[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Stylo

It's probably time to rethink institutions as they once were. Maybe not at the same scale, but more support than now. The problem is no one wants to pay for it.

They did rethink it after the conditions at Willowbrook and other institutions were brought to light. The model now is small group homes in residential neighborhoods.

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by Lalalally

Aurora was (college psychiatrist diagnosed him as such the spring before). Virginia tech was too (diagnosed late teen years, in hs before he arrived in va). Newtown we don't know, because nothing has been released yet. And another part of the schizo definition you're overlooking is that the afflicted loses touch with and has no cognizant sense of reality. So neither you nor I could say with any degree of certainty what they were thinking or processing at the time they acted out on their violence. It's irresponsible of you to suggest otherwise. I hope at a minimum we can agree they were all severely ill and lacked any sense of humanity when they committed their horrendous crimes. Have a good night too

You don't get it. These mass shootings took planning. The knew what they were doing. It's not irresponsible for me to suggest that. For example, people with severe dementia lose a sense of reality. There's no way they could plan something like this. The responsibility for these horrific crimes is on the shooter. Just because their "off" doesn't mean they have no sense of reality. We used to say the same thing about serial killers. Truth is....serial killers are just thrill killers who get off on killing people.

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Prescription drugs are only a solution when they're taken. It's too bad deinstitutionalization has left so many to suffer. A lot of homeless people out there with zero medication and very serious problems. There was a guy camped out near my highway exit for a while. Babbled to himself constantly, sometimes yelling at the air. Probably in his 30's. Probably an addict. Probably deep mental issues. What hope is there for him and others like him? The authorities did nothing and it went on for months. Very sad.

Sometimes they don't work even when taken. Yes there are a lot of homeless people with problems. It's sad. What percentage are shooters? I think mental illness should stop being used as an excuse for these mass murderer's. A lot of these shooters just want to get more than the last guy and get their 15 minutes of fame

[seanhenry]

armed guards in school = less teachers in school.

[FILF]

Originally Posted by mikelizard860

I'm not oversimplifying anything. Guns laws are just one asepct of reducing violence. Not the entire thing.

That's like saying banning alcohol is going to put an end to fatalities related to drunk driving.

[Joe the Photog]

Just think if Colombine had had just a school resource officer who could have stopped the boys there. Oh, wait. They did. He was off property getting lunch when the massacre started. And the killers didn't seem to even plan around for the chance he may be on property either.

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by FILF

That's like saying banning alcohol is going to put an end to fatalities related to drunk driving.

It would reduce drunk driving fatalities greatly.

[FILF]

Originally Posted by mikelizard860

It would reduce drunk driving fatalities greatly.

That it would...but I fear the backlash from the citizens of this country! Same fear I have if they were to ever try and outright ban guns.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by mikelizard860

Sometimes they don't work even when taken. Yes there are a lot of homeless people with problems. It's sad. What percentage are shooters? I think mental illness should stop being used as an excuse for these mass murderer's. A lot of these shooters just want to get more than the last guy and get their 15 minutes of fame

You really think it's possible to shoot 20+ children without some seriously f'ed up wiring? C'mon.

[mikelizard860]

Originally Posted by Stylo

You really think it's possible to shoot 20+ children without some seriously f'ed up wiring? C'mon.

Hitler killed how many innocent children? Some people are just evil. Hitler knew exactly what he was doing. What about Bundy? He sexually assualted and murdered a 12 year old. He knew what he was doing. Normal? Of course not. But he knew what he was doing and was a pure sociopath only interested in own selfish sick gratification.

Now do I think that these shooters don't have some screwed up wiring? Of course they have some screwed up wiring. Hearing voices is a problem. That doesn't negate their personal responsibility for MASS murder. They still KNEW what they were doing irregardless of the personal hell that was going on in their head. The columbine killers had a plan and a kill list. That's the point. They weren't so out of it that they had no idea what their doing. Most people commit suicide that have serious mental problems that are suicidal. They don't go shooting innocent people. Video games also didn't cause anyone to shoot up a school. Just seems like we can't place the blame exactly where it needs to be.....ON the shooter himself. No one else.

Oh and we don't really have the ability with our primitive understanding of brain biochemistry to change someone's wiring. Prescription meds are a band aid approach that are hit and miss. It's the best we have for now unfortunately. You can't really re-wire someone.