Thursday, December 03, 2015
TRAGEDY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- Update 12/04/15
"Act of Terriorism" declared by FBI -- Fri., 12/04/15 Update
More violent madness unbelievably explodes, but now in Southern California east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino -- Redlands -- a mere thirty minutes freeway drive east of my community. This has been a day of mayhem, tragedy and mystery. We're all mourning.
All media news has been focused on this evolving story beginning with a mindless shooting event around 11 o'clock yesterday, Wednesday, morning. Law enforcement is laboring through the night as I write this to ensure public safety -- uncover the facts. You can readily access particulars through your news source as ongoing information continues to surface surrounding the circumstances of this tragedy that has taken lives, maimed others, grieved so many of us, but still has unanswered questions.
Two now deceased shooters in their twenties, engaged or married (with a six month old baby girl they left with her grandparents) have been identified. The male, born in U.S., was a five year San Bernardino County Health Dept. employee. Further information about the female presently not known.
A distraught member of the male shooter's family, supported by cultural and religious community leaders, briefly spoke on TV expressing their surprise, shock and sadness this had happened. Religious leaders stressed such violence was not supported by their religion.
Law enforcement investigation continues disarming bombs and considering the possibility of other conspirators. Meanwhile, thank you to law enforcement for swift and effective efforts to prevent further carnage.
Police officials revealed additional specifics that the male had angrily left an annual holiday party, then returned later with his companion to initiate the shooting. Officials speculate all the equipment and masks worn by the shooters, their firearms, bombs in their possession and left in other locations raise questions about motives for the shootings and suggest long term planning.
So many questions in the beginning and continuing -- work place anger -- terrorism ? Maybe it's both. Other conspirators? The FBI's investigation is now considering this a possible act of terrorism, but we don't yet know for certain.
News reports state two recovered guns involved in the shooting were legally purchased.
Would tightening gun control laws in this country have lessened or prevented this happening?
Does it make sense individuals on airline watch lists who are prohibited from flying be allowed to purchase guns?
Should there be limits placed on gun purchase by those with select diagnosed mental illnesses?
What if gun purchase registration was required at gun shows? Would it be different than what we require to buy and sell a car, motor vehicle?
When do we start answering these questions ...... taking action?
We must find a way to preserve our liberties and be safe.
Why isn't Congress addressing these issues?
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These gun violence tragedies are starting to seem like weekly occurrences to me. But nothing of any consequence whatsoever is ever really done, especially by Congress. And it befuddles my mind as to how the NRA, its members and gun control advocates supposedly composed of only a little over 5 million citizens can control the conversation regarding gun control… but they do!
ReplyDeleteI’m a southern boy and I would never want to relinquish my recreational guns and I quite honestly see no way in a Democracy like ours that such will ever happen, regardless of how far right or left you stand on the gun control issue. Certainly we could do things to perhaps tighten up gun control but there are just too many guns out there and I don’t believe there is any feasible solution or citizen movement to change the status quo.
Using the “Black Lives Matter” recent movement, it seems they are actually getting some measure of change being accomplished. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I have seen no such movement instituted by the citizens of our country with regard to these mass shooting tragedies. These killings, so far for the most part, have been committed by our own citizens but I fear all too many think bombing Syria will somehow also solve that problem. The media seems to go out of its way trying to push some sort of ‘terrorist’ link every time these things occur.
I, for one, am a firm believer that our national media contributes more to these tragedies that most anything else currently. Their constant 24-hour coverage on these events dominates the media and is certainly attractive in my opinion to any individual who is carrying a serious grudge or just want to go out in a blaze of glory. And the media certainly gives their desired platform.
I concur these violent acts by our own citizens are happening too frequently, but then even once is once too often. I continue to wonder what must happen -- what is the tipping point -- to cause serious effort to sensibly address the gun issue?
DeleteYou bring up some important issues as I, too, lived a few years in my youth with guns -- was taught and practiced their appropriate use, care and safety. Rural life, especially, presents a whole different set of criteria for gun use compared to city life.
I am a strong supporter of the Fourth Estate which, unfortunately, has in its number those whose approach to delivering the news is problematic, but that is a whole topic of its own. One related issue within that topic is the critical matter of differentiating news reporting from opinion by both reporters and viewers/listeners.
The tech reporter on our L.A. local NBC-TV noontime news show presented video examples of some of today's print news headlines about this latest shooting, noting they've created considerable controversy using language many of us consider inflammatory. I welcomed the non-stop all-news L.A. radio station KNX 1070, affiliated with CBS, live coverage and continuing follow-up. Likewise, I surfed all of our L.A. television stations (networks and independents) viewing and judiciously comparing their non-stop live news coverage. I think they've done a superlative job with sensitivity in video presentation and spontaneous language used in their commentary.
