NEW CASTLE —
In the film “Casablanca,” Police Captain Renault routinely issues orders to “round up the usual suspects” following a crime.
The classic movie makes it clear that Renault is mainly interested in a scapegoat, someone who can be tied to a crime, whether guilty or not.
And so it is with random acts of violence in America. In light of this month’s mass murder at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., the usual suspects are being trotted out.
They include guns, even though most guns are never involved in crimes. They include the mentally ill, even though most of these people display no propensity for violence. They include entertainment, even though multiple studies have failed to identify a link between violent entertainment and the real thing.
But there is something wrong in America. The number of mass shooting in the United States is a call to action. Yes, other nations have similar tragedies. But statistically, they are more prevalent here.
Why? It’s tempting to point at one of those usual suspects as the culprit. Yet a dispassionate examination of these killings suggests a more complex, and more nuanced, explanation is waiting to be identified. And finding that explanation is crucial if Americans are to avoid living in fear and suspicion of each other.
Fortunately, some efforts are being made in the aftermath of the Newtown killings to conduct a broad review of such violence in the hopes of reaching a better understanding of what lies behind it. President Obama has established a national commission to examine the issues.
And in Pennsylvania, the Republican chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee is calling for something similar for the commonwealth.
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf wants to establish a task force that will explore ways to prevent gun violence. He has called on his fellow senators to create the task force, composed of various experts, to examine such matters as firearms regulation, mental health laws and bullying. The goal is to gain a better understand of the causes of such violence and to determine if there are actions the Legislature should pursue in 2013.
Such efforts are commendable, but we would be remiss if we failed to note the potential pitfalls. Any recommendations coming out of these examinations will be attacked by defenders of the status quo.
Still, a serious debate over violence is long overdue in America. Citizens should encourage it and be wary of those who automatically reject any changes.
Editorials
Our Opinion: Nation needs to do more to uncover causes of mass murder
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Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
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Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
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Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
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Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
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Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
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Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
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Our Opinion: Senate seeks to give states more taxing power
Congress is taking a stab at tax fairness. At least, where states are concerned. If you’re looking for meaningful reform of the federal tax code, that’s going to have to wait.
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Our Opinion: Look at handling of bombing suspects is warranted
We welcome an investigation into the handling of intelligence related to suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing. That probe may reveal little of value.
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Our Opinion: Right to know reveals intermediate unit problem
At this point, we have few details regarding the resignation of the director of this region’s intermediate unit. Apparently, there was a problem with purchases Cecelia H. Yauger made with a government credit card through the state agency that provides support services to area school districts.
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Our Opinion: New wave of ethics initiatives arrives in Harrisburg
There may be hope yet for Harrisburg. Recent signs suggest that even lawmakers are grasping that the ethics situation in the state capital is taking its toll. Maybe they are hearing from constituents who are fed up with the commonwealth’s seemingly endless string of scandals.
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