The way I see it -
The title of this week's column is kind of fitting to my topic but it could have been called so much more. For me though, the only explanation is a double life. How else can one so high up in ranks do such terrible things that have been alleged against him?
If you have been watching the news you may have heard by now that Col. Russell Williams, who is known as a great officer and outstanding citizen from the CFB Trenton's squadron, has been charged with two first degree murders and sexual assaults and forcible confinements on two other women. More recently there has been some inclination that he may have been involved with crimes that happened in Nova Scotia during his time spent there.
I ask, how can someone who is so well educated, so well respected and adored be blamed for such outrageous crimes? How could he have done such things?
This man, who is now 46 years old made a life dedicated to the safety of our country and the world, may have been acting like a monster in his personal life.
Now, I understand that he has to go through a court process and therefore we have to be careful to say if he is guilty. However, we all know that normally before an arrest is made, the police officials ensure they have enough evidence to lay charges.
It scares me to know that a person who is respected so much and adored by many, trusted by even more is capable of committing such crimes. This story that is unfolding just goes to show that we really don't know people as well as we think or as we should.
I would think that in the military one would have to under go different types of psychology exams; if this is so how could such a dark personality not show some signs?
On television he was referred to as possibly having a psychopath personality, which simply means that he has a personality disorder that has a lack of empathy and he was someone who uses charisma, manipulation, intimidation, sexual intercourse and violence to control others to satisfy his own needs.
Lacking in conscience and empathy, they take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without guilt or remorse."
He was superficially charming, and many psychopaths can greatly pretend to have normal human emotions. It is also said that some psychopaths can blend in society, undetected, in a variety of surroundings.
In this particular case, it was the military and the rest of us that were fooled. While I was completing some online research, it was said that many researchers believe that this is something that comes from birth and there holds no medication or "cure" for it. If this is the case, and this man is found guilty he will not feel any remorse for what he has done because he does not know how.
This is certainly not someone I would like to have in my neighborhood. I certainly hope in the future one can effectively figure out a method to find out if someone is like this and better yet a way to fix it.
Before I end my column, I want to add that, although this is devastating, I do not think this is a reason to have any doubt on our soldiers and Canadian Forces. This is the actions of one very sick and disturbed man and certainly not a reflection of the whole.
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