If and when I come back again...

Dear Jem:

Oddly, I don't think most people consider themselves to be "mean and cruel" even when they are -- at least, that's the conclusion I've arrived at during my sojourn on this planet. Personally, the lines between good and evil have been blurred so much by psychology, that I'm not sure that such things are considered absolute (even though I don't find them so muddled, personally). This seems to apply both to minor infractions all the way down to serious stuff.

For example, I am presently reading a book called "Go Down Together", which is replete with instances that makes such a distinction a little difficult to determine. It's a biography of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. I watched the recent mini-series (and noted several historical inaccuracies). So, I decided to check a source other than Internet articles. Anyhow, thus far in the book (I'm around chapter 14) the author seems to be making a subtle case that Clyde's excessive criminality was created by circumstance. Judging by some of the instances cited, one could easily see why Clyde Barrow became worse after being incarcerated for his first minor offense. Then too -- the weight of public opinion (shaped by newspapers of the period -- often embellished creatively to sell papers) figured heavily in the way the law finally decided to "take them down".

Now...here's the thing. A little known fact in relation to this pair of criminals is that 12 days before they were ambushed and killed by the posse, an informant told the leader of the group that Bonnie Parker was 2 1/2 months pregnant. They killed her in spite of this information. Interestingly, the government now claims she wasn't, her relatives claim she had told them otherwise. In any event, I don't believe the law should have examined this issue "after the fact". Rather, she should have been taken alive and then a decision made what to do after a determination was made. The fact that this wasn't done -- indicates the "law" was no better than the criminals they took down. I don't approve of executing a pregnant woman.

Anyhow...I imagined I've digressed a bit -- but this particular historical couple really illustrates the fact that people truly don't see themselves as evil. Certainly the lawmen convinced themselves that killing a possibly pregnant woman was "okay". As for Bonnie and Clyde, until the day they died -- this pair blamed their problems on life circumstances and harassment by the law. And weirdly, they both evidently thought God didn't blame them either -- they were known to pray nightly!

So they knew not, that they knew not it seems -- it makes me wonder how many other criminals feel they're victims of circumstance. So I'm not sure that most people see their behavior in black and white terms.

It's a fascinating book though. The mini series -- ah, well -- I watched it mainly because I love 20's cars!

--Debutante

Deb: "Oddly, I don't think most people consider themselves to be "mean and cruel" even when they are -- at least, that's the conclusion I've arrived at during my sojourn on this planet. Personally, the lines between good and evil have been blurred so much by psychology, that I'm not sure that such things are considered absolute (even though I don't find them so muddled, personally). This seems to apply both to minor infractions all the way down to serious stuff"

I watched the miniseries of Bonnie & Clyde, too, but I want to respond to what you said in your first paragraph. I agree with you.

Lately, I hear "Cut the TOXIC people out of your life". I realized my family, of whom not one member will speak to me, obviously considers Me to be the Toxic person who was cut. It appears no explanation is further needed if one considers someone else to be Toxic. No need to discuss with that person, have compassion for that person, no contact is necessary at all. Just cut the cancer out for YOUR own good, nevermind that in doing so you may have broken someone's heart. No one else matters. Take care of yourself first; let the toxic take care (or not, who cares) of his/her own self. The Universe is Big Enough after all for everyone to go their own way.
Just worry about yourself seems to be the mantra.

"I don't think most people consider themselves to be "mean and cruel" even when they are -- at least, that's the conclusion I've arrived at during my sojourn on this planet." Yeah, me too.