Colorado Movie Shooting

[Guitar_Raph]

In Aurora, Colorado; there's an attack that happened when a person started open firing at a movie theatre, during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

Like Harry Potter showings, people were dressed up in costume for the event. Guess that's how the shooter planned it. About a dozen so far have been taken to nearby hospitals.

[Green Machine]

I heard about it on the radio. At least 14 confirmed dead and 50 injured. What the hell is wrong with people these days?

[Leo656]

F*cking terrible. I was on such a high, and this mess ruined it. Horrible.

[BubblyShell22]

They've been talking about it on The Today Show. Just horrible and sad. What would possess someone to do something like this? At least the guy's been caught, and I really hope he gets the death penalty for this. My thoughts and condolences go out to the victims of this horrible act.

[mysterycolor]

absolutely tragic :(

[Green Machine]

I just read that one of the victims was 6 years old. :(

What the hell....

[psych23232323]

I just read that one of the victims was 6 years old. :(

What the hell....

And a 3 month old infant was shot too in that theater...this is all just messed up.

Whoever did this should be electrocuted; I don't care what his excuse is or what defense lawyer comes up with, just strap him to a chair and shoot a million volts in him.

[Leo656]

Not even, just shoot the f*cking guy.

I'm 100% in favor of the death penalty in theory, but the way it's done is all wrong. Liberals are always telling me it costs more to execute a criminal than it does to keep him alive in jail for the rest of his life. Which I don't get at all; bullets are cheap as f*ck. I know we don't shoot people on Death Row but we should.

Here's how to save some taxpayer dollars: Set a date. Pick like 15-20 death row inmates, have 'em kneel down in a yard, walk down the line, and put one bullet in the back of each one's head execution-style. Simple, easy, effective, and cheap. Do it once a month and watch our overcrowded prison system solve itself.

Seriously, the fact that it costs more to keep worthless pieces of sh*t alive than it does to execute them isn't a reason not to kill them, it's a sign that our method of execution must be needlessly complicated and expensive.

Personally, I think it's a total lie made up by some criminal-coddling activist. There is no way ANY execution method - electrocution, firing squad, gas chamber - how can ANY of them cost more than provided someone 20-50 years worth of food, clothing, medical care, and cable TV? Impossible. People will just say anything to avoid the unpleasant reality that some people just don't deserve to live, period. We've become afraid of punishment, and bad people know this and exploit it. Why let them?

[Impervium Gem]

Oh my God. :( That is so shocking, it's awful how many horrible things humans do to each other. My thoughts go out to anyone who was hurt that night and their loved ones, wishing them a fast recovery.

[That Matt Guy]

F*cking terrible. I was on such a high, and this mess ruined it. Horrible.

Same here. I'm glad I got to see the movie, I've heard theaters are cancelling showings because of this. One nut has ruined it for everyone.

[Mona_Lisa]

Thats so sad, I don't know why people do these things....:(

[ZariusTwo]

I keep getting conflicting reports about the month-year old baby that was caught in the crossfire. I hope it's alright.

PS, just TRY listening to the Batman Forever soundtrack after this. Creepy.

[Mr.Turtle]

What the hell is wrong with people these days?

thats the question i've been trying to figure out for years.

[Redeemer]

Not even, just shoot the f*cking guy.

I'm 100% in favor of the death penalty in theory, but the way it's done is all wrong. Liberals are always telling me it costs more to execute a criminal than it does to keep him alive in jail for the rest of his life. Which I don't get at all; bullets are cheap as f*ck. I know we don't shoot people on Death Row but we should.

Here's how to save some taxpayer dollars: Set a date. Pick like 15-20 death row inmates, have 'em kneel down in a yard, walk down the line, and put one bullet in the back of each one's head execution-style. Simple, easy, effective, and cheap. Do it once a month and watch our overcrowded prison system solve itself.

Seriously, the fact that it costs more to keep worthless pieces of sh*t alive than it does to execute them isn't a reason not to kill them, it's a sign that our method of execution must be needlessly complicated and expensive.

