Rant: V-Tech Shootings, Violence, and Paintball
Obviously this V-Tech shooting is a horrible tragedy, and it never should have happened – nothing like that should ever happen. But yet it does, and as I watched the news report the topic of violence in teenage lives inevitably came up. I just rolled my eyes at the discussion unfolding with the host subbing in for Glenn Beck on his show on CNN and the guest speaker.
Right away it jumped straight to violence in video games, TV, movies, media…and yes, they mentioned paintball. Right there on public television broadcasting to millions and millions of viewers tuning in to get the latest report on the incident, and the host says “I just took my son out paintballing for his 12th birthday, and I have to think…how is this contributing to the violence he is exposed to??
It may as well been a slug to the face, because here we are – responsible paintballers -trying our best to make this sport a reality; one that millions can enjoy. I can somewhat tolerate the dumb people who just use it for minor offenses like paintballing school windows or what have you, been when you deliberately categorize paintball as a violence-promoting sport – well that just PISSES ME OFF. Millions of viewers saw that, and I know how the media holds sway over what the people think.
And naturally the argument on firearm bans followed shortly after. Seriously, what good is that going to do? Do you honestly think that a person will forfeit the guns they own to the government? I think not. So what if theoretically it was passed and guns are banned in the United States? That isn’t going to stop the violence and will only make it just somewhat harder for criminals to get their hands on them, but money talks, and for the right price, anything can be bought.
If this trend towards violence is going to change it will have to come straight form the parents. Who else puts more influence on the person that a child will become? I see it all the time at school. The druggies and heavy drinkers all come from a poor family life, most coming form the poorer parts of our city. Perhaps the parents are always out working to support them, or just so tired they can’t constantly keep their eyes on them, but either way something isn’t connecting. I honestly believe that’s where 90% of the problems arise.
Sorry, this was just a rant that built up as I watched the media after this shooting. I’ve had these feelings for awhile, and it feels good to get the word out, and it also feels good to take a stand for violent video games and paintball! I’m an avid fan of both. I play MoHAA, CoD2, BF1942, Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball and dozens of others. I listen to loud, angry music. I watch violent war movies. I’m guilty of every accusation toward violence in a teen’s life…but never will I harm innocent people, never.
Bad parents – I blame you!
April 17th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Bravo, sir! Unfortunately, the media are never going to tell parents they’re raising their kids wrong because they’ll lose them as viewers. I don’t play video games because I don’t like them, and my music tastes run to classical and alt.country, but I’m sick and tired of idiots blaming everything on these external influences. What the parent puts into the kid is way more important.
And from what I’ve read of his family, they’re good, normal people. Going beyond how a family raises a child, sometimes individuals are just going to make decisions to do stuff like this with no apparent external or familial influences.
April 17th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Very true, very true. It’s a shame that so many things go wrong, because correcting one problem area doesn’t mean an end to it.
April 18th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Fear-peddleing is a real problem in this country. While I dont think videogames and movies are totaly blame free in promoting youth violence, I think eliminating them would be like trying to use as toothpick to kill a T-rex. While it might help, its not going to solve the issue by any real means. Spending time with your kids, telling them right from wrong, and letting them know when they screw up is the only sure-fire way to resolve the youth violence epidemic.