The fact that the US has a lower murder rate than some countries is a fact. That the US has a higher rate of school shooting than countries which have a higher murder rate is also a fact. There is no single cause for murder. Murder can be committed for financial gain, passion, consequence of a robbery gone wrong, honor killings etc. The evidence that the culture of the United States is conducive to school murders is the high rate of school murders. Correlation does not prove causation, but it indicates that there may be a connection. It is logical to look for a connection. One obvious connection is the age and sex of the school shooter. It appears that most of the school shooters are young men. Insurance companies make the connection of the higher rate of young male drivers and car accidents. They charge higher insurance premiums for young male drivers. It would seem logical to make a similar connection with young males and school shooters. Making it more difficult for young males to get guns, especially assault rifles, would probably cut down the rate of school shootings.

David F said- There is no single cause for murder. The evidence that the culture of the United States is conducive to school murders is the high rate of school murders. Correlation does not prove causation, but it indicates that there may be a connection. It is logical to look for a connection. One obvious connection is the age and sex of the school shooter. It would seem logical to make a similar connection with young males and school shooters. Making it more difficult for young males to get guns, especially assault rifles, would probably cut down the rate of school shootings.

Answer- With respect to David F I still think he's trying to treat the symptom rather than the cause. In the Texas case there appears to be an ethnic component as the suspect was Latino- did the suspect talk to anyone- leave a suicide note- if this information isn't made public it undermines the ability of the public to make informed decisions at election time or direct the legislators in policy. The US probably has a greater ethnic complexity than Canada for example- as we know from maths complexity can produce unexpected outcomes.

Hi there; IS MISE & CANEM MULLUM,

Thank you both for your tacit support of the police I really appreciate it. I understand after 32 years in the job, that police are not angels. Some do things, that are wrong. But, by and large they are just like you and me. They have the same opinions, ideals, aspirations, and fears, that any ordinary person can have.

And when they're on the job, they occasionally make mistakes. Especially when they're arresting some goose. They're spat on, abused, and violently resisted. Most arrests occur in a public street or place, with a mass of witnesses present, and some even urging the arrested person to offer further resistance.

And our female police. Usually well presented and highly educated young women, who join the job as a career. They have high ideals and even higher expectations, that they can make a positive contribution to society by the mere fact of the Majesty of their Uniform, will aid them, especially with women and young folk.

Until reality happens. To a couple of my former female students, (when I was an Instructor in the Academy), They suffered a savage dose of reality when they first hit the streets. Eg. punched in the mouth by several youths (offender(s) let off with a Bond) necessitating 2 days in hospital and extensive Dental restoration. Kicked in the crutch, after being punched several times around her chest, and laying helplessly on the roadway. Again after several martial arts style kicks to her genitalia! Spat at, had paint, piss, and God knows what, thrown over them at a Demo.

All they wanted to do was to make a positive contribution, to help those who need that help the most. All were undergrads from several Universities in the metropolitan area. Idealistic, and in some measure, naive perhaps, but their hearts are in the right place. But the cardinal rule is; you don't f..k with the drugies who hang around schools, and other places popularised & fashionable for youth loitering. Otherwise you're in for a decent kickin', whether you're male or female copper.

Dear o sung wu,

I don't know if this is general practice. However, I read of a man who was rejected when he applied to the New Haven police force. His application was rejected because he scored too high on an IQ test. The police force had an upper limit on IQ. This seems counter-productive. You certainly seem intelligent to me. However, are intelligent people discouraged from police work in some jurisdictions?

Hi there DAVID F...

No sir, quite the contrary in fact. At one stage they would only accept applications from undergraduates. That is ,until they discovered that a good academic record did not necessarily make a good police officer. Sure academia is required - But common sense, mature thinking and good judgement, coupled with a sound sense of humour are most highly valued even prized in a new recruit.

Today David, part of the entry protocol includes an extensive discussion with three senior police officers who literally grill the applicant in commonsense good judgement and competent problem solving skills. Where there is no right or wrong answer. I must admit DAVIDF, if I were to apply to join-up today, they would most probably reject me. It's an honour to speak with you again. Take care.

o sung wu,

You may think of yourself as holier-than-thou when it comes to all things concerning police. The good old days past when due to the nature of the job, you gave yourself the god given right to issue "summery justice", as you and others seen fit. Of course summery justice can take different forms, from a bit of a slap for a wayward youth, to the action of coppers hanging of a no good blackfella in a police cell, its all justice in your mind. You said "Most of the community support their police", yes they do, but they don't support coppers issuing so called summery justice, as you would have it. Fortunately Australia has moved on, and relics such as you with your outmoded beliefs and ideas are no longer relevant in a modern Australia.

The Gestapo in NAZI Germany issued "summery justice", I'm sure they would have justification for their actions just like you, after all it was a tough job, especially during a war.

BTW; You know full well, as I have told you, I refused to register for National Service, during the Vietnam War. If you want to have a go, and it makes you feel superior in some way, come right out and say; "Paul1405 you were a sook, for not registering for National Service during the Vietnam War."

You employ a tactic of Ingratiation of yourself on this forum with others. I don't cop that, and when you show your bitterness, I'll fire back.