Personally, I think it's a total lie made up by some criminal-coddling activist. There is no way ANY execution method - electrocution, firing squad, gas chamber - how can ANY of them cost more than provided someone 20-50 years worth of food, clothing, medical care, and cable TV? Impossible. People will just say anything to avoid the unpleasant reality that some people just don't deserve to live, period. We've become afraid of punishment, and bad people know this and exploit it. Why let them?

Agree completely

[Cure]

Why did someone bring a 6 year old and a 3 month infant to a midnight showing?

[siamese goat]

Horrible thing with lots of back lash to come, say goodbye to most midnight viewings :(

Not making light by any means but who the hell has a baby at a midnight showing of the film anyways.....I see teens and preteens to a degree but Jesus leave the baby's at home so others don't have to listen to them.

[Mr.Turtle]

I keep getting conflicting reports about the month-year old baby that was caught in the crossfire. I hope it's alright.

PS, just TRY listening to the Batman Forever soundtrack after this. Creepy.

ppl these days can be really creepy sometimes.

[DarkLightDragon]

S*it.

I come back from seeing the movie and first thing I hear is this....

My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who suffered at the hands of this a**hole and if any of you have seen his picture, you'd have a hard time differentiating him from the Joker since he's actually smiling, almost as if he's proud of what he's done.

Screw you, man.

[mysterycolor]

Why did someone bring a 6 year old and a 3 month infant to a midnight showing?
i was wondering the same thing

[Mr.Turtle]

death to creapy ppl!

[Scud]

This is such sad news, my heart goes out to those who were injured, their families and loved ones.

~S~

[Leonardo87]

I was getting all ready for the movie for tonight as some people on here know I cosplay as Joker; now they are banning any costumed looks because of that jerk. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of this tragic and I hope that jacka** gets what he deserves.

[Raph's Girl]

I was getting all ready for the movie for tonight as some people on here know I cosplay as Joker; now they are banning any costumed looks because of that jerk. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of this tragic and I hope that jacka** gets what he deserves.

Here costumes are ok as long as they don't have masks or weopons. Only thing I noticed security wise was a couple guards hanging out at the bus depot. Otherwise nothing different. My theatre is always extra secure cuz it's across the street from City Hall/Court House.... Plus everyone around here is on extra guard anyways cuz there's an air show this weekend.

[MikeandRaph87]

Milehighcomics,the largest comic shop retailer in the nation is located just 25 miles away from the shooting. Chuck, the founder and president is offering a 60 percent off code on more than 8 million back issues over the next 7 days and will donate about 20% of it to the victims families. If you have an issue to fill in the next week order from them to help contribute to funds. The codeword is helpheal.

[Guitar_Raph]

I was getting all ready for the movie for tonight as some people on here know I cosplay as Joker; now they are banning any costumed looks because of that jerk. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of this tragic and I hope that jacka** gets what he deserves.

Here costumes are ok as long as they don't have masks or weapons.

I agree with both of you about dressing up in costumes in public, outside Halloween or Let's Make A Deal!

[MikeandRaph87]

I agree with both of you about dressing up in costumes in public, outside Halloween or Let's Make A Deal!

True. Batman sat next to me during the second half of Batman:The Dark Knight before disappearing. Other than a 20ish guy in a halloween costume based off the film series I did not see anyone else in anything aside from Batman related shirts,myself included.

[Zany Orange Dude]

This is such a terrible tragedy!:tsad: I can't believe that some psycho would do this! Those people affected by this are in my prayers!

This situation makes me afraid to go to the movies.

[TurtleTitan97]

I was so sad to hear about this yesterday. Such a sad thing to hear.:tcry:

[Moonlight1102]

Such a horrible tragedy. My prayers will go out to the victims. :cry:

[Barkworm]

This is just awful. Unfortunately instead of taking the problem at its root (stricter gun control) this will only lead to short sighted solutions by the film industry like the costume ban and security checks in cinemas or completely non-sensical bullsh*t like WB pulling ads for the Dark Knight Rises.

