We live in a lawsuit-happy country, where it’s easier to blame someone else than to take personal responsibility for your own behavior. The lawsuit against TAKE2Interactive, makers of “Grand Theft Auto,” over the shooting deaths in Tennessee resulting from two youths emulating the game is just the most recent example.

In the 1980s, both Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest had lawsuits filed against them claiming their lyrics inspired teens to commit suicide.

More recently, a California family sued the metal band Slayer because their lyrics inspired three teenage boys to rape and murder their daughter.

Beavis and Butthead were blamed for a 5-year-old child burning down a mobile home in Ohio.

After the Columbine school shootings, people were quick to point fingers at violent music (Marilyn Manson), violent movies (The Basketball Diaries) and violent video games (Doom).

I am sick and tired of the message money-hungry lawyers and the media are sending to the public — that individuals are no longer responsible for their own behavior. We should not blame an entire industry for the stupidity of a few individuals.

We would be a lot more productive if we focused on the real social and psychological reasons why these individuals chose to become violent.

Nathan Basler

Graduate Student

Undeclared