Mother Jones: "On Saturday night, when Mother Jones staffers tweeted a report that riot police might soon sweep demonstrators out of the Wisconsin capitol building—something that didn't end up happening—one Twitter user sent out a chilling public response: "Use live ammunition."
From my own Twitter account, I confronted the user, JCCentCom. He tweeted back that the demonstrators were "political enemies" and "thugs" who were "physically threatening legally elected officials." In response to such behavior, he said, "You're damned right I advocate deadly force." He later called me a "typical leftist," adding, "liberals hate police."
Only later did we realize that JCCentCom was a deputy attorney general for the state of Indiana...
In his nonpolitical tweets and blog posts, Cox displays a keen litigator's mind, writing sharply and often wittily on military history and professional basketball. But he evinces contempt for political opponents—from labeling President Obama an "incompetent and treasonous" enemy of the nation to comparing "enviro-Nazis" to Osama bin Laden, likening ex-Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Service Employees International Union members to Nazi "brownshirts" on multiple occasions, and referring to an Indianapolis teen as "a black teenage thug who was (deservedly) beaten up" by local police. A "sensible policy for handling Afghanistan," he offered, could be summed up as: "KILL! KILL! ANNIHILATE!"" -H/t Hit and Run
Next time you feel like knocking Twitter as a nonsense platform of nothingness, remember, when the fail whales are out to sea, we begin to see who people can be.
Or something like that.
Good riddance.
Also, follow me at RobertDWood. :D
Thursday, February 24, 2011
College
I am more then a little annoyed by the amount of influence John Stuart Mill has had upon my micro economics text book.
Quantifying Utils... bah.
Thank you, that is all.
Quantifying Utils... bah.
Thank you, that is all.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Review: The Fighter
Friends hurting. People hurting. Families hurting.
Not just hurting, but actively inflicting more pain upon nerves worn raw by constant use. This is The Fighter.
Loosely based on a true story, the focus is placed squarely on two boxers in a Boston suburb. Christian Bale plays the older, almost has been who is filming a documentary with HBO on his comeback. Mark Wahlberg plays the younger brother, struggling to be free from his brother's shadow. And his family. And his fights.
Stellar film work, delightfully eclectic sound work, and powerful acting from the main characters. Bale is brilliant in his character, Amy Adam's plays her complex role exquisitely. Wahlberg makes his character work, and is very believable as a prizefighter trying to avoid missing his prime.
The R rating is earned in this case, as the rampant abuse of the English language in ceaseless. Drug usage plays a predominant role in the story and screenplay, but the usage is deplored without exception. If your ever interested in trying to show a lady why she should drop chugging beers and burning through cigarettes, the female ensemble of this cast is a marvelous deterrent.
While this movie does end well, it is not in the form of Rocky. Its unique and earns its place as a just ending for this story.
The Fighter should also serve as a reminder for my fellow Chrisitians that this world needs love, and what lives devoid of love for one another do to one another.
The Fighter should also serve as a reminder for my fellow Chrisitians that this world needs love, and what lives devoid of love for one another do to one another.
Excellent movie, easily a 7 of 10. I will likely watch more then one more time.
...Now that I just finished this, I want to see it again.
...Now that I just finished this, I want to see it again.
Bringing Down the House
SFWeekly: "The SFPD and DEA found no piles of marijuana money at 243 Diamond St., one of six addresses raided simultaneously in San Francisco that morning. Instead, they found Clark Freshman, who rents the penthouse at the two-unit building. Freshman, a UC Hastings law professor and the main consultant to the television show Lie to Me, was put into handcuffs while in his bathrobe as agents searched, despite Freshman's insistence that they had the wrong place and were breaking the law…
Soon they may be called defendants in a lawsuit. A furious Freshman has pledged to sue the DEA and the SFPD for unlawful search and seizure of his home…
[Officer] Biggs describes 243 Diamond as a "two-story, one-unit" building in the warrant. There's no mention of Freshman or Larizadeh's son-in-law or seven-months pregnant daughter who were detained in the downstairs unit that morning. But property records — and a quick visual scan of the property — reveal it to be a three-story, two-unit building. That mistake alone may be enough to invalidate the search warrant."
This story bears watching.
The best line:
""I've been on the fence for years about the legalization of drugs ... and now I'm a victim of this crazy war on drugs," says Freshman, who pledged to sue until "I see [the agents'] houses sold at auction and their kids' college tuitions taken away from them. There will not be a better litigated case this century.""
