A thought

[Greg in Maryland]

According to the Washington Post: "Arthur Bremer, the man who stalked President Richard M. Nixon before shooting and paralyzing Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace in 1972, was released from a Maryland prison today, with 17 years shaved off his sentence for good behavior. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

Here is a quote that struck me:

Years earlier, when he was 21 and living in Milwaukee, Bremer wrote in his diary about what he suggested was a painful existence as a loner: "No English or History test was ever as hard, no math final exam ever as difficult as waiting in a school lunch line alone, waiting to eat alone & afterward reading alone in the auditorium while hundreds huddled and gossiped and roared and laughted and staered at me, and planned for the week and laughed and laughed."

Greg

[cgallery]

According to the Washington Post: "Arthur Bremer, the man who stalked President Richard M. Nixon before shooting and paralyzing Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace in 1972, was released from a Maryland prison today, with 17 years shaved off his sentence for good behavior. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

Here is a quote that struck me:

Years earlier, when he was 21 and living in Milwaukee, Bremer wrote in his diary about what he suggested was a painful existence as a loner: "No English or History test was ever as hard, no math final exam ever as difficult as waiting in a school lunch line alone, waiting to eat alone & afterward reading alone in the auditorium while hundreds huddled and gossiped and roared and laughted and staered at me, and planned for the week and laughed and laughed."

Greg

Is your point that his behavior appears good until it appears bad?

Or are you pointing-out the tragedy of those w/ sociological disorders that can't relate to others?

I also find this case interesting and would love to hear other people's thoughts about what to do with those in society that are "different."

[Uncle Cracker]

I think it can certainly be said that I am "different" (at least that's what people keep telling me... ) But I know right from wrong, and don't have the compulsion to stalk and shoot anybody (at least not today). Humans are capable of rational thought, and I think entirely too much blame is placed on "difficult childhoods" being the root cause for crimes that would be reprehensible to any but the truly insane. Yes, there are "exceptions", but I think most of the posturing is pure crap.

[mashtun]

A thought

I agree with Uncle Cracker. I know a few people who have have very diffocult childhoods, with really bad parents, but they still know right and wrong, and don't go killing people.

John

[scmhogg]

Bremer's quote is sad, but, it in no way excuses his conduct.

I have practiced criminal law for 35 years. I have had a number of clients that had Asperger's Syndrome or other forms of autism. They exhibit a peculiar flat effect. Their actions often occur because they seem to have no empathy. They don't feel love or accept it. Tragically, their victims are often parents and siblings.

Under the law, they are not "insane". They know the difference between right and wrong, the current legal test. But, they are not wired to feel it is wrong to hurt another. The courts, often espousing regret, send them away for long prison terms.

I don't have the answers.

Steve

[Black wallnut]

Yup, lots of folks had tough childhoods but never committed these types of horrific acts. Kids are and likely have always been downright mean to one another. Only later as adults they have to live with the consequences of their or other's actions. I'm not sure there really is an answer other than reaching out to as many kids as is possible with esteem builders such as religion, Scouting, sports, and other clubs.

[messmaker]

It is my belief that if fixing can be done, it must happen early. Once a human being is adult and broken, I don't believe they can ever be totally fixed.I believe that only a few are broken from the start. I think the more you can do to raise a good person when they are children, the better we all will be.

[crokett]

I was also a loner. I went to school for 12 years with essentially the same 130-odd kids. By the time I hit high school we'd more or less established a pattern that I was ignored, which was fine with me, since the alternative was to get picked on, and then get into trouble for fighting. That doesn't excuse his behaviour - I've never killed anyone nor seriously considered doing so.

[Greg in Maryland]

I purposely left the post with out any thoughts of my own to see what responses would be. They were interesting as always.

In no way do I excuse or otherwise rationalize his crime with his lonely existence.

What struck me is that perhaps the next person I see sitting alone could use a friend and that my friendship could make a real difference in that person's life and perhaps the lives of others.

Greg

[rmcjh]

As Greg stated there are a number of opinions, all of which are correct. I believe that each of us looks back into out own lives or experiences and prepares their answers accordingly. I had a friend that recently died who I played with as a youngster, went to Grade, Jr-High and High School with. Both he and his parents were terrific.

He had a brother 2 years older than he who at last count was in the state pen. He by all counts had the same upbringing with the same parents and had the same opportunity in life. He made choices that landed him where he is/was. He had friends but they were the wrong kind.

As Crokett stated, he personally made a choice, to get into trouble or go another way. Parental up-bringing does have a big influence on our lives but we all have the ability to think and make selections by ourselves.

[Uncle Cracker]

As Crokett stated, he personally made a choice, to get into trouble or go another way.

That is a choice everybody has to make...

[cgallery]

It is my belief that if fixing can be done, it must happen early. Once a human being is adult and broken, I don't believe they can ever be totally fixed.I believe that only a few are broken from the start. I think the more you can do to raise a good person when they are children, the better we all will be.

With just a few stipulations, I agree. For those that are badly broken, intervention must come early to do much good at all.

[cgallery]

What struck me is that perhaps the next person I see sitting alone could use a friend and that my friendship could make a real difference in that person's life and perhaps the lives of others.

Greg

It can also make you the target of their hostility. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying not to buy the world a Coke. But you have to be careful because some people are already too far gone and will sink their claws into whatever lifeline happens by at the time (which might be you).

Speaking from personal experience.

[Uncle Cracker]

...and some people are alone for good reason...

[cabinetman]

It is my belief that if fixing can be done, it must happen early. Once a human being is adult and broken, I don't believe they can ever be totally fixed.I believe that only a few are broken from the start. I think the more you can do to raise a good person when they are children, the better we all will be.

The right and wrong debate can go on and on. Whether he snapped or was just after his 15 minutes, rules are rules, laws are laws, just like this forum. A parent can't wait until their teenage child is 6'-2" and 220 lbs to try to teach discipline. Discipline starts at birth.

Uncle Cracker may be right when he says there may be a good reason the person is alone. So, if you have all the time in the world and plan to put all your sensitivity into that person sitting alone, and are told to "mind your own business", don't tell yourself it's a temporary setback.