12 people shot dead at BATMAN movie screening in Denver.

[simster]

Originally Posted by Qin Shi Huangdi

Apparently the shooter was studying neuroscience: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/col...html?hpt=hp_t1

That's hilarious - they are saying his choice of classes like its an indicator of something - if he was in a doctorate program from neuroscience, I would _expect_ those classes.

[Jack Batty]

I thought the same thing. I'm wondering if all his fellow classmates from those courses are under the microscope now too. Shit, they might go off at any minute!

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by simster

That's hilarious - they are saying his choice of classes like its an indicator of something - if he was in a doctorate program from neuroscience, I would _expect_ those classes.

If you notice, it says he may have taken a class where the topics would have included [things that sounds like what you study when you major in neuroscience]. This is completely useless and it's not even definitive. It's there because there's nothing of value to publish.

[Loach]

Originally Posted by Sampiro

Now cue Westboro Baptist Church announcing they're going to picket the funerals, three major news shows of gun control and anti-gun control activists screaming at each other, and this somehow being expected in Obama's America.

I have a theory that the stupid comments and WBC and asinine over-the-top accusations and CNN ass-showing following horrifying events is almost a necessary ritual to return to charted territory.

I posted this in the ATMB thread and I usually don't cross post but this fits your comment perfectly. We are right on schedule.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/sad...ootings,28857/

[Hampshire]

I hear a lot of buzz about fear of copy-cat criminals and was wondering how warranted they are in cases like these.
With a list of mass shootings have any of these ever spawned copy-cats?
Are there any examples?

-2011 Anders Behring, Oslo youth camp
-2009 Nidal Hasan, Fort Hood
-2009 Farda Gadyrov, Baku Oil Academy
-2008 Matti Saari, vocational college Finland
-2007 Seung-Hui Cho, Virginia Tech
-2002 Robert Steinhaeuser, Erfurt Germany
-1999 Columbine
-1996 Martin Bryant, Tazmania Australia restaurant
-1996 Thomas Hamilton, Scotland elementary school
Etc, etc, etc.

[Farmer Jane]

Columbine did. Seems to happen every year.

[D-bear]

Just wondering what everyone thought might happen to this facility after all is said and done. They didn't raze Columbine High after the shooting there, but I can kind of understand that one. I actually have tickets to see the 25th anniversary Star Trek:TNG event there on Monday, but there's a snowball's chance of that happening at this point.

The building is fairly new, all stadium seating digital sound and picture, so it's not exactly a given that it'll be closed and torn down. What do the teeming millions say? Would you go there to catch a flick?

[Morgenstern]

Originally Posted by D-bear

Just wondering what everyone thought might happen to this facility after all is said and done. They didn't raze Columbine High after the shooting there, but I can kind of understand that one. I actually have tickets to see the 25th anniversary Star Trek:TNG event there on Monday, but there's a snowball's chance of that happening at this point.

The building is fairly new, all stadium seating digital sound and picture, so it's not exactly a given that it'll be closed and torn down. What do the teeming millions say? Would you go there to catch a flick?

Theater # 9 will be permanently closed and locked, never again allowing public access. That's what I'd do if I was the owner.

[D-bear]

Originally Posted by Morgenstern

Theater # 9 will be permanently closed and locked, never again allowing public access. That's what I'd do if I was the owner.

Century has been bought by Cinemark, and there's not any thing on their corporate site. The last press release they issued was on June 11th about Dark Knight marathon showings.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by MostlyClueless

And still people support the right to bear arms. This is what happens. Congratulations. Because there's still no relation between people owning guns and shooting others with them.

Canada seems to get along ok.

[rocking chair]

Originally Posted by Kolga

Just found out that a friend of a friend was shot (is being released today), and the son of a friend was shot in the head (is still alive).

Colorado does have the death penalty, but no one's been executed here since 1997.

i hope that they have quick and full recoveries.

[Cat Whisperer]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

Canada seems to get along ok.

Except for that mass shooting in Toronto last week.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by D-bear

The building is fairly new, all stadium seating digital sound and picture, so it's not exactly a given that it'll be closed and torn down. What do the teeming millions say? Would you go there to catch a flick?

Surely.
They could hire some off duty policemen to hang around.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer

Except for that mass shooting in Toronto last week.

