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What makes a mass murderer?

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Charlie Manson is dead. Fetch me a bin liner. I could make that funeral quick and inexpensive I assure you.

In the wake of Manson’s long overdue demise there were a great many catastrophically bad opinions expressed.

Chuck Woolery, a former television host and Hollywood conservative does a podcast (doesn’t everyone these days?) with fellow weirdo, Mark Young. It sounds as many podcasts do, as if two drunk men are sitting in a garage with a cheap microphone trying to outdo each other with increasingly stupid takes.

Woolery thinks Manson was an early supporter of the antifa (anti-fascist movement) and further that had Charlie been allowed to vote, he would have scratched a swastika in the box alongside Bernie Saunders’ name. By Woolery’s logic Jeffrey Dahmer would be a Reaganite, preferring to opt out of the expensive food stamp welfare program and make his own sandwiches.

Sadly it got a lot worse. On the other side of the political aisle, there were some appalling attempts to evoke sympathy for the man who facilitated and urged his followers to commit the most appalling deeds known as the Tate-Labianca murders in Los Angeles in 1969.

Full column here.

516 Comments

  • Huger Unson says:

    Funny thing, Jack, Ron Rosenbaum referenced Manson and Dahmer in the same sentence in his ‘Explaining Hitler’. It’s on p190, but can’t be plucked out of the context. The page may be viewed at Google.
    Hunter S., too, gave Manson a trot.
    “[In Vegas] the only bedrock rule is Don’t Burn the Locals. Beyond that, nobody cares. They would rather not know. If Charlie Manson checked into the Sahara tomorrow morning, nobody would hassle him as long as he tipped big.”
    I like to think Dave Grossman (‘On Killing’) is right when he says most humans have an inbuilt recoil from harming each other. But the Rwanda massacres tell us something else.

    • JackSprat says:

      Dunno HU.
      Humans are reluctant to kill within the same “tribe”. Go outside that and the rules change dramatically -especially when threatened.
      A really fascinating aspect of humans is the “rules of war” and who and how you can kill.
      Animals of the same species will kill each other when territory or mating rights are involved.
      They will also kill other when defending food.
      If the predictions of global warming are correct, the thin veneer of human civilization will disappear quickly as life becomes a battle for survival.

  • Bella says:

    What about childhood cruelty to animals?
    The Boston Strangler killed dogs & cats with an arrow as a child and there’s sure to be more like him who obviously delight in animal cruelty from a young age.
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-equation/201104/children-who-are-cruel-animals-when-worry

  • Boadicea says:

    A pragmatic comment from
    over the wall – when the Libs have lost the election (and that now seems inevitable barring anything catastrophic happening globally) put Abbott back as leader of the opposition.
    Let’s face it, he was a hopeless PM, but not bad in opposition. Dare I say it. but right now it seems an option. Which may indicate the level of strife they’re in!

    • Jean Baptiste says:

      And if he became fantastic as an oppo leader he would become a disastrous Prime Minister again.
      Oh brill!

      • Boadicea says:

        Nah JB. If they lose this one I don’t think we’ll see them back for quite a while. In my opinion, they are about to fragment anyway. It’ll be a long road back – by which time they may have someone capable of running the show and fixing up whatever comes next.
        A pity in a way, as I really can’t stomach the thought of Shorten as PM.

      • Boadicea says:

        Nah, JB. It looks like the Coalition are going to fragment anyway. TA could be a temp – unless he hives off to the extreme right with Cory et al.
        It’ll be a long road back – by which time they may have someone capable of running the show.

        • Boadicea says:

          God, JB it’s not me that’s confused This is the second time this has happened. Computer takes forever to post, I think it’s lost, and then it pops up. I think I’m okay ………

    • Trivalve says:

      Yeah right – so if it works he’s PM again. Struth! At least Milton would be happy (especially after Chelsea didn’t beat Liverpool last night).

      He’s done Boa. He should get out and do a proper job. Still reckon he’d be a good choice to run Vinnies.

  • Carl on the Coast says:

    Yes, human beings, compared to all other mammal species, are said to be the most vicious killers of their own kind. Slaughter appears to be one of our most defining behavioural traits.

    I note in today’s Aus that again, a few hundred worshippers were slain in an attack on a mosque in Egypt. And the recent incidences of mass slaughter throughout the US are still on our minds. A UN study (Drugs & Crime) reported almost half a million people across the world were murdered during 2012.

    Unlike the animal world where carnivores mostly kill for food, we kill all other creatures as well as our own, and as well as ourselves. It seems that the Homo sapiens’ genetic evolution of the old grey matter has some way to go before we are no longer considered to be the most relentless yet oblivious killers on Earth.

    • Jean Baptiste says:

      Quite so, but the evolution of the Homo Sapiens is almost complete, so far as it goes. Not surprisingly the species will kill itself completely! How about that for a “final solution?”

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABwljjdWH44

    • Trivalve says:

      That was an appalling attack Carl. Tolerance is one attribute that humans seem to lack in spades. I did a job out of that town around 2009. Not a pretty place and Sinai always seems to have something bubbling just below the surface. You have to cross the Murbarak ‘Peace Bridge’ to get there. Ha. There is clearly a lot of surreptitious stuff going on around the place too, with el Arish just up the road and the Gaza tunnels not far beyond that. We need a new ‘live and let live’ religion I think.

    • Dwight says:

      Google “Gombe Chimpanzee War“.

  • BASSMAN says:

    If Labor managed to get up in Qld and win B.Long (both unlikely) Turnbull could be gone. He has not appeared for the tennis player yet.

