Violent Headlines

JACK
I’d like to express what I think is a major problem today, and it begs for a long-term solution. The headlines tell us about a congressman stalking young men on the internet, and an individual carrying a 20 year old grudge killing defenseless young children in an Amish school, and a deterioration in confidence in the honesty of our leaders. You are inheriting a really tough world, how are you going to help resolve these terrible problems?

HILLARY
Are you really asking me if there is anything that I can do to stop psycho-killers, pedophiles, and corrupt politicians?

JACK
Yes, it’s a tall order, but let’s face it…it’s what’s out there. Can we possibly frame the root cause of a number of these problems? Can it be that what we have here is a failure to communicate?

HILLARY
What movie is that from?

JACK
“HUD”. – But the question is, are we living in a pressure pot where one of these fringe people finally pops their cork?

HILLARY
Well, I’m always interested to know if these mass-murders/rampage killers are on any type of mood-altering, psychotropic drugs, because what often happens is that someone is diagnosed depressed, and given an anti-depressant, when, in fact, they may be bi-polar and the anti-depressant kicks them into a manic/psychotic state. I’ve seen this happen, and I think it could be partially responsible. They say that the Columbine kids were on anti-depressants, and even if they weren’t misdiagnosed, drugs like Prozac and Zoloft can cause homicidal impulses in teenagers. So, that is my first question: was this chemically induced? Then I get a little more conspiratorial.

JACK
What do you mean?

HILLARY
Well, I wonder what else is happening in the world that I’m not seeing because the media is hyper-focused on something like a school shooting. It’s hard to imagine that this incident may be part of some agenda, but I won’t take that concept off the table. Too many people benefit from our distracted minds.

JACK
I can’t imagine that there is a conspiracy that encourages these nut cases to go on a rampage. However, I can buy into the possibility that the constant barrage of bad news and sensationalism has a triggering effect on people who are already inclined to perform these maniacal acts. Throughout history we have had these terrible acts, but the thing that alarms me most is that they are now happening with shocking frequency.

HILLARY
Do you think that they are really happening more frequently, or do you think that we are simply more aware of them now because of the media?

JACK
I believe that they’re definitely occurring more frequently. I have read a number of times throughout my life of an individual, usually in great frustration, just killing people randomly.

HILLARY
Do you think that our access to fire arms in this country is at all to blame?

JACK
I certainly think that a population that is raised with a feeling for violence and gunplay are susceptible, if the arms are easy and available. Despite what the NRA says, they will be used more often. If the trend line continues, there can never be enough police to guard us against random killings. It’s particularly true when the victims are mainly school children living in total innocence. I can even understand the mentality that goes back to a work place, where the killer has been offended, and seeks revenge. But lately, there seems to be a concentration on killing in our schools. I really do not have the answer, but would welcome any thoughts that would help us halt these senseless murders. I address it to you, because your generation is going to have to investigate the problem and find a solution.

HILLARY
But is there really a solution to be found? Can I really do anything to stop a psycho-killer? I don’t think you can even spot one before something tragic has happened. And I don’t want to lock myself, nor any children, up in some kind of prison to try to keep them safe. I imagine that all I can do is tell someone if I see someone I know losing his or her minds, or acting strangely. I can send money to gun control lobbies. I really don’t know, however, if this would have any impact. If someone, who has never had any record of violence, decides to pick up a gun tomorrow and kill people at random, is there really anything that anyone can do to stop them?

JACK
I have read of a number of cases where local police have stopped a crime, as we’re discussing, in its preparatory stages. Someone did spot the problem and blew the whistle so that action could be taken before these people have the opportunity to kill. Maybe I’m saying that without being vigilantes, we can do everything in our power to help the police do their job.

HILLARY
I think that what you’re saying is to know you’re neighbors. Know the people in your community. Talk with them; engage them, so that you may be as aware as possible to the early signs of aggression. If someone says, “I’m going to hurt someone,” or something inherently violent, then we can’t ignore it or pretend that they didn’t say it. We must engage them, and if necessary engage the police.

JACK
That’s an excellent idea, but maybe we should take it to the next step. Everything that we have said points to the need of creating a methodology that will satisfy our goals. We maintain that all dialogue contributes to solutions, and particularly across generations in which we are engaged. How can we utilize existing humanitarian organizations to spread the word? I would like to hear from others on this point, so that we may have an effect on the well-being of our community.

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