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, seriously. They need to have stricter laws on who can own a gun. The only crime this guy was charged for before this was a lousy speeding ticket. I've heard so many stories about the survivors and victims. There were two people who actually took bullets for their girlfriends. Such brave individuals.

[Guitar_Raph]

I learned that the killer was dressed as The Joker!

Bet Jack Nicholson is ashamed while Cesar Romero's turning in his grave!

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

This is just awful. Unfortunately instead of taking the problem at its root (stricter gun control) this will only lead to short sighted solutions by the film industry like the costume ban and security checks in cinemas or completely non-sensical bullsh*t like WB pulling ads for the Dark Knight Rises.

You seriously believe gun control laws prevent things like this from happening? You really need to do more research than watching Jon Stewart.

[Barkworm]

Once again you have enlightened me, thank you so much.

[BubblyShell22]

The guy dyed his hair red and claimed he was The Joker when in reality The Joker's hair is green, not red. I guess the guy didn't do his proper research.

[DarkLightDragon]

The guy dyed his hair red and claimed he was The Joker when in reality The Joker's hair is green, not red. I guess the guy didn't do his proper research.


Actually, I've heard that after they got into his apartment (after clearing the booby traps) they found a bunch of Batman merch in his room.

....Yeah.

[papa_smurf73]

You seriously believe gun control laws prevent things like this from happening? You really need to do more research than watching Jon Stewart.

Surprisingly, I agree with this comment. I don't own a gun myself, but the only reason this dude pulled off what he did was because he had zero opposition from the people he was firing on (i.e. no one, to my knowledge, had a concealed weapon to fire back). These people were essentially fish in a bowl, and faced with a small a$$hole behind big guns.

I went to see the movie yesterday. I was expecting a packed house, but judging by the lack of attendance it's clear this idiot has scared folks from going to the theater. Sure what he did scares me, but I'm not going to let it stop me from living my life, and either should you.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Once again you have enlightened me, thank you so much.

There are a number of websites and forums where gun control is discussed, if you want to know more.

[Barkworm]

Gun control in America is a topic I actually teach about in school so advice from the likes of you doesn't mean that much to me.

[Sword Slicin' Leo]

hang this ****er by his balls!

[愛]

Gun control in America is a topic I actually teach about in school so advice from the likes of you doesn't mean that much to me.

So do you teach a class about how America as a country destroys itself on a daily basis? That would be rather devastating. :cry:

[Barkworm]

So do you teach a class about how America as a country destroys itself on a daily basis? That would be rather devastating. :cry:
Haha, no, it's just a sub-topic of the "American Dream" teaching unit. The Second Amendment is usually one of the most interesting topics to our students.

[Mona_Lisa]

Surprisingly, I agree with this comment. I don't own a gun myself, but the only reason this dude pulled off what he did was because he had zero opposition from the people he was firing on (i.e. no one, to my knowledge, had a concealed weapon to fire back). These people were essentially fish in a bowl, and faced with a small a$$hole behind big guns.

I agree with this, Even if there is strickter gun control, people like this will still have guns... There will just be less people to fight back. Guns don't kill people... People kill people. I've thought about getting a concealed carry permit myself.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Gun control in America is a topic I actually teach about in school so advice from the likes of you doesn't mean that much to me.

Indeed. Well, to paraphrase an old saying, who teaches the teachers?

[Cure]

Indeed. Well, to paraphrase an old saying, who teaches the teachers?

Teachers. What's your point?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

My point is where does Barkworm get his information on America? What makes him think gun control laws do any good (and that's not just a question for Americans)? And how does he know the good from the bad news sources? Does he determine that from sources' credentials, or from what he wants to hear from them?

[愛]

Yeah, Barkworm, where do you get this TOP SECRET INFORMATION about America!? Who's the mole!?

