There is always a lot of talk about when, where and who collectively makes the experience count by finding that specially troubled child who might become a Mateen later. Omar Mateen, the fella known to both the FBI and other agencies and further, many school issues all reflect on what, when and a whole host of where to intervene.
He murdered 49 in Orlando. This guy, just one of the many of troubled people that many knew, but did nothing. But is that true? The answers are not so simple. Let me explain why I say that. My work in the pubic schools found work with troubled kids does not just happen in isolation. Factors of social estrangement, poor academic success, little or no parental control and even teacher attitudes - all four can and do contribute to that troubled kid.
At a time when a student is assigned he, mostly boys, were young enough, the combinations of interventions that might support the student to alternative, ie. good behavior, that combination of influences all coordinated to support the student. The mom, home, hearing and receiving positive information by teacher and in some cases, my home visit. The teacher's attitudes towards the difficult child can and do turn that child from difficulties to a norm. What does happen sometimes, however, speaks to the larger question of when or even if we catch them early can we turn them?
The answer to that question, not so simple. The history of the troubled child can and does increase the likelihood that he will have many eyes and ears, but his consistent reputation as a troublemaker may presuppose his verdict. That is, "we don't know what to do." I have had a mother or two suggest to me, "You take him, I can't do a thing with him anymore."
Society might be helped when the child is first adjudicated in front of a judge. Those records then could be that baseline of court appearances that might help authorities intervene. Let us then assign a member of the courts to serve as ombudsman or keeper of the records of these troubled children.
Being aware of and knowing where these children live might help authorities.
Robert Brooks
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Mateen was no "troubled child" and nothing actual thinking people who do not espouse the tenets of a so-called religion could do - or could have done - would have made any difference.
He was an adherent of the religion of death and acted out exactly what the Quran specifies a "believer" is to do with "infidels."
Mike Romines