Yes, I don't wish to be so angry just with this man. He's mentally ill, needs/requires help, might be shown as diagnosed with PTSD. I don't WANT to be so angry with him, I just am. I've read through so many clear, rational, and heartfelt points here and thanks to all who post because it helps everyone to read such articulatness. (sp? sorry!) I'd like to reply to the comment that would we be so angry if it were a civilian perpetrator. The answer is no- but the reason isn't that I expect more from our military personel. I'm more angry that it was a military man because we have to take CARE of our people who, to a person these days, raise their hands and go into the armed forces because they want to help every single one of us. In these days of war, everyone who volunteers is clearsighted and knows they're quite literally risking their lives-for us! I've always found that amazing. Without waving the flag or coming down on any political side whatsoever the bottom line is that our men and women who take care of all of us deserve so much in the way of thanks. I do't see any of them ever asking for it, or calling attention to themselves. They just go and do their jobs and we're safer because of every one of them.So yes- I'm more upset that this took place in a military setting because it should have been, and generally is, a place where these people can feel safe. I'm angry that this man was 'one of them' and had to be aware of where he was commiting these murders and how badly it was a betrayal of 'his' peers. I hope to sincerely come to a place where I will be able to view this person as a mentally ill man in need of help. I'm just not there yet!
On another note- I did cringe when it transpired he is a Muslim. Every religion has it's extremists. The Muslim extremists are soundly denounced by the main-stream Muslims, as would any religions denounce theirs. It wasnt very long ago that the Catholic and Protestant extremists in Ireland were busy trying to exterminate each other and anyone in the general population in order to prove whatever obscure religious 'point' they were trying to make. Yes there are differences in ideology and methodology but the point remains that extremists are always dangerous and never condoned by their main body. That this particular murderer is a Muslim has not been proven to be a relevant factor. Maybe it will turn out to be so, who can say. I just think that the intolerance towards any certain religion is also a dangerous road to troop down. The press has an awful lot to answer for in helping create an atmosphere of panic in relation to this particular religion and certainly their extremists groups haven't helped their cause by being responsible for some of the most horrific mass murders/terrorist attacks in recent history. Look- I'm not happy with my own reaction towards this mentally ill man. I'm genuinely working on it because he IS mentally ill. I'm at least angry with him because he betrayed people in his trusted care and because so many human beings are now in dreadful pain because of him, not because he's Muslim.
I've been in this forum for long enough to know that wow- I have to say that it's a place full of very very kind people! Is that the chicken/egg problem? Were 'we' a certain type of person before the traumas and because of that our psyche reacted by triggering PTSD, or are we all in such pain that it makes us unusually aware of other's pain, and therefore kinder? I don't know because I'm not a professional. I just know that no matter what's up in the world or my life this place feels so safe to come to.Some days you're all the only people I can talk to. I'd like to again thank every single person in it.
Take Care,
Anni