[OA]

Two major topics here, gun control and death penalty, I struggle with. While I get that we have the right to bear arms, is it really necessary to have that right extend out to assault rifles (like he used)? What then about grenade launchers, hand grenades, etc.?

but the only reason this dude pulled off what he did was because he had zero opposition from the people he was firing on (i.e. no one, to my knowledge, had a concealed weapon to fire back). These people were essentially fish in a bowl, and faced with a small a$$hole behind big guns.

And if one (or two, etc.) did have weapons in the crowd, who's to say that in the darkness, with a full theater, there would not have been MORE people dead. Just cuz you have license, doesn't mean you know what your doing. You think everyone with a driver's license knows how to properly handle a car? The reason he pulled this off was simply because he had the desire to.

[Barkworm]

Indeed. Well, to paraphrase an old saying, who teaches the teachers?
Well, there are these places called universities where smart people go and where they spend hours and hours in libraries to learn how to evaluate sources. You wouldn't have heard of it.

[mysterycolor]

is it just me or was seeing him on the news an extremely creepy experience. a cold, dazed expression like that- gives you chills!

[愛]

Well, there are these places called universities where smart people go and where they spend hours and hours in libraries to learn how to evaluate sources. You wouldn't have heard of it.

It's funny, in the four years I spent studying Physics, I stepped foot into the library a total of two times. I spent most of my time in the Physics computer lab, though, since it had a huge white board for those sweet equations that I stared at for hours on end and never made any progress. :cry:

[Barkworm]

Yeah, I guess us philologists need libraries more than mathematicians and scientists.

[愛]

We need books, too, but our books sound like, "let me tell you a story that will vaguely illustrate that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration."

[papa_smurf73]

is it just me or was seeing him on the news an extremely creepy experience. a cold, dazed expression like that- gives you chills!

Yes... Totally agree. I read that he was on medication to help with paranoia.

[Dirty Blond]

Ha-ha-ha; gun control.

We need stricter fork control laws as well, since obesity kills more people on a yearly basis.

[GK Punk]

I learned that the killer was dressed as The Joker!

Except he wasn't.

[mysterycolor]

Ha-ha-ha; gun control.

We need stricter fork control laws as well, since obesity kills more people on a yearly basis.
suicide isnt a crime... unless we are reliving the movie se7en you arent likely to feed someone to death.

On a more positive note- Christian Bale went to visit the victims and their families
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/25/justice/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

[The Stryker]

Except he wasn't.

Except that he did call himself the Joker when he was arrested. Jumping down Guitar Raph's throat. Sheesh. I love Guitar Raph!

Also. Kinda sorta off topic but whats the big deal if costumes and midnight showings get banned from theaters? Is it REALLY that essential to your viewing experience?

[GK Punk]

Except that he did call himself the Joker when he was arrested. Jumping down Guitar Raph's throat. Sheesh. I love Guitar Raph!

Also. Kinda sorta off topic but whats the big deal if costumes and midnight showings get banned from theaters? Is it REALLY that essential to your viewing experience?

I'm not jumping down his throat, I like guitar raph as well. However he stated as a fact that he was dressed as the Joker. he said "I am the Joker" That's not dressing as The Joker. If I was jumping down his throat I would have been mean, but guitar raph means no harm. I like the guy. I may have been short with him but I've had a lot of health problems the past week and can't tell when I'm being short with someone out of pain, or when I'm talking normal.
So my apologies to Guitar Raph if I came off short.

You probably don't know this, but I'm part of a Costuming charity group that has branches through out the country. We take pictures with kids/families (and sometimes teens and adults too.) take donations for children hospitals so on and so forth. So to me, it's a pretty big deal.

Generally, I don't go to the theater much unless it's something I really badly want to see. Sometimes we go with out the charity group, but still go in costume and pose with kids and families just because it's part of who we are now. Although I generally half ass it when I just do it for fun.

[TheCanadiandrome]

is it just me or was seeing him on the news an extremely creepy experience. a cold, dazed expression like that- gives you chills!

