Thank you, Carolina, for sharing that difficult story. God bless that man.

I think you've touched on the heart of what I was trying to say, but I'm still sorting it out.

Suicide is devastating and sad, regardless whether the person quietly takes a handful of pills, or walks into a mall with a rifle. I can't imagine the pain with which either family is left.

I just can't help wondering what sociological thing is going on, but I guess it's likely the glory (albeit sick glory) that splashes across the news when it happens. I don't think it's the type of martyrdom perceived by the suicide bombers around the world, but perhaps the idea that "I was nothing to the world, but now the whole world is going to know who I was".

Moose, thank you for sharing your insight, even though it must have been painful to do so.

thanks is right for sharing, and your right not to condone that outlash, but ya keep teasing a dog and your gonna get bit, you can only push folks so far and perhaps thats part of the equation, that our stress factors are at a stretched limit now with just everyday life, and that type of ridicule is too much of course in his case that was totally uncalled for, but the levels are elevated already and added a bit too much and click thats it

I dont know its still sad, saddens me to hear these thing in the world

This has had me thinking all day (yes, it's painful and scary).

The population is bigger than it's ever been before and it seems like most things have stayed pretty proportionate through the ages. An example is autos in the USA, more people=more drivers=more cars=more roads=more traffic=more accidents.

The other factor of interest to me is that we no longer get news from a single source, we're bombarded with the same stories on dozens of radio & TV stations, multiple newspapers, and of course, the internet with minute-by-minute coverage of just about everything.

So, I wonder if these incidents seem more prevalent now because they have increased proportionately with the population; and that it stays on our minds more because it stays in the spotlights of our lives longer.

I have thought this for quite some time. I am not so sure that things today are any worse than they were in the past. Events aren't as hushed up as before and like you mentioned, there are more outlets reporting it.

I've quoted myself here, because I'm feeling very humbled by your post Carolina. I guess I just didn't think beyond the square.

That story you told us certainly was an eye opener into why some people behave the way they do. Thank you for sharing.

I assure you that after reading your story, I will try to be less influenced by the media, and I will try to think more clearly about why these things might happen.

Thank you.

Glad I found this thread...

Carolina's post was very insightful...can you imagine the repressed anger and rage a person like that must feel at the world? Why do people bully others?

One of my sons hated going to school every day. He attended a Catholic high school, one with very many economically privileged students. My son couldn't stand their attitudes...they acted like they were above everyone, and behaved with a sense of entitlement.

He obviously won't be attending his 10 yr reunion. But it goes to show that many, no matter what part of society they find themselves, can always find cruelty and meanspiritedness. It made my son empathetic to those who are developmentally disabled, and he is a better man for making it through a he**ish part of his life.

I don't judge those who take their own lives. But for those who go into a mall and shoot strangers before taking their lives, it is a different form of self-hatred and rage. The media, I feel, doesn't help with the spotlight it gives those who do these things. It gives future killers the idea that they'll finally be somebody, even if they're dead.:(