Why children?
May 13, 2010 · By Mark Peters
Every week, it seems, we hear of another tragic attack on nursery/day care/pre-school children in China. Yesterday:
… seven children and two adults were “hacked to death” and at least 20 people were injured in an attack in the central Shaanxi province….
As read in the news, the reasons for the murderous rampages range from jilted lovers to land disputes to the nebulous “social inequity.” Heaven knows men and women have killed each other over such things throughout history. There’s nothing new on that front.
But what’s the deal with cutting up little children? Why are they the target instead of the cheating lover or quarrelsome neighbour or the local police chief or government land crony? Is it simply the ease of access to the target? Even then, what is the purpose of attacking innocent children given it completely undermines the assailant’s cause?
It’s just baffling.
Because all murderers are cowards. They do not dare to fight with comparable rival under equal conditions. In west countries the bastards use guns because they can attack in surprise and kill fast, therefore minimize their own risk. When one has a gun, it makes no difference if the target is an adult or kit. When killing method is less efficient, children are apparently the easiest target since they are the most vulnerable and the least risky to attack.
Cowardice is influential for sure, blinded1, but it doesn’t fully explain motive.
To my knowledge, most murderers, even mass murderers, exact vengeance upon those they hate, those against whom they hold a particular grudge, whether knowingly or subconsciously. For example, many a wronged spouse has killed his or her partner for their infidelity. Harris and Klebold hated the kids they killed at Columbine. Mao, Pot and Stalin executed any and all that opposed them politically. It take a particular wantonness to kill for the sake thereof, to assault people who have in no way wronged you.
In these cases in China, “Fong Wong” completely ignores what he hates, what should be the object of his wrath, and instead projects hatred onto innocent children. It is completely and utterly illogical and grotesquely wanton. Even the self-preservation tactic is ludicrous, for if there is a state that will torture and murder the Fong Wongs for scalping preschoolers, it is China. Yes, China is good for some things.
I just don’t get the leap from being in a land dispute or, say, discovering your wife performing fellatio on your neighbour to knifing children and babies.
I’ll take a guess and say that they’re seeking to assign guilt on the target of their anger by trying to make them feel responsible for such a horrific attack. Atrocity and public outcry are very powerful motivators.