The work of a madman
The accused Colorado gunman appears in court Monday. AP Photo
The suspect in Friday’s horrific shooting at a Colorado movie theater appeared in court today and didn’t speak a word. Police have said he isn’t speaking while in their custody, either, so it could be some time before we learn whether there was any kind of motivation for the man charged with murdering (as of now) 12 people and wounding dozens more.
My rule of thumb in these cases, absent any evidence, is to begin by assuming they are the work of madmen with thoughts and beliefs unthinkable to the vast, vast majority of us. Until investigators and reporters closer to the situation uncover more about the accused, I would argue that’s a good working basis for all of us.
At Hot Air, Mary Katharine Ham has compiled an excellent series of brief sketches from various news outlets about the 12 who have died so far (there are others with life-threatening wounds), complete with photos. I’m struck that survivors said five of the 12 died protecting others, including two soldiers and a Navy veteran who gave their lives.
***
This post is rather late in the day and pretty brief, and there are reasons for that. Among other things, I have a family funeral to attend tomorrow and two speaking engagements soon afterward for which I need to prepare today. I plan to post something tomorrow morning, but it may be a couple of days before I’m blogging on a regular schedule again. Thanks in advance for your patience, and please try to keep it clean on the comment threads in the meantime.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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261 comments Add your comment
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:24 pm
Focusing on the political angle for a minute, are there any opinions about how the two candidates responded to the tragedy?? If I were President, I would have likely taken a bit more distant approach. Seems a but false to make the victims your best friends all of a sudden.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:25 pm
GT
Are you the same guy on Jeff Shultz’s blog arguing with people about the Bible?
brad
July 23rd, 2012
4:25 pm
@ Logic: I think you missed the point of his post. He’s calling for a severe punishment. As to taxpayer dollars, it’s been demonstrated that the cost of a death penalty exceeds that of life w/o parole. Not that I don’t think it is well-deserved in this case.
Oblama
July 23rd, 2012
4:26 pm
I will no longer mention this coward murderer by name…… what he did is inhuman and should dealt with like a pit bull that attacks a child.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:26 pm
“If I were President, I would have likely taken a bit more distant approach. ”
But he can’t. The guy has to make everything about himself. For instance, instead of talking about the victims, he goes off about how his own daughters could have been in that movie theater. He just doesn’t have any common sense.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:27 pm
” As to taxpayer dollars, it’s been demonstrated that the cost of a death penalty exceeds that of life w/o parole.”
So a single bullet costs millions of dollars? Geez, what kind of bullet would cost more than life in prison?
curious
July 23rd, 2012
4:27 pm
I love how libs always blame the wrong thing. Heck, more people are killed by cars than guns every year but we never hear libs cry “ban cars now.”
We need to ban certain people from having guns, just like we ban some people from driving.
Ignoring the problem is akin to the ignoring the 9/11 gang learning to fly but not being interested in learning how to land.
Tipoff?
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:27 pm
Dude, if I see a camera, I turn and go the other way. Somebody else can have 30 seconds of fame, ’cause I don’t want my 15.
I was on the show “Real People” back in 1980 after they came to my college to film a segment. I missed the actual broadcast, but folks said I was entertaining.
brad
July 23rd, 2012
4:28 pm
Well, Logic, that’s just not the way it works in our country.
HOT AIR
July 23rd, 2012
4:29 pm
When considering punishment you can’t just do what is just cost effective in this case……. the victims deserve J U S T I C E.
Just saying..
July 23rd, 2012
4:30 pm
Sorry for your loss, Kyle.
Hillbilly D
July 23rd, 2012
4:31 pm
“If I were President, I would have likely taken a bit more distant approach.”
I probably would have but I think a President is pretty much damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t, when things like this happen. I pretty much give them a pass on it.
Tealiban Party
July 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:21 pm
Or we could outlaw insane people. I vote for outlawing insane people.
What a “logical” solution to preventing such tragedies as these.
Thank you
July 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama’s decision to meet with the families of victims of the Colorado shooting was “the right thing.”
The Republican presidential candidate spoke to donors in San Francisco Sunday night at roughly the same time Obama consoled grieving families in Aurora, Colo. A gunman opened fire in a crowded movie theater there early Friday, killing 12 and wounding scores more.
Romney said he appreciates the president’s actions Sunday. And he generally avoided partisan attacks, declining to go after Obama by name “in keeping with the seriousness of the day.”
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:33 pm
We need to ban certain people from having guns, just like we ban some people from driving.
