Schwarzenegger isn't violent

We've all heard about the tragedy in Newton Connecticut. There are many ideas of what to do to prevent it in the future. All of us want to prevent it from happening again? Or do we?

Read this article:

"LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Arnold Schwarzenegger may be one of the world's biggest action stars but the former governor of California says violence in films is entertainment and should not be linked to tragic events like the Connecticut school shooting in which 20 children died.

The star of films such as "The Terminator," "Predator" and "True Lies" told a press conference before the opening of his new movie, "The Last Stand," on January 18th that "one has to keep (the two) separate."

"(This is) entertainment and the other thing is a tragedy beyond belief. It's really serious and it's the real deal," Schwarzenegger, 65, told reporters.

The actor, who will star in his first leading role in the film since serving as California governor for seven years, said the tragedy in which a gunman killed 20 children and six staff at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, is about more than just guns.

"We have to analyze how we deal with mental illness, how we deal with gun laws, how we deal with parenting," he said.

In "The Last Stand," Schwarzenegger plays a retired Los Angeles policeman who becomes a border town sheriff who must stop a violent drug lord from crossing the border.

The film, with its violent scenes, is the type of movie that National Rifle Association chief Wayne LaPierre recently cited as a contributing factor to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

But Schwarzenegger said that gun laws and mental health guidance need reform, not Hollywood.

"How can we do better with gun laws?" asked Schwarzenegger. "If there are any loopholes, if there's a problem, let's analyze it ... Are we really dealing with the mental problems the right way as a society?"

In terms of parenting, the former politician alluded to the Connecticut killer Adam Lanza's mother, Nancy, who was also shot and killed by her own son on that tragic day.

"Does a mother need to collect guns and take her little kids shooting?" he asked.

"Everything has to be analyzed; no stone unturned," he added. "I think that's what we owe to our people." (Editing by Patricia Reaney)"



Shocking eh? The "Governator" wants to blame the guns and those with mental health issues. "Everything has to be analyzed.." he said, but NOT violent movies! Wayne LaPierre wants to blame the violent movies as a 'contributing factor,' but not access to weaponry that's meant for war. Neither of them wants to take responsibility for their contribution to the tragedy.

Aren't you tired of the blame game? It's absolutely ridiculous the way we keep pointing the finger at someone else when a serious issue arises. Congress and the president did it (and continue to do it) with fiscal issue. The Governor and Mr. LaPiere are doing it with violence.

It's tiring, sickening, and reminds me of children. Whenever something goes wrong and parents say "who did this?" What do you hear? "Not me! He did it!"

The reality is that if people don't bathe themselves in trash that comes from the screen or the computer - i.e. scenes filled with constant and overwhelming violence - they won't have crazy ideas in their heads. The reality is that if there were no guns, people couldn't get shot.

Sadly, we will always have violent movies and guns. We as a society don't want to ban things because we want freedoms. We want the freedom to express any idea we want - on the internet, in print, in film, in computer games - no matter how vile it is. We also want the freedom to carry guns.

Guess what? Those freedoms come with responsibility! The freedoms also come with negative consequences and tragically in some cases people die. If we insist on having these freedoms, how can we stop the nonsense? Think about it long enough and you will realize that we can't. As long as enough people are willing to pay money to see violence on a screen or in a computer game, someone else will make those movies or games. As long as we feel the need to have guns as citizens, then guns will be available to all - including the 'bad guys.'

So this isn't very good news is it? No. But it's reality. The Governor can quit pointing his finger at the guns and Mr. LaPierre can quit pointing his finger at the movies. They are both contributing factors. They are both here to stay. So Governor, Mr. LaPierre (and all of us), take responsibility for your actions and admit your part in the tragedies that will continue unfold around the world.