Unfathomable: Church Massacre

[cabanafrau]

Just as I can respectfully share my opinion. When some racist idiot decides to massacre 9 people in cold blood it's not going to be all prayers and best wishes.

So this issue can be discussed only within the framework of gun control or racism, depending on the agenda du jour? What if a factual analysis of the case reveals a mentally ill individual whose illness caused him to become paranoid and/or fixated on racist propaganda leading him to slaughter innocent people? Is that worthy of discussion or concern? Are we only to be concerned about racism arising systemically from cultural ignorances, disregarding the implications of ignoring mental illness issues in this country because they're not trending on twitter today?

 

[lustergirl]

Such a sad event. There is so much hate in this world, what a shame.

 

[Buzz-Light-Beer]

Just awful news. My thoughts go out to those families who lost loved one is this massacre.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am worried it's going to escalate the violence this summer.

 

[aaarcher86]

One of the few places left on earth where you are supposed to feel safe. My heart breaks for the families of the killed.

I stopped thinking anywhere was safe after kindergarten classrooms were shot up.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I am worried it's going to escalate the violence this summer.

Without a doubt. This only adds to the divide already happening because of the recent police brutality cases

It's kind of scary. It's like we're going back in time instead of moving forward.

 

[cabanafrau]

And that will change what exactly? As Pea-n-Me stated "This has got to stop". Prayers and best wishes will not stop this. If we can't discuss why it happens how is it ever going to change?

Prayers and good thoughts are customarily offered to those mourning the loss of a loved one. While it's unlikely those expressed here will be seen directly by those mourning the people killed in this incident, there's nothing wrong with offering them up here IMO.

You seem determined to discuss this issue solely within the framework of gun control, an issue which I'm sure many have opinions on, yet which crosses the line of subject matters open for discussion here.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Two words: Gun control.

If there was only a law that made murder illegal, this could have been prevented.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Yeah, because that would stop someone deranged enough to kill 9 innocent people. Sorry, I'm not being rude\crude, but a person capable of doing something this horrendous is going to find a way no matter what.

They have extensive restrictions on gun ownership in France. It works out great for them, just ask the staff at Charlie Hedbo.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Do not agree and either do many Americans. We have become way too desensitized to shooting sprees. Much rather hold tight to the Second Amendment.

Murderous terrorists will always find a way, and they don't care about the gun laws.

 

[cjbcam]

So sad it's crazy the amount of violent crimes that are happening.

 

[Vaughn4380]

I wonder if the person who gave him the gun bothered to read his FB.

One article said it was a family member that gave it to him for his 21st birthday. Since he had a criminal record already, that would be an illegal transfer. So there is one law that was already broken, upon multiple others obviously.

I find it sad that after we found out about how Adam Lanza got his hands on a gun, another family does the same thing for this thug. These families are either in denial about the mental state of their kids, or just plane negligent. At some point society does need to do something about these incidents, but the conversation needs to be on identifying the criminally insane and getting them treated (or committed). No way this kid just snapped yesterday, he had to have had a pattern of bad behavior prior to this.

 

[Vaughn4380]

In this particular instance, it seems like talking about gun control swings the focus away from the fact that it was a racially-motivated hate crime. I mean, South Carolina's gun laws may end up being relevant in this case, but at this moment the fact that the only flag not at half-mast at their state house is the Confederate flag is pretty freaking awful: http://www.vox.com/2015/6/18/8803661/charleston-sc-shooting-confederate-flag-statehouse

Someone is going to be fired over that.

 

[delyrium]

So this issue can be discussed only within the framework of gun control or racism, depending on the agenda du jour? What if a factual analysis of the case reveals a mentally ill individual whose illness caused him to become paranoid and/or fixated on racist propaganda leading him to slaughter innocent people? Is that worthy of discussion or concern? Are we only to be concerned about racism arising systemically from cultural ignorances, disregarding the implications of ignoring mental illness issues in this country because they're not trending on twitter today?

Are you actually kidding me right now? Why? Why must we assume mental illness is the key versus taking the man at his word? Is there anyone who goes around shooting people that isn't mentally disturbed? Are the young people shooting each other up in poverty stricken neighborhoods mentally ill? Very likely. But I don't really care, I just want stray bullets to stop hitting babies.

 

[lustergirl]

Don't feed the troll

 

[mnrose]

He decided not to shoot one victim because he wanted them to tell what he did. He sat there for an hour with the bible study group then said I want to kill black people. It was due to race.

Pretty hard to argue with that logic. Anyone who doesn't see race as being his prime motivation is missing something pretty obvious. He said it. The photos of him with the patches he had on them also speak volumes. Racism exists. Denying it is part of the problem.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Don't feed the troll

Too late. My bad...

 

[cabanafrau]

Not sure what you are saying. This post is too wordy for me.

PS Are prayers not considered religious? I get so confused what the non mods agree on what we can post.

I am at a loss of how exactly to discuss the issue on a discussion board without words. If my comments distress you perhaps you could scroll past or use the ignore. I won't take offense.

At risk of muddying the waters, I did not attempt to moderate the discussion, merely point out that the topic prevents open discussion here since you are rather new and might be unaware. No, I don't believe mentioning praying for people violates the rules as I understand them.

 

[delyrium]

Pretty hard to argue with that logic. Anyone who doesn't see race as being his prime motivation is missing something pretty obvious. He said it. The photos of him with the patches he had on them also speak volumes. Racism exists. Denying it is part of the problem.

Right. It's an insult to those who died to not talk about why they died. They didn't have the luxury to believe they live in a colorblind world.

 

[lustergirl]

Are you actually kidding me right now? Why? Why must we assume mental illness is the key versus taking the man at his word? Is there anyone who goes around shooting people that isn't mentally disturbed? Are the young people shooting each other up in poverty stricken neighborhoods mentally ill? Very likely. But I don't really care, I just want stray bullets to stop hitting babies.

Actually I wouldn't consider most poverty stricken that kill others mentally ill at all. They do what they do because of the environment that they grew up in. They may in a turf, drug, or gang war. This is why you see a lot of killings in these areas, not because they can be categorized as being mentally ill or unstable.