Yes, we all live in the same country, but hardly the same communities or the same educational systems. Low income black (some not all) communities clearly have a self perpetuating problem, that's the whole point. Although this is hardly exclusive to blacks, I've seen plenty of poor white families unable to escape the cycle of poverty and ignorance.

Quit trying to make this such a (ahem) black/white issue. Nobody on the left (here) is claiming they are perpetual victims. Nobody here is claiming they are being picked on. That's an entirely different subject in relation to environment (in this case abject poverty, crime and violence) and the profound effect it has on human beings, especially children growing up.

I do think it's incredibly ironic that you guys aren't even capable of even contemplating a different point of view, but talk endlessly about changing-and if you could do it so can others. As if!

You sure about that?

What part don't you understand? Your experience was YOUR EXPERIENCE. I can't explain it any more to you. Actually I could, but it would be a waste of my time.

Lack of empathy is your problem and why you're incapable of grasping this concept. Not surprising from the guy who took free lunches from the government (literally) but pisses and moans about welfare in America. If you're that disconnected, then you'll never get it.

Yes but that is YOU and your personal experience. If you grow up in the ghetto, with and environment of ignorance, violence, drugs, and a family breakdown 24/7...who raises you? How will you value others? How do you value education? How do you value your health? The law? What would the odds be of breaking free from that, when that is all you know? I'd say it's pretty unlikely.

Nobody is saying they aren't responsible for their actions, but it's clear there is a cycle of poverty/violence/crime etc that is nearly impossible to break. I had a professor who grew up in the ghetto. He was the exception not the rule. The outlier. Most of his childhood male friends were in prison or dead.

I can also think of two families off the top of my head. Both had parents in a long term stable relationship. Very loving families. Very active parents. Both in safe communities. Six kids total, all of whom are excelling. All of them grew up to be great young adults. My wife and I admire both pairs of parents for what an amazing job they did with those kids. Environment is everything.

What exactly should Obama be doing about this? What a pathetic fucking statement. 80 dead people and here you are using it as a platform for your right wing bullshit.

I've met some peeps from forums and it was fun. But other times I was with the Missus and we just wanted to do our own thing/party. Same if we go into a different city that may have people we know.