Modeling Violence

Senator Jasper Irving: It is my responsibility, it's part of my job description to protect the American people and that is why we put this new strategy into motion now.
Janine Roth: So when does it start?
Senator Jasper Irving: Ten minutes ago.
--Lions for Lambs

Interesting point made by Jacob Hornberger. Like all similar events, the tragic shootings in Charleston last week predictably brought gun grabbers out of the woodwork. Their logic, as tired and twisted as ever, ignores many factors, including the possibility that the federal government models the aggression that these perpetrators engage in.

The national security state, one that destroys people on a constant basis, plausibly fosters a culture of violence that encourages mentally unstable people to engage in aggression. In ordinary societies, the crazed are less prone to violence because there is little example and encouragement to act out twisted scripts.

In societies driven by national security (both warfare and welfare) motives, the state models violent behavior for the deranged. Immersed in a culture of violence, mentally unstable people perceive it ok to aggress on others for trivial reasons.

The national security state can be seen as a role model that encourages mentally unstable individuals to quite literally pull the trigger.