murder is not important.  Once the decision to kill has been made, the killer will find a way.  Arming more people on campus is a reactive solution at best and a hellish death by firefight at worst.  What is needed is a proactive solution that stops these folks from becoming murderous assholes in the first place.  

The root cause must be identified and addressed.   But don't waste any time on that, just go back to bashing Obama.  That will fix everything, right?

Ride Safe,

Alien

I think you better go read some more. I stated that we have a "heart" issue not a gun issue.

[Romeo]

A couple things. I saw a report stating that contrary to initial reports the school is not a gun free zone.
I don't know what the policy is concerning students being allowed to carry. I also heard a report stating that the area had virtually no violent crimes reported in many years.
Seems to me that popular culture (the video game and entertainment industry) today not only fosters but in some cases encourages these abhorrent behaviors.
I fear that what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears have a much larger effect on us than most of us want to admit. When you add a weak character or a morally corrupt character to that equation, maybe we shouldn't be so surprised by these tragic occurrences.

[baldo]

I cannot help to think that a steady indoctrination of guns and violence from Hollywood and the First Person Shooter video games has something to do with this. Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens is not the answer. If Washington wants to make a difference with gun violence, stop the steady stream of gun violence that we see every day on TV and at the movies.

I agree completely.  I also agree with Alien.  While Obama has certainly done his share of creating this, there are all kinds of factors involved.  Malaise and no idea of what the real world is.  A callous approach toward taking human lives,  Demanding respect by one who has no respect, a fleeting 'claim to fame" in the minds of some, the list goes on.

Overall, an instant response,  deadly if necessary, to give these twisted souls second thoughts.

I don't know the answers, i don't even know the questions, but, in any case, the answer does not lie with more government 'gun control'

I'm curious. What exactly is it that Obama has done to "create this"? Having asked that, what is it that you think he should have said or done?

[..]

Years ago my ex step son played computer games. He's now in his early 30's.

I once caught him saying "kill", "kill", "kill", "kill", "kill" whilst playing it.

That was the last time he ever played that one.

Don't remember its name.

[pais]

   My $.02,
    Before kids I never thought that entertainment, ie movies,vidoe games and TV. Had anything to do with the subject we speak of. Now after seeing 1st hand, I have somewhat a change of heart.
      1) Violent video games- Call of Duty-The realism-quality of the video is incredible. I was hesitant to let our son have this game but, I relented. He is a good kid and figured he could handle it. Like everything moderation is key. For an adult, moderation can be a challenge sometimes. For a child, damn near impossible! Hence the purpose of, wait for it.....PARENT(S)!
       Even with that in mind. The amount of violence as well as for lack of better words quality of the violence. This effects children in a negative way. I've seen it firsthand and only after about 4 weeks of use. I should add that his time on video of all sorts is controlled. Not ready to go on shooting spree but, temperament changed. Aggressive behavior as well as impatience, desire to be alone as well as left alone. That up to that point in time he had never expressed this type of behavior beyond typical adolescent behavior. At the time he was 14, now 15.5. By far not the sole reason but, certainly a contributing factor. I can't help but think that when you continually play a game of that nature that you lose some respect and feeling for life. Throw in a lack of guidance, single parent or no parent. A dose of no moral character or values. Recipe for disaster. Our society is now seeing the product(s) of the way we have chosen to live.
    Wonderful part is we live in a free world(relatively speaking). We no longer buy these types of games or let him play. Does he really need to? I'm sure he thinks so. Peer pressure is tough at that age. The age old argument, everyone else has it! 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree the violent video games are not helpful. But I think it's something deeper in these young men that do this. The pattern seems to be that they are
1) Lacking social skills
2) Have a hatred for society that they see has alienated them
3) See no hope for the future

We've got to try to alleviate some of this. And if we can't help them then protect ourselves from them.

[Robert]

I whole heartedly agree about the killing in video games along with the Zombie killing, vampire killing and action movies on tv that all about killing your opponents.

The next is the non support and degradation of the fathers role in a kids life.

The fact that the government can come in if your kid calls teacher calls or dr calls if they do not like the treatment that kid is getting. Kids call on their parents effectually giving the kid more power than the parents.

