Meanwhile, there were thousands of 4th of July parades

[MineralMan]

and celebrations that were not shot up by some nutcase with a gun.

Of course, one is too many, but there is a perspective to this. It's not a pollyanna-ish perspective, either. It's just a fact.

I didn't go to any of the events in my local area, since I'm still trying to continue not to get Covid-19. My wife went to one, though, here in Minnesota. She saw a couple of Minnesota gubernatorial candidates there, along with high school bands and others marching in that parade. She was with some old friends in the area.

I didn't worry about her, even after hearing about the shooting in Illinois. What were the odds that there would be another shooting in a smallish town in Minnesota?

Perspective.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

1. +100. nt

[PJMcK]

2. I agree with your perspective

But who ever heard of Newtown, CT?

Who ever heard of Uvalde, TX?

I'm sure you get my point. These mass shooting can take place anywhere. Here's a list of mass shootings in the U.S.:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States

Still, your point is valid and the asteroid isn't going to hit me today.

But it could...

[MineralMan]

4. Yes, of course. Terrible things can happen anywhere.

Still, we get in our cars and drive on busy freeways every day, despite that being one of the most dangerous things we do.

On the other hand, we have many laws designed to make vehicles safer and to control how people drive.

Perhaps making some laws regarding access to firearms would be a good idea, along the same lines. I do wish we'd do that.

[PJMcK]

9. Once again, I completely agree with your point

I refuse to live my life in fear.

We won't see meaningful gun legislation until there's a mass shooting at a Republican convention or event. Until those Luddites are personally impacted, Republicans won't be onboard with regulating these weapons.

Still, I'm going to meet my friends for dinner at a restaurant tonight. I'll ride the NYC subway to get there. And I'll go to the supermarket tomorrow morning.

I refuse to live my life in fear.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

10. +100. nt

[Ilsa]

3. I suspect the families of the murdered 6 had perspective until

they were the ones crying in an Emergency Dept. Yeah, it's not that many, as long as it's someone else. (Yes, I've been a victim of a felony who never thought it could happen to her. That was my perspective.)

I just can't get on board with this perspective.

[MineralMan]

5. Yes, of course.

However, I will not limit my activities due to that. Most people won't.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

8. I agree.

I refuse to live my life in fear wondering if I'm going to be the next victim of a mass shooting, knowing that the odds are very small.

I have much more immediate things to worry about.

[Demsrule86]

17. My cousin was shot by a man who made him beg for his life in a small counrty convenience

store in Virginia. He was a serial killer, killing his way from California ...moving east. I myself was mugged in Laguardia pregnant with a baby in the stroller. I was not hurt. Hubs who grew up in New York always told me to have cash as they won't shoot you then. I had cash. Sure things can happen. But you take precautions and you don't live in fear. That is not living. If I was truly worried, I would carry a gun. It is legal in my state. But, I don't.

[Ilsa]

35. I don't live in fear. But I worry for those around me, such

as when a threat was made to shoot up my son's high school. The impact on him emotionally was not insignificant.

[Ilsa]

43. It's just not as much fun anymore.

A person can participate, but is still told go "be mindful" of their surroundings. So I'm supposed to go enjoy myself, meanwhile keeping an eye out for someone, probably a young man, toting a long gun.

I've been through hypervigilance before. Its exhausting. And the open-carry people around me don't make it better. We've had accidental mortal shootings from carelessness in public places.

It's just not fun anymore.

[AndyS]

6. Uh, no.

The point of random attacks is terror. Reason doesn't come into it.

Shear random attacks for no apparent reason in places that should not be a target for some percieved greivance are the point of these attacks.

A grocery store? A movie theater? A parade? What's next, the local farmer's market or flower shop?

You didn't worry about you wife. Good for you. However at the rate of more than one random mass shooting every day when will you begin to worry?

It's the guns. The sheer number and incredible lethallity of the guns. IF one of these shootings involves your wife it's not if she gets shot, it's how many times.

So play the odds if you want, me, I'm doing everything I can to reduce those odds for people like you and your wife.

[MineralMan]

12. I don't restrict my activities based on shootings that take place.

We all play the odds, constantly. We do that because there are all sorts of bad things that happen to someone, somewhere.

You say you are doing things to improve the odds? What makes you think I am not doing similar things? So far, we have been unable to restrict the ownership of the type of firearms most often used in such attacks. The solution to that is going to be electing enough people to Congress who will pass laws to restrict that ownership.

That's a long-term goal, of course, but there are no short-term solutions. Meanwhile, we all go about our daily lives - playing the odds.

[AndyS]

22. There are short term solutions and we know what they are.

Austrailia knowew how to fix it almost overnight.

Quiet acceptance is the biggest problem we have in stopping gun violence.

