What the hell is happening in America?

Hiedi · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 87

Unfortunately, public shootings are starting to become a very common way for people to resolve conflicts in America. These are the two that I have seen in today's news.

Reuters

CNN

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1089

Unfortunately, over the years, the middle class has shrunk. Education has spiraled downward and in some cases to a halt. The economy is bad. We have polarizing politics. And perhaps the biggest problem: we are in a constant aura of fear. We are constantly being feared into supporting candidates, and constantly being informed about terrorists trying to kill people. And the news doesn't help by emphasizing all the bad stuff happening in the world and making it seem likely that it will happen to you, too.

Fear, poverty, a sense of division among neighbors-- it all goes into the filter and helps ferment the current state our country is in. People feel cheated of justice and they feel the need to find it on their own.

Hiedi · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 87

CBS link

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1089

It is just awful. Our infrastructure is collapsing, people are losing their homes, and people are angry and turning to violence. Really just a guess on my part. I haven't looked at the nature of all of these incidents.

Hiedi · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 87

Honestly, I really don't know what to think about it all.

Kizzume · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject:

Being that it's looking like a trend, as well as all the economic factors that go into the whole thing, this really isn't looking good. I'm wondering when this is going to be considered a crisis.

Hiedi · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 87

It appears the gun culture in America is really starting to backfire, and there seems to be no practical way to solve this problem, considering the large number of guns already in the general population. If a gun is well-made, it will last for countless years. Combine that with our extremely self-seeking (impulsive) modern society. In my opinion, these two are disastrous combinations. My guess is; this problem will only get a lot worse over time.

Hiedi · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 87

Five reported dead in Illinois college shooting

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject:

Kizzume · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:19 am Post subject:

Even though it would be quite expensive, I think the idea of security and metal detectors at the entrances to campuses would be something we should consider. Again, it would be QUITE expensive, but I think we as taxpayers shouldn't have a problem paying for that kind of thing. This sort of incident has been happening far too much recently.

debateman · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 349 Location: New Mexico

Kizzume · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

Yipes. Yipes. Yeah, you're probably right.

Is there ANYTHING that can be done? How about lots of armed security?

debateman · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 349 Location: New Mexico

Kizzume · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:14 am Post subject:

Damn. You're right again. I guess this has to be stopped before it gets to that point--maybe we need to change the atmosphere of k-12.

Frank on OTL started a thread about discipline in k-12 public schools. It makes me wonder whether that kind of thing might be part of the answer. I think I'm just grasping at straws now. I just don't know--I just wish there was an answer.

debateman · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 349 Location: New Mexico

Maybe we need better parents who make sure their children have a mental check up just as often as they have a general medical check up.