Violence in America and the world

 In previous posts about mass shootings and segregation, I suggested America has a long history of violent behavior. These days the news, internet, and every information source have daily stories about some unfortunate confrontation within my city, state, nation. 

I recently read a book that suggests this is not only an American problem. Killing the Killers, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard take a look at the war against terror. It's a compelling--and not fun reading for the weak of heart. It outlines how some of the world's most wanted terrorists have been dispatched, but also shares  gruesome details on the attacks/killings enacted against the victims of terrorism.  

While America's concerns centers mainly on gun control, terrorists demonstrate there are many other methods to kill. Suicide bombings, improvised explosive devices (IED) beheading, vehicle crashes are not common here, but are used throughout the world. 

In mass killings the common element to me seems to be a hatred or mental health that drives someone to an extreme action against innocent people even at the expense of their own life. In the USA the hatred has many sources; world-wide terrorism stems mainly around religious differences. Hatred and religion violence has existed since time began. Both seem to be headed in undesirable directions.

A recent study published by the creators of the Violence Project catalogued over 150 mass shootings back to 1966. Using public records, news stories, and interviews with those who knew the shooter, they compiled detailed information about killers, weapon types, victims, and settings. Their data suggests a pattern of distress which the authors think is related to the increased frequency of mass shootings in the US. Many shooters previously mentioned suicide, isolation or had made disturbing comments/videos. Perhaps they chose a mass shooting as a way to seize power and attention while ending their own life in a way they controlled. The study showed mass shootings are increasing as one-third of the shootings studied occurred in the last decade and nearly all the shooters were men. 

We recently discussed gun violence in a men's group forum and I mentioned favoring banning assault weapons and related accessories like bump stocks, and mandatory life sentences without parole for first degree murder convictions I don't advocate the death penalty mainly because it costs society more to process endless appeals beforehand than it does to just lock them up for lie. In retrospect, while that might have some effect, it doesn't deal with individuals with serious hate or mental health problems especially if they are using it a a way to end their own life. 

Our country has long struggled in dealing with mental health and extreme hate issues, and solutions in that arena seem to defy resolution or improvement.