The Parkland Kids (now adults) have done more since 2018 that the rest of us in the last 40 years.

Because they don't rationalize and accept the ods of it happening.

[MineralMan]

28. Those are not short term solutions. Not at all.

They will require the passage of a number of laws. That will not happen until we elect enough people in our legislatures to get those laws enacted. That will take time. So, the answer for that change, and many other needed changes is simple:

GOTV! That is how we do it.

[Justice matters.]

23. But these assault rifles are ALREADY in the hands of these ERW* terrorists.

Ban these guns, alright (not realistic before "real" elected Democratic candidates rule both the House & the Senate, and the WH, AND the USSC is expanded at least to 13, because... any law passed and signed to ban them WILL be overturned by the current 6-3 "Christian" nutjobs).

Meanwhile, the orange criminal keeps doing silly rallies to rile up his crazy trumpers-with-AR-15s against Dems or perceived Dem-districts voters... AND Garland is waiting, waiting, waiting, and waiting to interrogate all the WH sycophants about what they saw, what they heard, et al... (DoJ said they were "blindsided" by Hutchinson's revelations...). Really?

What does he wants? Copy cats?? They're probably celebrating their mass-murderer "hero" today (and yesterday)!

Ban all bullets?? Even then... overturned in a few weeks after...


*ERW: Extreme-Right-Wingers

[USALiberal]

34. So you avoid ANY place that had a shooting???

[onenote]

55. Do you ever get in an automobile?

You're playing the odds if you do.
There are over 17,000 car accidents each day on average. There are over 90 fatal accidents per day.

Again, perspective.

And pointing out that the odds of being shot at a holiday parade, or anywhere else, are relatively small and that folks don't have to live in abject fear every time they go outside doesn't mean that we don't need to do a shitload more to make guns less available. We do and I spend a lot of time and money pursuing exactly that goal.

[Ohio Joe]

7. So...

Don’t worry, your chances are small there will be a mass shooting? Don’t let it get you down or stop you from celebrating?

I think the idea is that people are sick of this shit and want the mass shootings to end… They don’t want to figure the odds of it happening to them or their loved ones, much less strangers.

I think we’ve ignored the problem and gone on with our lives long enough.

[MineralMan]

13. GOTV!

Once again, that will lead to the answer. I have said that until I'm blue in the face. When will we do it?

[Ohio Joe]

30. I have and continue to gotv...

Your conclusion that because I am not satisfied with playing the odds of being in a mass shooting means I’m not is simply wrong.

If the point of your OP was gotv… It was not clear at all.

[Demsrule86]

20. Well then do somthing about it...and that something is to vote and help get other people to vote.

It seems all I hear is doom and gloom...oh woe is me. Well, it is our fault really. Gore should have been elected and Hillary. Now we have a right-wing court and we are paying a price for that...the only way out is to vote as many GOP types out as possible...it does two things-gets rid of riffraff and puts the fear of God into those who remain.

It also hopefully allows legislation that can help alleviate the situation. I hear those who still want XYZ or...the midterm is lost. I view this as a threat personally. And it disgusts me...completely selfish and arrogant. What I don't hear is we are going to win the midterm and fix this shit. That is what I want to hear.

[Ohio Joe]

31. What makes you think I'm not?

Doom and gloom is throwing up your hands and figuring there is nothing to be done so go with it as the OP suggests.

I’ve never said anything other than we will win come November. Your wish to equate my lack of desire to celebrate in the midst of another mass shooting with a lack of enthusiasm or some type of doom and gloom is simply incorrect.

[progressoid]

59. Should probably tell Nancy Pelosi that.

I get 3 or 4 texts a week from her painting a doom and gloom picture while begging for money.

[Demsrule86]

60. Right because Democratic leaders are always responsible for whatever goes wrong...

and elections are of course free...I receive such missives from Jaime Harrison mostly. I personally feel he was not a good choice...but I am talking about personal responsibility...support candidates as much as you can financially, vote vote and vote...help GOTV...I get so angry- and not saying you- at people who sit at home crying for Nancy and other Democrat leaders to save them...especially since a fair number of them helped create this mess. We need to save ourselves.

[Bristlecone]

11. Play the odds and just accept it is our fate.

“What are the chances” increase by the day.

[MineralMan]

15. Fixing that is a long-term project.

It begins with the next election. Only by increasing the number of Democrats in state and federal legislative offices can we pass the laws needed to reduce the risk.

GOTV!

