Is There Any Wonder Some People Snap Like In Binghamton and Columbine?

[Mr. Ected]

Our entire way of life -- from our exploitative economy to our foreign policy -- is violent.

By David Sirota

As Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold's posthumous infamy turns 10 on April 20, I wish I were surprised that Columbine-like shootings are still happening, or even that our national discussion about violence hasn't yet matured past gun control and video games.

I wish I were surprised, but sadly, I'd be surprised if it were any different because we still refuse to ask the most uncomfortable questions.

Columbine was the "Pulp Fiction" of violence: not the first of its genre, but the model to which all contemporaries are compared. And lately, Columbine derivatives have been coming at a faster clip.

After each tragedy, it's the same thing. Liberals want us to wonder why gun laws let anyone access deadly weapons. Conservatives insist we question why video games supposedly turn down-to-earth kids into murderers.

<snip>

But what about the questions and answers that aren't so simple?

For example, isn't violence a predictable byproduct of our economy? When torture victims are waterboarded, they freak out. When a winner-take-all economy tortures society, should we be shocked that a few lunatics go over the edge?

For three decades, we converted our economy into one that enriches the rich and stresses out everyone else. Paychecks dwindled, debts accumulated, health-care bills spiked. We now spend more hours working or seeking work, and fewer hours on parenting, family time and rest -- all while schools and mental-health services deteriorate.

<snip>

Perpetuating this expenditure, bloodshed and posture in a nation of dwindling resources, humanitarian self-images and anti-interventionist impulses requires a culture constantly selling violence as a necessity. It's not just video games -- it's the nightly news echoing Pentagon propaganda and "hawkish" politicians equating militarism with patriotism and "embedded" journalism cheering on wars and every other suit-and-tie-clad industry constantly forwarding the assumption that killing is a legitimate form of national ambition and self-expression. Is it any wonder that a few crazies apply that ethos to their individual lives, and begin seeing violence as a reasonable means to express their own emotions?

Sure, the assault weapons ban's expiration is an abomination. Absolutely, some video games are appalling. But we could ban all guns and video games and there would still be mass murders because neither the availability of firearms nor of Grand Theft Auto creates the original desire for violence.

http://www.alternet.org/story/137386/is_there_any_wonder_some_people_snap_like_in_binghamton_and_at_columbine_/

[rrneck]

1. Violence itself

is an easy answer to a complex question.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. David is incorrect. Nobody 'snapped' at Columbine. Other than that, the article's not too

bad considering the writer.

[NightWatcher]

4. Columbine was planned by a teenage socio-path killer

"snap" is reserved for incidents of temporary insanity in my book

[ben_jenne]

3. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were water boarded and

living through a recession? What a stupid article, who are these alternet idiots? how sophomoric can you get?

"For example, isn't violence a predictable byproduct of our economy? When torture victims are waterboarded, they freak out. When a winner-take-all economy tortures society, should we be shocked that a few lunatics go over the edge?"

[Laelth]

5. More equitable distribution of wealth and less work would make us less violent.

Makes sense to me. k&r

:dem:

-Laelth

[Mr. Ected]

6. I'm A Firm Believer That Investment In the Poor and Disenfranchised

Will be greatly rewarded with a reduction in the crime rate.

[Laelth]

7. Hear, hear! n/t

:dem:

-Laelth