Indeed. Farcebook has become way too much a part of people's lives. Yes, I know that it's a good way to get in touch with old friends (the reason I got on), but after awhile, that gets old and if I look at my page once a week, that's a lot. I just love the ones that publish every thought that comes into their head. Like I really care that you're going grocery shopping or cleaning your bathtub. To me it's nothing more than more air for already over inflated egos. And when it gets this serious, people need to look at what's going on and maybe give it a rest.

Yep, I get plastered with email posts from Facebook. I don't need to know that someone is finishing a meal so they can go finish their gardening! I don't really give a $hit.

At any rate, in Tennessee, with friends like that, who needs enemies?!

Wagonmaster... with friends like that ANYWHERE who needs enemies? Sociopaths know no state borders.

If U really want to see the effects of Inbreeding & sheer stupidty go to any inner city North or South

wonder how many face book friends Jenelle Potter has now...

ban guns anyone?

buy guns everyone...

Actually Tim or Tom, I think the real story here, (besides how small minded and vindictive people with no "life" except that found at Facebook, can be is,) this is what happens when cousins marry cousins!

If they had guns in the house the outcome may have been the other way around. I'm glad I don't deal with facebook, my daughter wanted me to join so she could keep in touch, I told her to use the phone or E-mail, she looked at me like I was stupid! hay facebook is public, and if your not care full with it it can hurt you.

Guess they'll have a bunch of new friends...in prison.

She should prepare herself for a few more, "Unfriendings".

Not if her father makes bail.

takenaka

ban guns anyone?

plain bob

buy guns everyone...

Hmmm, I think Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Castro, The Mexican Government, etc. said the same thing once...

Bottom line, if you don't like guns, move to a country that has stricter laws, say Iran, Iraq, Syria, China, the list goes on and on.

Wow... and I thought the story about the LaCrosse player who killed a girl was a defect....!!!

What next... a story about someone who shot someone because they walked by someone...? LOL...!!!

And people are worrying about the Government taking away their rights... ... there's a story each day about another person taking their own rights away....!!! LOL...!!!

And they call them friends? I cant stand junk mail why would I want to be bombed with useless mail on a Facebook account? the guy that started it should be investigated, he is just a billion dollar tap on the economy. money wasted. very little good comes from social networking. but allot of bad.

I hate that when hunters don't clean and eat what they kill.

Tennessee; where adults have little kid names (half with Billy or Joe in it) and goats have normal adult names. Hey; I live in Arizona - so I can get away with hick jokes. When I moved from Washington State to Arizona - my IQ tripled.

An old co-worker was from Tennessee, she wasn't picky - she slept with everyone...not just family members...lol.

Wow! Your IQ tripled? From 15?

From Seattle With Love

nycfella or "feller" ... either Tom or Tim works as we're twins and can't tell one 'nother apart and our mammy and pappy is bubba and sis and we just have the one computer every other day here at granny's cabin (and just the one granny too since our mammy and pappy is from the same line) and so, ya see, it keeps thangs simple like.

Idiot.

FB is where all the sheep gather .......... LOL

Sure am glad I'm old fashion and don't get out much..

might run into a disgruntled face booker...trying to get into my space...

Good reason NOT to go on Facebook. I'm not because I will pick and choose my friends, don't want or need some stranger to want to "friend" me. No thanks. E-mail, phone, face to face is more than good enough for me.

Bottom line, if you don't like guns, move to a country that has stricter laws, say Iran, Iraq, Syria, China, the list goes on and on.

Bottom line is that most western countries ie; Great Britain, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Australia, etc. has strict gun laws and very little private ownership. They also have a lower crime rate because of it. Less guns floating around means criminals don't have them either. Not saying i'm a gun control advocate because i'm not. In fact I own several firearms. But I also am aware that a gun doesn't always insure safety.

Tonybeerm - three cheers for a [rare] rational assessment.

I don't think lasenora (sounds like a Tucson street name) is sincere about sending me love.

Yes I set myself up - but did you really think I didn't see it coming? I won't diss on Seattle, it will be a great place once Global Warming dries up some of that rain...I may even move back then...I'll risk the decline in IQ :)

Social networking sites are jokes. My daughter has over 500 "friends" on Facebook. Really, 500 friends? My daughter in law posts 2-3 new photos of my granddaughter every day. If I wasn't spending my time on this website, (b1tching), I'd be concerned that neither of them have a life.

