[eweissenbach]

Lots of discussion about violent video games and movies etc. contributing to the real violence in this country. When gun control comes up, we hear from the defenders of the 2nd amendment. That is nothing compared to what you will hear if there becomes a movement to ban violent video games or violence in movies from the first amendment crew. In my opinion we have broadened the intent of these amendments to mean something that was never considered by the framers of the constitution. Be that as it may, it becomes virtually impossible to do anything about these problems at this point.

In my personal fantasy world there would be limited and regulated access to hunting and self-defense weapons, serious mandatory sentences for violators of gun laws (many of which already exist) and perpetrators of crime carried out with a weapon. There would be no realistic games where the controller of the game could use a virtual weapon to kill virtual enemies. There would be no songs with lyrics that incite violence against women or anyone else. Bomb making sites and others promoting violence would be shut down, and the creators prosecuted. This does not even scratch the surface of things that I would change, or that, in my opinion, need to change. I am a progressive and realize that things continue to change and evolve, most for the better, but some things were really better before television, computers, and the relaxation of the movie code. Maybe in the afterlife my fantasy will play out, but in this world I unfortunately don't see it getting much better.

[gomoho]

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Lots of discussion about violet video games and movies etc. contributing to the real violence in this country. When gun control comes up, we hear from the defenders of the 2nd amendment. That is nothing compared to what you will hear if there becomes a movement to ban violent video games or violence in movies from the first amendment crew. In my opinion we have broadened the intent of these amendments to mean something that was never considered by the framers of the constitution. Be that as it may, it becomes virtually impossible to do anything about these problems at this point.

In my personal fantasy world there would be limited and regulated access to hunting and self-defense weapons, serious mandatory sentences for violators of gun laws (many of which already exist) and perpetrators of crime carried out with a weapon. There would be no realistic games where the controller of the game could use a virtual weapon to kill virtual enemies. There would be no songs with lyrics that incite violence against women or anyone else. Bomb making sites and others promoting violence would be shut down, and the creators prosecuted. This does not even scratch the surface of things that I would change, or that, in my opinion, need to change. I am a progressive and realize that things continue to change and evolve, most for the better, but some things were really better before television, computers, and the relaxation of the movie code. Maybe in the afterlife my fantasy will play out, but in this world I unfortunately don't see it getting much better.

It seems more up to the parents to monitor what kids watch and play on video games and the like. Adults should be able to tell the difference between the worlds of say Middle Earth (The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogies be they in film, book or video game form) from reality.

A Clockwork Orange had a solution to destroying the violent tendencies of its anti-hero by having the State force him to watch violent movies and other scenes of violence over-and-over again with his eyes pried open. Unfortunately, with some kids the more they play extremely violent video games with the full ability to close their eyes, to blink and look away, the more desensitized to violence they become.

Still seems more of getting to the hearts and minds of kids through education than anything else. Overall this seems a matter of our educators and kids' parents, parent, grandparent(s), uncle, aunts, grand uncles, grand aunts.

From personal experience, it seems the more you tell a kid that he or she should not watch some show or play some video game, the more they want to watch it. Especially with teens.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Lots of discussion about violet video games and movies etc. contributing to the real violence in this country. When gun control comes up, we hear from the defenders of the 2nd amendment. That is nothing compared to what you will hear if there becomes a movement to ban violent video games or violence in movies from the first amendment crew. In my opinion we have broadened the intent of these amendments to mean something that was never considered by the framers of the constitution. Be that as it may, it becomes virtually impossible to do anything about these problems at this point.

In my personal fantasy world there would be limited and regulated access to hunting and self-defense weapons, serious mandatory sentences for violators of gun laws (many of which already exist) and perpetrators of crime carried out with a weapon. There would be no realistic games where the controller of the game could use a virtual weapon to kill virtual enemies. There would be no songs with lyrics that incite violence against women or anyone else. Bomb making sites and others promoting violence would be shut down, and the creators prosecuted. This does not even scratch the surface of things that I would change, or that, in my opinion, need to change. I am a progressive and realize that things continue to change and evolve, most for the better, but some things were really better before television, computers, and the relaxation of the movie code. Maybe in the afterlife my fantasy will play out, but in this world I unfortunately don't see it getting much better.

Consider them opened.

I agree with you that as a society there is too much violence in video games, movies, music, etc. I for one would never go see a gory movie or even somthing billed as a horror movie as I see too much of violence in the news. Some people enjoyed being titilated by horror. I find watching something pleasant more preferable. I don't watch the news on television as it's who murdered who and who raped who. I much rather get my news from the internet but then it has videos and I can select, if I want to watch it.

