San Bernadino

[glatt]

We've got, what? 7 Billion people on this planet?

On every single day, since the beginning of time, if you look hard enough, you are going to be able to find something horrific going on somewhere. People being devastated. Every single day. Today, the media broadcasts it without you having to look for it.

But if you look around your own life, your own town, everything is pretty damn good. I mean, sure. We all have health issues sooner or later, or loved ones die or get sick. But on the balance, I'd rather live this life and enjoy it, even with some suffering thrown in now and then, than always worrying about that day's horrific thing happening somewhere else. Especially when there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

[Clodfobble]

I wish I could find the well-referenced article about how we (worldwide) genuinely live in the most peaceful of times in the whole history of the planet. The frequency with which human beings have always slaughtered each other is really quite astounding. Of course it doesn't mean that this isn't a tragedy or that we should stop trying to improve, but it can help at least a little to know that we are still on the right path, if moving slowly on it. Like, we got out of the handbasket, at least.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I read a piece last night claiming as unemployment goes up, violent crime goes down.

Rather counter intuitive to me but maybe criminals prefer the ghetto where there's less chance of cops interrupting their enterprise, and when unemployment is up less people have two cents to steal? I don't know.

[Clodfobble]

I think maybe a lot of violent crime is jealousy-driven. If everyone has a job except you, there's no escaping the mental voice pointing out that it must be your fault you don't have a job. That cognitive dissonance hurts, makes you angry, makes you want to hurt your neighbor and take the stuff that you feel like should have been rightfully yours. But if all your neighbors are struggling too, you have to look farther away for a target of jealousy. And it's a lot harder to violently rob the lords and ladies in the manor on the hill.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Hmm, I wonder what the effect of unemployment is on infidelity? Got the time but no money to woo somebody's spouse, That might lower the violent part of crime.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Hmm, I wonder what the effect of unemployment is on infidelity?

With more unemployment, then more entrepreneurs start their own business. With a resulting increase in whores, then a need to rape decreases. Crime violate crimes decrease.

Is that not obvious?

[Clodfobble]

Plus, if you have a job, you can sneak off from the office for a nooner BJ with your wife none the wiser. If you're home on the couch all day unable to get a job, you're going to have to explain yourself every time you want to leave the house.

[sexobon]

The plot thickens ...

F.B.I. Treats San Bernardino Attack as Possible Terrorism Case

... The married couple ...

... The suspects, Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, are believed to have opened fire inside the Inland Regional Center on Wednesday. In addition to the 14 people killed, the authorities now say 21 were injured, four more than originally said. ...

... Mr. Farook, a United States citizen, was born in Illinois to Pakistani immigrant parents. Family members said he had been a devout Sunni Muslim ...

... Law enforcement officials said the F.B.I. had uncovered evidence that Mr. Farook was in contact over several years with extremists domestically and abroad, including at least one person in the United States who was investigated for suspected terrorism by federal authorities in recent years. ...

... Farook visited Pakistan last year, and that he and Ms. Malik entered the United States from Pakistan in July 2014. She traveled on a Pakistani passport and entered the United States on a K-1 visa, a 90-day visa given to fiancés planning to marry Americans. The couple applied on Sept. 30, 2014, for a permanent resident green card for Ms. Malik, which requires passing pass criminal and national security background checks using F.B.I. and Department of Homeland Security databases, and she was granted a conditional green card in July 2015. ...

No Lamplighter so somebody should cherry-pick this...

Yes, I know. I have cherry picked items for this post. ~ Lamplighter

[lumberjim]

Shouldn't have to say it all again.
The universe is hostile. so Impersonal. devour to survive.
So it is. So it's always been.

We all feed on tragedy
It's like blood to a vampire

Vicariously I, live while the whole world dies
Much better you than I

[Griff]

Under the heading "Twisting the Narrative to Suit Me" my bacefook feed this am blames the trend of moving people with disabilities from State Hospitals to Community based housing for mass shootings.

[xoxoxoBruce]

If you think Americans are blasé over another shooting...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —It was a scary scene at Kirtland Air Force Base Wednesday afternoon. Men in tactical gear and Humvees could be seen after phone calls were made to base security officials regarding an active shooter. Base officials say those reports came in around 2:30 p.m.
Someone said they thought they heard shots being fired near a building on the west side of the base. A precautionary lockdown was initiated.
One airman who spoke with Action 7 News said he was concerned, but the base is prepared for such emergencies. Around 3:15 p.m. the base lifted the lockdown, saying security personnel found no threat to the base.

On Thursday, the base said the scare was sparked by someone popping heavy duty bubblewrap.

[sexobon]

What a tragedy that the Muslim son of Muslim Immigrants and his Muslim Immigrant wife ruined the reputations of Muslims, Immigrants, the US Immigration screening process and all those who support such immigration, by killing a bunch of people in San Bernardino when all they had to do was pop some heavy duty bubblewrap to terrorize people.

We shall have to make it law that all immigrants be issued heavy duty bubblewrap.

[tw]

Egyptians encased in bubble paper? A 21st Century mummy? I thought importing mummies was illegal.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Base security gets a call somebody heard three pops. They have to respond, even if it's just a paranoid airman, as a matter of fact they probably hope that's the case. But a lot of people are on edge. Not me, I'm as low value target as they come.

[sexobon]

Now, being covered in heavy duty bubblewrap will constitute wearing assault-style clothing.