[chator]

It's all over the news, so hardly need to post a link to it. It never really occurred to me before that theaters were a place where a terrorist would strike, but its kind of a good location when you think about it; darkened theater, people distracted watching a movie, lots of people tightly spaced, especially on the opening night of a big film, people are bascially sitting targets, vulnerable, and unsuspecting. I wonder how this incident will impact the movie industry, all ready theaters in the U.S., theaters are beefing up security. Will we have to next get patted down? go through a metal detector, like at an airport? Hopefully theaters won't be impacted like the U.S. airline industry was after 9/11. Your thoughts?

[chator]

Oh, there is one U.S. precident that I can think of, Lincoln's assassination occurred in a darkened theater, or playhouse, but other than that I know of no other such instances before today's.

[NCC-73515]

People first think it's not real. That I guess is the worst aspect of it. Otherwise, you would also have to increase security in large shopping centers, restaurants, lecture halls, ballrooms,...

[Captain Tom Coughlin]

It won't impact movies or movie going because this was a random attack by a psychopath. It could have happened anywhere.

[omegaman]

I used to worry about this straight after 911. Probably the initial reason I stopped going to the movie theatre. Prime target, lots of people, with only a few exits that can be easily controlled. Sad to see its finally happened for real.

[Captain Tom Coughlin]

This has less in common with 9/11 than it does with an event like Columbine or the Virginia Tech shooting. This isn't organized terrorisim, or violence in the name of a cause. It's individual psychopaths doing crazy things.

[horatio]

Originally Posted by chator

Your thoughts?

Metal detectors and cops at every public place or stricter gun laws is really a no brainer.

[Captain Tom Coughlin]

Metal detectors everywhere? Who wants to live like that? And cops at every public place is simply not possible. I'll take my chances. Let's not blow these incidents out of proportion. The US has a population of over 300 million. I don't have to worry about getting shot tonight if I go out. The odds just aren't there.

It's a tragedy, as it is anytime innocent people get hurt. It's not something to fear. I have a better chance of getting hit by a plane than I do of getting gunned down at the movies.

[NCC-73515]

Is this just the terrible collision between some dark Trekkie-like person’s fantasy world and reality or is it more sinister?

http://trekmovie.com/2012/07/20/nbc-...-dark-trekkie/

[Captain Tom Coughlin]

I think the media takes these things and runs with them before they know anything.