Protestantism

» Migisi - In the wake of NIU

In response to Other things at work... posted by BrianTubbs:
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...devaluing of human life.
Did anyone watch the premier of the new series "Dexter" last nite? Shocking!!
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Dexter, a serial killer, works for the police department as a CSI. At the crime scenes, he narrates his excitement about the spilling of blood and dead body parts. During his off hours, he stalks and kills two rapist/murders himself vigilante style by injecting them with something - and then cuts them up into little pieces to dispose of them. He puts droplets of their blood on microscope slides and stores them with his other victim's slides. His childhood... Dexter's foster dad was a cop himself who knew about Dexter's killing of animals. Since dear ol' Dad couldn't stop Dexter (and never even tried), he suggested that Dexter kill bad guys, saying "do it for good".
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This program is truly a SICK and PERVERTED glorification of serial murder and dismemberment. I was curious about this program after seeing the ads, so I watched it. I've already lodged my complaint with CBS, and you can be sure I'll be contacting the sponsors to express my disgust and outrage.
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And we wonder why kids do what they do?

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Quoting from:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?i...
"Why would CBS dare put such a show on broadcast TV? Why would CBS affiliates who care for one minute about "community standards" saturate their community with it? Dexter is not an "antihero." He's a complete psychopath, a negation of humanity, a walking black hole. But they find the whole specter to be an opportunity for cuteness: Pin the phony smile on the killer. The viewer is encouraged to see the world through Dexter's blank eyes; to share his smirky contempt for his clueless police co-workers as he buys the office donuts; to enjoy him playing a judgmental God as he saws into his guilty victims while they're still alive.
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"There is no dispute. The show is meant to cause sympathy for a serial killer."

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-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - In the wake of NIU

In response to In the wake of NIU posted by Migisi:

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Sounds like the stories I've heard about the cops in Rio.
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There are such animules.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Agree, Migisi

In response to In the wake of NIU posted by Migisi:
I haven't watched "Dexter," but so many of the programs on TV now sensationalize the most heinous, brutal, and grisly crimes imaginable. This is just another extension of that. Truly sad and outrageous.

» Migisi - Agree, Migisi

In response to Agree, Migisi posted by BrianTubbs:

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I'm a fan of the CSI shows (not so much for CSI Miami), Law and Order, etc. The Dexter producers are merely trying to hook CSI fans like me by setting Dexter in a CSI role. I watched, but never again.
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Again, quoting from:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?i...
"The drama is based in Miami, where lovable Dexter satisfies his taste for pork sandwiches and his blood lust for long, drawn-out dismemberment. During the day, he works as a police specialist, examining the blood spatter at crime scenes. At night, he spends his time preparing his next victim. Showtime (and now CBS) believes they have enough "moral ambiguity" in the series because he only kills other serial killers. He's a toxic avenger.
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"It's one thing to put this blackened filet of soul on a pay-cable channel. It's another thing entirely to take it and paste it on one of the Big Three broadcast channels."

-- posted by Migisi

» redback - Migisi's right

In response to Migisi's right posted by Migisi:

I'm not in here as often at the moment. You have probably gone past this issue but it caught my eye.

Despite gun availability, we NEVER heard about anyone bringing guns to school and killing people. But then again, kids weren't being drugged up like they are today. As I see it, the mental health 'industry' should be held accountable. But, as usual, money talks.

Like the guns, the medications have also been around a long time. There are poor prescribing practices and ineffective therapies, poor patient compliance...some research indicating it is well below what is believed, lazy diagnoses eg ADD and the problematic Ritalin. But is there any evidence there's a new batch of problematic medications on the US market...destined for broader distribution under the "free" trade agreements? Is any one medication rearing its ugly head? Children and Ritalin stands out...but ritalin and massacre?

Research also indicates a significant % of kids needing these prescription drugs also rely on the naughty stuff...counter-acting medications.

