This is one troubled young man (James Holmes court appearance)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM is this evil murderer called a "young man" while Trayvon Martin is labeled a thug.

Well there you have it. I agree.

Ditto.

James Holmes has been called quite a few things on DCUM. Trayvon Martin was also called a variety of terms, including "young man":

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/105/235774.page#2426964

You are cherry picking two terms out of many to make a point. But, I think you are actually illustrating that a large spectrum of viewpoints are available on DCUM. If that makes DCUM unique (I don't actually think it does), then it is something of which we should all be proud.

That may be true, but the level of sympathy for this person, in the absence of a single statement or real evidence of hardship in his life, is striking. I think that sympathy would largely evaporate if he was a muslim. But much like with the Huguely case, many posters are looking to causes other than "evil". And I think much of the reason is that he looks like one of our kids.

When I look at Zimmerman's face, I don't see mental illness in the form of psychosis. Same for Huguely. I think several of us posting here in referring to a psychotic break, and I do have compassion for those who suffer from schizophrenia or other mental health issues that result in a break from reality.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
That may be true, but the level of sympathy for this person, in the absence of a single statement or real evidence of hardship in his life, is striking. I think that sympathy would largely evaporate if he was a muslim. But much like with the Huguely case, many posters are looking to causes other than "evil". And I think much of the reason is that he looks like one of our kids.

If he were Muslim we would be discussing terrorism and debating the need to attack Iran. If he were black, the entire black community would be held responsible. It is possible to acknowledge those realities (and fight against them) and still believe that Holmes is affected by serious mental health issues.

It is patently false to suggest that there was anything close to a consensus on DCUM that Trayvon was a thug. That was by far a minority opinion. Those trying to turn this into a racial issue are as guilty of racial generalizations as those who thought Trayvon was a thug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not about race, he could be green and I would have the same opinion. I do feel compassion for him, for Cho and even the kids from Columbine. it is important to focus on the victims, but it is also important to pay attention to the murderers and why they developed to be monsters. If we keep pointing our finger we won't solve the problem. this won't be the last case.

It is about race. If this guy were black, there would be a discussion about "why the black race is so effed up". Just look at the lululemon thread. That girl seemed deranged to me, but folks didn't feel the same and they certainly didn't feel sorry for her!

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM is this evil murderer called a "young man" while Trayvon Martin is labeled a thug.

Well there you have it. I agree.

+1

[Anonymous]

This guy planned his attack over months. It was very elaborate. Does that qualify as a psychotic break?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM is this evil murderer called a "young man" while Trayvon Martin is labeled a thug.

Well there you have it. I agree.

Ditto.

James Holmes has been called quite a few things on DCUM. Trayvon Martin was also called a variety of terms, including "young man":

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/105/235774.page#2426964

You are cherry picking two terms out of many to make a point. But, I think you are actually illustrating that a large spectrum of viewpoints are available on DCUM. If that makes DCUM unique (I don't actually think it does), then it is something of which we should all be proud.

That may be true, but the level of sympathy for this person, in the absence of a single statement or real evidence of hardship in his life, is striking. I think that sympathy would largely evaporate if he was a muslim. But much like with the Huguely case, many posters are looking to causes other than "evil". And I think much of the reason is that he looks like one of our kids.

Wrong again. I am the OP who wasn't raised in this country therefore doesn't have the hang up of race. You don't have to be of the same color to see another human being with compassion as if he/she were one of our kids.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
That may be true, but the level of sympathy for this person, in the absence of a single statement or real evidence of hardship in his life, is striking. I think that sympathy would largely evaporate if he was a muslim. But much like with the Huguely case, many posters are looking to causes other than "evil". And I think much of the reason is that he looks like one of our kids.

If he were Muslim we would be discussing terrorism and debating the need to attack Iran. If he were black, the entire black community would be held responsible. It is possible to acknowledge those realities (and fight against them) and still believe that Holmes is affected by serious mental health issues.

It is patently false to suggest that there was anything close to a consensus on DCUM that Trayvon was a thug. That was by far a minority opinion. Those trying to turn this into a racial issue are as guilty of racial generalizations as those who thought Trayvon was a thug.

Jeff, I made that comment. And my point was not that everyone on DCUM felt that Trayvon was a thug. But, up until my post, no one was really vilifying this guy. Without any evidence to support the position, folks are saying he's clearly crazy. My point is that when a white person does something bad, mental illness must be to blame because "regular" white people don't do things like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM is this evil murderer called a "young man" while Trayvon Martin is labeled a thug.

Well there you have it. I agree.

Ditto.

