Joe Scarborough just came out in favor of assault weapons ban along

[rateyes]

with a stance against the culture of violence portrayed in video games and the entertainment industry. He put the NRA on notice, too.

Very few times I have said this...but, WAY TO GO, JOE!!!

[rateyes]

1. He echoed our president by saying we all must change.

[dkf]

2. Maybe he should be against military adventurism also.

Why delete it from society yet demand it of our voluntary military?

The fact we do this to our people is even sicker.

[rateyes]

4. He just took a huge step in the right direction

considering where he was.

[dkf]

11. I bet drone attacks look an awful lot like a video game.

The things we do in other countries are just as heinous as what these mass killers do.

[rateyes]

12. And, he agreed with that, too this morning.

He said we need to quit fighting wars there and start winning the war here.

[etherealtruth]

3. There are times that the concepts of "right" and "wrong" become clear to sentient beings

i am glad here are those conservatives willing to make that distinction

[renie408]

5. Me, too. To those who are so much like the Republicans that they despise that

they cannot recognize what a sea change this is, I say wake the fuck up. You are no better than 'the other side' when you are too entrenched in your own politics to accept a speech as humble and sincere as the one just given. You don't want change. You just want to fight. And you will fight no matter what they are saying as long as you think of them as 'they'.

So he is unlikely to agree with you on everything. Does that mean you have to hate him for it? Does that mean that you cannot accept him when he DOES agree with you?

What is wrong with people.

[ReRe]

25. We woke up, that's what's wrong with us.

If we are so much like Republicans, well they should be proud because they created this monster. We've been taking lessons from Republicons' since about 2000.

"We are DU.
We are legion.
We are united as one,
divided by Zero.
We don't forgive,
And we will never forget.
Expect us."

(Credit to and adapted from "Anonymous'"" closing statement.)

Merry Christmas

[Skidmore]

6. I think the Republicans and the NRA are in disarray right now.

They have been on the wrong side of so much this past decade that to survive they will need to abandon lots of prized beliefs. I'll take him at his world for now, and reserve judgement until there is real action by those who are actually in office.

[eShirl]

7. More evidence that this time is different. n/t

[BainsBane]

8. Republicans are starting to call for gun control

There is even a petition on Romney's Facebook page. Will DU gun proponents remain more reactionary than the GOP?

[dipsydoodle]

9. Having come out against it himself

I wonder if Murdoch has sent a note down the line.

[reformist2]

10. Oh my, we *are* capable of multi-faceted solutions!

[wakeoftheflood]

13. calm

calm down, they just have not recieved their talking points yet. I give it a week.

[renie408]

15. Cynicism is a coward's emotion.

Cynics and critics have it easy. Sit back and doubt everything, pat yourself on the back for how smart you are compared to all the suckers and make no actual valuable contribution.

Being a cynic does not make you smarter or better. It just makes you look like an ass.

[Berlum]

41. "Ixnay." - Diogenes the Cynic

[napkinz]

14. He was passionate and sincere

Let's hope his fellow Republicans come to their senses.

For today, thumbs up for Morning Joe.

[MrSlayer]

16. I found his blaming the entertainment industry to be tired.

He was really hit and miss in this editorial. Just when you thought he was making a good point, he would fuck it up with some nonsense. He's an asshole and even a tragedy such as this will not change that fact.

[reformist2]

19. Sorry, the culture of violence is indeed a huge part of the problem.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

27. Agreed. Hopefully any laws restricting violence in video games or TV will be struck down...

We can't go around restricting the 1st Amendment.

[rateyes]

38. We can go around regulating commerce, though.

You cant buy sudafed without an ID.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

51. Just another lame Drug War law. nt

[RC]

42. It already is restricted. Libel laws, False reports to law enforcement, The infamous "Fire!" in the

movie theater, to name a few.
You are OK with a murder victim, hung up and then chained sawed in half at the waist, while still alive, on a crime show, in prime time TV? Why?

We do need to look into the violence in video games, movies and on TV. There is a difference between violence and action. Blood and body parts being sprayer around is violence.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

53. I am perfectly fine with violence as entertainment...

As an atheist, there's nothing more sacred to me than the 1st Amendment.

[HockeyMom]

32. Survivalist Shows

Which fed his MOTHER's paranoia that there will be a war on the streets so "they" must build bunkers, hoard weapons, etc, when the attacks start.