I missed that.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Originally Posted by Vinyl Turnip

When you go back, say hi to your Freeper pals for us, OK?

I think I got banned there a long while ago because I supported Romney or something.

[Chefguy]

Originally Posted by Qin Shi Huangdi

Without getting into a debate over cyclic history, note that all "cyclic history" theories are affected by the fact that unlike in the West, none of them experienced mass literacy or industrialization. Most of these theories are just the historical and philosophical equivalent of emo or goth or punk.

Your version of reality and your comprehension of the written word are stunningly. . .goofy.

[MostlyClueless]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

Canada seems to get along ok.

On one hand, they do only have half the firearms deaths of the US.

On the other hand, that's still 4.7 deaths per 100.000 people each year.

Compare that to the Netherlands, 0.7 deaths. Most of Europe barely makes it past 1.5 deaths.

You didn't adress my point that pretty much any random jackass in the US can get guns. (Our pal here did, no problem.) Or the significant relationship between having a gun and shooting someone with it, and not having a gun and not shooting someone with it.

[Jack Batty]

From CNN:

"The man suspected in the mass shooting at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater screening of the new Batman film early Friday had colored his hair red and told police he was 'the Joker,' according to a federal law enforcement source with detailed knowledge of the investigation."

OWS? Tea Party?
Solid member of the Loony Party, apparently.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Two research buildings where the shooter went to school have been evacuated until tomorrow morning. I'm guessing the authorities want to make sure he didn't leave any booby traps around there.

[BrainGlutton]

Wiki already: "With a total of 71 gunshot victims, it is the largest mass shooting in United States history.[7][8][9]"

Somebody, somewhere, right now, is reading that and thinking, "HA! I can top it!"

[cochrane]

Originally Posted by D-bear

Just wondering what everyone thought might happen to this facility after all is said and done. They didn't raze Columbine High after the shooting there, but I can kind of understand that one. I actually have tickets to see the 25th anniversary Star Trek:TNG event there on Monday, but there's a snowball's chance of that happening at this point.

The building is fairly new, all stadium seating digital sound and picture, so it's not exactly a given that it'll be closed and torn down. What do the teeming millions say? Would you go there to catch a flick?

The Safeway where Gabby Giffords and the others were shot reopened a couple of weeks later. In fact, I'm leaving in a couple of minutes to do some shopping there. I think as soon as the police and the other agencies are finished investigating the scene, they'll probably start preparing the theater to open for business again after a few weeks.

[Marley23]

The company that owns the movie theater chain says it won't allow people to come to movies in costume anymore. What a stupid asshole response. They're a distant second to the shooter, but it's a really stupid policy.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by MostlyClueless

You didn't adress my point that pretty much any random jackass in the US can get guns. (Our pal here did, no problem.) Or the significant relationship between having a gun and shooting someone with it, and not having a gun and not shooting someone with it.

I didn't realize that was required.

It was tragic, but I'd rather some other folks get shot than I not be able to shoot the fellow that mugged Mrs. Plant v.3.0 should the opportunity arise.

There should be some way to keep folks like that from getting guns. Took me about fifteen minutes while some authorities were called when I bought a target pistol. I wouldn't mind a waiting period while they checked out things at more length.

[rocking chair]

i'm a bit surprized that the exit doors were not alarmed. perhaps it is just theatres in the big city, however, a good portion of the ones i've been to, have alarms that go off when someone uses them.

granted i believe they are alarmed to alert the powers that be, that there may be an emergency and/or to stop someone from entering without buying a ticket. having person "a" buy a ticket and then open the door to allow others to come on in.

i guess this isn't everywhere.

[The Great Sun Jester]

Originally Posted by Rilchiam

He's a white guy, right? Please tell me he's a white guy. The shooter, I mean.

Of course he's a White guy. Blacks kill a lot of each other, but in like 1s & 2s, and usually in private. Something this horrible takes a White guy. Is that a racist statement? Well, yeah, but when's the last time a Black guy (in the USA) racked up any sort of body count in a single session? Mass murder is just not their game.

[D-bear]

Originally Posted by Kolga

Care to back that up with some citation or source, or would you mind at least trying to keep your paranoid accusations to yourself until there's an actual reason to worry?

Roger Ebert has started the ball rolling, but it was inevitable.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by rocking chair

i'm a bit surprized that the exit doors were not alarmed.