Kids suing the parents.

Sexual situations that are encouraged by the media, by the new acceptance of alternate lifestyles.  

How about rap music that glorifies killing, sex, drugs and a thugs life. sickening

How about kids not experiencing the world like through farm work, trades, making things, or creating things.

But what happened to the greatest preventive of trouble "hope".

  When the situations in a kids life is more than they know how to deal with. When there are so many things like personal acceptance, sexual orientation, finding out who they are in this world.  Religion always gave people something to hope for. Weather or not some consider it fiction the fact that the values like the 10 commandments were instilled in people and kids. Plus maybe just maybe if I ask God to help I will really get an answer, was in the back of most peoples and kids minds.
    
    Also That if nothing else it gave all hope that things could change for the better. I, me, mine, now, hate, anger, cant acquire things, makes anyone who is maybe not so socially acceptable turn to some pretty dark stuff.  

Gun control from lame O is a ploy not to let any situation to endorse his UN mandated policies to get away from him. Gun control is like giving someone aspirin to treat measles.

Lets just remember on last thing rap music,


Welcome to the new world that has made man god and is trying to form a society away from the blessings of the real God who formed this country and blessed us so richly. I want to say that it was only liberals who did this but that's not true either. We all take a share of the blame for letting our freedoms be eroded the way that this country was formed be changed. The way government does not respect the rights of its citizens and that we are now people by and for the government. This oppression translates into emotion by lack of hope and to conform to a society that you dont have any rights and any one is right or no rule of laws as standards.

[Patrick]

While I agree this is not a gun issue, that video  games and lack of kids social  skills do contribute to  this problem, I feel the main problem lies with the family and our indifference as a nation to deal with mental issues.
I would imagine most of us grew up playing with other kids outdoors, getting dirty, and, playing cowboys/Indians or cops/robbers. So we were actually pointing guns at each other and pulling a trigger. Heck, we even got tried of the arguments over whether one got shot or not, so, we ended that problem by using our BB and pellet guns. That was short lived when I shot a friend and the pellet went into his arm and then we had to play doctor and take it out. But, the point I'm trying to make is that none of us went on to be a mass murderer.
To repeat, I think the problem lies with the family and our unwillingness to deal with mental problems.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I whole heartedly agree about the killing in video games along with the Zombie killing, vampire killing and action movies on tv that all about killing your opponents.

The next is the non support and degradation of the fathers role in a kids life.

The fact that the government can come in if your kid calls teacher calls or dr calls if they do not like the treatment that kid is getting. Kids call on their parents effectually giving the kid more power than the parents.

Kids suing the parents.

Sexual situations that are encouraged by the media, by the new acceptance of alternate lifestyles. 

How about rap music that glorifies killing, sex, drugs and a thugs life. sickening

How about kids not experiencing the world like through farm work, trades, making things, or creating things.

But what happened to the greatest preventive of trouble "hope".

  When the situations in a kids life is more than they know how to deal with. When there are so many things like personal acceptance, sexual orientation, finding out who they are in this world.  Religion always gave people something to hope for. Weather or not some consider it fiction the fact that the values like the 10 commandments were instilled in people and kids. Plus maybe just maybe if I ask God to help I will really get an answer, was in the back of most peoples and kids minds.
     
    Also That if nothing else it gave all hope that things could change for the better. I, me, mine, now, hate, anger, cant acquire things, makes anyone who is maybe not so socially acceptable turn to some pretty dark stuff. 

Gun control from lame O is a ploy not to let any situation to endorse his UN mandated policies to get away from him. Gun control is like giving someone aspirin to treat measles.

Lets just remember on last thing rap music,

Yeah we all know Christians never have any psychological issues 

[Robert]

While I agree this is not a gun issue, that video  games and lack of kids social  skills do contribute to  this problem, I feel the main problem lies with the family and our indifference as a nation to deal with mental issues.
I would imagine most of us grew up playing with other kids outdoors, getting dirty, and, playing cowboys/Indians or cops/robbers. So we were actually pointing guns at each other and pulling a trigger. Heck, we even got tried of the arguments over whether one got shot or not, so, we ended that problem by using our BB and pellet guns. That was short lived when I shot a friend and the pellet went into his arm and then we had to play doctor and take it out. But, the point I'm trying to make is that none of us went on to be a mass murderer.
To repeat, I think the problem lies with the family and our unwillingness to deal with mental problems.

