Things that make you sad.

[Booney]

Yet another high school shooting in the US. Apparently one confirmed dead but they're saying there are 'numerous fatalities'.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/florida-sheriffs-office-responding-to-reports-of-active-shooter-at-a-high-school-20180215-h0w3v2.html

Authorities report at least 7 casualties while up to 50 were injured.

Whilst it is sad I'm struggling to have any sympathy for a society that is doing nothing to reduce the prospect of this continuing to occur.

[Brodlach]

These kids aren’t the ones allowing guns to be freely available, I really feel for them

[valleys07]

Yet another high school shooting in the US. Apparently one confirmed dead but they're saying there are 'numerous fatalities'.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/florida-sheriffs-office-responding-to-reports-of-active-shooter-at-a-high-school-20180215-h0w3v2.html

Authorities report at least 7 casualties while up to 50 were injured.

Whilst it is sad I'm struggling to have any sympathy for a society that is doing nothing to reduce the prospect of this continuing to occur.

My thoughts exactly.

[Magellan]

Yet another high school shooting in the US. Apparently one confirmed dead but they're saying there are 'numerous fatalities'.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/florida-sheriffs-office-responding-to-reports-of-active-shooter-at-a-high-school-20180215-h0w3v2.html

Authorities report at least 7 casualties while up to 50 were injured.

Whilst it is sad I'm struggling to have any sympathy for a society that is doing nothing to reduce the prospect of this continuing to occur.

That's very true, but I think the wilful blindness of an empowered nation that has the means to effect change and steadfastly refuses to do so is also why it's sad - the answers and the evidence are right there staring them in the face and they choose not to see it. As Brodlach said above, society's failure as a whole resonates on those who have the least influence and power in the matter.

[bennymacca]

ABC reporting at least 17 people have been killed now.

you know the same old rhetoric will occur though

[Magellan]

ABC reporting at least 17 people have been killed now.

you know the same old rhetoric will occur though

'It wouldn't have happened if the schoolkids were all armed with guns.'

The cynic in me would say that the US is closer to expanding gun access to schoolchildren. The irony would be that kids come to school to learn how to shoot guns in order to protect themselves from people who have come to school to shoot guns.

[Pseudo]

ABC reporting at least 17 people have been killed now.

you know the same old rhetoric will occur though

'It wouldn't have happened if the schoolkids were all armed with guns.'

The cynic in me would say that the US is closer to expanding gun access to schoolchildren. The irony would be that kids come to school to learn how to shoot guns in order to protect themselves from people who have come to school to shoot guns.

And the cynic in me believes that this would simply escalate an arms race. Not being able to embark upon a ramapage with a gun, because an effective countermeasure has been brought into play (viz. other kids with guns), the budding young mass murderer will simply choose another weapon. Nail bombs, for example.

[Dutchy]

One of the solutions is putting armed guards at every school

[Magellan]

One of the solutions is putting armed guards at every school

If the US are going to continue to support gun controls that leak like a sieve, then actually this is a somewhat sensible option.

Here's a question. If the US hypothetically did impose stricter regulations in terms of gun ownership, is it likely that the hard-wired prevalence of gun culture that's been part of the US since its independence means that we wouldn't see a change in school shootings (for example) because a pissed-off ex-student will find a gun if he/she really wants to?

[JK]

One of the solutions is putting armed guards at every school

Whilst it's far less likely, still gotta hope an armed guard also isn't a whack job

[Dutchy]

One of the solutions is putting armed guards at every school

Whilst it's far less likely, still gotta hope an armed guard also isn't a whack job

One of the justifications is that it would be a good job for ex-army or retired returned forces

[mickey]

One of the solutions is putting armed guards at every school

Whilst it's far less likely, still gotta hope an armed guard also isn't a whack job

;)

[HH3]

[FlyingHigh]

One of the solutions is putting armed guards at every school

If the US are going to continue to support gun controls that leak like a sieve, then actually this is a somewhat sensible option.

Here's a question. If the US hypothetically did impose stricter regulations in terms of gun ownership, is it likely that the hard-wired prevalence of gun culture that's been part of the US since its independence means that we wouldn't see a change in school shootings (for example) because a pissed-off ex-student will find a gun if he/she really wants to?

It would take at least a couple of generations, and it wouldn't stop these type of incidents immediately IMO, and because of this all the pro-gunners would jump on the first incident saying the laws aren't working.

Similarly, the 3-strikes policy of the NT government didn't work because of the politics and was never going to change the behaviour of those already down that path, but may have in 10-12 years when those who were babies and toddlers grew up and it had been part of their lives all the time IMO.

[valleys07]

From an article on US gun control:

"In retrospect Sandy Hook marked the end of the US gun control debate,” Dan Hodges, a British journalist, wrote in a post on Twitter two years ago, referring to the 2012 attack that killed 20 young students at an elementary school in Connecticut. “Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.”

There endeth discussion.

[cracka]

From an article on US gun control:

"In retrospect Sandy Hook marked the end of the US gun control debate,” Dan Hodges, a British journalist, wrote in a post on Twitter two years ago, referring to the 2012 attack that killed 20 young students at an elementary school in Connecticut. “Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.”

There endeth discussion.

Yep. If Obama couldn't get gun control through on the back of that, I doubt anyone can. Be interesting to see if someone went to an election with gun control as their main policy, would they get voted in.

[Wedgie]

Stephen Hawking passing away, what an amazing man he was. RIP.

[JK]

Have to vet around 250 applications for 2 positions at work ... There's a lot of young people out there just looking for a chance, and it sux to have to reject them

[JK]

Have to vet around 250 applications for 2 positions at work ... There's a lot of young people out there just looking for a chance, and it sux to have to reject them

Actually, being a junior position that's advertised it's also sad reading the 50+ year olds that are highly overqualified but reek of desperation for employment

[Booney]

Have to vet around 250 applications for 2 positions at work ... There's a lot of young people out there just looking for a chance, and it sux to have to reject them

Actually, being a junior position that's advertised it's also sad reading the 50+ year olds that are highly overqualified but reek of desperation for employment

This. People who have seemingly been consigned to the scrap heap and will do anything for another chance later in life.

Whilst the young people need an opportunity you would think many of the more mature people "need" the work more, mortgage, school fees etc.