Why do I feel sympathetic towards the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my opinion that more spiritually advanced people will have sympathy for everyone. Even murderers. People less evolved will not understand this. The best way to describe it would be, what if it was your brother who did this crime? You would have sympathy then...but when you don't know them you don't care. I have sympathy for everyone because to me no one is unvaluable or unworthy of love and compassion. No one!! I have felt this way since I was a young kid.

I think this captures the crux of the issue. Those who publicly preen about their sympathy for the killers are merely attempting to demonstrate their own "spiritually advanced" nature and their superiority to those "less evolved" souls who reserve their sympathies for those who, you know, got blown up. Engaging in this sort of status competition with such people is like wrestling with a pig in mud; you both get dirty, and the pig enjoys it. I believe there is a vanishingly small probability of meaningful discourse with anyone who non-ironically refers to themselves as "spiritually advanced" on these sorts of issues.

+1000
If anything, I feel worse for an individual like Adam Lanza. He could not help his mental condition, it was literally outside his control. Of course, he does not have to live with the consequences of his actions as the Boston bomber will. But I cannot imagine the anguish and torment that Lanza must have lived with that caused him to kill little children, his mother , and himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP It is people like you that let killers go free. There is evil in the world. He killed a number of people. He drove over his brother while his brother lay dying. Save your sympathy for those who deserve it. How about the parents of the boy? The crippled guy? The young and dead police officer? Every evil person has a "story" many of them sound good. That does not make a killer good. I do hope you are disqualified for jury duty.

That goes doubly for you. Someone like you who sees everything in black in white and in such a raw fashion belongs nowhere near a jury.
The world is more complex than that. People like you and with your simple minds and outlooks, frankly, disgust me. You and Lindsay Graham . . .

I don't feel "sympathy" for this guy. Sympathy is not the right word. However, I do see somethin very, very sad in all aspects of this story. Mostly for the victims, for certain. But, by all accounts this was a 19 yo kid (yes, technically an adult but there is nothing magic about turning 18; many, many, MANY people are still stupid and susceptibel to influences at that age) who people liked, was bright, and showed no signs of such behavior. What happened? FWIW, I felt EXACTLY the same about Lee Malvo and the snipers so it is not race (nice try, Mr. or Ms. Racecard). And, I think interviews with Mr. Malvo in the years since the sniper attacks have shown some interesting light on that situation (again, not excusing it).

The Boston bomber kid is going to be in prison the rest of his life. 50+ years. For a kid who seemed to have a bright future, yeah, I find that sad in some ways. THat's fine if you disagree, it doesn't make my opinion wrong.

I was hoping for a rocket docket death penalty- costs the tax payers less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is my opinion that more spiritually advanced people will have sympathy for everyone. Even murderers. People less evolved will not understand this. The best way to describe it would be, what if it was your brother who did this crime? You would have sympathy then...but when you don't know them you don't care. I have sympathy for everyone because to me no one is unvaluable or unworthy of love and compassion. No one!! I have felt this way since I was a young kid.

You are a nice person. I think you may have led a sheltered life, and you just have no reference point for feelings of rage or terror.

I'm not the PP, but feel similar. My life has not been sheltered. I am able to identify and separate the desire for revenge and compassion.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also feel sadness for Dzhokhar. I also felt sadness for Lee Boyd Malvo, Dylan Klebold, Sam Manzie (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/08/nyregion/eddie-was-murdered-sam-s-doing-70-years-but-who-is-to-blame.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm), Seung-Hui Cho, and even Jeffrey Dahmer, who, as a child, had selective mutism and collected road kill and kept the bones of the dead animals displayed on poles in his backyard. There could not have been more obvious signs of a problem, and no one helped.

It saddens me that in so many of these tragic cases there were signs that people ignored and that help wasn't available for the mentally unstable who eventually became murderers. But sometimes even when family and friends try to get help for their loved ones, nothing is done (Sam Manzie being the best example of this I can think of in recent history).

It's not to say that I can't understand the outrage that some feel when hearing people express sympathy for the perpetrators. It just that I feel it is somewhat necessary to feel sadness for them, because the ability to realize that we may not know the whole picture, and that we are so very fortunate that it wasn't our son or nephew doing the killing - that perspective is what keeps us human and it's what will hopefully help us spot the next one before it's too late.

