Seems reasonable enough to

Michael Maiello — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:45:33 +0000

Seems reasonable enough to me.

This is a good article, worth

Elusive Trope — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:21:00 +0000

In reply to Top 10 Myths About Mass Shootings

This is a good article, worth the read. One of the things that popped in my head was that article deals with, as does most of the discourse right now, on how to deal with the individual once he or she makes the decision to carry out a mass shooting.

For instance:

Myth: Widening the availability of mental-health services and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness will allow unstable individuals to get the treatment they need.
Reality: With their tendency to externalize blame and see themselves as victims of mistreatment, mass murderers perceive the problem to be in others, not themselves. They would generally resist attempts to encourage them to seek help. And, besides, our constant references to mass murderers as “wackos” or “sickos” don’t do much to destigmatize the mentally ill.

Yet if these services were improved and intervention is provided early on in these individuals lives, then maybe they don't decompensate to the point where they become "potential" mass murderers in need of help.

Ultimately, mass shooters are in large part a symptom of a culture. Especially among males, the view that creating mass carnage as some means to an end has become part of the collective consciousness. It will take a long, long time to put the genie back into the bottle. In fact, it is not about going backwards to a better time, but for the culture going forward and transforming itself, evolving.

The shift in views about guns, our view of relationship with them, our views on mental health, and so on can be facilitated by new legislation. But it isn't going to happen overnight. But if we do nothing because nothing can be done to eliminate the threat immediately will only doom us to never getting this issue under control.

The article ends well:

Sensible gun laws, affordable mental-health care, and reasonable security measures are all worthwhile, and would enhance the well being of millions of Americans. We shouldn’t, however, expect such efforts to take a big bite out of mass murder. Of course, a nibble or two would be reason enough.

This ought to be popular.

DF — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:44:09 +0000

In reply to Top 10 Myths About Mass Shootings

This ought to be popular.

dagblog - Comments for "Top 10 Myths About Mass Shootings"

Seems reasonable enough to

This is a good article, worth

This ought to be popular.