Tim Bean
7/20/2012
Today’s article was to be about the LIBOR scandal that is unfolding in the banking sector, however in light of the recent shooting tragedy in Aurora, during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, I don’t think anyone here really gives two hoots about another bank scandal right now. So, I think I will push the LIBOR thing off until sometime this weekend, maybe tomorrow.
Now, I know I am going to catch some grief over what I am about to say, and all I ask is for you to believe me when I say that I am not trying to minimize, or cheapen the tragedy in Aurora. It is horrible, despicable, and quite honestly a chicken shit move by the gunman. I have no sympathy for anyone who takes the lives of innocent people, regardless of their motives. Those motives, whatever they maybe, are the excuses of a weak and sick mind, plain and simple and nothing can justify opening fire on and taking the lives of people who have done you no harm and pose no harm to you. That being said, there are some things that are hitting the newswires that leave me shaking my head. So, in an attempt at being a little more rational, which might get me in some hot water with some people, I will try and address some of those things.
First off is this article by the Associated Press, entitled “Parallels Between the Film and the Shooting,” umm, okay, but I have to ask what is the point of this article? How does pointing out the parallels do, or solve anything, other than simply enflaming already sensitive emotions and maybe causing a kneejerk reaction towards protesting and or boycotting this movie, if not an outright pulling of it from theaters. Please do not equate this with me saying that I value this movie, or any other movie, more than the lives lost in Colorado. I am not saying this at all, I am simply asking why point out the parallels in an open ended article that can lead some people to draw conclusions that somehow it is the movie’s fault for this tragedy. I will say it again, while we do not currently know what the gunman’s motives are, they are the excuses of an irrational and sick individual, not the fault of this film, or any other; parallels or not.
The other thing that leaves me scratching my head is the suspension of both Mitt Romney’s and President Obama’s campaigns following this tragedy. I am not saying that their decision is wrong, quite the opposite actually. I think they should be commended for pausing their campaigns in light of this. The head scratcher for me is how come there was no suspension of their campaigns following the shootings that took place in Chicago earlier this month? Was that somehow a lesser tragedy? Hell, it is President Obama’s hometown, and I don’t think he even addressed it once, and there were children who were shot too. Again, while it is the right, honorable, and respectful thing to do, the suspension of their campaigns following this act of cowardice, but to me it also seems a little duplicitous that a similar respect wasn’t given to the victims in Chicago.
I hope I didn’t offend anyone too much, in all sincerity my intent was not to offend, or make light of a horrible event. Please keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers and please try not to take anyone or anything for granted.
Thank You,
Tim
Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it. ~ Author Unknown