This is looking more like encouraged by radical religious views. One man, who said he'd been sitting with the guy before he left, said he hadn't seemed angry then. I would be in favor of outlawing all ownership of AK-47s and AR-15s or any other weapon intended only for killing humans. Make owners turn them in. The radical right in this country won't do it but we have to start somewhere. Background checks would not have stopped this guy. There is no denying that radicalized Muslims are being encouraged to go where they can kill a lot of humans with little risk to themselves. They aren't ordinary Muslims but those who are far out there-- like the extreme right is in this country. A lot of the slayings though are done by those who have no value for human life and those who have mental disorders. We won't stop all the killings with the guns or a good background check, but we have to start somewhere.
ReplyDeleteYou make a lot of good points, Rain. Interesting a man sitting next to the shooter saying anger didn't seem to be present. Sorting out reality becomes a challenge in these situations.
DeleteIt does seems like certain gun types have no more business in the hands of John and Jane Doe than my keeping a cannon in my front yard. Yes, the extremists seem to have no regard for human life, often claim religious beliefs that the religions themselves disavow -- these religions leaders and their members must be outspoken against use of violence and rhetoric that can incite others to commit such acts.
I think the National Rifle Association (NRA) would better serve their members, all of humankind and this nation by being part of finding a reasonable rational solution to the gun issue than adamantly opposing all efforts to curtail gun violence.
With all the technological advances we are fast becoming one world. Our young people see this clearly and manage to get along much better with differing ethnicities than we "grownups" do. I am 82 and doubt if I well see it in my lifetime but I feel that the time must come when we accept differences and when there is more equality between the "haves" and "have-nots"... and if that never happens, heaven help us
ReplyDeleteAs minorities gain political power, older whites, who grew up secure in their majority numbers and privileged status, grow very uneasy. But, as you say, a more diverse U.S. must be accepted. As to eliminating poverty: Let's support families first! It's a disgrace that 50% of American children live in poverty.
DeleteOh Ginnie, so true! Everyone must learn tolerance, appreciating differences. I've often thought if life forms from another planet ever came to earth, especially with less than our best interests at heart, maybe then the peoples of our world would unify -- but, if not, then what?
ReplyDeleteI' m with Rain. The first and most important step is to ban assault rifle sales and to confiscate and destroy any in circulation.
ReplyDeleteWould that we could get our Congress to take some action.
ReplyDeleteMuch more is known now about these terrorists. I won't argue gun ownership with anyone today, I am in the second ammendment camp and have a license plate that reads, "Don't tread on Me." All I will say is guns don't kill, people kill, and guns are not needed to kill as Timothy McVee, the Zarnov brothers, and those crazed Muslims who drove into the trade towers showed us. And CA, NY and MA have the toughest gun laws already.
ReplyDeleteRespect your position but question that the issues are as simple as those arguments imply. I do not see gun ownership as an either or proposition and think we do a great disservice to addressing the shooting atrocities with this stance.
DeleteI've had first hand experience using several different caliber firearms, education in their proper care, use and safety. I believe it's possible reasonable minds can bring both sides on this issue together for the sake of our nation's populace.
The problem is most minds aren't reasonable these days. Gun ownership has doubled under Obama. Many people are scared. I'm in a funk over this whole mess.
ReplyDeleteHaving guns around does not make me feel safe. I would not advertise my ownership of them if I had them, for fear someone might want to steal them.
DeleteI guess there are always minds that aren't reasonable which is why its important for rational thoughts to be expressed, differing ideas exchanged, with genuine effort to reach resolution. But then I suppose we'd first have to agree on what ideas were rational and what was reasonable! *smile*
ReplyDeleteI'm very concerned that the manner, language used, lack of respect for the office of the President evidenced by numerous Congresspersons from the day Obama was elected -- some of their actions (which I won't list here) -- and now what various Presidential candidates are espousing -- are whipping up fear.
Where is our unity as Americans in this difficult time? Instead what I see and hear are extremist groups with their own political and social agendas in this significant election period deliberately/or unintentionally (giving them the benefit of the doubt) generating divisiveness and fear.
From what I've read gun purchases do increase after shootings and we've had both mass and individual shootings beginning when another was president, then continuing into the current administration.
My take on it is that "gun purchases do increase after shootings" because so many people fear that each shooting will be the straw that broke the camel's back such that they won't be able to buy guns at a later time. Cop Car
DeleteI think your take is accurate. Probably there's also an increase in gun purchases every time talk of any gun regulation changes for the same reason.
Delete