President Trump described the horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas as “an act of absolute evil.” For once, I wouldn’t argue with him. To gun people down, with no objective other than to kill or maim as many people as possible, is pretty well the epitome of evil. It is the ultimate denial of the humanity of others, created through the ultimate expression of power and domination. It is incomprehensible.

However, it might not be unexplainable. Now, I don’t know what was going through Stephen Paddock’s mind as he plotted his massacre. I imagine we’ll gain more insights over time. Or not. But I am willing to bet that he was an Angry White Man, aggrieved that things were not going his way (whatever way that was) and convinced that the only way to make things “right” would be through an extreme display of dominance. Read more →