Building Bridges from Common Clinical Wisdom to current culture: Part II: That WikiLeaks Song
Dear Students:
This is Part II of Building Bridges.... Your participation in Parts I and II will mean two free songs and less blackboard homework---no blackboard discussion and no blackboard consent form.
This blog is all about secrets. As a cognitive primer and a jump starter for the conversation, please listen to the following song, performed by Lloyd McGarity, produced and perfected by GL, and penned by your "prof", namely, me, Dr BLT.
How is the heartbreaking news the character in the song is confronted with, made more complicated by the way he hears about the news?
That WikiLeak Song
Lloyd McGarity ft. producer Gary LaDuke, aka GL
words and music by Dr Bruce L Thiessen,
aka Dr BLT copyright 2011
Now consider confidentiality, and the limits of confidentiality in the psychotherapy relationship. What are the limits, as you understand them to be? How does conveying these limits to your client potentially influence the trust your patient may have in you, and the degree to which he/she is willing to self-disclose? Finally, how will you approach this issue, (handled in the informed consent stage of treatment) so as to minimize any potential threat to the psychotherapeutic relationship?
If you answer these questions, in the comments section below, along with the others, in Part I, involving the Tuscon shooting, you do not have to do the discussion for Week 2 in Blackboard. You will be scored on these blog entries instead. In addition, you can download this song for free, and add it to your mp3 device as a gift for answering the questions. If you have trouble downloading either song, let me know and I'll send you an mp3 attachment. Thanks!
Categories: behavioral sciences, personality theories, neuropsychology of learning, psychology of music, social awareness, Brandman university, musicians, prediction and control, treatment, PSYU 501, cognitive psychology, science and music, new songs, artists, Dr BLT songs, song analysis, psychotherapy, bakersfield sound and science
This poor guy receives the bad news in the worst way, via "as it spreads through every honky tonk in town." This has to be embarrassing for him too. Just because she finds "someone new" leaves his heart damaged and his soul too. His says, "you don't love me in WikiLeak and you shove that WikiLeak out that door." He didn't like the way she "done him wrong."
Whether confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality in the psychotherapy relationships is completely keep in secrecy without releasing personal information, except when harm to self or others. In conveying these limits, the trust of the patient is a binding contract between the therapist and client. Within that trust, the self-disclosure of personal information can be breached if confidentiality is relaxed. Further, the contract between the therapist and client would be damaged if that trust is broken. It is up to the therapist to make the client as feel comfortable as possible, within the office setting, so that the client is willing to freely state the problem without feeling any bias or contradictions. By disclosure and discussing all aspects of the inform consent make confidentiality and trust possible.
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Which of the lines in the song, if any, represent a call for emotional catharsis?
After listening to the song I feel that the following line represents a call for emotional catharsis:
“We all bleed the same red blood, but become overcome by the love of the blood-stained soil of Arizona.” The lyrics ‘We all bleed the same blood’ emphasizes that as human beings we are all are made up of the same stuff yet we seem to treat one another as different. I think that the lines beacon listeners to realize that there needs to be some identification of our commonality. If that doesn’t occur we are destined as a race to see the continuous increase in blood-shed and violence. There are some deeply troubled individuals in our society but isn’t it fair to admit that we are all troubled in some way or another? Acknowledging this might help us help one another heal and improve our individual situations.
Which lines of the song, if any, represent a call for cognitive reappraisal?
“The people ask this question who is to blame, the political machine or the case of the insane.”
“It’s okay to disagree but blood runs through the streets, like the blood stained soil of Arizona.”
I think that the above two lines represent a call for cognitive reappraisal. The first line opens the dialogue on how as human beings we find a cause or reason for an unexpected incidence, to make it make sense to us. In this case we looked for something to blame, either the process of politics or a mental health condition. The second line suggests that disagreement on where the blame should be placed is inevitable, but I think that the line also reemphasizes that while this debate continues and as a society we try to allocate blame, the blood shed also continues. I feel that the lines suggest that there needs to be a collective cognitive reappraisal to think about how we think and bring light to how we manage occurrences like this one.
Which lines of the song, if any, represent a call for new forms of behavior?
“The question of this boy from California, how do we cleanse the blood-stained soil of Arizona?”
