Soxy

I'd like to see the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Vancouver. I would love, love, love to visit Denmark, Norway, Finland, Western Russia, Prague, the Amazon, Machu Picchu, Egypt, and Jerusalem. I've been to Australia, New Zeland, Scotland, England, Ireland, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels (awesome), Barcelona, Milan, Venice, Rome, Koln, Munich, Berlin, Vienna.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 19, 2007 -> 04:13 PM) They say 1 in 4 people have mental illness, but you have to remember that is a study done by people who thrive on mental illness. Serious mental problems are much more rare than that. This kid fits alot of the profiles of similar killers, but we cant just draw a comparison between sociopathic behavior and a killing spree, its such a rare thing. I think that's sort of my point though, do you create a database for everyone that has seen a therapist because they were depressed? Or that took Xanax during a rough period of their life? And how do you draw that line between "normal" mental illness and mental illness like in this shooting? Also, back to Jenks' point: I think that creating a database like you propose will stop people from getting good mental health care for fear of losing jobs or health insurance or whatever else. So, in that respect I think the database would be really self-defeating.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 19, 2007 -> 03:56 PM) All these arguments can be used to say that criminal records should be kept private, but they aren't. Of course the retort is well, you don't have a choice with mental illness and you do with committing a crime. Which brings me back to my original post on this thread which is - why are we looking for a reason that people like this act they way they do. It's all about how their brain is wired, not about their environment. Coincidentally, it didn't take long for there to be a 'look it's violent movies that did it' story: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1261563,00.html Um, there may be a genetic basis for mental illness but it's not 100% heritable. I don't think you can tease apart the influence of nature versus nurture of mental illness. And again, what mental illnesses do you think should be made public or put into a database? Schizophrenia? Depression? Agoraphobia? Anorexia? Anxiety Disorders? Although, I do think that a lot of scientific research would agree that there is a component of violent behavior that may very well be linked to violence in the media (Skinner, Dollard, Miller, Mischel, Bandura, etc).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 19, 2007 -> 03:43 PM) Then thinking beyond that, who all gets access to this database and what happens when they do so? If we're cataloging a database of varieties of mental illness...that sure seems like something people other than just gun shop owners might like to get their hands on. I can fully imagine employers and health insurance companies would go head over heels to try to get access to that sort of data, because it could help them avoid expenses either for their employees or to cover insurance bills if they could remove the 25% or so of people with some sort of issue. And that's the big reason I am against that kind of profiling. It would really make things worse. People with mental illness couldn't get jobs, would lose health care, their disability would go untreated. Imagine that trainwreck.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 19, 2007 -> 03:21 PM) Yikes. Eh, that's basically just the definition of a sociopath. And I agree, I think there is some level of disclosure that may be necessary. For example, just like a sex offender I would like to know if someone with Anti-social personality disorder moved in next door. But the NIHM (National Institute of Mental Health) estimates that slightly over 1 in 4 Americans have some form of mental illness. I don't think that all of those people should have a record like that hanging over their heads. Is keeping public records of people's depression or anxiety diagnoses really going to help? I imagine that would really only exacerbate those problems, and I don't think it would be just embarrassing--I think it could be really professionally damaging too. So, if you want to keep track of people that have a history of anti-social behavior I would agree. But if you think someone with Seasonal Affective Disorder, Dysthymic disorder, OCD, or anorexia shouldn't be allowed to buy a gun, I'm afraid I would disagree.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 19, 2007 -> 02:46 PM) I believe the national waiting period for purchasing guns got struck down, so it couldn't be a form going into a state office because there's no legal way to delay the purchase. It would have to be something added to the insta-check system, so there's no real way any actual judgement could be applied on the spot if a person comes in to buy one. I think this piece from a few years ago looking at the psychological profiles of the Columbine shooters adds something to this discussion. But weren't a lot of those diagnoses post-hoc? Like after they died? I don't doubt that a lot of people that do this HAVE mental illness--but I doubt a lot of them have actually been diagnosed. So, for something taking mental illness into account before selling guns you would almost have to do psychological testing--and I really don't see that happening. . .

