You have all heard the story by now, Joseph Andrew Stack, 53-year-old software engineer, flew a small airplane into the Echelon Building in Austin Texas. Stack targeted this building because it housed IRS offices. Stack, in a six-page manifesto, stated he was furious at the IRS and did this evil act as some sort of revenge. Stack had published his manifesto and set fire to his home just before going on his crazy mission.
Acts like this are becoming far too common as of late, crazy people venting their rage and frustrations on the public at large. Sometimes it takes the form of a shooting like Amy Bishop did or sometimes it is an act like Stark’s. Whatever the means are the intent is always the same; take out as many innocent people as possible.
Unfortunately, too many of us are willing to look at the same excuses, conservative talk radio, gun control, government oppression, bullying, etc. I think those reasons actually hide something deeper. I think there is something deeper, something in our culture that makes these kinds of mass killings the answer to these crazy people.
Over the years there has been a coursing of our culture. You see it everyday here in cyberspace on the comment boards. You see it when people lash out with attacks rather than have a simple debate or discussion. You see it when it becomes OK to joke about the disabled. You see it in the countless YouTube videos where young people savage each other and record it with pride. You see it in our rabid consumption of violent movies.
For the sane and the stable, we can easily put this coarseness in perspective or resist falling into the trap of doing so ourselves, but what about the unstable amongst us? How are they to cope with the coarseness of society? Is this what drives them to these acts? I am not sure, but I think it is time we start exploring that avenue, rather than the old ones.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Fox News
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11 comments:
The political class in this country is virtually at war with the people of the united States. We should not be surprised when people fight back.
Well-written! Thanks for your good work, day in and day out.
The culture indeed has turned coarse on us, and it has been happening gradually for some years now.
Lots of frustration out there! And, we're in for a tough sled for a few years, because math is math. Our ranting doesn't alter math.
So, in the meantime, why don't we view this as an opportunity to make life better and more decent for the people closest to us? Starting where we are?
If we begin to reshape the culture in that direction, maybe in time the economy and political life will assume a better shape as well.
Just thinking out loud...
Part of it is a numbers game. The U.S. population has grown from about 200 million in 1980 to over 300 million today. Just as the population has increased, so has the number of imbalanced people increased.
Secondly, religion has become less important to people. It's often even mocked. When people stop aspiring to live life according to God's will, they live their life according to state determined rules. That leaves many people feeling soul-less and with a frustrated life. Empty vessels.
Third, 100 years ago news was reported and distributed almost exclusively by newspapers. Newspapers had to appeal to a broad readership base. Now we've got radio, network TV, cable, blogs, etc. I see people write blog posts and people comment on blogs that they would never say to a person's face. I think that contributes to the coarseness you write about and lowers the bar for decency.
My two cents.
--SCOTT
The same story as in other sites but I must say that this story is very well done. You really put your insights in what the current world is facing right now!
Taking out innocent people to get revenge is really not an excuse! Joseph or any other person doesn't have any right to do these things!
concerned:
I wouldn't go as far as to say the political class is a war with the people. What I would say is that the political class is 100% self serving and are using our tax dollars to enrich themselves.
Old South:
You should think out loud more often. You are right that we need to start working on making America a kinder and gentler place.
I read on another blog where someone posted that we have become callous to each other. That is the best description I have heard yet.
Scott:
Secondly, religion has become less important to people. It's often even mocked. When people stop aspiring to live life according to God's will, they live their life according to state determined rules. That leaves many people feeling soul-less and with a frustrated life. Empty vessels.
I could not agree more with this part. I have noticed that when people do not believe in a power higher than themselves, they tend to justify almost anything in order not to feel bad about their actions.
Chelle:
Thank you. You are right, taking innocent life is the true evil here. Blaming Stark's actions on politics is completely missing the point.
I'm appalled. His letter explaining his actions was written eloquently -- he was a smart man, but this move is inexcusable. It's selfish, killed lives, and really saddened the heart of Austin, moreover, America.
He was a very intelligent man that had strong beliefs. Though the route he took was not smart. The route he took turned him into a murderer and there is no way to justify what he did.
Why don't we view this as an opportunity to make life better and more decent for the people closest to us?
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