General Discussion

dkf

(37,305 posts)

1. Sometimes...depends.

Reply to Douglas Carpenter (Original post)

Wed Jul 25, 2012, 03:04 AM

Jul 2012

I admit early on I thought Holmes was unleashing hatred at the world and deserved every bad thing we could throw at him but now I wonder if there isn't something terribly wrong but fixable.

It would be a shame to lose such a brilliant mind with all that potential over a chemical imbalance.

But for someone like Tim McVeigh...forget it. If a person did a heinous thing out of anger, there is no room for sympathy.

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Do you usually feel sad for most perpetrators of heinous crimes? [View all] Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 OP

Sometimes...depends. dkf Jul 2012 #1

I feel sad for the void that's left Nostradammit Jul 2012 #2

I like that expression -- "the void that was left." So much better than "potential," which is the Brickbat Jul 2012 #11

I initially was thinking "potential" Nostradammit Jul 2012 #19

Yeah, I like that phrase, too. hamsterjill Jul 2012 #39

They could turn their anger inward Quantess Jul 2012 #3

another kick for more results Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #4

another kick for results Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #5

Absolutely not n/t MicaelS Jul 2012 #6

I get sad for whatever events led to it gollygee Jul 2012 #7

try again Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #8

Sometimes I do. Avalux Jul 2012 #9

I feel sad for the potential that was lost. I think your OP says it quite well -- no child wishes to Brickbat Jul 2012 #10

I don't believe in evil people, just flawed people doing evil deeds. Tommy_Carcetti Jul 2012 #12

More with the perpetrators family and close friends than with the actual perpetrator. Recovered Repug Jul 2012 #13

^^ This. gkhouston Jul 2012 #16

There's some hope for humanity yet, as this poll seems to be breaking 50-50 roughly. I voted coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #14

I was thinking the same thing. I expected only a few to feel any sympathy for the perpetrators. sabrina 1 Jul 2012 #22

There was this wonderful surreal story a few years back about this coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #31

I remember that story. There have also been a few other stories, although they rarely get sabrina 1 Jul 2012 #38

For the adult that chose to kill? Hell no. DevonRex Jul 2012 #15

Not all of us can be Ashley Smith, eh? coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #32

I could easily do what she did. DevonRex Jul 2012 #40

She made her assailant pancakes. Could you do that? Easily? She coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #42

Of course. Whatever it takes with a smile on my face. Nt DevonRex Jul 2012 #43

Trying not to beat a dead horse, but she actually engaged her coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #44

Of course I could. You think I have no empathy? WTF? DevonRex Jul 2012 #46

Here's how you began this sub-thread (post #15): coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #47

Yes, sometimes....but soccer1 Jul 2012 #17

another one Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #18

Bit of a push poll there, Douglas. Behind the Aegis Jul 2012 #20

"a lost little lamb who has gone astray,; bah, bah, bah" Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #33

No. Alduin Jul 2012 #21

My reasoning isn't the same as the polls cbrer Jul 2012 #23

Some of them more than others. Chan790 Jul 2012 #24

Once I heard Holmes sent his writings about killing to a shrink flamingdem Jul 2012 #25

No. mzmolly Jul 2012 #26

It depends. wickerwoman Jul 2012 #27

No, their decisions are their decisions. Incitatus Jul 2012 #28

While I think there are those who are monsters for no apparent explanation ... Kennah Jul 2012 #29

I can feel sorry for the family... Kalidurga Jul 2012 #30

Same here. I feel for the vicitms and the family of the shooter. n/t FSogol Jul 2012 #34

Same here. I feel sad and horrified for the perps family, HappyMe Jul 2012 #36

it really depends on the circumstances magical thyme Jul 2012 #35

another try for some resutls Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #37

one last time Douglas Carpenter Jul 2012 #41

I feel sadness that our society is such that it holds up a lot of illusions and lies about what life HiPointDem Jul 2012 #45

no discntnt_irny_srcsm Jul 2012 #48

I feel sad for their families and loved ones Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #49

In general, no. Iggo Jul 2012 #50

Kinfolk of Jesus... kentuck Jul 2012 #51

No. Never. zappaman Jul 2012 #52