This entire saga, both here and in Washington D.C., is a tragedy. The story has less to do with law enforcement, and more to do with healthcare, especially mental health services.

A comprehensive healthcare system guaranteed to all, like all other industrialized countries have, would reduce the costs that society ultimately bears in cases such as this.

Mike - Yes, of course, it is a mental health care issue. It happened to a guy from this liberal area. If it happened with a guy from Kentucky or anywhere else in the South, it would be an extremist wing-nut, evil NRA issue followed by the de rigueur call for gun control and vilification of anyone who supports the Second Amendment.

If only there was someway to use this tragedy to push my political agenda ... oh snap, you beat me to it.

I'll join Mike in voting for comprehensive health care, including mental health services, for all. I'm not familiar with the research but I'll bet you an ice cream cone, USA, that increased mental health care would lead to decreased crime.

reader -- I agree with you about the improved mental health care reducing crime. The question is how to best go about improving health care.

Unfortunately, the Democrats has seized on the public's concern abut health care costs and coverage and are trying to pretend that theier concern about the problem is a mandate for the Democrat's particular solution which surprise, surprise includes greater government involvement and huge taxpayer outlays.

Ice cream - fat, sugar, cholesterol, sodium, animal cruelty. I would gladly accept a locally-grown, heirloom tomato from the Mountain View farmers market, though. :)