commentaries

Revenge angle? Citing movies, not reality? Cho sounds more like jealousy, Klebold more narcissistic. This is one case where the law professor should stick to law and not psychoanalysis. We just had another election where 100 million people chose note to vote. Worker participation is at a low, disability claims at a high. Apathy is the rage in America, not revenge......

I never thought that I'd agree with anything goverfanz posted, but this time is an exception. I don't see "revenge" as behind those of us who endeavor to reduce the gun culture violence. Many are angry, scared, and determined to ameliorate the intolerable conditions resulting in mass murder - but this is not about being vengeful, IMO. Not at all. As to the mass murderers themselves - who knows? Perhaps the were so full of hatred and rage that it manifested as mass murders, but those who responded to their atrocities were not "vengeful" at all.

From the article: "The truth is that despite the complexity of causes -- and despite the ultimate culpability of the shooter himself -- we owe it to the memory of those children to think critically about our laws and culture to try to ensure that it will not happen again. This is a moment to rethink our gun laws, our treatment of the mentally ill and the security of schools. But it is also a time to critically examine the deeply immoral emphasis on revenge that is rife within our culture." Evidence that law professors at St. Thomas can produce a clear, logical and convincing argument when they separate civil law from canon law!

Madness and evil are a reality. The rights of individuals with severe mental illness should not be superior to the rights of the populace. As unpleasant as it may be, changes in the law regarding commitment and court ordered medication must be changed. My sister died of depression. She suffered for many years. I spent hundreds of hours at hcmc trying to get her committed. She was highly intelligent and my anecdotal 'facts' were disregarded over and over again. With 6 or so months of therapy and the proper medication she would be alive today. Shame on us!

Very poor logic. If you cannot kill bin Laden then you may also get rid of the concept of justice. And BTW, thanks for nothing for spoiling the ending of "Skyfall."

This is a moment to rethink our gun laws, our treatment of the mentally ill and the security of schools. But it is also a time to critically examine the deeply immoral emphasis on revenge that is rife within our culture ------- all well and good but these are high level observations at best. A more meaningful commentary would include tangible, specific actions.

While I agreed with headline, I think Osler could use stronger arguments. America's fascination with capital punishment would be one of those arguments.

Revenge is close to envy. There's a bit of both in making some "pay their fair share."

Revenge? Having trouble connecting the dots on this article. Very strange opinion piece that goes nowhere.

Revenge is the filp side of compassion. You can't have one without the other. It's part of what being human is and there's a very good, socially functional place in societies for revenge. People should respect it conversely to compassion, but respect it you must, it is who the human tribe is.