So that the death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo shall not have been in vain, it is important that we look at the suicide of Michael Zehaf Bibeau. For have no doubt, suicide was his main objective. Consider his actions. He thought that he was looking at armed soldiers by killing one he would in return be gunned down. When this didn't happen he was frustrated. What to do? Right, the parliament building, it should be heavily guarded and so off he went. There, his wish was fulfilled and he was gunned down.
This is known as suicide by police or suicide by cop. Certainly Zehaf Bibeau had terrorist leanings but this was only to justify his actions in his own mind. However, his actions have had some unintended consequences. On my part a sense of gratitude that he wasn't a dedicated terrorist or he would have known that the soldiers weren't armed and he would have had terrible plans for the Parliament. Also exposed now is the lack of security at the building he should have been stopped at or before the door. Our elected representatives deserve better than this. So forewarned is forearmed. Changes should take place now. The man had a gun!
There are many worrying things about a suicide. It looks like an easy way to get out of life's troubles. Other people haven't helped and often made things worse so they aren't considered. But it does affect other people. Suicide becomes more socially acceptable. It encourages other people to see it as a way out. Most people who commit suicide have known someone who died that way. So it becomes a "copy cat" action. There is no thought given to the people left behind who have to clean up the mess and/or who are emotionally devastated by his/her death.
Prevention is often talked about but difficult to implement. We interfere in other people's lives at our own peril. For example the person who tries to save a drowning man and who ends up dead himself. Professional help, certainly in Prince George, has often not been immediately available. This was due to a lack of psychiatrists etc. In fact, even now, I suspect that only an unsuccessful attempt at suicide would get immediate attention.
The death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo has united Canadians in a very positive way. It has highlighted the deficit in security planning, not just against terrorist but any person or persons with a grudge. He was a symbol of what we Canadians are, honoring those who have protected us in the past, but unarmed because he was not going to shoot someone who dishonored the memorial. We do not have the death penalty and should not make it easy for people to impose it on themselves or others. Do not glorify or magnify the actions of Zehaf Bibeau when he was only going for death by cop.
Doris Stymest
Prince George