Bleeding heart drivel, makes me want to hurl. Wake.up.

You are sad. So, so, sad. All of this saddens you. Well guess what? It makes me so &*(()(*& angry that I would be happy to execute the death penalty on them myself. And I am not "so very fortunate" that it was not my son or nephew who did the killing. You see, it would never be my son or nephew, because people in my family are not raised by mothers who steal merchandise from department stores, fathers who abandon the family and people who think it's cool and OK to be on public assistance for years.

[Anonymous]

If anything, I feel worse for an individual like Adam Lanza. He could not help his mental condition, it was literally outside his control. Of course, he does not have to live with the consequences of his actions as the Boston bomber will. But I cannot imagine the anguish and torment that Lanza must have lived with that caused him to kill little children, his mother , and himself.

I just threw up a little.

But seriously, there are personality types that do not feel remorse or anguish.

[Anonymous]

Because you are a fucking idiot. You sound like the type of idiot that would be writing letters to Scott Peterson in prison.

You have to be a fucking idiot to have any sympathy. He was out fucking partying (without the brother, btw) 2 days later.

No. Fucking. Sympathy.

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP. I was just telling my DH yesterday that sympathy was too strong a word but I felt sad for this boy. NOTE: I feel tremendous sadness and grief for the victims and cried over articles and articles about them especially the 8 year old boy.

But based on the stories about Dzhokhar, he does fit the profile of the average, young American boy and it makes you wonder how he could have done this. I am not saying he does not deserve to be punished and severely for his actions. I am saying that I found the entire situation very sad like OP.

I actually think the world would be better off if there was more empathy and less rage. Can you note mete out justice unless you are enraged?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If anything, I feel worse for an individual like Adam Lanza. He could not help his mental condition, it was literally outside his control. Of course, he does not have to live with the consequences of his actions as the Boston bomber will. But I cannot imagine the anguish and torment that Lanza must have lived with that caused him to kill little children, his mother , and himself.

I just threw up a little.

But seriously, there are personality types that do not feel remorse or anguish.

Right, sociopathic personality types, similar to Dvorkar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also feel sadness for Dzhokhar. I also felt sadness for Lee Boyd Malvo, Dylan Klebold, Sam Manzie (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/08/nyregion/eddie-was-murdered-sam-s-doing-70-years-but-who-is-to-blame.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm), Seung-Hui Cho, and even Jeffrey Dahmer, who, as a child, had selective mutism and collected road kill and kept the bones of the dead animals displayed on poles in his backyard. There could not have been more obvious signs of a problem, and no one helped.

It saddens me that in so many of these tragic cases there were signs that people ignored and that help wasn't available for the mentally unstable who eventually became murderers. But sometimes even when family and friends try to get help for their loved ones, nothing is done (Sam Manzie being the best example of this I can think of in recent history).

It's not to say that I can't understand the outrage that some feel when hearing people express sympathy for the perpetrators. It just that I feel it is somewhat necessary to feel sadness for them, because the ability to realize that we may not know the whole picture, and that we are so very fortunate that it wasn't our son or nephew doing the killing - that perspective is what keeps us human and it's what will hopefully help us spot the next one before it's too late.

Bleeding heart drivel, makes me want to hurl. Wake.up.

You are sad. So, so, sad. All of this saddens you. Well guess what? It makes me so &*(()(*& angry that I would be happy to execute the death penalty on them myself. And I am not "so very fortunate" that it was not my son or nephew who did the killing. You see, it would never be my son or nephew, because people in my family are not raised by mothers who steal merchandise from department stores, fathers who abandon the family and people who think it's cool and OK to be on public assistance for years.

I'm sad foe YOU. I hope you get help for your anger problem. It's not healthy to be so hostile toward compete strangers just because they have a different opinion than you. And I also hope that your pride doesn't come before a fall, since you're so confident that it could never happen to your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because you are a fucking idiot. You sound like the type of idiot that would be writing letters to Scott Peterson in prison.

You have to be a fucking idiot to have any sympathy. He was out fucking partying (without the brother, btw) 2 days later.