I agree with your post but how do we deal with mental issues when the father figure is castrated. The mother figure is more about her own life rather than the importance of family. Discipline in a kids life can land parents in jail. The shrinks that most would go to have lost their way more than ever and in fact most are more screwed up worse than their patients. The financial help that the government would give families is pretty much gone unless you are an illegal. So both parents have to work. The dollar means nothing now and the cost of living is 10 times worse than in our parents days due to the money printing presses given to the Federal Reserve that print money instead of making the economy sound and controlling debt.

[Robert]

I whole heartedly agree about the killing in video games along with the Zombie killing, vampire killing and action movies on tv that all about killing your opponents.

The next is the non support and degradation of the fathers role in a kids life.

The fact that the government can come in if your kid calls teacher calls or dr calls if they do not like the treatment that kid is getting. Kids call on their parents effectually giving the kid more power than the parents.

Kids suing the parents.

Sexual situations that are encouraged by the media, by the new acceptance of alternate lifestyles. 

How about rap music that glorifies killing, sex, drugs and a thugs life. sickening

How about kids not experiencing the world like through farm work, trades, making things, or creating things.

But what happened to the greatest preventive of trouble "hope".

  When the situations in a kids life is more than they know how to deal with. When there are so many things like personal acceptance, sexual orientation, finding out who they are in this world.  Religion always gave people something to hope for. Weather or not some consider it fiction the fact that the values like the 10 commandments were instilled in people and kids. Plus maybe just maybe if I ask God to help I will really get an answer, was in the back of most peoples and kids minds.
     
    Also That if nothing else it gave all hope that things could change for the better. I, me, mine, now, hate, anger, cant acquire things, makes anyone who is maybe not so socially acceptable turn to some pretty dark stuff. 

Gun control from lame O is a ploy not to let any situation to endorse his UN mandated policies to get away from him. Gun control is like giving someone aspirin to treat measles.

Lets just remember on last thing rap music,

Yeah we all know Christians never have any psychological issues 

I always knew we were on opposite sides of the spectrum but I always thought you could read and understand. Maybe I will have to revise that also and break this down so you can look through your hate of religion especially since you have not got a clue.

 I said hope that there was something more than just themselves and parents to reach out too. Something or someone that one day would hold accountable for their actions on this earth. Yet also when all thing fail, friends, parents, internet that their maybe someone still listening to them who cares and if they reach out with faith and hope will change things.

I give you that there are plenty of screwed up Christians or just those who are religious. But at least even those taught values and that there was hope. Kids are not stupid in that when they see someone who is that messed up and still surviving they want to know why. They look and sometimes they really find the true and Living God not religion. So there is the ,HOPE. 

It makes me want to puke when I see -O use this as a poke for his gun control policies and not honor those that have died. So like the secular world or maybe if they were Muslim then we would see some real sorrow.

Using that emoji would apply to the those who throw out any hope and rules and substitute them with killing, drugs, rap, tv killing, martians, knowledge only and then expect and look for a different outcome now that it is ugly stupid times six.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nope, using that emoji means your implication that religion would keep these young men from doing such things is crazy. I have very little hatred in my life, for religion or anything else.   (that emoji means have a good day)

[Patrick]

While I agree this is not a gun issue, that video  games and lack of kids social  skills do contribute to  this problem, I feel the main problem lies with the family and our indifference as a nation to deal with mental issues.
I would imagine most of us grew up playing with other kids outdoors, getting dirty, and, playing cowboys/Indians or cops/robbers. So we were actually pointing guns at each other and pulling a trigger. Heck, we even got tried of the arguments over whether one got shot or not, so, we ended that problem by using our BB and pellet guns. That was short lived when I shot a friend and the pellet went into his arm and then we had to play doctor and take it out. But, the point I'm trying to make is that none of us went on to be a mass murderer.
To repeat, I think the problem lies with the family and our unwillingness to deal with mental problems.