I think that the line above represents a call for a change in behavior. The lyrics suggest that individuals from different states are questioning what the next steps will be. I think that the word cleansing refers not only to a physical cleansing but also an emotional and spiritual one. When events like this occur it can affect a multitude of people in different ways. The effects can be detrimental and can occur much later and as a result healing also occurs at a much later time. In addition to the healing of individuals healing also needs to occur at a collective level, at the level of a society as a whole. I feel that there also needs to be a change in how we behave, both towards one another and how we think about taking care of all of our citizens. I think that thinking about change can motivate actual change.
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I think that the news that the character’s love interest does not love him anymore is more hurtful because he heard about it via WikiLeak. There was nothing personal or private about the way in which the message was relayed and that is what made it more complicated and hurtful. I think that it the author of the song addresses the issue of the impersonalization of communication in the information age and the negative affect it can have on interpersonal relationships.
As I understand confidentiality in the context of the psychotherapy relationship it maintains confidentiality for the client except when the clients thoughts or actions cause harm to themselves or others. I think that conveying these limits to the client is important because it defines the parameters of the relationship between therapist and client and also establishes professional boundaries. Considering this from a clients perspective, depending on the type of person the client is conveying these limits could make them either weary of confiding too much and might hamper the therapeutic process or instill confidence that their therapist has their best interest and safety in mind. In personal practice I might try and reassure and ease the patients’ concerns that although these limits are in place they are to ensure that the client is safe, and to support the therapeutic process. I would also communicate that any sharing of their personal information would be done after consulting with the client so they would be aware of what is happening.
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Part 1
I would have to say that this song does not really hit any of these. I would say though maybe emotional catharsis by the boy in California wondering how you cleanse the blood stained soil of Arizona. He is trying to emotionally cleanse himself from what happened.
Part 2
There are many limits to confidentiality with your clients. It is the main concern I think a therapist should have. If a client can not trust you then there is no therapy happening. They will not feel safe to tell you things and it will be very difficult to help the client. I would want to make sure that the client knows that what they say in the therapy sessions will be confidential. I will not say anything that they do not want to be told (other then suicide, violence, etc). If I was doing couples and family therapy I would also want to make sure the clients know about “no secrets’ between the couples and families. These are the main aspects I would want the clients to know in my consent form.
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The heartbreaking news the character in the song is confronted with is made more complicated by the way he hears about the news because it was done in a public way. When things that are personal become public, they often leave the subject of the gossip feeling vulnerable, betrayed, and violated.
Confidentiality, and the limits of confidentiality in the psychotherapy relationship are very important. Without a therapist providing a safe place for the patient to express themselves, the therapy process would be unsuccessful. However, there do exist necessary limits in this relationship regarding confidentiality. If the therapist is concerned that the patient is in harm, or will harm themselves or others then they must break the patient/therapist confidentiality and report the situation because they are mandated reporters.
Conveying these limits to your client can potentially influence the trust your patient may have in you, and the degree to which he/she is willing to self-disclose. This is because the patient may fear being reported. They may also fear being stopped if they are determined to hurt themselves or someone else, or they may fear that someone close to them may be punished.
In order to minimize any potential threat to the psychotherapeutic relationship I would have the client sign an informed consent at the start of the relationship, and would explain in a gentle way the meaning of the confidentiality agreement.
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How is the heartbreaking news the character in the song is confronted with, made more complicated by the way he hears about the news?
The content of such news, which is bad enough in and of itself, is only made worse in this situation due to its arrival with the following characteristics:
1.) Unanticipated (“blind-sided” at least as to the format of its arrival;
This has a greater likelihood of opening up emotional response more so than a more gradual presenting in personal context.
2.) Impersonal nature of its conveyance;
We all seek to have personal relationships, and entering into them is undertaken with some risk. To not only have one’s feelings trampled underfoot, but to have them done so in a cold and detached manner only adds insult to injury.
3.) Physical remoteness of the involved parties during the communication;
This almost smacks of cowardice. Not even enough integrity is displayed to present the news in person: however, the excuse can always be used it was an unfortunate “leak” . . .
(yah, right!)
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Now consider confidentiality, and the limits of confidentiality in the psychotherapy relationship.
What are the limits, as you understand them to be?
Considerations regarding the “limits of confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship,” seem to suggest many different realms of understanding, including the following:
The scope of relevant laws/codes: Much of our appropriate behavior is spoken to in these articles, and appropriate limits to confidentiality – or their violation – on this level, are defined by objective compliance.