Folks (including me) have gone out the back door at multi screen theaters rather than pushing and shoving to the front door.

[Kolga]

Originally Posted by D-bear

Roger Ebert has started the ball rolling, but it was inevitable.

Get back to me when someone other than a film critic gets involved. Someone who might propose a bill or something, I mean, rather than express an opinion.

[rocking chair]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

Folks (including me) have gone out the back door at multi screen theaters rather than pushing and shoving to the front door.

i guess that means y'all do not have workers who come in a bit before the movie ends and stand by the doors.

[MostlyClueless]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

It was tragic, but I'd rather some other folks get shot

I rest my case.



We've both run this argument a billion times. Let me get your arguments for you:

-But if civilians can't buy weapons, then only criminals will have guns!
The same criminals who now buy their weapons at the local 7-11? Not every down on his luck would-be burglar has those connections.

And you said it yourself- people who can't be trusted with guns shouldn't have them. Exactomundo! If you don't have a badge or wear olive green as a job requirement- no guns for you. This guy's record was basically clean. One traffic violation. Unless you want to hire a private detective for every gun sale, this guy wouldn't have pinged the radar.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by MostlyClueless

The same criminals who now buy their weapons at the local 7-11?

Surely you jest.

[Der Trihs]

Originally Posted by MostlyClueless

On one hand, they do only have half the firearms deaths of the US.

On the other hand, that's still 4.7 deaths per 100.000 people each year.

Compare that to the Netherlands, 0.7 deaths. Most of Europe barely makes it past 1.5 deaths.

It's to be expected; like Mexico, they suffer from being next to America and its ocean of guns. Guns are like a plague we spread to our neighbors. In Europe most people including the criminals don't have (or want) guns in the first place.

[Morgenstern]

The shooter apparently gassed the theater with tear gas. I wondered if tear gas was really commercially available. Turns out it is. What the hell, who needs to buy a tear gas grenade?

Please tell me you need some kind of permit to buy this stuff over the internet.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

It's to be expected; like Mexico, they suffer from being next to America and its ocean of guns. Guns are like a plague we spread to our neighbors. In Europe most people including the criminals don't have (or want) guns in the first place.

Then why has crime been going down in the US for decades despite the fact that gun laws have increasingly been liberalized? Not to mention by this logic Canada should be also suffering from a "plague" of guns.

[olivesmarch4th]

Originally Posted by Marley23

The company that owns the movie theater chain says it won't allow people to come to movies in costume anymore. What a stupid asshole response. They're a distant second to the shooter, but it's a really stupid policy.

I have tried, but I really can't conceive of a more asinine response than this.

[MPB in Salt Lake]

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

In Europe most people including the criminals don't have (or want) guns in the first place.

For some reason, I always keep forgetting about the vast, vast amount of time you spent living in Europe; Care to remind me please?

[Der Trihs]

Originally Posted by D-bear

The building is fairly new, all stadium seating digital sound and picture, so it's not exactly a given that it'll be closed and torn down. What do the teeming millions say? Would you go there to catch a flick?

I haven't gone to the movies in years, but if I did I wouldn't be especially concerned about going there. This doesn't appear to be something like a gang related shooting, where you can reasonably worry about something similar happening in the area again. This appears to be just another lone loony, and they can show up anywhere.

Originally Posted by Qin Shi Huangdi

Then why has crime been going down in the US for decades despite the fact that gun laws have increasingly been liberalized?

Because guns don't usually cause crime, they just make it worse when it happens.

[lavenderviolet]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

Of course he's a White guy. Blacks kill a lot of each other, but in like 1s & 2s, and usually in private. Something this horrible takes a White guy. Is that a racist statement? Well, yeah, but when's the last time a Black guy (in the USA) racked up any sort of body count in a single session? Mass murder is just not their game.

Well, "black rage" can apparently be blamed for mass killings in some cases.

Every time I hear about this kind of incident, it makes me think about how if more people would take mental illness seriously (instead of having prejudices that people should be able to snap out of it or something) we might be able to prevent some of these tragedies. I think that focusing on mental health would be more productive than trying to blame it on violence in the media or the opposite political party.

