Skip to main content

Having My Say: Entertainment isn't the scapegoat

Sadly there have been two more mass shootings in the United States, tragedies that occur with unfortunate frequency of late. And every time something horrible like this happens, people look for a scapegoat.

That scapegoat is quite often entertainment. Wal-Mart, in the wake of these shootings, has pulled video games from store shelves and, just this weekend, Universal Pictures cancelled it's Sept. 27 release of The Hunt, a politically charged thriller about American elitists who hunt other Americans for sport.

I've no doubt The Hunt will eventually see the light of day, but its subject matter is probably too politically charged given the recent tragedies, and the right-wing response to them. It's not good optics to release such a film at the moment.

But pulling video games off of shelves... really, man? Really!?! And before it was video games it was comic books. And before comic books it was role-playing games. And before that it was violent cartoons. The list of scapegoats goes on and on, while the real problem is ignored.

The problem has to do with mental health, gun control, entitlement issues and societal views about them. None of these are easy to resolve, and we as a society don't like that. We want a quick fix, and pulling games and other entertainment from release is easier than taking a good, hard look at ourselves.

I've battled depression and PTSD, and I have my firearms licence. I've also watched countless murders in the name of entertainment. I've never gone on a shooting spree. In my mind, the two things don't go together.

We also have video games in Canada, and strict gun laws. Surprise! Very few mass shootings here.

We need to do the hard work if we want to prevent more deaths, and take the time to work out issues surrounding mental health, firearms and all these complex things. It'll hurt, it'll suck, and it will take time, but it needs to happen. Otherwise, this ever-escalating pattern of violence will continue.

But that's just my two bits on the matter...

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

  Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends.  With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher.  When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up.  Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila!  Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink.  The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink.  The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices.   In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors.  The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort.  It was refreshing enou

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ".  I know I remember them.  This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present.  With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good.  It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters.  This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's.  In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking.  I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e