[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Moderator

This thread is about the recent school tragedy. It has veered off topic into a discussion of news reporting bias/accuracy. Please return to the topic or the thread will be closed.

Moderator

Good morning, Moderator,

May I respectfully request that this thread not be closed because the topic has veered into a discussion of the bias of “news.” Everybody is being nice, even though there are disagreements. There has been no name-calling. No ugly cartoons. Nobody is hurling anything.

News = Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? — It scares me to see how many intelligent, kind people seem to no longer be able to look for the Why?

In 1984 Orwell’s 1984 was part of the curriculum for my class. In the book, the Proles were constantly manipulated by propaganda until they could no longer think for themselves. The language was policed. Word meanings were changed. People were dehumanized. Violent movies as entertainment were a part of the propaganda so that the Proles would become immune to violence. That immunity allowed the government of Oceania to do whatever those who held the power wanted to do and to never be questioned by the brainwashed Proles. (Guns are political and lobbyists line pockets in DC. People are made paranoid that their guns will be taken away. Think about it. That cannot possibly happen. But we have to find a way to stop arming monsters.)

I hope this thread can continue. Even though some posters might be made uncomfortable by having their opinions and “news” sources questioned, that’s OK — as long as we remain civil. (Besides all that, good discussions cause people to think and that is what broadens the original topic.)

Please do not be so quick to shut this thread down. This discussion is important. We all need to look at the “Why?” that is loaded into the “news” while we still know how to think for ourselves and to question — and to discuss in a civilized manner.

[Taltarzac725]

The Parkland kids will keep fighting until change happens is the impression I get. We need to start helping them or continue to do so if we have been.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Good morning, Moderator,

May I respectfully request that this thread not be closed because the topic has veered into a discussion of the bias of “news.” Everybody is being nice, even though there are disagreements. There has been no name-calling. No ugly cartoons. Nobody is hurling anything.

News = Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? — It scares me to see how many intelligent, kind people seem to no longer be able to look for the Why?

In 1984 Orwell’s 1984 was part of the curriculum for my class. In the book, the Proles were constantly manipulated by propaganda until they could no longer think for themselves. The language was policed. Word meanings were changed. People were dehumanized. Violent movies as entertainment were a part of the propaganda so that the Proles would become immune to violence. That immunity allowed the government of Oceania to do whatever those who held the power wanted to do and to never be questioned by the brainwashed Proles.

I hope this thread can continue. Even though some posters might be made uncomfortable by having their opinions and “news” sources questioned, that’s OK — as long as we remain civil.

Please do not be so quick to shut this thread down. This discussion is important. We all need to look at the “Why?” that is loaded into the “news” while we still know how to think for ourselves and to question — and to discuss in a civilized manner.

Long live the First Amendment. May those who insist we use only politically correct speech wane.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Long live the First Amendment. May those who insist we use only politically correct speech wane.

Hey, Gracie, you quoted me before I added a couple of thoughts about how we have to find a way to stop arming monsters and how powerful lobbies are lining pockets in DC and how language is being loaded to make law-abiding gun owners think the government is going to get their guns — not gonna happen.

And before somebody says I am a commie pinko or whatever, huh-uh, I am truly a moderate. I believe the answers are in the middle. We have to figure out this mess we are in.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Hey, Gracie, you quoted me before I added a couple of thoughts about how we have to find a way to stop arming monsters and how powerful lobbies are lining pockets in DC and how language is being loaded to make law-abiding gun owners think the government is going to get their guns — not gonna happen.

And before somebody says I am a commie pinko or whatever, huh-uh, I am truly a moderate. I believe the answers are in the middle. We have to figure out this mess we are in.

Very true especially when all this hits very close to home. I should not say any more at this trying time. I do think many Villagers will be looking at this tragic Parkland shooting differently in the upcoming months. Respecting privacy though of survivors is very important. I probably should not have written this but there is a thread now about this horrifying shooting.

If you figure this out I hope you also respect the privacy of the people in question.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Good morning, Moderator,

May I respectfully request that this thread not be closed because the topic has veered into a discussion of the bias of “news.” Everybody is being nice, even though there are disagreements. There has been no name-calling. No ugly cartoons. Nobody is hurling anything.

News = Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? — It scares me to see how many intelligent, kind people seem to no longer be able to look for the Why?

In 1984 Orwell’s 1984 was part of the curriculum for my class. In the book, the Proles were constantly manipulated by propaganda until they could no longer think for themselves. The language was policed. Word meanings were changed. People were dehumanized. Violent movies as entertainment were a part of the propaganda so that the Proles would become immune to violence. That immunity allowed the government of Oceania to do whatever those who held the power wanted to do and to never be questioned by the brainwashed Proles. (Guns are political and lobbyists line pockets in DC. People are made paranoid that their guns will be taken away. Think about it. That cannot possibly happen. But we have to find a way to stop arming monsters.)

I hope this thread can continue. Even though some posters might be made uncomfortable by having their opinions and “news” sources questioned, that’s OK — as long as we remain civil. (Besides all that, good discussions cause people to think and that is what broadens the original topic.)

Please do not be so quick to shut this thread down. This discussion is important. We all need to look at the “Why?” that is loaded into the “news” while we still know how to think for ourselves and to question — and to discuss in a civilized manner.

