Connecticut School Shooting Dec 14th 2012

[Lock2Lock]

Even if you banned all guns in the U.S., made private gun ownership illegal, there are still 250,000,000 of them floating around. It would be madness to think they would all disappear overnight or ever for that matter.

Taking away one of the potential tools of destruction, guns in this case, does nothing to address the issue of why people want to or are driven to, do stuff like this in the first place. That's the real issue here, guns and gun laws and gun control are just a smokescreen.

Just talking about rifles by the way.....
Think about this too. There are already so many illegal guns out there. What do you think will happen if say the government does ban them? Only be that much more illegal guns. I mean a lot of people won't give them up you know.

 

[Danoff]

I didn't ignore anything as you have yet to ask me a direct question. All you've done so far is to be frivolous and express surprise (“Wow&#8221 after I returned the favour.

I don't have to ask you a direct question for you to ignore the surprising nature of the specifics.

Here you go; Although my initial comment was only referring to yet another slaughter, I'm also not that surprised at the specifics. It's happened before, why be totally surprised when it happens again. Depravity know no bounds.

I'd be surprised if it happened again tomorrow. Why? Because it's extremely unusual and surprising.

 

[Sam48]

Was there ever any information released in regards to the identity of the so called "second gunman"? Just about every news media outlet reported on it. After the shooting, police chased down and caught a man who tried to escape into the woods behind the school (And they have footage of it as well). According to eyewitnesses, he was whisked away in a police car fairly quickly. To me, this sounds extremely significant to the story, yet the only mention of this was on day one. Now, it seems no one wants to touch on this.

 

[Pupik]

Was there ever any information released in regards to the identity of the so called "second gunman"?

Haven't heard anything; the rough drafts of history are usually created by the media, so it might have been a complete non-issue and/or a misunderstanding.

 

[Joel]

*Ron Paul pwns Piers Morgan*

I laughed way too hard at these.

 

[Sam48]

Haven't heard anything; the rough drafts of history are usually created by the media, so it might have been a complete non-issue and/or a misunderstanding.

It was never clarified as such. They simply left it which seems quite odd as they did extensive coverage of the capture of this individual. However, given that they never identified the individual nor released any information on what even happened makes me wonder.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Haven't heard anything; the rough drafts of history are usually created by the media, so it might have been a complete non-issue and/or a misunderstanding.

From the sounds of things, there was only ever one shooter. I'm guessing the source of the confusion stemmed from the way Adam Lanza was carrying his brother's identification at the time; to the media, it probably implied that both brothers had been involved.

It's a bit like the initial reports of the shooting in Aurora, which claimed that James Holmes had dressed up as the Joker and had timed his first shots to coincide with Batman's first appearance on the cinema screen. In the mass confusion, contradictory reports emerged, and the media ran with them.

I have to wonder if there isn't some sensationalistic element in the media that latches onto these stories and run them, knowing full well that if the reports aren't true, they can claim that they just published what witnesses were saying and that they couldn't verify it beyond that. The same thing happened in Connecticut, with the media reporting that Lanza "liked" the MASS EFFECT Facebook page, directly implying that the game was somehow responsible, even though (as far as I'm aware) its content is pretty far removed from anything that Lanza did.

 

[Joel]

I have to wonder if there isn't some sensationalistic element in the media that latches onto these stories and run them, knowing full well that if the reports aren't true, they can claim that they just published what witnesses were saying and that they couldn't verify it beyond that. The same thing happened in Connecticut, with the media reporting that Lanza "liked" the MASS EFFECT Facebook page, directly implying that the game was somehow responsible, even though (as far as I'm aware) its content is pretty far removed from anything that Lanza did.

It's not an element so much as the entire media. They'd rather just spew whatever garbage they can for ratings rather than wait for the facts.

 

[Danny]

I wish I could go back in time and choke out the guy responsible for "Piers Morgan".

It'd be much easier to go after Piers Morgan himself. He was insufferable over here, I'm not particularly surprised it's the same across the pond.

Rank, arrogant amateur.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It's not an element so much as the entire media. They'd rather just spew whatever garbage they can for ratings rather than wait for the facts.

