Overheard regarding BTK

[mapsedge]

Gotta love talk radio:

The fact of the matter is, serial killer or no, he's just like me.  He's just like you.  He's just like each of the callers.  He had a job.  He bought groceries.  He had a family, went to church, had Sunday dinner, watched TV, and listened to talk radio.  For all anyone knows, I'm a serial killer with a dozen notches in my lead pipe, and would the girl who rings up my gasoline know that to look at me? 
 
What really gets under folks' skin is the thought, "Jesus...that could be ME."  The denials fly, we hotly proclaim that we could NEVER do that, and should someone have the temerity to ask "Yeah, but haven't you ever said, 'Damn, I could just KILL that guy...'" we explode into a righteous rage and shout, "There's a big difference between saying it and doing it!"
 
Is there?  As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.  What we don't understand is that it's a reaaaaaaally short walk from soapboxing to hitting, from hitting to hurting, from hurting to harming, and from harming to killing."

Comments

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Yep. Once again, my friend, you and I think similarly for all our interesting differences in politics/theology/philosophy (which I'd love to have the leisure time to sit and explore sometime!)

A truth that I faced *early* on in life is that I know I have the capacity within to kill; premeditatedly and in cold blood. In a way it's a comforting thing to know. There's no hiding or equivocating; I know that under the right circumstances I could say, "Yep, that one's gotta go." and do it. I know what my limits are and when I'm approacing them.

I've never claimed to be a pacifist. I prefer peace. I'm the most sentimental slob I know. I cry if I run over a squirrel in the car. But I know if I needed to protect myself or someone I love, that I could do whatever it took. It makes me comfortable to know that I'm in control of myself and that I have all the choices open to me.

Most people hide that fact or the potential of discovering it from themselves, uncomfortable in the recognition that "there but for the grace of God (Goddess, whatever you choose) go I."

I do feel sorry for the guy but I actually feel sorrier for the ones who continue to lie to themselves throughout their whole lives. And then they wonder why their relationships/families are not all that they wish they were.

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

Differences, yes. What I find gratifying is that we enjoy those differences...even revel in them.

On a lighter note, from my brother: "Down South, 'He needed killin'', is a valid defense."