Limits to the above: As noted by all authorities, laws/codes do not speak chapter and verse for each and every situation, and certain situations in which they don’t apply at all are even encountered. So, these areas seem to require their own scrutiny, and – as our curriculum has pointed out – it is best to anticipate potential difficulties, and how one might resolve them, before they happen.
Attending to the “spirit” of confidentiality and not just any “letter” of the law: this is a parallel with so much of life in general, and has been summarized eloquently, that keeping the client’s welfare as our ultimate priority should go a long way towards helping us adhere to an overall appropriate pursuit in our decision regarding confidentiality.
How does conveying these limits to your client potentially influence the trust your patient may have in you, and the degree to which he/she is willing to self-disclose?
Establishing good communication with your client is a vital part of the therapeutic relationship. However, this does not automatically start when they walk in the door. For instance, I know that my foundation for interaction is based on seeking their welfare, but the client – certainly at the outset – cannot know this, especially in the face of the fact that we have had no interactions upon which he or she can legitimately base judgments. Discussing the ground rules regarding confidentiality offers a good opportunity for not only establishing mutual understanding as to these rules and their limits, but it has also been show to foster respect and trust (thereby fostering self-disclosure) because of this being a good demonstration of authenticity on my part as a professional.
Finally, how will you approach this issue, (handled in the informed consent stage of treatment) so as to minimize any potential threat to the psychotherapeutic relationship?
Overwhelmingly it has been shown that anticipation and authenticity are the most appropriate by-words to follow. Furthermore, it has often been stressed by our advisors in these matters, that just the mere completion of a physical document regarding these matters, and getting the clients signature, is not the end of “informed consent”. We are advised to scrutinize all interactions with clients, continuously, and to confront situations wherein more discussion regarding specific confidentiality, and posible documentation, may arise.
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One of the reasons why confidentiality in therapy is important is conceptualized in the lyrics of the song: “I found out you don’t love me in a Wiki Leak”. The singer, along with the “other honky-tonk towns” found out relationship information that should have been confidential between himself and his ex-love.
In therapy, confidentiality should be maintained except in certain circumstances such as:
- When it is suspected that a child or elderly person is in danger of abuse or neglect
- When there is a potential victim in imminent danger (client or someone the client identifies)
- When the client has signed a release of information form
Informing clients to the limits of confidentiality demonstrates a healthy, open and honest format for future conversations yet to be experienced. This may be the client’s first relationship that doesn’t hide a negative agenda or “exception to the rules” type caveat. Explicitly stating these limitations models a healthy communication style and demonstrates that the therapist can be trusted to speak truthfully – and not just limit information to what the client wants to hear.
It may be helpful to state that if, during the course of therapy, confidentiality does need to be breached, the therapeutic relationship (if possible) will continue. The client, from the beginning, should know that he/she is valued as a human being. Neither “good” nor “bad” behavior diminishes that worth, yet there are certain behaviors that are harmful to the self and/or others. Some of these behaviors (like child abuse/suicide) require all therapists to perform certain actions. However, even these actions are designed to ultimately help the client (even if they seem uncomfortable at the time.)
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How is the heartbreaking news the character in the song is confronted with, made more complicated by the way he hears about the news? He doesn’t hear it from his true love; he hears it from another source. And, what’s worse, “every single Honky Tonk in town” knows about it. This is similar to what is happening with WIkileaks—information/documents are being “leaked” to the public. In the line, “you thought it was a secret” goes right along with what government officials believe their information is being kept safe, but little by little WIkileaks is getting this information out.
Confidentiality—as a therapist I am not to share information about a client to anyone unless I am sharing information (respectfully) with a colleague who might be of some help in treatment. I believe if I disclose this information to my client trust can be built upon this foundation. From the beginning of the first intake session I would disclose the fact that what is said in therapy stays confidential. And, honestly, my knowledge of this topic is limited, so the more I learn the more I will be able to broaden how I would handle confidentiality.
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This song is hard to hear because of the sympathy felt for the character singing it. He is deeply hurt due to the loss of a love that seemingly treated him with a lack of sensitivity and utter disregard for the tenderness of his feelings. Consequently, he is heart broken and scarred, left to deal with his pain on his own. Often times in life, this is a journey one has to take alone, as the person who brakes the heart is often not around to help repair it. In this sense, the emotional catharsis achieved through writing the feelings down in a song, having those words heard by others and hearing it reflected from a objective perspective for themselves is a beautiful way to cleanse the hurt inside and begin to move forward.