Soon they may be called defendants in a lawsuit. A furious Freshman has pledged to sue the DEA and the SFPD for unlawful search and seizure of his home…
[Officer] Biggs describes 243 Diamond as a "two-story, one-unit" building in the warrant. There's no mention of Freshman or Larizadeh's son-in-law or seven-months pregnant daughter who were detained in the downstairs unit that morning. But property records — and a quick visual scan of the property — reveal it to be a three-story, two-unit building. That mistake alone may be enough to invalidate the search warrant."
This story bears watching.
The best line:
""I've been on the fence for years about the legalization of drugs ... and now I'm a victim of this crazy war on drugs," says Freshman, who pledged to sue until "I see [the agents'] houses sold at auction and their kids' college tuitions taken away from them. There will not be a better litigated case this century.""
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
TSA Gangsters, Like All Gangsters, Incompetent
Some news stories write themselves. NY Post:
"Two TSA agents were busted today at Kennedy Airport for stealing $160,000 in cash from bags, authorities said.
Davon Webb, 30, and Couman Perad, who turned 36 today, were arrested after admitting they had regularly stolen from checked bags, sources said.
...
Perad and Webb would screen bags looking for loot, then swipe the cash once the luggage was opened in a private screening room, sources said.
...Also today, the TSA confirmed that a string of security lapses took place at Newark Airport within the past month, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.
A knife inside a carry-on made it past a checkpoint and two passengers were allowed to board flights despite issues with their full-body scans, TSA officials told the newspaper.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two incidents were among a string of five security lapses at Newark within the last 30 days."
Molesting people embarking on legitimate business? Check.
Stealing from the molested? Check.
Performing security theater for nigh a decade? Check.
Keeping the tubes of flight safe? No.
Davon Webb, 30, and Couman Perad, who turned 36 today, were arrested after admitting they had regularly stolen from checked bags, sources said.
...
Perad and Webb would screen bags looking for loot, then swipe the cash once the luggage was opened in a private screening room, sources said.
...Also today, the TSA confirmed that a string of security lapses took place at Newark Airport within the past month, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.
A knife inside a carry-on made it past a checkpoint and two passengers were allowed to board flights despite issues with their full-body scans, TSA officials told the newspaper.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two incidents were among a string of five security lapses at Newark within the last 30 days."
Molesting people embarking on legitimate business? Check.
Stealing from the molested? Check.
Performing security theater for nigh a decade? Check.
Keeping the tubes of flight safe? No.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Review: The Eagle
The plot is simple. Roman legions have their eagle. Dad and his legion loose their eagle in north Briton. Son takes his slave to take it back. They have to switch roles. They get back. Along the way, they become friends and have chicken mcnuggets upon arriving home.
Sadly, what this movie fulfilled my dire expectations. It is an out of tune piano concert. It just feels wrong.
Stereotypical Romans, stereotypical 'barbarians', stereotypical action sequences, shoddy and spandex-tight camera work, atrocious character motivation, poorly conceived plot lines and a scalding amount of dark earth tones. All are included in vapid abundance.
Redeeming features, as they exist, is the lack of any important female characters to further destroy a semblance of realistic plot and a somewhat eclectic soundtrack.
Perhaps it doesn't feel wrong, but it does feel different. Once the credits began to roll, the reason became steadily more apparent, as well over half of this film crew is Hungarian. Film a movie about Romans in Briton with Hungarians in Hungary. Marvelous.
Never seeing this again, 3/10.
Friday, February 11, 2011
This Isn't Over
Time: "He directed me through the nearby metal detector (the one that would have been good enough if I'd just chosen another line) and motioned for me to wait for a pat-down agent: "Female opt-out!" A female agent led me to a table where she set my bags and then skeptically asked if I knew what the pat down involved. Yes, indeedy (thanks, Jeff Goldberg!) "Do you want to do this somewhere private?" No, thank you. The agent calmly explained what she was going to do before she performed each part of the procedure, and very briskly but thoroughly went through the pat-down. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes and was a completely professional experience.
Or it was, until a male TSA agent walked behind us and hollered: "Hey, I thought she was mine! I was gonna do her!"
And that, buddy, is exactly why I'm opting out instead of standing in the see-through picture machine. Thanks for validating my choice."
