The violence isn’t just on television
Thanksgiving break was a much needed recess from the stresses of school for me; as I’m sure it was for many others. Lots of turkey, good movies, and a little tryptophan to instigate long, mid-day naps. Not to mention a lot more time to do things I don’t get to do while at school.
One of those things was watching the local nightly news. Relying mostly on the newspaper between classes in Logan, I rarely watch the local news on
TV, but over the break I watched it regularly.
Maybe it’s just me, but a good number of stories on the news dealt with violence in America. The anchors would go from segment to segment relating new stories dealing with violence, abuse, and utter disregard for human life. I also found that most of those violent based news stories involved teenagers, or at least people under the age of 35. Shootings, stabbings, rapes, murders, beatings, gang fights, and family abuse just to name a few, and a good portion of these crimes are being committed by college-aged kids.
So what is making America’s youth so violent? Speculations have arisen from every source imaginable. Violent movies, video games, a violent past – even the music industry is under attack.
Everyone has their own speculation of why America’s youth are so violent, but very few have questioned the American government. Under President Bush, over 2,100 American soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq, and the number is growing. Not to mention an estimated 27,115 Iraqi civilian deaths caused by military intervention. Yet no one looks to this as a source of domestic violence. This war is setting the example that violence is not a last resort, that violence is even celebrated.
This politically motivated war is killing kids like USU students every day, and people are hardly blinking an eye. It is brushed aside with cliches like “freedom isn’t free,” when really its not that simple. Violence is a growing problem in this country and we don’t need to look any further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Shame on President Bush and his cabinet for making violence look like a necessity rather than a last option.
Adam Strong is a sophomore majoring in business. Comments can be sent to adamstrong@cc.usu.edu.