Oh, and I'll likely sound like a dick for saying this, but I have no interest in Holmes' state of mind or sanity. Here's how my train of thought runs...
crime (kill people)--->no good reason--->punishment
Caring about his state of mind gives him the attention he craves and opens the floodgates for more of these incidents to occur.
Like Counter Culture Shock on Facebook
Okay, IF I didn't sound like a dick before I think I'll go ahead and cross that threshold ...when I say I'm not reactionary or instinctive at all in this stance. Whether you agree or not I've put quite a bit of thought into it over the years and I've come to that possibly simplistic seeming conclusion. Choose to do bad things...get punished. Why means nothing. Nor does your mental state. Or that you're three and mentally handicapped. Now I'm 100% anti-death penalty, but I'm all for punishing those who do wrong. I'm a bit more forgiving and pretty well okay with considering such things as the state of mind if we're talking a lesser crime, but we're talking mass murder here. Now again, I'm not advocating killing anyone, but I don't really care about his state of mind when he fucking ended or devastated the states of mind of so many others. I don't really care if fifty gang members raped his mom's corpse in front of him immediately before this; he killed a bunch of people and hurt more. Unless someone can demonstrate he was forced to do so by someone other than his own mind or that there was some vast conspiracy (as I've already heard suggested sadly) he's guilty and deserves some form of punishment. What form; I'm not sure, but I am a million percent sure he doesn't belong in society at least until he can take it back. After that I'm more than happy to at least entertain his possible reintegration into society or whatever.
You think incaceration=punishment?
Maybe I'm just hung up on that word. Because that's what I find simplistic. The structure of your formula -commit crime>>receive correction- I have no problem with. But punishment sounds pointless and emotional.
You think incaceration=punishment?
Maybe I'm just hung up on that word. Because that's what I find simplistic. The structure of your formula -commit crime>>receive correction- I have no problem with. But punishment sounds pointless and emotional.
See to my thinking that semantic difference is a nonissue. I mean how often would you say your average violent criminal is "corrected". Punishment IS what it is; more so government sanctioned retribution. The goal isn't correction imo, nor should it be. You correct a mistake; not a willfull act. I'm gonna' say this a little funny, but I basically mean it too...if he tripped, fell, and accidentally boobytrapped his house before going on a maniacal rampage by all means let's correct it. If not let's punish him. He's kinda' been a little naughty.
Starting on 9/11 I said again and again "No, we are not at war; it's terroism. There's a difference." But we went into Iraq anyway because people don't care, and lost bin Laden for years.
You say the state of his mind doesn't matter, but apparently that is becase you think you know the answer already. Free will is your foregone conclusion.
Again I ask, what good does retribution do? You're right that in our system reform is hardly ever real, but maybe THAT is why we're such a violent country.
First, I have to say that I think his state of mind (mentally ill versus completely fucking sane) is very important but only because this will determine whether or not he gets the death penalty, which is allowed in CO in cases of multiple murders. I also just want to throw my two cents in, I believe strongly that societal indifference is contributing to acts of violence in America. Indifference to the poor, the needy, the socially awkward, the sad, the lonely, the mentally ill, the bullied, etc. all contribute to what I feel is a generally calloused society. I'm not saying everyone doesn't care, just that generally speaking our government and society projects indifference to the suffering of its citizens.
I also feel that another contributing factor is our tendency to prescribe experimental (or even established) medication for mental illness without ample supervison. But that's probably a completely different discussion...
A true firewasp ninja would never wear such a ridiculous sweater.
There's logic in nonsense.
Give me all the bacon and eggs you have.
Really I suspected this was a situation where we'd mostly agree. I think all or most of our arguments reduce to semantics. Sorry for the slow/lack of response earlier. Pesky life getting in the fuckin way of my internet time.
Now for something really disturbing related to the holmes thing:
http://gawker.com/5930565/why-james-...n-the-internet
"Holmies." Fucking wow.
I'm kind of not surprised that this has sprung up so quickly. Serial killers always seem to develope a fan group. Attention seeking young people seem to make up a majority of the "Holmies."
An interesting collection of these fans posts on tumblr here:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthi...es-holmes-inte
yet another edit:
oh man. and this:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/th...as-40k-followe
A true firewasp ninja would never wear such a ridiculous sweater.
There's logic in nonsense.
Give me all the bacon and eggs you have.
next we will see a site where there will be lots of people putting bids on who wants to marry the guy....uhhh...
Does whatever a spiderman does.
Interesting story on what one person believes the media has done to their dad.
The Brainwashing Of My Dad
Does whatever a spiderman does.
I won't weigh in on either side, My opinions are my own. However, I will agree that the ENTIRE media needs to be held accountable. Left, Right and the middle. Seems to me that gone are the days of journalistic integrity and they have been replaced with the quest for rating and the almighty dollar (at least with the Network News and newspaper's). The liberals may be a bit more subtle than FOX news, but they are just as bad in the long run. It's ratings and revenue that drive the news these days. IMHO
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
Every media group is guilty of this, not just the right leaning ones.
Besides, if Rush Limbaugh had as much influence as people claim he does, don't you think he'd be running the country at this point.
I used to rely on "The Russian Times" but now I hear several of their top reporters have left in protest.
And no, I am not referring to the gal that quit "Russia Today," Liz Wahl.
All that's left of what we were is what we have become.
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????