At about 12:20 am on Friday 20th July 2012 , a figure dressed in full body armour entered Century 16 theatre in Aurora, Colorado, releasing two gas canisters before proceeding to shoot at the panicked and confused audience watching the latest Batman movie, killing 12 and injuring dozens more. Minutes later, James Eagan Holmes, 24, was arrested in the car park without incident. He is currently being held at the Arapahoe County Jail to await formal charges to be filed on July 30, 2012.
In the ensuing media frenzy, a number of people have debated Holmes's motives for such a shocking attack. Some have said he was addicted to computer games, others have claimed he is schizophrenic and/or mentally ill, some have even gone on to state that secularism, his being single and evolution being taught in schools are valid reasons that explain the event. Of course, some have alluded to his acts being synonymous with being an act of terrorism. But what is terrorism, and is it a fair appraisal of Holmes's actions?
Showing posts with label James Eagan Holmes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Eagan Holmes. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Monday, 23 July 2012
Quick thoughts on the right to bear arms and patriotism in America
Tell me, did James Holmes - who legally bought a heavy arsenal - belong to a well regulated militia?
Laws - at least in principle - are instituted not to limit freedom per se, but to protect the citizenry as a whole from anti-social and deleterious behaviours. Walking into a theatre and letting loose on an unsuspecting and wholly innocent group of movie-goers is anti-social and deleterious behaviour, which is why laws regarding accessibility to firearms needs to be regulated - if not banned outright - to non-regulated militia.
I hear, all the time, from the pro-gun people, how patriotic the right to bear arms is (see final image on this post to see a perfect example of how that 'right' is cherry picked from the actual text in the first image), however, upon even a fragment of constitutional understanding, the patriotism these types espouse is wholly undermined by their narrow views of what the Constitution means to themselves and society as a whole.
It is indefensible by any right-minded, socially functional and truly patriotic American.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
UPDATE X2: The Christian right are lining up on the chopping block
I have noticed a trend. Not one that will come as a surprise to any of my readers, but a trend all the same.
In the aftermath of one disaster or another, right wing conservative Christians like to use the back drop of such events to push their own agenda on the emotions of a raw and vulnerable citizenry.
Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson have been the most prolific offenders over the years, but today it seems there is no end to the line of crazies that want to blame the Batman theatre shootings on something that they oppose for completely unrelated reasons.
They wilfully put their necks out on these matters, it is up to us to deliver the punishment when they are proven guilty of peddling bullshit on the backs of other's misfortune and grief.
Here is a list of the 'real' reasons James Eagan Holmes shot dead 12 people and injured dozens more, as presented by the defilers of decency before the facts are in.
In the aftermath of one disaster or another, right wing conservative Christians like to use the back drop of such events to push their own agenda on the emotions of a raw and vulnerable citizenry.
Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson have been the most prolific offenders over the years, but today it seems there is no end to the line of crazies that want to blame the Batman theatre shootings on something that they oppose for completely unrelated reasons.
They wilfully put their necks out on these matters, it is up to us to deliver the punishment when they are proven guilty of peddling bullshit on the backs of other's misfortune and grief.
Here is a list of the 'real' reasons James Eagan Holmes shot dead 12 people and injured dozens more, as presented by the defilers of decency before the facts are in.
Free James Holmes - The Petition Site. DAFUQ?
Free James Holmes - The Petition Site
This has got to be some sort of sick joke. They don't even give a reason for their calls to have him released.
Oh, and let's not forget those that believe so strongly in the American Criminal Justice System, and their claims that they don't believe in the death penalty.
37Mr░C░L░A░R░K░E░█™ 26Robert K. Burnham
I am a big believer in the American Criminal Justice system, but why waste one taxpayer dime on #JamesHolmes ?Just take him out & shoot him.
Then there are those that wish to jump on the back of this horrific event to push their own agendas before we know what his motives were.
44Sarah Wadood Khan
and I second You ! Rt | @ProudPakistanii I, hereby, declare#JamesHolmes a terrorist!!!
37Shaheed BalochHassan
"@SarahKhanAzeemi: and I second You ! Rt | @ProudPakistanii I, hereby, declare #JamesHolmes a terrorist!!!"
46Heber Brown, III
So it begins. The Associated Press works to reinforce the dominant narrative of White men in America. #JamesHolmes
46Heber Brown, III
U.S. media will work feverishly to humanize #JamesHolmes isolate his actions & separate his behavior from the dominant White Male image
Then there are the real wingnuts.
57Rev. Keith Roberts
The Aurora Colorado "batman shooter" didn't have a girlfriend as he was likely to be homosexual. Homosexuals r VERY angry people.#LGBTfacts
57Rev. Keith Roberts 57Rev. Keith Roberts
If the Aurora Batman shooter had've had a JOB he wouldn't have been in the predicament he was in! 12 lives lost thnx to@BarackObama. #tcot
57Rev. Keith Roberts
Libs want gun control but fail to relize crazies who want to kill will get a gun if they rely want one. Libs r endangering ALL our lives.
16Warren 57Rev. Keith Roberts
I love my God, I love my Guns and I love my Guts.
57Rev. Keith Roberts
Barack HUSSEIN Obama is directly responsible for the#theatreshooting. He is creating an atmosphere of hostility. IMPEACH THE NIGGER. #tcot
57Rev. Keith Roberts
Pathetic libs will no doubt try to ban guns off the back of the Aurora Colorado shooting. #Come4MyGunAndSeeWhatHappens #tcot#gop #teaparty
Seriously? What is wrong with people?
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