Kid Busted on school grounds with 3 loaded pistols..stay tuned [Archive]

Park City Skins

April-19th-2007, 07:02 PM

If I may Jumbo. I wonder if this is it? (though it is a bit general compared to what you have come up with locally).

(Posted within the hour).

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/04/19/vtech.threats/

One student was arrested at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Washington, after a parent phoned in a tip, according to Debra Stenberg, spokeswoman for the Federal Way Public School System.

The parent had received a text message from her daughter that she believed a student was carrying a gun. The school resource officer and the school principal confronted the student in a hallway and found the student was carrying three handguns and extra ammunition.

The school was locked down, and students were held in class for about an hour before they were dismissed.

A second student was searched but not taken into custody, Stenberg said.

GOKU

April-19th-2007, 07:03 PM

Women are the prime care givers. Why aren't they doing there jobs. And where the hell are the fathers to correct them. To show them what life is about. God if your not going to take care of your children then dont have them. And the people who have children and leave with are primary men. They should be castrated. Sorry just getting my feeling out.

Jumbo

April-19th-2007, 07:03 PM

Thank you PCS,....I wonder how many of these kind of whatever they are's we're going to see

Park City Skins

April-19th-2007, 07:04 PM

Thank you PCS,....I wonder how many of these kind of whatever they are's we're going to see
No problem kind sir. Yeah. Good question. And a scarey one at that.

Hooper

April-19th-2007, 07:06 PM

How does a nine-year-old kid have access to guns?

Nice parenting.

dreamingwolf

April-19th-2007, 07:08 PM

I dont like encouraging snitchs, but in all these kid shootings seems like there was a friend or an observer that could have told someone something. This should be the message all kids get, if you have a friend on the edge and he shows you he has guns dont hesitate to rat him out. losing a friend is better than someone losing a life.

KDawg

April-19th-2007, 07:11 PM

Tomorrow is going to be a very, very bad day... I just have a bad feeling.

twa

April-19th-2007, 07:17 PM

How does a nine-year-old kid have access to guns?

Nice parenting.

The one with the guns was High School, I think the other (9)was talking/threatening.

JaimeDeCurry

April-19th-2007, 07:18 PM

IONTOP

April-19th-2007, 07:30 PM

Jesus...this + VTech + this (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.burn16apr16,0,7867984.story?coll=bal-home-headlines) = me losing all faith in humanity
(http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.burn16apr16,0,7867984.story?coll=bal-home-headlines)

When you lose faith in all humanity rewatch the VA Tech Assembly and key into the "Lets go Hokies" chant... While it was a terrible thing that happened, it is nothing short of astounding to see the support that people across the country have given to people whom they don't even know...

CounterTrey

April-19th-2007, 11:31 PM

I sick of these stupid ass kids. If there mother and father where around to rise them right we wouldn't have so much damn problems. This day in age these kids need there ass whipped. Okay and how the hell did he get ahold of guns?

I made a comment in the Alec balwin thread that kinds nowadays get away with way too much. Its time their parents start disciplining them when they step outta line. Unfortunately in the US you do anything to your kids and they can call the cops on you.

jrockster21

April-20th-2007, 12:34 AM

Man...it kind of makes you wonder how many kids have gone to school with guns and then changed their minds when it came time to act.

Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin

April-20th-2007, 01:08 AM

Todd Beamer High?

And some POS maybe plans to kill a bunch of kids? What cruel 'irony.'

TODD "Let's Roll" Beamer?

I havent listened to news and I got home at 930 anyway.

rictus58

April-20th-2007, 07:31 AM

I dont like encouraging snitchs...

Carmelo? Is that you?

Huly

April-20th-2007, 07:36 AM

Rumor has it they were going to close Summerville High School in SC today as they received threats and it is the Columbine annv.

pez

April-20th-2007, 07:52 AM

riggins44

April-20th-2007, 08:02 AM

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-12087sy0apr20,0,2497059.story?coll=dp-news-local-final

Here is a story about incidents at two local high schools. Tabb High is
where my son is a freshman.

Shortly after I got home from work, we got a phone call saying a 16 yr.
old boy had been arrested and charged with a felony. Kids alerted the
principal that in his backpack was notes about killing a teacher and student.

I asked Michael if he knew who it was, but at that time he hadn't heard
anything about it.

Henry

April-20th-2007, 08:07 AM

I hate to say it, but this country is getting uglier and uglier...

