Thread: Christchurch Shootings

I've been on the fence about making this thread, but topics like this belong in the Blue Heaven forum and I think there's a lot to be said. This was a dreadful incident, and I saw the video before efforts were made to eradicate it from the internet. (Something that never happens, for better and for worse.) I'm sure most of you know about the attack, but it was live-streamed on Facebook using a GoPro and was very disturbing to watch. (And I've watched a lot of disturbing videos!) The attacker killed over forty people in the recording, and seeing it in first-person with the GoPro added sickening realism.

Last I checked the death toll was fifty, and the same for injured too. While most were killed in that first attack, he then went to another location for the remaining kills. In the end though, let's face the facts. Regardless of the motive, all mass shootings are obviously terrible. The killer is allegedly a far-right extremist according to mainstream media, but I've read his manifesto that he posted right before the shooting and in it he specified that he has left-wing values. But he also says a lot of other things. Either way, the man's an idiot, and the mainstream media are equally idiotic by hastily using information from the manifesto. It's... confusing (probably intentionally) and strange to say the least, even containing memes like the Navy Seal copypasta. It's quickly apparent that it shouldn't be taken seriously. (Or without analysis.) He was taking the mainstream media for a ride and they bought it. He also wanted to manipulate gun control laws, and look what's happening.

Speaking of manipulation, YouTube's altering search results for the massacre. Forget YouTubers who raise good points about this incident—for at least five pages (unless things have changed since) you'll probably only see videos by the mainstream media, and at the top of the list those who are pushing an agenda. By definition this was a terrorist attack and terrorism comes in many forms. But the mainstream media keeps stirring the pot and it the incident is being used against conservatives. In actuality this was only a sick individual's doing.

But what do you think about this situation? And how do you feel about the media reactions to it?

I accidentally seen some of the video. Someone shared it with me not thinking of warning me about it before hand.

What people need to know is that this guy was not for any side. He simply wanted to get the media and the public to take the bait and turn it into something it was not. He got what he wanted. He is a terrorist 100% like you said but he didn't stand for anything other than the selfish desire to get people fighting. On his gun read the name of a little girl who was killed by a terrorist group in the UK. The name of a grooming group that targeted little girls was on there as well. This was meant to look as if he was taking a stand against Muslims out of race hate.

I am a firm believer that you should not give these people the credit or attention they often get. Yes, you can mention it in the news but never identify the man by name, picture, or anything else. Don't give them that. People that do things like that crave this kind of attention.

I also wish someone would address the violent killings that happened in Africa against the Christians. I always see things in America about "black lives matter" and be proud of your roots... Why just ignore this then? Do their lives not matter? I guess it is because they can twist it for political means.

The media makes me sick anymore. It just enables and creates these kinds of monsters and points the finger everywhere else.

The massacre is an utter tragedy, but the main stream media, as always, pushes an agenda and cares more about showing the killer and finding a motive than caring about the victims.
And the sad thing is, that's exactly what he wanted. He wanted the media attention, and the media tries it's best to find a motive, and someone BESIDES the killer to blame
Like Pewdiepie. It's irritating as all Hell, but entirely predictable.

Originally Posted by pseudohippie

The massacre is an utter tragedy, but the main stream media, as always, pushes an agenda and cares more about showing the killer and finding a motive than caring about the victims.
And the sad thing is, that's exactly what he wanted. He wanted the media attention, and the media tries it's best to find a motive, and someone BESIDES the killer to blame
Like Pewdiepie. It's irritating as all Hell, but entirely predictable.

Yup, exactly. These people do this crap for attention and they say/do certain things to get people reacting in a negative way. These people not only lost their lives, they have family out there that lost loved ones and need to live with it now. The media is hellbent putting it on repeat without focusing on something else.

If I was ever a reporter, I would never name these kinds of scum by name or even show a picture of them. They get no credit for what they did in terms of showcasing them on national news. They are a faceless terrorists who are worthy of death for doing these kinds of things to innocent people.

Another awful act of terrorism brought on by some kind of radicalization. This is the result of fragmentation and polarization. The media is playing right into the shooter's hands (I won't give his name, because he does not deserve it), and seeing the press fall for it yet again is maddening. I think it's best for me to keep quiet about it, though, since I don't wish to incur any more anger in myself or any of you guys.

Originally Posted by OutlawBard19

Another awful act of terrorism brought on by some kind of radicalization.

I'm not sure it is radicalisation though. That's something that involves being taught to follow an ideology, like how Muslims are occasionally indoctrinated by groups like ISIS, often over the internet. These are known terror groups that carry out the worst atrocities. 4chan or 8chan (and related websites) do contain a lot of weirdos but they're certainly not ISIS.

I believe that this man either had a poor upbringing or some kind of mental illness that had warped his way of thinking. I am fully aware that the attack was premeditated and I'm not going to blame the attack on mental illness as he is responsible, but I don't think we can point fingers at imageboards, especially when there isn't evidence to back that up.

(I know you said you'd rather keep quiet about it because of the controversy, so don't worry if you don't want to reply to this.)

Originally Posted by Mantis

I'm not sure it is radicalisation though. That's something that involves being taught to follow an ideology, like how Muslims are occasionally indoctrinated by groups like ISIS, often over the internet. These are known terror groups that carry out the worst atrocities. 4chan or 8chan (and related websites) do contain a lot of weirdos but they're certainly not ISIS.

I believe that this man either had a poor upbringing or some kind of mental illness that had warped his way of thinking. I am fully aware that the attack was premeditated and I'm not going to blame the attack on mental illness as he is responsible, but I don't think we can point fingers at imageboards, especially when there isn't evidence to back that up.

(I know you said you'd rather keep quiet about it because of the controversy, so don't worry if you don't want to reply to this.)

Radical groups do horrible things in large number and over time. He was just someone who was f'd in the head and I agree with that. These people don't stand for anything. They are sickos who should have gotten mental or emotional help. Most of the time, they had something happen to them personally that caused them to act out accordingly to what they see in the media or on the news.

An example would be for some white/hispanic/asian man to see black men robbing places, shooting people, and breaking in to homes several times a week on the news. He is being conditioned. When it happens to him, it becomes personal and because the messaging was there, he will likely react in a very racist manner. The media molds these people but blames everyone else. Stop naming colors, religions, and showing pictures on the damn tv already.