Stabbing in Brentwood-5 Dead, 1 Arrested

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Acey

To me it sounds more like he's advocating for himself and his wife? (entirely understandable and probably a good move)

Like saying they couldn't have possibly played a role. "Good kid growing up, law school bound... how the hell could we have seen this coming" is the vibe I got from his statement.

I didn't get that at all, that was about as honest a statement you will ever see from someone. That's how it came across to me not self serving in any way. I would not be the least bit surprised if the defense uses that statement as part of their defense (if allowed), but that is something else entirely.

[Acey]

I don't disagree with what you just said, I was just trying to address the "advocating for their son" bit because to me that's not what they were doing.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Acey

To me it sounds more like he's advocating for himself and his wife? (entirely understandable and probably a good move)

Like saying they couldn't have possibly played a role. "Good kid growing up, law school bound... how the hell could we have seen this coming" is the vibe I got from his statement.

I didn't take that away from it at all. I took away that there is a father that is utterly devastated that his son did something unspeakably horrific, and he is just as confused as everyone else. Parents tend to blame themselves for their children's actions, whether they are responsible or not. This man, no matter what anyone tells him otherwise, will be in utter misery for the rest of his life, for something he had no control over.

I lost my sister at a relatively young age, and her son was raised by my folks. Tragically he was lost as well. Even though my folks did everything right, and could have done nothing to stop either death, they carry it like a 10 ton weight on their shoulders. They feel there had to have been something they could have done to change the outcomes.

The only thing I feel for this father is sympathy. And I guarantee you, there is nothing he wouldn't do right now, to change what happened.

[RogerWilco]

He was just speaking from the heart and that is obvious. This is not a game of chess , a novel, nor a movie for the people involved.

[1stLand]

you invest the better part of your life raising a child, investing your love, your time, and lets face it - a fata load of money.

only to have it all shattered and ruined in one night.

[zamler]

Why did the parents go on TV? To apologize? A very synical person would say it's the beginning of a PR campaign by the defense, which is possible but either way the father to me was as genuine as a person gets he is absolutely devastated. I feel horrible for him, it's inconceivable for me the pain he must be dealing with.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by zamler

Why did the parents go on TV? To apologize? A very synical person would say it's the beginning of a PR campaign by the defense, which is possible but either way the father to me was as genuine as a person gets he is absolutely devastated. I feel horrible for him, it's inconceivable for me the pain he must be dealing with.

I hate when people do this. A very cynical person? Obviously the thought popped into your head and that's why you threw it out there. Don't try to detach it from yourself.

Even if it was only a passing thought, (which is fine, we all have thoughts on things) you're the one who came up with it and posted it.

[pylon]

Also people, don't forget this mans name and face has been plastered all over the internet, newpapers and TV the last few days, because of his profession. He almost had no choice but to address the media.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I hate when people do this. A very cynical person? Obviously the thought popped into your head and that's why you threw it out there. Don't try to detach it from yourself.

Even if it was only a passing thought, (which is fine, we all have thoughts on things) you're the one who came up with it and posted it.

Of course it popped into my head because it's a possibility, I live in the real world. You know what's really irritating? The sanctimonious act you're putting on.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by zamler

Of course it popped into my head because it's a possibility, I live in the real world. You know what's really irritating? The sanctimonious act you're putting on.

It's not an act. I thought it was a sh***y accusation to throw out and even s***tier to hide behind "A cynical person might think". At least now you've owned up to it being your own thought. Still terrible, though.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by flameswin

It's not an act. I thought it was a sh***y accusation to throw out and even s***tier to hide behind "A cynical person might think". At least now you've owned up to it being your own thought. Still terrible, though.

I threw out no accusation, I said it was a possibility. You've picked up your pitchfork and are now attacking me even though I don't believe it was a PR stunt but understand that some will see it that way. Which is why I brought it up. If I thought it was a PR stunt I would have said so, you'll notice I have posted quite a lot here that may not be considered popular opinion.

[darockwilder]

Originally Posted by Acey

To me it sounds more like he's advocating for himself and his wife? (entirely understandable and probably a good move)

This has been bothering me since I first read it. Do you think it's like being in a political party when one member is caught in a sex scandal and you want to distance yourself from that other person? It's his son for god's sake!

I've read some questionable things on this board over the years (Bourque for captain, I'm looking at you), but this one is up there.

