I’m baffled by those individuals who carry out devastating
and unfathomable acts of violence against other people – and aren’t the
slightest bit apologetic or remorseful about what they’ve done.
I was horrified by the attack on Australian MP Helen Haines,
who was hit by a car deliberately driven at her and so badly crushed that both
her legs had to be amputated.
Why on earth would someone do that? What was the driver’s
motive and why did he think violence would solve his problem?
The Australian media have done extensive research into the
alleged attacker Brendan Nugent. He was a left-winger who espoused veganism,
environmental issues and greening. But he has no history of violence or
advocating violence.
Apparently he was angry with the government, who he said
hadn’t given him enough help either with his disability (transverse myelitis,
which causes spinal inflammation and chronic pain) or with his mental health
problems. So that may have contributed to his
attack on the MP.
None of which explains his sudden act of extreme violence
against an MP – an MP who supported the same causes as him and had never done
him any harm. What the hell was going through his mind?
Possibly mental illness?
ReplyDeleteBijoux: By the looks of it, a whole number of factors, none of which were taken seriously enough by the authorities.
DeleteWhen I was a boy, a cartoon version of The Lone Ranger ended with him saying, "No man can be both judge and executioner." It stayed with me. Years later I learned that grownups, in their meetings, don't believe an idea is worth discussing, nor doing, unless it has not just a motioner but also a seconder.
ReplyDeleteIf tomorrow I felt a self-righteous urge to violence I would remember the above, and not act.
Sean: Unfortunately people like Brendan don't feel the need for a seconder, they just act on their dreadful impulses.
DeletePoor woman.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever feel violent I aim for a wall - it's the best way to deal with it, and no one gets hurt.
Sx
Ms Scarlet: I'm not prone to violent urges or even to anger, which is why I'm especially baffled by this guy's behaviour.
DeleteThere is some commentary saying he was high as a kite at the time. He also knew Helen personally so in a warped way he may have felt she was personally to blame for his woes.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it is being reported in a way that is super sympathetic to him, nearly all male attacks on women are reported as if a good guy unexpectedly snapped.
Kylie: Yes, as you say, the coverage is rather over-sympathetic. I doubt if he unexpectedly snapped, there must have been a long-standing grievance of some kind.
DeleteViolence is this country is a commonplace as the sun rising and the moon setting. In all likelihood this guy had some form of a mental collapse. Not a pass for him but perhaps a reason.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Certainly he had mental health problems, which could have contributed to the monstrous attack.
DeleteThat is awful. You just never know what someone might do or why.
ReplyDeleteMary: What a terrible shock for both Helen and her husband. They'll take a long time to recover from something so life-changing.
DeleteNick, I am surprised that you are surprised what humans are able to do to other humans. We see these horrible events, every day all over the world.and there seems to be no ending.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hi Hannah, long time no see! I'm not surprised by the wars going on in Ukraine and Gaza, as dictators always resort to violence. But I'm surprised by this very peculiar attack, especially since Brendan Nugent had never previously shown any interest in violence.
DeleteHi Nick, yes a long moment but Saïd had serious health problems and was also so shocked by all these wars, not forgetting Soudan, Yemen, Lebanon , Iran ..a long list. Yes this crime is just horrible , something seems to explode in people brains. I don't know , I wonder how the young folks will handle all this in the future.
DeleteHannah
Hannah: Sorry to hear about Saïd's health problems, I hope he's getting effective treatment. As you say, something seems to explode in people's brains and they just go completely berserk.
DeleteSo sad and makes me wonder how does anyone recover from so monstrous and violent an attack? Sometimes, I think the punishment for the attacker could be equal to the act of violence.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: Yes, it makes me think he should have his legs removed so he understands exactly what he's done. But that would be too vicious.
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