Windwalker said:
Quote:
For what it's worth... I grew up BEFORE this "SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD" movement became popular. I had my pants "dusted" many times when I was a kid. And, no matter how bad I felt about someone in school, taking a gun and blowing anyone away was about the LAST thing I would have considered doing. Today, there is NO CORRECTION until AFTER they "do onto others".
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So did I, Wind. As a preacher's son, who loved to "cut up" on the back row at church, I've been "blistered" by every form of pussywillow branch, hickory stick and leather belt! I didn't LIKE it... but I learned about "consequences." I was also somewhat smaller when I was young, and different, so I've been beaten and shamed by bullies all my life.
Did I grab a gun and start shooting??? NO! Like you said, it never even ocurred to me! So what is different now?
Is it the 24hr news media who glorify and sensationalize every instance of violence in this country? Or is it something else?
I say it is the lack of control, moderation, and regulation of VIDEO GAMES that desensitize our youth to the consequences of being "blown away" by guns, and the exhaltation of those who score highest by killing the most "targets."
Were GUNS any less scarce when WE were young? NO. Were there any less BULLIES? No. Were principals and teachers any less caring? NO. Were young girls any less coquettish? NO! Were parents any less distracted? No. So.... what is different?
It is the glory and the challenge of KILLING people who mean NOTHING to you, as some truckers and MOST kids do EVERY day on video games!
Give a 4 year old kid an "L" shaped stick today, and see if he doesn't start pointing it and going BANG! Where did he learn that? [Saw this on a news clip last night... not even related to the problem!]
I'm not saying I didn't play Cowboys and Indians when I was a kid. I DID! But, I never saw the glory of the blood and destruction that is shown on video games today.
If we don't WAKE UP and understand the MENTAL development of children today, we are destined for MORE of this "carnage." Think back to every shooting episode that has made the news in the last 20 years. How many of them involved people OVER 50 years of age? Very few. I am 50, and I grew up with PONG! Shortly after that... I dropped out because I couldn't hang. Now... how many killers have been YOUNGER than me? About 90% of them!
What happened in between? The computer revolution.... and the onset of bloody video games.
I could be WRONG, folks. It's JUST a theory! YOU be the judge... and, if you have children... YOU make your OWN decisions. But, don't be surprised if I hold YOU responsible. Unless, of course, you can give me a clue to a BETTER culprit!
Hobo