The Denver killer is clearly a very very sick young Man.

[Diego Napier]

Sadly society created the monster. How it proposes to deal with it may well be part of the problem.

Call me a reactionary old fool but I worry about shoot 'em up computer games where reality and fantasy merge. Any right thinking person understands that you don't get shot and blown apart and just get up and go again but as learning disabilities become more and more common clearly not everyone is right thinking.

Yes, I think that if you combine long hours living in a fantasy game universe where you're encouraged to ignore "normal" rules, a deranged personality and the ready availability of drugs then that's an explosive cocktail

 

[Questions]

Yes, I think that if you combine long hours living in a fantasy game universe where you're encouraged to ignore "normal" rules, a deranged personality and the ready availability of drugs then that's an explosive cocktail

I think you peaked with 'deranged personality' and it went downhill after that.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

It is far too simple to suggest it was a particular film or video game that made him do it. None of them have that power over people, or else more than one person from the millions of people that watched Munich or Hostel or The Dark Knight would have done this.

It's fine taking those particular films in isolation to suit your argument, but if you've got one individual who has just completed a back-to-back movie marathon involving Munich, Hostel, Hostel II, The Dark Knight and Hot Tub Time Machine you are looking at one sick puppy, especially if the marathon was accompanied by a 7-Up Big Gulp and a couple of xxl Papa Johns sweetcorn and mushroom pizzas with chips and dips!

 

[LamieRobertson]

You can rely on me to light the fuse and stand back folks. Thats why you all love me. I am genuinely puzzled by the evil v ill argument. The Bulger killers had horrendous parents and watched a diet of horror films so were they born evil ? I don't think so. And my original statement that is is very very ill was because some people will not agree with that and just say he is evil.

eh...hardly lighting a fuse...seems like u r covering your opening statement ..which many have stated is merely the bleeding obvious

 

[Acker79]

It's fine taking those particular films in isolation to suit your argument, but if you've got one individual who has just completed a back-to-back movie marathon involving Munich, Hostel, Hostel II, The Dark Knight and Hot Tub Time Machine you are looking at one sick puppy, especially if the marathon was accompanied by a 7-Up Big Gulp and a couple of xxl Papa Johns sweetcorn and mushroom pizzas with chips and dips!

See, I've had worse movie marathons than that, but never done so with the big gulp and papa johns. Thank god I don't like mushrooms, or else who knew where these combinations would have taken me.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

eh...hardly lighting a fuse...seems like u r covering your opening statement ..which many have stated is merely the bleeding obvious

No. Some people will say he is evil and not sick.

 

[LamieRobertson]

No. Some people will say he is evil and not sick.

i'm surprised u didn't open up with would the death penalty be appropriate

 

[Westdene Seagull]

There are no winners here.

Apart from the ammo supplier Over six THOUSAND rounds sold to him - errr DING DING DING - alarm bells ! It beggers belief that an individual can buy that amount of ammo in one go - and that puts aside the idiotic US gun laws.

 

[The Buttery Biscuit Base]

I think you've missed the sarcasm in [MENTION=4667]Munkfish[/MENTION]'s post

Damn it...

 

[Father Jack]

I studied Criminology and a lot of the posts on here are examples of different peoples reactions to such atrocities.

For me, society has provided a platform for this individuals insanity. It is easy to point fingers at video games or the first film which, for me had one of the darkest plot lines I have seen in modern cinema. (coupled with Ledgers character actor method and subsequent sleep trouble leading to an untimely death)

As media consumers we are all served violence on an ever increasing scale, however for me it takes a certain type of individual to sit and dine at that table.

A cry for help? His drop out from medical school should not be underestimated and will require further investigation, and more understanding needs to be developed to prevent further atrocities, simply re-writing the constitution is not enough.

 

[Uwinsc]

I'm interested by this statement

I think generally you may be correct that many acts of violence are undertaken by people who are sick, and have lost their way from lack of support and guidance, or even by being dehumanised themselves.