She was hoarding FOOD in addition to her guns. Fighting on the streets "if Obama is re-elected" was what was being said. I saw an gun magazine (American Rifleman?) which had a picture of Obama on the cover and a gun aimed at him. I can tell you that our local paper in Naples, Florida, reported a SURGE in people buying guns and applying for CCW permits, after the ELECTION. Why so many at this time? To "protect themselves" when the riots start.

Sick, sick, sick, and inflaming equality sick people.

[ReRe]

17. Naaaaaaah,

...I can't go that far. No high fives. How about just "GoJoeScoe"? (Say that fast 3 times)

[sellitman]

18. His dead intern will be thrilled.

[Bohunk68]

21. Yup. And,

her name: Lori Klausutis. Never forget. Until Joe Scum owns up to whatever the truth is on that score, he is still Joe Scum.

[bakpakr]

20. Yes he took a step in the right direction but,

His ranting on the entertainment industry and violent video games is BS.

I personally do believe they do play a part in violence but not as much as we are led to believe. He is my reasoning. Other country's have the same video games and watch the same movies we do. But they do not have anywhere near the violence we do. What are they doing different? Can we emulate what they do?

[reformist2]

22. Violent video games warp people's minds, imo.

[Javaman]

57. Speaking for myself...

I play violent video games and played with toy guns as a kid, yet, I'm a pacifist, I own no guns and march in peace demonstrations.

The issue at hand, in my opinion, in regards to violent video games is this: if parents don't pay attention to what their kids are playing, then that is an issue. Also, not only should parents pay attention to what their kids are playing but also use it as a teaching moment to instill the fact that they are games and not reality.

Also, the over arching issue with the various acts of violence is there is no substantial background check on anyone who purchases a weapon.

If the mom had the type of background check that took in not only her history but her families history, it may have turned up the fact that her son had mental issues. That would be a red flag, but alas, background checks like that don't exist.

Also, if a person has some questionable morals and ethics to begin with, then yes, a violent video game might lead them to commit an act of crime.But if they had questionable morals and ethics, a video game would be the least of the problems.

However, given the fact that millions of 'violent' video games a sold each year and a very very very small percentage of crime can be correlated as to cause and effect regarding such games, it leads me to believe that the outliers are mental issues and not the games themselves.

[eShirl]

23. good point about emulating countries that get it right

[RC]

43. But we can't do that because it wasn't invented here.

How can we be the greatest if we copy somebody else?

[tinrobot]

49. He needs to look in the mirror

The 24 hour news culture, which pays his salary, is no saint when it comes to this. The news does nothing but glorify and amplify these sorts of events, and pulls a tidy profit by selling advertising. This mass shooting is brought to you by Pepsi...

If he wanted to make a difference, he'd lobby against his network profiting off of tragedies such as these.

[Sky Masterson]

24. I agreed with him.

Video games and Hollywood do contribute to the desensitization of people.
Our games and media are way to violent.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

26. Video games have absolutely nothing to do with it... what a jackass.

I've been playing violent video games all my life and have never even touched a real gun.

[reformist2]

30. Is it valid to extrapolate your personal experience to the whole population?

[rateyes]

31. So, your experience equates to everybodys?

Right.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

54. I don't really care about anyone else's experience, to be frank and honest. nt

[Dawgs]

33. Me too. The problem is not movies or video games, it's mental illness.

If someone has proof otherwise, please show it to us. If not, then people like Scarborough are using it as a scapegoat to keep high-capacity magazines and assault weapons on the street.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

55. I will assume that all these pro-censorship posters are NRA agents. nt

[KittyWampus]

62. For the record, I am not pro-censorship via laws. I want us to grow up and choose for ourselves

not to buy violent media/entertainment.

Coercion even by law is itself a form of violence in this regard.

No, it's time people decided to reject the culture of violence and decide they prefer being an agent of peace.

[KittyWampus]

61. It's not about your touching a gun. It's your reinforcing/accepting the Culture of Violence.

You are supporting it by buying into it.

[RetroLounge]

28. Joe Scarborough is to the left of the gungeon

scary, huh?

RL

[FarPoint]

29. Now that is an excellent point!

DU is raw right now....can't wait for us to evolve.

[swayne]

34. Scarborough DIDN'T come out against the NRA. He attacked Hollywood.....

and attacked the NRA just enough to GIVE THEM COVER.

[marions ghost]

36. Explain

what do you mean, "just enough to give (the NRA) cover."

