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Why Governor Calls Shooter 'Suspect A'
Townhall.com ^ | July 24, 2012 | Debra J. Saunders

Posted on 07/24/2012 10:26:29 AM PDT by Kaslin

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper had the right idea when he refused to utter the suspected gunman's name in the Aurora multiplex theater shootings, which left 12 dead and 58 wounded. Instead of naming the alleged killer, Hickenlooper referred to him only as "Suspect A." At a prayer vigil Sunday, Hickenlooper read the names of each of the 12 people killed in the incident. After each name, the crowd repeated the refrain, "We will remember."

"We want to focus on the victims, survivors and first responders," the governor's spokesman, Eric Brown, explained, "not the killer."

Victim Jessica Ghawi's brother Jordan was one of the victim family members who met with President Barack Obama on Sunday. Afterward, Ghawi tweeted that Obama agreed not to name the shooter.

The president told the press that though "this perpetrator has received a lot of attention, that attention will fade away."

In 1999, two Columbine High School students killed 13 individuals before they killed themselves. There had been mass shootings before that dark day, but this outrage unleashed an at-times-unhealthy rush to explain what would motivate teenagers to murder their classmates and then themselves.

In killing other teenagers indiscriminately, the Columbine shooters turned themselves into cult heroes for the twisted. The Virginia Tech undergraduate who killed 32 students in 2007 left a video in which he referred to the Columbine killers as "martyrs."

In April, a former student opened fire at Oikos University in Oakland, Calif., leaving seven dead. Last year, a suspended college student critically wounded then-Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., during a political event in a shooting spree that left six dead. Also last year, a fanatic went on a killing spree in Oslo that left 77 dead; most of his victims were attending a summer youth camp.

One thing all of these men have in common: They allowed themselves to be taken alive. They were not suicidal.

The accused Oikos shooter has pleaded not guilty.

The alleged Arizona shooter also has pleaded not guilty. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, he is taking medication intended to make him mentally fit for trial.

Though the Norwegian mass murderer admitted to killing 77, he claimed to have acted in political self-defense. His trial is over. Next month, an Oslo court is expected to rule on whether he was legally insane when he set a bomb near the prime minister's office and shot up the island summer camp.

There is a time and a place to examine who did what and why. But it is important to remember now that behind such senseless crimes, there was no reason. And just in case a quest for fame is a driver for these crimes, it's better not to feed that beast.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: aurorashooting; coloradoshooting; jamesholmes
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1 posted on 07/24/2012 10:26:40 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin
This is not where I expected the article to go based on the headline. My first reaction on reading the headline was "...then there's also a Suspect b?"
2 posted on 07/24/2012 10:32:50 AM PDT by bcsco
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To: Kaslin

Sounds like the title to a Sue Grafton novel... “A is for Anarchist”


3 posted on 07/24/2012 10:33:34 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: Kaslin
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper

I heard this guy after the event give several speeches, attempting to sound profound.

Hickenlooper is an idiot at best.

4 posted on 07/24/2012 10:35:27 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: bcsco; All
"...then there's also a Suspect b?"

Speaking of that.......I've heard rumors (but no specific source) that there were eyewitnesses that saw someone opening the exit door to let or that let the madman gain access to the theater auditorium. Has anyone else read or heard anything about this? I mean, how did this sicko gain access through an exit door that I would presume is locked from the exit side?

5 posted on 07/24/2012 10:40:57 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. - Prov 22:3)
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To: Kaslin
"But it is important to remember now that behind such senseless crimes, there was no reason."

I call BS.


6 posted on 07/24/2012 10:43:12 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: Kaslin

send to drudge. i can’t .-using dumb phone


7 posted on 07/24/2012 10:44:54 AM PDT by Bulwinkle (Alec, a.k.a. Daffy Duck)
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To: Kaslin
We want to focus on the victims, survivors and first responders," the governor's spokesman, Eric Brown, explained, "not the killer.

They've done that multiple times, patting each other on the back, telling all what a wonderful job they did, while hundreds of them risked their lives every single inch of the way..The feds thank the locals, the locals cover the feds with praise and admiration...Over and over, while all the politicians take turns at the microphones for face time.

