All day long, I've seen fellow Democrats in various media expressing anger and outrage at the violent rhetoric we've been hearing from the right wing for the last several years.
These are valid concerns for another time, but I don't believe we should be dwelling on them today. Instead, we should take some time to look at one of our long-standing goals: Health care for all Americans, including mental health care and education on mental illness.
In my senior year of high school, there was shocking news: The President had been gunned down.
Immediately, television newscasters began to speculate on the political motives behind the shooting of Ronald Reagan, trying to link it to the policies of left or right. Within a day, it became clear that John Hinckley, Jr., was not so much motivated by an anger over politics, but by a disconnection from reality caused by mental illness.
Today, however, it has been very easy for us to focus on the violent rhetoric and dog-whistling from the right wing, simply because it's there.
On the Countdown special edition this evening, I watched Keith Olbermann and Mark Patok of the Southern Poverty Law Center (an expert on right-wing militias and violence) performing a profile of Mr. Loughner, going through his alleged writings and comparing them selectively with that violent rhetoric.
This is easy to do when you're an expert on right-wing violence, asked to comb through data to find blurbs that could possibly be making references to it.
What I have not yet seen is any mental health professional looking at his behavior and writings and explaining to us the predictable symptoms of schizophrenia, and showing that each and every fact we've learned about Mr. Loughner can be explained by mental illness, independent of the rhetoric, just as John Hinckley's was.
Early Accounts
(Before I continue, a disclaimer: I do not wish to be seen as Bill Frist diagnosing Terri Schiavo from afar. I will attempt to use the speculative voice throughout)
Begin with the Twitter accounts of Loughner's high school peers. If true, they describe a reasonably bright young man who grew reclusive and began to use alcohol and marijuana to excess. This is consistent with the onset of schizophrenia. The texts I've read over the years theorized that drug use helps buffer the victim from the changes happening to the mind.
Then look to his college career: If reports are true, the staff at Pima Community College had several problems with Loughner, before demanding a mental health evaluation before he would be allowed to return.
There are also yet-undocumented reports of his attempt to enlist in the military recently and being denied.
Writings
The MySpace page we've seen attributed to him is devoid of conversation. His posts are cryptic and non-interactive. He addresses some posts to "Reader", and echoes the "literacy" concern listed on the YouTube videos, but nowhere do you see the typical ravings of the right-wing anger rhetoric. None of the usual catchphrases about liberals destroying America, taxes being too high, or anything of the sort. The posts are made one after another on given days, as if he's trying to tell us something.
Schizophrenia often results in the afflicted feeling a special need to tell people about his or her "inside information" -- a revelation they have that makes so much sense. They also have difficulty explaining things.
The YouTube videos seem like classic schizophrenic writings. Nearly every page is written as a tautological conclusion. They are all cryptic. He is trying to inform us of secrets he knows about, but knows we won't be able to understand.
They are presented in a simple format, in a welcoming sans serif font, and calming music.
Yes, there are references to government and currency. But look at the overall picture in the transcripts below. Again, it is devoid of the anger rhetoric, and there are no calls to action.
Instead, he knows something that he truly wants us to understand, or is frustrated that we don't understand. He wants someone to listen:
How to: Mind Controller (posted 12/6/10 on YouTube)
===
If I'm the mind controller then I control the belief and religion.
- Action
- Thought
- Location
- Food
==
If you're editing of every belief and religion reaches the final
century then the writer for every belief and religion is you.
You're editing of every belief and religion reaches the final century.
Thus, the writer for every belief and religion is you.
You control every -- thought, action, and lifestyle -- for the person
or people as the mind controller.
I'm able to control every belief and religion by being the mind controller.
===
You control every - thought, action, and lifestyle - for the person or
people as the mind controller.
===
I'm able to control every belief and religion by being the mind controller!
Hello (Posted 12/15/10 to YouTube)
===
Hello, my name is Jared Lee Loughner.
===
This video is my introduction to you! My favorite activity is
conscience dreaming; the greatest inspiration for my political
business information. Some of you don't dream -- sadly.
===
Firstly, the current government officials are in power for their
currency, but I'm informing you for your new currency! If you're
treasurer of a new money system, then you're responsible for the
distributing of a new currency. We now kjnow -- the treasurer for a
new money system, is the distributor of the new currency. As a result,
the people approve a new money system which is promising new
information that's accurate, and we truly believe in a new currency.
Above all, you have your new currency, listener?
===
Secondly, my hope - is for you to be literate! If you're literate in
English grammar, then you comprehend English grammar. The majority of
people, who reside in District-8, are illiterate -- hilarious. I don't
control your English Grammar structure, but you control your English
Grammar structure.
===
Thirdly, I know who's listening: Government Officials, and the People.
Nearly all the people, who don't know this accurate information of a
new currency, aren't aware of mind control and brainwash methods. If I
have my civil rights, then this message wouldn't have happen.
===
In conclusion, my ambition - is for informing literate dreamers about
a new currency; in a few days, you know I'm conscience dreaming! Thank
you!
Introduction: Jared Loughner (12/15/10)
Most people, who read this text, forget in the next 2 second!
===
The population of dreamers in the United States of America is less than 5%!
