Arizona Rep. Giffords' shooter called very disturbed.

[Presley Cannady]

You would not be wrong. You would be right. Radical thoughts on the left and the right can act as triggering events when dealing with disturbed individuals.

So can Jodie Foster.

[slapout9]

So can Jodie Foster.

Sure can. That is why the stalking element is so prevalent in these types of cases. They begin to obsess on certain people.

[J Wolfsberger]

Sure can. That is why the stalking element is so prevalent in these types of cases. They begin to obsess on certain people.

Agreed. Which leads to: Are there, or should there be, any law enforcement protocols for how those behaviors trigger an in depth investigation or evaluation of threat potential?

[slapout9]

Agreed. Which leads to: Are there, or should there be, any law enforcement protocols for how those behaviors trigger an in depth investigation or evaluation of threat potential?

There are such protocols but as the Arizona Sheriff said yesterday the traditional route from long ago would have been to refer them to mental health and possible long term incarceration. But money for such programs no longer exist(started with Regan and has been building for some time) and that is a huge part of the problem and with the mood in DC to cut budgets the situation will likely get worse.

[91bravojoe]

Substantial air of disreality certainly manifest here. There is NO COMPARISON between what the left(whatever that means in America) and the right have said. Review the explicitness in this list:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmem...10.php?ref=fpa

If you broaden out a little, you plow into actual conduct, involving hundreds of incidents and 8 actual murders:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence

Show me the 'left' involvement in that multi-decade history.

On the other hand, here's an opportunity to spiff up your wardrobe:

http://www.zazzle.com/tea_party_rall...26866986316482

Currently in stock.

[IntelTrooper]

Substantial air of disreality certainly manifest here. There is NO COMPARISON between what the left(whatever that means in America) and the right have said. Review the explicitness in this list:

You can proof text all day, but you still haven't addressed the widely-reported description of the shooter as a leftist and deeply disturbed -- beyond the reach of any particular political rhetoric.

Show me the 'left' involvement in that multi-decade history.

Just off the top of my head...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbionese_Liberation_Army

[Ken White]

"And as I said earlier, the bottom line is that this is not a political discussion board -- so while a brief unbiased comment on political ramifications is acceptable, even desirable, we should save the leaning in either direction politics for elsewhere. That means NOT 'intending' to provoke politically biased responses.

Thanks."

I asked nicely. Opinions on either side of this argument certainly exist among people who frequent this Board, however, most know that purely political discussions do not belong here. Please move any further comments to a political board and let's drop it here. I'd hate to lock this thread due to ideologically based comments that belong elsewhere.

[Fuchs]

You can proof text all day, but you still haven't addressed the widely-reported description of the shooter as a leftist (...)

I do obviously not watch U.S. news all day, but I recall having read that the "leftist" description originates from Fox news and was criticised for being partisan propaganda. I watch CNN International when I'm bored (it doesn't help against that condition, though) and so far they didn't associate him with either wing - nor did German media so far afaik.

The guy had according to reports both marxist and fascist titles in his favourite books list.

It's likely best to completely ignore the topic for a month, skip all those preliminary (and often wrong) info in the meantime. Then in a month when people have calmed down we can read up somewhat robust info on the topic and form an opinion in a calm situation.