Yeah complete with the red-headed step child look

[The Stryker]

I'm not jumping down his throat, I like guitar raph as well. However he stated as a fact that he was dressed as the Joker. he said "I am the Joker" That's not dressing as The Joker. If I was jumping down his throat I would have been mean, but guitar raph means no harm. I like the guy. I may have been short with him but I've had a lot of health problems the past week and can't tell when I'm being short with someone out of pain, or when I'm talking normal.
So my apologies to Guitar Raph if I came off short.

You probably don't know this, but I'm part of a Costuming charity group that has branches through out the country. We take pictures with kids/families (and sometimes teens and adults too.) take donations for children hospitals so on and so forth. So to me, it's a pretty big deal.

Generally, I don't go to the theater much unless it's something I really badly want to see. Sometimes we go with out the charity group, but still go in costume and pose with kids and families just because it's part of who we are now. Although I generally half ass it when I just do it for fun.

Still not seeing how this changes your movie viewing experience. There are tons of ways to drum up charity money. Seen it, done it. So that's not really a deal, especially with comic films.

But if you want to see a movie so bad would not being able to dress up like Ant-man really change that at all? Would it somehow make the movie better? I'm leaning towards no. Say what you want but that's how I feel. Playing dress up and midnight screenings are not important to the movie going experience.

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, the guy looked creepy as hell. He definitely has some issues, and I really hope they go for the death penalty in this case. However, it'll be up to the victims and their families whether it will be pursued or not.

[OA]

But if you want to see a movie so bad would not being able to dress up like Ant-man really change that at all? Would it somehow make the movie better? I'm leaning towards no. Say what you want but that's how I feel. Playing dress up and midnight screenings are not important to the movie going experience.

I sort of equate it to people dressing up for comic conventions and the such. I don't do it, but lots of people seem to get a real kick out of it so I can see how they'd be bummed. As for changing the viewing experience, I'd say no. It'd be like if they banned popcorn and soda. It'd suck but the movie is still the movie.

Yeah, the guy looked creepy as hell. He definitely has some issues, and I really hope they go for the death penalty in this case. However, it'll be up to the victims and their families whether it will be pursued or not.

My first thought was that maybe he was trying to act all crazy so that he could plead non guilty by reason of insanity. I mean the guy was pretty smart...and that might the smartest thing to do in his postion.

[pannoni1]

If someone dresses as Shredder at the next TMNT movie, I'm running away immediately! I was absolutely horrified when I first heard about this, and felt like another piece of freedom is going away. This time, we may have some metal detector on the way to the screen where the guy who checks your tickets are. It proves that there are still easy ways to fool the public, and with the lights out, the vivid sound effects in 5.1 surround, and screaming effects seemingly coming from the film, can be a good bait for allowing a shooting spree. And this occurred in a nice solid middle-class area where experiencing crime is an afterthought. We just have to raise our guards from time to time, because you never know when the villain strikes next.

[sdp]

It's part of the experience, I'd never dress as a character in a movie since i'd feel uncomfortable during it and I'd feel silly, but seeing other fans dressed add to the atmosphere and the excitement. Does it make the movie better than it is? Yeah, that adds a lot to the experience even if it's the same movie. He wasn't even wearing a costume, he was wearing protective gear.

Being afraid of movie theaters after this is just silly, crimes happen all the times, just because a tragedy happens doesn't mean we should restrict freedoms, if it were a huge problem sure but how does this one incident mean we need to implement these restrictions, if anything go after the real problem how he got the ammunition and guns, not a silly costume.

[GK Punk]

Still not seeing how this changes your movie viewing experience. There are tons of ways to drum up charity money. Seen it, done it. So that's not really a deal, especially with comic films.

But if you want to see a movie so bad would not being able to dress up like Ant-man really change that at all? Would it somehow make the movie better? I'm leaning towards no. Say what you want but that's how I feel. Playing dress up and midnight screenings are not important to the movie going experience.

You asked for my opinion on it, I never tried changing yours. You are the one that brought it up. I don't dress up to change your experience, and I don't see why it bothers you that I like to do it.

[The Stryker]

I was asking how does it change YOURS and if it would really change anything about movies if it were banned.

