April 19, 2007
Let’s get it together, America
Cho, Cho, Cho. That’s all we want to talk about. We want to know where he got the guns. We want to know why nobody saw the warning signs. We want to know how he was “pushed” to this point and could it happen again.
Well I say it’s insensitive. It’s too soon to be breaking down his whole past while the families are still grieving. I mean, he’s dead. There’s nothing that can be done. No conclusion you come to will change what happened. I agree with the governor of VA when he was saying that people are using this for their own political agendas. Now gun control is in the forefront again, overnight. CNN even managed to work an image of 50 Cent into its coverage. All the groups and organizations now have a 9/11 moment to trumpet their cause.
As far as gun control, shove it up your ass. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Criminals are, by definition, people who do not obey the law. Therefore, you can pass all the legislation you want, but all you’ll end up with is the criminals being the only armed members of society. Which I’m sure they won’t mind.
Then there’s the faction saying that this proves that we should actually have greater access to guns. Again, they’re just using this incident as leverage. I heard a guy on the radio saying “See, in a scenario like this, another person in the room with a gun could have taken him out and the situation would have been stopped.” Ok, true. But I’ve heard eyewitness accounts. None of those individuals sound like they would tote a pistol to French class “just in case”. So there goes that argument.
Then there’s the mental health angle. It was reported that he had a history of mental illness and treatment. The criticism now comes that if the warning signs were there (including harassment of other students and violent, disturbing writings) then how come nothing was done to stop him. You know why? Because nothing could be done. Unless he posed an actual threat to others and it could be proven that he was a danger to those around him, nothing can be done. Just because you write something or think something, it doesn’t mean you’re going to go through with it. I mean, if that’s the case, I’ve written some shit. But does that mean I should sacrifice my individual rights? I think not. I’m not saying just let it happen, I’m just saying I’m tired of hearing people criticize the university for not doing more. They did all they could. According to John Monahan, professor of law and professor of psychology and psychiatric medicine at the University of Virginia Law School, out of every 1000 people that consider suicide, only 1 will make an attempt. So then the individual rights of the 999 should be violated? I think not.
Ok, the guy was kinda screwed up. Fact. But it’s so rare that something like this happens. I don’t think that’s the place to look. The stigmatization of the gun culture and mental illness is an unfortunate result of this “massacre” as they’re calling it.
Most of my gripe is with the American media, but I gotta call out the international community too. I heard some lady on the radio like “I used to live in Europe, and this doesn’t happen in Europe.” Oh yeah? What about in 2001 when they guy shot 14 people at the Swiss parliament building? What about the school shooting in Germany in 2002, in which 17 people died? Or what about the shooting earlier that year in the same country? Shove it up your ass, lady.
And what’s the deal with the focus on him being a Korean national? That’s completely irrelevant. He lived in the US since he was 8…he went to public school in VA…he was a local. Just like Eric and Dylan. Just like a lot of the victims. I’ve even heard about people harassing young Koreans now because of this. You people, I swear.
I guess I’m just trying to say GET IT TOGETHER, AMERICA. Stop using a tragedy as a fucking soapbox to push your agendas. Stop talking about gun control and mental health funding and all the other bullshit that’s, at this point, irrelevant.
Two things before I go.
1) Hopefully the Michigan legislature can get their shit together too, because I don’t want to take my son to the zoo and have it be closed. Raise the revenue, stop making cuts.
2) Alberto Gonzales is a fucking chump.
April 16, 2007
Shooter…
Well after going to the movies last night, I had planned to post a review of the movie Shooter. I still plan to, but today’s events require me to postpone that for a bit.
I’m pretty much disgusted by what happened today in Virginia. I mean, I know a lot of people from rough neighborhoods see college as a way to escape that kind of fate. You don’t expect to be in a Fluid Dynamics course and catch a bullet. I guess it just goes to show you that no place is really safe. And of course everybody, myself included, wants to know why. But really, does it matter? No conclusion that the detectives come to is gonna make us all go “oh, well in that case…” Sick stupid fucker. Anyway.
Condolences to the families of the victims. As things develop, I may have more to say.