I concur totally.

This morning, because of this discussion, I insured that I visited each of the 3 major cable news networks and read them on line.

It was as if we were in different countries, the "news" being covered and the commentary added. Actually, it was totally as if I had access to different countries versions of everything.

You know, I suggested early on to ignore the cable news channels totally and this will allow me to reinforce that.

Mr. Moderator, you have been more than nice in allowing this thread to continue, but to support this post from BOOMER I can only say in reading yesterdays indictments and reading, we are not even discussing the same "facts" and that is scary.

[Bucco]

I endorse everyone reading the indictments handed down yesterday and how we were taken advantage of and also endorse everyone to start READING instead of watching and having someone tell you how to feel.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Bucco

I concur totally.

This morning, because of this discussion, I insured that I visited each of the 3 major cable news networks and read them on line.

It was as if we were in different countries, the "news" being covered and the commentary added. Actually, it was totally as if I had access to different countries versions of everything.

You know, I suggested early on to ignore the cable news channels totally and this will allow me to reinforce that.

Mr. Moderator, you have been more than nice in allowing this thread to continue, but to support this post from BOOMER I can only say in reading yesterdays indictments and reading, we are not even discussing the same "facts" and that is scary.

I read many sources for current events. Even FOX on occasion. For a laugh usually. Been doing lot of crying as well because of the Parkland shooting but not as much as some other Villagers I know quite well.

I do hope that the Parkland students will really change things and from what I have seen on Facebook believe they will.

If you can read between these lines remember to respect the privacy of the people in question. Do not post names, etc., until they are OK with it and have had time to grieve. I feel a little uncomfortable even writing this.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I betcha most of us can figure out how you voted.

Not sure how anyone voted pertains to either these children killed or insuring we know facts. How anyone voted seems pretty darn unimportant.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Bucco

Not sure how anyone voted pertains to either these children killed or insuring we know facts. How anyone voted seems pretty darn unimportant.

Me too. Remember that Villagers can have grandkids anywhere. I should not say anymore than that because of respect for the privacy of those involved in this matter. I will say that the Valentine's Day massacre in Parkland hit and still does extremely close to home to some Villagers. With the murder of one of these 17 kids especially but all of them are important in so many ways.

The Villages Daily Sun might do a story on this Villages' connection at some point but it is way too early for that and they would need to talk to the people involved.

Just show some sensitivity in case they read Talk of the Villages. I mean the grandparents not so much The Villages Daily Sun even if a story like this would be hard on the journalist(s) and photographer as well.

[Boomer]

In the last years of my 35 years in secondary ed, I had to think about how I would protect those dear teenagers who were in my classes. I always felt responsible for them. But in the last years — Where would we hide? Where would we run? Nothing in my own education prepared me for that.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Boomer

In the last years of my 35 years in secondary ed, I had to think about how I would protect those dear teenagers who were in my classes. I always felt responsible for them. But in the last years — Where would we hide? Where would we run? Nothing in my own education prepared me for that.

I understand. Watching my wife nurture these kids for over 30 years and knowing the emotions she had and has on protecting children, I can relate.

I keep saying it and get rebuffed, but in addition to common sense on guns, we have a "mean spirited" attitude spreading through this country like I have never seen, and I do not know how that is resolved.

[GoodLife]

Lets see

Broward County Sheriff’s Office were called to this this kid's home 39 times in 7 years, included “mentally ill person,” “child/elderly abuse,” “domestic disturbance” and “missing person,”

He posts photos of himself with guns and knives on Instagram, makes threats

FBI gets tipped on him twice, youtube comment "I'm going to be a professional school shooter." Uses real name. 2nd time they were notified exactly who he is, The FBI acknowledged that a person close to Cruz had called in warning about Cruz's desire to kill. FBI does not follow up.

We don't need better gun laws, we need better law enforcement.

Originally Posted by Boomer

Good morning, Moderator,

May I respectfully request that this thread not be closed because the topic has veered into a discussion of the bias of “news.” Everybody is being nice, even though there are disagreements. There has been no name-calling. No ugly cartoons. Nobody is hurling anything.

News = Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? — It scares me to see how many intelligent, kind people seem to no longer be able to look for the Why?

In 1984 Orwell’s 1984 was part of the curriculum for my class. In the book, the Proles were constantly manipulated by propaganda until they could no longer think for themselves. The language was policed. Word meanings were changed. People were dehumanized. Violent movies as entertainment were a part of the propaganda so that the Proles would become immune to violence. That immunity allowed the government of Oceania to do whatever those who held the power wanted to do and to never be questioned by the brainwashed Proles. (Guns are political and lobbyists line pockets in DC. People are made paranoid that their guns will be taken away. Think about it. That cannot possibly happen. But we have to find a way to stop arming monsters.)

I hope this thread can continue. Even though some posters might be made uncomfortable by having their opinions and “news” sources questioned, that’s OK — as long as we remain civil. (Besides all that, good discussions cause people to think and that is what broadens the original topic.)

Please do not be so quick to shut this thread down. This discussion is important. We all need to look at the “Why?” that is loaded into the “news” while we still know how to think for ourselves and to question — and to discuss in a civilized manner.

Scary how relevant this book is

[ColdNoMore]

Or at least should be....