I would like to go back to days when people bought their children toys that promoted learning. In a perfect world, banning of violence through music, movies and video games would happen. Being in the real world, there isn't a chance odf a snowball in he** that will come to fruition.

We owe it to our grandchildren to provide a safe environment. Will they always be totally safe? No, but we have to try to make it as safe as possible and minimize and insulate them from the horrors of life until they reach the legal age.

My heart breaks over the 20 children lost in Newtown as one of my co-workers had her child attending kindergarten that day. Donations will be collected at work for those in need.

Have a nice day everyone.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

It seems more up to the parents to monitor what kids watch and play on video games and the like. Adults should be able to tell the difference between the worlds of say Middle Earth (The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogies be they in film, book or video game form.

A Clockwork Orange had a solution to destroying the violent tendencies of its anti-hero by having the State force him to watch violent movies and other scenes of violence over-and-over again with his eyes pried open. Unfortunately, with some kids the more they play extremely violent video games with the full ability to close their eyes, to blink and look away, the more desensitized to violence they become.

Still seems more of getting to the hearts and minds of kids through education than anything else. Overall this seems a matter of our educators and kids' parents, parent, grandparent(s), uncle, aunts, grand uncles, grand aunts.

From personal experience, it seems the more you tell a kid that he or she should not watch some show or play some video game, the more they want to watch it. Especially with teens.

Much of that is true of course. The problem being, that people with minds that tend to fantacize about violence will always find a way to access that which is available, despite the guidance of parents, clergy, educators, etc. Keep in mind the last several mass killers that come to mind were all "adults"; Connecticut, Aurora, Arizona, Va Tech................

[blueash]

Our cultural exposure to video games, news media, movies, TV shows, websites and music is no different than the exposure of citizens in UK, Canada, Australia and other developed English speaking nations. However only in this country do we have regularly occuring slaughter both in massacres like those in the last several months and the grinding daily death toll of individual gun homicides. And only in this country do we have the second amendment and organizations and individuals which interpret it to prohibit any meaningful restrictions on citizen gun ownership (the phrase well regulated was rendered moot by the present SC, prior to that there was no prohibition on local gun regulations).
For an example of what can be done I would point to the example of Australia where in 1996 as a result of a massacre there was a rigorous set of regulations enacted. Since then there has only been either zero or one (depending on the definition of mass meaning 4 deaths, there was an incident with 3).In the 18 years prior to these laws there had been 13 such mass murders. It would be fair to point out that the rate of gun homicide/suicide was lower in Australia prior to the new laws than it is in the US, but it has gone even lower.
Gun politics in Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gun deaths by nation
List of countries by firearm-related death rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Will the CDC be doing any research on the epidemic of gun deaths in this country? We have approximately 32,000 firearms deaths a year. That is about the same as those caused by hypertension or liver disease. The CDC regularly publishes research on these killers, but not anything which might reduce gun deaths because...
specific language was inserted into the CDC's funding prohibiting it by the NRA's enablers in Congress http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/us...pagewanted=all

An interesting article looking at the comsumption of video game consumption and gun related murders is at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...d-gun-murders/
We are in vigorous agreement that graphic depictions of violence cannot be helpful. But only here do we meld the availability of highly effective mass killing tools with whatever external and internal triggers drive the individual to action.

[Cedwards38]

I would also add to that fantasy world...........there would be parents who would stop trying to be just best friends with their children and actually be parents to their children. That means saying no to them occasionally, teaching them values, soft loving them when they are right and tough loving them when they are wrong, ignoring whining and drama, not making excuses for them, and demanding that they learn to behave in a civil manner that is respectful of those around them. I understand that some children have special needs, and I accept that, and sympathize with that, but I'm talking about the run of the mill kid who doesn't know right from wrong because they have been told by parents their entire life that they are right and the rest of the world is wrong. You don't want them playing violent video games, don't buy them, and forbid it, with consequences. You don't want them to watch inappropriate television, turn it off and forbid it with consequences. You don't want them having bad grades, demand good ones, with consequences. You don't want them being disrespectful, forbid it, with consequences. I spent a lot of years as a public school administrator, most as an elementary school principal, and I could tell you some stories. Your children will love you if you raise them to be good responsible adults, and not if all you ever do is try to make them happy.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Now all of you who disagree, go ahead and let me have it. I can take it. 29 years in the public schools will make your skin pretty thick.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