BUT why the presumption that this individual is not evil? Do you believe there aren't people out there who might simply be evil?

I am not convinced for example that Anders Breivik is any more sick than he is evil - he had a motive and was directed by it.

At what point do we not write off someone's actions as underpinned by illness and simply recognise that some people, when guided by an objective, can act in ways that shock and appaul the overwhelming majority?

I think Anders Brevik is a interesting case from this point of view. Particularly as he has given his point of view in court so we have been able to get an idea of what was going on in his head. I wouldn't want to be the one deciding if he is sick or evil as its not an obvious call.

 

[Questions]

If they re-worded it to say that 'everyone has the right to bear feather dusters' the USA would be a safer place. Why give the chance to these demented kids ? These are legal guns and then what about the illegal ones ?
If given out on the 'need and appropriateness' applications then I would say you fail that test minute you show any interest in acquiring one apart from maybe the odd farmer.

 

[hitony]

2 infractions, 1 banning and probably around 15+ pages.......... Please prove me wrong! (the 15+ pages is just dandy btw )

 

[Father Jack]

Banning guns is a start, Of course it is. But it needs more, an understanding as too why. It was a terrible thing, the horror is unamaginable, the mindset of the individual is simply frightening.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

All the while there is a “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition” culture in America these tragedies will continue. You walk into any bookstore out here and there are rows and rows of guns / ammo magazines within easy reach of kids. At least they put the pornography in brown wrappers on the top shelf.

Also there doesn’t seem to be a typical profile for a gun owner. They are not all rednecks from Bumscratch, Tennessee with more fingers than teeth. You see TV shows about professional women in big cities going down the local shooting range to practice with AK47s as if it was a hen night. They were talking about the new Glock 19 like it was some new sex toy. It seems to be in their DNA.

Too many vested interests like the NRA and gun manufactures for it to ever change.

 

[Max Paper]

Gas him, end of conversation

 

[TheJasperCo]

He's playing the system. I would argue that he was in full control of his mind and actions. He booby-trapped his flat with 30 IEDs, bought gas canisters, two handguns, a shotgun and assault rifle, with 6000 rounds, and dressed in body armour, ballistic vests and a gas mask. He knew what he was doing, and in court he's deliberately playing to the judge and to the cameras to give across the impression that he's crazy. By acting out "insanity", he's effectively saving his own skin as that would mean he will not face the death penalty. In this case, as in the majority of these violent crimes, the culprit is evil. Simple.

Besides, how do you define "sick"? Legally, clinically, it's all down to the subjective decisions of teams of doctors and lawyers. Everyone's opinion is different, but ultimately you get two groups of people: one type who say he's an evil SOB and has to fry, and others who say he's a poor, sick little puppy who needs rehabilitating and nurturing back into society. One of these does not wash with me.

 

[beorhthelm]

Call me a reactionary old fool but I worry about shoot 'em up computer games where reality and fantasy merge.

so you're going to blame computer games when someone goes on a shooting spree at a film based on fantasy and violence? how many explosions and guns are there in the Dark Knight Rises, whats the body count? utterly absurd position you've taken.

 

[El Presidente]

That is a very reactionary statement to blame computer games. I've been playing them, as have have thousands of others, for years yet I don't feel and need or desire to kill and I don't see the blurring of reality.

Its similar to saying that because someone was drunk when the killed someone else, it is the alcohols fault. The blame lies in side this fellas fragile mental state. I will coincide though that it may well have tipped him over the edge, but we can't tarnish all games that involve killing because of the 1 in however many 1000's that don't have a grasp on reality.

Whoosh!

 

[severnside gull]

so you're going to blame computer games when someone goes on a shooting spree at a film based on fantasy and violence? how many explosions and guns are there in the Dark Knight Rises, whats the body count? utterly absurd position you've taken.

No, I'm sure you are right and you have probably identified another element of the very many that might combine to cause aberrant behaviour in those who may be susceptible.
Utterly absurd