Kind of tough in this case, curious, since the suspect had no prior criminal record.
I’m a strong supporter of gun rights, but also support reasonable limitations on the number of rounds per clip. Not to second-guess anyone there, but you have to wonder why someone didn’t try to tackle the shooter while he was reloading.
G.I. Joe
July 23rd, 2012
4:33 pm
We need reform …… 3 months to trial, three months to appeal and three months to a timely EXECUTION of the sentence – not 18 years on death row torturing the victim’s and their families waiting for justice.
Jimmy62
July 23rd, 2012
4:34 pm
Far more people died of car accidents that day. And probably far more died of alcohol-related issues. 1. Why aren’t we making cars illegal? A crazy man with a car could easily kill a lot of people by driving in to a farmer’s market or something. 2. Why aren’t we making alcohol illegal?
Did you know that 14 people died in a truck accident in Texas that same day, yet no one is talking about them, and no one is talking about restricting Constitutional rights because of it.
And far more people die from the drug war each day. If only the anti-gun crowd would focus on preventing deaths by doing things that not only don’t restrict our rights, but actively help people, the world would be a better place.
The NRA, to my knowledge, has never killed anyone. But a lot of people have died as a result of governments restricting their inalienable rights.
Thank you
July 23rd, 2012
4:35 pm
Obama no prize for sure.
With that said, some of the very people who were angered when Bush was attacked for nonsense, do the same with Obama.
Hypocrisy on both sides. If anyone on the left or right can’t see it, not much help for you.
Jimmy62
July 23rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Bruno: Dark theatre, chaos… Probably not that easy to figure out in the middle of it what was going on and who was doing it. Out of all the mass shootings in recent years, this is the one I’m not saying, “If only someone there had a gun.” It was too dark and chaotic, and I would think a responsible concealed carry holder wouldn’t want to draw in that environment for fear of shooting innocents. Unlike the more open and well-lit places where these massacres have happened in the past.
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:37 pm
I probably would have but I think a President is pretty much damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t, when things like this happen. I pretty much give them a pass on it.
I guess if it brings gratification to the families, then I can’t be against it. If I had a family member there, however, I would likely resent any politicians who tried to bandwagon the event. Let them grieve privately.
Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama’s decision to meet with the families of victims of the Colorado shooting was “the right thing.”
If he disagreed with it, Thank You, do you really think he would say so publicly??
HOT AIR
July 23rd, 2012
4:39 pm
Remember when Rosie O’Donnell screeched at Magnum P.I. on the Letterman Show because he was a member of the N.R.A? Later it was revealed that she owned guns herself and her bodyguards carried guns. Ban the sale of guns to all that openly oppose gun ownership rights. That’s a good starting point. I would also ban guns ownership to convicted felons, drug addicts and those found to be legally mentally ill.
Thank you
July 23rd, 2012
4:40 pm
Bruno
Be as cynical as you feel the need to be. It does not matter outside of your own personal world. Romney said what he said and that is it.
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:41 pm
Bruno: Dark theatre, chaos… Probably not that easy to figure out in the middle of it what was going on and who was doing it.
Again, Jimmy62, not really second-guessing since I wasn’t there. However, it seems like it would take a little time to shoot 71 people.
Remembering again a couple of heroes (heroines) from the Norway tragedy:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2021594/Norway-massacre-Lesbians-save-40-children-Anders-Behring-Breivik-Utoya.html
Just my opinion, but shame on the mainstream media for not publishing their story sooner.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:42 pm
“What a “logical” solution to preventing such tragedies as these.”
Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Columbine. All tragedies that could have been prevented.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:43 pm
“But a lot of people have died as a result of governments restricting their inalienable rights.”
Chicago has the strictest gun ban in the nation and highest gun crime in the country. Ironic isnt it.
Thank you
July 23rd, 2012
4:43 pm
Bruno
Be honest, some of the same people saying it is all political would be on his a$$ for being insensitive had he not gone.
As HillBilly D said, damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Obama like Bush can break wind and their opponents go into psychotic fits.
Skip
July 23rd, 2012
4:43 pm
Bruno, the families will be on TV every chance they get. No different than most these days.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 23rd, 2012
4:44 pm
It’s a shame but this dude will die of old age in the loony bin.
Illegal Immigrant
July 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm
It is O.K. for the President to attend a tragedy such as this. Like when Bush responded to 9/11. Looked good for the President too…. looked like a leader on national T.V.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm
“Obama like Bush can break wind and their opponents go into psychotic fits.”