I'll never get a Facebook, Twitter, Classmates, or MySpace account. Everyone who I want to stay in touch with has my email, home phone, and cell phone. If you can't reach me through one of those, you ain't trying very hard.

Heck I don't find my life that interesting to think it possible that anyone would really care when I wipe my @ss or how many sheets I use.

My real concern is that there have been more deaths lately in the news from Face book than guns. When are people going to request that Facebook be banned?

I finally got on facebook after constant prodding from my wife, kids, grandkids, friends, etc. I find it a complete waste of time. I have no idea why so many think it is so great or why it is worth billions.

A lot of the people in this country are bored or have no (direct) communication skills. Facebook is a time filler. Kind of like TV!

rjw...it isn't Facebook or any other social networking site that makes a person hurt another person...

or guns

Its our psycho society, arm all the Conservatives and let the liberals do as the want. it will even out.

I read the news on a daily basis and I've seen maybe two or three deaths/killings related to social media in all the years since Facebook has been active. I would hardly even call that close to being more dangerous than guns.

Come on, people, grow up. You can take anything too far.There is nothing wrong with Facebook but if you spend all day telling everyone every time you go to the head, get a cup of coffee or all your other mundane stuff then YOU have the problem, not the computer. I enjoy the ability to be in touch with high school friends and the games are fun but if you play them to the exclusion of all else and spend too much real money getting fake money to buy a fake amusement park for your fake farm, then you need to get out once in a while. It's not the fault of the medium itself. Just like tv, ipad, wii and other forms of amusement, they need to be taken in moderation. Now, if you are taking the game so seriously that you contemplate murder just because someone doesn't have you on their list anymore, then you REALLY need professional help.

But don't worry! They probably have an app for that...

Maybe there was a Tweet involved????

CFarinha - I agree. I kept reading the article expecting to find information about a long term feud or recent conflict that resulted in the final straw of the "de-friending." that pushed the father over the edge. There's more that is not being reported because then it would be less sensational/horrific.

This is in Johnson County, Tennessee. It is typical. Half the population are Florida opportunists or retirees and the other half are mouth-breathing dropouts on meth! There are more churches than fleas and people have 10 commandments signs in their yards. You can see things like babies in car seats (at least some use them) who have purple mohawks and drink from bottles which have purple liquid in them! Hold on to your wallet there, don't drink the water, and don't stay overnight! These people have been so desperately poor and uneducated for generations that they will rob you, thinking that it is their right if you are not from around there("You ain't from around here, are ya?") It is also an excellent place for sociopaths to hideout.

AnIndividual has a point. Unfortunately, that point is on top of his/her head. I've lived here, in beautiful Johnson County, TN, my entire life, have never seen a baby with a purple mohawk, never been robbed of my wallet or anything else, have the cleanest, most pure spring drinking water anyone could imagine, and an overnight stay just means you'll be treated to a glorious sunrise over breath-taking mountains.

Yes, I am proud of my hillbilly heritage. My parents aren't related except by marriage to each other. I have a education and a career. When/if I feel the need to greet someone with "You ain't from around here, are ya?", it's a friendly greeting, not a precursor for crime.

Additionally, before painting Johnson County residents with such a broad-sweeping brush of prejudice, (your half-and-half definition of the population), it might interest you to know Marvin Potter, Jr is neither a Floridian, nor a Johnson County native. He is, in fact, from Pennsylvania, and moved to Johnson County less than ten years ago, after having faced federal charges of fraud for altering his military discharge papers and fraudently claiming several distinguished military honors.

You see, stupidity knows no bounds; it can afflict anyone. In any future posts, you might try to remember "it is better to keep your mouth closed and have people think you're an idiot, than to open it and prove them right."

AnIndividual,

According to biologists, the most distantly related any homo sapiens is to any other homo sapiens is 39th cousin. Given a choice, there are any number of my human relatives I'd prefer to disown.

You can find violence and ignorance anywhere--it isn't endemic to any locale. I grew up and spent most of my life in the upper Midwest, but I've also lived and studied in the deep South and the Southwest. I have family scattered from Poland to Florida, to Alaska, and their faith choices extend from atheism to fundamentalist. Ignorance, violence and hatred can be found anywhere there are human beings. Sometimes the ignorance is willful. I hear ignorance and bigotry in the rhetoric of Presidential candidates. These folks are college educated--supposedly the best-of-the-best and role models, yet many seem to lack ethics and compassion. I guess that level of ambition requires a willingness to be arrogant and ruthless. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," should be a humbling admonition for all of us.

hillbillyhoney: Thanks for your comments...and the Lincoln/Twain quote! Proud to call you cuz, no matter how distantly we may be related.