There is a perception it is predominantly an USA phenomenon. After all, "the American-style shooting" that happened in Finland

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ibdL...

seems less newsworthy to us than what happens in the USA.

Here's an interesting time line to 2006:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/sep...

I wouldn't have thought it a complete list to 2006 but it sure seems some adults lead by bad example.

I think the more responsible members of the mental health industry need to be more aggressive in tackling preventative measures rather than "early intervention" ONLY after the crisis.

-- posted by redback

» pink101 - On A Toot

In response to Migisi's right posted by redback:

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Is any one medication rearing its ugly head? Children and Ritalin stands out...but ritalin and massacre?
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Try Prozac.
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I do some little things for a couple of veterans--one a Viet Nam Vet.
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Something happened to him while he was serving in 'Nam--maybe he saw too many magots in and on the dead bodies he encountered?
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Anyway, when he came back, he eventually ended up in medical school studying to be an Osteopathic Physician. He made it all the way through school and graduated with his degree except he needed to do an internship before being qualified to practice on his own. That's when he got nailed for ordering prescriptions for narcotic drugs for his own use. And, while he was in a recovery program he did it again. Bam! His case hit the newspapers and he was drummed out of medicine for good.
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Now he is a street person on Prozac administered to him by the V.A.. He swings from being a very nice and gentle person all the way to the other extreme. He can be scary to be around him when he's off on a toot.
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I agree with you that the pharmaceuticals should be held liable. Aren't the gun manufacturers held responsible?
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-- posted by pink101

» Migisi - Reply to Red

In response to Migisi's right posted by redback:
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Like the guns, the medications have also been around a long time.
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Many of these on the list below have been on the market for less than five years. I'm sure you recognize a few. Being 'FDA Approved' (Food & Drug Administration) means absolutely NOTHING, Red. The FDA is so underfunded and understaffed, and has little power to recall dangerous food or drugs UNTIL people DIE. The PUBLIC are their 'field test' subjects. The FDA waits until there are enough wrongful death law suits filed before they even LOOK at a drug's safety. THE FDA IS A SHAM! It doesn't conduct any tests on its own, but relies solely on the drug companies' research -- which is tweaked, falsified, incomplete, etc. A number of the FDA agents and administrators were past drug company employees and are still in bed with those companies -- approving drugs etc. without research. As usual, follow the money.
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Buspar or Neurosine
Celexa or Cipramil
Cipralex or Lexapro
Cymbalta
Effexor or Efexor
Luvox or Fevarin
Meridia or Reductil
Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax or Pexeva
Prozac or Sarafem
Remeron or Remergil
Serzone or Dutonin
Trazodone or Desyrel
Wellbutrin or Zyban
Zoloft or Lustral
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But is there any evidence there's a new batch of problematic medications on the US market...
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See the partial list above. If you want to know the extent of the violence/murder/suicide related to the prescription drug epidemic: http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/casu...
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In most cases, SEVERAL drugs are prescribed concurrently to one patient (hence plural 'medications' often heard), so it's difficult to pin point any ONE drug as THE culprit. One might be stable on Zoloft, but add Paxil to that and you can have a full blown manic reaction. I have first-hand knowledge on this subject i.e. my son's wife, my daughter's mother-in-law, daughter's best girlfriend, and my own daughter (dr. attempts to medicate). Sad to say.
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Your Guardian time line link was interesting. Note two very early killings used dynamite, and one used a flame thrower. During those years, guns were very available and unregulated. Then note that from 1996 through 2006 - when gun control measures increased - serial shootings happened EVERY year and all with guns. Apparently, controls don't work. Here's another site with more info on US shootings: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.h...
Again, from '96 on, mostly students were the perpetrators and victims.
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Six years before, in 1990, the Crime Control Act was passed which directed the US Attorney General to develop a strategy for establishing "drug-free school zones," including criminal penalties for possessing or discharging a firearm in a school zone. It targeted armed gangs who pushed illegal drugs in and at schools. No problem for the pushers. They just moved their operations down the street. We are now dealing with students on campus taking LEGAL drugs - prescribed by drug pushers with medical diplomas.
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YES, some kids add booze and street drugs on top of the psyche drugs. Some are also overdosing themselves (to death) because they've developed a tolerance to their meds -- if the prescribed dose doesn't make them happy - they take two or more. They're whacked out of their minds, and lose control of their thoughts and actions.
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This IS an epidemic here, Red. It NEEDS to be addressed.
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I think the more responsible members of the mental health industry need to be more aggressive in tackling preventative measures rather than "early intervention" ONLY after the crisis.
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I couldn't agree more. Stop reaching for the script pad as a first response!