Or it was, until a male TSA agent walked behind us and hollered: "Hey, I thought she was mine! I was gonna do her!"
And that, buddy, is exactly why I'm opting out instead of standing in the see-through picture machine. Thanks for validating my choice."
Monday, February 07, 2011
Saturday, February 05, 2011
The Terrorists Win Again
Daily Express: "According to Kirksville Police Chief Jim Hughes, a passerby stopped a Kirksville Police officer and said they had seen an individual acting erratically in a truck in the Wal-Mart parking lot shortly before 2:30 p.m. The passerby believed the individual had a gun to his head.
"We don't take these things lightly," Hughes said, "especially nowadays."
KPD responded to control the scene and ordered a lockdown of the store both to keep shoppers in and prevent the individual from entering the store.
After identifying the vehicle and person in question, Hughes said a decision was made on the scene for police to attempt contact. They were able to communicate with him and he voluntarily exited the vehicle. No weapon was found and the individual was taken into custody without incident less than 20 minutes after police arrived on scene.
The individual was talking on a cell phone at the time of the incident. It's likely that is the object the passerby identified as a gun."
There will be more stories like this in the years ahead of this. This climate of fear we live in at the behest of a fraudulent education system and government fear mongering presents a dismal specter of the future. One constant in the great works of dystopian fiction (Rand's Atlas Shrugged
, Orwell's 1984
, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
, Huxley's Brave New World
) is the constant, relentless, and persistent fearful observation of the individual by the neighbors within the society. There's a reason this conjures dread and misgiving within our spirit. When the vindictive and vengeful nature of man has the ability to wreak havoc upon others with only the suggestion of another's wrongdoing, man all to often destroys others with it.
Simply put, closing down a Wal-Mart because a man walked across a parking lot talking on his phone is evidence that the terrorists have won. The fear is instilled, perhaps by Muslim terrorists, more likely by the unwavering hand of political expediency.
HOT OFF THE TUBES:
Janet Napolitano:
"“We are partnering this year with the NFL on our ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign and launching that NFL partnership right here at the Super Bowl,” Napolitano said during a press conference on Monday at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas where Sunday’s game will be played.
“The idea is simple,” Napolitano said. “We are simply asking the American people to be vigilant, recognizing that our security is a shared responsibility that all of us must participate in.”
“If a fan at the Super Bowl or any other American at any other place sees something that is potentially dangerous, then say something about it to local law enforcement or someone in authority,” Napolitano said.
Napolitano announced that DHS has trained some 1,200 stadium staffers as “first observers” and that cargo going into the venue also will be screened using “non-intrusive inspection equipment.”"
Pat downs are in store for all attendees as well, both inside and out of the stadium. Star Telegram reporting.
"We don't take these things lightly," Hughes said, "especially nowadays."
KPD responded to control the scene and ordered a lockdown of the store both to keep shoppers in and prevent the individual from entering the store.
After identifying the vehicle and person in question, Hughes said a decision was made on the scene for police to attempt contact. They were able to communicate with him and he voluntarily exited the vehicle. No weapon was found and the individual was taken into custody without incident less than 20 minutes after police arrived on scene.
The individual was talking on a cell phone at the time of the incident. It's likely that is the object the passerby identified as a gun."
There will be more stories like this in the years ahead of this. This climate of fear we live in at the behest of a fraudulent education system and government fear mongering presents a dismal specter of the future. One constant in the great works of dystopian fiction (Rand's Atlas Shrugged
, Orwell's 1984, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, Huxley's Brave New World) is the constant, relentless, and persistent fearful observation of the individual by the neighbors within the society. There's a reason this conjures dread and misgiving within our spirit. When the vindictive and vengeful nature of man has the ability to wreak havoc upon others with only the suggestion of another's wrongdoing, man all to often destroys others with it. Simply put, closing down a Wal-Mart because a man walked across a parking lot talking on his phone is evidence that the terrorists have won. The fear is instilled, perhaps by Muslim terrorists, more likely by the unwavering hand of political expediency.
HOT OFF THE TUBES:
Janet Napolitano:
"“We are partnering this year with the NFL on our ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign and launching that NFL partnership right here at the Super Bowl,” Napolitano said during a press conference on Monday at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas where Sunday’s game will be played.
“The idea is simple,” Napolitano said. “We are simply asking the American people to be vigilant, recognizing that our security is a shared responsibility that all of us must participate in.”
