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Is there more gun violence today than in the Wild West?

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wendy
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Is there more gun violence today than in the Wild West?

Post by wendy » Wed June 11th, 2014, 6:05 pm

An interesting map reporting world-wide gun violence:
http://www.vox.com/2014/6/11/5797892/us ... ership-map
Are there really more shootings happening today than in the past? Or are we just made more aware by better media coverage?
Your thoughts please.
Wendy K. Perriman
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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Wed June 11th, 2014, 7:40 pm

I will have to look at that later. I am too heartsick about two school shootings in the Pacific Northwest in less than a week :mad:
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MLE (Emily Cotton)
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Post by MLE (Emily Cotton) » Wed June 11th, 2014, 11:25 pm

I'm not happy about the shootings, but I can't say they make me heartsick. What they do is make me shake my head at the naivete of the media-consuming public, letting their emotions be jerked around on a string by outlets blasting about ONE incident.

Don't they all know what is going on in the world? Don't they know how many women and children are being sold into slavery in Thailand and Sudan and India and the Philippines, how many teens are forced into prostitution in the viewer's own neighborhoods, how many derelict, mentally ill homeless living under a bridge in the community next to them will be found dead tomorrow, and no media will bother?
Don't they track what is going on in Muslim countries like Pakistan and Malaysia?
How about the case of Meriam Ibrahim? People can still do something about that, before they kill her with 1000 lashes.
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH FUSS ABOUT ONE CRAZY TEEN WHEN HUNDREDS OF GIRLS ARE STILL MISSING IN NIGERIA?

Here's a historical perspective: http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_ ... f_violence

No, there is less violence today than there has ever been in the world before. Especially in civilized countries.
But because we are so much safer, we are very easily frightened.

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Post by Divia » Thu June 12th, 2014, 12:47 am

Simple answer is no. I dont think there is more gun violence today than in the wild west. If anything I think we are safer than one was on the west. Although I did hear that the numbers of shootings back then were inflated as well.

I do agree that I think the media is part of the problem. Now every mass shooting will be on tv for a week and the "experts" will be talking about it. Maybe we shouldn't be doing that. Maybe we shouldnt give them the attention they want.

I'll be frank. As an educator I am worried. I'm nervous about those kids who we all know are going to do something either soon or when they get out of school but because their rights outweigh the rights of the majority that is where I become uppity.

I am also a gun owner and i dont want my rights taken away.
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Post by wendy » Thu June 12th, 2014, 11:29 am

[quote=""Misfit""]I will have to look at that later. I am too heartsick about two school shootings in the Pacific Northwest in less than a week :mad: [/quote]

Sorry to hear this. The news report looks at incidents since Sandy Hook. I, however, think Columbine started the "Cult of Eric and Dylan" for many troubled youngsters in schools. It's so sad.
Wendy K. Perriman
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Post by Misfit » Thu June 12th, 2014, 12:46 pm

[quote=""wendy""]Sorry to hear this. The news report looks at incidents since Sandy Hook. I, however, think Columbine started the "Cult of Eric and Dylan" for many troubled youngsters in schools. It's so sad.[/quote]

My apologies for venting on your thread. Very bad couple of days.
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wendy
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Post by wendy » Fri June 13th, 2014, 12:57 pm

[quote=""Misfit""]My apologies for venting on your thread. Very bad couple of days.[/quote]

No problem. Hope things get better soon.
Wendy K. Perriman
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Post by wendy » Fri June 13th, 2014, 1:01 pm

[QUOTE=I am also a gun owner and i dont want my rights taken away.[/QUOTE]

Me too. Do you think there should be some restriction on the age youngsters are taught to use firearms though? If they didn't know how to fire and reload, there might not be the same amount of deadly high school shootings . . .
Wendy K. Perriman
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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Fri June 13th, 2014, 2:53 pm

[quote=""wendy""]No problem. Hope things get better soon.[/quote]

:) :o

It's Friday, so that should help. Plus it's raining, so work won't be so crazy and the chiefs are out of my hair for the day.
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Divia
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Post by Divia » Fri June 13th, 2014, 9:52 pm

[quote=""wendy""]Me too. Do you think there should be some restriction on the age youngsters are taught to use firearms though? If they didn't know how to fire and reload, there might not be the same amount of deadly high school shootings . . .[/quote]

Good question. I know when we were growing up the guns were unlocked an the ammo was in the cabinet down below, which was also unlocked. My father said touch it and I'll beat you. Knowing my father, he would and we never did. he took us out and we did shoot when we were kids.

It would be interesting to see if the kids who do the school shootings were taught how to use guns or if they just did it. It doesnt take a weapons expert to shoot, ya know.

Great question!
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