Another point is made with the lack of human awareness of the collective conscious that ties us all together as human beings. The lack of sensitivity to real communication, connection and how to LOVE are sorely lacking in the world today. The ability to reach out to another and truly connect is becoming increasingly and painfully obscure and forgotten. Songs like this and the words told in them remind us that as humans we are meant to connect and be there for each other, as we are all one and we are all made of the same intrinsic material that connects us all on fundamentally deeper levels than we perceive in the physical world in which we operate. To remember this fact is to come home to ourselves and ultimately, to the love that exists freely, waiting to be discovered inside us all.
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Replying to Richa's WikiLeaks
Richa your explanations clearly states the sadness this individual feels. Even the words in the song sounds so sad. WikiLeaks is a spiteful way of saying goodbye to an individual that she supposedly was in love with. That was not fair of her to do that to him. However, we really don't know the whole true story do we? Many assumptions comes to mind.
On the other hand, trust and confidentiality surely are something that butts heads from time to time. Humans beings, but not all human beings, have a tendency to 'use' the definition of these words for self serving reasons. Whether for good or bad reasons. Especially when it comes to relationships. However,the relationship between a therapist and a client, as I stated in my comment, without trust confidentiality, falls apart, or without confidentiality, trust falls apart. I think most clients want to trust their therapist, because the client is seeking solutions to their conflicts.
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The news is made more complicated because he has to find out about it through a public site. I understand confidentiality to be limited when there is some kind of danger to the client or others. I think that the client will only confide things to the therapist that he or she feels comfortable sharing and it also depends on how they build there relationship. I will approach the issue by always being upfront about it and letting them know how I will take care of confidentiality issues or other concerns they might have.
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In listening to the song, Blood-stained Soil of Arizona, I listened to it from the perspective of a person who loves music as well as digging deeper and looking at how this music can be used as a tool in psychology. I feel that the sentence, "It's okay to disagree but while the blood runs through the street jut like the blood-stained soil of Arizona", represents a call for emotional catharsis. This shows the listener that it is okay to say what they feel and risk being emotionally vulnerable.
The next phrase that I looked for is one that represents a call for cognitive reappraisal. I feel that the phrase, "How do we cleanse the blood stained soil of Arizona" is a statement that does just that. It tells the listener to see what has happened and take action. You can look to find a place to put the blame such as on the political machine or the insane but it is also a call to look at what runs deeper in each of us. We all have the ability to replace the negative thoughts and replace them with more positive thoughts and/or images.
The sentence above can also represent a call for new forms of behavior. We need to think from a more holistic way. Take into consideration all that that day represented. Take into consideration, the mental state of the alleged shooter. We can also look to the sentence, "We all bleed the same red blood, what becomes of all the love" as a call to action. Let's take the anger of the events and use it to come to positive solutions that protect the innocent.
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Finding out the person you were in love with does not love you anymore is hard enough. Hearing it though a process that everyone else can here it too is so sad. This is what happened in the song "That WikiLeak Song". The way this person broke up makes all the issues very public. There is no time for the person to deal with the issue prior to letting others close to them know what happened. Now everyone hears what happened and only from one persons perspective. Now there is no time to grieve or work through the news in private. Finding out about the break up broke a level of confidentiality between the two people.
Confidentiality between a therapist and client is designed to give the client trust that what is said will not leave the room. However there are limits to confidentiality. Confidentiality is to be broken if the client is showing signs of being suicidal or shows specific plans to injure another person. The level of confidentiality is also dependent on the type of center the client is receiving therapy. There may be general information that needs to be shared with other medical doctors or insurance.
When a client feels that information about them will be shared it will affect the degree to which they are willing to self-disclose. I would like to think that is because of the rules of disclosure more then the trust level of the therapist. If the therapist has shown honesty and respect for the client I think they will be willing to open up to what they feel is safe enough without revealing information that could be seen by insurance. For me I feel the best approach will be to provide a form that clearly states the limits of confidentiality and give time for the client to ask questions. Often I feel that when forms need to be filled out, there is rarely someone available to or willing to discuss if there are questions. As the therapist it is critical to know as much as possible about the limitations to confidentiality for the center you are working. By doing this you are showing the client you have their best interest in mind and will be careful with their thoughts and feeling and will honestly only share what is legally required.
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First, I must say that this song reminds me of the old song, "I heard it through the grapevine". I love the song.
