2008 Woodie Awards
Ask Annie
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Opinion
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I've been thinking a lot lately about what a very sad world we live in. The news is so very depressing! Locally we've been hearing about the trials of Brian Lee Draper and Torey Adamcik for the murder of Cassie Jo Stoddard, and then this last week with the horrific events at Virginia Tech… it seems you can't turn on the radio, the television, or even open a newspaper without being flooded with stories of death and carnage. I just don't understand how anyone could do such a thing.
It seems to me that all these people end up with life in prison or death. In shootings and things of that nature it's either a murder/suicide, like it was at Virginia Tech or the police take out the shooter like a few months ago in Salt Lake at the Trolley Square Mall shooting. So, if they're most likely going to die anyway, why don't they just commit suicide and leave everyone else out of it?
Signed,
What's the point?
Dear 'What's the point?'
There really is no clear answer to that question or the many others related with such tragedies. People often do things that can't be explained. Therapists say things like "They were disturbed," and we can blame that on a number of things from upbringing to lack of friendship or mental illness, but in the end they add up to little more than excuses and assumptions.
I suspect that most mass murderers know that they will die; that's why so many of them finish the deed themselves. The only reasons I can see for all the killing before that act of suicide is for fame, infamy, and a sick attempt to make some sort of a point. But above all I think it comes down to the age old saying "Misery loves company."
As the world grows more and more corrupt I fear we will only see more of the same, there are a lot of dark, disturbing things in the world, but try to find joy, happiness and peace in the good things. After all, the world is full of them too.
- Annie
Please send all questions to isuaskannie@gmail.com
It seems to me that all these people end up with life in prison or death. In shootings and things of that nature it's either a murder/suicide, like it was at Virginia Tech or the police take out the shooter like a few months ago in Salt Lake at the Trolley Square Mall shooting. So, if they're most likely going to die anyway, why don't they just commit suicide and leave everyone else out of it?
Signed,
What's the point?
Dear 'What's the point?'
There really is no clear answer to that question or the many others related with such tragedies. People often do things that can't be explained. Therapists say things like "They were disturbed," and we can blame that on a number of things from upbringing to lack of friendship or mental illness, but in the end they add up to little more than excuses and assumptions.
I suspect that most mass murderers know that they will die; that's why so many of them finish the deed themselves. The only reasons I can see for all the killing before that act of suicide is for fame, infamy, and a sick attempt to make some sort of a point. But above all I think it comes down to the age old saying "Misery loves company."
As the world grows more and more corrupt I fear we will only see more of the same, there are a lot of dark, disturbing things in the world, but try to find joy, happiness and peace in the good things. After all, the world is full of them too.
- Annie
Please send all questions to isuaskannie@gmail.com
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