Don't worry about the morons busting on our beautiful state of Tennessee. There are uneducated, stupid, idiotic people everywhere and some even become President...George W. Bush Jr. for example...although it is mostly a red state and that I really hate but as I said...stupid people everywhere.

did tennessee ever have an education budget. oh wait where else in the USA can you major in making moonshine , growing tobacoo, marrying your cousin,and learning to smoke bluegrass. Ye haw one for the Texan from Boston.

That...was just stupid...at least attack us with some intellect instead of the century old "hillbilly moonshiner" crap. And remember that tobacco..(yes, I ACTUALLY SPELLED IT CORRECTLY WITH MY TN EDUCATION..) comment when your killin yourself with that Newport honey. Don't be pissed because not everybody's too worried about their pretty little manicured hands and have no problem rollin their sleeves up like a real man should.... Texan from Boston...really?

Michael....REALLY?

Is that why Texas kicked you out?

Isn't Al Gore from Tenn? Thought so, that says a lot.

wow...what'd I say that got this started??? and why must some of you pick on a locale??? at the end of the day, we're all still Americans.

I honestly did not realize how low people really are! If it didn't have something to do with Facebook no one outside of TN would know. There are ridiculous horrible crimes all over the world. It's sad that people have to say nasty things so that they will feel better about their location!! But maybe you should do your research and remember this little FACT: Neither Potter or his crazy daughter are from Tennessee! In case you don't get it, THEY ARE *NOT* (not means no; do not come from; moved from a different location. ) FROM TENNESSEE!

You are exactly right. Morons with guns, no less. Terrifying.

Neither education nor lack of education has anything to do with being a moron. Morons simply can't be educated. Cultural values, however, are definitely affected by economic well-being. There is a saying that poor folks have poor ways. I would guess that the area is poor and these are examples of morons brought up to "poor ways."

"this is the what happens when the education budgets are cut" ... brilliant!!!

You are showing incredible bigotry. Senseless murders happen in every state and in every social level. Bigotry and prejudice are symptoms of those who have issues themselves and look for opportunities to pretend they are superior.

This area is my home, and yes, there's a LOT of ignorance here. (and Tim, the education budget isn't the problem, it's parents who don't stress to their kids the value of staying in school and finishing their education.) There is also a large portion of the population that is highly educated, as well.

This story wouldn't have even been picked up by MSN if it didn't have something to do with Facebook. We have a lot of murders/attempted murders, lots of drugs, drinking, fighting, stabbing, and even a large share of pedophiles. That's not even mentioning police corruption. The Unicoi county sheriff has 10 felony indictments against him and he's STILL the sheriff! I doubt it's any worse here than most places these days.

On the other hand, this is one of the most beautiful places to live. We have great med/tech opportunity's, we have ETSU, and the James Quillen College of Medicine, low county taxes, and a good percentage of the citizenry here is honest and hardworking.

I'll take the devils I know over the devils of living in a big city any day.

Scorpio, sadly we can't limit this to Tennessee alone. This kind of stuff is happening all across the country and the world. If you watch the news you will be guaranteed to hear of some senseless new crime with a connection to some sort of social media somewhere. Facebook, myspace and craigslist have all been in the news for murders and suicides that are apparently driven by actions that occurred involving those sites. We can't blame the sites, however, just like we can't blame video games, music or movies for the actions of morons out of touch with reality. It's not a social status site where being on or off someone's list makes or breaks who you are as a person. People who put so much stock into these things defining who they are are the kind of people that would eventually go off the deep end on their own anyway, no matter where they're from.

Kai... is it up by the tri-city area? Up by TN/VA/NC borders?

Yes, it is. Mountain City is real close to the N. Carolina, Virginia border.

Sad story but as you noted, beautiful country.

And you can't say ignorance. Maybe not a great deal of "formal" education, but ignorance and formal education are different things. The people I've met there are smart in what they need to get by and enjoy what they have.

Lulu.................you're a real lulu alright. Hope you're not too terrified with all those bad guns around.

