I am extremely concerned about the psychology of violence being inflicted upon young Americans through video games, TV and movies. Video games have gone from shooting monsters and aliens to killing enemy soldiers and possibly civilians. TV glamorizes the combat between special operations troops and enemy soldiers. We are awash with war movies depicting extremely graphic killings.

After 9/11 attacks, the psychological aspects of killing humans have been ramped up with more life-like graphics and special effects. The scripts make the Americans seem almost invincible. It has always been a principle of the military’s command and control that 18 to 22 year olds can be the most aggressive and violent. Starting the de-humanizing and the feeling of invincibility as pre-teens increases the desired feelings wanted in a soldier.

Are we developing a generation of youthful killers? History is full of example where youth was indoctrinated to kill without even considering the moral issue. Solders use demeaning terms to describe the enemy. Today it is RAGHEADS, but before it was JAPS, NIPS, KRAUTS, and GOOKS. The idea is to make the people you are expecting to kill appear less human.

I wonder if the same principles apply to the little kids that join gangs. They don’t seem to fear death and shooting at people is similar to the way they play video games.

I wonder if we are on a very dangerous track that may not be in the long term best interest of our country.