I have done significant reading on this topic. My original motivation grew out of significant involvement in my school district; over time, I grew my knowledge in the broader context.
It is a national disgrace.
Alas, it should bring shame; yet such an emotion is out of reach for so many people in our country.
“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. -Yoda
Were we to be honest with ourselves, we'd admit that we are a society formed in a great violent gun based national genocide and our love of firearms has never ceased. We are addicted to violence in any and all forms: sports, wars, media, literature, transportation, etc. We keep our stress responses on "High" and are addicted to the stress hormones released by violence in all its many forms. Our children grow-up with violent video "games", youth football, TV "sports", "news" media streaming overseas wars 24/7, inter-tribal hatred, and our ever more violent political rhetoric. What the hell did we expect, if not more violence? And, now, we are a nation with enough guns for every man, woman, and child. What could go wrong? Everything?
I have always liked the old Indian saying: "don't judge me, until you've walked a mile in my moccasins". Living in Bangkok in 1974 changed my life, as I experienced a Buddhist culture/society and have chosen to live by those principles, along with my Christian upbringing. Pope Francis seems to have exemplified compassion as well. Have a blessed day.
There is alot to deal with in the US - the 2nd amendment has long been questionable in these modern times, and with assault weapons allowed..that is just plain, illogical. Also with prolific lying to their peoples by media (ie FOX -far right ) and the now preferred use of podcasts - of mostly opinions vs factual information and little 'experts' dialog (present company excluded ) ..what a cog mire of what to believe. The UK survives just fine without weapons and fact checking is a minimum of requirement for public speaking / declarations. I understand Wales just passed a new law requiring ie a Politician to fact check his statement(s), within 7 days for validity or rescind his/her position if proven incorrect (opinion or lie) . A logical step towards 'telling the truth' that each of us are required and our children :)
Actually, when I learn that Christians are being threatened with arrest…and in fact, have been arrested for praying, I hardly think the UK is ‘surviving just fine’.
We are literally BORN with an inherent ability to empathize. Social interactions, parenting, cultural mores influence, interfere with or even block empathy altogether.
I think this explains a lot, but there is more to it. Years ago I started wondering about this - I am outside the US, but live in a society that has many similar characteristics. Weha e strict gun laws,and we know that is effective, but I have wondered - without that, would WE also have school shootings? Years before I had thought about Islamic terrorism, and I see some characteristics shared by those who adhere to extremist political Islam and extremist right wing nationalism/white supremacy. There is a rigidity of thinking that separates "us and them" to the point where "them" are seen as lesser, not worthy etc. This allows the demonisation of "the other" to the point that their deaths can be justified.
Another thing both systems of belief hold to be true is that they are under attack - in fact both see themselves as under attack from modernity.
There are many adherents of extremist political Islam who will never commit a terrorist act, and may not even support those acts, just as there are many right wing extremists who do not condone school shootings, but both belief systems, when mixed with some of the features you identify, run the risk of producing individuals who are more likely to engage in forms of terrorism that will often attack "soft targets."
Interesting read but have a question. Is it safer to kill a defenceless child than an adult so there must be an element of cowardice. But wouldn’t this apply globally rather than it being US centric
There is a tragic UK case pending that I happen to know a bit about. The personal profile of an intelligent loner adolescent could fit. The 'grooming' seems to have come online from the USA. The term being cited / or at least kicked around, is 'white supremacist'.
A couple of points. He seems to have been picked up before any actual violence by (automated'?) surveillance of his obsessive online activity by 'British intelligence'. The would-be targets I gather are alleged to be 'Synagogues' (I emphasise 'alleged'), and the methodology supposedly 'fire' / explosives.
The other point is that the promulgating US people apparently operate freely under 'freedom of expression'. Of course they are available in our mind-space. The youngster now faces a potentially tragic life, whatever the outcome of judicial process.
I have done significant reading on this topic. My original motivation grew out of significant involvement in my school district; over time, I grew my knowledge in the broader context.
It is a national disgrace.
Alas, it should bring shame; yet such an emotion is out of reach for so many people in our country.
