Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Charles J. Whitman - A Half-Century of Time.

Old Dog New Trick · 07-31-2016, 13:54

Tomorrow, August 1, 2016, (Austin, TX., August 1, 1966) will be the 50th Anniversary of the first "Active Shooter" in American history. What lessons have we learned from Charles Whitman, or better yet what lessons have not been learned since then?

First a YouTube clip from Full Metal Jacket: https://youtu.be/a5IWK9sRYTs

History: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-h...rsity-of-texas

From this we could debate type of weapons used and whether the AR-15 is any better or worse than a hunting rifle or military rifle of the time? We could debate whether or not we have made adequate strides in mental health treatment and understanding of mental health issues.

Thinking of and about issues of the past five, ten, and twenty years...are we any better or worse off than we (the country) and the police were on that fateful day when it apparently all began?

One thing I want the readers to take away from this (if you don't know/read the history of this.) The citizens of Austin, TX were there with guns (rifles/pistols) assisting the police (out gunned at the time) and without them the police by themselves probably would never have stopped this at the 96th minute.

Sure our police are better equipped and better trained than back then but they are still minutes away when seconds count.

Last night in Austin, there was a shooting. One woman died others injured and as of now the shooter is on the loose. No motive or relationship is revealed at present.

Current threats against law enforcement by BLM and supporters with military experience make something like what Whitman did all the more important.

Your thoughts and opinions?

07-31-2016, 13:54	#1
Old Dog New Trick Quiet Professional Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Just above the flood plain in Southern Texas Posts: 3,611	Charles J. Whitman - A Half-Century of Time. Tomorrow, August 1, 2016, (Austin, TX., August 1, 1966) will be the 50th Anniversary of the first "Active Shooter" in American history. What lessons have we learned from Charles Whitman, or better yet what lessons have not been learned since then? First a YouTube clip from Full Metal Jacket: https://youtu.be/a5IWK9sRYTs History: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-h...rsity-of-texas From this we could debate type of weapons used and whether the AR-15 is any better or worse than a hunting rifle or military rifle of the time? We could debate whether or not we have made adequate strides in mental health treatment and understanding of mental health issues. Thinking of and about issues of the past five, ten, and twenty years...are we any better or worse off than we (the country) and the police were on that fateful day when it apparently all began? One thing I want the readers to take away from this (if you don't know/read the history of this.) The citizens of Austin, TX were there with guns (rifles/pistols) assisting the police (out gunned at the time) and without them the police by themselves probably would never have stopped this at the 96th minute. Sure our police are better equipped and better trained than back then but they are still minutes away when seconds count. Last night in Austin, there was a shooting. One woman died others injured and as of now the shooter is on the loose. No motive or relationship is revealed at present. Current threats against law enforcement by BLM and supporters with military experience make something like what Whitman did all the more important. Your thoughts and opinions? __________________ You only live once; live well. Have no regrets when the end happens! “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Sir Edmund Burke)
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