[rateyes]

39. I didnt say he came out against the NRA.

I said he put them on notice (that he wont stand with them on this issue of assault weapons).

[kydo]

45. My thoughts

"Scarborough DIDN'T come out against the NRA. He attacked Hollywood..... and attacked the NRA just enough to GIVE THEM COVER."

But we are supposed to be so happy Joe mentioned bad nra and gun control, we are supposed to give him a pass on blaming liberals.

Joe here have a cookie you did so awesome with your baby steps to sane thinking finally. Bullshit this just provides the right cover. And they will use this as their talking point.

Sane people: Assault weapons and mental health need to be addressed.

Right wing crazy people: Obama is coming for our guns! Be afraid it is the liberal hollywood that makes violent films and games that I am forced to buy because I love killing things. Lets censor hollywood and ban games but keep the government out of the gun issue.

Totally insane.

[marions ghost]

35. Not a fan of Joe Scabro

but

Can we take this as something positive? He speaks to right wingers.

[Iggo]

37. Good.

And fuck Joe Scarborough.

[Zen Democrat]

40. And further, Joe Manchin said there's no need for hunters to have assault rifles.

He also wants something done about the ammo magazines, getting help for the mentally ill, and some action on kill-based video games.

I repeat ... Joe Manchin said this. I think the NRA has folded it's tent on the AR-15s, et al.

[on point]

44. The bully culture is at the heart of the republicans, be it war, guns or politics.

That's the real culture problem.

[We People]

60. You're right, it IS a Bully Culture, and one thing they know how to do best is taunt

those they consider weak or beneath them.

F that!

[swayne]

46. Joe would have you THINK he speaks to right wingers. They can't stand him.

Joe found it convenient to be a cynic this morning with his comments. I am not impressed by this apparently sudden turn of events. He's doing it to make himself look reasonable, because to take a standard NRA position at this point serves no useful purpose.

[kydo]

47. exactly

Many of you are fawning all over Joe for coming around to sane and rational thought. I almost bought into to it too. Then he goes on and blames liberal hollywood and video games.

Its easy access to guns that is the first and most important on this issue.

But nope you watch as this week progresses the focus will be diverted to video games and liberal hollywood and away from the real cause.

[marions ghost]

50. Nobody's fawning over Joe

Bottom line--he made sense on this one issue and we should at least acknowledge that. Don't worry, nobody's defending Joe in general. But whenever an influential talking head makes a statement contrary to what we expect, ie. takes our side and voices it--we should applaud that.

Crimes can be linked to violence in movies, music, and video games, and so the point makes sense. Children are vulnerable to this violence, especially visual images. You may not be susceptible, but many people are. Nobody's gonna take violent video games away, but it should not be an acceptable cultural genre to grow up with. The games and movies are anti-social and promote wars. It's no accident that young men who want to join the army and go into combat get their first simulation of that by playing video games. We are grooming them to accept violence as normal. But talk to some of them when they come back--many are never the same again.

[kydo]

56. I don't play video games

I not a gamer.

Crimes can be linked to so many factors.

For the record, I am not disagreeing that violence in movies, games, books and any other place is part of the problem.

But it is our lack of common sense gun laws and lack of access to proper mental health care that bare more of the brunt of the blame. And until we aren't diverted from these facts nothing will change.

Its great Joe took those small steps. Let's hope he continues in the right direction.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

59. I know that Joe isn't too popular on DU....but,

I have always enjoyed his commentary. I don't always agree with it, but I feel that he knows and sees the detrimental actions of the Republican Party that is subsequently causing to an erosion in support, and he has spoken out on it many times. He is an endangered species - that is, despite what some of his past actions are, he at least talks like a Moderate Republican.

And I agree with part of the above comment - Right-wingers HATE him. Calling him a "RINO", etc. Because during the primaries, many times he called a spade a spade discussing that many of the GOP candidates were unelectable.

Bottom line - For a Republican - in my opinion, he is not bad

[allan01]

48. re:Joe Scarborough just came out in favor of assault weapons ban along View profile

we need to look at reinvesting in mental heath we seriously need to look at bullying and the gun culture

[graham4anything]

52. If this repub came out for it, it means they know the need to accept the least possible

but it is not enough

we need full reframing

assault weapon ban does diddley because of the simple fact

guns will still be in street

we need to ban all guns in the street period.

[napkinz]

58. kick

nt