by Phyllis McCrossin
I observe people and things. It’s what I do.
Even before becoming a journalist I would watch people and how they reacted to different things. I didn’t realize people miss so much because they simply don’t observe, but they do.
I’m certain by now most people know about the shooting on the south pier in South Haven Friday afternoon.
I was working. The first inkling we got that something was wrong were the emergency vehicles/personnel driving past the store on Phoenix.
I heard the siren and saw the cars stopped at the green light waiting for the emergency vehicle to pass. And I heard the person third in line lay on his horn when traffic didn’t move. I’m pretty sure the jolly fellow (fill in your own curse word if desired) might have heard the siren if his radio wasn’t blasting so loudly. I could be mistaken.
After observing the multiple police cars and first responders heading for the beach, we still didn’t know what was going on and assumed it was a drowning – a sad enough situation.
Then two young barefoot women came into the store looking for shoes. They had been sitting on the beach next to the pier and observed the horror of the shooting and ran from the beach leaving their belongings behind.
“I thought it was fireworks and when people started running, I still thought it was kids screwing around,” she said. “Then I saw someone fall, and then another. We left everything and ran.”
My heart goes out to everyone — the visitors on the beach, the families of those shot and the family of the young shooter. Yes. Even him, and especially for those he left behind. Mental illness is a disease, just like cancer is a disease. Don’t judge. Don’t blame the legal system.
Until you’ve walked a mile in someone else’s shoes there is no room for blame
My opinion…. What a bunch of bull****….. liberalism is a mental disorder. Shame shame shame.
Thank you for this.
Ms McCrossin
Mental illness is one of those diseases noone really wants to speak off. Plus noone wants to fund help for those that are affected with one on the many forms of mental illness.
We are a truly “heartless society “ready to point a finger in any direction that makes us feel better. But shirking our duty to help find a solution to mental illness.
When will things change???
The court and judge failed getting him the help needed. The family failed getting him the help needed. We all failed by not insisting more is done to treat those with mental illness like this man had. Sadly the innocent pay the price.
It’s interesting how people who have never had to try to find help for those with mental disorders think it is as easy as calling a doctor and getting treatment. It’s literally easier to poop golden eggs. If one thinks a mask mandate takes away personal freedom try getting someone who is incapable of rational thought the care and treatment they desperately need but do not want or are incapable of knowing they need. It’s not a liberal thing Mr. David, it’s a sad, sad reality. Shame on you for trying to place blame and point political fingers.
Maybe next time you can blame the gun. Well maybe even the manufacturer of the weapon. Cherio…..
Phyllis, please don’t waste your time trying to instill compassion or thoughtfulness in those unwilling or incapable of acquiring either.
Anyone who has a loved one dealing with any form of mental illness is pretty well versed in the nightmare it can be.
I applaud your compassion and the guts it took to write this.
As to blaming the gun… well, if mentally ill people didn’t have easy access to them we’d be closer to a perfect society, wouldn’t we? But we can’t even get REASONABLE gun legislation in this country, so I guess we’ll have to blame the likes of David Anonymous. It makes about as much sense as the things he says, doesn’t it?
Is it mental illness that causes crimes or most times just plain evil?
In my opinon, some are fond of denying the evil. Perhaps because they know what is in their own heart and mind. Perhaps some deny the evil because they have never humbled themselves before God and asked for forgiveness for their sins. Nor have they accepted him as the Saviour.
To often it is easy to let “illness” be a scapegoat for evil crimes