While listening to NPR's report on current findings regarding the frequency of mass shootings

[Tumbulu]

- how they have increased lately......I could not help but nearly scream that among all the suggestions that school districts and all sorts of public officials must come up with plans of how to deal with this horror ( including glorifying and almost suggesting that those people who martyr themselves to save the rest must sort of get ready to do this for others) that not once was it suggested that we just get rid of all the free flowing weapons in the first place. Not once was it suggested that the problem is not that we prepare for such events, but that we actually prevent them by getting rid of the damn artillery in the room!

What is with people?!!!! Isn't it beyond obvious that the problem is that public health requires that easy access to firearms be curtailed?

Really, what a frustrating NPR segment. Did anyone else hear it and wonder why it was just considered a given that easy access to firearms would remain as it is today, but we must resolve to become maryrs stopping a lone gunman for the good of everyone else? What about giving up the firearms for the good of everyone else??????!

Has NPR become The Onion?

[NYC_SKP]

1. I'll try to find it. I think there's a "fear industry". There is no increase in frequency...

Claims of an increase in mass shootings have been exposed as invalid conclusions drawn from cherry picked data.

It's been shown to be untrue over and over and over again and is part of the reason that we have two gun groups on the DU.

Misinformation is too easily accepted and repeated on the Internet.

I can't formally refute whatever was on NPR, however, until I hear it and find the transcript.

But I look forward to engaging in discussion.

[FormerOstrich]

2. I was screaming at my radio yesterday morning

listening to NPR's morning edition. The article was a glowing report on St Louis Law Enforcement and their success with the mentally ill.

Last night I tried to comment on NPR's web site about the report but was unable to register because I don't have a social media account. I submitted my lengthy thoughts to the Morning Edition commentary e-mail and a few other contact us forms. I'm sure it will never go anywhere.

Onion? Not sure. Critical Thinking Award Winning Journalism? Not!!

[Tumbulu]

3. I really wonder what has happened to them

You are right, not the Onion....but journalism has really been pruned back.

I bet they actually do read the emails, or at least I hope that they read them......

Funny listening to the Ken Burns programs on the Roosevelt's, I am struck with how simplified our common language has become.

[FormerOstrich]

6. I hope you are right and they read my commentary

on the story. I have been planning on posting the article and my response on DU. I had hoped to have a reply from them before I did. Either way I'll post it tomorrow. I'll place link on this thread.

Thanks!!!

[world wide wally]

4. NPR has drifted much closer to Fox News than most people realize. All of their reports try to push

people to the right if you listen objectively and forget about their "former" reputation.

[Tumbulu]

5. This seems true....

so sadly true......

[Corruption Inc]

7. NPR = Needless Propaganda Recitals

They, like all other propaganda, like to present information that elicits an emotional rather than rational response. Therefore, rational thought doesn't apply to them. They typically present 2 opposing sides of an issue to create tension, even if 1 or both of the sides don't exist in reality. A perfect example of that is the climate change "debate" as if it's not happening. Another is the torture "debate", as if it is a valid policy.

NPR is selling a product, not discussing reality.

[aikoaiko]

8. Probably because its impractical to "get rid of all the free flowing weapons"

National Practical Radio.

[upaloopa]

10. I would say difficult but not impractical.

There are a ton of issues that are difficult to deal with because of the control on policy that the monied interests have. Guns are one of them.
If we could get the money out of politics issues like guns would fall like dominoes.

[Tumbulu]

13. So true, do you think in our life time it will happen?

I can always hope, I guess.

[upaloopa]

14. There are enough of us to vote and there are candidates to vote for.

If we started at the local level and thought long term it could work.
One new thing is the local police who beat heads of those trying to get change in place.
We need a civil rights movement for all of us combined.

[Tumbulu]

15. yes, civil rights for the 99%.......

watching the Roosevelt series was very illuminating.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

9. NPR just tries to tiptoe around every issue enough to dodge the teabaggers

....who want to strip their funding.

They should just stick to segments about knitting, picking apples and "Urban music" at this point.

My parents listen to it all day and insist they learn so much (both are staunch liberals who watch MSNBC at night). I think they're crazy and being sold a bill of goods.

[Tumbulu]

12. That must be it......I just remain

Frustrated that all of the members who actually support our local stations do not seem to count as much as a noisy tea bagger....why?????

[aikoaiko]

11. If I recall NPR did lots of segments on legislating guns after Sandy Hook.

But after the failure of gun control legislation a lot of people stopped talking about it.