Well, I don't get much exposure to the American media. I'm just going by what I know. The difference is that down here, the politicians are the sensationalistic ones.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Well, I don't get much exposure to the American media. I'm just going by what I know. The difference is that down here, the politicians are the sensationalistic ones.

Oh don't worry our politicians are as useless and sensationalistic as yours.

Joseph McCarthy and his Red Scare being the most ridiculous so far. Self-deportation of illegals supported by some members of the Senate and House following up that. Really?

Virgil Goode and his rant with Keith Ellison using the Qu'ran as his swearing in book, perhaps the most ironic in that nowhere does it say in the Constitution as to what book an oath should be taken on...But the media ate him up like he was Valentine's chocolate.

Stupid people vote for stupid people who end up making stupid news that drive stupid votes I presume.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Was there ever any information released in regards to the identity of the so called "second gunman"? Just about every news media outlet reported on it. After the shooting, police chased down and caught a man who tried to escape into the woods behind the school (And they have footage of it as well). According to eyewitnesses, he was whisked away in a police car fairly quickly. To me, this sounds extremely significant to the story, yet the only mention of this was on day one. Now, it seems no one wants to touch on this.

There was no second gunman, it was just somone who happened to be in the woods nearby at the same time and that information was released the same day.

 

[Sam48]

There was no second gunman, it was just somone who happened to be in the woods nearby at the same time and that information was released the same day.

Really? Do you have a link? I couldn't find any details.

 

[Furinkazen]

I was reading on a gaming forum that some websites had been blaming his actions on him having aspergers syndrome and playing a game series called Dynasty Warriors, which I am a huge fan of.... this was my rather angry reply.

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A loy of venting, fuming, and anger about to come out in post. A LOT.

Firstly, I want to make clear that this is of course a tragedy of the highest order, my thoughts are with families of all affected.

However, I need to really get something off my chest:

1. Sensationalist media. Blaming it all on a video game, where the descriptions are not even true (I have read DW being called a "shockingly violent war game" by the US Press). Jump on something, because your not willing to report the real reason why this goes on - why did he have access to a gun so easily? Maybe if the US media focused more on the issue of how he was able to get such a gun, the availability of it, they would get somewhere.

And 2... Select outlets in the media blaming it on him having "Aspergers Syndrome". No. Just no. What does some of the media know? It's mentioned the gunman had issues interacting with people and found it difficult to hold conversations with others, he had problems interacting socially. Thats a a common trait of Aspergers, which is still a condition which varies from person to person... but to use it as a reason for him carrying such acts out is wrong.

I should know. I've got aspergers. And to hear of ANY element of the media blaming it on such things is sickening.

 

[Minty]

Not sure what channel it was, but did they really ban Call of Duty anywhere?

They just said they issued a ban on it because the guy was apparently an avid player.

I'd google for myself but data limits are a factor here.

 

[Bluntified]

Not sure what channel it was, but did they really ban Call of Duty anywhere?

They just said they issued a ban on it because the guy was apparently an avid player.

I'd google for myself but data limits are a factor here.

I searched, looks like its Norway that banned it, no mention of the states or North America.

 

[Carbonox]

Banning any game, so that even possession of it is made into a crime, in any country only proves how corrupted and plain simple the politicians' minds are.

 

[Blitz24]

Banning any game, so that even possession of it is made into a crime, in any country only proves how corrupted and plain simple the politicians' minds are.

If you are not banning guns for a country then banning games is meaningless anyways (not that I advocate for the banning of guns). Maybe there should just be background checks on people yearly.

 

[adam46]

Furinkazen; "I was reading on a gaming forum that some websites had been blaming his actions on him having Asperger's Syndrome... "

I have Asperger's, and though I do not know the details or complexities of it for myself, I have never had the urge/desire/need to do anything close to what he did. Personally, I think at the end of the day it's the type of person you are that defines whether or not you are likely to create such horrific events.

I'm sorry, but I don't see how his diagnosis' can be blamed for his actions by anyone.

Furinkazen; That's not an attack at you, just my thoughts on it using a quote from one of your posts.

 

[Blitz24]

Furinkazen; "I was reading on a gaming forum that some websites had been blaming his actions on him having Asperger's Syndrome... "

I have Asperger's, and though I do not know the details or complexities of it for myself, I have never had the urge/desire/need to do anything close to what he did. Personally, I think at the end of the day it's the type of person you are that defines whether or not you are likely to create such horrific events.