What provokes these kids to do these things? People keep saying it is the video games and such, but in my opinion, nothing shows more violence today than the news!

In my opinion, what provokes these kids is MSNBC, CNN and Fox playing videos of a mass murderer, showing pictures of him in cool, scary poses and having experts come on to tell us how brilliantly and diabolically planned the whole event was.

IONTOP

April-20th-2007, 08:10 AM

In my opinion, what provokes these kids is MSNBC, CNN and Fox playing videos of a mass murderer, showing pictures of him in cool, scary poses and having experts come on to tell us how brilliantly and diabolically planned the whole event was.

Seriously, how many people thought to do this before it got "glorified" on the news. I know that I never thought of it...

Spaceman Spiff

April-20th-2007, 08:11 AM

What provokes these kids to do these things? People keep saying it is the video games and such, but in my opinion, nothing shows more violence today than the news!

Totally agree.

codeorama

April-20th-2007, 08:16 AM

Seriously, how many people thought to do this before it got "glorified" on the news. I know that I never thought of it...

Totally agree. The news just floods us with everything violent and negative. The fact that it was called the "Va Tech MASSACRE" was pretty sad IMO. Why not the "Va Tech Tragedy"??
Everything is so oversensationalized. Kids see how much attention that the tragedies get and guess what? They are lacking attention and seek it out.

Henry

April-20th-2007, 08:22 AM

The funny thing is, when some idiot runs onto the field during a football game, the networks have enough sense to not show it.

But God forbid they use that restraint when mass murder is involved.

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 08:33 AM

The funny thing is, when some idiot runs onto the field during a football game, the networks have enough sense to not show it.

But God forbid they use that restraint when mass murder is involved.I am in total agreement.

Huly

April-20th-2007, 08:39 AM

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 08:42 AM

It is almost like they are trying to make him a star. Giving the killer exactly what he wants. I am against any killer getting air time, a movie or book deal. I think it is outrageous and glorifies the killer not the victims!And yet our country is still obsessed with violence.
Look at how well movies like SAW or the Hills have Eyes do in the US. Sickening. And they have sequels. :doh:

We are a culture who trhives off of violent stimuli in one form or another. Its almost like the nation is addicted.

But then we can't understand when someone does stuff in real life.

REDSKINZ-RIDEORDIE

April-20th-2007, 08:43 AM

It is almost like they are trying to make him a star. Giving the killer exactly what he wants. I am against any killer getting air time, a movie or book deal. I think it is outrageous and glorifies the killer not the victims!

I totally agree

Like they say, no one remembers the victims, they only remember the killer. Like the bastard who shot up VTech. He's going to go down in infamy, and he will be a legend. He will be remember like Jeffrey Dahmer and Charles Manson. The media sucks. Like I said in Don Imus thread, Sex, Money, and Violence, America media loves it, no matter what they say.

stwasm

April-20th-2007, 08:46 AM

I totally agree

Like they say, no one remembers the victims, they only remember the killer. Like the bastard who shot up VTech. He's going to go down in infamy, and he will be a legend. He will be remember like Jeffrey Dahmer and Charles Manson. The media sucks. Like I said in Don Imus thread, Sex, Money, and Violence, America media loves it, no matter what they say.

If it bleeds, it leads. In a perfect world, the news is supposed to be a public service. But, the bottom line is that news is a business. If you don't think the NBC News execs were salivating over the fact that Cho sent his video to them over everyone else, you're naive.

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 08:47 AM

I totally agree

Like they say, no one remembers the victims, they only remember the killer. Like the bastard who shot up VTech. He's going to go down in infamy, and he will be a legend. He will be remember like Jeffrey Dahmer and Charles Manson. The media sucks. Like I said in Don Imus thread, Sex, Money, and Violence, America media loves it, no matter what they say.If it wasn't popular with the consumer, do you think the media would still show it?

Who's to blame, the supplier or the consumer who consumes it?

Until there is a public outcry the likes of which this country hasn't seen in a long time, it won't change.

pez

April-20th-2007, 08:50 AM

Well then, maybe we should start sending a message... Maybe if we start getting the message out for people to stop watching NBC news (for their airing of the material) the media will get the hint.

Huly

April-20th-2007, 08:56 AM

Well then, maybe we should start sending a message... Maybe if we start getting the message out for people to stop watching NBC news (for their airing of the material) the media will get the hint.

