The state of things

“We are aghast when we read about drunken fraternity members who haze a pledge until he dies — apparently getting much excitement from seeing him suffer — until! And what about the general who matter-of-factly announced that it is fun to kill ‘those people?’ Or consider Denis Rader, a dutiful church member serial killer. You wonder about Ken Lay and pedophile priests and government leaders who start a pre-emptive war.

It is reported that one in 25 people in America are sociopaths. A 1991 study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health reported that in the 15 years preceding the study, the prevalence of antisocial disorder has nearly doubled among the young in America. Now, in 2005, 14 more years have passed ( In 2018, it adds up to 27 years).

Martha Stout wrote in her book, “The Sociopath Next Door” that sociopaths are people who have no conscience, who feel no empathy for anyone and refuse to see the results of their bad behavior as having anything to do with themselves. She says that this is the cornerstone of the antisocial personality diagnosis.

It is thought that this disorder is about half inherited and half nurtured and it is the nurtured part that tips the scales from rather benign dysfunction to the pathological variety. Magid and McKelvey continue: “The problem starts at the beginning of life, when the scales are tipped toward a future of trust and love or one of mistrust and deep-seated rage. The crucial factor is bonding. Without effective bonding, the infant won’t become attached to his or her primary caregiver. ... A growing number of experts now believe that this stage in a human’s development has much greater significance than previously thought.”

Children who are neglected or treated with disdain and/or physically abused are disasters waiting to happen. It certainly hasn’t helped that so many parents have found it necessary or desirable that both be employed that so many babies are left in day care or with sitters for many hours a day. Many are spending little relaxed quality time with their offspring since their daily life is so crowded with other necessary or preferred projects. Of course, the number of single mothers and unprecedented family breakup take their toll.

It’s important we learn to recognize sociopaths so we are not caught in their web. Clues to their pathology include impulsivity, irresponsibility, manipulation, lack of remorse, lack of regard for the rights of others, extreme defensiveness and/or obsession with making an impression. It’s all going through the motions — no feelings, no qualms, no conscience. Such people can, when the mood strikes them, appear very upbeat and cheerful but, when things don’t go their way, watch out! They’ll use whatever method they deem necessary to influence — flattery, authority, intrigue, violence, persuasion and dishonesty. They can lie and cheat with no qualms, often convincing you that they have your best interest at heart. They inhabit all levels of society, but those with power can wreak the most havoc.”

A very astute and insightful writer of a letter to the editor in a recent San Francisco Chronicle reminds us of one critical reason why we should be aware of such behavior. This is the best analysis (in 100 words or less) of our political situation that I’ve seen. Carol Chetkovich of Oakland wrote: “In the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, President Trump tweeted, ‘So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities again and again.’”

She continues: “I would like now to report to authorities that Donald Trump, who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., regularly exhibits extremely erratic behavior and signs of mental instability, and that he has access to weapons of mass destruction. He poses a danger to our national community.”

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” — Norman Schwarzkopf.

Since 1984, Dorothy Dimitre has written more than 900 columns for various local newspapers. Her email address is gramsd@aceweb.com.