Meanwhile a tragedy unfolds in PA

[apnu]

The death toll for the shooting in PA is now at 5. I'm sickened, horrified and at a total loss for words on this: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-10/03/content_701424.htm

I know people want to hammer home on the Foley is a pedofile thing (and they should) but this shooting should get more attention, IMO.

[babylonsister]

1. They were all over it for hours yesterday and are now awaiting

another press briefing. I've heard enough and realize how horrific it is.
I'm waiting to find out what this guy's motive was, and how the heck
could he have done this to little kids, knowing he had 3 of his own.

[Warpy]

4. He was crazy

I don't think there's anything to understand beyond that.

There will be hundreds of warning signs because hindsight isn't just 20/20, it is aided by a microscope.

We always want to know if there is a way to spot these guys before they snap. Usually there isn't. There's an awful lot of bizarre behavior that can be seen as normal and most people who behave bizarrely never murder children.

This was a guy who nursed some sort of grudge for decades, keeping it all inside and allowing it to grow and fester. This is nuts. He was nuts.

[Kittycat]

2. As sad as it is, I disagree

Certainly that is tragic. However, it was possibley a copycat crime. Giving sickened fame to a murderer by consuming the news 24/7 doesn't help the situation. I think there's been more than adequate reporting on the matter, it's all over the "entertainment" news stations - at least it was yesterday.

[apnu]

6. there's been tons of reporting in the media

I just get the impression that people don't care as much about this sort of thing anymore. Its become so common place in America now, that you can have 3 incidents in one week here and nobody (besides reporting on it) is doing much about it. And I mean that politically, as this is a political board. And I'm not criticizing DU'ers I'm talking about the political parties today. Why this isn't a campaign issue for Democrats is totally beyond me. I get why the GOP wants to ignore the issue, they'd have to put all those juicy NRA votes in jeopardy to do it, but Dem's don't have that particular problem.

If Democrats want to seize back the 'American Values' thing (like they used to have) this is one issue that will help get them there. Hell, you could even tie this one on to the Foley pedophilia thing -- the GOP can't (and won't) protect your children.

[hlthe2b]

7. EXCUSE ME? People don't care about this sort of thing?

You are predicating this belief on the premise that the American MSM reports what the PEOPLE WANT to hear/see. I think we have proven in more ways and more times than I can count, that THAT is NOT TRUE.

[apnu]

9. read my whole post

I was speaking poltically, as a party, and specfically said that DU does not count in my critique. So calm down please.

[hlthe2b]

14. and read mine..My point is one can not assume what "the People"

care about or do not care about when their knowledge is dependent on what the MSM CHOOSES to report to them...

I was not taking offense at your comment.... just trying to point out the paradox that is at its core.

[apnu]

16. Ah, I see your point.

There is a nasty paradox there. The MSM claims that it reports on what 'the people want' but we've seen time and time again since the late 1990's that the MSM certainly does not report on what the people want. The MSM reports on what the publishers (owners) want. It was Fox News that changed everything, if they have a contribution to cable news, that's it.

So when the MSM says they are giving people what they 'want' they are really giving the people what the MSM wants (this Foley business is a classic example, the MSM knew for a year and said nothing) however since this is all the 'people' see, then its all they know, and all they 'ask' for.

This, by the way, also explains why so many bad movies are made. Hollywood makes crap, all people know is crap, so all people ask for is crap. When in reality, Hollywood can make good films (one or two pop up each year, usually through a 'indie' branch of a big studio) and people respond well to that, but Hollywood makes crappy movies because they're cheaper and easier to make than a movie with a good story and good production.

[hlthe2b]

18. EXACTY, apnu...

We are all being manipulated...:shrug:

[lumberjack_jeff]

10. Before the week is out, you'll have Repubs proposing laws...

... requiring teachers to bring guns to school.

The problem with using political solutions to mental health issues is that they do nothing to solve the problem; the solutions are only intended to placate the bystanders.

This isn't the first, and it won't be the last, tragedy facilitated by guns to happen in this country. I don't think it changes the political dynamic.

Sadly, a party which pursues aggressive restrictions on guns won't win.

[China_cat]

11. Hey, it was only girls he murdered

not like it was anybody that meant anything. Right?

:sarcasm:

[acmejack]

12. My god! This bullshit is getting beyond disgusting!

Everyone is a misogynist! WTF would you have us do? Chop the penis off of every fucking male in the world to atone for these insane peoples acts? I mean what do you want, other than to make these snarky remarks? Do tell us please!

[hlthe2b]

17. Calm, folks.... This is totally distressing to all of us, during a time

when literally ALL the news seems more and more horrendous.

Shed tears for the victims and families, then put our forces TOGETHER to find solutions. Men are not to blame. Women are not to blame. Societal messages,policies, and events, however, MAY have a role. We need to explore this.

[China_cat]

19. You didn't bother to see the sarcasm in red, did you?

I don't think anyone is doing enough to try to stop this. But unless the girl is blond and beautiful, she just doesn't matter. From the attitudes toward rape to the attitudes toward murder, the media will continue to imply that somehow the woman or girl did something to 'deserve' what she got.

[wakeme2008]

3. I am at a lost for this shooting...

The Amish are as peaceful as they come. While a fundie group... Not fundie in the way most are.... Why shoot little girls.... :cry:

[wisteria]

5. I agree. Innocents being murdered because something happened to

the murderer when he was twelve. How very tragic. I wonder what set him off on this particular day. It seems similar to the other school hostage situation where one girl was killed. Copy-cat crime I would say, but why?
I am also concerned because the new focus seems to be on female victims.

[qanda]

8. Meanwhile 9 soldiers die in Iraq

If people aren't moved to vote the Republicans out for the deaths of all these soldiers then perhaps a little sex scandal will get them motivated.

[apnu]

13. Good point (nt)

[Hugin]

15. Yep... Good observation.

[Nutmegger]

20. First off, Foley is an offender

Second, I've been seeing some coverage of the strategy in Pennsylvania.