Some of the Victim's families did this yesterday by refusing to go on NBC's Today Show and told them that they were upset at the airing of the killer's video etc.

Huly

April-20th-2007, 09:00 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/20/vtech.shooting/index.html

For some, sorrow was mixed with anger, not only at Cho Seung-Hui for his rampage and his multimedia screed, but also at the media for airing his last recorded words and images.

News outlets were urged to focus on the victims of the shootings rather than the twisted ramblings of the man who gunned them down before killing himself as police closed in.

Peter Read, father of victim Mary Read, pleaded for media outlets to stop broadcasting the images that Cho mailed between the day's two shooting incidents.

"It's a second assault on us," he said. "It's a second assault on our children. Please put the focus back where it belongs: on these wonderful, vibrant, young human beings who were bringing so much to this world."

Doctoral student Ken Stanton, 29, said he resented that Cho was getting airtime while many of the victims, such as his friend, Jeremy Herbstritt, remained anonymous.

"I'm sick of it," he said. "It's like you can't get away from it -- every time I walk by a TV, there it is."

Air Force Cane

April-20th-2007, 09:04 AM

Todd Beamer school?!!

How ironic would that be for a mass murder to take place at a school named for Beamer? :mad:

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 09:04 AM

Well then, maybe we should start sending a message... Maybe if we start getting the message out for people to stop watching NBC news (for their airing of the material) the media will get the hint.I'm all for it brother.

Its a good starting point, but its not enough. It will just happen again.

Its not just news either. Look at some of the more popular TV shows on today.

The Sopranos, 24, Prison Break, and CSI. What is the fascination with the violence or am I just imagining it?

American Idol seems to be the exception.

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 09:05 AM

Some of the Victim's families did this yesterday by refusing to go on NBC's Today Show and told them that they were upset at the airing of the killer's video etc.Yes but I've also heard many people claiming they have the "right" to see all of it. :doh:

skinstzar

April-20th-2007, 09:13 AM

I hate to say it, but this country is getting uglier and uglier...

What provokes these kids to do these things? People keep saying it is the video games and such, but in my opinion, nothing shows more violence today than the news!

You know it really is and it is quite sad. The rest of the world no longer looks at us as a strong nation. They look at the US as a place that can't govern itself and has massive internal problems among its youth.

After this latest incident I'm really starting to blame the media. If you look at the coverage since Monday, they have absolutely glorified the killer. The coverage is 80/20 him vs the dead and the fallout. The NBC execs should have taken that package and handed it to law enforcement. Everyone wants their 15 minutes. Now the killer has gotten his lifetime worth of fame. Kids see this and the mentally unstable ones want it too.

The only thing that gives me hope is those members of society who rise up in situations like this. I went to Tyson's yesterday to buy a hat and an orange shirt. The support was overwhelming. Lids was packed and selling out of VT stuff. Almost every orange shirt in Banana was gone. Atleast some of that money will find its way back to Tech and help the students.

dfitzo53

April-20th-2007, 09:18 AM

Yes but I've also heard many people claiming they have the "right" to see all of it. :doh:
I guess it gives some people closure. Personally, I have no interest in seeing it, but I can imagine someone who's trying to understand for themselves how the tragedy could possibly have taken place garnering some peace of mind knowing that the man really was insane.

I wouldn't say anyone has a right to see it, but I would imagine it helps some out there cope.

Huly

April-20th-2007, 09:19 AM

Yes but I've also heard many people claiming they have the "right" to see all of it. :doh:

Some say that this might help future parents, kids and schools see warning signs before something like this happens again.

Example Columbine:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/20/columbine.anniv.ap/index.html

But federal Judge Lewis Babcock's decision this month to seal for 20 years the testimony of Harris' and Klebold's parents about the boys' home lives has infuriated some survivors and victims' relatives, who feel the information could help prevent future school rampages.

"I don't think you can stop every crazy person. But some of the things Babcock locked up show what these crazy kids did," said Don Fleming, whose 16-year-old daughter, Kelly, was killed in the attack. "It's no use to anybody if it is locked up.

"If society knew, it could possibly prevent future shootings," Fleming said. "We're finding out that everything that the latest killer did is similar to what Klebold and Harris did."

pez

April-20th-2007, 09:22 AM

While there may be a need to see it discretely, there is no need to sensationalize it like NBC has done..

They were not interested in providing information... they were interested in ratings..

