WSJ Columnist Asks if Women Saved by Boyfriends in Aurora Theater Shooting Were Worth It

[RoseMead]

56. "a reasonable question a survivor in those circumstances could ask themselves"

Yes, but you aren't one of those survivors, so its not for you or for Mr. Taranto to even be bringing that subject up in the first place. Sure, you can say what you want, nobody can stop you, it's just a message board, etc. But to broach the subject at this point is crass and unfeeling, imo. The bodies are barely cold, for heaven's sake.

If those women want to come out publicly and question whether they are worthy of the sacrifice of their boyfriends, and people then wish to comment on those statements, that would be a different story. But right now they are most likely traumatized and grieving. They may already be blaming themselves for the deaths of those they loved - I know I would probably be doing that, were I in their shoes. To turn around and question whether they are worthy of the lives lost, or to suggest they should be thinking about that right now, IS heartless.

You may feel there's no harm in your words, because the victims of the shooting will never see your words themselves. You're probably right about that. But this is a public setting, and your words are public, even if they are only aimed at a limited audience. It would be thoughtful, and compassionate, I think, to keep the question of whether people were worthy of saving to yourself, at least until the point that one of these women decides to discuss the matter publicly herself. And by "yourself," I mean you and anyone else who wants to address this particular question at this point in time.