US militarism and gun worship contributes to Fort Hood style shootings

Once again the military base of Fort Hood, Texas, had to endure another shocking shooting complete with 3 deaths and 16 wounded.  Specialist Ivan Lopez was the gunman this time. That is ten less than the 13 shot dead in 2009, when Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan decided he would kill American soldiers on behalf of Muslims.

The belief is that Lopez was mentally ill and had served in Iraq.

This time there is reason to believe that Lopez suffered from mental problems rather than this being an act of terrorism.

Lopez was wearing combat fatigues when the event took place.

It’s about time people in this country started to ask themselves if having such a militarized country is worth these senseless deaths that seem to keep re-occurring. First there is the constant adulation and worship of guns. Legislators in Kansas and elsewhere have passed laws to prevent any restrictions by a city or municipality that would affect gun owner ship. Lopez bought the gun legally, there was no reason to believe had any condition that would cause him to lash out at others using his gun—Of course he did. There’s also a worship and adoration of military force to solve international problems for the US. The attitude that the military can solve all problems ads to the desire to use a military action to release tension and solve personal problems.

So this is the price we pay for having a highly militarized society and armed citizens.

The military is about killing people. Guns are carried with the idea of killing people. If we constantly tell people that guns make us free and whole, then people who have mental problems and those who have grudges against some people in society are encouraged to take up arms to be taken seriously.

  

 -សតិវ​ អតុ

From (CNN);

 -- Authorities have identified the man who opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas on Wednesday, killing three people before committing suicide, as Specialist Ivan Lopez.

Sixteen more people were injured Wednesday when he opened fire at Fort Hood, the sprawling Army post in Texas still on edge after a mass shooting there left 13 dead in 2009, officials said.

The gunman also died. He was engaged by military police before he fatally shot himself in the head, said the Army post's commander, Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley.

The suspect, a soldier who had served in Iraq, "had behavioral health and mental health" issues, Milley told reporters late Wednesday.

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