You are truely ignorant and uneducated yourself. I have 3 kids going through the school system here in TN and there is nothing wrong with it. Second of all, wtf does that have to do with people getting killed? The only moron I see here is you, and your just as ignorant minded as the guy who killed these people. Why don't you try putting your two cents into a Google search and see the stupid sh** people ACROSS THE COUNTRY kill for every day. I'm assuming noooothing like this has ever happened in your perfect little world eh? Please, you really need to get over yourself...or pay more attention to your local news than msn...

XDm9mm, yes, you're absolutely correct, people aren't necessarily ignorant for their lack of formal education, but there truly is a segment of people that are ignorant. (I guess you'd have to live here and know who, or what I know to understand. It doesn't make them bad people, but I wouldn't rely on them either. Just chalk it up to personal experience.) And please, don't think I'm saying ignorance is exclusive to this area...I'm not, well, that ignorant. LOL

Most of the folks here are among the friendliest, most accepting people I've seen anywhere. I've lived all over these United States, and here is where I choose to grow old and live my life out. I love living here in Upper East Tennessee.

Kai..

Like you, I've lived in many places... including Tennessee. Franklin, just outside of Nashville to be exact. And I know exactly what you're speaking of.

I have found that the vast majority of people there, especially those "outside" of the cities and larger towns might be cautious of strangers, but once they get to know and trust you are usually very friendly and helpful. To be honest, they treat strangers similar to the Amish I came to know in Lancaster PA. Once they know and trust you, they're wonderful people in their own ways. They might be a little "quirky" by some peoples thinking, but it's the way they live.

I am somewhat familiar with the Amish having lived part of my childhood on a farm outside of Punxsutawney, PA.

We actually have a pretty good Amish community around here. Their craft skills are amazing, and I always buy my potted plants from a farm not too far from my home. We also enjoy Amish cooking when the desire for good food and lots of it arises. Next time you find yourself in this neck of the woods, check out The Farmers Daughter out on hwy 107. Yummo!

Kai, it is true that some people are not necessarily ignorant for their lack of education, but there are MANY who are ignorant in spite OF their education....you just have to excuse them....or at least try to...

How does lack of education make one a killer?

How does lack of education make one a killer?

Read this story for the answer

just curious.... boy, you sure got that right!

@ bluepanther, that's not what we're saying. (well, maybe patrick is...)

I did read the story...these people are mentally ill...that has NOTHING to do with having or not having an education...

Maybe you dumb@!$%#s should do your homework on this case!! The murderers were not even from Tennessee, they were from Pennsylvania!! So maybe y'all should start bashing the inbreeds with a lack of education because of budget cuts from Pennsylvania. Just Saying!!

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=98143

They don't call it Pennsyltucky for nothing. There is nothing as beautiful as the green hills of Tennessee dotted with the figures of Black Angus cattle in the late afternoon. Wherever you go in this country you can find pockets of beauty and wonder. That is why we should all respect and honor each other's dwelling place.

Well, duh! "hillbillies with guns" is exactly what we have here. And it's always been that way.

You are showing incredible bigotry. Senseless murders happen in every state and in every social level. Bigotry and prejudice are symptoms of those who have issues themselves and look for opportunities to pretend they are superior.

I'll keep repeating the post for the bigots or educated idiots who indict an entire region when it suits their need for superiority.

alur, crime is more rampant in poorer areas. Crime of ALL sorts! Fact of life. Yes, it can happen anywhere, but it's simply more predominant in poorer (and subsequently more poorly educated) areas. You can't wish the truth away or make it go away by ignoring it. Tennessee is number 44 on the per capita income by states list, followed by other southern states. We would expect that crimes, including foolish crimes of passion, be more evident in those states. Yes, it can happen anywhere. But if every time you hear of crimes like these you bet that it happened somewhere in the south, while you might lose a time or two, you're going to come out ahead in the long run.

It does no good to say poor areas are no more prone to these things than more well off areas because you are simply fooling yourself. If you really want to help, find a solution to the income/education problems.

Well Hell, I'ma hillbilly wif a gun...and I ain't never shot nobody with it yet....maybe a stray 'coon or a snake...or a deer or something...ain't never shot nuthin with just 2 legs before though....them thar two-legged creatures I mostly feel sorry for...'cause to git away from my gun, you gotta have FOUR of them legs....makes it more of a challenge...wouldn't even be worth my bullet to put one of'em in a two legged creature...

