Tacoma Mall shooting ~ good thing we were running late

That's what I thought when, on our way to Costco and the Tacoma Mall, a news bulleton interrupted This American Life on NPR saying to avoid the mall and surrounding area. Good thing we were running late. The plan was to head to the mall while we waited for a print of our Christmas cards from Costco. Fortunately I switched the plan to hit Costco first then to inspect the print then head to the mall. Yeah, otherwise we would've been right in the middle of the shooting incident that happened just after noon. Our plans weren't to be on the end of the mall where it all went down but it wouldn't have mattered. It would've been a terrifying incident that would pretty much settle me on malls in general. I already dislike the places and there would likely be no way I'd return to one had I had the image of a heavily armed man shooting people added in there as well. At any rate, we weren't there, so far no one was killed, and I'll avoid that mall just a little more from now on. Oh, and maybe the $50 billion just cut from all sorts of social programs will somehow help young men like our shooter (who was, by the way, white -- yes, we commit crimes too) through tough love. Yeah, go Bush! Idiot.

I don't suppose our beloved Presidente will be banning assault rifles like that used in the shooting either, will he? Nah. Guns don't kill people -- Americans do! There are so many other subtle killers in our society like lead paint, smoking, and car accidents that have laws to protect us but the obvious elude our lawmakers' agendas. If it weren't such a federal issue I'd sure as heck vote for an anti-anything-that-shoots initiative were it on my local ballot. Or, how about a seasonal ban -- like they have on hunting -- on selling weapons at emotionally volatile times of year. I'm guessing we'd be just that much better off if guns and bullets weren't sold between Halloween and Valentine's day. Also around all full Moons, Sundays (What Would Jesus Shoot?), during rush hour, lunch, and at night. See? I can compromise!

Anyway, we're OK. Tacoma's really not that bad. We're not moving. House and cats are good. Happy Holidays!

Comments (8) | To Top

11/21/2005 @ 10:57am

Knew there'd be something about the mall incident on your site - U didn't let me down! So glad you're both OK! I'm involved in a campaign to raise awareness about guns in homes where kids play - check out http://www.paxusa.org/ASK_holiday.html.

by Cuz Deb

11/21/2005 @ 1:57pm

Very cool -- thanks for the site Deb. Glad to see your comment here, too. Keep 'em coming!

~ Kevin

by KevinFreitas

11/24/2005 @ 5:26am

I will quote Eddie Izzard here (because it seemed relevant) "And the National Rifle Association says that, "Guns don't kill people, people do,” but I think the gun helps, you know? I think it helps. I just think just standing there going, "Bang!" That's not going to kill too many people, is it? You'd have to be really dodgy on the heart to have that…" " Yes. Anyway, 'course you're right, the president is indeed an idiot. Oh, and I am coming back to the US next fall. I am not sure why I am subjecting myself to that, but the Northwest just lures me back.

by Anna

11/26/2005 @ 8:35am

Congress made the $50 billion in cuts, not President Bush. The House and Senate versions of the bill haven't even been reconciled yet, so the final "cuts" won't even be that drastic after the watered-down version is passed through the Senate. They aren't even real cuts, so much as delayed payments. For example, the top "cuts" proposed in these bills:

1. Legal immigrants eligible for food stamps after 7 years rather than 5.

2. Medicaid nursing home benefits denied to those with $750k in home equity.

3. $5.4 billion in subsidies for insurance companies will be eliminated for those that agreed to participate in the prescription drug benefit plan.

4. Subsidies to future student loans cut by $14.3 billion.

While I think that Congress should have attacked the pork in the transportation bill first, I think these are some sensible things to cut. Not a lot there that would prompt a young white career criminal like our boy in Tacoma to go on a shooting spree. Maldonado was a convicted felon who illegally acquired two weapons and committed terrible crimes. He did not legally buy his weapons in a store or at a gun show, so laws or "gun bans" could have prevented what he did.

by Tom

11/26/2005 @ 9:02am

I agree, laws or "gun bans" could have prevented what he did. Hey, if we have no guns to begin with, maybe we wouldn't have as many problems. Oh, I don't totally blame the gov't for that either, there's plenty in the media, video games, and irresponsible parents that needs to be changed before we decide to do something other than reach for our guns to solve problems. Having a different president might help as well. "But daddy, the president can attack innocent people in Iraq, why can't I shoot mean old Sally on the playground?" This is a dark time in our country and I, for one, know that serious change toward moderation is needed to begin toward the road of recovery.

Long time no see, by the way. Hope all is well with you and yours!

by KevinFreitas

11/26/2005 @ 9:09am

Oh, and you're right about the cuts not being Mr. Bush's -- he doesn't actually run the government because he's usually on vacation. It's the CheneyDeLayFristRove machine that cranks these policies out. Keep tax cuts, cut social programs. Nice idea there. The good thing is the tax cuts must be working because Americans are spending in record numbers this season. It'll be interesting to see how much more debt their racking up as well. A $300 tax cut every so often is a mere pittance compared to what people are spending with "plastic" money. How about tackling issues like that? Social Security? Boy did that ever get lost on this Lame Duck, tons-of-political-capitol-to-spend president.

by KevinFreitas

3/19/2008 @ 1:22pm

Psychological exams wouldn't do any good. It might mean that only sane people can purchase a gun but criminals would just steal them for their own use.

No, I don't believe guns should be banned. I own several myself. I just think that society needs to be able to do more to remove the criminals and sociopaths from the streets.

I work in a field where I see the same people arrested over and over again. They contribute nothing but crime to society and shouldn't be let out of jail/prison to turn another person into a victim.

by Justin

4/24/2008 @ 7:30am

Guns don't kill people. Americans do. But what makes Americans go out of their minds and start shooting like crazy? Something must be terribly wrong in their lives but who knows what? My guess is that when you don't have enough money to afford a simple decent life, you live in a hole, no food, no happiness and no health plan you grab a gun and shoot. Wait, if you can afford a gun, can't you afford a bag of beans and a piece of bread?

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