Schizophrenic society
Dear Editor:
In response to Brian Marceau’s column on patterns in American gun violence…I like how you addressed the issue of America’s gun violence. Your citing of the U.S. Secret Service study was educational. This is a very complex issue and this study is only a single aspect — the intrapersonal and psychological aspect.
It does not explain why folks with similar psychological profiles in other cultures do not choose to shoot others. The “discomfit” with politicians that you reference is also a major aspect — in so far as American culture places a high value on appearing nice and clean, throwing a tarp over what is ugly and messy, and moving on. The culture itself could be characterized as schizophrenic. When the CNN reporter goes out to interview the neighbor of the shooter, what does the neighbor invariably say? “Oh, he was so ordinary, quiet, nice.”
Keep tackling this kind of subject matter. Make folks uncomfortable. Thanks.
–Todd Broadman
Office Manager, Parking and Transportation Services