I'm sure most of you guys heard of 23-year old Jared Loughner opening fire on a Congresscritter, a judge, and a dozen other people the other day. Predictably, he was labeled as psychotic, a sociopath, crazy, etc. But does anyone think that's a bit hypocritical to be so negative of Loughner, but not politicians, especially people in the federal government? These people, with the stroke of a pen, decide who gets rich, who goes to the poor house, who's going to spend their life in prison, and who's going to die; and many, many, maaaannny, of these instances are for non-violent "crimes" or simply being opposed to the state. And these are people we're supposed to revere? While tens of thousands of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq have died, and many more will be sentenced to death, because Congress does nothing? Yet the moment that same power is wielded against them, it's a 'national tragedy set on by a madman.' What a load of crap. Anyone else have similar thoughts?
Well, the guy was pretty clearly a lunatic if I've ever seen one. He didn't seem to be trying to send any kind of revolutionary or political message. I see no reason to believe it was anything but a senseless act of violence.
Yes... Yes I do. He was definitely insane though. The double standard is pretty fucked up, but no one in their right mind would do what he did. That isn't the best way to go about the situation. Telling others, persuading them to join your cause, that is how to go about it. Violence doesn't need to be the answer. Maybe it will come down to that, but it doesn't need to be the answer. Even if it does come down to a violent overthrow, I would like to be around to participate in it instead of in jail/asylum/dead.
His youtube videos were pretty politically charged. I don't think it was just a random act of violence. Again, he was definitely crazy, but the OP also has a point. It is a tragedy when they are killed, but when they sign that bill to send our young boys to their death are they any better? No. So why is one a tragedy and one a heroic and necessary political cause?
I hear what you're saying, but that shouldnt be applied towards that crazy bastard Laughner or h/e you spell it. Politicians should be held much more accountable for the things they do and say, just like us ordinary folk, Laughner included. Im liberal who genuinly believes in love and peace, i do believe that the death penalty serves for good in our society because for SOME, VERY FEW people, I do not believe in forgiveness. gaah, reading that back that last line sounds terrible to say, but for now i believe it to be true. EDIT: Gaah, but are humans really the ones that should be able decide this?
I think that many, if not all, politicians are way too removed from the common man to appreciate the impact of what they're legislating about. No congressperson is in financial trouble with ~$150k/year of salary. (Though, I do believe a fair number of congresspeople have family/friends in the military.) I wouldn't call the Arizona shooting a tragedy, but it's still nothing to be taken lightly. If politicians cannot do their job for fear of being attacked, we have a serious problem. When this kind of thing happens it really undermines our entire political ideology, because that congresswoman, regardless of whether or not we like her policies, was elected by a majority. Millions of people made a conscious decision to have her represent them in government. But this asshole lunatic, who voted for him? Who does he represent? Where are his supporters? I'd rather have lackluster representatives than crazy assholes. Think about it, if the people we ELECT are this shitty at doing their job, how shitty of a job would the people we don't elect do? Oh and btw, if there was a violent overthrow, the conservatives would win. They have more guns. . . . So let's hope it doesn't come to that lol
No, I don't sympathize with murderers. We need a peaceful revolution, not a violent one. What the fuck did shooting a congresswomen and a judge do for anyone? Srsly ppl... all it did was make everyone even more suspicious of anyone they perceive to be "radical".
People die in war, it is to be expected. You cannot blame the U.S. Government for those tens of thousands of civilians killed. Civilian killings by our military were extremely minimal. Also if it hasn't occurred to you we have laws in place to protect our citizens and consequences for those who break laws. We don't exactly live in communist Russia so no one is going to jail for being opposed to the state. While its true there is some laws that are unnecessary like my Sig but either way, law enforcement is there for civilized societies. There is no way you can justify or sympathize at all what this bastard did, targeting innocents like that is forfeiture of ones rights and life. If it were up to me he'd be hanging from a tall old tree for all the people to see.
You need to look at the the situation from a different angle. There were people killed who woke up that day just like any of us do with a plan for the day. I don't mean to just point out the 9 yr old killed but, it is sad that she will never get to live her life. As for the casualties in jails and wars, etc.... They aren't intended, but expected to some degree. As for the killer, yea he's got a screw loose but he was well aware of his actions that day. After hearing about the websites he was on just days prior to the killing further shows calculated premeditation. He looking up assassinations, and info on lethal injection, and solitary confinement. So, in my opinion he was probably planning to be executed after his trial so he wouldn't rot in jail. Probably the reason he brought so much ammo too.