The media was absolutely ridiculous with this tragic event... I was disgusted the first time I turned on the news (which was fox) because they used one of those "movie voices" for their opening with a big huge graphic with the word massacre all over it... I didn't know whether I was watching a movie or the news :doh:

McMetal

April-20th-2007, 09:23 AM

Wanna-be loser.

The only think worse than the nut jobs that pull this abominable crap are the pathetic copycat punks that can't tell a gun barrel from their own a-hole. Get a life.

d0ublestr0ker0ll

April-20th-2007, 09:29 AM

Wanna-be loser.

The only think worse than the nut jobs that pull this abominable crap are the pathetic copycat punks that can't tell a gun barrel from their own a-hole. Get a life.

I wouldn't call them worse, my friend. Calling him a Wanna-be kind of makes the VT shooter sound better than him. When, in fact, they are all wanna-bes that felt they were such pathetic assbreathing douschbags that they can only freaking get attention by murdering those who know their incredibly lame asses.

70th Week

April-20th-2007, 09:31 AM

This happened not far from me wed.:

Huntersville — A teenager shot and killed himself Wednesday shortly after pointing a handgun at two other students in a Mecklenburg County high school parking lot, police said.

Schools in Huntersville were locked down after the 16-year-old, whose name wasn't released, made threatening gestures in a parking lot at North Mecklenburg High School, police said.

The student, who attended the school, turned the gun on himself when police confronted him at a gas station, said Capt. Michael Kee of the Huntersville Police Department. He later died, said Tahira Stalbert, a spokeswoman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Police alerted four schools after the student left the high school's campus, Kee said.

"We put every school in the area on immediate lockdown in light of everything that's gone on in the world lately," Kee said, referring to the fatal shootings of 33 people at Virginia Tech. "We erred on the side of caution."

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkxowzihGy1wBo4tXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2M3MzdmZ oBGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=12jqv48js/EXP=1177165744/**http%3a//www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/story/1279552/

skinstzar

April-20th-2007, 09:35 AM

If it bleeds, it leads. In a perfect world, the news is supposed to be a public service. But, the bottom line is that news is a business. If you don't think the NBC News execs were salivating over the fact that Cho sent his video to them over everyone else, you're naive.

You are all to right my friend, but it didn't use to be that way. Money wasn't always the motivator and the anchors and producers used to hold the power. Now media outlets are setup to have too much input from executives. Executives that don't know about or care about ethics.

Huly

April-20th-2007, 09:37 AM

http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/0407/415554.html

About a bomb threat at a SC Summerville high school.

Summerville, SC - Students at Summerville High School consider skipping school this Friday after a threat found on bathroom walls weeks ago.

At the time it seemed just a poor taste in bathroom humor.

"It happened about a month. It was like basically a warning in several different bathroom stalls and above the urinal," said one student.

"There was supposedly a writing on the boys bathroom that said '4/20, 8 a.m., BOOM.'," said another.

But after Monday's tragedy, the threat became a serious worry

"Everybody started freaking out that there's going to be a bomb Friday at 8 o'clock."

Friday is 4/20, or April 20th, the anniversary of Columbine, and Hitler's birthday.

Students said about have the student body is taking the threat seriously.

"My teacher said you shouldn't live life in fear and I'm like, 'why would you take that chance?'" said a student who nevertheless wants to come to school Friday. Her father said he wasn't sure he would let her.

"I am so angry, I am so angry, so angry I am shaking," said the mother of student

Angry at what, exactly, she couldn't say. Perhaps the students said it best.

Even if they put more cops in, somebody still could easily bring in a gun."

We asked the angry parent if she would allow her daughter to come to school on Friday.
"She's saying she's coming, but I say 'no.'"

Summerville High School administration and staff declined to speak with us. They said instead, if you have a question, contact the school directly.

I never realized it was Hitler's birthday today.

stwasm

April-20th-2007, 09:56 AM

You are all to right my friend, but it didn't use to be that way. Money wasn't always the motivator and the anchors and producers used to hold the power. Now media outlets are setup to have too much input from executives. Executives that don't know about or care about ethics.

I worked in news for four years, so I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. It kinda makes me glad I left that business.

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 10:09 AM

Perhaps the students said it best.

"Even if they put more cops in, somebody still could easily bring in a gun."That's anyplace. You can either lock society down with a police state mentality or have liberty. When it comes to this particular type of crime, there really isn't a middle ground. :(

The only real way to mitigate the risk and retain your freedoms is to change people's hearts.

pez

April-20th-2007, 11:04 AM

I'm all for it brother.

