With the ever widening reality of home grown terrorism of religious and political fanatics of all ideological stripes, we are witnessing more and more victims of terrorism and gun violence, and many of the survivors are left with a lifetime disability, but added onto by unbelievable medical and rehabilitation costs that many cannot handle, and just add to their suffering and emotional turmoil.
The loss of loved ones who have died must also be considered as something that needs to be understood and considered, so therefore, there is a need for a compensation system for victims who are survivors–whether from Virginia Tech, the Tucson shopping center, the Aurora movie theater, the Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Boston Marathon shootings, or any other terrorist or criminal act similar to these in the future.
All of us who are fortunate enough to be able to avoid such tragic circumstances must understand that it is the job of government to be compassionate to victims of crimes, as there “but for the grace of God go I”, even if one is not religious!
The price of terrorism and gun crimes is that we, who avoid those circumstances, must help to pay for and support those who have lost loved ones, or those who live on and suffer for the rest of their lives, while we go about our business!
The price of terrorism must be shared by everyone, and if anyone disagrees, that says a lot about their so called “patriotism”!
I agree. That is why I find it repugnant that our politicians and the establishment bureaucracy steal our hard earn money , that we pay in taxes, with such wasteful spending and corruption. That is why I find it despicable that there are over $19 BILLION minimum in government waste, that is 6 times the budget for the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the FBI for example. That is why I oppose the idea that Americans should give more money to politicians and bureaucrats. When these people throw away in this manner the hard earn money of American workers they are demonstrating that they don’t give a damn for those that need circumstantial help and for all of those that suffer due to horrible events. They just care about their pockets and friends.
Great post Professor! 🙂
Juan,
I agree to disagree with your post.
Leia: Of course you would. As a liberal you don’t care if politicians waste and steal our money, all you care about in just another excuse for more taxes.
The waste is coming from the Republicans and their support of the military-industrial complex that Eisenhower warned against.
Leia:Defense spending was over 9% of GDP in 1970, while under Bush, war included, it was below 5% and today with Obama its barely below 6% of GDP. What are you talking about?? http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1970_2013USp_14s1li111lcn_30f_20th_Century_Defense_Spending
What am I talking about?
This: http://www.winningprogressive.org/we-have-a-military-spending-problem
Does anyone find it hypocritical that President George W. Bush’s war on terrorism doesn’t extend, all these years later, to fighting terrorists on American land who use guns to mass-murder and injur people (especially in public venues)?
Fighting terrorism, in other countries, was deemed important. But doing that in the U.S. must absolutely take a back seat to the contination of further enriching the gun-manufacturing industry for both product and profit.
Note to Juan’s: On your first response post, I have these two words for you: rigged system.
D, you are right on the mark, as usual. I really appreciate your common sense, rational way of looking at issues, much more than others on here sometimes display!
The Intelligence Community is guided by the definition of terrorism contained in Title 22 of the US Code, Section 2656f(d):
– The term “terrorism” means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents.
– The term “international terrorism†means terrorism involving the territory or the citizens of more than one country.
– The term “terrorist group†means any group that practices, or has significant subgroups that practice, international terrorism.
This definition is easier to comprehend : The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.
I don’t believe that Columbine, Aurora, or Sandy Hook or any other mass shootings carried out by deranged nut-jobs that should have been institutionalized fits the bill. On the other hand the Fort Hood shooting clearly does, but the Obama administration didn’t want Major Hassan, a Muslim radical, accused of Islamic terrorism, (it’s just not politically correct) thus the Obama administration cataloged it as “workplace violence”.
Since the goal of terrorists is to inflict terror upon an innocent populace, it is fitting to call the actions of mass shooters terrorism.