BREAKING: Mass Shooting at Texas A&M

[HeatDeath 430]

This isn't about guns, or gun control, or any of that. It's a symptom of a much, much larger pattern.

Over the last decade, through both the Bush and Obama administrations, the government has demonstrated itself to be a borderline competent, stunningly mediocre tax collecting machine, serving only its own interests, which are generally the interests of the ultra-rich who form most of both houses of Congress. Both parties have lost the confidence of the majority of the American people.

Police officers, as representatives of the government, used to inherit some of the respect the government had. Now, in many areas, they can only do their jobs through intimidation and the projection of raw force. In these areas, any idea that police officers were members of the community, and beholden to it, has died. When people have no respect for the institution of government, they are much more likely to start shooting at members of what they see as "the blue gang". When police officers [as extensions of the government] are not perceived to be members of the community, then even routine calls can turn deadly. This is what we see happening, more and more often.

When the government is seen to lose moral legitimacy, police officers are seen to lose moral legitimacy. When police officers are not seen to have moral legitimacy, they become seen as nothing more than another gang: "the blue gang", and their job becomes enormously more dangerous. [Which only makes the situation worse, as the measures they must then take to protect themselves in the execution of their duties alienate them from the community even more.]

[X Factor 1,112]

This isn't about guns, or gun control, or any of that. It's a symptom of a much, much larger pattern.

Over the last decade, through both the Bush and Obama administrations, the government has demonstrated itself to be a borderline competent, stunningly mediocre tax collecting machine, serving only its own interests, which are generally the interests of the ultra-rich who form most of both houses of Congress. Both parties have lost the confidence of the majority of the American people.

Police officers, as representatives of the government, used to inherit some of the respect the government had. Now, in many areas, they can only do their jobs through intimidation and the projection of raw force. In these areas, any idea that police officers were members of the community, and beholden to it, has died. When people have no respect for the institution of government, they are much more likely to start shooting at members of what they see as "the blue gang". When police officers [as extensions of the government] are not perceived to be members of the community, then even routine calls can turn deadly. This is what we see happening, more and more often.

When the government is seen to lose moral legitimacy, police officers are seen to lose moral legitimacy. When police officers are not seen to have moral legitimacy, they become seen as nothing more than another gang: "the blue gang", and their job becomes enormously more dangerous. [Which only makes the situation worse, as the measures they must then take to protect themselves in the execution of their duties alienate them from the community even more.]

And it doesn't look like things will improve anytime soon.

[Harsh_77 718]

Well, when you say "this is happening because of the economy and the economy is Obama's fault" ... then you're indirectly saying these shootings are on his shoulders.

How about some personal accountability for actions here? Blame the guy who shot innocent people for starters.

What does this have to do with race?

If Romney is elected, these incidents will continue to happen. You're foolish to think otherwise.

Isnt he supposed to be leading the country and making decisions which are right for the country, which help the citizens?

Ppl who take these steps are equally responsible but what is driving them to take such drastic steps?

To kill / shoot someone is not an easy choice.

When someone is making this choice... just imangine what they have gone thru that they have to take such steps.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Isnt he supposed to be leading the country and making decisions which are right for the country, which help the citizens?

Ppl who take these steps are equally responsible but what is driving them to take such drastic steps?

To kill / shoot someone is not an easy choice.

When someone is making this choice... just imangine what they have gone thru that they have to take such steps.

I don't know what drives them, and neither do you. Plenty of people lose their jobs or have a tough time in this economy. Not everyone grabs a gun and shoots up a movie theater, a temple, a school.

[aaydrian 479]

In a good, bad or better economy Americans are known for mass killings. It seems as if too many Americans do not know how to deal with their personal problems safely.

[Harsh_77 718]

In a good, bad or better economy Americans are known for mass killings. It seems as if too many Americans do not know how to deal with their personal problems safely.

Hmmmm I dont think that just a blanket statment that American cannot deal with personal problem or They are known for mass killing is fair.

Similar things happen in many other countries and they do not even make it to news.... you hear more about American killings coz world media is focused on what happen in US.... its a big news put it out repeat put it out, hence u hear more about them.

When there was killing in Norway and police took time to respond... if that would had been case with American police whole world media whould had jumped on them.... my point is when there is anything to do with US media just loves to jump on the issue.

[aaydrian 479]

Hmmmm I dont think that just a blanket statment that American cannot deal with personal problem or They are known for mass killing is fair.

Similar things happen in many other countries and they do not even make it to news.... you hear more about American killings coz world media is focused on what happen in US.... its a big news put it out repeat put it out, hence u hear more about them.

When there was killing in Norway and police took time to respond... if that would had been case with American police whole world media whould had jumped on them.... my point is when there is anything to do with US media just loves to jump on the issue.

Yes media can do that if CNN, ABC, NBC or FOX news are your primary sources of info.

With 'outside souces' I rarely see other countries similar to the US that have strangers entering a room and killing innocents, killing their kids then themselves, shootings in schools or shooting the cops because of evictions with the frequency of America.

[Harsh_77 718]

Yes media can do that if CNN, ABC, NBC or FOX news are your primary sources of info.

With 'outside souces' I rarely see other countries similar to the US that have strangers entering a room and killing innocents, killing their kids then themselves, shootings in schools or shooting the cops because of evictions with the frequency of America.

Again you only have the knowledge about American shooting coz world media picks it up and makes it a sensational news.

There has been killing in China, Norway etc.

You never hear about it in main stream media as they are not so sensational.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Again you only have the knowledge about American shooting coz world media picks it up and makes it a sensational news.

There has been killing in China, Norway etc.

You never hear about it in main stream media as they are not so sensational.

I'm sorry - but there's no way in hell that someone can start plugging away at random strangers in a public place and for it not to make the news. Because a crime is 'sensationalist' it doesn't mean that the reporting is.

Are you suggesting mass murders aren't newsworthy?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'm sorry - but there's no way in hell that someone can start plugging away at random strangers in a public place and for it not to make the news.

He did mention China.

[aaydrian 479]

Again you only have the knowledge about American shooting coz world media picks it up and makes it a sensational news.

There has been killing in China, Norway etc.

You never hear about it in main stream media as they are not so sensational.

And still you don't get it. I'm talking about the frequency of such crimes in the US VS the rest of the world. Yes incidences like this has occurred in Norway or China but how do these numbers compare to America's?

[X Factor 1,112]

In a good, bad or better economy Americans are known for mass killings. It seems as if too many Americans do not know how to deal with their personal problems safely.

Hence we have the term "going postal".