Christopher Dorner: Hero or Villian?

There are many things I don't understand, but how someone can call Chris Dorner a hero, that is beyond me. It not that I don't think there is corruption and prejudice within the Los Angeles Police Department. I absolutely do. I just have huge problems with the thought process that excuses evil because someone believes that they have been wronged. 

The idea that the end justifies the means, is a modern moral axiom that I believe to be the root of all kinds of evil. In Chris Dorner's manifesto he wrote, 

"Unfortunately, this is a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name." 

So, for him the evil he was about to commit would be justified because in the end his named would be reclaimed. The illogical claim that if you think someone did something wrong to you, it does not matter what you do or justifies any behavior no matter how grievous is wrong. 

This foolish and selfish belief is unfortunately embedded in our modern culture by literature and the media. Think of how in many stories the hero or heroin saves the day by breaking a rule. Isn't this the basic plot of the Harry Potter series? It must be a basic rule for Disney and Nickelodeon writers. 

I know someone will try to use the lie to save a life argument. You know. If it is wrong to tell a lie should people who lied to Nazi Germans about having Jewish families living in secret rooms  in their homes, have told the truth? Please. To allow evil to continue is wrong. Frankly, most lies contain a little bit of truth. If you are a Christian you know the devil quoted the Bible to Jesus when tempting him. 

Does the end justify the means? No. Is Christopher Dorner a hero? No. Apparently, he had a habit of filing complaints. My mom used to tell me that if I had a problem with one person it might be the other person. But, if I had a problem with two, three or more people, then the problem was me. Even if there was a problem with his training officer and all of LAPD, killing innocent people would never clear his name, only condemn it. 

Spike the Football Mr. President

Image by Hjelle via Flickr

I guess the President is worried about how Muslims or others around the world might perceive the United States of America if he showed the pictures of a dead, shot in the head, Osama Bin Laden. Too late. Who cares. And what is it we want or enemies and allies to think about us?

Going in, snatching OBL from his very well built palace/hideout/compound sent a pretty clear message. Somehow, someday, we will get you and get the justice we desire. Talk all you want. One day we'll get you and your family. 

Here's the deal: The radical Muslim world, much of the world that does not believe in freedom hates America simply because we exist. All they need to know is that if they mess with the US they and their family with them will pay the price. There is no reasoning with people who hate. 


Theodore Roosevelt said, "Walk softly and carry a big stick." The USA is a wonderful ally but an fearful enemy. No cave, no crevice is small enough to hide in.  That's all they need to know.


So, Mr. President, spike the ball!