Second, this news of an end to this man's relationship is clearly painful through the "damaged" heart and soul. There are many factors that may contribute to the pain of this break up. 1) the break up was impersonal 2) It was not given from the other party directly and 3) It was open and spread to others and some before the recipient.
All three of these factors weather intentional or not speak to the lack of respect the heart breaker has given the brokenhearted and the relationship they shared. It can greatly increase the pain of the loss.
Confidentiality is vital in the therapeutic process as well as in personal relationships. Though therapists are required to uphold rules of confidentiality, personal relationships are not. This may work in favor of a client's willingness to "open up". There are limits to the confidentiality of the client/therapist relationship, for example, the case of harm to self or others. These matters should be spoken of immediately and continuously throughout the therapeutic relationship. It is best given in an informed consent contract and discussed often. Some clients may feel threatened by this idea, to minimize the threat to full self disclosure by the client, make sure you (the therapist) have fully explored any questions or thoughts the client has concerning these boundaries as often as they arise. Also, be sure to remind them it is for their safety as well as the safety of others.
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Part 1: In the song, Blood-stained Soil of Arizona, I think the question that the boy from CA asks about how do we cleanse the blood-stained soil of AZ is a call for a new form of behavior, and the call for cognitive appraisal is the people in general asking who's to blame. Placing blame seems to be the first thing that people think about right after they say to themselves, what a shame this happened and possibly a prayer. We all bleed the same red blood is a call for emotional catharsis, but the most emotionally cathartic part of the song for me was the long guitar refrain towards the very end of the song.
Part 2: In That WikiLeak Song the character heard it through the electronic grapevine (that she no longer loves him) instead of the person he trusted with his heart. This is why the advice of only discussing cases with one's supervisor is so important. Even with the best of intentions and speaking vaguely about a client we could mistakenly say too much. Generally, confidentiality should not be broken unless the client is a danger to his or her self or to others or if the therapist is compelled to testify. The client needs to be made aware of the issues of confidentiality and asked to sign a consent form during the first session. I would be very understanding towards the client's concerns as I have been a client myself with the same issue of trust on the line.
Suzette
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This character was hit with a bombshell. But this is the way people communicate nowadays. Wikileak,my space, facebook and text messaging is how the masses communicate. I am not surprised. Communication is not personal anymore. This can be good and bad. For example, people who use texting and facebook to get a point across, can be empowering and damaging. The anonymity of this was of communicating gives a voice to some and a bullhorn to others. These methods of communicating have destroyed many and even killed others. People need to reconnect with each other and not rely on the world wide web or cellular means of communication.
As far as confidentiality, there is none when you participate in the above mentioned ways of communication. The difference between the confidentiality between a client and a therapist should be clearly stated before this professional relationship begins. It is important to explain the limits of confidentiality and the limits of what you as the professional are willing to uphold. Putting this all on the table with your client will open up a dialog and keep the relationship real and honest. But remember, there are always exceptions to the rule.
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Learning your lover has found another is traumatic. A mix of thoughts and emotions includes betrayal, disgust, shame, sadness, anger, despair, loss of dignity, feeling foolish, vulnerable, and exposed. The impact of the news and the degree of damage will vary depending on emotional health and maturity. Learning it from someone else can increase the emotional impact and psychological damage. All the feelings listed may be exacerbated by self consciousness and worry. Who else knows? How long have they known? Why didn’t someone tell me privately? Are others judging me for choosing this person to love? Do they think I’m gullible, stupid, or that I somehow deserve this? Who wants to hurt me like this? Why?
The Wikileaks song prompts discussion of confidentiality. It conjures an image of stratified feelings; layers of damage to the self. The first level of emotions is triggered when a lover reveals their infidelity to their partner. Revelation of infidelity by a person separate from the couple elicits a second layer of feelings, in which all of the reactions listed above are felt more intently and exacerbated by the intrusion of the third person. When the infidelity is exposed publicly, or globally as in the case of Wikileaks, a third, more intense layer of feelings are ignited, inflaming the primary wounds. There is no place for the injured self to go, no place to hide, no shelter from the pain and shame.
The Wikileaks betrayal metaphor reminds us there is no such thing as privacy anymore. Every image of our selves; photos, videos, communications, our relationship to others and all of our personal information is potentially public. The consequence is that trust and confidentiality between people is more important than it ever has been. Verbal face to face communication is the last vestige of privacy. This makes confidentiality between client and therapist potentially more therapeutic and more important than ever before. If confidentiality is honored and strictly adhered to it increases the value of our profession.
