Giantaxe

She probably does... otoh, she's just lost one or her sons and the other is likely to be executed at some point. It's hardly surprising she's in an emotionally distraught place right now. That's not to excuse her past conduct, but listening to her comments right now is kind of... pointless.

Nokoman

Ichigo....You seem to be infected with the greatest disease in modern day society. ie making excuses.

He had choices. He knew exactly what his choices would result in.

Ichigo-chan

Wow- what happened to turning the other cheek?

SultanOfSwing

Yeah, what is it with that these days? It's always someone else's fault isn't it? Or, heaven forbid, society ...

People make choices to do the things they do, it's nobody's fault but their own when bad things happen.

Jerseygirl

BTW what does what happens in Japan have to do with this?

Nutmegger

And whatever happened to common sense? Your apologias do not hold water.

Ichigo-chan

Lynch mob mentality

Hey why not kill me?

Nutek

Yeah... No.

Nokoman

It is a terrible condition. Everything is always someone else's fault.


I remember a father being interviewed about 30 years ago. He was a hotel owner not far from Aberdeen. His son had been caught drunk in some Middle East country and had been sentenced to X number of lashes. In the interview his father said something like this.

" Hey, he is an adult. He broke the law in the country . He knew the law and he broke it. He needs to take his punishment. No excuses from me. "

I thought the father was 100% correct.

SultanOfSwing

I do agree. Not that I'd want my son to experience that, nor am I a supporter of such draconian punishments in general but when he reaches adulthood, I will have fulfilled my obligation to him by teaching him how to conduct himself. If he gets into any bother, it's on him.

I'd still be sad about it and feel I didn't do enough and all that but ultimately, I would still know where to lay the blame.

kimilseung

Many (most) 19 year olds are still maturing and do not fully understand the consequences of their actions. This in no way changes the need for him to spend decades at the least in gaol. But often at that age, it is the influence of one or two others that can set a life on a positive or a negative course. Sadly for him, the victims and (everyone really) that influence was very very negative.

Nokoman

Agreed.


You remind me of a saying my brother told me recently. It's in regard to the love a parent has for their child.

The greatest love you can give them is in the times they least deserve it.

I can fully understand that up to a point. But I'm not helluva sure my love would extend to a son who has placed a bomb intended to inflict terrible wounds in a crowded space?

I must ask him if love extends that far?

SultanOfSwing

I don't know how I would handle that. Nobody does, really.

Nokoman

Very true.

But in this case I'd hope I would have the strength to condemn my children without reservation.

PS. I noticed where you are originally from. The first love of my life was born in Carrickfergus.

SultanOfSwing

Well hopefully, for all of us, this remains a theoretical situation.

Small world!