Thats why I only buy from people who is well known by my friends. Scare tactics often need questioning.

I don't think Hasan was trained to be an "efficient killer." He was trained to be a psychiatrist. Killing unarmed people takes no great skill.

<"I would like to learn more about your imaginary framework of time and place and how that could possibly be realistic".>

I suggest the works of Gimbutas - especially her "The Civilization of the Goddess" (a secondary author would be Monica Sjoo "The Great Cosmic Mother") for your exploration of time and place where that was quite possible and, as supported by archeological findings, very realistic.

In the paragraph where you wrote: <"And those reasons still stand today for many who join the military or have a firearm in the home.>...

I assure you, I have no problem with those who join the military for altruistic purposes. They are, however, equally as susceptible to becoming disillusioned by the Establishment as anyone else. Additionally, my qualm does not lie with those who have a firearm in their home - indeed, I have my own rifle - and two swords (and know how to use them), a recurve bow and quiver full of arrows, and am currently seeking a crossbow. Again, for those who have these things for protection of family, property, etc. - more power to you! My point was not even with regards to those who have those things for violence/pain. My point was regarding those who have seen that which was designed to protect be used in situations other than protection and so on. When one is open to blatant disregard for human life repeatedly, that absolutely affects one's Being.

Indeed, I agree with you that those who join the military for violence/pain do not represent the whole of the military - and I am very thankful for that! I was, however, commenting on the oft-repeated question that I have heard from both Vietnam Vets and the current war in Iraq. I also have a dear friend who served in Afghanistan who has discussed the growing number of soldiers wanting to know "what we are doing here".

<"Wow, I feel like I am back in high school during my junior year. Columbine just happened and everyone began blaming games like Doom.">

I'm glad I provided a vehicle for you to reminisce. I am not stating this on religious grounds like many do. I have a teenaged son who enjoys video games and I have done more than my share of D&D, RPG, and LARP. It was a blast, I admit that with no regret - and I encourage my son to enjoy similar types of games. I'm talking about things like "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Can you please enlighten me as to the purpose of this game if it's something other than desensitizing young people and glorifying war/killing?

I applaud your never having a desire to kill your classmates - thankfully, you and I (and millions more like us) share that same mental victory. Could you say the same about someone who bullied you or pissed you off after you'd spent 3 or 4 separate Tours of Duty over in Iraq? THAT was my question, and by it, my point.

<"just because you do not agree with the reasoning, does not take away their reason.">
Absolutely not, I agree. Whether the reason was to keep them from killing fellow Wiccans (and thereby attempt to stop another Witch Hunt) - or in others' cases, Muslims), whether it's because I'm sick and tired of being beaten by my husband (or picked on by others' at school every day), or if it's to "save them from experiencing what all those at Walter Reed Medical Center have experienced" - be it PTSD or neglect [for example see: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2.html] .... WHATEVER the "reason" - does not make it sane, rational, and permissible by law and society's undefined, but socially acceptable, rules.

And death has NOT always been feared by the majority of people. There was a time in many cultures where the bones of those family members who died were buried in the very houses humans lived in, so that they could be close. There still is the honouring of the dead in many cutures - those who celebrate Hallows, The Day of the Dead, All Saints Day. In fact, within the last 200 years, there were invitations for families to come and play at graveyards, picnics were held in those graveyards, and other celebrations. In Ireland, wakes were cause for family get-togethers, people having consensual sex in the house of the deceased in hopes that the deceased's spirit would be reconceived that night, and - as everyone well knows - lots of drinking and laughter. It is a sad and unfortunate thing that over the last 100 years humans have come to fear growing old rather than honouring the sages and crones of our days - and along with that, fear death.