Elliot Rodger was similar to other spree killers

By now, most are familiar with the story of Elliot Rodger, the Santa Barbara mass murderer who killed six people last weekend before turning his gun on himself. Rodger’s loneliness, angst and longing for meaningless sex are now well known. What may be less well known is that Rodger shared many characteristics with a number of other recent spree killers.

 

As Examiner reported last year, a number of features are common in the random mass killings that seem prevalent in recent years. First, almost all of the mass killers are known to be habitual players of violent video games. Second, the killer often comes from a broken family. Finally, in most cases, the killer can be reasonably determined to have undiagnosed or untreated mental illness.  Elliot Rodger fits into all three categories.

 

Read the full story on Atlanta Conservative Examiner

Conservatives, Christians, and the poor

Homeless encampment in Atlanta (David W. Thornton)

When it comes to the poor, conservatives and Republicans have a reputation for being heartless.  While this reputation may not be deserved, it is one that must be addressed if Republicans wish to be given the chance to lead a country where the labor rate has fallen to a forty year low and the poverty rate is at a 50 year high.

 

Even though not all conservatives are Christians, liberals often cite two Biblical passages in support of government programs to aid the poor.  In Matthew 25:45, God admonishes religious people who are about to be cast into “eternal punishment” that “whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”  Another common citation is the story of the rich young ruler found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  In the story, Jesus told the man to “sell all that you have and give to the poor.”

Read the full article on Atlanta Conservative Examiner

Troy Davis and the minority death penalty

Troy Davis (GDOC)

This week’s execution of convicted cop-killer Troy Davis in Georgia had sparked protests and appeals for clemency from around the world. Even many people who normally support the death penalty believed that with the recanted testimonies of several prosecution witnesses, there was too much doubt to allow the execution of Davis to proceed.

 

In many cases, the race of the defendant is a factor in opposition to the death penalty. Critics have long charged that there is discrimination in the application of the death penalty. According to census.gov, blacks make up about 12 percent of the US population and 30 percent of the population of Georgia. Hispanics make up 16 percent of the US population and eight percent of Georgia’s.

 

Read the rest of this article on Examiner.com:

http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-atlanta/troy-davis-minorities-and-the-death-penalty

Huckabee comments on Portman pregnancy stir criticism

Natalie Portman (Josh Jensen/Wikimedia Commons)

Many Atlantans probably heard Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, when he appeared on the Michael Medved Show on February 28. Huckabee and Medved discussed the Oscars and Natalie Portman’s pregnancy. Both men agreed that the out-of-wedlock pregnancy of Portman, as well as other high profile stars, sent a “problematic message.” Huckabee went on to say, “Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can’t get a job, and if it weren’t for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and never have health care. And that’s the story that we’re not seeing.” This week Huckabee, who won Georgia’s 2008 Republican presidential primary, has been taking heat for his comments.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Huckabee comments on Portman pregnancy stir criticism – Atlanta Conservative | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-atlanta/huckabee-comments-on-portman-pregnancy-stir-criticism#ixzz1FgMiwmzE

Part 2: “Marriage can be antidote to poverty“