And yet I need to correct another idiot!! The murderers are not even from Tennessee, they were from Pennsylvania. So what number are they on those charts you are talking about. And the last time I checked it was not a southern state either!! Just saying!!

Alur: I said "IN THIS COUNTRY". This makes me a bigot? I think you are projecting your own sense of superiority.

Roy 1946028..."hillbillies with guns", really? So you does the killings in the inner cities, do the "hillbillies with guns" come out of the mountains and kill in the cities? I don't think so. These senseless murders are not just done by uneducated "hillbillies". In fact, the education level of someone may or may not play a part in such things. I know that low education and poverty plays a part, but I think it is time that America quits blaming it on poverty and face the fact that this world has just turned wicked. But most of the crimes being committed with guns are by the people that are carrying a gun illiegally (no CWP or has a criminal record that does not allow them to carry), with that being said, if the people that are allowed to carry would carry a gun to protect themselves, then a lot more criminals would be too afraid to commit crimes.

If all you "without sin" states would take a closer look at your police reports....hmmm

I agree. Death Penalty. And DO IT!! None of this appeals stuff. THAT'S what costs taxpayers the money, not a bullet to the head or shot in the arm. It's really time to use it more for these killers! Since they know the worst thing they will get is prison, there is no deterrent to commiting a murder. I know alot of libs and bleeding hearts will not agree with me. And it's NOT two wrongs make a right, or vengeance as my liberal freind calls it, It's a PENALTY!!! the price you pay for the crime you committed!!

Lisa, people hereabouts who know this girl say she has a mental problem. This isn't the first time she has caused trouble, so don't go feeling so sorry for someone when you don't have all the facts. On the issue of her dad being stupid, I agree, he and his friend deserve the worst punishment the courts can mete out.

Kai, I believe Lisa was feeling sorry for the baby that was left unharmed in the shot woman's arms. She never said anything about feeling sorry for the obviously mentally disturbed woman who caused the shooting.

Thanks for the heads up, I obviously misread the comment. (I think that would qualify as a brain-fart) LOL

No, that would qualify that you owe Lisa an apology.

And may I ask why you say that? Or is it just a feeling of superiority over anyone not living in your little corner of the world that you feel gives you the "right" to say that?

It's just smug superiority and bigotry, XDm9mm, because there's no crime or lack of civility where Josh lives. If we can find out where it's located maybe we can all move there. LOL.

Tim... I already know too many idiots like Josh... why would I want to move to meet another?

Have a great day!! :-)

Someone like Josh needs an attitude adjustment. There are rednecks and law breakers and ignorant people everywhere. A statement like that shows just what I am talking about.

Hey, come on ... let's be fair about this! It is not just Tennessee. You are completely forgetting West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri and Texas!

Josh your a yankee jerk with no sense to tie your shoes! And Joe above your post is in the same boat. And Joe you can keep your stupid mouth shut about the south...nobody is asking you to live here with your brain frozen thoughts! In fact we don't want you here....

Joe and Josh...must be twins...

Bluepanter 20...you got that right....they are both idiots of the worse kind!

Again the murderers were not from Tennessee, they were from Pennsylvania!!

Jennifer, try not to let the ignorance get to you. They are just stupid bigots. Trolls that try to make people angry because they have nothing left to do with themselves. I grew up in Johnson City and I found myself getting mad too, but it isn't worth it.

It sad to resort to violence petty or not.

If it wasn't facebook, it probably would've been a barfight. This family obviously has serious mental issues. I'd say they need help, but I think they went beyond the help stage, yes?

Yep, someone might have insulted his state.

That's not funny, Rick. If you're referring to me, "the native Tennessean" you might be surprised that since adulthood I've lived in Tennessee, Texas, and New Hampshire (where I am now located.) I get outraged when people make generalizations about anywhere and it happens here too on a local level. For example: Granite Staters (NH) will say Vermonters are "sheepf***kers" and will call people from Massachusetts, "M***holes." Mainers are, well, "MaIniacs" and because of certain laws we in the Granite State are sometimes called "Nazis." If I'm back "home" in Tennessee and someone rants about where I presently live I proudly state the good things I appreciate about New England. That's just how I am and, yet, I definitely won't be shooting anyone because of the insults ... well, shooting off my mouth maybe ;o)

He'd probably feel like he should move from Tennessee.

Michael ... Josh and Scorpio are certain it cannot happen in their state(s) ... they're education budgets must be very high wherever they are. Just try to be happy for them although they do seem rather miserable, don't they? Must be a vitamin D deficiency.