James Holmes has been called quite a few things on DCUM. Trayvon Martin was also called a variety of terms, including "young man":

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/105/235774.page#2426964

You are cherry picking two terms out of many to make a point. But, I think you are actually illustrating that a large spectrum of viewpoints are available on DCUM. If that makes DCUM unique (I don't actually think it does), then it is something of which we should all be proud.

That may be true, but the level of sympathy for this person, in the absence of a single statement or real evidence of hardship in his life, is striking. I think that sympathy would largely evaporate if he was a muslim. But much like with the Huguely case, many posters are looking to causes other than "evil". And I think much of the reason is that he looks like one of our kids.

Wrong again. I am the OP who wasn't raised in this country therefore doesn't have the hang up of race. You don't have to be of the same color to see another human being with compassion as if he/she were one of our kids.

[Anonymous]

This guy planned his attack over months. It was very elaborate. Does that qualify as a psychotic break?

I'm the first PP who posted this, and I think the psychotic break was earlier this year and caused him to drop out of school and stockpile all the weapons and ammo. My best friend's brother just finally admitted to his family that he was hearing voices for more than a year telling him that he was Jesus. Schizophrenia. Glad he wasn't violent, but he would have done anything the voices told him to do.

I am, of course, just speculating, but that's the first thing I thought of when I heard his age and background, before I even saw him. And it sounds like others agree.

For those who think anyone who does this must be insane, do you think the Columbine killers were insane? Both of them? Genuine question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not about race, he could be green and I would have the same opinion. I do feel compassion for him, for Cho and even the kids from Columbine. it is important to focus on the victims, but it is also important to pay attention to the murderers and why they developed to be monsters. If we keep pointing our finger we won't solve the problem. this won't be the last case.

It is about race. If this guy were black, there would be a discussion about "why the black race is so effed up". Just look at the lululemon thread. That girl seemed deranged to me, but folks didn't feel the same and they certainly didn't feel sorry for her!

wtf are you playing the race card for?

NP, because white people always use the race card. And the poster you responded to is correct. Where is the information that this murdering thug had mental issues.

[Anonymous]

Here's the thing: a black person wouldn't do this. Remember the Chris Rock bit about how black people might be violent, but white people are crazy? It was something like a black person might beat someone up or rob them, but a white person will kill someone then eat them. I'm paraphrasing what he said, but in essence he's correct. Most serial killers are white. And I believe schizophrenia tends to affect young white males predominantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course he is mentally ill...sane people don't think hey are a cartoon character and kill people. Plus, the media has reported that his parents knew something was wrong with him. Sad.

Sane people kill people all the time. This could all be an elaborate ploy to trick the system. This guy is smart...he just might get away with it. This asshole doesn't think he's the Joker...he wants you to think he does.

My guess? University of CO is going to be in DEEP sh*t.

Everyone is focused on the "he's crazy" and he will play it that way, but he got all of the chemicals via the university, the university failed him on his exams and, likely, did nothing. They probably didn't even refer him to a counselor or dean. It will be easy for his team to show that he was mentally abused by the university and the breaking point was failing the exams. The university did nothing to help him so he spiraled into madness and went on a shooting spree.

It's not going to be an easy conviction. And I think UofCO needs to be held liable and made example of to other universities that don't give a crap about grad students.

Goddamn this is a litigious society. People flunk out of college every year, including science majors with access to chemicals. Purleeze. Everybody wants to blame somebody else and nobody wants to take responsibility for their actions.

Incidentally, thousands of people are walking around this country with mental illness and they are not going on a shooting spree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you expect his parents to do? I'm sure they knew he was a little off, but I'm sure they didn't anticipate he would do something like this. Even if they did think he might act out in some violent way someday, there is nothing they could have done. Calling the police wouldn't do anything...they can't arrest someone on a hunch. And having someone committed for treatment against their will is damn near impossible.

Yup.

People are so clueless. You can't force a grown ass adult into an mental institution-even if you have all the money in the world.

You can thank the 1970s for the beginning of the end of permanent institutionalization of the mentally ill. Thanks to Nurse Rachet and that freaking movie sent off a whole change in society that we are now dealing with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you expect his parents to do? I'm sure they knew he was a little off, but I'm sure they didn't anticipate he would do something like this. Even if they did think he might act out in some violent way someday, there is nothing they could have done. Calling the police wouldn't do anything...they can't arrest someone on a hunch. And having someone committed for treatment against their will is damn near impossible.

Yup.

People are so clueless. You can't force a grown ass adult into an mental institution-even if you have all the money in the world.

You can thank the 1970s for the beginning of the end of permanent institutionalization of the mentally ill. Thanks to Nurse Rachet and that freaking movie sent off a whole change in society that we are now dealing with.

Except we have no proof that this guy was crazy. Just wishful thinking by many of you.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe someone posted that they have sympathy for the Columbine shooters. WTF??