As many, or most of you, may know by now; last night at The Dark Knight Rises premiere in Aurora, Colorado; James Holmes shot at the spectators, killing 12 of them and injuring another 38. A senseless mass murder action that has fans and the nation shaken and worried.
I feel like I have so much to say about it, because people are making it about Batman, some about the movies or movie theaters themselves, others about terrorism, or how guns kill people, and even about the entire film industry. But this, this is NOT about that, at least not specifically. This is about a mentally unstable guy who had access and the means to hurt many people, and specially right now, it's about the victims.
Last night, not knowing anything about the shootings, I was talking about how, sometimes, bad things happen, it doesn't matter how much you try to play it safe, be careful and try to protect others. Shit happens. Sadly, last night it happened and as sad and terrible as this incident is; sometimes you can't just start pointing fingers and believe that this won't happen again but even less, people shouldn't be worried that this WILL happen again, everywhere, soon.
Some people get killed in the streets, but we still go out for walks; some people get killed in the ocean in accidents, but we still swim and there are surfers, sailors, scuba divers, etc.; people gets killed everywhere, at any given time, and we are still capable of living worry-less lives.
I am not American, but I live in the United States, and I wish this country worried a little less. They try to have control over every little thing, to avoid any kind of injure to anybody, and that is just an impossible task, as noble as it might be. But the sad truth is: Shit happens.
It's not the film's fault that nut-job managed to get weapons, was obsessed enough with the film and had no respect for other human lives. So, yeah, this is not about the film, it might as well had happened during the Spiderman movie premiere and it would still not be Hollywood's fault.
It is not about weapons, because guns as knives, or scissors or chainsaws or any other kind of weapon, are as deadly as the beholder's experience and his/her mental abilities. Is it the salesperson fault? I say, no, it's not. The regulations must be changed to a required psychological evaluation, with brain scans and neurotransmitters levels; they'd have to be clear and normal before any kind of approval to get a fire weapon. It might seem as if people have not learn a thing from serial killer and mass murderers: They are the most normal kind of people in appearance and will rarely commit or have a track of minor crimes; so just the background check is not enough to sell a gun. But adding a complete and clear mental evaluation before the sell, you could save so many lives. You can't hide what your mind holds from the exterior. Bring your psychological paperwork and we'll talk.
To end my ranting over this I'd like to add a letter from Christopher Nolan regarding this subject, very accurate, professional and still human and touching.
"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I
would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that
has befallen the entire Aurora community.
I would not presume
to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were
there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great
American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime.
The movie theater is my home, and the idea that someone would violate
that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is
devastating to me.
Nothing any of us can say could ever
adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this
appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families. "
- Christopher Nolan
My prayers are with the victims and their friends and families,
they are what this is all about, and I hope for sure this guy gets the
mental help he needs and the years in prison he deserves.
Also, I hope for people to stop pointing fingers and accept the fact that there are things we cannot control and shit is going to happen. Try your best to do the smart thing, but don't stop living for an isolated incident.
Skadi ~
