There are two things in the news with which I am thinking a lot about. The first is the Ft. Hood incident. I keep checking WashingtonPost.com and cnn.com to see if there are any articles about Major Hasan (why don’t they call doctors in the Army Doctor?) It’s interesting how every article refers to him as the “alleged” shooter of the 13 victims who died. He “allegedly” opened fire, and he is “suspected” of the shooting. He did it! Why can’t the media say he did it?
OK, aside from that, I am wondering what has been going on in his head. I bet he thought a lot of bad thoughts. People who think bad thoughts should not have access to guns. My psychologist says there is nothing wrong with bad thoughts, only bad actions. But how do you know that your bad thoughts will stay thoughts and not turn into actions? One never knows, do they?
The other news item is John Muhammad, the Washington DC area sniper. I live in the Washington DC area, mere miles from the site where the snipers first began their rampage. It was a terrible day, and only one year after 9/11. In some ways this was worse than 9/11, as far as day to day living is concerned. We couldn’t let our children play outside, we couldn’t even let them walk to school. We live one block from the school! They couldn’t go outside for recess for months.
But I’m wondering what Muhammad is thinking tonight. What must it be like to know the exact day and time when one will die? I’m thinking about this a lot, and I’m not sure it’s a good thing.
Tags: intrusive thoughts
November 10th, 2009 at 12:56 am
I think it’s a big complicated story, involving isolation, lack of community, resentment, who knows what else. I actually understand him better than the sniper. It’s clear the first guy snapped, Muhammad did intentional random murder for fun and entertainment.
I suggest “The Executioners Song”
November 10th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Hi Harriet,
I agree it appears he did it, but you never know…many, many people have been wrongfully accused of horrible crimes. The media cannot say he did it, because in the States and in Canada, we are all considered innocent until proven guilty. The media will only say he did it if he is convicted in a court of law of these crimes.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Julie – I agree. Muhammad’s actions are just not understandable by rational human beings. And he has never acknowledged that he actually committed the crimes. Thanks for the movie rec – I’ll check it out.
Aqua – you are right, innocent until proven guilty. Although I guess if he confesses that will suffice as well.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:52 am
I only heard snippets about the Ft Hood incident and today I heard that Pres Obama gave a very moving speech at the funeral. I’m also interested to hear about what made Hasan snap. As for Muhammad, I have no sympathy for him. I read the first half of The Executioner’s Song (forget the author) and it was brilliant (but very long). Reminded me of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.