The news story you don't hear about

[NickD 203]

Screw the so-called hero of that story, more concerned about that marine, did he just come back from Iraq or Afghanistan? Was he subject to the strict rules of engagement dealing with an enemy he can't even identify as such and should take several bullets before firing back? In my military days, put us all through all kinds of sh!t and just dumped us on the street. I didn't have problems like that, just said fu*k it, but many guys did. Sounds like this hasn't change.

We were inspected for any spoils of war however, supposed to be honored to serve your country and be happy with the 20 cents an hour we got. Some guys did sneak stuff out, but worked in supply. If you did have problems, suppose to visit your local VA, if you even know you have a problem. Brother-in-law, he's dead now, but was exposed to agent orange, and that wasn't a problem.

It's terrible how this country treats our troops, okay, today it volunteer, back then, you had no choice, but even like Obama said recently, it sure doesn't cost our government a million bucks a troop, something very fishy about that. But never rely on your congressman to do something complicated like divide the total cost by the number of troops.

Would be fun to personally meet the likes of Gene Hunt and Danno in person, you guys are awfully brave sitting behind your monitor. Would like to see if you are just as brave in person.

My heart goes out to that marine. Least I know what these guys had to go through to protect the freedom of worthless guys like you.

[Danno 1,228]

Speculating on the significance of why something doesn't catch the public imagination or even why it is not placed in front of the public for them to fantasize about is extraodinary, particulary if you think you can extrapolate something meaningful out of that. The media in industrialized nations is mostly privately owned and mostly exists to create profit for the parent company - it really is that simple.

Did you read the Story MC?

No need to "speculate" why the bad news of guns makes the news cycle, it was right there in the beginning of the story.

Preventing something from happening is not nearly as good a news story as the carnage, should it happen.

[SMR 368]

Now imagine both of these stories if the USA has, let's say, the UK's gun laws.

NEITHER EVENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. No-one would have been taken hostage in Wytheville, VA, and no-one would have been put at risk from a rogue Marine in Oklahoma City. Which would you prefer, prevention, or reaction?

I prefer prevention, because there's a lot less risk of things going pear-shaped.

The vast majority of crimes committed with guns are committed by people who aren't allowed to own the guns in the first place. If you outlaw guns, the only people that give up their guns are the law-abiding citizens. Sure, then you know that anybody who has a gun is a criminal. But the criminals know that all of the good-guys are unarmed.

[NickD 203]

Did you read the Story MC?

No need to "speculate" why the bad news of guns makes the news cycle, it was right there in the beginning of the story.

Preventing something from happening is not nearly as good a news story as the carnage, should it happen.

Yes I read the story, way too much assumption for me that this marine would actually kill somebody, but the poor guy is obviously shell shocked, they have more complicated terms for that today. Bet I could have eased him up without a concealed weapon or threatening to shoot him, the guy needs help. What is really lacking in the news is what our troops are going through. Our government dresses them up like targets and puts them into one hell of a situation with constant death threats, would drive anybody nuts, some sooner, some later. Even sent some to Leavenworth for not abiding to the rules of engagement. But what can you except with commanders in chiefs that managed to beat the draft or were lucky enough to go to Harvard?

[justashooter 430]

No, it just takes a lot more effort.

Are you honestly trying to tell me that because there are rocks, people should be allowed to have unrestricted access to firearms?

** Insert John McEnroe Quote here **

rocks have nothing to do with the reasoning behind the second amendment. the 2nd was put in place to deter aggression against America and her citizens by enemies foreign and domestic. the reasoning remains valid to this day.

[justashooter 430]

Yes I read the story, way too much assumption for me that this marine would actually kill somebody, but the poor guy is obviously shell shocked, they have more complicated terms for that today. Bet I could have eased him up without a concealed weapon or threatening to shoot him, the guy needs help. What is really lacking in the news is what our troops are going through. Our government dresses them up like targets and puts them into one hell of a situation with constant death threats, would drive anybody nuts, some sooner, some later. Even sent some to Leavenworth for not abiding to the rules of engagement. But what can you except with commanders in chiefs that managed to beat the draft or were lucky enough to go to Harvard?

not enuf info in this story to understand the guys action. could be he was shooting at a rat in a sewer drain on the corner of the parking lot that backs against a thick woods or open field. could be that he was drunk and was shooting at empty beer bottles. could be that he was shooting at other people, but i find that unlikely.

sounds like adjustment disorder related to the extreme change in environment, or just a good old boy that got to look at the muzzle of an over zealous gun toting newbie. either way, if he had intended harm the headline would have included a body count. welcome home, marine.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Danno, seeing that Faux News, World Nut Daily and the American Stinker all failed to pick up the hero story, surely you must be satisfied that it simply wasn't news.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Did you read the Story MC?

