Promises of Peace and Safety?
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
December 20, 2012 11:52am CST
God give strength to the families grieving in Connecticut at this time.
My prayers go out for them.
Participated in several discussions this week on how we can make our schools safer.
From totally banning guns to stronger response to mental health issues in 'those exibiting strange behavior'.
Something to ponder:
You may or may not remember awhile back the case of Brandon J. Raub on FB. He is a former Marine, he was posting some 'weird' 'threatening' posts on FB. He was taken from his home without a warrant and placed in a mental health facility, without due process, without a phone call, without any evidence EXCEPT some 'weird' FB postings...which turned out to be nothing more than song lyrics and a role playing game discussion. He was threatened with forced medication and one doctor told him he had to be reprogrammed.
Because of the persistence of his family and a legal team brought together by his family, he was eventually let go.
Do we really want our government, that seems to like restricting our Constitutional rights (via Patriot Act and NDAA)already, to have an easier time institutionalizing us?
3 people like this
3 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Dec 12
When I think of more mental health services, I was thinking more on the line of treatment. If somebody needs to be institutionalized, it should, in most cases, be the family's choice. And if somebody is not allowed access to weapons because they are in some way unstable, that should be backed up by a diagnosis by a qualified practitioner.
I am really, really scared at what our government is doing in terms of imprisoning people without due process. I don't see either major party doing anything to stop that, they're both going with the flow.
2 people like this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
20 Dec 12
Or she would have had them under lock and key.
Or if he'd gotten help for his issues sooner?
Sad to say, it looks as if we're going to see some changes come out of this. Whether they will actually help or make things worse in other ways remains to be seen.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Dec 12
If they're good changes, OK. If it's a bunch of politicians blowing hot air and appearing to be "doing something", maybe not so good.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
20 Dec 12
Agreed. but face it Dawn, have our politicians done anything but blow hot air in recent memory?
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Dec 12
That poor guy!! That is a violation of his rights and should not happen. They could at least have interviewed him before arresting him to sort it all out. It seems that government employees lose the ability to think logically when they start accepting government paychecks.
That's the danger of what I thought would solve all this--make it easier for voluntary commitment. But then what of the rich old uncle who has greedy family that want control of his finances? The husband or wife that wants their spouse out of the way or the teacher whose politics nobody likes?
I think making diagnosis and therapy more affordable is the only answer. That, and helping parents really parent--kids don't come with an instruction booklet and many young parents think it's fine to sit their kids in front of the TV for hours or let them play on the computer all day during vacation. Then again, some just don't give a damn. Anyway, I think that if mental health care was more affordable it would solve a lot of problems and prevent many more.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Dec 12
Great, great suggestion! The only problem is that it makes too much sense so it will never even be considered. Glad your son is doing better! I have a son with some issues myself, which is why I'm so anxious to move closer to him. His dad and I agree that he could benefit from in-patient treatment but of course he won't go but he's becoming very volatile. Oh, the heartache we go through with our children! It would be nice to have some patient-friendly laws that would help us help them.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
20 Dec 12
We live in a unique age.. when we can watch the noose tightening, and so many will call it progress..
