Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 64
  1. #1
    House Broken
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Lawrence, KS (formerly in Topeka 50+ yrs)
    Posts
    186
    Thanked: 70

    Orlando shooting -- What do you think the best answer is to reduce events like this?

    IMO, the availability of adequate mental health services (detection, comfortable referrals, treatment, aftercare, etc.) has declined in the USA since the 1960s/70s.

    And the formidability of the National Rifle Assoc'n and gun manufacturers on politicians has increased enormously.

    So, do you have any suggestions on what steps could be taken to reduce episodes such as occurred recently in Orlando, San Bernadino, etc., etc., etc.?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3,947
    Thanked: 2421
    It feels like a mix of things. Mental health care, for sure. But also media culture as well as violence -- when exposed to it even through movies, television, online, news, video games, etc. -- being something that seems ordinary for a lot of people. Social media plays a part as well, which has been proven in school shootings to the point where schools are now paying to have social media monitored through third parties. The world changed really fast with the advent of technology -- technology is evolving faster than we are -- and I'm not sure that it's particularly good for our species, at least not for all of us.

    I grew up watching a lot of TV (latchkey kid) and I maintained that lifestyle for a long time. I was also exposed to violent video games as they were becoming popular when I was much younger. Over five years ago, I got rid of cable and rarely go to movies that aren't chick flicks and haven't played or seen a video game in a very long time. I felt television was unhealthy, both physically and emotionally/mentally. I also realized how desensitized I was to violence and tragedy -- whether on the news or in a show or movie. While TV and movies are fake, they go through a lot of trouble to make it seem real and I think that is confusing for some people and it messes with our minds. It's easy to get involved again and find myself desensitized within a week at most as I have had some television relapses via Amazon Prime. At some point I typically become shocked at how unphased I am by it all and realize it's not healthy then stop. As a normal person without mental illness, all of this is mostly self-awareness, and I know others feel similarly and have given up television and/or the news for similar reasons. I imagine someone with mental health issues may have a different experience, however.

    Personally, I think getting "rid" of guns is probably not the answer. This problem is bigger than that. However, I do believe that assault rifles belong in the military. I mean, why would a normal person ever need one? While they would still be available, it would be a lot tougher to get one and you'd have to know the right people.

    I don't have the answer. I don't think anyone does.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    here
    Posts
    2,200
    Thanked: 2001
    Increased funding, treatment, and counseling to help people with mental and psychological troubles would likely help. That would cost money though, which a vociferous and selfish number of people steadfastly oppose spending.

    So would handling differently the licencing of firearms and ammunition sales - as well as retaining them. I need to say no more about the likelihood of that being seriously discussed, never mind happening. There's also the 2009 Heller decision, which seemed to fly in the face of substantial judicial precedent for a more restrictive reading of the Second Amendment, and which people now use to justify the seemingly unrestricted possession of firearms.

    It seems to me that there is also something else. It seems to be culturally OK for a person to find their own solution to a problem, to not seek the counsel of an elder, an advisor of some kind. A person takes the law into their own hands.

    What seems to be unique about mass shootings in the States as opposed to mass shootings elsewhere is that here, they infrequently have anything to do with organised crime, drug lords and gangs disputing turf, kidnappings gone wrong, or other reasons you might hear about similar shootings happening elsewhere. So often here it's a person with a grudge, who is unstable, who has anger issues. Often described as a loner.

    And who has ready access to a firearm.

    There is no easy solution. Yes it would help to improve support for people who need it. It would also help to change how firearms and ammunition can be acquired and retained.

    It may help to change the culture such that there is more emphasis on individual responsibility to family and the community, on the community's responsibility to the individual. There can be more teaching (more importantly, learning) self-discipline, more encouragement to let go of real or perceived slights, more tolerance, more giving up a bit of personal freedom in return for a safer society.

    An imperfect analogy is cultural tolerance of driving under the influence. It's much less acceptable now. That change has taken decades and is still evolving.

    It may also help to change ourselves. For one thing, when things like Orlando and [fill in the blank] happen . . . instead of watching TV or our favourite web site for hours on end as each new sick, sad detail emerges . . . turn it off. Turn away from the clickbait. As compelling as it is, step away. Walk the dog. Read a book. Check out the garden. Sit on the deck and feel the breeze. That's real life.

    For another thing, refuse to give in to fear. I refuse to let people, media, politicians, web sites, fill me with fear of whatever. In this case, fear of 'them'. I refuse to give those sources, those people, that power over me.
    ------------------
    Labradorks: We stopped watching TV five years ago and don't miss it.
    --------------------
    Although board rules in effect say 'no politics', Woody allows a fair amount of latitude as long as things remain civil. I'll do my part to keep it civil.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  4. #4
    House Broken Paws n Jaws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    99
    Thanked: 55
    I agree that mental health needs to be a priority again. But this wasn't a mental health case. This was a religious zealot with a multi-generational pedigree of radical Islamic faith.

    This situation couldn't have been prevented by any gun law.

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Paws n Jaws For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (06-14-2016), ccetta (06-16-2016)

  6. #5
    House Broken Paws n Jaws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    99
    Thanked: 55
    This country doesn't have a gun problem. It has an asshole problem.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Paws n Jaws For This Useful Post:

    kelsyg (06-15-2016)

  8. #6
    Moderator
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Greenwood, Delaware
    Posts
    7,348
    Thanked: 7148
    We could discuss this matter til the end of time, but until we eradicate intolerance nothing will change.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to barry581 For This Useful Post:

    SunDance (06-15-2016)

  10. #7
    House Broken Paws n Jaws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    99
    Thanked: 55
    Quote Originally Posted by barry581 View Post
    We could discuss this matter til the end of time, but until we eradicate intolerance nothing will change.
    Wholeheartedly agree. Zeal is rarely tolerant.

  11. #8
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Williamsburg, Virginia
    Posts
    2,610
    Thanked: 2964
    Quote Originally Posted by Paws n Jaws View Post
    Wholeheartedly agree. Zeal is rarely tolerant.
    And Orlando is pointing more and more to being a homophobic hate crime. The shooter couldn't even keep the organizations straight (he said he supported ISIS and another group that is actually anti-ISIS.) we can debate gun laws forever, but we can also support the LGBT community. The politicians that preach hatred for the gay community and are now trying to curry favor by saying their thoughts and prayers are with the victims need to be voted out.
    Stormageddon, Princess of Darkness, aka "Stormy"
    Birthday 9-13-18, Gotcha Day 11-11-18
    Hidden Content

    Miss Kimber, CGC, 6/15/2005-1/27/2018 forever in our hearts



  12. The Following User Says Thank You to kimbersmom For This Useful Post:

    Doreen Davis (06-15-2016)

  13. #9
    House Broken Paws n Jaws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    99
    Thanked: 55
    No doubt this was an act of extreme homophobia. But it's important to remember that this radical could have zeroed in on any number of things that justify murder in the eyes of an extremist view of Islam. This time it just happened to be gays.

    Next time it'll be something else.

  14. #10
    House Broken Paws n Jaws's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    99
    Thanked: 55
    It's disgusting that his target was gays. But no more so than if he had targeted Christians, fat kids, or any other group hated by these savages.
    It absolutely infuriates me.

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •