Letter: As we remember Nova Scotia’s mass shooting, ask what can be done to prevent it

By Letter to the Editor on April 28, 2022.

Dear Editor,

April 18-19 was the second anniversary of the mass murder of 22 people in Portapique, Nova Scotia.

The gunman, disguised as an RCMP officer and driving an RCMP lookalike cruiser, had, according to investigative psychiatrists, mental illness defects at the time of his heinous acts.

A threat-sensitive mind that is constantly on guard or paranoid. They believe institutions and other persons are personally and profoundly against them.

A collector of injustices who stores and remembers perceived slights as injustices and wrongs perpetrated by others specifically against them.

Anger ruminator who constantly chews their “cud” of perceived offences against them and desires their conception of natural justice (revenge) or divine retribution.

Their script is similar to, “I’ll get you for what you’ve done to me and it will be the right thing to do. I will enjoy the pain I cause you because you enjoyed the pain you caused me.”

Irrational thoughts are interpreted as justifiable rational thoughts based on subconscious, habitual irrational beliefs. These may become irrational, dangerous behaviours.

How many in our midst also hold some of these caustic beliefs about their relationship with others and society in general?

How many are waiting to “explode” in violent retribution for perceived wrongs as a toxic mental stew dominates their entire life-view?

The current divisiveness in our society encourages this kind of hate-infused thinking, emoting and behaving.

A Mass Casualty Commission is investigating these murders.

What, dear reader, can be done to prevent such events?

Ray Marco

Dunmore

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