To say that Jared Laughner's violent acts have roused strong emotions would be a gross understatement. Given the intensity of these feelings and the absurdity of his actions, it is difficult to view him as anything but evil. Despite all of this, I ask that you try to remember that the media cannot accurately diagnose Laughner with an illness of any kind, and that "most people who are violent are not mentally ill, and most people who are mentally ill are not violent" (Richard A. Friedman, M.D.) http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp068229
Other responses can be found by clicking on the following links:
Don't Jump The Gun On Diagnosing The Arizona Shooter
Crazy Talk: we're too quick to use "mental illness" as an explanation for violence
Five Questions on the Tucson, Ariz., Shootings for Psychologist Joel Dvoskin, PhD
Why Can't the Heroic Intern who Saved Gifford's Life Get Married in Arizona?
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