Sometimes wanting answers is too much.

So here we are.  Again.

Here is the face of a mass murderer.  Elliot Rodger.  Chisel this fellows name next to James Holmes, Adam Lanza, Dylan Klebold and any number of people who has resorted to killing someone for revenge over...something.

In this kid's case, it was because he was rejected by women.  Something inside him snapped and it compelled him to stab his three roommates then shoot three other people.  it did not take long for various outlets in the media to start suggesting what "really caused this obviously unhinged young man to go on a killing spree: All of which pointed toward political end.

The usual suspects came out: video games, violence on TV, a movie connection to the recently released "Neighbors" was suggested, and finally the big kahuna---the fact that he was mentally ill and was able to legally purchase and register a firearm.  It took all of 48 hours for the media to set the warring factions in the political spectrum to make the circle connect and, not surprisingly the debate started raging.

Again.

Now I must issue a disclaimer here: I am not a gun owner, nor do I have any future plans to purchase one.  I have carried firearms in the course of my employment in law enforcement.  If you were to pin me down as to my position on gun control I would weigh in on the personal liberties side of this argument, but I am not one who will throw Constitutional amendments in your face.  My feeling is if you have general common sense, are of your mental faculties and you respect all legal responsibilities, then you should be able to carry a firearm.

With that out of the way, I'll continue the rant.

I know it is human nature when something tragic happens and it hits the national media, people will rush to find a "reason" why someone would do such a thing.  Unfortunately, that common sense thing rarely engages because of people's position for or against things like firearms, or video game violence or whatever prejudices they might have.  

The tragedy over the Memorial Day weekend was bad enough but to this writer's mind it is a rush to judgement on everything BUT the real root cause; which in this case was a kid who was mentally ill being pushed to his breaking point.  That is too simple an answer, and moreover, it doesn't sell many newspapers, and it doesn't get website hits.  It also doesn't get the preferred candidate elected (or re-elected).

The way I see it, it is dishonest and disrespectful to the victims of this tragedy to lay it at the feet of anyone other than the perpetrator.  A video game didn't make him do it, and a movie didn't make him do it.  Hidden messages in music didn't make him do it.  And yes...the gun didn't mnake him do it.  He snapped and he decided to kill people, simple as that.   

The media should back off and leave the people to their grief.