No. Fucking. Sympathy.

+1,0000

I have a bridge I could sell to some of you dumb fucks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also feel sadness for Dzhokhar. I also felt sadness for Lee Boyd Malvo, Dylan Klebold, Sam Manzie (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/08/nyregion/eddie-was-murdered-sam-s-doing-70-years-but-who-is-to-blame.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm), Seung-Hui Cho, and even Jeffrey Dahmer, who, as a child, had selective mutism and collected road kill and kept the bones of the dead animals displayed on poles in his backyard. There could not have been more obvious signs of a problem, and no one helped.

It saddens me that in so many of these tragic cases there were signs that people ignored and that help wasn't available for the mentally unstable who eventually became murderers. But sometimes even when family and friends try to get help for their loved ones, nothing is done (Sam Manzie being the best example of this I can think of in recent history).

It's not to say that I can't understand the outrage that some feel when hearing people express sympathy for the perpetrators. It just that I feel it is somewhat necessary to feel sadness for them, because the ability to realize that we may not know the whole picture, and that we are so very fortunate that it wasn't our son or nephew doing the killing - that perspective is what keeps us human and it's what will hopefully help us spot the next one before it's too late.

Bleeding heart drivel, makes me want to hurl. Wake.up.

You are sad. So, so, sad. All of this saddens you. Well guess what? It makes me so &*(()(*& angry that I would be happy to execute the death penalty on them myself. And I am not "so very fortunate" that it was not my son or nephew who did the killing. You see, it would never be my son or nephew, because people in my family are not raised by mothers who steal merchandise from department stores, fathers who abandon the family and people who think it's cool and OK to be on public assistance for years.

I'm sad foe YOU. I hope you get help for your anger problem. It's not healthy to be so hostile toward compete strangers just because they have a different opinion than you. And I also hope that your pride doesn't come before a fall, since you're so confident that it could never happen to your family.

+1. Do you think anyone EVER thinks their son or nephew will grow up to be a murderer? It is such a cop out to say - he was evil, execute him and move on. It is a much more difficult question to address why we seem to have a mass tragedy every couple of months...

[Anonymous]

I feel a little bit of sympathy for him, as another youngest sibling of 4 children. At that age, you often think of your older siblings as more worldy, more interesting people. It isn't until at least several years later that I now realize how utterly flawed my older siblings are (and I am - everyone has flaws). We're equals, where we might not have been when we were younger.

He's still responsible for his crimes, and still made decisions to be involved and commit such heinous crimes. Even though he is an adult, I can understand the wonderment you have of your older siblings and their interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP It is people like you that let killers go free. There is evil in the world. He killed a number of people. He drove over his brother while his brother lay dying. Save your sympathy for those who deserve it. How about the parents of the boy? The crippled guy? The young and dead police officer? Every evil person has a "story" many of them sound good. That does not make a killer good. I do hope you are disqualified for jury duty.

That goes doubly for you. Someone like you who sees everything in black in white and in such a raw fashion belongs nowhere near a jury.
The world is more complex than that. People like you and with your simple minds and outlooks, frankly, disgust me. You and Lindsay Graham . . .

I don't feel "sympathy" for this guy. Sympathy is not the right word. However, I do see somethin very, very sad in all aspects of this story. Mostly for the victims, for certain. But, by all accounts this was a 19 yo kid (yes, technically an adult but there is nothing magic about turning 18; many, many, MANY people are still stupid and susceptibel to influences at that age) who people liked, was bright, and showed no signs of such behavior. What happened? FWIW, I felt EXACTLY the same about Lee Malvo and the snipers so it is not race (nice try, Mr. or Ms. Racecard). And, I think interviews with Mr. Malvo in the years since the sniper attacks have shown some interesting light on that situation (again, not excusing it).

The Boston bomber kid is going to be in prison the rest of his life. 50+ years. For a kid who seemed to have a bright future, yeah, I find that sad in some ways. THat's fine if you disagree, it doesn't make my opinion wrong.

I was hoping for a rocket docket death penalty- costs the tax payers less.

Not going to happen. That's not how it works. And statements like yours prove why that's necessary. Thankfully.