-- posted by Migisi

» Migisi - Send your kid to college??

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Snippets from:
In addition to alcohol and marijuana, Tufts students turn to prescription drugs to get high
http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/media/st...
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"When compared with their peers not attending college, evidence suggests that college students are illicitly using prescription drugs at higher rates," she said.
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"Experts have found a variety of reasons to account for such drug use. According to a statement issued by the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, the number of first-year college students who arrive with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression is rising. These students tend to be the ones who "are more likely than their peers to use alcohol or other drugs" at college.
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"I definitely know a fair amount of people who abuse prescription drugs here on campus. Adderall and Ritalin are clearly the forerunning drugs used here, but there is definitely a whole group of students who abuse other prescription drugs, like Xanax and Ambien," said Josh. "Those drugs are very easy to find here."
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"Xanax is a drug prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, while Ambien is a sleeping pill. After taking Ambien, recreational users can fight the urge to fall asleep in order to achieve euphoric or hallucinogenic effects.
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"Andes explained how such prescription drugs on college campuses are becoming increasingly easy to find because of the fact that they are legal at the prescription's onset.
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"Many undergraduate students are gaining access to prescription drugs from peers who are legally prescribed medications," said Andes.
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"Haley also explained that some students may be using the same drugs they were once prescribed, even after the original pain has disappeared.
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"With record numbers of college students arriving on today's college campuses with legitimate prescription medications of their own, the opportunities for non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU), coupled with a general ignorance about the associated risks, have combined to create an emerging college student health issue," she said."
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The article also mentions the abuse of over-the-counter Robitusin cough syrup to get high.

-- posted by Migisi

» Migisi - "Drug-free school zones"??

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Snippets from:
Student abuse of prescription drugs on rise (2006)
http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/s...
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"Although alcohol and marijuana remain the substances most likely to be misused by college students at 87 and 49 percent respectively, prescription medications are close behind at 31 percent.
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"....reports 14.4 percent of college students misused Vicodin or some other prescription narcotic at least once in 2005, up from 13.8 percent in 2004.
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"Misuse of tranquilizers or downers, such as Xanax, jumped to 11.9 percent, up from 10.6 percent in 2004.
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"Use of the stimulant Ritalin dropped, from 4.7 percent in 2004 to 4.2 percent in the past year.
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"Doctors often prescribe Vicodin, a narcotic similar to Percocet and OxyContin, to patients with severe pain. Xanax, a central nervous system depressant, is often used to treat anxiety or panic attacks.
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"Ritalin and Adderall are commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. All possess the potential for abuse.
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"Because prescription medications are easy to get online or through parents and friends, their potential for abuse increases, said Levy.
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"Jo Lee, a senior from Thomasville, said Adderall, Paxil and Prozac are prescription drugs students abuse.
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"Lee said people sometimes take prescription medications before they go out and mix them with drinks, while others pop Adderall to study.
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"And it's not hard to get. Students with prescriptions will sell pills for $5 or $10 each to earn extra cash, Lee said."
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-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - "Drug-free school zones"??

In response to "Drug-free school zones"?? posted by Migisi:

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I remember when pot was the scourge.
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Maybe it was the best of all choices including booze.
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-- posted by pink101