    • Henry Blofeld says:

      Both likely BASSMAN your tipping prowess a Barry Crocker as always. Cheers

      • Boadicea says:

        I hope you’re wrong about Bennelong HB. JA’s a good bloke and it’s not a nice scenario in hich to lose one’s seat. After all, none of those involved in this dual citizenship debacle have done anything scandalous. I thought the sudden appearance of that unfortunate clip, 20 years after the event, was particularly below the belt. (no pun intended).
        And as I sit here , there is Malcolm in Bennelong campaigning! Who said he wouldn’t show up?

        • BASSMAN says:

          BODHISATTVA- I agree he is a GREAT bloke…indeed too nice for politics and I have admired his stand on cheaper housing. It is a Federal seat though and he has voted for policies which have harmed our nation, All politicians should be judged on their policies and actions on those policies.

  • Milton says:

    Uh oh, new pill!!

  • Lou oTOD says:

    Hello JTI and bloggers, I’ve been absent for a good while. Without raining on Wiss’s parade, I’ve had a near death experience after contracting Bacterial Pneumococcal Meningitis a month ago and in the second week after retuning from overseas.
    it is a frightening infection with a 10% death rate. I collapsed at home early one morning and if not for my wife calling an ambulance would now be on the other side. I was also fortunate to be taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, reputed to have the best ICU in the country. To that I can attest.
    Five days in an induced coma were followed by another 11 on IV antibiotics, steroids and insulin. I am happy to say I’m slowly recovering at home now, but not sure if the brain has gotten through unscathed. It has certainly been a reality check.

    • Jack The Insider says:

      Sounds like you’re out of the woods, Lou but a fair way to go for a full recovery. Hang in there. Go well.

    • BASSMAN says:

      Lao TeZu….geez Bald…one lucky brave man. You were lucky to get back here to the best Drs in the world. I have a mate o.seas at the moment with a bad case of skin cancer./melanoma..the Asian Drs have ripped him orrf and left him in a worst state than he was before. I tell anybody o.seas who is ill to get back here as quick as possible.

    • Penny. says:

      Geez, Lou oTOD, how frightening is that! My husband had a brain haemmorage in 1991 and that was the scariest thing I had ever encountered in my life…let alone what it was like for him. I still get really shaky when I think about it and it must have been so bad for your wife as well. Take care my friend and make sure you look after yourself.

    • The Bow-Legged Swantoon says:

      Holy hell, Lou! Glad you’re still with us!

      Is there anything you can tell us about how to avoid it?

      • Lou oTOD says:

        There are certain risk groups TBLS, infants, late teenagers (needle sharing) and old farts like us who never had inoculation that is now given to babies. Even that is only protection against certain strains.
        I travelled in Morocco which may have been a source, they found a leak in my right ear as the probable place of entry into the Meningle layer which is the last protective covering of the brain. After all that, the Neurologists recon it was a chance in the many thousands.
        You can get inoculation as above, I have belatedly had it now and strongly recommend you do also. The Saudis won’t let people enter for the HAJJ and UMRAH Pilgrims without it due to heightened risk of Meningitis.
        We now find two friendly couples who had a child contract it 30 odd years ago. The viral version is dangerous but the bacterial is deadly.
        Cheers
        Lou

    • Dismayed says:

      Keep fighting Lou oTOD

    • Milton says:

      I’m presently downing the beers that you shouldn’t have at this juncture (if that’s the right word). Nasty stuff old mate but 5 days in an induced coma pales in comparison to Turnbull’s tenure.! Big and best wishes Lou for you to get well and back to fighting fit and making healthy comments. Luv Milton xxxx
      ps and I believe you’re required to elevate the xmas meals for the kinfolk into outback dunny folklore … go hard!

    • Jean Baptiste says:

      Speedy recovery Lou.

    • Wissendorf says:

      Lou, I was appalled to read of your malady. I’ve suffered a ‘mild’ post-op stroke in my parietal lobe after having my heart valve replacement, but I’m told I have an excellent long term prognosis and should recover most if not all functions with time and a good rehab program. I commence rehab just before Xmas. Your illness sounds truly frightening. I knew my op was coming and what the risks were, it didn’t just strike out of the blue. Please get better. You’ve had a terrible experience. I’m sincerely hoping all your cerebral functions are intact, and that you will also return to a normal life. Best of luck mate, I’m cheering you on.

    • Boadicea says:

      My goodness Lou! How frightening. Good to have you back. Take care

    • Tracy says:

      Poor you, hope you get better with no ill effects.

    • Trivalve says:

      Geez Lou, that’s scary. Hope you get over it, particularly the brain. Didn’t turn you into a Labor voter?

    • Razor says:

      Bloody hell Lou! Hold in there mate. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

    • Dwight says:

      Good to hear you’re still here Lou!

    • Bella says:

      Get well soon Lou you’ve been missed. 🤕

    • jack says:

      Lou, good to hear that you made it, best of luck with that recovery.

  • Milton says:

    Not sure if everyone here gets it but if they persist in playing that kfc hole in my bucket add throughout the summer I won’t be responsible for my actions (despite having choice!).
    Too late now but I think an opportunity was missed in not playing Renshaw. And it doesn’t look like much depth if Paine or Smith get out, though Lyons can be handy at times.
    Uh oh Roots having a bowl.

  • Boadicea says:

    Good to see Clive Palmer have a win. $150mill. Gosh he may be able to pay back the $70mill the Australian govt forked out on his behalf to the employees of QNI.

  • Henry Blofeld says:

    Possibly the biggest Political gaffe in my lifetime was committed in 1972, Mr Insider, by Political Commentator Malcolm Mackerras, when very early on the night of Gough Whitlam’s massive Labor victory sweet Malcolm called a win for outgoing PM Billy McMahon! It is reported Gough never spoke to him again! Salad days indeed.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQCgB9c8WUQ

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