[Bristlecone]

47. I agree.

[Demsrule86]

21. They really don't...so what is your solution to cower in fear in your house? Fuck that.

[Bristlecone]

46. Meaningful Gun legislation is my solution

[Demsrule86]

52. I wish that was possible. But the courts continue to knock down gun laws...And when this

happens, I think voting matters. We have the courts we voted for...in 88, Dukakis lost all but 10 states and we got Thomas (still here). Clearly, he was not supported by Democrats...his greatest sin was to put on a helmet and answer questions honestly. Next, we have Gore, who was savaged in the primary and had a fucking Green run against him and we got Roberts and Alito (still here). Next, the 'but her email crowd' (supposedly on our side) went to bat for Jill Stein, stayed home, or actually voted for Trump.

They refused to vote for the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, and with a judge waiting in the wings still helped Trump win. Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Thus we got six judges because we didn't support the Democratic Neil Gorsuch, Brett gun, and Amy Coney Barrett. And now without adding judges, I see little hope of passing gun legislation as we don't have the votes and it will undoubtedly be found unconstitutional by the current court...imagine if even Hillary had won, we would have had three more judges. We have lost Climate, guns, and abortion to name but a few...and with six relatively youngish justices. This court will be with us a long time.

[Bristlecone]

63. 100% true from beginning to end

[Effete Snob]

36. That's life

Just out of curiosity, when is your death scheduled and what did you pick to die from?

Yes, your chance of dying continues to increase as time goes on.

Stairs are a big one. A lot of people died this weekend from falling down the stairs in their home.

[Bristlecone]

45. That's life in America with a unrestricted guns you mean.

Because the post was about playing the odds given the shooting yesterday. Not fucking stairs.

[Sympthsical]

14. Are you running for governor in Illinois?

I haven't read replies yet, but I somehow know what they're about to be.

Which should have been a thought.

[MineralMan]

16. Nope. Not me. I'm not running for anything.

Many people are, though. Some want to change the odds by restricting firearms availability. Let's elect those, shall we?

GOTV!

[Scrivener7]

48. Lol!

[AkFemDem]

18. Still living my life

But I do so without even consciously realizing most days how much these shootings have impacted me. Once in awhile it hits me how I’m always marking egress. Where are the exits? Am I too deep into the crowd? Is someone in uniform around? Is my phone at the ready? Where do I run if I need to run? I think there’s been a very real psychological impact on most of us, a collective sort of PTSD, from this uncoordinated campaign of gun terror and it probably affects people more than they even realize.

[MineralMan]

25. Think about who to vote for who will change things.

Then get others to go and vote, as well. That's how we solve this.

GOTV!

[Ocelot II]

19. The statistical probability that you will be shot while watching a 7/4 parade is very low.

However, it should be zero. I am about to head out to buy groceries. The likelihood that some loon with an AR-15 will go to the same grocery store at the same time and shoot up the place is also very small. However, it should be none at all. I don't like parades or any event with big crowds so I don't go to them, covid or no covid, thus reducing my chances of being the victim of a mass shooting, which would be very slight anyhow - but there should be no chance at all. Yes, perspective is important, and I'm not going to stop going to the grocery store because I think I might get shot (covid was and still is a bigger risk), but nobody should ever even have to think about that possibility, however small it might be. It shouldn't be happening, anywhere, ever.

[Demsrule86]

24. And? Many things shouldn't happen, but they do. I prefer to live my life and work to alleviate

such things. I have gone through some really dangerous miserable things and I survived.

[Ocelot II]

42. That isn't the point, though, is it?

I know that many things happen that shouldn't. People are killed by a variety of rare occurrences - trees falling on them, plane crashes, being eaten by wild animals, etc. And I'm not changing my habits or activities either for fear of being gunned down in a mass shooting, because I know the odds of that happening to me are very small. However, almost every single day in America somebody is gunned down in a mass shooting. The fact that it's not me and it's not you shouldn't make us accept mass shootings as just another one of those unfortunate, random things, and that as long as they don't happen to me or you, we can just carry on. We shouldn't, and we can't.

[Sogo]

50. Exactly.

Well said.

[MineralMan]

26. Yes, it should be zero. Or at least close to that.

Accomplishing that is going to require some new laws, which only our legislatures, local, state, and federal, can enact. The answer to lowering the risk is simple. We need to elect the people who will pass those laws.

GOTV!

[Efilroft Sul]

27. "What are the odds that you'll get shot and killed doing normal activities?"

This line of thinking, or way of living, is not considered normal in any other western, industrialized nation. It's like America should have its own section in the DSM-IV. If I were to go to the grocery store, I expect only the high prices to kill me.

[MineralMan]

29. So, do you want to change that?

Then GOTV!

[Efilroft Sul]

32. I've been doing that for the last *checks notes* 37 years.

And I supervised elections for 10 of those years, prior to COVID. GOTV works, but we also need to be realistic about the Republican brick wall to thwart our votes and election results in select states in 2022 and 2024. Also, we need to have strong candidates who have the political will to bring back what's considered normal elsewhere to our daily lives.