Fast and Furious. Nuff said.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm
“Like when Bush responded to 9/11. ”
Bush never said “my daughters could have been on those planes.”
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:46 pm
Bruno, the families will be on TV every chance they get. No different than most these days.
Skip–Maybe I’m old-school, but I value privacy. What ever happened to good old-fashioned dignity??
md
July 23rd, 2012
4:47 pm
“In March 2006, Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, an Iranian-American, intentionally, as he confessed, hit people with a sport utility vehicle on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to “avenge the deaths of Muslims worldwide” and to “punish” the United States government. While no one was killed in the attack, nine people were injured (none seriously).”
The fact that there were no deaths was an element of luck. Had there been deaths involved, would those calling for bans also wish to ban cars?
Had that kid walked into the theater with a can of gasoline and a lighter, would there be calls to ban gasoline?
Evil does as it pleases for the most part……sometimes we get lucky and stop it before it occurs. More often than not, we respond to it vs prevent it. Police respond to crime scenes, they don’t prevent them.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:48 pm
The guy in the photo looks like Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots.
Thank you
July 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
“Fast and Furious. Nuff said.”
What? Turn off your shallow partisanship for a moment. I was not defending Obama nor Bush. Simply stating that babies on the left and right cry no matter what the President does or doesn’t do. But if the shoe fits, wear it and have a tissue or two as well.
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
It’s a shame but this dude will die of old age in the loony bin.
Too bad he’s not a bit nicer looking. Other mass murderers like Manson and Ted Bundy reportedly attract a large female following. What’s up with that??
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
md
To libs, only white Christian males can do evil. Muslims are never wrong. See: JamVet.
G.I. Joe
July 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
This was planned out premeditated murder…. the insanity plea won’t fly here. Good thing it’s not in L.A. however where P.C. is taken to the extreme. Also, he is a white guy so Jessie Jackson won’t get involved.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:50 pm
“I was not defending Obama nor Bush. Simply stating that babies on the left and right cry no matter what the President does or doesn’t do. But if the shoe fits, wear it and have a tissue or two as well.”
Ok. My bad.
Thank you
July 23rd, 2012
4:50 pm
“What ever happened to good old-fashioned dignity??”
Still around. With the internet and 24 hour news it allows more attention seekers to come out of the woodwork than ever before.
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:51 pm
The guy in the photo looks like Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots.
Can’t resist a lead-in like that, Logic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dRq0MOfPAo
Used to play this one at full blast in the 90s ^^^^^^
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
4:52 pm
Still around. With the internet and 24 hour news it allows more attention seekers to come out of the woodwork than ever before.
Good point. Thank you, Thank You.
JamVet
July 23rd, 2012
4:54 pm
Logic, methinks you need to change your name.
Desperately…
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
4:57 pm
“Used to play this one at full blast in the 90s ”
Still do. Love that song.
md
July 23rd, 2012
4:58 pm
My intent in posting was not to point out the muslim link, but to point out the intentional use of the vehicle. I remember when he did it, but never saw the first person call for a ban……….
JamVet
July 23rd, 2012
4:58 pm
B, thanks.
Did some volunteer work at Chastain Park this past weekend and grinned like the Cheshire cat thinking about all of the stellar shows that I’ve seen there.
Peace to you and PB.
I’ll catch you later…
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
5:00 pm
JamVet
What ever will you do now that Jay has gone on vacation for two weeks? Poor guy needed some rest since his Alma Mater was just crucified on the world stage. Anyhoo, I’m sure his blog will get shut down soon enough when the usual suspects start screaming at each other. I’m also sure you’ll be in the middle of one of those fights.
Let’s see: Will it be a fight about white people, cons or SINGLE PAYER NOW?
You’re too easy, Vet.
Bruno
July 23rd, 2012
5:01 pm
Logic–This STP song might be more germane to the situation, however:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzT8AoOau1Y
Feelin’ uninspired
Think I’ll start a fire
Everybody run
Bobby’s got a gun
Think you’re kinda neat
Then she tells me I’m a creep
Friends don’t mean a thing
Guess I’ll leave it up to me
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
5:01 pm
“Did some volunteer work at Chastain Park t”
Oh, did you go out to give away cat food to the Occupy Wall Street folk? I hope your car didn’t get pooped on.
Logic was never intended for libs
July 23rd, 2012
5:03 pm
Bruno
Good one, but this gets my blood pumpin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA9TVLK1vNs