As the for the rest of your lot crowing about what dumb-fucks people are, bleeding hearts, people are retarded . . . I feel nothing but pity for you. It shows intellectual laziness and stunted emotions to have to resort to such "arguments." And, is proof positive why the checks and balances in our criminal justice system are necessary. So thank you for demonstrating that to everyone here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP It is people like you that let killers go free. There is evil in the world. He killed a number of people. He drove over his brother while his brother lay dying. Save your sympathy for those who deserve it. How about the parents of the boy? The crippled guy? The young and dead police officer? Every evil person has a "story" many of them sound good. That does not make a killer good. I do hope you are disqualified for jury duty.

That goes doubly for you. Someone like you who sees everything in black in white and in such a raw fashion belongs nowhere near a jury.
The world is more complex than that. People like you and with your simple minds and outlooks, frankly, disgust me. You and Lindsay Graham . . .

I don't feel "sympathy" for this guy. Sympathy is not the right word. However, I do see somethin very, very sad in all aspects of this story. Mostly for the victims, for certain. But, by all accounts this was a 19 yo kid (yes, technically an adult but there is nothing magic about turning 18; many, many, MANY people are still stupid and susceptibel to influences at that age) who people liked, was bright, and showed no signs of such behavior. What happened? FWIW, I felt EXACTLY the same about Lee Malvo and the snipers so it is not race (nice try, Mr. or Ms. Racecard). And, I think interviews with Mr. Malvo in the years since the sniper attacks have shown some interesting light on that situation (again, not excusing it).

The Boston bomber kid is going to be in prison the rest of his life. 50+ years. For a kid who seemed to have a bright future, yeah, I find that sad in some ways. THat's fine if you disagree, it doesn't make my opinion wrong.

I was hoping for a rocket docket death penalty- costs the tax payers less.

Not going to happen. That's not how it works. And statements like yours prove why that's necessary. Thankfully.

As the for the rest of your lot crowing about what dumb-fucks people are, bleeding hearts, people are retarded . . . I feel nothing but pity for you. It shows intellectual laziness and stunted emotions to have to resort to such "arguments." And, is proof positive why the checks and balances in our criminal justice system are necessary. So thank you for demonstrating that to everyone here.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP It is people like you that let killers go free. There is evil in the world. He killed a number of people. He drove over his brother while his brother lay dying. Save your sympathy for those who deserve it. How about the parents of the boy? The crippled guy? The young and dead police officer? Every evil person has a "story" many of them sound good. That does not make a killer good. I do hope you are disqualified for jury duty.

That goes doubly for you. Someone like you who sees everything in black in white and in such a raw fashion belongs nowhere near a jury.
The world is more complex than that. People like you and with your simple minds and outlooks, frankly, disgust me. You and Lindsay Graham . . .

I don't feel "sympathy" for this guy. Sympathy is not the right word. However, I do see somethin very, very sad in all aspects of this story. Mostly for the victims, for certain. But, by all accounts this was a 19 yo kid (yes, technically an adult but there is nothing magic about turning 18; many, many, MANY people are still stupid and susceptibel to influences at that age) who people liked, was bright, and showed no signs of such behavior. What happened? FWIW, I felt EXACTLY the same about Lee Malvo and the snipers so it is not race (nice try, Mr. or Ms. Racecard). And, I think interviews with Mr. Malvo in the years since the sniper attacks have shown some interesting light on that situation (again, not excusing it).

The Boston bomber kid is going to be in prison the rest of his life. 50+ years. For a kid who seemed to have a bright future, yeah, I find that sad in some ways. THat's fine if you disagree, it doesn't make my opinion wrong.

I was hoping for a rocket docket death penalty- costs the tax payers less.

Not going to happen. That's not how it works. And statements like yours prove why that's necessary. Thankfully.

As the for the rest of your lot crowing about what dumb-fucks people are, bleeding hearts, people are retarded . . . I feel nothing but pity for you. It shows intellectual laziness and stunted emotions to have to resort to such "arguments." And, is proof positive why the checks and balances in our criminal justice system are necessary. So thank you for demonstrating that to everyone here.

+1000

+2000