Its a good starting point, but its not enough. It will just happen again.

Its not just news either. Look at some of the more popular TV shows on today.

The Sopranos, 24, Prison Break, and CSI. What is the fascination with the violence or am I just imagining it?

American Idol seems to be the exception.

I agree that many shows portray violence (quite a few that I watch). Although I have to say that I am more affected by the violence that I see in the news as opposed to TV shows and movies, just because of the fact that it is real. I guess what we really have to watch out for, are the people who cannot differentiate reality from fiction...

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 12:01 PM

I agree that many shows portray violence (quite a few that I watch). Although I have to say that I am more affected by the violence that I see in the news as opposed to TV shows and movies, just because of the fact that it is real. I guess what we really have to watch out for, are the people who cannot differentiate reality from fiction...We do need to watch for them. But how? The VT staff saw the signs but couldn't do anything.

Its the reality of living in a free society.

pez

April-20th-2007, 12:11 PM

Huly

April-20th-2007, 12:46 PM

We do need to watch for them. But how? The VT staff saw the signs but couldn't do anything.

Its the reality of living in a free society.

That is the question... we are either going to have to deal with the fear that this can happen again, or infringe on civil rights... Its a hard call. People keep saying that they need to increase security, but that only does so much as well. The shooter could simply shoot people going to and from buildings just as easily if he cannot access them.

That is a huge question. Other schools are talking now on when do you have the right to take action against a disturbed student. Also they are stateing that he should not have been able to get the first gun since he has a mental health situation.

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 02:01 PM

That is a huge question. Other schools are talking now on when do you have the right to take action against a disturbed student. They won't be able to do anything. The ACLU and fear of lawsuits will make sure of that. And Americans are to apathetic to stand up against it.

I mean, heck, even in the VT case, they tried to get him counseling and even requested he leave, and he said "No. You can't make me leave." And they didn't take any more action.

Predicto

April-20th-2007, 02:04 PM

They won't be able to do anything. The ACLU and fear of lawsuits will make sure of that. And Americans are to apathetic to stand up against it.

I mean, heck, even in the VT case, they tried to get him counseling and even requested he leave, and he said "No. You can't make me leave." And they didn't take any more action.

I agree that it is difficult, but as you say, this is part of the price we pay for living in a free society. It used to be that people could get their annoying relatives locked in a mental hospital forever with no recourse to the courts - that wasn't good either. It is a very difficult line to draw - safety is important but so is fairness.

Ps. The cheap shot at the ACLU doesn't really fit here, IMO.

DCranon21

April-20th-2007, 02:06 PM

I just don't understand these kids of today. I knew the copy cat effect would take effect soon :doh:

dfitzo53

April-20th-2007, 02:13 PM

Zguy28

April-20th-2007, 02:23 PM

I agree that it is difficult, but as you say, this is part of the price we pay for living in a free society. It used to be that people could get their annoying relatives locked in a mental hospital forever with no recourse to the courts - that wasn't good either. It is a very difficult line to draw - safety is important but so is fairness.

Ps. The cheap shot at the ACLU doesn't really fit here, IMO.Actually it was not a cheap shot, but I thought some might see it that way after I posted it. My personal feelings aside, I think its just true because that is their job, and their zealous at it.

pez

April-20th-2007, 02:31 PM

In an article in the Purdue Exponent the other day there was a graph of school shootings internationally. Of course the United States had the most shootings, but Russia actually had by far the most deaths - 331 in a single shooting. Does anybody know anything about that particular incident?

Beslan school hostage crisis

344 civilians were killed, including 186 children

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beslan_school_hostage_crisis

Painkiller

April-20th-2007, 03:27 PM

Unfortunately, you can't stop a nut no matter what you do. He will always figure out new and creative ways to show us all just how crazy he can be.

Predicto

April-20th-2007, 03:31 PM

Actually it was not a cheap shot, but I thought some might see it that way after I posted it. My personal feelings aside, I think its just true because that is their job, and their zealous at it.

Fair enough. :cheers:

Loxley

April-20th-2007, 03:33 PM

And yet our country is still obsessed with violence.
Look at how well movies like SAW or the Hills have Eyes do in the US. Sickening. And they have sequels. :doh:

We are a culture who thrives off of violent stimuli in one form or another. Its almost like the nation is addicted.

