How Do You Spell Sociopath?

You know you're in trouble when your teeth start to clench.

At our local high school last night. Ran into a school counsellor. We made small talk. During the conversation, the name of ***** ****, came up....

There was a pause. Then, "He's not a very nice boy," I say.

She laughs. "You mean he's a normal teenager."

"Uhh, nooo..."

Okay, time to switch subjects! Right now. Because this is going to be one of those things that we're going to have to agreed to disagree on. But just in case anyone is listening, or better yet, if anyone cares....let me elaborate.

First - what is normal?

My normal includes: being responsible, honest, diligent, having a sense of integrity, might even try being kind occasionally...You get where I'm going here?

These are not age restricted characteristics. You don't suddenly become honest at age 18, or kind at age 30. Granted being a good person, to a certain degree, is a learned process, someone probably will need to teach us to share but if you're into Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten you might agree that we can start having a pretty good handle on stuff starting in the 6-8 year old age range.

Hmmm...

So here we have a teenager who is relatively intelligent, quite good looking, and when he wants to be...very charming. He has a sweet mother, lives in a decent neighborhood, basically has a lot of advantages. Is able to participate in sports and other school activities and just for good measure is apparently sent away to church camp each summer.

And whadda ya get? A nicely wrapped package that inside contains a sneaky kid who is mean, abusive, dishonest, and a bully. The same "normal teenager" who torments those weaker or less agressive than he. Plus the morally bankrupt kid who, a year ago in middle school, panicked after utilizing the school janitor's closet with his then girl friend and told all his friends (aka anyone who wanted to listen), "Crap! She's pregnant. What am I going to do???" Followed shortly by, "Yes!! She had an abortion!!! DUCKED THAT BULLET, Bwahahahaha!" (Then high-fived everyone in the immediate vicinity.) Without, apparently, a single thought to the devastation he had left in his wake. But he had his hand firmly on the butt of the new girl friend shortly thereafter. Emphasis on the "shortly." Have I mentioned he was like...14 here???

Oh, I could rant on. Really I could. But to what purpose?

Might I remind the adults in this kid's life who insist on giving him a pass - this shouldn't be accepted as normal behavior.

I know this is a bit drastic but still - defense exhibit #1.

Ted Bundy.

I'm told that he too was intelligent, good looking, and charming. Quite a few women must have thought so also. The number ranges anywhere from 36 to over 100+, we'll never know for sure.

Wonder how many school counsellors thought he was a normal teenager too?
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