Crack in the Mirror
Moss David Posner M.D.
December 14, 2005
Within the past day, here in California, as well as other states, we have witnessed the call for the demise of a man who has been the cause of the death of a number of innocent people. Under this person’s direct orders, these few deaths were followed by the rapid proliferation of other gang members and the development of an organized strike force of volunteers, and to a whole formal cadre of armed and organized killers. These people have been over the years in large part financed by drug sales and other constitutionally prohibited taxing schemes. Of course and ultimately, it is the public that ultimately pays for this all.
One of the unanticipated consequences of this slaughter was the de novo creation of rival groups. Predictably, over the years, this original leader’s orders led to the massacre of hundreds — possibly thousands — of others, which, in turn, stirred among other opportunists a fertile soil in which to create other such groups, ultimately in competition for power and influence. These conflicts in turn led to the further geographic separation of these groups’ theatres of operation and endless turf wars. The members of each group have some uniform dress and colors. They have elaborate rituals, which the members follow under threat of ostracism by other members of the group. Just the sight of members of a competing group can lead to a firefight.
It should be noted that most of the people who live in these blighted areas want nothing to do with the rivalry. They really have no great sympathy for any of the warring gangs. Most of them are quite poor. They just want to be left in peace, to enjoy their families and friends, and to see their children grow up.
This leader’s future did not look promising. Within the past day, this situation had come to a head. You would think that, under public pressure, in order to save himself, this man would at least admit his tragic mistakes causing the deaths of so many.
You would think — but you would be wrong. He has never recanted. For this reason he has no basis for complaint. At least he has made out better than did Tookie Williams in California. There is still time to get out of Iraq.
One of the unanticipated consequences of this slaughter was the de novo creation of rival groups. Predictably, over the years, this original leader’s orders led to the massacre of hundreds — possibly thousands — of others, which, in turn, stirred among other opportunists a fertile soil in which to create other such groups, ultimately in competition for power and influence. These conflicts in turn led to the further geographic separation of these groups’ theatres of operation and endless turf wars. The members of each group have some uniform dress and colors. They have elaborate rituals, which the members follow under threat of ostracism by other members of the group. Just the sight of members of a competing group can lead to a firefight.
It should be noted that most of the people who live in these blighted areas want nothing to do with the rivalry. They really have no great sympathy for any of the warring gangs. Most of them are quite poor. They just want to be left in peace, to enjoy their families and friends, and to see their children grow up.
This leader’s future did not look promising. Within the past day, this situation had come to a head. You would think that, under public pressure, in order to save himself, this man would at least admit his tragic mistakes causing the deaths of so many.
You would think — but you would be wrong. He has never recanted. For this reason he has no basis for complaint. At least he has made out better than did Tookie Williams in California. There is still time to get out of Iraq.
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