BTW I'm not looking for any discourse here, just stating my opinion. This entire situation is incredibly tragic for a tremendous amount of people and just I'm surprised anyone might think along those lines.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by zamler

I threw out no accusation, I said it was a possibility.

Seriously dude, drop the act. You are absolutely throwing out an accusation, and you are the "cynical person" in your post. It's still a dumb opinion, but don't compound it by trying to distance yourself from your own argument.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by zamler

Of course it popped into my head because it's a possibility, I live in the real world. You know what's really irritating? The sanctimonious act you're putting on.

Well, break it down logically. If it being a PR campaign was a possibility he would approach it methodically with purpose to build his credibility. That's not what we saw, what we saw was a man completely destroyed that had trouble standing and finishing his sentences. It was mildly traumatic just watching him try to speak, you need to attune your sense of empathy if you think he exhibited any signs of trying to influence people.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Seriously dude, drop the act. You are absolutely throwing out an accusation, and you are the "cynical person" in your post. It's still a dumb opinion, but don't compound it by trying to distance yourself from your own argument.

You failed to read what I posted.

I didn't get that at all, that was about as honest a statement you will ever see from someone. That's how it came across to me not self serving in any way.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I don't think he was advocating at all. It's easy to judge from a distance, but we are talking about parents caught in an emotional black hole of their own trying to come to grips with the fact that their son is accused of mass murder. That would blindside anyone, and it is only natural for them to speak well of their son. They are simply vocalizing what they believed before all this happened. It's really just honest, raw, emotion.

For the record, I don't think he deliberately made a press conference to advocate for his son. I think the main purpose was to appease the media and public who were begging for a statement, and to let the victims know that they are also shattered for their loss.

But like he said, a parent's love is unconditional and I am sure that he couldn't help but humanize his son. I just don't think that if I was a parent of one of the victims, that I would be totally thrilled to hear about what a nice guy the murderer is. That sort of thing would probably sting a little.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

For the record, I don't think he deliberately made a press conference to advocate for his son. I think the main purpose was to appease the media and public who were begging for a statement, and to let the victims know that they are also shattered for their loss.

But like he said, a parent's love is unconditional and I am sure that he couldn't help but humanize his son. I just don't think that if I was a parent of one of the victims, that I would be totally thrilled to hear about what a nice guy the murderer is. That sort of thing would probably sting a little.

I've been on that side of the fence, and no, you don't want to think of the killer as being human. Those five families won't care about any positive qualities de Greer may have, and nobody can blame them. But statements like this aren't meant for them, but for everyone else.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

This has been bothering me since I first read it. Do you think it's like being in a political party when one member is caught in a sex scandal and you want to distance yourself from that other person? It's his son for god's sake!

I've read some questionable things on this board over the years (Bourque for captain, I'm looking at you), but this one is up there.

You completely misunderstood what I said, it's literally the complete opposite of where you're going with it. So you're free to think it's the worst thing you've read on here.

I was defending him from what I thought was an incorrect assessment by FlamesAddiction. What I meant to say is that they were defending the way they raised their son. That is all. I don't see how my interpretation of this can be twisted to be cynical. Can we forget about this post now?

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I've been on that side of the fence, and no, you don't want to think of the killer as being human. Those five families won't care about any positive qualities de Greer may have, and nobody can blame them. But statements like this aren't meant for them, but for everyone else.

Not necessarily true, Jason Lang's father talked at my school when I was a lot younger and his viewpoint was the polar opposite of what you stated. I have hope that the families can heal over time and are able to find peace in life.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by zamler

You failed to read what I posted.

You failed to read what he posted:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Seriously dude, drop the act. You are absolutely throwing out an accusation, and you are the "cynical person" in your post. It's still a dumb opinion, but don't compound it by trying to distance yourself from your own argument.

Thing is, you either:
A) Believe that it was a PR stunt and are playing both sides of the argument to come off less embarrassing
B) Don't believe that it was a PR statement, but brought it up anyways.

If you don't believe it was a PR stunt (which quite frankly is an idiotic idea) then why'd you bring it up? What purpose does that serve? What service are you providing by bringing up such a disrespectfully out of touch idea? The reason why the idea is being attributed as one you likely believe, is because you've have consistently negated any things that don't paint Matt as a cold monster.

Whether or not you believe the thought you suggested, you still brought it up, so it's on you.