Uh, Tim...as to your offer in another post concerning correcting your English usage...should it not be "their" rather than "they're" in reference to education budgets?

But...but...but...he did it first, mommy! LOL

There, there! Mr. Crabtree. They're always correcting me for something in their line of sight. If I got it wrong I stand corrected. Thanks.

Rick's a dick.

We can't blame social media just like we can't blame video games, music or movies for the actions of morons out of touch with reality. It's not a social status site where being on or off someone's list makes or breaks who you are as a person. People who put so much stock into these things defining who they are are the kind of people that would eventually go off the deep end on their own anyway. Although, I do like your approach to voicing your opinion. "mmmmmkay!!!" ;)

Facebook doesn't kill people. People kill people.

Yeah, like someone else said earlier, when will someone cry "BAN FACEBOOK!!" ?

They did not know you are supposed to bring a gun to a facebook fight in Tenn.

Yeah, and you know, if she's a gossip, it's also true that it wouldn't have mattered if you unfriended her or not, she would've gotten the hint that you weren't putting up with her gossip eventually, and there would've been issues anyway, so it wouldn't have made a difference if you unfriended her or not, she was trouble, right? I feel for ya. If unfriending her caused such a hassle, there was bound to be trouble facebook or no. I don't know why people let it become such a wedge in their lives. I like it, but I'm not going to have family fueds over it. I hope all smoothed over for you in the end. That sux.

I also unfriended my sister because well she's nuts but, facebook gave her the freedom to be nuttier because she typed her rants without being interrupted, a very dangerous thing. People believe their own crazy thoughts and some go over the edge. Definatley an insane story!

When I see my "friend" number drop by one or two I think, "Oh, look at that. I have one less 'friend' than I did yesterday." And then I go about my business. :D

hehehe be carefull don't come near ma home i dear you come, hehe you will find yourself trap in a hase in witch you wish have never unfriend me....i have anmunitions a AK47 some 9mm semi auto glock and some granade, be carefull lolzzzzzz...

Like :)

I can understand completely what you are saying. Just this morning in our news, there was a drive by shooting in a small neighborhood on the northeast side of San Antonio. I can't say what the motivation was, as no one knows publicly just yet, but it doesn't matter. Killing is killing, and people do it for really stupid things, all over the world. You can't pigeonhole something by location. DC and Detroit have been known for their high crime rates, and as far as I'm concerned, any murder is for stupid reasons. (Except if someone brutally harmed my children physically, I'd be liable to take action and go to jail or die for them, myself.) Generalizations are, generally speaking, not accurate. Look at the Texas mom who murdered a cheerleader because her daughter didn't make the team (many, many years ago). That doesn't mean all Texas cheer moms are murderous! (Although I wonder about some.)

Tim... please don't offend the bigoted pseudo-intellectuals who believe anyone living south of the Mason-Dixon line is the result of incest over the last several hundred years.

They might be forced to un-friend you on their Facebook page.

In my neck of the woods we call what Josh and Scorpio have done as "baiting the dummy"; go figger.

While generalizations are exactly that, generalizations, and can't be relied upon to apply to specific people, there are reasons why generalizations and stereotypes occur.

Tim, while it is true that events like this can happen in any state, such events are "generally" associated with poorer areas, which also tend to have more uneducated citizenry. Tennessee is number 44 in per capita income. The six states with lower incomes are also southern. When one first hears of incidents like this the first thing one thinks is that it happened somewhere in the south. While that is not ALWAYS accurate, it is certainly GENERALLY correct.

Rick... you're generalizing. I would not say you are "generally correct".

Did not a father in a NORTHWEST state recently immolate himself and his children?

But, maybe you are correct. Wasn't Kyzinski (or however you spell his name) found in the NORTHWEST woods? Maybe it's something about fire and expolsives in the NORTHWEST. So I can be GENERALLY correct that ARSONISTS and BOMBERS are from the NORTHWEST.

Oh Tim Don't go tennessee on em.... lol jk

LOL XDm, it "generally" takes more than one incident...or one every 25 years...to form a valid generalization.

