What's with the US' school shooting problem?

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:32 pm

Okay, quite simply, what's the cause of all the shootings in the US? I've heard all sorts of things brought out to explain it, ranging from the US just having a violent culture, to rock music, but why do these things really happen, and why do they never seem to happen anywhere near as often (if at all) in other countries?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:44 pm

Typically the shooters are either mentally ill or victims of extreme harrassment. Thanks to the shitty health care system in the US there isn't easy and cheap access to mental health care to help the problems. Add in easy access to firearms and you've got a bad situation.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:48 pm

Typically the shooters are either mentally ill or victims of extreme harrassment.

Exactly how extreme is this harrasment if it gets to the point where the guy wants to gun down everyone he knows?

Add in easy access to firearms and you've got a bad situation.

True, but isn't it just as easy to get guns in Canada? I've never really heard of any shootings over there. Perhaps this is, as you mentioned, due to the fact that Canada actualy has a clue about how to run a health service. Then again, how many teenagers would go to a doctor if he was, as you suggested, the victim of harrasment?

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:48 pm

Because Joe Average American is a moron. Just like they think that airport security is actually doing something. Like keeping someone from taking 2 oz of toothpaste on a plane is saving them from blowing up. Like the pat-downs at a sporting even do anything. Joe Average American has no clue what reality it. That gets passed onto their idiotic kids.

The average American kid has NO CLUE that there are consequenses to their actions. They are too bust getting trophies in little league no matter what place they come in. They are too busy wearing helmets to ride a tricyccle. They are too busy getting passed to the next grade even though they atually failed the year but "No Chlid Left Behind!!!". Their views on reality are skewed. They have no idea what real life is. They need attention and therefore act out in unrealistic ways.

The world needs an enima.

And yes, I was born in the USA and have lived here my entire life.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:53 pm

Jesus, is it that bad over there?

Reliant121 · Post by **Reliant121** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:54 pm

I'm quite glad I live over here now...even if we are ruled by idiots and are infested with either beat you up chavs or annoyed OAP's.

Post by **Teaos** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:55 pm

Honestly in my opinion if you list A) Lots of guns B) Violent Games C) Teasing all the way down to Y) Not enough time spent with family the answer will be Z) all of the above.

The thing I dont agree with is the way schools are being turned into forts. With metal detectors and security guards with guns. Its trying to stop someone from doing it when they have decided they will. What they need to do is stop people wanting to shoot their classmates.

Blackstar the Chakat · Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:00 pm

Teaos wrote: B) Violent Games.

Violent games do not produce violent kids! They only produce violent thoughts. There is no conclusive study that proves Violent video games are the cause of violent actions. Besides, parents should be keeping an eye on what their kids play anyway. There is a rating system in place simialar to movie ratings.

Video games are just parent's newest excuse for why their kids are psychos. In earlier times it was things like Rock and Roll, TV, and Controversial books. Parent's just can't admit that they failed as parents and/or their kid is a nutcase.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:02 pm

Rochey wrote:
Typically the shooters are either mentally ill or victims of extreme harrassment.
Exactly how extreme is this harrasment if it gets to the point where the guy wants to gun down everyone he knows?

Add in easy access to firearms and you've got a bad situation.
True, but isn't it just as easy to get guns in Canada? I've never really heard of any shootings over there. Perhaps this is, as you mentioned, due to the fact that Canada actualy has a clue about how to run a health service. Then again, how many teenagers would go to a doctor if he was, as you suggested, the victim of harrasment?

There is a commercial saying that being ignored by classmates is a form bullying, harrassment and abuse. So, if people pay attention to them it is bad, if they ignore them it is bad...

In this tree-hugger society it is never the individual's fault. It is always "everyone elses" fault. This just adds to the no-consequence for your actions mindset people have.

Post by **Teaos** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:08 pm

Violent games do not produce violent kids!

I totally agree. The point I was making is it is a combination of issues and outlawing something like violent video games would be pointless.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:10 pm

Teaos wrote:
Violent games do not produce violent kids!
I totally agree. The point I was making is it is a combination of issues and outlawing something like violent video games would be pointless.

If they outlawed violent video games, American parents might actually have to "PARENT"... that's not going to happen.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:18 pm

Rochey wrote:
Exactly how extreme is this harrasment if it gets to the point where the guy wants to gun down everyone he knows?

Everyone has a different tolerance. Some kids get sodomised with broom handles and never snap, another kid might get a name a few times and lose it. It's not an acceptable solution in any case but the tolerance is widely variable.

True, but isn't it just as easy to get guns in Canada? I've never really heard of any shootings over there.

There's been a few, the one in Montreal is the most famous before the restriction on military rifles. Handguns are extremely restricted in Canada, it requires a different permit and courses. Longarms are easier to get, though you can't get ones that hold more than three rounds. There's also no gun culture nor are gun rights enshrined in our laws.

Perhaps this is, as you mentioned, due to the fact that Canada actualy has a clue about how to run a health service. Then again, how many teenagers would go to a doctor if he was, as you suggested, the victim of harrasment?

Depends on the teen and their parents. I saw a psychiatrist once a month until I was 15 but my mother is a medical professional. Would a Wal*Mart employee do the same? Can't say.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:20 pm

Jim wrote:
If they outlawed violent video games, American parents might actually have to "PARENT"... that's not going to happen.

Don't get me started, if I can spare two minutes to read the age warning and the back of the case, than the average shmuck has no excuse.

Blackstar the Chakat · Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:45 pm

Cpl Kendall wrote:
Jim wrote:
If they outlawed violent video games, American parents might actually have to "PARENT"... that's not going to happen.
Don't get me started, if I can spare two minutes to read the age warning and the back of the case, than the average shmuck has no excuse.

Exactly. If your kid is playing GTA III, don't be suprised when he starts swearing and stuff. They are the parent. It's their job to keep games they don't want their kids playing away from the kids, not the cooperations that make the games.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:51 pm

ChakatBlackstar wrote: Exactly. If your kid is playing GTA III, don't be suprised when he starts swearing and stuff. They are the parent. It's their job to keep games they don't want their kids playing away from the kids, not the cooperations that make the games.

There's always some boogyman for the soccor mom crowd anyway, before video games it was DnD and before that it was Rock and before that it was Jazz.

But yeah, the age recommendations are there for a reason. GTA may be cool (I wouldn't know) but there's little reason for a six year old to play it. Considering we're literally snowed under with childrens games, just from Disney/Pixar alone.