After the eighth school shooting in seven weeks – some gun control proposals

Soul

I agree the Dickey Amendment should be repealed, but the gun lobby is unlikely to agree, because they now that gun research is unlikely to favour their viewpoint.

This has been suggested on numerous occasions and in the past rejected often out of hand and with no rational counter argument by many gun lobbyists -but let’s see what they say now?

 

How do you implement effective mental health control measures then? As it stands they don't seem to work very well. Someone first gets a gun, and second goes crazy. It would be nice if we were screening for warning signs. But I'm all ears!

 

We may differ in our ideas about who are the "human trash", and yes indeed these are complex multi-causal problems. Urbanization is a big factor. I live in a small town and don't encounter these problems. Growing income inequality, television, Hollywood, violent computer games,the rise of PACs and the NRA, the increasing cost of presidential and congressional campaigns making politicians more beholden to their donors than their constituents, Citizens United v. FEC, computerized gerrymandering, Reagan's policies engineering the destruction of labor unions and the blue collar middle class, and dislocations caused by six major wars since World War II, would all be on my short list. All of these put strains on the family and shared moral and religious values. I would also add anti-intellectualism to the list. This characteristic, noted by historian Richard Hofstadter, has long been a feature of American culture, but one which has become more virulent in recent years, as explained by Professor Tom Nichols of the U.S. Naval College in his book The Death of Expertise. Nichols argues that anti-intellectualism has transmuted to a proud contempt for intellectual authority, and contributed to the rise of authoritarian populism. As a result, an influential component of the American population demands simplistic solutions for complex problems--solutions which can never work. I'm waiting to hear your ideas about what the explanations are.

 

I will publicly say I stand corrected on my post regarding this event. I thought it was a current event when it was linked and I clicked on the link it gave today's date in the link. I see now that was incorrect. So I withdraw my lack of media coverage as it apples for this specific one.

As to the Maryland shooting. We heard brief coverage about it on the media as it happened, then a brief explanation that it was stopped by a school safety officer, and no follow on weeks of discussion in the media about how a school protected by an armed guard spelled a quick end to the shooter and a minimized result in injuries and loss of life. We heard nothing about the shooters life, past life, his proposed gun control position. We heard nothing of why this school chose this policy. No in depth analysis of lobbying efforts, political failings or lack of concern for kids in this event. Seems to me it would be a good example to use in the overall argument concerning our schools and our kids.

But I have heard a lot about Stormy Daniels.

 

Not

Who are the human trash you mention?

 

Of course one big difference is that only three persons were injured and only one of those died--the perpetrator. From what was reported, the incident seems have been over a past romance, instead of a rampage of mass murder. The story was overshadowed by the Florida shooting which cost 17 deaths. Also, it was competing with the Austin package bombings. As I type this, I here in the background a CNN story about the heroic SRO, an ex-SWAT police officer and the contrast to his counterpart in Florida. The law enforcement official being interviewed said the emphasis should be on recruiting and training good SROs and "hardening" schools, as opposed to arming teachers. That will cost money, and my state can't even afford to keep good teachers.
BTW, just heard the suspected Austin bomber was shot and killed.

 

We have had guns aplenty for more years than any of us on this board have been alive. And less controls than we do now. We also have the introduction of things like assault weapons that didn't exist before. I said I supported the ban or at the least a controlled access to AR style weapons. If that proved to make a difference than yes than ban has credibility and should be made more permanent. As has been pointed out in other threads, Gun Control isn't working for cities like Chicago and pick any other examples you like and show me where gun violence has improved due to strict gun control laws.

Guns, in a general sense, have been part of America since America was founded. Yet gun related crimes, to the extent we see now is a more recent cultural shift. I will suggest that we aren't paying attention to the reasons that contribute to that shift. Yes some Americans are more murderous than others. That has been created in more recent decades rather than in our earlier times. Yet other Americans are not, despite this culture shift in America.

Guns are not our problem. The people that choose to be murderous are. Yes they have ready access to guns that allow them to be better murderers. But statistically, they are a minority of our America. A growing minority.

 

Not

Are these human trash the ones that you say are more murderous than other Americans, are they inherently, genetically, ‘trash’ and murderous or what? Who are they?

 

Not

Already covered can you please address the outstanding criticisms rather forcing us all again to go round in circles, as a number of right wingers have already complained about that.

And again are they genetically different than other human beings, genetically disposed to be more violent?

 

It comes in many forms. How many links do you want that we need to see if we can agree on what defines trash?

Lets see if we can both agree that this is human trash. This has nothing to do with school shootings or guns. Just trying to see if we can agree on the definition of human trash since it was asked.
https://nypost.com/2018/03/20/famil...-covered-woman-found-alive-with-rotting-legs/

 

But you seemed to imply that this was a distinct group of people that was linked to high crime areas so again are the people you say are more murderous genetically different than other human beings genetically disposed to be more murderous?

I can cite criminal acts that have taken place in the UK it’s just that we have lower homicide rates here in general because there is not so much ease of access to guns.

 

... leading the witness...lol

 

Aerianne

Have you got anything of substance to contribute to the debate?

 

Yes, my opinion is valid and I'm entitled to post it.

 

The CDC has data on the shift. They aren't allowed to use their research 'cause of the Dickey Amendment. Heinrich Calls For Repeal Of Dickey Amendment That Restricts CDC From Researching Gun Violence | U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

I keep harping on this because I feel it would provide relevant information. I think we can all agree that it would be nice to have the facts before we make any big decisions about gun control.

 

Exactly those who like guns can claim there is no data to support their dangers. But most leave out or do not know the part about the NRA ensuring they can not be researched.

 

The only one thus far bringing genetics suggestions into this is you. You can seem me to imply anything you want. Its OK we are used to it. Yes there are distinct groups of people committing crimes. So answer the question. In the link I provided in response to defining human trash, I await your response. Is this an example of human trash to you?

 

Soul. I am in complete agreement with you on this. There is PLENTY of effort to suppress addressing what Americans have been saying for decades.

 

More human trash?




Holocaust Denier Arthur Jones Wins Illinois GOP Congressional Primary, Says He’s Merely an 'American Patriot’

 

I dont understand how mental health is supposed to be a diversion tactic away from gun control.

If all you bleeding heart libbies really cared about the dead school children like you say you do...

Then why not attack the problem from all angles.

I for one do care about improving the mental health problem especially with our young people.