Does Motive Matter in Newtown Tragedy?
Whether it's a Sandy Springs murder-suicide or a the heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Conn., does motive matter?
Gun control is not the only issue under debate since Friday’s tragedy in Newtown, Conn. As with previous mass shootings, the importance of knowing why perpetrators carry out these horrendous crimes has been raised.
On Monday’s episode of “The View,” Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner suggested investigators are withholding the motive for Adam Lanza’s actions.
“I want to compliment the Connecticut police for doing this,” Welner said. “…The point is, this is indefensible…This is not about mental illness. This is about a life choice.”
Some reports say Lanza had autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
If for the sake of argument, Lanza did not suffer from autism or Asperger’s, does motive matter to you?
Do you think the actions of a person who carries out a such a crime as Friday’s shooting in Newtown, or murder-suicides - both of which have been frequent in recent years – could be the result of life experiences? Could that be important information to prevent future tragedies?
john gilkenson
6:24 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thought peovoking...perfectly..good job
Don Steele
7:10 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The United States of America, with it's democracy, offers a better life than does that of the United States of Special Interests and as such we must force it's return!
Matt Devers
9:10 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I feel like the motive never justifies the actions. With the Aurora, CO shootings, they've suggested it was a breakup, a pending eviction, a bad combination of medications, and even an unhealthy obsession with video games. Well, it could be one or even all of those things, but it still leaves little reason or justification for a mass murder.
In Newtown, with the victims so young, I just can't even fathom what could ever cause someone to do this. I'm sure if and when we ever get a motive, it's not going to make sense of the situation.
john gilkenson
9:29 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I don't think the writer meant to imply that the motive might be an excuse . but if these events are going to happen we darn better know what led up to them so we can better pay attention to the warning signs in the future
Matt Devers
9:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
That's true John. I do think, however, that an outsider can recognize the warning signs a lot easier than the kid's mother. People have a lot of trouble trying to see the faults with their own children, even if it's staring everyone else right in the face.
Maybe one thing that could be done would be to have scheduled periodic sessions with a counselor. 2-4 times a year (more if needed) to try to see if there are any red flags. The kid had issues growing up and was closely watched by the school counselors then. If it's true that his mother just pulled him out of school to stop the scrutiny, she could have led to his issues spiraling out of control.
If we know that there is somebody with a potentially dangerous condition, why not have some sort of counselor available to help the family with a difficult situation?
john gilkenson
11:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
right On.. make it all public. choices...mental illnesses.. whatever the ugly truth is.. we as a nation have got to know it all... get help if needed.. and stand guard because for whatever reason some will not seek help.