I'm sorry, but I don't see how his diagnosis' can be blamed for his actions by anyone.

Furinkazen; That's not an attack at you, just my thoughts on it using a quote from one of your posts.

I have Asperger's as well. This attack had no direct cause from the syndrome, but it certainly could have contributed.

 

[adam46]

I have Asperger's as well. This attack had no direct cause from the syndrome, but it certainly could have contributed.

True, it may have contributed in a way.

 

[Carbonox]

I should know. I've got aspergers. And to hear of ANY element of the media blaming it on such things is sickening.

I have Asperger's, and though...

I have Asperger's as well. This attack had no direct cause from the syndrome, but it certainly could have contributed.

Geez, I seriously thought I'm the only person here with that curse... Note that I'm not saying it would cause any violent attacks like this, but I feel that this syndrome has ruined my life, made things abnormal.

 

[Furinkazen]

Aspergers is an entirely differing debate, but I reckon i sum things up with what I told someone at college last year - he used his aspergers as justification for why he was rascist and obnoxiously rude to a lot of people - my reply was:

"You are always in control of your actions, sure aspergers may be a reason contributing to why you are like that, but it's never justification or an excuse for your actions".
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Peace out, Furi.

 

[Blitz24]

Geez, I seriously thought I'm the only person here with that curse... Note that I'm not saying it would cause any violent attacks like this, but I feel that this syndrome has ruined my life, made things abnormal.

It has blessings and curses honestly. I found it ridiculously helpful in school work but not in school interactions.

 

[PeterJB]

Geez, I seriously thought I'm the only person here with that curse... Note that I'm not saying it would cause any violent attacks like this, but I feel that this syndrome has ruined my life, made things abnormal.

I have it too. I wouldn't say it's ruined my life. It's made me the unique person that I am, and it's helped my musical ability to no end, though I would prefer to not have the confusion with certain social situations and the near-constant anxiety over food and illness.

 

[Furinkazen]

For me it has actually made my social interactions easier with others. It affects everyone in different ways. Therefore its impossible and wrong for a media to blame someones actions on it.

 

[Famine]

Unless it was characteristic of his Asperger's.

As you say, Asperger's and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders can affect people in myriad different ways. Some you wouldn't even know, some are violent to the point of terrifying, some are loners, some are charmers, some are excessively bright, some are slow and all points in-between. Yes, I've spent some years working with SEN.

Blaming his actions on his Asperger's may be appropriate. Blaming his actions on Asperger's is not.

 

[The Bman]

Geez, I seriously thought I'm the only person here with that curse... Note that I'm not saying it would cause any violent attacks like this, but I feel that this syndrome has ruined my life, made things abnormal.

I feel the same, even about the thing about it ruining my life, though I don't think this was one of the motives of the shooting, although what Famine said is more reasonable, it being his Asperger's.

All I seem to be interested in are video games and auto racing.

 

[Furinkazen]

Unless it was characteristic of his Asperger's.

As you say, Asperger's and other Autistic Spectrum Disorders can affect people in myriad different ways. Some you wouldn't even know, some are violent to the point of terrifying, some are loners, some are charmers, some are excessively bright, some are slow and all points in-between. Yes, I've spent some years working with SEN.

Blaming his actions on his Asperger's may be appropriate. Blaming his actions on Asperger's is not.

Correct, it may have been a contributing factor, but it's wrong to solely to apply blame to it. I've seen how big a range behaviors are of people in the autistic spectrum.

 

[Famine]

I'd suggest that if he was a violent-to-the-point-of-terrifying Asperger's - on the verge of committal for his extreme violent behaviour - it wouldn't be wrong to solely apply blame to it. One minor spark - like finding out his mum's going to commit him - and he's in a prolonged psychopathic fury, the kind where he breaks out the firearms, kills his dad, marches to the local school where his mum works to kill her and then redmisting the hell out of the place. I've seen a kid like that take an hour of three adults restraining him before he stopped trying to rip their skin off. And his own.

Of course if he was a quiet, charming Asperger's who collected and named model dinosaurs, it's probably not connected.