The media has used the term “mass shooting,” in its reporting of the FBI document, however, the actual name of the document is “A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States between 2000 and 2013.” Active Shooter events and mass shootings are two different things, although the media would not be able to discern that. Also, noted criminologists like James Alan Fox dispute the re-categorizations done by the FBI and other issues with the data presented.
I tend to agree. There is a “hook” and that’s about all in most pop songs, today. That’s what the industry does, but there are lots of really good musicians and artists out there, they’re just not found on the Top 40 (or whatever it’s called, now).
I agree with your recount of what we know about the current incident. I take issue with your statement that this is a local government problem. The feds are the ones that have supplemented all these local agencies with surplus military equipment, including APCs, machine guns, camouflage gear, etc. This is exactly what Representative Grayson tried to stop with an amendment to a bill in Congress in June to stop the feds from providing these materials to the local law enforcement agencies.
Not sure why this story arc bothers me. I think it’s that the parents didn’t bother to do more to vet his interest, and that at every turn of the way, Nate is insolent.
There are many different influences that have caused the current conflagration, but I believe that the militarization of our civilian police forces over the last 20-30 years has become a major part of these stories and is actually working against the police’s best interests. When I say militarized, look a the images from this location. They are wearing camo gear (really, why do they need camouflage?), rolling up with APCs, etc.. This started with SWAT teams but has branched out so that even small town police depts have this mentality. First the bogeyman was the war on drugs, now it’s the terrorists, even though the average American has more of a chance to die from a lightning strike than a terrorist. At one time, SWAT was limited to special circumstances like standoffs and hostage situations. Now, they use teams to serve warrants – warrants! It’s gotten out of hand.
If one is to wonder about ancestry going back to the period between 1608, and 1892, one must also note that our president would also fail that test.