About "School Shootings" ...
and about "Random Mass Shootings" ...
and about "Random Mass Violence" ...
Long ago, I wrote a multi-page paper about the Columbine School Shooting. It was a novel viewpoint, about "Parallel Paths of Life" . At first, the Columbine shooters were on a "Traditional" {"Usual" / "Normal" / "OK" / "Average"} Path of Life, as most of us are. We all arrive at "Intersections", where there are choices to deviate from being "OK". Because of various factors, the Columbine shooters felt the need to be on a Parallel Path, not as healthy, for them, and for others. Each time they moved from one Parallel Path to a less healthy one, each change was not very noticeable to them. After moving several Paths away from "OK" ... the total of all the changes caused them to be FAR away from the "OK" Path. But, because of each small change, they could not notice the total change, and therefore they felt that they were still rather OK, no matter what they did. Finally, they felt that their extremely unusual and extremely tragic deadly plans and deeds were rather OK, and even very appropriate revenge and justice, to make up for whatever had happened to them.
After the Columbine Shooting, all of us were determined that this type of event must not happen again.
Now, since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut ... once again, there is a massive effort to figure out what happened, and why.
About these two events, and all the other events before them ... it is being said that they are all different.
One thing is common to all of these events ... that someone, or several people, had some insight, some clue, some evidence, some feeling ... that the eventual perpetrator of the massive tragic deadly violence ... had some reason, or was behaving in some unusual way, or was mentally-challenged, or was talking about his feelings and/or plans, or was leaving clues about unusual behavior.
In one case, a student said that her entire class had known a year before the shooting, that the Perpetrator had a Hit-List !
Already, there are "Anonymous Tip" Phone Numbers, and they are very effective.
They could be used for this topic. As usual, the "Tips" must be genuine, and must not used unethically, such as to harass others, or to take revenge upon others.
The enormous power of this method, is that there are enormous numbers of vigilant people ... and that, as mentioned above, in almost each event, someone had a clue that some tragic deadly event might happen.
AND ...
The reason that I mentioned "Random Mass Violence" ... is that the use of firearms is only one of many methods of causing Tragic Deadly Mass Violence.
ABOUT FIREARMS ...
Everyone on this Planet, knows that the USA has an astonishing large number of Firearms, many more than elsewhere ! ... and that, in the USA there are an astonishing large number of Gun Killings , many more than elsewhere !
Obviously, it would be extremely helpful to ban Assault Weapons and Firearms with too many bullets in a Clip.
Obviously, it would be extremely helpful to properly enforce existing Gun Laws ... and to make sure that Guns are not sold to people who will inflict harm on others.
Realistically, as a Gang Member in Chicago said honestly ... even if we do the above, there still will be guns easily available in many places.
THE REASON THAT MOST EVENTS ARE SHOOTINGS? ...
Revenge ... and Perceived Justice ... and Settling of a Score ... and Making of a Statement ... All of these are very personal. Therefore, the Perpetrator wants to make this Statement in a very personal face-to-face way ... with words spoken, or not ... with firearms ... so that the Perpetrator can see, and be seen ... and then, with probably the most powerful personal Statement, though misguided ... Suicide ...
WHY SUICIDE ? ... IF THEY FEEL THAT LOW, WHY DO THEY LASH OUT? ...
Many people allow themselves to be treated in hurtful ways by others ... either because they have not learned to speak out at the time ... or because they are kind and timid people ... or because they are mentally-challenged ... or because they have such low self-esteem, that they are not brave/strong enough. As the days and weeks pass, their hurt and pain and anger increase !
Eventually, their inner hurt and pain and anger levels override their inabilities to speak out, or to be brave/strong enough ... and they become very serious, making plans, because they are prepared to EXPLODE !!!
{Meanwhile, of all those who have inflicted the teasing, bullying, criticizing, down-putting, very hurtful mental and physical abuse ... many are not aware of the effect of their actions ! }
After the extremely tragic deadly events, the very hurt and perhaps bullied perpetrators, are extremely certain about some or all of the following ... "GOOD ! - THEY DESERVED IT ! " ... "THERE ! - Now you all know about my extreme hurt and pain ! " ... "You all made certain that I feel like a loser, and I have been feeling that so strongly ! " ... "And now that I have accomplished my objective, once again I feel like such a loser, and I feel that nobody loves me, and I feel that there is no hope for me." ... "So, since nobody cares ... Good bye ... " ...
CAUTION !!! ... FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO FEEL LIKE THIS ! ...
Please remember that there is always that teeny voice, way down deep inside of you {You KNOW it.} ... and it says, though a bit puzzled ... "There must be some Hope. There ?have been? must be some people who love me. I know that I am kind, and capable of doing some things well, and that I want to contribute things, and I want so much to be appreciated." ... Listen to that teeny voice ... Cling to that Hope ... Seek out people who care, and will help, and will appreciate you ...