But then we can't understand when someone does stuff in real life.

News Flash: Its not just Americans that are obsessed with violence, its people the world over. In England (or where im from at least) whenever there is a car crash on a motorway you always get delays and clumps of traffic due people slowing down on the other side of the road to take a look at the accident. We call it rubber-necking (some places call it swan necking) but whatever, its sick. Its just something that happens all over the world i think. As a human race we are obsessed with violence in general. Think back to school days, if someone yelled "fight" half the school would run to watch 2 guys beat the living hell out of eachother.

Its just the same today. I watched CNN once and gave up after about 15 mins as I felt like the world was going to end just listening to those guys.

pez

April-20th-2007, 03:40 PM

Well if you haven't seen it already, there is another crazy with a gun at NASA's Johnson Space Center

http://www.extremeskins.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196372

Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin

April-20th-2007, 05:40 PM

Totally agree. The news just floods us with everything violent and negative. The fact that it was called the "Va Tech MASSACRE" was pretty sad IMO. Why not the "Va Tech Tragedy"??
Everything is so oversensationalized. Kids see how much attention that the tragedies get and guess what? They are lacking attention and seek it out.

While I concur wholeheartedly that the media sensationalizes and even glamorizes these types of events (see Natural Born Killer for a commentary on that, if bizarrely executed) I do not agree at all with the calling this mass murder anything but what it is.

It reminds me of 9/11 and how those who would seem to not WANT us to confront evil prefer to call it the "Tragedy of 9/11." No, that was an ATROCITY, a MASS murder and an act of unfathomable evil.

WHich is what this was. I have no problem with calling it what it is. Besides, it seems to me the media was just as sensationalistic 100 years ago, perhaps moreso when it came to headlines and such. Were there copycats then?

I think the possibility is that society itself has changed so much that media firestorms and the instant fame they can create urge people who are ALREADY on the verge of doing something pretty bad to do something in like fashion to something else.

Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin

April-20th-2007, 05:48 PM

And yet our country is still obsessed with violence.
Look at how well movies like SAW or the Hills have Eyes do in the US. Sickening. And they have sequels. :doh:

We are a culture who trhives off of violent stimuli in one form or another. Its almost like the nation is addicted.

But then we can't understand when someone does stuff in real life.

While I can't say I disagree is that REALLY the cause of all this? We used to have violent Westerns (not graphic, I know) and cartoons and no one graduated to mass shootings. Bringing your rifle to show and tell wouldnt have been a cause for a severe lockdown and shooting clubs on high school campuses and hunting racks on high school parkin grounds were not a source of alarm.

And let's get to this violence thing. In the middle east, THAT seems a place inundated and addicted to violence, institutionalized violence against women and children in the home, brutality against the other, etc.

I knew a guy from Ethiopia who told me grimly that "life is cheap in the third world" when recounting the tale of a man BEATEN TO DEATH over a minor traffic accident or of kids beaten or killed for stealing food to eat.

There is something unique in the American character that makes us more violent than say, Japan, but England's crime rate has risen while it protects criminals and seeks to prevent self-defense by the citizenry. Russia had a higher murder rate WITHOUT guns being legal than the US did during the COld War (only now do we know that.)

And actually, if you remove the prohibitiion on drugs (and the attendant crime, battles over turf and product, gang empowerment and enrichment, etc) our murder rate would be a great deal lower (as it climbed also just after prohibition.) European countries also tend to have a strange crime reporting system which allows them to report numbers MUCh lower than actual crime rates (and I'm talking violent crime.)

If people were trained to be warriors and to fight back (and be equipped to do so) and not to wait for police who wait outside until the shooting stops, I wonder if these mass murder incidents would diminish in frequency and scope.

Or are we on a path of experiencing large numbers of suicide bombers for both political and bizarre individual purposes?

Jumbo

April-21st-2007, 12:47 AM

Interesting follow-up: the kid who was busted with the guns wasn't trying to sell them, but had just bought them at school and apparently thought he could reduce the trouble he was in (as if it would) by "switching" roles. There were two other kids who were involved in the sale--and the one who produced the handguns (there were six total he was going to sell) got them by stealing them from his father's collection. His father is a Washington State Trooper. :doh: The kid then had ripped up the house and made it look like it had been "burgled" in order to cover up his theft. He said he needed the money. :rolleyes: