It’s a stark reminder how mankind often seems to find a way to ruin a good thing.
In this case, it’s about our ability to regularly twist technology into something destructive.
The senseless, shocking shooting in Roanoke, Virginia, earlier this week of a TV reporter and cameraman during a live interview illustrates yet another scenario highlighting the evolution of the ugly side to the Internet.
As this tragedy quickly unfolded, it appears the deranged perpetrator of the double murder planned and carried out the execution with the full intention of recording the killing and then immediately posting it online for millions to view.
That is a twisted and terrifying thought process with potential to set a tragic trend copied by other equally messed up minds.
It’s also another reminder of the archaic gun laws and mind set of many of our neighbours to the south who believe it to be their God-given (constitutionally guaranteed) right to bear arms.
One should not be shocked at such violence anymore in a nation where more than 270 mass murders have happened already this year.
The tragic shooting of the reporter and cameraman has drawn the ire of many U.S. leaders, including President Barack Obama and Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The callous truth, however, is that despite the public outcry and the political posturing, absolutely nothing will change.
Undoubtedly, we will hear a plethora of reactive comments and newscasts about the incident, but all of the protests and concerns will amount to diddly-squat at the end of the day.
Gun reform legislation in the United States would require a nationwide ruling to be truly effective and the odds of either U.S. party making that an election platform is unfathomable.
Such a bold move would be akin to the Liberals or Conservatives in Canada abolishing the Senate.
Don’t hold your breath as asphyxiation is a horrible way to die.
Since the birth of our neighbour nation, guns have ruled their way. It’s a lifestyle that, for too long, has been supported and sanctioned.
Gun ownership in the United States is a twisted tradition almost on par with the Canadian obsession of apologizing for everything. (I’m sorry—did I just say that?)
Sadly, a few more weeks of discussion on TV talks shows, in office coffee rooms and online chat forums will continue regarding this recent shooting—and then the incident will fade into the past, only to be repeated when the next incident happens that captures that nation’s attention.
And sadly, rest assured, there will be another one.
For all the joy the Internet brings into so many homes, reconnecting old friends and family,there is the ugly side.
Humans are incapable of having something potentially positive and simply leave it as such.
We have to tinker with trouble.
There is a chicken or egg irony of course. In truth, so many of the great advancements in technology or inventions we enjoy today had their creative roots spawned by man’s propensity for war or weapons of destruction.
That includes much of our computer technology.
•••
Speaking of politicians, welcome now to the federal election silly season, the campaign now already into its fourth week.
Not sure about you, but I am almost fed up already. Like many Canadians, I am once again feeling torn over the decisions ahead.
I admit to wishing we had an election day box option for ‘None Of The Above.’
In truth, there is little separation of political stripes anymore in Canada. The lines have been significantly blurred over the years between policies and priorities.
And even after certain philosophies have been expounded and promised, rarely do they actually remain valid once the anointed party is in power.
Several times in the past I decided to vote for the representative in my riding rather than the party, rationalizing that while I may not be crazy about the party or the leader I like the local rep.
That has been the case with my friend Ron Cannan, who I believe has done a good job for his riding supporters.
But I’m struggling with my decision already for this election because I simply cannot support Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper.
I have no doubt that Cannan’s job is safe in this riding. (There’s still a blue streak here so thick that God could run for the NDP or Liberals and have a difficult time topping the polls).
That said, I am not sure the Conservatives are safe across Canada.
The party might have been wise to have anointed another leader by now, someone who has not ticked off nearly every breathing voter in the land. However, as usual for parties in Canada, no one planned ahead.
Nearly as damaging to the Conservatives chances under Harper’s leadership is the asinine and insulting advertisements the party campaign strategists have put on television.
The creative brains behind their marketing may think the ads using representatives from multiple cultures to poke fun and put down Justin Trudeau is effective, but to me it’s quite the opposite.
It makes one ponder if the party head honchos are so naive as to not see how dumb and mixed message their ads are.
So why should we expect them to run the country well?
