Like the reader who commented on my last blog, I am interested in learning more about the Virginia Tech shooter. I heard something this morning about how he never gave anyone eye contact and wore sunglasses all the time, even indoors. Gee, do we ever talk about eye contact when addressing issues of esteem, intimacy, respect and social awareness?


Yesterday I heard an interview with Rich Petrone, the stepfather of one of the Columbine High School victims. He refuted the popular (but incorrect) belief that the Columbine killers were responding to being bullied. He said, and I quote, “The parenting was terrible.” He cited all the major red flags that were present in those two kids before they did what they did. He also called them “pure evil” and “cowards”, wanting to take everyone else out with them.


The news this morning is reporting how clearly seriously disturbed Cho had shown himself to be. So much so that one professor insisted he be removed from her class. Another one had a secret code word arranged with her assistant in case help was needed immediately. Cho’s roommates had expressed concern as well. The medical personnel in charge of making a decision to intervene had decided against it because of the Pandora’s Box it would open if they forced the issue. So instead, we have a different Pandora’s box, a much more devastating one.


I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard from a parent how they had never been successful in getting the “powers that be” to understand just how disturbed their child was. I have a friend who, after telling the mental health professionals that her son was homicidal, was told, “He’s not trying to kill people, he’s only trying to kill you!”


What will it take for the mental health community to put the needs of the many over the needs of the few?


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