I agree with your post but how do we deal with mental issues when the father figure is castrated. The mother figure is more about her own life rather than the importance of family. Discipline in a kids life can land parents in jail. The shrinks that most would go to have lost their way more than ever and in fact most are more screwed up worse than their patients. The financial help that the government would give families is pretty much gone unless you are an illegal. So both parents have to work. The dollar means nothing now and the cost of living is 10 times worse than in our parents days due to the money printing presses given to the Federal Reserve that print money instead of making the economy sound and controlling debt.

Well, that is, or, those are the questions.  These issues are part of us, we are a semi free country that values our freedoms.
When I was a part of law enforcement, what irritated me was the lack of communication between agencies and even offices. I think more communication could help with mental issues, the right people need to know about certain problems.
Between trying to bring about good parenting and law agencies sharing info [ if it means new laws so be it], then it would be a good start. I don't trust our law makers to make new laws though, they would probably end up being a herd of Camels. [ we know what a Camel is, right]
That said, this type of incident can never be completely stopped. No matter what we try to do, it'll continue. People will slip thru the cracks, if not with guns, then bombs, then vehicles, or, some other  thing.
Its a problem, a real problem and I don't know if my thoughts are the answer.

[judd]

Here's one point of view and please don't shoot the messenger  ............ 

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=89d_1411198955

[Serk]

Mass shootings (Defined as an event in which 4 or more people were killed by an individual with a firearm) have been remarkably steady for at least the last 35 years...

We're averaging about 20 a year. If you take into account the fact that the US population has increased by 40% since the late 1970's we've actually seen a per-capita DECREASE in such activities.



Source - http://posnetres.blogspot.com/2014/02/are-mass-shootings-on-rise-in-united.html

Quit buying the media narrative that these horrible events are increasing in frequency.

[Moonshot_1]

Giving this the same thought here of late. This Evil has been around since the Dawn of time. I don't believe they are increasing in frequency. What has changed is the communication.

You heard about Charles Manson on the Evening News.
Today you hear about a school shooting on your phone before the bastard gets his second shot off.

There is also the Social Communication. The likes of Facebook and Twitter play a huge role in stroking egos. I get to see some Facebook postings and some folks have lost their minds. Perpetual Junior High , instant gratification, endless selfies, self torment and fully immersed mentally in this virtual society. Easy to see why some blow a gasket.
Even on this message board we see some level headed folks lose their minds on occasion.
Such is the nature of this type of communication.

This amplifies everything.

The only answer I have is quite simple. Stand by the Good. Always fight Evil. Always destroy Evil.



 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Mass shootings (Defined as an event in which 4 or more people were killed by an individual with a firearm) have been remarkably steady for at least the last 35 years...

We're averaging about 20 a year. If you take into account the fact that the US population has increased by 40% since the late 1970's we've actually seen a per-capita DECREASE in such activities.



Source - http://posnetres.blogspot.com/2014/02/are-mass-shootings-on-rise-in-united.html

Quit buying the media narrative that these horrible events are increasing in frequency.

Without going thru each event individually for the last 40 years it's hard to determine the differences between then and now. But my experience tells me we didn't have troubled young men armed to the teeth massacring 6 year old kids. There are probably many things we could be doing to address this problem, including more "good guys with guns". But we as a society seem impotent to do anything.

[RDAbull]

 There are probably many things we could be doing to address this problem, including more "good guys with guns". But we as a society seem impotent to do anything.
[/quote]

Not all of us.  Check my belt and pocket next time we ride.   There are many of us in our polite "society" that have made the decision to try to protect ourselves and those around us (you included my friend) should the need arise.  Funny how these nuts always seem to go where they are in the least danger of running into one of "us".

[The emperor has no clothes]

There are probably many things we could be doing to address this problem, including more "good guys with guns". But we as a society seem impotent to do anything.

Not all of us.  Check my belt and pocket next time we ride.   There are many of us in our polite "society" that have made the decision to try to protect ourselves and those around us (you included my friend) should the need arise.  Funny how these nuts always seem to go where they are in the least danger of running into one of "us".
[/quote]I appreciate you doing that. I'm speaking in more general terms of prevention to begin with. 

