If the cops performed vigilante justice on Dorner, so what? He had it coming.

[magical thyme]

148. I am very, very sad for *everybody* hurt by this tragedy

Murderers aren't born; they're made.

He doesn't strike me as a sociopath, due to his releasing the hostages and the carjacking victim. Just very, very mentally and/or emotionally ill as a result of his life experiences.

I grew up in an abusive household as well, and am estranged from my entire family as a result. I have a first hand understanding of some of the psychological issues. And I know first hand that the path to reasonable mental and emotional health and the ability to function in society in a positive way is fraught with challenges and roadblocks. Also I know first hand that everyday life is full of 'triggers' that re-awaken the abuse memories.

Since he grew up abused, being forced by circumstances to live with his family meant he was facing those triggers every waking and sleeping hour. That, in itself, is a recipe for disaster. I know I could not have done that and survived. In fact, I was about his age when I was finally able to cut my family out of my life altogether.

(Personally, I am grateful for the positive influences and experiences in my life that helped me stay out of trouble. After much therapy by 2 social workers while I was in my 20s, and many, many, many hours of putting the tools they gave me to work on my traumatic memories, plus hours and hours of meditation work, they are now just fading memories as opposed to ongoing experiences with all the rage and pain they once inspired. And I can turn them on and off at will. I still suffer, but I understand the root of my suffering and consciously choose a path that will diminish my negative experiences.)

While I do blame the police officers who shot at the women delivering mail and the surfer, I simply can't blame the LE for their choices at the end.

Once he was surrounded in the cabin, they were very limited at that point in what they could do.

They could lay siege and hope he would get hungry enough to surrender and hope that he didn't find a way to escape again while they waited.

Or they could try to force him out, which is what they chose.

I don't know what other options they had. He already had chosen to die.

It is very easy for people here to sit safe in their homes or offices and second guess. They were not on the scene. They weren't facing his weapons and his rage. They wouldn't be taking the heat if he escaped and killed anybody else.