Binghamton
The photo above seems so appropriate for 4/3/09... Another day, another slaughter - this time in Binghamton, NY.
Not exactly sure what to say... Obviously, thoughts and prayers go out...
OK... So I'm not going to write about birds today. I'm just too sickened. But I will write - not because I want to but because I should. And there are two reasons I should write about this savagery:
Reason 1: Believe it or not, I have a limited bit of training in the field of crisis intervention. Granted, it's just a two-year degree, but I was (and am) qualified to man a suicide hotline as I type this. Here are my insights (for what they're worth) into the "ballistic" personality...
- In general, people who flip out tend to think that a particular person, group, or culture has wronged them terribly. The thing to watch for here is the sincerity in the individual - you'll know it when you see it. These people don't smile and don't blink when they express their "righteous" anger. Their logic may be flawed, but their rage is pure and deep, and they'll stare right through you.
- Should a friend or loved one seriously change fundamental behavior, keep your eyes open. The gal who's been gregarious all her life, but suddenly goes silent is dealing with issues. Likewise for the guy who's always kept to himself, but suddenly won't shut up...
- Listen to threats.
- Significant changes in sleep or eating patterns may indicate a problem.
- Be thoughtful of folks who lose a job or go through a breakup. Worse yet, be particularly thoughtful of the individual who suffers multiple personal disasters at a single time.
- If you know of someone taking medication for behavioral problems, help them stay on their meds.
- You parents out there, keep an eye on the company your child keeps, and stay in touch with his teachers. Most importantly, talk with your child.
Reason 2: I know of what I speak... I know of hard times... I know of haunting a food court just to score leftovers. I literally sold the shirt off my back one night in a Boston subway just to get back to Cape Cod... I've looked down the barrel of a gun held in anger and contempt... Hard times and hitchhiking ain't for the faint of heart... Look, most people (myself included) can take almost anything... But then there are a few who snap, who go "ballistic".
Bottom line? I don't know what happened at Binghamton... I don't know if anyone does know (or ever really will know for that matter). Maybe the shooter had some sort of medical problem... I really don't know. But going forward, I think we need to keep two things in mind...First, we need to be aware of our surroundings, loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers. When people change significantly, something is going on and discussion is in order. Beyond that, we have to recognize that these are tough times - a rare few of our brethren are going to teeter on the abyss...
There, this post is done, and I'd just as soon move on.
See you by the feeders,
CapeCodAlan
P.S. As if moving on was that easy... The breaking news this morning is of four police officers being shot in Pennsylvania...
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