The responses to shootings and killings within military

[Aunt Sponge]

I put this here because it's a heavy topic and doesn't really fit in anywhere else.

I couldn't help but notice that there's an overwhelming amount of discussion, reporting and response to the shooting yesterday in Ft Hood.

Yet this isn't the first shooting that's happened on a base by a soldier or othe such member of the service.

Yet the responses are completely different, very *null* in situations when it's happened overseas as if the distance and location make it somehow less shocking or hurtful.

Anyone else notice this?

[LittleRed]

I can't think of any shootings at overseas bases at the moment, but I also don't watch the news, and never have.

Personally, I feel more affected by the shootings in the last few days 1) because K's twin brother is stationed at Ft. Hood, and 2) because K is based out of Camp Lejeune. Those two really hit home for me.

I think the media really downplays situations that occur on overseas bases, because I truly can't think of one, and I'm in class so no research for me atm.

[AFBabe9486]

I do not think that it is less shocking or hurtful, but unfortunately people in general do not always see the problem until it's in front of them, which is sad. I am however glad that it is being taking very seriously now, and that people see there is a problem, and hopefully there will be steps taken to stop this from happening in the future, and that such offenses will be taken seriously from now on. It's sad, but a lot of times until something really big happens people don't realize what a problem it is besides those directly involved.

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by Aunt Sponge I put this here because it's a heavy topic and doesn't really fit in anywhere else. I couldn't help but notice that there's an overwhelming amount of discussion, reporting and response to the shooting yesterday in Ft Hood. Yet this isn't the first shooting that's happened on a base by a soldier or othe such member of the service. Yet the responses are completely different, very *null* in situations when it's happened overseas as if the distance and location make it somehow less shocking or hurtful. Anyone else notice this?

When something of this magnitude occurs, of course it's going to be the "talk of the town." This is the worst mass shooting at a U.S. military base, in history. I'd be shocked if there wasn't this much coverage about it.

When Columbine happened, it was all over the media.
When 9/11 occurred, it was nonstop talk.
When VA Tech happened, it was plastered all over tv and such.

Tragedy is tragedy! For the Ft. Hood tragedy to occur, it was unexpected.

I hope that with this tragedy, people will realize that mental illness is running rampant in our nation's military.

[Geotech]

It's different than the tragedies overseas, which we often don't give a second glance, because it becomes more disturbing because people can't write it off, like one does when someone happens overseas, it's each to slot it into the catergory of it's part of the job, it's a far zone, etc etc.

[candypants]

I think that people seem more "immune" (I can't think of a better word) to shootings and violence overseas because it doesn't hit as close to home. So many of us were affected by the shootings yesterday either firsthand, or by knowing people who were stationed there. Yesterday's violence was the worst shooting on a military base, ever. That is a big deal to me. I'm not saying that violence anywhere else isn't as important, but I think that since it happened so close to home for many of us, we feel more connected to it.

[Redfairy200526]

My husband was overseas at the base when the guy went in and shot up the mental office overseas just a few months ago and he was onpost yesterday at his unit not very far away when this all happened. To me this one is more talked about because of how many people were hurt and killed and the fact this is our home and this where i felt safe. My child is not at school today because he is scared so i keep him home and i am so glad i did because i found out there are armed guards surrounding his school.

[OliveJuice]

I think the reason why there is more coverage about this shooting rather than one that occurs oversea's is because we have this false sense of security in our country when it comes to the military. Bad things aren't suppose to happen over here because this is home. It's a crutch to try and make our daily lives less stressful and safe and when that crutch is shattered, there will of course be more coverage because panic and tragedy make good ratings on TV and people are genuinly freaked out at home so they post more things on the boards. KWIM?

[BubMunkeyBles]

I agree. There have been many soldier on soldier shootings overseas (Iraq, Kuwait and a few others) that don't get nearly the amount of publicity. We're always more aware of what is happening immediately surrounding us.

[Mrz. Robinson]

Even though shootings overseas are bad, I believe that most people expect it to happen overseas than on our own soil.