[MineralMan]

39. It's always a battle to elect the right people.

But, according to your name, you have a lust for life, so apply that to the November election and let's see what we can do.

[Efilroft Sul]

40. I plan on it, plus stomping out as much bothsiderism as possible where I encounter it.

[Effete Snob]

37. I have some bad news for you

I don't know how you are getting to the store, but...

https://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/index.html

CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.

Good luck with that grocery store thing.

[Efilroft Sul]

38. At least there are meaningful regulations (for now) to protect our food supply as much as possible.

Meaningful gun regulations? Not so much.

[Effete Snob]

41. It doesn't change the relative odds

[Efilroft Sul]

44. With food contamination instances, actions are taken to minimize the odds of people dying.

These actions are taken by grocery store chain, the food vendor, farms when applicable, and federal and state agencies. They act because contaminated food supplies — and their harmful effects — are not considered normal. Thus, the odds of an America being killed by contamination in the food supply are probably on par, or are maybe slightly higher, compared to citizens other western, industrialized nations. So long as regulatory, preventative, or reactive measures are taken for safety, people accept the risks associated with the food and drug supply.

The odds of being killed in a gun massacre in another western country while going about your daily routine, however, are much lower. This gun massacre fatalism we are told to accept — along with political, industry, and gun owners' inaction — is not normal thinking, but it is uniquely American.

[867-5309.]

33. If we did restrict our locations based on prior shootings

we'd never go anywhere.

[Sogo]

49. Every day there are hundreds of millions of people in this country who don't get shot.

So what?

We should not have to live with a gnawing thought about whether our public gathering is the next one to be literally "targeted"....

[Voltaire2]

51. Thanks!

I was hoping somebody would rise up to minimize the utter insanity of that parade.

I mean we all sent our thots and pears, right?

Get over it and celebrate our exceptional best nation ever birthday!

/s

[Autumn]

56. I fucked up. I thought I was supposed to send tater tots and pears.

Leave it to me to fuck up our nations birthday.

[Rob H.]

57. Fortunately it took until the 309th mass shooting of 2022

for something as crass and tone-deaf as this OP to get posted. Small favors, I guess?

[Bettie]

53. I'm sure that's super comforting to

the families of the dead.

[betsuni]

54. Well, I'm the cowardly lion and if I lived in the States I'd avoid most such things, just in case.

Somebody has to be neurotic and nervous.

Last time I visited I was paranoid because American news is full of violence this and violence that, one expects to be mugged or shot practically immediately. Second day there I look out of my sister's apartment window and see a man strolling up the street with a machine gun. Looked more closely and realized it was a construction worker with some kind of big tool going to the construction site up the street.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

58. Why should you trouble your beautiful mind with such nonsense as another mass shooting?

[Paladin]

61. You want perspective? Here's my fucking perspective.

On August 1, 1966 I was in Austin TX, fixing to start my first semester of high school. That was the day that Charles Whitman, after murdering his wife and mother-in-law, went to the UT tower with a bunch of guns and ammo and starting slaughtering people; final score 17 dead, 31 injured. Among the dead: the mother of one of my good friends at school. Way back then, mass shootings like this were a really big deal: unending TV analysis, cover stories on the big weekly magazines ("Life," "Time" etc.), and personal trauma that extends to this very day.

And here we are, 56 years later. The year's a few days past half-way done, we've had over 300 mass shootings in this country so far, and I have grandkids who I hesitate to take to public events.

That's my fucking perspective.

[Model35mech]

62. Honestly, the math just doesn't add up. We ought to be screaming our heads off!

BUT

There is NO STANDARD JUSTICE DEPT DEFINITION OF A MASS MURDER OR A MASS SHOOTING. GOVERNMENT HAS REALLY SCREWED THE POOCH ON THIS.

Some counters' definitions count near 400 mass shootings ALREADY THIS YEAR, others count 40, or fewer.

BECAUSE THERE IS NO DEFINITION. WE REALLY HAVE FUCKING POOR COUNTS AND EVEN LESS GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THE HELL PEOPLE DO THIS!

HOW CAN YOU PROFILE POTENTIAL RED FLAGGER DANGER IF THERE IS NO DEFINITION????????????

So many counters DO NOT COUNT killings of more than 4 people if the killings were done as part of a crime (i.e. a bunch of people shot during a bank robbery).

MANY other counters don't count killings done by gangs (they don't count deaths in turf wars in ghettos).

And many other deaths aren't counted because they are done by a suicidal family member against members of the family, aka Domestic violence.

No doubt the counters can rationalize why they are counting and ignoring MASS KILLINGS

OOOPS!!! I probably offended some group.

Shit