I would also add to that fantasy world...........there would be parents who would stop trying to be just best friends with their children and actually be parents to their children. That means saying no to them occasionally, teaching them values, soft loving them when they are right and tough loving them when they are wrong, ignoring whining and drama, not making excuses for them, and demanding that they learn to behave in a civil manner that is respectful of those around them. I understand that some children have special needs, and I accept that, and sympathize with that, but I'm talking about the run of the mill kid who doesn't know right from wrong because they have been told by parents their entire life that they are right and the rest of the world is wrong. You don't want them playing violent video games, don't buy them, and forbid it, with consequences. You don't want them to watch inappropriate television, turn it off and forbid it with consequences. You don't want them having bad grades, demand good ones, with consequences. You don't want them being disrespectful, forbid it, with consequences. I spent a lot of years as a public school administrator, most as an elementary school principal, and I could tell you some stories. Your children will love you if you raise them to be good responsible adults, and not if all you ever do is try to make them happy.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Now all of you who disagree, go ahead and let me have it. I can take it. 29 years in the public schools will make your skin pretty thick.

I agree with all you say. I too spent many years in education, and that leads me to believe that this is the most unrealistic fantasy of all, unfortunately. The number of children who come from homes in which values and limits are basically nonexistent is frightening.

[JAV0108]

I have one thing to add and it is my opinion only, BUT I believe that God needs to be brought back into this country. We were founded on Christian values, let us all fight to get them back. We need to make our voices loud so they can be heard. Doesn't the squeaky wheel get it's way?

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by JAV0108

I have one thing to add and it is my opinion only, BUT I believe that God needs to be brought back into this country. We were founded on Christian values, let us all fight to get them back. We need to make our voices loud so they can be heard. Doesn't the squeaky wheel get it's way?

This is so true!!!!

[graciegirl]

What I hear when I hear all of you saying how you feel this might be fixed, what I hear is your suffering and anger that this unspeakable tragedy has occurred and like the grown ups we all are we want to prevent it from happening again.

We are united in that. There is no use arguing right now. Wait and vote what your concience tells you is right. This is a democracy.

That is all we can do. And we can pray.

Making each other angry accomplishes absolutely nothing. And voicing your opinion does not change others opinions about guns, mental health, ways to raise children, video games etc. All of these things are contributing factors but us arguing about solutions will not bring solutions.

[mulligan]

Once again, Gracie, you are the voice of reason, and a cheerleader for peace and harmony. I hope you and your's have the happiest of holidays.

[ugotme]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

I would also add to that fantasy world...........there would be parents who would stop trying to be just best friends with their children and actually be parents to their children. That means saying no to them occasionally, teaching them values, soft loving them when they are right and tough loving them when they are wrong, ignoring whining and drama, not making excuses for them, and demanding that they learn to behave in a civil manner that is respectful of those around them. I understand that some children have special needs, and I accept that, and sympathize with that, but I'm talking about the run of the mill kid who doesn't know right from wrong because they have been told by parents their entire life that they are right and the rest of the world is wrong. You don't want them playing violent video games, don't buy them, and forbid it, with consequences. You don't want them to watch inappropriate television, turn it off and forbid it with consequences. You don't want them having bad grades, demand good ones, with consequences. You don't want them being disrespectful, forbid it, with consequences. I spent a lot of years as a public school administrator, most as an elementary school principal, and I could tell you some stories. Your children will love you if you raise them to be good responsible adults, and not if all you ever do is try to make them happy.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Now all of you who disagree, go ahead and let me have it. I can take it. 29 years in the public schools will make your skin pretty thick.

No soapbox - IMHO you are absolutely correct! I have stated it in other posts - parents need to do parenting !!!! I will not keep going because you and Oldcoach Ed have said it all.

[Challenger]

I believe that a ban( that included confiscation) on semiautomatic weapons in the US would be " a can of worms" and impossible to enforce. It would cause a reaction from many law abiding citizens that would shock those who think that such a ban would make a differene. Of course, access laws could and should be strenghtened , but IMO would have little or no effect on the problem for the lifetime of anyone reading this post ,if ever. I hope that we can have a civil debate and avoid personal attacks at least on this forum. My personal observations, exprssed herein, are not reflective of my desires if I had unilateral power to change the present situation.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by JAV0108

I have one thing to add and it is my opinion only, BUT I believe that God needs to be brought back into this country. We were founded on Christian values, let us all fight to get them back. We need to make our voices loud so they can be heard. Doesn't the squeaky wheel get it's way?

I agree 100% with the above statement. The freedoms provided by our "founding fathers" are exactly what makes the USA what it was in it's "hay day" and I think we already have too many controls on these freedoms. The problem is the moral decay of our society and the lack of responsibility and respect for everything including human life and property. You don't fix that by limiting freedoms you fix that by getting back to family values, morals and respect.