School shooting in Ohio.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

I guess it's a good thing I decided not to be a psychology major. I cannot begin to fathom what goes on in the mind of one who would engage in random killing, nor can I discern what goes on in the mind of a ruler who would turn tanks and heavy artillery on civilians. I can't understand what went on in that school or what goes on in Syria (or Libya or Yemen, or Saudia Arabia for that matter (capital punishment for heresy?)).

Regards,

D-Ray

Can't explain the kid, but for the middle east they simply do not place any value on human life.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Can't explain the kid, but for the middle east they simply do not place any value on human life.

I hear ya, Rob, but OTOH, I think our respect for human life is a bit of a myth when one considers the death penalty, gun culture and endless wars we as a society seem to embrace.

[barbara]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I hear ya, Rob, but OTOH, I think our respect for human life is a bit of a myth when one considers the death penalty, gun culture and endless wars we as a society seem to embrace.

Good point.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I hear ya, Rob, but OTOH, I think our respect for human life is a bit of a myth when one considers the death penalty, gun culture and endless wars we as a society seem to embrace.

I'll grant you that for sure our politicians do, Maryland recently tightened the requirements for handing down the DP, I say abolish it completely. As to embracing the wars, except for the news broadcasts I believe the public is pretty nearly unaware of them unless they have family in the srevices. At least we don't bury women up to their necks and throw rocks at them.

[piece-itpete]

Comparing the US to most of the ME regarding the value of human life is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

Pete

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Comparing the US to most of the ME regarding the value of human life is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

Pete

I dunno, Pete. I'm sure if we did the research and came up with the numbers, who's killed more in say, the last 200 years........................

The Civil War alone, 618,000+....and that was us, killing our own.

I'm just sayin'.

Dave

[d-ray657]

We have had rules of engagement in the ME which have been criticized by some as exposing our troop to too much risk from those posing as civilians. That choice obviously showed high regard for the safety of civilians - for human life. Nevertheless, we have engaged in combat which has resulted in the deaths of civilians. We have engaged in economic policies that have caused starvation in countries subject to sanctions. I don't classify any of the choices as evil - but I do believe that there were times when the choices could have been made with greater regard for life. We aren't the world's bad guys, but our white hat is not completely unstained.

Regards,

D-Ray

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

I cannot begin to fathom what goes on in the mind of one who would engage in random killing...

That's the issue: with enough brainwashing or hatred, it's no longer random.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Comparing the US to most of the ME regarding the value of human life is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

Pete

The (unnecessary) war we started in Iraq has caused more than 100,000 civilian deaths. We are the only First World nation in the list of the top 15 nations performing executions. I believe that we also lead First World nations in firearm deaths.

I'm not too comfortable sitting very high upon my high horse discussing how different societies value human life. I think we're probably the lowest in this regard among First World nations. We have kind of love/hate relationship with violence.

[BlueStreak]

Does familiarity breed contempt, Pat?

Dave