'Tis the season... for another senseless MALL SHOOTING SPREE — Page 3

"Top story on CNN.com reads "Mall shooter's suicide note: Now I'll be famous" with a huge photo of the shooter.

Looks like they were more than happy to grant his wish."

"I say report about the crime, but stop turning the murderer into the "star of the show."

Very well stated B12B and MM
By plastering his name and image the media has fulfilled his wish.

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Take no offense - human nature is generally not a pretty thing

DG it is exactly that reaction is why I suggested that the results be shown and not the smiling picture of a young boy with the "I want to be famous" tag. There is nothing glamorous about shootings like these. The "FAME" also lasts only as long enough as the talking heads can garner ratings, then it is on to the next Britney outrage!

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"And if you think you are special because you DON’T, well, that is so nice."

I didn't infer that at all. I asked a question.

Why do you insist on casting my viewpoint as something I view as 'above' any others? I don't imply it, but you always characterize it that way. Why?

No, I didn't intend for it to come off as if I were better, just different. If that's the way it reads, my apologies.

And as for SWEENEY, I'm not a fan of the piece in general. The subject matter has always been off-putting, and I'm not a Sondheim officianado in general. The TinMan is a fan, and I've agreed to see it with him in the theatre (which is a rarity for us.) But I'll probably watch some of it through my hands over my eyes, like I did in the theatre.

"But just think about how cracked in the head you would have to be to do something like that, and how many horrible things that have to happen to drive you to that point."

This is the thing for me - I don't believe those conditions really existed. I think it's become a common trait in our society not to honor life - other's, or your own. I find nothing whatsovever in the information given that he was 'out of the norm'. We have just bred a group of people that have no sense of the value of human life - or life in general, for that matter.

His declarations make it apparent that he was consciously making a choice, and knew what the ramifications would be. That's not mental illness, in my world. That's narcissism at its finist.

And I just won't get into the concept of 'horrible things' - not in light of his place within our pampered society.

DG, can I interrupt to say that I parked at the mall before T-Day and my spot was on Nightline tonight.

I have had many conversations with friends and family in Omaha. It is horrible for such a fine city. Get rid of those guns.

DG - this kid had access to a rapid fire weapon. Ban these weapons! There is no legitimate purpose for these guns.

"I believe we can classify deciding to go into a mall and kill strangers and then yourself a product of a mental illness"

It seems there are extenuating circumstances around this particular case - but in general, I'm not sure your statement is actually true in today's world (although, I certainly would agree with it!)

I perceive a real break in connection for much of today's youth. They don't seem to exhibit the same kinds of boundaries that I find inherrent to life. Specifically, the afformentioned respect for other's life, and their own. Your statement takes for granted a certain respect and understanding that I'm not sure exists in today's world - at least not in totality.

Was this particular individual mentally ill? Perhaps - as are others who have perpetuated these same types of crimes. But is it a GIVEN that we're just dealing with mental illness in cases such as this? I'm not convinced. I think there's a growing portion of the populace that simply doesn't have these inherrent boundaries. And the causes are the source of much debate - things like the media and mass 'entertainment' which has dulled the senses to the miracle of life.

I just know that I personally don't employ a knee-jerk reaction of 'they were sick, and out of the norm'. I truly wonder if they are that far removed from what we are creating in ourselves.

I do believe that for any number of a population a certain percentage may be wired this way. There may be many who live in the pressure cooker and never act out, Then there are ones like this case that do. As the population increases so do the number of incidents. I quess then it could be considered a part of the norm. I don't think this is a new phenominon. I also believe that there are outward symptoms that they exhibit.
In oither places it is kids like these that are recruited to be suicide bomers or to drive planes into buildings.

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"Our ability to distinguish right from wrong. Good from bad. Acceptable from unacceptable... Our conscience."

This is what I wonder about having shifted. There are things I take for granted, that don't seem to be a part of the accepted 'norm' these days.

I guess I'm just an 'old geezer' before my time. But I truly have to wonder, if everything has accelerated beyond our ability to assimilate, does that include our 'moral' base?

sweetestsiren--I completely agree with you on everything you said.

I don't really understand the point at which "I don't want to go on living" suicides became, "I'm going to take as many people down with me as I can" shooting sprees.

It's their last (and often first), big "joyful noise" before they go. Our media has taught us that we're nothing unless we're famous. Unless we have our 15 minutes of fame, we don't really count. These sad, warped souls want to be noticed big-time on the way out. And thanks to the media, they are assured that this action will result in their achieving this goal.

These are people who seem to be so angry at the world for ignoring or overlooking them that they'll do anything to finally get the attention they feel they're owed. Maybe that's the shift that's taken place.

Exactly.

And DG, I don't think "the entire world" has shifted. Popular opinions and "social norms" may have changed in our current society, but I wouldn't ever be concerned with that, if I were you. Seek out and surround yourself with the people who share your beliefs and perspectives. There are plenty of them as well. Your "struggle" seems to be in wanting the world at large (or our society at large) to think a certain way, your way... even if it truly is a "better" way. That's a struggle you'll never win.

I would focus your energy and efforts on "digging through the mud to find the flowers." They're there all around you. And live by example, not by pining over those who don't share your point of view.

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Updated On: 12/8/07 at 09:07 AM

It's interesting from a psychological standpoint -- I'm not an expert by any means, but my perception is that many people who commit suicide feel that they're the problem and the reason their lives are that bad, and historically I think that holds up. This new breed seems to project that outward and onto the world at large for being unfair to them and unleash their anger on others. It's not that they were worthless or helpless, it's that the world is unfair and never gave them a chance, and now they've seen that they can (in that warped state of mind) do something about it. Whatever the reasoning behind it, it's such a disturbing trend.