Comments about ‘Jay Evensen: Aurora massacre leaves us once again searching for elusive answers’

Does anyone seriously doubt that the violence depicted in movies and the ease of acquiring this type of weaponry contribute to tragedies like this one? Do we care enough to do something about it?

I have to say that I have a lot of respect for Jay Evenson after reading this column because I remember how bad I felt after the Columbine HS murders and how that affected me. I must admit that I have become somewhat jaded to this sort of event (not that I don't feel tremendous sympathy for the victims and their families). It's a horrible thing but from reading this I can tell that it still affects Mr Evenson just as deeply as Columbine- truly a better man than I. Unfortunately we live in a world where evil has always existed. If you don't think Satan is walking amongst us you're living in a dreamworld. Some people are inherently evil. You can't explain it but you sure as heck better realize and expect it.

Copycats.

As we digest and consume the endless media coverage of this act and the perpetrator's picture is posted all over the TV, internet and print media we are just feeding the next psychopath.

We need to just stop.
We can report on the crime and provide some detail.
But let's not publicize the perpetrator.

@ Truthseeker- I don't know if I agree with your point but I definitely have given thought to that angle. You may be 100% correct. I think most people would love to be famous but if you're sane you certainly don't want to be "infamous". Do you actually remember the Va Tech murderer's name? I don't but I'll never forget "Klebold and Harris". I think I would tend to place the blame more on anti-depressant drugs but even if that was a factor I don't see how any sane person could even contemplate killing people that they have no relationship with other than being fellow citizens.

@Red state
Sane people don't do stuff like this. Killing yourself is more sane than this. Killing your parents is more sane than this. This is the worst kind of crime there is. You aren't even aiming directing your anger at someone who harmed you. This is man turned his back on humanity. He's literally an animal.

It is apparent that violence begets violence. Copycatting is real, and the media coverage is aiding and abetting these sick individuals that cannot be called people. If good stories had greater coverage and these stories merely stated a few facts and no photos, this acitivity would be less appealing to the mentally sick "animals."

To quote the wonderful Fred Rogers:

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say,
'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'
To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that
THERE ARE STILL SO MANY HELPERS -- SO MANY CARING PEOPLE IN THE WORLD."

Some have suggested we should simply ban the possession and manufacturing of firearms in this country.

My polite response would be, "You are aware the possession and manufacturing of cocaine is already illegal in this country. Does that mean we don't have a cocaine problem here?"

Not only that, countries like Canada have strict guns laws, but that didn't stop the June 2nd shooting in a Toronto mall in which two people were killed and a half dozen were injured.

And what about bombings in places that already have strict gun laws? London in 2005 and Madrid in 2004.

Earlier this year, two kids planned to set off a bomb at Roy High School during an assembly. What do the gun control people say about this?

Fact is, when people want to kill they will find a way. It's heartbreaking, but it's true.