@Rick - I'd say most of what you say might be correct - except there's that generalization again. Let's look at Detroit, DC, LA, and other crime riddled areas. They have the illusion of richness, surrounded by crime. So no, that theory doesn't fly. Let's think about East St. Louis do NOT get lost on that side of town. How about going to Michiganistan? Uh-huh. While maybe statistically there are lower income states in the south, I do NOT automatically assume when I hear that something happened that it's in the south. Sometimes I think Seattle. Sometimes, Ohio. (I've seen some really economically declined areas there, and know some people from there that have told me about how bad it can be there crimewise). In Kansas, there are things that happen there all the time, but no one hears much about it unless it's something like the BT Killer - Kansas is boring and no one wants to go there and talk about their crimes. Trying to justify a generalization just digs the argument against it home.

Rick... would you be good enough to tell me what "qualifies" as a "valid generalization"?

Is it a feeling of superiority? THAT never happens here.

Is it a racist concept? THOSE people always are killing each other.

What exactly is a "VALID GENERALIZATION"?

Just asking of course. I wouldn't want to generalize about bigotry.

@TSommerville-finding exceptions to generalizations doesn't change the vailidity of the generalization. Nor does it show that the basis for the generalization is invalid. It only shows that it is a generalization. And my perception of Detroit, DC, and LA is of crime ridden slums with oases of opulence. And, yes, I've lived there (and visit East St Louis every year)

You go tell 'em Tim! There are dumb and smart people EVERYWHERE!!!

XDm...if it happens more often with a certain group of people, then it would be valid to generalize that it happens more frequently with that group of people. (Geez, talk about circular thinking.)

Mr. Crabtree, sir, you have gone down a long, laborious rabbit hole. A generalization is a generalization is a generalization. There are always exceptions to the rule.

Do you recall a while back that there was a lovely young British exchange student studying in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts? She was bullied so severely that she opted to commit suicide. Tragic. It made me feel embarrassed to be a US American.

Do you think it matters, seriously, what number Tennessee or Massachusetts or Iowa or any other state places on the "1-50" rankings of education and expenditures and so on? Do you really think that?

If so, somehow I am simply amazed.

Rick.. so then it is safe to generalize that people who generalize are bigots who try to justify their bigotry with broad generalizations.

You can't generalize about situations like this.

By your reasoning all big city residents are murderers because a preponderance of murders in this country are committed in big cities. That's a legitimate generalization by your reasoning.

FFS, grow some thicker skin or avoid these MBs. I'm positive you wouldn't be outraged if it happened in West Virginia or Mississippi, and they catch more Hell than Tennessee could with an outsized ball glove. But NO, they dared make light of YOUR state, so let's get on our high horse.

Also ... if this is related to "per capita income" then shouldn't we expect these type of incidents to be overwhelmingly more numerous in many other countries outside our borders (most or all of Latin America, for example, as compared to the American South?) What about the fact that the South is the most populous region of the country? 114 million people are now living in the South and yet we're not really quite all the same are we? The GDP of the South would compare us to fourth of fifth largest nation in the world if you view it that way. The largest number of Kurds in the US (who happen to be Muslims) living outside their homeland ... is in Nashville. The diversity is enormous but the "sterotypical image" is monolithic. Talk about education? Yes, the whole nation could use a lot more of it, in my humble opinion. I'm getting weary so if this additional diatribe needs more correction I'll leave it to Mr. Crabtree. I trust you on that, sir.

By the way, feel free to correct my publicly educated Tennessee English if you like.

Okay.

"As a naturve Tennessearan I rally resent the fact that sev'ral of y'all imply it could on'y happ'n in my home state. 'parently y'all enjoy belittlin' the approximaterly 6.5 thousand folks of The Volunteer State (yes that is what near 'bout the same 'mount as Indiana or Massachusetts) but I would dare say if'n it wereta happened in either of those states you'd wouldn't not be making such bigot remarks. If y'all were really confident in y'all's own edurcatin' and smarts n' sich, you wouldn't not need ter paint with such broad strokes of generalizerzations. The rale story is 'bout an unfortunate action that led to the dyin' of two people who deserved ta live. It could have happen anywhere n' unfortunately, will prolly happen agin somewheres ... just like school shootin's. Yes, it a senseless thang. Would y'all paint Warshington State with broad strokes cuz the father recently blew up his house with'n himself and his two kin innit? I despise bigotry of all types and that is all y'all are: disgustin', smug bigots who know nothin' of which you spake."

:-)

Ah, shoot... I corrected it backwards...

(Bye y'all-- and no offense intended ;-)

That murderer was not from Tennessee, he was from Pennsylvania! what do you generalizers have to say about that!!

