Quote:
Originally Posted by cwicemvp12
Political debates on the internet are AIDS in general, but all I saw a lot of backlash against Costas a few weeks ago. Given what I read about what happened today, pretty much all of his points about Belcher and the current gun control climate can also be applied to this situation. I'm by no means the most left-wing dude in the world, but I think a lot of what he/Whitlock said are very good points, and I find it scary that something only furthering their points happened so shortly after they were made.
My issue with Whitlock's article was the faulty premise surrounding his main argument - not just insinuating, but stating with conviction that without guns, Belcher and his gf would still be alive. I think given the type of thought process that's required to decide you're gonna murder the mother of your 2-month old daughter and then kill yourself, that's a mighty large assumption.
My issue with Costas' lecture on national television was exactly how I described it in this very thread on the night it happened. It was cold, it was smug and it was completely insensitive to the fact that there were families affected by this tragedy. Not even a "my condolences to the victims" was spoken. It was an awful piece by an awful excuse for a sports broadcaster.
Maybe there isn't a comfortable way to address this topic. Maybe there isn't a proper time or place. Maybe it's supposed to be awkward until the problem gets solved. But personally, I think we're far too quick to jump to conclusions and we see these events as opportunities to bandstand instead of moments that require grieving. Being this desensitized really upsets me.
The last thing I wanted to do today was run to Facebook or Twitter and start quoting gun violence stats and anti-gun rhetoric or construct an argument for why legal concealed carry might've prevented this tragedy...because it really doesn't matter what I think. I was stunned when I saw the news. I was bawling when I saw Obama's address. I'm probably as detached as I can possibly be from this interest and I've felt sick to my stomach all day. I just think, in general, people can show a bit more decorum with respect to a senseless tragedy.
fwiw, I thought we did a pretty good job in this thread today; the discussion was quite mature and non-vitriolic. Much better than the Politics thread.
EDIT: I'm sorry, not trying to rehash a topic that we're moving away from. I'll stfu about it now.