Here's the DA in Aurora, CO giving speeches and enjoying the attention.

I find this all really disgusting.

8 posted on 07/24/2012 10:47:18 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Kaslin
I'm wondering why they don't call Holmes a terrorist. I'm sure the people in that movie theater would. What he did sure seems like something a terrorist would do.

Are the media deliberately refraining from using the word "terrorist" to protect Zero (no "terrorist incidents" on his watch)? It wouldn't surprise me!

9 posted on 07/24/2012 10:47:58 AM PDT by jeffc (Welcome to the United Socialist States of America)
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To: OB1kNOb

I read similar reports, but also reports that he may have been in the theater, opened the door himself and blocked it form closing completely. At this point, only the police may have a real handle on how it transpired. And no, outside of early news reports, I have no link to any of this. And those news reports can be taken with a grain of salt.


10 posted on 07/24/2012 10:53:19 AM PDT by bcsco
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To: bcsco
Here is what is says in the second paragraph

"We want to focus on the victims, survivors and first responders," the governor's spokesman, Eric Brown, explained, "not the killer."

To be honest this makes sense to me

11 posted on 07/24/2012 11:07:13 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: OB1kNOb

Here is a widely accepted scenario: Sicko bought ticket to theater. Once movie started he pretended to take cell phone call, left through emergency door in front which he somehow propped open, went to his car, changed into his SWAT gear, armed himself, and the atrocities ensued.


12 posted on 07/24/2012 11:09:42 AM PDT by luvbach1 (Stop the destruction in 2012 or continue the decline)
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To: Kaslin

That makes sense to me as well. It’s the use of the term “Suspect A” that throws me off.

The quote you give (and given in the article), calls him “the killer”. But that comes from a spokesperson for the governor. Debra Saunders claims in the first paragraph the governor referred to the killer as “Suspect A”, and that term is used in the headline.

My point is, its use made me wonder if the story was about another suspect (i.e. “Suspect B”) emerging from the investigation. That’s what I expected I would be reading.


13 posted on 07/24/2012 11:19:00 AM PDT by bcsco
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To: Kaslin

Huh? You can’t mention the killer’s name because that somehow detracts from the victims? Its an utterly childish notion.

When words don’t have meaning, speech becomes lies.


14 posted on 07/24/2012 11:22:40 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: DannyTN

Pot smoking causes Schizophrenia? Since when?


15 posted on 07/24/2012 11:47:57 AM PDT by houeto (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: houeto

Shhhhh......
Don’t upset D’s fully-loaded apple cart. He’s got it ALL figured out, don’cha know.


16 posted on 07/24/2012 12:05:41 PM PDT by EggsAckley ( There's an Ethiopian in the fuel supply ! ! ..)
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To: houeto
"Pot smoking causes Schizophrenia? Since when?"

Since people started smoking pot. That was the reason they banned it in the first place. A Congressman stated that all the Mexicans who smoked it were crazy.

Harvard did studies that showed pot use damages an area in the brain that is the same area known to be damaged in schizophrenics. That's been backed up by other studies since.

But there's plenty of anectodal evidence around. Sinead O'Connor was known for pot parties, now she's known for cancelling concerts because her bipolar disorder is acting up.

And yes, there is a raging debate about whether bipolar and schizophrenia are the same thing. Some doctors think so.

17 posted on 07/24/2012 12:10:38 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: bcsco

Actually I was thinking “Suspect B” would be the person who let “Suspect A” into the theater.
“Suspect C” should be the person who sent the text demanding “Suspect A” be released or there will be more violence.


18 posted on 07/24/2012 12:15:59 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: houeto
Pot smoking causes Schizophrenia? Since when?

Since 1936, when "Reefer Madness" was released. Wise politicians passed a law outlawing the sale and possession the following year, and it's never been a problem since. /s

19 posted on 07/24/2012 12:17:22 PM PDT by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
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To: dragnet2
"Hickenlooper is an idiot at best."

A bar owner with a bunch of sunshine blown up his ass.

20 posted on 07/24/2012 12:21:01 PM PDT by StAnDeliver (2008 + IN, NC, FL, VA, OH, NV o/r IA = 271EV)
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