No need to "speculate" why the bad news of guns makes the news cycle, it was right there in the beginning of the story.

Preventing something from happening is not nearly as good a news story as the carnage, should it happen.

Yes.... because bad news sells.

If Uncle Bob leaving the gas on in the kitchen and blowing up his house is going to be more of a draw for headline purposes than if Uncle Bob remembered he had left the gas on and rushed home to switch it off and air out the house.

The point being that this isn't something that's restricted solely to stories about guns. Why then is there an implicit suggestion that "positive" gun stories are somehow necessary because without them someone's agenda isnt being properly served.

That said, I don't believe the authors anecdotal claim that you don't hear stories like this in the news. Anecdotally, I've heard several stories like this in the local news, but if you're wondering why "man guns down home invader" doesn't make national news headlines, its probably because it is only of interest to a local rather than a national audience.

What's sinister about that?

Edited January 6, 2010 by Gene Hunt

[Danno 1,228]

Yes.... because bad news sells.

If Uncle Bob leaving the gas on in the kitchen and blowing up his house is going to be more of a draw for headline purposes than if Uncle Bob remembered he had left the gas on and rushed home to switch it off and air out the house.

The point being that this isn't something that's restricted solely to stories about guns. Why then is there an implicit suggestion that "positive" gun stories are somehow necessary because without them someone's agenda isnt being properly served.

That said, I don't believe the authors anecdotal claim that you don't hear stories like this in the news. Anecdotally, I've heard several stories like this in the local news, but if you're wondering why "man guns down home invader" doesn't make national news headlines, its probably because it is only of interest to a local rather than a national audience.

What's sinister about that?

Why are people missing this?

THERE IS NOTHING SINISTER, it's just as you said... very little coverage is given to "what could have happened" no matter what the situation is.

I thought the main point was to highlight that we can't just guns on guns news-stories because due to the nature of news reporting, you will only get a lopsided view.

I did not see any suggestion there was a "conspiracy" or anything like that.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well to be honest, the news media has never been a particularly good barometer of the state of society.

That holds true for a number of subjects, not just guns.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Gene Hunt

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I did not see any suggestion there was a "conspiracy" or anything like that.

The mere fact that you posted it suggests that, though.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Screw the so-called hero of that story, more concerned about that marine, did he just come back from Iraq or Afghanistan? Was he subject to the strict rules of engagement dealing with an enemy he can't even identify as such and should take several bullets before firing back? In my military days, put us all through all kinds of sh!t and just dumped us on the street. I didn't have problems like that, just said fu*k it, but many guys did. Sounds like this hasn't change.

We were inspected for any spoils of war however, supposed to be honored to serve your country and be happy with the 20 cents an hour we got. Some guys did sneak stuff out, but worked in supply. If you did have problems, suppose to visit your local VA, if you even know you have a problem. Brother-in-law, he's dead now, but was exposed to agent orange, and that wasn't a problem.

It's terrible how this country treats our troops, okay, today it volunteer, back then, you had no choice, but even like Obama said recently, it sure doesn't cost our government a million bucks a troop, something very fishy about that. But never rely on your congressman to do something complicated like divide the total cost by the number of troops.

Would be fun to personally meet the likes of Gene Hunt and Danno in person, you guys are awfully brave sitting behind your monitor. Would like to see if you are just as brave in person.

My heart goes out to that marine. Least I know what these guys had to go through to protect the freedom of worthless guys like you.

This is totally off topic with anything else I said in this thread, but I don't believe anyone fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan is "protecting my freedom".

I have no particular beef with anyone who serves in the military, but that rationale is romantic BS, frankly.

And yes, I agree with you that the governments treatment of veterans leaves a lot to be desired. One reason why I personally wouldn't volunteer.

That has nothing to do with the way the media reports these stories, which is the only opinion I was putting forward.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I hate America

/ululates

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You just know there's some moron who will read that and believe it.

[Danno 1,228]

The mere fact that you posted it suggests that, though.

I suppose in your mind it might.. but you would be mistaken.