“If a fan at the Super Bowl or any other American at any other place sees something that is potentially dangerous, then say something about it to local law enforcement or someone in authority,” Napolitano said.
Napolitano announced that DHS has trained some 1,200 stadium staffers as “first observers” and that cargo going into the venue also will be screened using “non-intrusive inspection equipment.”"
Pat downs are in store for all attendees as well, both inside and out of the stadium. Star Telegram reporting.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Egypt
Simple thought:
Egypt is backed by the United States through weapons sales, foreign aid and training programs. To the tune of 2 Billion a year, this is an army forged by the hammer and anvil of this Union.
How will it feel if/when they open fire on a rebellious population seeking to toss the shackles of an incorrigible regime that sits upon it?
It will be unpleasant for those paying attention, nothing to see for the rest of this nation. The reality of how amoral our foriegn policy has been can rear its ugly head, and we are unlikely to see a change.
Egypt is backed by the United States through weapons sales, foreign aid and training programs. To the tune of 2 Billion a year, this is an army forged by the hammer and anvil of this Union.
How will it feel if/when they open fire on a rebellious population seeking to toss the shackles of an incorrigible regime that sits upon it?
It will be unpleasant for those paying attention, nothing to see for the rest of this nation. The reality of how amoral our foriegn policy has been can rear its ugly head, and we are unlikely to see a change.
Internet Kill Switches
H/t Hit and Run Blog.
Now that we have internet kill switches being put into the hands of power in this country (The Age), this is a good test case to observe in Eygpt.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Review: The Expendables
portrays itself as the penultimate action movie, bringing the best of the action movie stars into one taco of cinematic glory. With the initial trailer snagging my interest, and the summer coming to a close, (Not to mention what is the-absolute-no-doubt-about-unparralled-best fan trailer ever catching eyeballs...NSFW, and yes, Eat Pray Love Lost), I was excited to see this film.All the hype... Stallone directing... Statham co-starring... can this work?
Yes. Yes it can.
Quite spectacularly actually, this movie was a blast to watch both times I've seen it now. Fights, gunfire, explosions, with only echoes of a story to get in the way. The CIA being the nefarious evil, as an internal turf war costs a tropical island its freedoms leads way to the mercenary band blowing all kinds of stuff up, with a girl being rescued from CIA interrogation, one being defended by the best pickup basketball scene I can think of, and even a thoughtful monologue from a tattoo artist.
Within this genre, the acting is good. The effects feel right, and the fights are fun, if filmed much closer then I like. Really pops on a blue ray
, for the record. I'm sure I will watch this film at least a time or two more. Reccomend for men and boys 14+, women probably won't enjoy it.
The reaction from my mom and girl friend on this movie = :| 6/10.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Fowl Propaganda
"Taxes will keep Democracy on the March!" h/t Dvorak.org/blog
My favorite comment on this:
"Please tell me this was done as satire of war propaganda."
Please note, once again, the misuse of the word 'Democracy' when referring to The United States of America (and to the Republic...)
Also, please note that the indication is that only money is lost, not lives, in the pursuit of foreign wars. Disgustingly false.
I can only assume this is propaganda directed at the children of the citizens of this nation, who for the first time in history were to be liable for Income Tax, under the auspices of 'The Victory Tax of 1942' While minor by today's standards, this 5% of gross income was, and still is, little more then nationalized slavery.
Constitution.org: "Prior to World War II, no one outside the government paid income tax; the people were, and understood themselves to be, immune from that tax. During WWII, Congress passed the Victory Tax (56 Stat. 884) to impose an income tax on every individual in The United States of America, something which had not been done by any previous income tax act. Excepted from that tax were those already paying income taxes per I.R.C. 211(a) - nonresident alien individuals with no United States business or office but living in a "contiguous country" and having income from United States sources."
The legacy of evil caused by wars is seared not only into the lands and homes and people on the front lines of conflicts. Enduring evil lingers on the beaches of foreign lands, within the families destroyed, but also in the malignant tyranny that becomes accepted and commonplace in a free Republic that allows a state of war to give it meaning and purpose.
My favorite comment on this:
"Please tell me this was done as satire of war propaganda."
Please note, once again, the misuse of the word 'Democracy' when referring to The United States of America (and to the Republic...)