[3fan4life]

A quick google search finds many theories.

This one makes sense to me (I will concede however that there is no single solution to the problem) :

What is the solution to the problem of mass shootings?

The favorite answer from the left is to pass more gun laws and make it harder for law-abiding Americans to own guns.

The favorite answer from the right is to make it easier for law-abiding people to own and carry guns for self-defense.

But the favorite and most dangerous answer that both sides seem to agree on is that mental health professionals should be given the funding and the power to identify dangerous individuals and bar them from owning firearms.

That would be the absolute worst solution.

What guidelines would be put in place by mental health professionals to determine who is and who is not mentally capable of gun ownership? And how would that change depending on who is in power in Washington, D.C.?

Right now, a government agency charged with determining mental stability for gun ownership would likely find that those who identified themselves with the tea-party movement are not fit to own a firearm. They may also determine that a veteran with PTSD is unfit for gun ownership.

But an agency headed up by a Republican appointee may say anyone who took part in a Black Lives Matter or an Occupy Wall Street protest is not able to own a gun.

Giving government the power to peer into our minds and our psychological backgrounds is not the answer.

Statistically speaking, there is only one proven solution to gun violence. That is for a person to have been raised by a mother and father in a traditional family.

As non-traditional relationships become more common and even celebrated in our society, it is politically incorrect now to celebrate the traditional family.

Whether it is a mass shooting in a school, or a gang-related shooting in inner-city Chicago, you can bet that the shooter was raised in a broken home where either the mother or father were absent. Suicides and substance abuse are more likely among these individuals, too.

Government used to promote the traditional family. But, in today's political climate, even conservative Christians are in support of getting government out of the marriage business.

There are few things government can do to make our society safer and more productive than to give incentives to men and women to come together, get married and have children. It is the proven formula that has worked for thousands of years.

www.wnd.com/2015/10/only-solution-to-the-problem-of-mass-shootings/#oWclQr23MDLfuWbK.99

[Jess from VA]

I knew this was coming.   

http://woundedamericanwarrior.com/oregon-mass-shooter-on-terror-list-obama-refused-to-take-from-russia/#

See where CNN whitened him up? 

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/10/cnn-alters-photo-of-umpqua-killer-chris-harper-mercer-to-make-him-look-white/

[The emperor has no clothes]

I knew this was coming.   

http://woundedamericanwarrior.com/oregon-mass-shooter-on-terror-list-obama-refused-to-take-from-russia/#

See where CNN whitened him up? 

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/10/cnn-alters-photo-of-umpqua-killer-chris-harper-mercer-to-make-him-look-white/

Jess , are you saying this guy was an Islamist Terrorist ?

[Jess from VA]

I only read the article. 

I'm thinking he mostly was a wannabe.

[RDAbull]

Not all of us.  Check my belt and pocket next time we ride.   There are many of us in our polite "society" that have made the decision to try to protect ourselves and those around us (you included my friend) should the need arise.  Funny how these nuts always seem to go where they are in the least danger of running into one of "us".
[/quote]I appreciate you doing that. I'm speaking in more general terms of prevention to begin with. 
[/quote]

I really wish that I had some of the answers to the World's Ills, but alas.  What I do know from my families four generations of LEO's is that there is a lot of evil in the world and I can't stop it.  What I can do is try my best to avoid it and be prepared if I can't avoid it.  I also know that Sweden is the most heavily armed nation in the world with one of the lowest gun mortality rate in the world.  Chicago has the toughest gun laws in American and everybody sees how well that has worked.  My guess is that if everybody in Chicago had a gun on their belt the criminal element would think twice before taking on an upright citizen.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I only read the article. 

I'm thinking he mostly was a wannabe.

Maybe. The local and federal guys seem very tight lipped about this guy. But I noticed in that link his MySpace said he thought of himself as conservative and republican. I've never thought of that position being close to Islamic terrorist. To me it seems repetitive . Another young male with no friends, no hopes, no girlfriend, going nuts again. You know for me the teen years were awkward as I'm sure they were for most. I can't imagine growing up thru that without those 3 things. 

