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In reply to the discussion: ‘1776 Will Commence Again If You Try to Take Our Firearms!’: Watch Alex Jones Lose His Mind on Piers [View all]thucythucy
(7,986 posts)It really bothers me that an almost immediate assumption on the part of so many people, here on DU and out in society in general, is that people who commit horrible acts or voice disgusting, ignorant, bigoted opinions must almost by definition be "mentally ill." Possibly some of them are. Probably many of them aren't. They're simply horrible, ignorant, bigots, some of whom commit horrible acts of violence, for whatever reason.
One of the many ironies here is that people with psychiatric or neurological problems are far more likely to be victims of violence than they are to commit violence. And yet, as soon as an atrocity occurs, we have legions of people trying to find some link to Asperger's or schizophrenia or ADHD whatever. These are followed closely by the folks seeking a link to whatever medication, vaccination, or lifestyle they happen to find somehow threatening or unnerving.
Anyway, I understand the distinction you're making, even if your wording is somewhat inelegant, and I appreciate your efforts here to make these important distinctions.