I think it is regrettable that after officials have repeated stated that there is *as of yet* no proof of terrorism in this attack that the @nytimes frames this as a terrorism issue. Not in any way useful to conflate this yet. #cdnnatsec nytimes.com/2018/07/25/wor…
I have repeatedly stated that the link between mental health and terrorism is poorly understood and far more complex than our current debate. Here is a recent thread:
But why write a piece that says “well authorities say this isn’t terrorism and sure, but here are all of the cases of terrorism where mental health is involved in terrorism and BOY this sure looks like it!”???
Rukmini hit gold with the Caliphate series, in large part by taking advantage of a drugged up loser who should be in jail to freak out the country. This story suggests she is seeing everything through the one lens that works for her, but is doing the rest of us a disservice.
Finally, if you actually want to know about mental health and violent extremism, check out some of the academic sources listed above that have done the actual leg-work on this. None of whom are cited in this piece.