Are you out of your medication WMG-21?

This...

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/mary_winkler/5.html

And now this facebook story!

I live in California and have totolerate some disparaging remarks made about my state too. I don't take it personally as I know my state has many great people in it.

I read the article and honestly did not think it was implying everyone in Tennessee was a dumb "hick" who would kill someone for defriending on Facebook. I took it as there are a few nutty people, and these ones in particular, all over the world, and it every state. I think the vast majority of people are too busy leading their lives responsibly everywhere to be involved in something so nutty. I love Tennessee and all our beautiful states.

Well said, Jesse G-341147.

There are crazies in each and every state. I think it's ignorant to think this kind of thing only happens in Tennessee.

I didn't even really pay attention to WHERE it happened as much as WHY, HOW, etc, it happened. All I can think about is that sweet, innocent baby who is now going to have to grow up without his mommy and daddy because of these two morons. How can you shoot a mother when she is holding her baby? That might be one of the most evil things I have ever heard. I'm just sick thinking about it.

My very deepest condolences to Billy and Billie Jean's families and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

hehehe be carefull don't come near ma home i dear you come, hehe you will find yourself trap in a hase in witch you wish have never unfriend me....i have anmunitions a AK47 some 9mm semi auto glock and some granade, be carefull lolzzzzzz...NYC IS THE WORSE....

@DKW

Are you out of your medication WMG-21?

Meds? What meds? You have meds for me?

Yes.

Uhmmmm.. please define "hillbillies".

You are showing incredible bigotry. Senseless murders happen in every state and in every social level. Bigotry and prejudice are symptoms of those who have issues themselves and look for opportunities to pretend they are superior.

I'll keep repeating the post for the bigots or educated idiots who indict an entire region when it suits their need for superiority.

alur.... shhhh.. you'll hurt poor Richs' feelings. He might even force himself to look in the mirror and say to the image he sees... "Dopey hillbilly"

Definition of "hillbillies". Billies are goats, hillbillies are goats that live in areas with hills. ;o)

Will Miller..

OK... that was cute!! ;-)

Rich-402108

- Stupid troll.

Jen.. it has NOTHING to do with a state. Of course some of the pseudo-intellectuals would like to believe that.

It was a father in Oregon wasn't it that immolated himself AND his two sons?

Yeah, people can blame FB and other things all they want, it's people's craziness that causes trouble. It's like blaming a gun for the shooter's actions.

Wrong XDm9mm, Josh Powell lived in Puyallup, Washington. That's a bit south of Seattle, about 100 miles north of Oregon. But we've got our bunch with weapons to protect themselfs from the reflections in their mirrors too. :o|

Thanks Will... This old grey matter sometimes leaves me hanging out to dry!! ;-)

Here in Missouri, a 15 y/o murdered a 9 y/o just to see what it felt like. She later stated it felt...ahhmazing.....now that is sick!

FromMO... as I've noted... sociopaths know no state borders or regions.

heard it on the radio...shot a man in reno ...just to watch him die...

Dear Jen Allbee

hehehe be carefull don't come near ma home i dear you come, hehe you will find yourself trap in a hase in witch you wish have never unfriend me....i have anmunitions a AK47 some 9mm semi auto glock and some granade, be carefull lolzzzzzz...NYC IS THE WORSE....

My condolences for your loss.

thank you.

Carol ... my sincere condolences, as well. This is a real-life tragedy. Peace, Tim

Sorry for your loss and may the baby be able to live a happy and healthy life some day! I think that most of the comments made were people just venting because they feel so sad for the baby and mom and dad...may god help those to heal and find peace...

Carol, so sorry and also my heart goes out to the family members and also to the baby. I used to go on FB daily, then weekly, now only about once a month. It's fun to see what folks are doing but I like the real world more than a connected virtual world. Please see that the baby gets a good home if you can.

Carol...sorry for your loss, and that you had to read all the bull@!$%# that some on here just can't help but throw out there.

Those who seem to think it's funny to make fun of others because of their constant bigotry only show what a true dumb@!$%# really is.

Try and be nice for a change. Have some compassion, and just go away.

makes us wonder why God could love any of us humans yet he still loves all of us .

for the sake of His Son who died for the sins of us all.

Truly sorry for your loss Carol. May your friends rest in peace. May their little baby be protected and loved to grow up to be a good person despite the tragedy struck at such an early age of her life.

Peace to the whole world.