School killings are not a recent phenemena

[Autobot77]

I feel like pointing this out because I know people are going to be blaming this on breakup of the family, violent movies, lack of school prayer, etc. I figured I'd share this to put it in perspective. School massacres have been around before America was founded.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings

The earliest known school killing in America was in 1764. Tell that to anyone when they try to blame school shootings on violent movies.

[gaspee]

1. Hardly

Come on, you don't really believe the 1764 Indian scalpings in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse is in any way comparable to the recent school violence. Do you?

[Autobot77]

3. No I don't

Okay, maybe that was a bad example, however my point is that this is nothing new. The only reason I'm pointing this out is because no doubt everyone here is going to be hearing about our society has become more violent because of video games, rap music and teaching evolution. A great book to read and to recommend is "Culture of Fear: why Americans are afraid of the wrong things" by Barry Glassner.

[bluerum]

2. I blame gun control. eom

[Daedelus76]

4. I've got my own ideas

... this certainly is the most horrific act ever commited on a college campus or school.

Having said that, my own pet theory is that college is over extended in the US, and is taking on alot of people who simply do not belong there. The Middle Class is literally throwing everything into college education, because it's the last thing left standing between then and a low-wage service job. And most of the people who go to college are just going to drop out without any degree. Can you hear the screams and the death rattle of that sinking ship? That's the sound of the Middle Class going under. College education is seen as the last lifeboat, and there's frankly not room enough for everybody.

[Autobot77]

5. not only that

A degree doesn't necessarily guarantee a good job anymore. I mean I've seen ads for $7/hr service jobs that say "college degree required". It's more about connections and who you know.

[scrinmaster]

6. These two were worse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beslan_school_hostage_crisis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

[live love laugh]

7. You meant to spell "phenomena". Still time to edit.

:hi:

[Autobot77]

8. too late

Oh well