Now:
Great movie. I mean, it was somewhat unique. Gov’t conspiracies have been done to death but it was nicely executed. Mark Wahlberg did an excellent job. I really liked the pace. There wasn’t much of a dull moment once the movie got rolling. My main criticism would probably be that the last scene was pretty much unnecessary. I mean, I guess it was “justice” but it was kind of overkill. And another gratuitous explosion. Bob Lee was a badass though, that’s for sure. I give it 4/5
And, in closing, the song that’s been stuck in my head since I saw the movie..and it wasn’t even in the movie. Ladies and gentlemen:
Shooter by Lil Wayne and Robin Thicke
April 9, 2007
Prison Break
For a while, I was sure that this was the best show on television. Not so sure now. I mean season 1 was great. Suspenseful, exciting, and so on. Season 2 had its high points and low points. Overall I liked it. I mean I looked forward to it every week. Plenty of “oh come on” moments. But hey, what can you do? I’m still a little confused about what went on in the finale. Sona was the name of that place? Did they plan to put him there all along? And why? Why do Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield have different last names? Maybe I didn’t pay enough attention. I guess I was just looking forward to see how it was gonna all tie up and come to closure. Then I found out there was a season 3 (meaning no closure) and I had mixed feelings. I mean, it’s my favorite show but I’m afraid it’s gonna become Lost. And by that I mean, become a terrible, dragged out, ridiculous hour of television that I can’t help but watch. We’ll see where it goes I guess. Oh and Scofield (Wentworth Miller)……….I’m not gay but I’m just saying.
April 2, 2007
The Dealio
Ok, as you can see by my newest post, I am still alive and I do still use this blog. I’m gonna be posting more, I promise. Be on the lookout for reviews of music, games, and movies. Also updates on the ignorance I have to navigate through on a daily basis. Bookmark this and it’s only a click away. Check once a day, once a week..I don’t care. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a great night.
I Brought You In This World…
I’ve got a son.
Yeah, sometimes I have to still tell myself that. I have to just say it out loud and hear the words as if someone else is saying them. And as I hear this, I think about all that comes with it. And sometimes it’s overwhelming. Not all the time. I mean, I guess I was always given the impression that if you become a teen parent that your life is over. So when I found out that I was in that category, I thought that was it for me. The End. Roll credits. But not at all. Life is good. So far parenthood is a great experience and I’m learning a lot.
One problem I’m running into lately though is that my wife and I seem to have different styles when it comes to dealing with him. And as a result of that, he listens to me…and not to her. I never wanted it to be like that. And I wonder how much of it has to do with my own upbringing. When I was growing up, my parents were what I would consider pretty strict. Not like ridiculous..well sometimes ridiculous. Anyway, my mom was always the more lenient of the two. My dad was the hardass parent. That’s not to say that my mom let me get away with everything. Not at all. I just mean that if you wanted something in that house, she’s the one you would ask. If you wanted to do something or go out or use the car..she’s the one you would ask. If you got in trouble and the principal had to call a parent..she’s the one.
And I don’t know if this is a direct cause and effect thing or not. Probably to some extent. I mean, I’m definitely a more stern parent than my wife. I’m not too hard on him. I mean, he’s 1 and a half. But she just kind of lets him walk all over her. I mean, not that I’m surprised. That’s just her personality I guess. She’s sweet and timid for the most part. I’ve tried to explain to her, though, that she has to be the one in control. She has to make sure he knows that. When I’m on the computer and I hear her yelling at him downstairs and he’s just laughing…I just shake my head. I mean, I can tell she means it..but I don’t buy it for a second. It’s to the point where if she tells him to stop doing something he completely ignores her. Looks her straight in the face and continues doing it. All I have to do is turn my head and look at him. And there it is. He knows it’s game over. The devil is gone and there’s an angel on both shoulders.
I don’t want it to be this way. I don’t like the good cop, bad cop thing. I don’t want him to always run to Mommy so Mommy can save him. I feel like the more and more that happens, the more and more he’s going to like her and dislike me. He’ll respect me but he’ll never like me. I never ever ever wanted to be like my father. I’m sure he isn’t the worst father in the world. Not by a long shot. But honestly..I never liked the guy. Still don’t really. At this point it’s just a lot of indifference on my part though. He has no effect on my life so he doesn’t bother me at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that I had a father as I was coming up. It’s just that outside of respect, I feel nothing toward him. Haven’t for as long as I can remember. And the scariest part of it all is that every time I go visit my parents..I see that we’re more and more alike. The older I get, the more of him I see in me. And it would break my heart to see the relationship I have with my son turn into the relationship my father had with me.
I guess I feel stuck. I mean, I’m not gonna have a kid that does whatever the hell he wants. No way. Do I just stay on him? Be as hard as I need to be and just hope he turns out as a good person, regardless of how he feels about me? Is that it..just make him a better man than I am and take one for the team? I’ve gotta find that middle ground I guess. Somewhere in between. I don’t wanna be the mean parent and have my wife be the nice parent. If I am trying to instill certain values in him, it’s because it’s something I believe is best for him. I don’t want him to just pretend to be that way when he’s around me and then when he’s around Mom, he can be completely different.
I’ll figure it out I guess. 16 and a half years until he can make that decision to say “fuck you” and never look back. And they said life would be over. They’re just tryna scare you, kids.
Son.of.Detroit 