I couldn't care less about cosplayers. For realies.

[MikeandRaph87]

I am a perserver of life,but I want that turd put to death for this! These victims are mostly around my age(most were 23-27) and I can relate to them in so many ways. If not I have a parent the same age as the eldest victim and is a mirroring of something my parent would do for/with me. It hurts me deep down despite never going anywhere near the state of Colorado in my lifetime at this point and not knowing any of the victims or even know someone who knew any of them.I am affected by this and I hope an article is wrong that said that the second line in an entry of Batman would be this shooting much like Watergate is to Richard Nixon. The fact that Bruce's parents were gunned down in the back alley of a theatre makes the whole tragedy that much more disturbing. As the upcoming journalist wrote that night in her blog before she was randomly killed, it makes me think of my own mortality. Live for the moment every day yet be cautious with life at the same time. I feel for them and pray for their peace of afterlife and their loved ones to move forward while honoring the fallen. The victims who were sparred be able to shake the hell they witnessed as well. Milehigh comics is donating 20% of all sales since Chuck's team is only a 20 mile drive from the theatre. So if you need a back issue I ask support the vicitms through Chuck and Milehighcomics within the next ten days or so. I apologize for this tangent but this has really touched my soul due to the ability to connect to the victims and my despise of that turd who killed and injured the innocents.

[BubblyShell22]

He's supposed to be formally charged today. I'm not sure if it'll be covered on TV, but if it is, I'm going to watch it on In Session.

[Jephael]

I was just in Colorado over the past week visiting my cousin out in the mountains, and from what I saw on the news some good has come out of this tragedy. People are banding together to support one another. There was even a group of kids selling lemonade to raise funds for the survivors in the hospital.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

some good has come out of this tragedy. People are banding together to support one another.

It's always that, and I don't know if it's called antything, but there are people who prefer a lot of catastrophes around the world with many deaths, like school massacres, wars, earthquakes, boat and train accidents, not because they think it's fun, but since it brings the world togtether.

[BubblyShell22]

That's awesome, Jeph. It's good that people are coming together and giving their support.

[psych23232323]

Well, I read that it's most likely that Holmes will try an insanity defense. Predictions of insanity debates in this trial are being made.

News says that if the court refuses to hear insanity pleas, then Holmes could face the death penalty.

I knew if he tries to go for not guilty, he would try a "not guilty by mental disease or defect" defense.

[Leo656]

Bullsh*t. They're saying he was schizophrenic. I'm a paranoid schizophrenic, contrary to what many say and hear it's usually a completely manageable disease even without medication. It doesn't, by itself, make a person "criminally insane" and start shooting people. Oh sure, you get thoughts like wouldn't it be somehow "justified" to make other people suffer the same slights and persecution you percieve yourself to have gone through, but it still takes a conscious decision and a will to act before you start hurting people.

I've had "bouts of rage" where I was provoked into getting into fistfights, putting my fist through walls or windows, and in that moment felt helpless as though I was watching someone else do them, and later had no memory of doing them, but that was 100% always in a situation of conflict where I was provoked. Many schizophrenic outbursts have an emotional "trigger" that leads directly to it.

I highly doubt anyone in that theater provoked this guy into what he did. To be found guilty of murder, by law, they need to prove the event was planned in advance and done on purpose, and there seems to be overwhelming evidence to that fact so far. He was NOT "insane". If anything, he was just a punk whose life wasn't going the way he wanted it to, and he decided to pull an "I'll Show Them ALL!" routine.

Waste of a trial. We know he did it, we don't need to know why. Execute him NOW and let justice be done.

[BubblyShell22]

Exactly. He knew what he did was wrong, and he had it all planned out. He's guilty. End of story.

[MikeandRaph87]

Waste of a trial. We know he did it, we don't need to know why. Execute him NOW and let justice be done.

That is the way I feel. Its best to put him to death ASAP and allow the surviving victims and those close to them and the 12 dead to move on. It is too difficult for them if this case drags on like Jared Loughner still 20 months in and not even a court case yet. The judicial system sure has a way of stringing things along for the sake of justice.