Today The Signal Newspaper reported that of 8,000 surgeons in a study, 6% thougth of suicide recently. Of the surgeons who made a major mediacl error recently, the rate of suicidal ideation rose to 16%. Only 25% of those who erred and felt suicidal engaged in mental health treatment. Suicidal thoughts in the general population is 3%,of those, 44% engage mental health treatment. Fear of losing their license made surgeons reluctant to seek psychological treatment. Instead, they may self medicate.
One surgeon interviewed resisted psych treatment fear stigma or job loss. Prompted by friends he sought treatment and benefitted from medication and psychotherapy.
If assured of confidentiality perhaps more people in need will get help. Drs who self medicate face serious sensure. Loss of license may be reported in newspaper and internet, lose face, lose income. Treatment seems a much better option, but confidentiality is imperative.
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Wikileaks Part 2: In my previous post I addressed the question, how is the heartbreaking news more complicated by the way he hears it? Here’s my answer about confidentiality limits:
The legal limits to confidentiality and any personal ethical limits you might choose to add such as a “no secrets rule” for couples in therapy should be clearly spelled out in the written consent to treatment and verbally in the first session. Then those limits may have to be reiterated as the need arises in subsequent sessions. If you properly explain and verbally assure the client that the legal limits to confidentiality are for his own protection and protecting vulnerable children and the elderly, most clients should feel reassured. i.e., when a suicidal client comes to therapy he’s communicating that he doesn’t want to feel that way, or else he probably wouldn’t have come. Getting himself to therapy is getting himself half way to relieving the suicidality. You have to work with that.
Then you have to be patient and wait for the relationship to evolve and for the trust to grow. In most cases I don’t think it would be wise to try to force a disclosure out of a client. That if anything would threaten the psychotherapeutic relationship.
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Poor guy... not only does it hurt so bad to get your heart broken and be told by someone you love that they don't love you anymore, but everyone gets to hear about the heart break. How embarrassing?
Confidentiality is a major component in counseling. A patient’s trust in the therapist is very important. The limits are: you basically listen to your client and take everything they say to your “grave,” UNLESS they talk about harming themselves or others (we are mandated reporters) and for legal matters. I believe if you tell your client the rules and ethical codes behind confidentiality they will be more willing to self-disclose.
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Many of the same lines elicit multiple responses. The dictionary says, “Psychological catharsis is the process of bringing to the surface repressed emotions, complexes, and feelings in an effort to identify and relieve them. Catharsis is the result of this process.” The lines in the song calling for emotional catharsis are the ones that focus on our commonality, especially, the line “We all bleed the same red blood.” The two lines, “Did you hear the bullets fly, see the people die?” ask us to notice our similar feelings. Did you see what I saw? Were you horrified, frightened like me? The lines, “How do we cleanse the blood stained soil? Who’s to blame?” suggest ways to heal by having us reflect on what happened and find solutions. Finding solutions and putting them into action is doing something rather than inertly wallowing in emotion. We can’t skip feeling pain, shame, disbelief, shock, grief. Feeling is part of the healing process, but the next step is to move forward, to act. It’s cathartic because it’s active rather than passive and gets us to do something to provide relief. For example, writing the song was cathartic for the songwriter.
The lines that represent a call for new forms of behavior are also those that focus on our commonality, especially, “We all bleed the same red blood.” It says we may not think alike, but we are the same. Again, the two lines, “Did you hear the bullets fly, see the people die?” ask us to notice our similar feelings. When you saw what I saw did you feel like I do? Didn’t we all feel disbelief, shock? The literal calls for new behavior were “Become involved in love.” “It’s OK to disagree.” The line, “The question of the boy from California,” asks, what are we doing to the children? It says, wake up. Take responsibility. Set a better example. Protect the children from our anger and polarization and stop teaching it’s ok to hate.
Really, all the lines call for cognitive reappraisal because they force us to think about the tragedy. They ask us to reflect and analyze our behavior and the behavior of others. The most obvious ones are “Who’s to blame, the political machine or the insane?” The questions, “Did you hear the bullets fly, see the people die?” ask us to consider the consequence of access to guns and ammunition. They say, look, people, this really happened. Real people are really dead. The Arizona incident is proof that the flippant question, do guns kill people, or do people kill people, is not enough. We need to have honest discourse. We must ask, why?
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