Better laws to control the access to assault weapons and ammunition, yes. More assistance to those who are suffering from mental illness, yes. But the businesses who are glutting a mourning town with their vehicles and helicopters; who are shoving microphones and cameras in the faces of investigators, and those who grieve seem to be ominously silent about violence in the media. Very little has been said about the easy access to the virtual experience of spraying bullets and flying body parts and blood from the Big Screen in 3-D, through televisions and monitors, all the way to hand held devices. Those who make billions selling this to our children need to be made accountable. We who pay billions for this service need to take responsibility.
I think our sensitivity is dulled...we see so much violence as 'entertainment' that when we see it on the news it really doesn't register with us.
ReplyDeleteMental illness, NRA- not a good mix. War mentality nation - lack of helping your neighbor thing,makes a very bad cake.
ReplyDeleteVideo games are just video games, my son has played them since he was a tot- no big deal, he knows the difference between videos and life- He and his video gamester friends are good, kind and generous to the core. He has a stable family and more love and support than will fit in a tea cup, he is not on the autistic spectrum, which Adam was. Little boys played with stick guns before - I remember my brother dying a thousand grizzly deaths a day in the yard with his friends- BANG ARRRGHHHH and then they would get up again...they did not think that it was real life and it did not make them go out and cause horrendous acts of brutality- I do agree that the media is shite! I have everything turned off- except the bird squawking and the dog snoring and the beating of my breaking heart.The "blame" goes to all of us- for not minding the mentally ill and allowing the powerful gun lobby to rule this nation. Thankfully they are being silent at the moment, and like the once powerful tobacco lobby, may finally be taken out behind the shed. Mental illness must be addressed and cared for- acne gets more care and attention. "blame"- the other out there releases us from personal responsibility I think.We have got to roll up our sleeves and do some heavy lifting . That means establishing care for the mentally ill, the kids who are unloved and misguided, the homeless ragged men on the streets. Complacency is also "violence"...and finally get the NRA gun lobbyists contained and disciplined. Not unlike the tobacco lobby.
Well said, Leenie! I also think we make the gunman too much of a "celebrity" in these cases. I know I can name him right now, but struggle to name any of the victims.
ReplyDeleteLinda Sue--can we be friends? You, too, hit the nail on the head. Good thoughts!
There is nothing I can add to what LINDA SUE said!!
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ReplyDeleteRedo on my comment above because of scrambled verbs---
ReplyDeleteMy boys enjoyed their screen time with violent video. The games and movies weren't banned at our house nor were they approved. I like to think my kids turned out okay. Still, I think our society has become numb to violence because of the glorification of virtual bloodshed and brutality in everyday life.
Our nation has battered wife syndrome, slow simmer of the frog experiment...until it is too late. I think that NOW would qualify as "too late". In the outback hills there are fear filled antagonists,the "Hell yeah" guys, white supremacists with artilleries that could blow the earth to the moon and back- Control of gun hardware at this point,is probably a tiny ineffectual step. Care for the needy, loving the unlovable,taking NRA's power and dollar, spanking the media and their irresponsible "journalism" - pull the plug - stoke the fire of compassion and sharing what we have, ideally might make a diff. It has always been thus....
ReplyDeleteI am very glad that we do not have access to guns in this country in the way that you do. I think the media coverage of these incidents is dreadful.
ReplyDeleteLS: I agree.
ReplyDeleteNo one with any power will say anything because there is money involved.
ReplyDeleteWe only pay lip service to caring for our citizens. We care more for the dollar bill. And there's no money in kindness.
Sorry -- feeling cynical today.
Pearl
Pearl: Cynical, maybe. True, yes.
ReplyDeleteWOW LINDA SUE you have my attention. I love your comment and I agree. I may see things a little different as I do not understand the gun lobbyist as I am Canadian and I am sure they hate us. Mental illness is not being delt in either countries and maybe all countries I do not know I do know that easy assess to guns and mental illness are unfortunately a lethal combination.
ReplyDeleteI think the media sucks!!!! B
YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
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Leenie, you are right. They are like vultures with no respect for those in mourning or those trying to do their job. I haven't even had the courage to read anything about it...
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