Also, please note that the indication is that only money is lost, not lives, in the pursuit of foreign wars. Disgustingly false.
I can only assume this is propaganda directed at the children of the citizens of this nation, who for the first time in history were to be liable for Income Tax, under the auspices of 'The Victory Tax of 1942' While minor by today's standards, this 5% of gross income was, and still is, little more then nationalized slavery.
Constitution.org: "Prior to World War II, no one outside the government paid income tax; the people were, and understood themselves to be, immune from that tax. During WWII, Congress passed the Victory Tax (56 Stat. 884) to impose an income tax on every individual in The United States of America, something which had not been done by any previous income tax act. Excepted from that tax were those already paying income taxes per I.R.C. 211(a) - nonresident alien individuals with no United States business or office but living in a "contiguous country" and having income from United States sources."
The legacy of evil caused by wars is seared not only into the lands and homes and people on the front lines of conflicts. Enduring evil lingers on the beaches of foreign lands, within the families destroyed, but also in the malignant tyranny that becomes accepted and commonplace in a free Republic that allows a state of war to give it meaning and purpose.
KFC, Pizza Hut Successful in China
Because they bring the customer what the customer wants:
Bloomberg: "“KFC is certainly doing better than McDonald’s at becoming more Chinese,” says Su Yi, 28, a lawyer, as he pauses between spoonfuls of mushroom, bacon and rice one recent lunchtime in a packed KFC opposite Beijing’s Jishuitan subway station. “I have lunch at KFC twice a week because there’s always one close by. And when I’m out on a date and want to impress a girl, I take her to Pizza Hut.”"
From earlier in the article:
"While McDonald’s restaurants in China mostly sell the same U.S.-style burgers, KFC’s menu features dishes that would be un- recognizable to its patrons in the U.S. Alongside the Colonel’s ”secret recipe” fried chicken, Chinese KFCs also offer options such as the Dragon Twister, a chicken wrap in a Peking duck-type sauce, and spicy tofu chicken rice based on the cuisine of Sichuan province, home of China’s hottest dishes.
Pizza Huts in China bear even less resemblance to their Western counterparts. While a KFC in the People’s Republic still looks like a Western-style fast-food restaurant, Chinese Pizza Huts are marketed as sophisticated venues for the legion of increasingly affluent and status-conscious Chinese. Seated in comfortably cushioned booths, customers can choose from a 106- item menu that includes wine and Chinese-influenced dishes such as scallop croquettes with crushed seaweed and even French- inspired escargot."
What really struck me, in the midst of all this China Envy on display by my president on Tuesday, was the fact that YUM!'s restaurants in China (3,700) accounted for a larger portion of its profits then did all of its US establishments (19,000+).
In case Hans Rosling hasn't convinced you the world has changed, this should.
Bloomberg: "“KFC is certainly doing better than McDonald’s at becoming more Chinese,” says Su Yi, 28, a lawyer, as he pauses between spoonfuls of mushroom, bacon and rice one recent lunchtime in a packed KFC opposite Beijing’s Jishuitan subway station. “I have lunch at KFC twice a week because there’s always one close by. And when I’m out on a date and want to impress a girl, I take her to Pizza Hut.”"
From earlier in the article:
"While McDonald’s restaurants in China mostly sell the same U.S.-style burgers, KFC’s menu features dishes that would be un- recognizable to its patrons in the U.S. Alongside the Colonel’s ”secret recipe” fried chicken, Chinese KFCs also offer options such as the Dragon Twister, a chicken wrap in a Peking duck-type sauce, and spicy tofu chicken rice based on the cuisine of Sichuan province, home of China’s hottest dishes.
Pizza Huts in China bear even less resemblance to their Western counterparts. While a KFC in the People’s Republic still looks like a Western-style fast-food restaurant, Chinese Pizza Huts are marketed as sophisticated venues for the legion of increasingly affluent and status-conscious Chinese. Seated in comfortably cushioned booths, customers can choose from a 106- item menu that includes wine and Chinese-influenced dishes such as scallop croquettes with crushed seaweed and even French- inspired escargot."
What really struck me, in the midst of all this China Envy on display by my president on Tuesday, was the fact that YUM!'s restaurants in China (3,700) accounted for a larger portion of its profits then did all of its US establishments (19,000+).