[ZariusTwo]

People still think taking a life helps anyone to move on?

[Candy Kappa]

People still think taking a life helps anyone to move on?

Apparently :ohwell:

[psych23232323]

People still think taking a life helps anyone to move on?

I think the only ones who have a say in it are the surviving victims and family members of the ones who lost their lives.

I would want this prick dead but what should matter is the surviving victims and family members, what they want.

Exactly. He knew what he did was wrong, and he had it all planned out. He's guilty. End of story.

This is true. However, he could still try insanity where "he's not competent to stand trial." I remember how the news said during court, he seemed out of it and acting like if he were insane; so it seems like he would try to seem like he's not able to aid in his own defense; which would mean he wouldn't be in trial until he was fit to proceed but he could just keep pretending he's incompetent to avoid the death penalty.

If he does try that, I seriously hope they find out his ruse and get him to face his crimes.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

People still think taking a life helps anyone to move on?

Why shouldn't they? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_McVeigh)

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah because then the jerk who did it can't hurt anyone else. It would help me to move on knowing that he was put to death, and I'm sure a lot of the victims' families feel the same way.

[The Stryker]

Yeah because then the jerk who did it can't hurt anyone else. It would help me to move on knowing that he was put to death, and I'm sure a lot of the victims' families feel the same way.

Help YOU to move on?

From what exactly?

[愛]

Move on from a horrible tragedy. Empathy, my negro.

[BubblyShell22]

Help YOU to move on?

From what exactly?

I meant if it had happened to one of my loved ones. I certainly would feel better knowing that he died. And honestly, I'm all for him getting the death penalty. He doesn't deserve to live.

[The Stryker]

Move on from a horrible tragedy. Empathy, my negro.

Don't use that word with me homie dawg.

I meant if it had happened to one of my loved ones. I certainly would feel better knowing that he died. And honestly, I'm all for him getting the death penalty. He doesn't deserve to live.

See that makes more sense when you put it that way.

[愛]

Don't use that word with me homie dawg.

Does it OFFEND you?

[The Stryker]

Nope. Not at all. You just haven't earned that ish from me is all.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Move on from a horrible tragedy. Empathy, my negro.

I read in the latest The New Yorker magazine that the Unabomber was found in part because he used that word in his writings. No joke.

[Leo656]

What do we do when a dog attacks someone? Put it down, even if the attack wasn't lethal, even though the dog is simply acting on instinct and doing what it thinks it has to do to protect itself. Yet, we put it to death because it's dangerous, because keeping it alive would pose great risk to others. We don't take into consideration that the animal has no idea it did anything wrong.

HUMANS, on the other hand, know right from wrong. They know it's not OK to assault and/or murder people. When they do wrong, it is by CHOICE, not instinct. Thus, they deserve even more severe punishment than a mere animal. The animal has no higher brain function and acts to protect itself; the human makes a conscious decision to hurt people and ruin lives. When humans CHOOSE to become less than animals, we need to treat them no better, in fact we should treat them worse. Because they made a choice to do evil.

Not to sound all corny by paraphrasing a movie, but here it is: "Crime can NOT be tolerated... Criminals mock society's laws... and thrive on society's 'understanding'." I feel very strongly about the punishment of the guilty, and feel that a big part of our problems as a species come entirely from the fact that nothing is "Bad" anymore, everyone is a "Victim", and we no longer believe in punishment of any kind. We're starving ourselves off from over-population, yet we have over-crowded prisons absolutely FULL of people who long ago gave up their right to be part of decent society. Yet we keep them alive in some misguided attempt to prove we're "Better" than they are. Or we convince ourselves that it's not our call, that some invisible man in the sky has more authority than WE do to decide who has the right to breathe on a planet WE inhabit and have to share.