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 19, 2007 -> 02:28 PM) Just because it's difficult doesn't mean it can't be done. What is pornography? What is discrimination? Difficult questions yet we still have legislation covering those hard-to-define issues. Here's an easy one: If you've ever been deemed by a magistrate or judge to be a harm to yourself, you have mental issues sufficient to warrant never, ever getting a gun. I think you're right that mental issues should be distinct from insanity. But severe mental issues, while a touchy subject, should be no different than criminal records. If gun shops can access those, they should be able to access your mental medical records. They wouldn't be running around asking for records to see who might have an STD or AIDS or something else that can be humiliating and life-altering if it became public knowledge. Administratvely it could be as easy as the gun shop sending a form into some state office where they simply reply 'yes' or 'no' to whether they should get a gun. No questions asked, no information provided, lives possibly saved. How would you define "severe mental issues"? Being suicidal as a teenager? Having at least one psychotic break? Having parents with significant mental issues (as some of these traits seem highly heritable)? Having sought therapy? Having been referred to therapy? Do you think there is a difference between people who have had issues with depression and suicide as teenagers and those who struggled with it as an adult? Or do you think there is a difference between someone who is suicidal and someone who is homicidal? And, I think this is key here: what percentage of people that commit these sort of mass atrocities actually have a paper trail of mental illness behind them? I am willing to bet it's very few. And I really disagree with you that having a mental illness is on par with committing a crime.

The anti-pot ones with the dog and the guy smoking pot. I don't get it. Does my dog not want me to smoke pot? Should I just not smoke pot around my dog? And why does this commercial look like it was drawn by a high person or a dog. Or a high dog.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Apr 18, 2007 -> 12:12 AM) After watching all 3 seasons of Arrested Development for about the millionth time I am now confident in saying it is the best show I have ever seen and I'm not sure anything could ever top it. The intelligence, creativity and depth of the writing is just insane. Every line in every episode holds relevance. There are just so many things you don't pick up the first, second or even third time you see them, everything is said and done for a reason. I agree. After a bad day, I will often pop in an episode. I actually catch myself using it's catch phrases a lot. Usually it's "I've made a huge mistake." It's one of those rare shows that makes you laugh multiple times EVERY episode.

Link So what, if anything, does this mean? Dollar's Weakness Hits New Benchmarks By JANE WARDELL AP Business Writer Published April 17, 2007, 12:53 PM CDT LONDON -- The last time the British pound was worth more than $2, the elder George Bush was waging a losing U.S. presidential campaign against Bill Clinton and the Eurotunnel linking Britain to Europe was still under construction. It took almost 15 years for the pound to again touch $2, the level it breached Tuesday after figures showing an unexpected surge in inflation led economists to conclude that multiple interest-rate increases were likely. The prospect of higher rates can boost a currency by promising bigger returns on certain investments denominated in it. While the currency has been flirting with the $2 level for several months, hitting it marks a key psychological notch in trading that analysts expect to hold. The pound reached a high of $2.0074 before dropping back to $2.0040 in afternoon European trading, up from $1.9900 late Monday in New York. The last time the currency traded above $2 -- on Sept. 16, 1992 -- marked the end of Britain's membership of the European Exchange Rate mechanism, which pegged the pound to the currencies of other EU members. "We believe that sterling could well remain above $2 for an extended period," said Howard Archer, chief economist at Global Insight. Tourism operators expect the new round figure to jog interest in bookings to the United States, with shopping breaks in New York proving popular last time the pound threatened $2 in November. Conversely, Britain will become more expensive for U.S. tourists -- but economists noted that the euro is also strong against the dollar and local travel agencies do not expect to see a large drop in visitors given that the currency has been hovering near $2 for several months. Prime Minister Tony Blair was sanguine about the pound's new level, pointing out that it both makes exports more expensive on international markets and helps keep a lid on inflation. "Obviously it causes difficulties for manufacturers and exports, and on the other hand it also provides a countervailing pressure on inflation ... but that is something ... the market will decide," Blair told reporters at his monthly news conference. It was inflation that pushed the pound through $2 on Tuesday. The currency spiked after the government's Office for National Statistics revealed that consumer price inflation accelerated to 3.1 percent in March, up from 2.8 percent in February. More than 1 percent above the government's 2 percent target, the increase triggered the requirement that Bank of England Governor Mervyn King write a letter of explanation to Treasury Chief Gordon Brown for the first time since the bank was given its independence in May 1997. King said in the letter that the faster inflation reflected an "unexpectedly sharp" increase in domestic energy prices during the second half of last year and higher food prices, caused by a weather-induced global reduction in supply. Inflation was also supported by increased spending and business confidence, he said. Britain's economy has been expanding despite three interest-rate increases since August and Brown, who took over the financial reins when the Labor Party came to power in 1997, has been lauded for producing a record growth cycle. However, it now costs around 92 pence ($1.84) for a liter of unleaded petrol, compared with 46 pence when the currency was last at $2 in 1992, an average 2.56 pounds ($5.14) for a pint of lager, compared with 1.48 pounds and 85 pence ($1.71) for a loaf of sliced white bread, compared with 54 pence. King said the bank "remains determined to set interest rates at the level required to bring inflation back to the 2 percent target." Economists had been predicting one more rise in the coming months from 5.25 percent to close off the current cycle of increases, but most are now leaning toward two more. Investec Securities chief economist Philip Shaw said the inflation figures made an interest-rate increase "a certainty, along with the possibility of another rate rise beyond that." However, he added that the bank was unlikely to have a "knee-jerk" reaction and raise rates at its May meeting, which is just two weeks away. Jonathan Said, senior economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said the data "opens the possibility of rates rising beyond 5.5 percent after May towards the 6 percent level."