In case Hans Rosling hasn't convinced you the world has changed, this should.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Words Matter
1
a (1) : a government having a chief of state who is not a monarch and who in modern times is usually a president (2) :a political unit (as a nation) having such a form of governmentb (1) : a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law (2) : a political unit (as a nation) having such a form of government
Definition of DEMOCRACY
1
a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority
b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections
The difference is the path of power. Democracy is legalized mob rule, easily becoming the tyranny of the majority over all others. If 2 sheep and 3 wolves are in a room, and the wolves vote that it is dinner time, the sheep are doomed by their democracy.
Enter the Republic. A representative government, where the powers of the governed are routinely placed in the hands of chosen representatives. The rights of the governed at protected by what is intended to be inviolate law. Rights protected from both the individuals in society, and the massed powers arrayed against those rights from the government, corporations, religious organizations, unions, and all other tawdry forms of human convocation.
In a republic, we have rights.
In a democracy, we must have the mob to have our rights.
Barrak Obama, 2011:
"And yet, as contentious and frustrating and messy as our democracy can sometimes be, I know there isn't a person here who would trade places with any other nation on Earth."
Words matter, can we please call our country what it is?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
State of Texas Education Spending
We spend a lot on education.
If this is Death
I want more of it.
Mark J. Perry:
"In 2009, the United States produced almost 14% more manufacturing output than second place China, and produced almost as much ($2,334 billion) as Japan, Germany, Italy, France and the U.K. combined ($2,762 billion).
...
Bottom Line: The many stories about the "death of America's manufacturing sector" have been greatly exaggerated."
Alas, such a mindset will never have a roost amongst the political sphere. Its far to positive.
Mark J. Perry:
...
Bottom Line: The many stories about the "death of America's manufacturing sector" have been greatly exaggerated."
Alas, such a mindset will never have a roost amongst the political sphere. Its far to positive.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Kinder Eggs Worse than Coke
 |
| These guys were supposed to be Mario and Luigi |
These are tasty semi-chocolate, semi-cream hollowed out eggs. Milk chocolate shell on the outside, white chocolate shell underneath, and hollow on the inside with a little toy that is never, ever the same as the toy shown on the box. See picture for example of my brother's result.
Clearly, what we have hear is a threat to national security.
CBC: "Lind Bird was recently stopped at the U.S. border and selected for a random search of her vehicle. She was warned she could have faced a fine after the customs official found — and seized — her $2 Kinder Surprise egg as illegal contraband.
Bird learned U.S. authorities have banned the candy because they come with a plastic toy inside that could, if eaten, choke a small child.
"It's just a chocolate egg," Bird said. "And they were making a big deal. They said 'if you were caught with this across the border you would get charged a $300 fine,'" she said."
If this continues, there is likely to be a thriving black market in these eggs in the coming years. What with the growing Hispanic population yearning for a taste of home, the burgeoning income levels, and increasing government crack down on this threat, there is likely to be a significant nest egg opportunity for enterprising confectionery smugglers in the future.
[/satire]
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Nihilism Rears its Ugly Head
There will be much hubris in the talking circuits about the dangers of right wing anti-government radicals (Despite his military commitment) and their counterparts in the media.
There will be soliloquies on the harsh political climate that brews such a foul action.
What there will not be is acknowledgement of what drove this man, Jared Lee Loughner, into this. His actions were his own, and they are wrong. But much like James Lee, he was acting only on the logical end point of his worldview.
Watch his farewell video here.
This is a man who believed that there are no absolutes, except that he was wronged. A man who believed that words had no meaning, that his mind was the only constant that could be trusted in this shifting universe, and that there is no God.
With no constants, with no meaning, and with no God, there is no basis for right and wrong. Nothing is wrong, nothing is right. There is only the mind of the individual, and even that is suspect to the ebb and flow of phsyiological shifts.
With this philosophy at the core of Loughner's belief structure, there should be no surprise at this action. This structure of belief is not uncommon, and it is a fortunate protection for society that people want to be liked by their peers which leads to less of this. Friends don't like friends killing people, so it is rare that one will go as far as Lougher in action.
How do we treat the root of this problem? Teach that there are absolutes in this universe, that there is right and wrong, and that there is a God who has created this universe and in whom we have meaning.
Will this happen in the public sphere? Unlikely. Certainly not in public education nor in higher education. It has to be, as all great social changes are, from individual to individual. Fortuitously for the rest of us, reality exists to be known.
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