Blog Post #5

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/329111

Author Alexander Baron captures the reader's attention by referring to the recent horrible events in Aurora, Colorado. The title of his article "Mass shootings — An American tradition?", provokes the reader into thinking about the recurring instance of these terrible tragedies in our nation. Baron maintains this attention by discussing various other instances of mass shootings/killings in US History. This appeal to ethos and vivid memory trigger incites the audience to continue reading because of how sensitive the subject matter is. 

Baron first claims that these mass killings seem to be an American tradition in the introductory paragraphs (and title) of his article, then concedes that other countries also in fact have these horrid occurrences as well--making references to several instances of mass shootings in England. However, in his rebuttal, Baron also recognizes that, "America remains the world capital of this particularly horrific and senseless type of crime."

It is easy for Baron to situate his claim within some sort of current cultural context because of the recent mass murder in Aurora, Colorado. This was actually the basis of my op-ed piece, although I discussed what Baron only touches on at the end of his article--the lack of action on the part of the US government to even recognize or deal with the rise of psychopath killings in our nation. 

Baron supports his position by drawing on the multiple examples of mass killings in our country, and how abhorrent the fact that innocent CHILDREN seem to be the ongoing targets of these massacres. The diction, syntax, and punctuation is all very effective in creating empathy on the part of the reader because of the imagery of these killings and the discussion of these deaths in connection with the recent shooting. Baron easily keeps "fence-sitting" readers interested in his appeal to readers in the last two paragraphs:

In spite of the problems Mankind faces due to the banks, environmental despoliation, and other troubles of our own making, it is a truism that in real terms we have never been richer, and ordinary people enjoy better health, more leisure and many other things that most people couldn't dream of even a hundred years ago. Yet in this modern world we all seem to be going a little mad, and crimes such as road rage, once unheard of, are now part of the norm.

There has been little research carried out in this area, but there is plenty of scope for it. We have Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, support groups for people who suffer from eating disorders, and so on. Perhaps we need something for potential mass shooters? The Samaritans doesn't seem quite to fit that bill.

Although the lack of research regarding this topic and Baron's suggestion for a plan of action is recognized, the article is ended in a way which would render the reader as heartless or even in favor of the crimes at hand if not agreeing with the fact that something more needs to be done. When in reality, those assumptions of the reader would be true. (My opinion based on my own article as well.)