Instead of writing about similar events and scientific theories related to the mass murder committed by James E. Holmes in Aurora, Colorado, I have been pondering THIS ESSAY by Tammy Swofford.
Right now, all sorts of people – experts and otherwise all along the medical and political spectrum – are tying themselves into knots and asking, "Why did this happen?" and "What can we do to prevent this kind of thing?"
Please watch the following short statement from Charles Krauthammer, a doctor of psychiatry:
Of course, as a doctor of psychiatry, Dr. Krauthammer is naturally curious about the workings of the brain of James E. Holmes. But will doctors and scientists really learn something of value so as to prevent another similar attack by another individual? Not likely at all!
I think back to when my mother unexpectedly died in 1987 in the coronary care unit. [continued below the fold]
Upon her death, family doctor asked my father and me, "Shall we do an autopsy?"
We considered for a moment and asked the obvious question: "Will an autopsy help someone else?"
Our family doctor replied, "No. It's just a matter of curiosity."
We denied the autopsy, and the doctor concurred with our decision.
I submit that ongoing analysis of James E. Holmes and his vile deeds is nothing more than a matter of curiosity.
Let us consider incarceration expenditures; after all, expenditures are considered for all sorts of other government departments and for various healthcare measures:
Note that the above figures are averages.
The death penalty also has high costs:
...California taxpayers pay $90,000 more per death row prisoner each year than on prisoners in regular confinement....Expenditures aside, let us ask this question: CAN we prevent such massacres from happening? After all, the maladies of the soul and of the human brain are numerous and, to a certain extent, unfathomable. These maladies will likely remain unfathomable.
Moreover, do any of us really believe that James E. Holmes can be rehabilitated?
We CAN, however, follow the doctrine of the last shot fired.
It is both justice and mercy to follow that doctrine.
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