[Siam Sam]

The shooter was a pre-med or med student. Back in university, I remember we read one study of medical-school students that showed the rate of mental illness increased progressively with each year. Fourth-year students as a whole were much crazier than the first-year students. The researcher could not decide whether medical school drove you crazy or if the sane ones tended to drop out as they went along.

[BrainGlutton]

Tom Tomorrow nails it.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Der Trihs

Because guns don't usually cause crime, they just make it worse when it happens.

I dislike agreeing with you, but that is an interesting point.

[D-bear]

Originally Posted by Marley23

The company that owns the movie theater chain says it won't allow people to come to movies in costume anymore. What a stupid asshole response. They're a distant second to the shooter, but it's a really stupid policy.

Minor nit pick, but it was AMC that issued the statement that there will be no more masks or mock weapons in it's theaters.

The shooting took place at Century Theaters, which is owned by Cinemark. They have not issued any statements of any kind. Of course I'm sure that they have their hands full, but it's wierd that they have said nothing so far.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

The shooter was a pre-med or med student. Back in university, I remember we read one study of medical-school students that showed the rate of mental illness increased progressively with each year.

I vaguely recall that med students mistakenly believe they have the diseases they study, too.

[Nzinga, Seated]

Originally Posted by Jack Batty

From CNN:

"The man suspected in the mass shooting at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater screening of the new Batman film early Friday had colored his hair red and told police he was 'the Joker,' according to a federal law enforcement source with detailed knowledge of the investigation."

OWS? Tea Party?
Solid member of the Loony Party, apparently.

Whoa. Did he actually say, "I'm the joker". It's a shame, CNN is starting to slip when it comes to credibility to me. Everyone is so eager to get the story first, I don't really trust the stories anymore until a bit of time passes. And, by the way, the Joker doesn't have red hair, does he? I mean, maybe he does in certain comic books or something?

[AndrewL]

No, the Joker has always had green hair. So either something's being miss-reported, or the shooter isn't much of a Batman fan after all.

[Siam Sam]

The news is saying his apartment was diabolically booby-trapped and that he told police this. I'm wondering why he would go to all the trouble of diabolically booby-trapping the place and then announcing it. Hoping to get a lenient sentence for cooperation?

[Marley23]

It's being reported that he told police was the Joker, yes. I'm not totally confident he said it, but it sounds like he did. I think Ray Kelly (NYPD Police Commissioner) went on the record saying that. And yes, the Joker has green hair and not red and for that matter he's not in the new movie. The guy didn't have to be a fan. Maybe he just got fixated on Batman because of all the hype surrounding the Dark Knight Rises premiere.

Originally Posted by D-bear

Minor nit pick, but it was AMC that issued the statement that there will be no more masks or mock weapons in it's theaters.

The shooting took place at Century Theaters, which is owned by Cinemark. They have not issued any statements of any kind. Of course I'm sure that they have their hands full, but it's wierd that they have said nothing so far.

Thank you for clearing that up. The AMC policy doesn't bother me, but the Cinemark one is stupid. I'll have to keep that straight and avoid their theaters.

[Nzinga, Seated]

Or maybe he was a huge fan of the Heath Ledger film, identified with the joker, saw himself as some kind of anarchist and decided the Dark Knight Rises would be the best place to make his splash. Or, maybe I am pulling all of this out of my big black ass. Because I also am not convinced he even said it. And if he did, that still doesn't mean my wild speculations mean a thing.

[jtgain]

Originally Posted by Morgenstern

What the hell, who needs to buy a tear gas grenade?

I hate this "need" standard when it comes to weapons. People don't "need" booze, junk food, cigarettes, pornography, air conditioning, or a whole host of other things in society. The question on banning something in a free society is not whether that something is an absolute necessity, but the reasons for banning it, and if those reasons overcome a free person being able to have it.

Maybe tear gas meets that threshold, but the whole "who needs X" is the wrong starting point.

[lavenderviolet]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

The shooter was a pre-med or med student. Back in university, I remember we read one study of medical-school students that showed the rate of mental illness increased progressively with each year. Fourth-year students as a whole were much crazier than the first-year students. The researcher could not decide whether medical school drove you crazy or if the sane ones tended to drop out as they went along.

The reports he was a med student weren't accurate. He was apparently getting a PhD in Neuroscience actually.
From my experience, I would say that yes med school does tend to make people depressed, but I don't think it makes people homicidal.