Thoughts on Soham 2002

There haven't been many events in the last couple of years that have affected me as deeply as the Soham tradegy, maybe Sep. 11th, but the story of Jessica and Holly unfolded over a much longer time span than the horrendous things that happened back in September.

Well, maybe not tonight, maybe another time. The thing is: if school turns out a breeding place for psychos, bullies and other nasties again and again, why do we keep sending our children there? Why does our culture force us to give up raising kids on our own, simply to be available for "work"? Why don't we realize when things do not work out, but try to do "more" of the same, badly wishing that things might work out? Have you ever wondered why most youngsters don't like school at all? "Ha", I can hear you say, "they will look back fondly on school once they start a working life". "looking back" is the key here. How about something to look forward to, for a change?

No other species herds their offspring in school five hours a day, so why do we? (and my fellow citizens here in Germany are calling out loudly for "daycare schools" ("Ganztagsschule") so they can spend even more time at work instead of spending time with their own children, sheesh!)

Holly and Jessica touched me deeply, posing with a big smile for that photo in their ManU jersey, shortly before leaving on this perilous walk. I wish something better could have come of this, and while I have no understanding at all of a person "capable" of committing such hideous crimes, please let's not forget that our culture is inherently perverted, too, just like some of its members. What are our unique values, after all? Growth beyond limit, running over the whole planet until the last "savage" has been converted to our very special style of living.

Why did I decide to write on Soham? I don't know. All I know it's a tragedy that would hardly ever happen in tribal culture, and if it did, people would know without doubt how to deal with it and the ones affected by it.

Sep. 18th, 2002