02-26-2006, 10:43 PM
kraniac...I agree with much of what you said re: he shouldn't be seen as any sort of hero. However, if you have friends that are bi-polar and have seen them off their meds (i'm fairly certain he was bi-polar, but i'm still assuming), then you know what they are like. They are so far from logic, it's hard to watch - just like his nonsensical ramblings were like in the movie. If he was mentally ill, then he didn't "deserve" it..he was sick and untreated.
It takes a *lot* for the state or family to 'step in' with a mentally ill, non med-compliant adult. Most of the time, they end up homeless or living on the edge of society. There really isn't much people can do. However, all that knew him are somewhat complicit, in that they appeared to encourage him and, heck, even flew him into the area, knowing what he was doing.
I think you can debate the merits/damage of what he did endlessly. The fact remains that he was likely mentally ill and, for that, we should have *some* compassion for him. He wasn't thinking clearly. I'd have been *very* curious to have seen him talk about his bear trips after a good trial of depakote or lithium to see if he came around to some reasonableness...
It would be nice if his bi-polar diagnosis was well-documented and then this debilitating illness can be talked about whenever the movie is brought up. The more I write about it, the more curious I am to know whether or not he truly was bi-polar...
kiva
It takes a *lot* for the state or family to 'step in' with a mentally ill, non med-compliant adult. Most of the time, they end up homeless or living on the edge of society. There really isn't much people can do. However, all that knew him are somewhat complicit, in that they appeared to encourage him and, heck, even flew him into the area, knowing what he was doing.
I think you can debate the merits/damage of what he did endlessly. The fact remains that he was likely mentally ill and, for that, we should have *some* compassion for him. He wasn't thinking clearly. I'd have been *very* curious to have seen him talk about his bear trips after a good trial of depakote or lithium to see if he came around to some reasonableness...
It would be nice if his bi-polar diagnosis was well-documented and then this debilitating illness can be talked about whenever the movie is brought up. The more I write about it, the more curious I am to know whether or not he truly was bi-polar...
kiva