[Bighead]

I only read the article. 

I'm thinking he mostly was a wannabe.

Maybe. The local and federal guys seem very tight lipped about this guy. But I noticed in that link his MySpace said he thought of himself as conservative and republican. I've never thought of that position being close to Islamic terrorist. To me it seems repetitive . Another young male with no friends, no hopes, no girlfriend, going nuts again. You know for me the teen years were awkward as I'm sure they were for most. I can't imagine growing up thru that without those 3 things. 

Go back and re read the article it said that his profile was changed just after the shooting occurred.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I only read the article.  

I'm thinking he mostly was a wannabe.

Maybe. The local and federal guys seem very tight lipped about this guy. But I noticed in that link his MySpace said he thought of himself as conservative and republican. I've never thought of that position being close to Islamic terrorist. To me it seems repetitive . Another young male with no friends, no hopes, no girlfriend, going nuts again. You know for me the teen years were awkward as I'm sure they were for most. I can't imagine growing up thru that without those 3 things.  

Go back and re read the article it said that his profile was changed just after the shooting occurred.

You are correct At this point I don't know what to make of this guy. I'm not to sure I trust the Rooskies though.

[Bighead]

I only read the article. 

I'm thinking he mostly was a wannabe.

Maybe. The local and federal guys seem very tight lipped about this guy. But I noticed in that link his MySpace said he thought of himself as conservative and republican. I've never thought of that position being close to Islamic terrorist. To me it seems repetitive . Another young male with no friends, no hopes, no girlfriend, going nuts again. You know for me the teen years were awkward as I'm sure they were for most. I can't imagine growing up thru that without those 3 things. 

Go back and re read the article it said that his profile was changed just after the shooting occurred.

You are correct At this point I don't know what to make of this guy.

The only truth that will be known about him is that he was an idiot! Each political side will be saying things 180* from each other just like always.

[The emperor has no clothes]

You are probably right again. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I second Robert...The core of the problem is a lack of the influence of God on our Families, Schools,  Churches, all facets of the entertainment industry and mostly in the hearts of our youth today.

Balk all you want, you can absolutely have a different opinion, but you can't make up your own facts.

Evil has always been present, its our job (those that serve God) to strengthen the forces for good that historically kept these horrible tragedies from happening so often

[BF]

I second Robert...The core of the problem is a lack of the influence of God on our Families, Churches, all facets of the entertainment industry and mostly in the hearts of our youth today.

Balk all you want, you can absolutely have a different opinion, but you can't make up your own facts.

Evil has always been present, its our job (those that serve God) to strengthen the forces for good that historically kept these horrible tragedies from happening so often

AND...the lack of a strong TWO parent household with a MOTHER and a FATHER. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I second Robert...The core of the problem is a lack of the influence of God on our Families, Churches, all facets of the entertainment industry and mostly in the hearts of our youth today.

Balk all you want, you can absolutely have a different opinion, but you can't make up your own facts.

Evil has always been present, its our job (those that serve God) to strengthen the forces for good that historically kept these horrible tragedies from happening so often

AND...the lack of a strong TWO parent household with a MOTHER and a FATHER. 

AMEN to that Bruce, and that also would be a more Godly family model than the standard we now have.

[old2soon]

The doer of this crime took the cowards way out so we will NEVER know the true motivation of the WHY of what he did. Assumptions and educated/uneducated guess's are all that's left. As a Christian my thinking turns to lucifer taking over this young persons thought process's or lucifers minions. I was NOT there so all I have to go on is what the lame stream media regurgitates to my T V or computer. I made mention of this before-any weapon HAS to be operated much like a vehicle or tool. He was supposedly booted out of Army boot camp but I have no idea if he was in long enough for Army weapons training. WHAT ZACKLY has to break in a mind and/or a heart to be capable of mass murder? Saw something on how many mass murders have been committed in certain time frames. I have NOT seen how many armed citizens in the same time frame have defeated or taken out potential doers. Wonder WHY that is-you know-good things happening when an armed citizen steps up! Because talking about a bad thing being prevented by an armed citizen DO NOT fit the current agenda of the occupiers of deception central!  RIDE SAFE.