===
If 987,123,478,961,876,341,234,671,234,098,601,978,618 is the year in
B.C.E the the previous year of
987,123,478,961,876,341,234,671,234,098,601,978,618 B.C.E. is
987,123,478,961,876,341,234,671,234,098,601,978,619 B.C.E.
987,123,478,961,876,341,234,671,234,098,601,978,618 is the year in B.C.E.
Therefore, the previous year of
987,123,478,961,876,341,234,671,234,098,601,978,618 B.C.E. is
987,123,478,961,876,341,234,671,234,098,601,978,619 B.C.E.
===
If B.C.E. years are unable to start then A.D.E. years are unable to begin.
B.C.E. years are unable to start.
Thus, A.D.E. years are unable to begin.
===
If A.D.E. is endless in year then the years in A.D.E. don't cease.
A.D.E. is endless in year.
Therefore, the years in A.D.E. don't cease.
===
If I teach a mentally capable 8 year old for 20 consecutive minutes to
replace an alphabet letter with a new letter and pronunciation then
the mentally capable 8 year old writes and pronounces the new letter
and pronunciation that's replacing an alphabet letter in 20
consecutive minutes.
I teach a mentally capable 8 year old for 20 consecutive minutes to
replace an alphabet letter with a new letter and pronunciation.
Thus, the mentally capable 8 year old writes and pronounces the new
letter and pronunciation that replaces an alphabet letter in 20
consecutive minutes.
===
Every human who's mentally capable is always able to be treasurer of
their new currency.
===
If you create one new currency then you're able to create a second new currency.
If you're able to create second new currencty then you're able to
create third new currency.
You create one new currency.
Thus, you're able to create third new currency.
===
You're a treasurer for a new currency, listener?
You create and distribute your new currency, listener?
You don't allow the government to control your grammar structure, listener?
===
If you create one new language then you're able to create a second new language.
If you're able to create a second new language then you're able to
create a third new language.
You create one new language.
Thus, you're able to create a third new language.
===
All humans are in need of sleep.
Jared Loughner is a human.
Hence, Jared Loughner is in need of sleep.
===
Sleepwalking
If I define sleepwalking then sleepwalking is the act or state of
walking, eating, or performing other motor acts while asleep, of which
one is unaware upon wakening.
I define sleepwalking.
Thus, sleepwalking is the act or state of walking, eating, or
performing other motor acts while asleep, of which one is unaware upon
awakening.
I'm a sleepwalker - who turns off the alarm clock.
===
All conscience dreaming at this moment is asleep.
Jared Loughner is conscience dreaming at this moment.
Thus, Jared Loughner is asleep.
===
Terrorist
If I define terrorist then a terrorist is a person who employs terror
or terrorism, especially as a political weapon.
I define terrorist.
Thus, a terrorist is a person who employs terror or terrorism,
especially as a political weapon.
If you call me a terrorist then the argument to call me a terrorist is
Ad hominem.
You call me a terrorist.
Thus the argument to call me a terrorist is Ad hominem.
===
Every United States Military recruit at MEPS in Phoenix is receiving
one mini bible before the tests.
Jared Loughner is a United States Military recruit at MEPS in Phoenix.
Therefore, Jared Loughner is receiving one mini bible before the tests.
I didn't write a belief on my Army application, and the recruiter
wrote on the application: None.
===
The majority of the citizens in the United States of America have
never read the United States of America's Constitution.
You don't have to accept the federalist laws.
Nonetheless, read the United States of America's Constitution to
apprehend all of the current treasonous laws.
Are you literate, listener?
===
If the property owners and government officials are no longer in
ownership of their land and laws from a revolution then the
revolutionary's from the revolution are in control of the land and
laws.
The property owners and government officials are no longer in
ownership of their land and laws from a revolution.
Thus, the revolutionary's from the revolution are in control of the
land and laws.
===
In conclusion, reading the second United States Constitution, I can't
trust the current government because of the ratifications: The
government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by
controlling grammar.
No! I won't pay debt with a currency that's not backed by gold and silver!
No! I won't trust in God!
Telling, too, is that the videos had only a few hundred views on them as of this morning. He does not seem like a person who follows or bonds with others -- a necessary component to the right-wing hate strategy. He is not seeking approval. He knows these secrets, and is trying to prove them to you.
Moving Forward
We on the left have a reason to be angry today, and we have a reason to be angry at the violent rhetoric aimed at us and escalated for the last thirty years. But I believe they're separate issues.
I'm angry today because yet another person who needed help was identified, but apparent ignorance or the lack of an ability to put the puzzle-pieces together in time led to a tragic act.
If we learn there was indeed a partner, and that partner used Mr. Loughner's weakness for a specifically politically-motivated murder, the focus of my anger will change.
Until we learn anything more, however, I'd rather see us pushing the message of the importance of educating people on the symptoms of mental illness, and putting efforts into treating it and/or institutionalizing those who are a danger to themselves or others.
If what we have learned is true, there were several telling signs in just the last few years that Loughner's health was deteriorating. If any one of the people who interacted with him had known the severity of these symptoms or what they meant, he might have been growing stronger every day in a treatment center right now, instead of sitting in a jail cell with the Tucson murders on his hands.
I'm afraid that our rage, if misplaced, will only deepen the divide in which we find ourselves in modern America. I'm hoping we're better than that.