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 01:52 PM) I think it actually is true that he wasn't a U.S. Citizen. He was, according to press reports, born in South Korea. He had been in the U.S. since he was 9, a period of 14 years, and had appropriate permanent resident status, but he was not a U.S. citizen. But he wasn't on a visa, he was a legal permanent resident. Which is quite different from being on a visa.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 01:45 PM) That makes me even more mad. But it's not true.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 01:32 PM) Considering that college students are generally liberal, and being on the East coast, very liberal, meaning that they are against the war, why would "God" want to punish those students? After all, they are on 'HIS' side. That man is such a loser. I hope he is counter-protested. I hope he is just ignored. His ilk thrives from attention. Just ignore him and he'll go away. NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE IN PARTICULAR: Guys, Let's not fight hate speech with hate speech, okay?

What an asshole.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 11:40 AM) In 2006 the state of VA defeated a measure to allow concealed carry on campuses. The bill was prompted by the suspension of a student who was suspended for carrying, even though he had a legal concealed carry permit. So obviously SOMEONE thought to do it, at least once. if that student had been there on that day, maybe things would be different. IF some student had thought about it, yeah, maybe it would have been better, maybe it would have been worse. But, to be honest I doubt any student in a class that early would have thought about grabbing anything other than a pen and a notebook before dashing off to class. And as SSI71 pointed out (and didn't he used to be in law enforcement), the odds that someone in that panicked of a state could make that good of a shot, well. . .

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 11:17 AM) Guns at home for protection. Excellent. I have no problem. If you break into my home, you will meet the business end of a glock. But that has nothing to do with Jimmy at the library who has a 45 in his pants. I agree 100% with you. I come from a family that uses guns for recreation (both of my parents, especially my mom) were excellent trap shooters--so I grew up around guns. But I don't think that I would feel more safe sitting class thinking that a bunch of my students had guns. It's easy to make a mistake with a gun--no one hits the target every time (especially in conditions outlined in your previous post) and I fear that more innocent people may be harmed if everyone carried a concealed gun. Also, people I don't think a conceal and carry law would have helped at all here. The victims were students (in an early morning class) and professors. Who the heck would think to bring a gun to class? Who would think that was necessary and a worthwhile thing to do? Never in my very long college career have I ever thought it would be necessary. It wouldn't be worth the time or effort to pack it and bring it to class. Off the top of my head I can think of about 4 times in the last 40 years something like this has happened. The Texas clocktower, Montreal Tehcnical school, another one that is more vague in my memory and now VA Tech. Even if there was a conceal and carry law I doubt it would have mattered--those kids and professors wouldn't have brought guns to class because they thought it was a safe place; and I think that's what makes this crime all that much more horrific.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 11:15 AM) I'll be reading the Trib on the train ride home. It is strange that he would file the numbers off of a legally obtained gun I've also heard he had some mental illness issues in the past (well, obviously, anyone that does something like this isn't right in the head), so I wouldn't scratch my head to hard looking for a rhyme or reason in this.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 11:08 AM) I don't know. I haven't seen that yet. It's in the Trib stories and the major AP stories.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 17, 2007 -> 10:59 AM) I'm thinking the chances were a little better than "maybe". I can't imagine what it takes to make someone want to inflict this much harm on people he doesn't even know. Didn't they find a receipt for the guns in his backpack though? How many illegal arms dealers give out receipts?

Absolutely terrifying. I have no idea what I would do if this happened while I was teaching. So scary. I feel so bad for those poor students and professors.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 16, 2007 -> 07:42 AM) Great so we have begun fighting this just like Vietnam. We might as well pull out, because we have already quit. I don't think I said that. I mean, we just need to think of a new way to approach.

Speculation as to where this will lead?

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Apr 15, 2007 -> 05:05 PM) But the world hates America. Ha.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 15, 2007 -> 01:38 AM) Rio will win. I think it will come down to Chicago or Rio--but people love Chicago. I think it has a great international reputation, and I've yet to talk to a person from another country who visits Chicago and is disappointed. Plus, doesn't Rio have a bit of a crime problem?

Hahaha Best cubs joke I've seen in a very long time.