Confession time. And this is a Big Ugly One.
When news broke of the Virginia Tech murders, a small part of me said: "Finally! Real news! We can stop hearing about Anna Nicole Smith and Don Imus."
I told you it was ugly. If you like me a little less now I totally understand. I liked me a little less thinking it.
Today the networks have traded one form of lunacy for another by broadcasting the rantings of this madman over and over and over.
I miss Anna. I miss Imus. Truly.
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Here's a question: Where are this boy's parents?
I searched high and low on the Internet last night and only found one largely irrelevant article about his sister, who works for some government agency re-building Iraq. Or something.
Even this morning, there is nothing about his parents.
And in this aftermath of ugly rhetoric on who's to blame this time -- gun freaks on both sides sure didn't waste any time making hay outta this one -- the most important question is: Where were these parents when their sad, manic son was skittering down the path to massacre?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am listening to: Like a Star - Corinne Bailey Rae
I am reading: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace -- One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson
And I am: Turning everything off
2 months ago
7 comments:
The gossip mill said that his parents tried to kill themselves when they heard what he did. They run a laundromat (stereotype come true) in the DC area.
I'd like to hear more of Imus and Anna too. At least innocent people aren't dead as a result of their actions.
Do you think Cho sounds like Cameron when he's calling Ferris Buehler's girlfriend in sick?
-Mr. Uk
I heard the laundromat thing, but nothing more, thanks. It's a little odd that there's not a peep about the parents, isn't it?
All morning, I'd been trying figure out who Cho sounds like. It's Cameron, for sure. Twisted, awful and funny all at once. Ack.
I have been conversing with an 81 year old friend of mine regarding the prevention of these horrific events and this is part of what he thinks needs to be done to TRY to prevent it:
"But stop and think. Potential trouble, if spotted early enough, often can be averted--and that analogy can apply to anything, and is the favorite of medicine. 2nd, these are primary school years--and the child is being educated. At the same time, teachers are taught to look for ways and means to encourage, prompt, and guide those who show the aptitude. So...what's the difference isolating those for special attention who are the opposite in any way. My contention is--if spotted early enough, the child would not have to be put under a spotlight for but a few of those years, certainly not all five years except in rare occasions. I see little difference in separating potential good and potential bad."
Early detection/intervention - Cho did not just START acting out - he had to have been this way for most of his life. Parents, teachers, those around him....could they have prevented this with early intervention?
Question.
hedy...take a look at my posting from yesteday as well as the comments...thoughts???
and very true from anon-except Anna's pillpopping ways did affect someone, her daughter..even if she's an infant. My best friend's parents were killed in a car accident (she was in the car too) when she was a mere baby, too young to remember, but to this day it still affects her..and she still has dreams about it...
Personally I don't think the parents should be jumping at the gills to promote the positive side of their son..they're staying away from the public drama..unlike the parents of that boy that was found after Xamount of years..they couldn't wait to self promote..
Plus, even if they did talk about the parents, how do we really know what the truth is? I heard on the radio the other day that apparently Bush made mention during his expressive speech to the parents of VTECH about the importance of the 2nd amendment..
WHAT?? I was floored! It wasn't until I researched this fabulous web that I realized that it was a complete attempt at starting an attack on the bumbling idiot of a president that we have. He never made mention of the 2nd amendment. So how could we actually believe what we read? The press manipulates us into believing what they write.
thoughts?
Always,
Crusty
I have a brother who had similar issues as a kid. He has an off-the-charts IQ, violent, very poor social skills. He can't stand most people because they're "Morons." He can literally outsmart anyone which makes it impossible to deal with him. My parents tried all kinds of things to help him, socially, as a kid.. psychiatric counseling and support help. Then he left home at 17.
My parents have spent their whole lives trying to help him and it has really taken a toll on them.
Thank God he hasnt hurt anyone, but, sometimes, there is only so much a parent can do.
I took your blog to mean, where were the parents in his lifetime and why didn't they bring the boy home when he was troubled? University life can be very isolating for introverts and all the officials and administrators are worried about being sued so they won't intervene with troubled students. I had a roommate in college that went off the deep end. I contacted several university officials who told me they couldn't do anything unless he did something dangerous. I called his parents rather than wait for that to happen. They came and got him - not that I was crazy about them either - however he was their responsibility. So parents with troubled children away at school - bring them home before they do something dangerous!!!
Welcome, Cowboy Schmitty! Here's my question: Why are people so reticent to address anti-social/bizarre behavior? And what is it about mental disorders that doesn't evoke the same sort of empathy/sympathy as physical diseases like cancer, etc.? Because it's just as damaging in the long run, perhaps more so because of the stigma.
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