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Reply to "How much more can we lose"

quote:
Originally posted by Quarrles:
My God KS, B'man threatened to shoot someone. Shoot them. Stop this irrational defense of this guy.


Q,

I'm right with you on this one. KS just commented that since we are all human, "each and every one of us can be driven past that point." I guess the question at hand is where that "point" resides for the typical, rational, mentally stable person.

From my own experience, I have never threatened to shoot someone. I know of a few people who have, and most of them are now in treatment facilities or jail, based on their individual circumstances. As for what I will call the "Gun Pride" syndrome, I know a number of people who are gun collectors, as well as those I would call "gun fanatics" to some extent, but none are quite the same as BM. They have them, they collect them, but yet they do not self-identify with them. For that matter, we have a few firearms in our own home for protection, but I mention them about as often as I mention our toaster oven! Most people who own firearms (for whatever reason) don't seem to base their own identities on those. Considering BM's forum nickname, I think this difference is pretty obvious.

I have friends and family in the military and some that have served in Iraq. One was killed. I've also had family members who fought in WW I, WW II, the Korean War, and Viet Nam. None are quite the same as BM. Sure, there's the military mindset. But the military doesn't suggest/teach that EVERYONE is the enemy. That's called paranoia. And it can be a very real and serious mental issue.

I only have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, so I'm certainly not an expert on what a person needs. However, I do have some common sense to go along with that degree. BM, based on the comments here, might have some issues. And yes, we all have some issues. But most of us don't threaten to shoot anyone. Whether or not someone was being "provoked" on a newspaper forum is beside the point. On the other hand, here's a reasonable follow-up question to that comment: how do mentally stable people react to provocation on a local newspaper forum? Do they react reasonably? Often so. Do they cuss or swear? Possibly. Do they call the other person names or assign them a 'label' they see as derogatory? Unfortunately, sometimes they do. But threatening to SHOOT someone is beyond the scope (no pun intended) of the typical, mentally stable response. Doing so is problematic, to put it nicely. Here, I absolutely agree with KS: "there is absolutely no reason to be mean." I think threats of shooting someone would fall into that category.

I can only hope that all of those who need help seek it in their own way.
Last edited by e 2

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