“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. -Yoda
Were we to be honest with ourselves, we'd admit that we are a society formed in a great violent gun based national genocide and our love of firearms has never ceased. We are addicted to violence in any and all forms: sports, wars, media, literature, transportation, etc. We keep our stress responses on "High" and are addicted to the stress hormones released by violence in all its many forms. Our children grow-up with violent video "games", youth football, TV "sports", "news" media streaming overseas wars 24/7, inter-tribal hatred, and our ever more violent political rhetoric. What the hell did we expect, if not more violence? And, now, we are a nation with enough guns for every man, woman, and child. What could go wrong? Everything?
Hate is easy. Compassion takes effort.
I have always liked the old Indian saying: "don't judge me, until you've walked a mile in my moccasins". Living in Bangkok in 1974 changed my life, as I experienced a Buddhist culture/society and have chosen to live by those principles, along with my Christian upbringing. Pope Francis seems to have exemplified compassion as well. Have a blessed day.
There is alot to deal with in the US - the 2nd amendment has long been questionable in these modern times, and with assault weapons allowed..that is just plain, illogical. Also with prolific lying to their peoples by media (ie FOX -far right ) and the now preferred use of podcasts - of mostly opinions vs factual information and little 'experts' dialog (present company excluded ) ..what a cog mire of what to believe. The UK survives just fine without weapons and fact checking is a minimum of requirement for public speaking / declarations. I understand Wales just passed a new law requiring ie a Politician to fact check his statement(s), within 7 days for validity or rescind his/her position if proven incorrect (opinion or lie) . A logical step towards 'telling the truth' that each of us are required and our children :)
Actually, when I learn that Christians are being threatened with arrest…and in fact, have been arrested for praying, I hardly think the UK is ‘surviving just fine’.
I have not heard of that...what is your source ? thanks
Feels like you are responding to the wrong Substack. Or maybe the wrong app.
We are literally BORN with an inherent ability to empathize. Social interactions, parenting, cultural mores influence, interfere with or even block empathy altogether.
https://www.heartmath.com/
https://www.heartmath.com/science/?_gl=1*8zg5z*_gcl_au*MTA5MTA3MzM2MC4xNzQ1MzM5NTI3*_ga*OTMzMjExMDQ1LjE3NDUzMzk1MjY.*_ga_2M10YYFCKQ*MTc0NTMzOTUyNi4xLjEuMTc0NTMzOTU3MC4wLjAuMA..
I think this explains a lot, but there is more to it. Years ago I started wondering about this - I am outside the US, but live in a society that has many similar characteristics. Weha e strict gun laws,and we know that is effective, but I have wondered - without that, would WE also have school shootings? Years before I had thought about Islamic terrorism, and I see some characteristics shared by those who adhere to extremist political Islam and extremist right wing nationalism/white supremacy. There is a rigidity of thinking that separates "us and them" to the point where "them" are seen as lesser, not worthy etc. This allows the demonisation of "the other" to the point that their deaths can be justified.
Another thing both systems of belief hold to be true is that they are under attack - in fact both see themselves as under attack from modernity.
There are many adherents of extremist political Islam who will never commit a terrorist act, and may not even support those acts, just as there are many right wing extremists who do not condone school shootings, but both belief systems, when mixed with some of the features you identify, run the risk of producing individuals who are more likely to engage in forms of terrorism that will often attack "soft targets."
Interesting read but have a question. Is it safer to kill a defenceless child than an adult so there must be an element of cowardice. But wouldn’t this apply globally rather than it being US centric
There is a tragic UK case pending that I happen to know a bit about. The personal profile of an intelligent loner adolescent could fit. The 'grooming' seems to have come online from the USA. The term being cited / or at least kicked around, is 'white supremacist'.
A couple of points. He seems to have been picked up before any actual violence by (automated'?) surveillance of his obsessive online activity by 'British intelligence'. The would-be targets I gather are alleged to be 'Synagogues' (I emphasise 'alleged'), and the methodology supposedly 'fire' / explosives.
The other point is that the promulgating US people apparently operate freely under 'freedom of expression'. Of course they are available in our mind-space. The youngster now faces a potentially tragic life, whatever the outcome of judicial process.
Can someone please tell Trump that Canada doesn’t like school shootings as much as America does? We don’t think the 51st state thing will work for us.
Unfortunately, you completely discredited yourself when you used only left wing sources.
Yeah that Congress.gov website is just a left-wing propaganda machine. (PS You’re in a cult)