Wild West Politics?

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

Your argument is ridiculous. There are people being treated for schizophrenia right now. How were those people diagnosed? Do you think their doctors should wait for a genetic test?

Schizophrenics are diagnosed by psychiatrists. It is unthinkable to put every gun applicant through psychiatric testing. It would also be highly ineffective. Schizophrenics are normal until the illness shows up, often around Loughner's age. The only way to diagnose its eventual likelihood would be through genetic testing.

[Pete Zicato]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Schizophrenics are diagnosed by psychiatrists. It is unthinkable to put every gun applicant through psychiatric testing. It would also be highly ineffective. Schizophrenics are normal until the illness shows up, often around Loughner's age. The only way to diagnose its eventual likelihood would be through genetic testing.

So are you saying that only a psychiatrist could tell that this guy was not stable? I bet his neighbors wondered about him. I bet if you interviewed neighbors and co-workers, you'd get a picture.

[xoxoxoBruce]

His friends aquaintances, former classmates (he didn't have cow orkers), and neighbors, have been all over the news. They all said he was nuts... make that acted nuts, but that's not illegal.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

So are you saying that only a psychiatrist could tell that this guy was not stable?

From bits and pieces in the press, he was a loner. He had plans for years. But even locked them in a safe. Apparently said nothing to anyone.

It becomes a problem of what is your responsibility verses what will only get you sued. A question we should all have answered years ago. And still is not discussed or publically defined.

He scared many people in his math class. Was (as best I can tell) expelled. Should have been known to those that he obviously needed help. But this is again what the AZ Sheriff noted. We don't help the mentally deficient. We put them back on the streets. Another problem that has not been addressed.

Surprising though. He owned (or rented) a house. He must have had income. So much of this story is not told. Too little for anyone to make conclusions.

How obvious was Hinckley a threat to Reagan. As best I can tell, even that question was never answered.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by tw

Surprising though. He owned (or rented) a house. He must have had income. So much of this story is not told. Too little for anyone to make conclusions.

Student loan and Pell grant overages, probably.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by tw

It becomes a problem of what is your responsibility verses what will only get you sued. A question we should all have answered years ago. And still is not discussed or publically defined.

He scared many people in his math class. Was (as best I can tell) expelled. Should have been known to those that he obviously needed help.

This is an interesting question.

I see homeless guys having conversations with nobody there, and sometimes they are laughing heartily with or passionately yelling at these invisible people. They are clearly mentally ill. It's not a secret. They are right out in the open. Thousands of people each day walk right past them.

So am I supposed to do anything about them? Is there a nutjob hot line I'm supposed to call?