AS FOR THE REST OF US ... IF WE WANT NO TRAGIC EVENT LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN ... READ ALL OF THE ABOVE AGAIN ... AND ...
Spread to others - Kindness and Caring and Curiosity and Open-Mindedness towards those who SEEM to be different ... and Appreciation and Empathy and Thanks and Love ... to the best of your ability :-) ...
Below is strong evidence that the above works so well ! ... about Anti-Bullying, and Positive and Uplifting examples ... {For this elementary Website, please Copy the Web addresses below, and Paste them into a Web Browser Address line.} ...
"Iowa City teen uses Twitter to compliment his classmates" http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/good-news/iowa-city-teen-uses-twitter-compliment-classmates-174214888.html
"Letters to teen show the kindness of strangers ... Steve Hartman meets Noah Brocklebank, a 7th grader from Baltimore whose life was saved by strong words of encouragement." http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50142523n
"Friendship: Ties that enhance, extend life ... Scientists say that close relationships which help us deal with life's stresses, may mean the difference for better health" http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57568538/friendship-close-ties-that-enhance-extend-life/
BEST WISHES TO ALL ...
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More about the above ...
I just watched/listened to TV "Face the Nation" Su 12/23/12 , with the fabulous Bob Schieffer ... And there were many points of view about Shootings, Safety, and Gun Control.
I believe that the Enormous Power of "Tips" , as explained above ... is the best method ... especially until other Solutions are in place, which will take time ... for the following reasons ...
Being an Engineer ... I have thought of bullet-proof double-door-isolation-chambers with metal-detectors at school entrances. If metal were detected between the doors, then both doors would close, isolating the person between the doors ... until determination of either guns or bombs or no problem.
If this expensive Solution were to be installed in ALL schools ... What about the safety of colleges, churches, mosques, synagogues, movie theaters, Broadway theaters, businesses, and eating places???
Yes, it is true that the history of the USA , with a war of Independence, Civil War, Pioneers, Indians, Gold Rush, Sheriffs, Gun fights in the West ... and Our Constitution ... All have led us to this point ! Compared to so many other countries, the USA has many times the number of firearms and murders by firearms !
To reverse this massive history ... and to amend our Constitution ... and to convince the 4.3 million NRA members, to vote to change all this {and they are the power of the NRA} ... and then to dispose of all the firearms ... would be a mind-boggling time-consuming task !
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SOLUTIONS ...
Yes, it would be easier to properly enforce existing regulations about gun ownership ... and to enact better legislation.
What about all the murders caused without the use of firearms? Even though it will take much time to educate people ... a major Solution for this entire problem ... is that we all learn to treat our babies and our spouses and other people ... in more loving ways.
In my over 12 years of studying ... Violence, Education, and Psychology ... the ONE WORD THAT APPLIED TO EVERYONE !!! ...
... R E S P E C T ...
Meanwhile, as described above, why not begin the much easier quicker effective Anonymous "Tip" Lines??? ... and educate people how to use them effectively???
Also, meanwhile ... Why not have at least one Armed Guard in each school, as a deterrent?
As is widely advised, about the safety of our belongings and our cars ... Do not leave visible valuables, and especially the ignition keys, in your car. In addition, if you lock your car ... car thieves probably will move on, to an easier target.
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Another Idea ...
Here is an alternative for some people. I have some reservations about it.
I read an article about Bomb-Sniffing Dogs in airports ... and it occurred to me that this might be another Solution for safety in schools ... and elsewhere.
It is very expensive to train Bomb-Sniffing Dogs ... but perhaps it is less costly to train just an Attack Dog.
Trained Dogs are used in the military, and in local Police Canine Units. These Dogs are extremely loyal and friendly with their Handlers ... and are very quick and ferocious when alerted to danger. These Dogs could either prevent any mass violence, or they could prevent further mass violence, after an initial attack. You could ask your local Canine Unit about the feasibility and the costs of this type of Solution.
Over several years, perhaps this alternative is less costly than an Armed Human Guard, or a Human Guard.
For those people who do not like the ideas of an Armed Human Guard, or Armed Teachers ... this Solution could be considered.
In Retirement Homes, Dogs are a very welcome comfort. For those of you who do not know, the mere comfort of a Dog nearby, helps children to read sooner. Students probably would feel more comfortable with a Dog which is protecting them in their school.
To help Homeless {temporary or permanent} Children ... Bonding with Homeless Dogs ... Children learn Responsibility and Respect, and how to take care of themselves, while taking care of a Dog ... www.wfaa.com/news/entertainment/pets/Homeless-kids-bond-with-abandoned-dogs-at-Dallas-shelter-104989509.html
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About Rehabilitation for Inmates ...
Bonding with Horses ... While taking care of Horses, Inmates learn how to take care of themselves ... And, they learn Responsibility and Respect ... www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/history/sidebars/wild_horses_and_burros/wild_horse_inmate.print.html
Also, this method could be used for Violent Youth.
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