what can we do to end the carnage?

[mopinko]

here is one thing- take domestic violence seriously. why are so many people so violent? they learn it at home. by how their parents treat them, and how their parents treat each other.
start prosecuting domestic abusers whether the victim cooperates or not. get serious about mandatory reporters who care for our children.
have a public service campaign like the one that has decreased the number of smokers in this country to urge people not to spank their children.
all spanking teaches is fear and violence. does it change behavior? sure. it takes peaceful little creatures, and turns them into either fearful children or bullies. think you turned out ok even tho you got spanked? you would have turned out even better if you had been taught that you, and every other human being, deserved decent treatment.

and here is another way, related to the above in many cases. there should be substance abuse treatment on demand for anyone who needs it. whatever that takes, it will pay a huge dividend to society.
we cannot afford to just toss people on the scrap heap. we cannot afford to give up so easily on our brothers and sisters.
and by the way, aa sucks. it's numbers are abysmal. we need real medical treatment, and we need it yesterday. there are shuttered hospitals in this city that could be reopened next week if we were serious about this.
every time the cops stage a big drug raid, there should be a public health van there to pick up any users that now dont have a ready supply. give them something to ease their withdrawal right then and there. give them something to eat. talk to them. take care of them.

and one more thing- stop this fucking around about reproductive health. get serious about sex ed. make sure every woman, and man, can get good birth control. and yes, abortion services on demand, no ifs, ands or buts.
every child a wanted child.
it's a start.
it is more than thoughts and prayers and worthless hand wringing.

[hunter]

1. Kicked and Recommended.

Because "it is more than thoughts and prayers and worthless hand wringing."

Keep kicking ass my friend.

[mopinko]

2. thanks.

how you these days? always good to bump into you.

[Dont call me Shirley]

3. Also, it takes a village to raise a child, the village has been razed.

[LiberalElite]

4. I would add - mental health treatment! nt

[meow2u3]

9. Mental health treatment is a red herring

Mental health issues have little to do with being violent and getting one's hands on firearms. People who suffer from mental illness are not only nonviolent, they're also more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. The only trouble is that not only are they not believed when someone attacks them, they're also (wrongly) presumed dangerous.

The media promote those prejudices against people with mental illness and reinforce the false belief that they're all violent maniacs.

[former9thward]

5. Domestic abusers can't be prosecuted without the victim cooperating.

Assuming they were the only witness. A prosecutor can't convict, with a beyond a reasonable doubt standard, when the defendant denies it and there is no other witness.

[mopinko]

6. i believe in some states they can.

and the cops who respond to the call and see the obvious aftermath can testify.
they can gather evidence, take pics, and at least attempt to compel the victim to testify.

maybe someone else can add further info.

[mopinko]

8. better support for victims, and more options to get away

would also matter.

[MindfulOne]

7. Yes. eom