You don't nurture a cancer. You don't coddle it, give it free cable TV and three meals a day for 20-30 years and then just decide what it did to you wasn't that bad after all, and should be forgiven, because it was SO long ago, after all, and surely it's learned something. No, you CUT THE CANCER OUT. Criminals are human cancers, and should be removed quickly, efficiently, and with no remorse. Period. Justice is balance, and someone who's stolen a life from an innocent person doesn't deserve theirs. Killing someone who's a murderer is in no way the same thing, it's called "making the punishment fit the crime".

Maybe if I believed in God I'd feel differently, but since I don't, what I do believe in is Judgment, as swift, harsh, and righteous as it gets. Any sane person would agree that the world would be much better off without these "people" who have made the choice to become lower than animals. What good can EVER come from NOT killing them? Seriously.

And since this specific case has been called "the worst mass-shooting in American history", and many people have been put to death for shooting and killing far fewer people, by that precedent this person's crime is exponentially worse and deserves as severe a punishment as has ever been given. Anything else would be a tragedy, a waste of an opportunity to enforce the textbook definition of "Justice". If we don't kill THIS person, we may as well never execute anyone ever again (BAD idea), and we make ourselves look stupid for executing those whose crimes were far less severe.

There's only one right thing to do here. Why we are even having a trial for this "person" instead of putting him down immediately shows exactly what is wrong with society: Criminals have more right than innocent people do. Enough is f*cking enough. Pull the trigger, throw the switch.

[BubblyShell22]

I totally agree with this point, Leo. However, our society is also based under the assumption that all criminals are innocent until proven guilty. And although there is overwhelming evidence that this man is definitely guilty of the crimes he committed, he will still have to go to trial anyway as that's how our country works. I think he should just be put to death as well. Why give him a fair trial at all when what he did was so unfair to all who suffered for it? But unfortunately, our country doesn't work that way, so we'll just have to go through a meaningless trial to supposedly prove that he's guilty by a jury of his peers.

And I agree about the God thing, too. Why should we let an invisible man in the sky dictate what we do to others? Let's just kill the jerk. He's going to be condemned to hell anyway according to what many believe, so let the f*cker die.

[Leo656]

However, our society is also based under the assumption that all criminals are innocent until proven guilty.

Depends, though, doesn't it? Not to go off-topic or start a flame war/race war/thumb war or anything else, but alot of people sure decided George Zimmerman was guilty in a hurry, didn't they? And he might be, and I might care more, if there haven't been countless cases of minorities murdering white people ever since that the press completely ignores because it's not as "juicy" (and divisive) as "White guy kills unarmed black teenager". People are screaming for him to be killed, guys like Mike Tyson publicly say someone should shoot him, and yet we still don't know exactly what happened, other than the guy DID have injuries consistent with what he told police, which would support his claim of self-defense. His case, in particular, makes a mockery of the legal system because he's still being charged with (second-degree) murder even though you cannot be charged with murder without there being some evidence that you INTENDED to kill someone. There's far more evidence to support that he acted in self-defense.

I'm not saying don't do *any*thing to the guy, a kid died, there needs to be some repercussions, but it's pretty screwed up that 1: Everyone made up their minds he was guilty of "murdering that poor kid" before anything else about the case came out, and 2: If anything, it was a tragic accident, not murder. But my point is, it all kind of throws that whole "Innocent Until Proven Guilty" thing right out the window.

You're right, everyone deserves their side to be heard. That's why the system (supposedly) works. But I think in cases where it's so damn cut-and-dry there needs to be a way to somehow expedite the process. The longer this current one with the movie theater shooter goes on, the more this loser turns into a celebrity and the more money the parasitic media sycophants make off the blood of the victims, which is exactly what they want.

[BubblyShell22]

Yes, I agree with you there, Leo. And the whole Zimmerman thing is all about race anyway. Hell, the guy's Mexican, not white, yet they want to make it out like he racially profiled Trayvon. I believe his story wholeheartedly and feel that he did act in self-defense. Yes, it was unfortunate that Trayvon died, but I would've done the same thing if it had been me. This system is messed up for sure, and it needs to be taken care of quickly with this Colorado shooter, but we know it won't be like that.