Sunday, January 17, 2010

Self-disclosure loopholes (JWCD week1post2)

According to Mr. Murali's notes on self-disclosure:

1. Resist pressure to self-disclose if you are uncomfortable.

2. Do not be pushed into disclosing.

3. Be indirect and move to other topics.

4. Be assertive in protecting yourself.

But then isn't this a loophole for people with mental problems and disorders to fall even deeper into their own abyss? People with depression, Multiple Personality Disorder, schizophernia, hallucinations and so on; people who are falling deeper and deeper into insanity.

1. They will resist pressure from their loved ones who recognized them as having a problem.

2. They will be pushed to disclose. Out of love, of course.

3. They will change the subject or laugh them off instead of disclosing.

4. Protecting themselves? They will keep their secrets alright.

I'm not challenging everything Mr. Murali tries to say. But....just think about it. It is interesting to think about. Be attentive when you talk I guess. Someone laughing in front of you might not exactly be him. Don't call these loopholes or diasadvantages on second thought. Call them exceptions of the rule.

Before hopping out, here I present an interesting list of celebrity stalkers countdown starting from 10. (Just a fun fact that's not entirely funny)

No. 10 - William Lepeska, Anna Kournikova Stalker

It was a love story for the ages: middle-aged homeless man swims across Biscayne Bay to unite with his smoking-hot 20-something tennis-star lover. Well, that's how William Lepeska saw it anyway. Not so much for Anna Kournikova. Lepeska had tried to swim to the tennis star's Miami Beach house, but was caught wandering nude at the home of her neighbor. He was arrested and ordered to stay away from the entire neighborhood.

No. 9 - Rev. David Ajemian, Conan O'Brien Stalker

After the molestation scandals of the 1990s, the Catholic Church had endured about as much negative publicity as it could handle. Enter Rev. David Ajemian, the stalker priest who sent threatening letters and DVDs to Conan O'Brien of NBC's Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Ajemian pleaded guilty in 2007 to disorderly conduct and agreed to stay away from the late-night talk-show host. He was placed on leave by the Archdiocese of Boston after the scandal broke and was later stripped of his priestly duties entirely.

No. 8 - Dawnette Knight, Catherine Zeta-Jones/Michael Douglas Stalker

When Dawnette Knight developed an obsession with actor Michael Douglas, his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones became her natural enemy. In 2003 and 2004, Knight sent threatening letters to the Oscar-winning couple, which included claims that Knight would cut up Zeta-Jones and feed her to dogs. Following a much-publicized trial in which both Zeta-Jones and Douglas gave harrowing testimony, Knight pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.

No. 7 - Cristin Keleher, George Harrison Stalker

Cristin Keleher gained infamy in 1999 when she broke into the home of former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and helped herself to a frozen pizza. She wasn't just overcome by munchies; Harrison had been the object of Keleher's stalker fantasies for years. She served four months for the crime, but was back in the news in 2006 when she was fatally shot in California, the victim of a murder-suicide.

No. 6 - Jack Jordan, Uma Thurman Stalker

At the trial of Jack Jordan, Uma Thurman's long-time stalker, the actress testified that she was "totally freaked out" and scared for herself and her children when confronted with Jordan's creepy advances. In an attempt to spark a love interest, Jordan had sent Thurman cards with sexually suggestive messages and threatening drawings, including one of an open grave, a headstone and a man standing on the edge of a razor blade. He was found guilty and sentenced to three years probation.

No. 5 - Margaret Mary Ray, David Letterman Stalker

For many years, schizophrenia patient Margaret Mary Ray stalked David Letterman, of The Late Show With David Letterman, and entertained fantasies about being his lover. Though he joked about her on his show, the threats Ray made against Letterman were no laughing matter. She broke into his home on several occasions and stole his Porsche at least once. Ray died by her own hand in 1998.

No. 4 - John Hinckley Jr., Jodie Foster Stalker/Would-Be Ronald Reagan Assassin

In 1980, actress Jodie Foster took a break from Hollywood to become a student at Yale University. It's also the year she became the victim of a stalker. John Hinckley Jr., was obsessed with Foster and enrolled at Yale for the sole purpose of being close to her. He soon began to leave letters and poems in her mailbox, including one in which he outlined plans to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in an effort to win her affections. On that same day, Hinckley traveled to a hotel in Washington, D.C., and made good on his promise, shooting President Reagan and other members of his party. Reagan survived. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

No. 3 - Anthony Gary Silvestri, Kathryn Dettman Murderer

In January 1998, Anthony Gary Silvestri broke into the home of television reporter Kathryn Dettman, a woman he had been stalking for many months. As Dettman stepped out of her shower and into her bedroom, Silvestri stood waiting for her with a knife. What ensued was a brutally violent attack: Silvestri stabbed Dettman more than a dozen times, leaving her dead on the apartment floor. He is currently serving a 40-year prison term.

No. 2 - Robert John Bardo, Rebecca Schaeffer Murderer

In 1989, Rebecca Schaeffer was a Hollywood darling, former star of the television series My Sister Sam and several movies. But just as her career was taking off, her life was cut short by Robert John Bardo, a man who had been stalking Schaeffer for years. In July 1989, Bardo showed up at Schaeffer's apartment and fatally shot her as she stood in her doorway.

Bardo's crime sent chills through Hollywood, especially because of the ease with which he found Schaeffer through her driving records. The incident led to new anti-stalking laws, including the 1994 Driver's Privacy Protection Act, which prevents the Department of Motor Vehicles from releasing private addresses.

No. 1 - Mark David Chapman, John Lennon Stalker/Assassin

In the fall of 1980, Mark David Chapman traveled to New York City with the intention of killing former Beatles singer and political activist, John Lennon. After spending the afternoon outside Lennon's apartment — an afternoon that included receiving an autograph from Lennon and shaking his young son's hand — Chapman shot the music legend in the back multiple times when he attempted to enter his apartment.

As Lennon lay dying from his wounds on the sidewalk, Chapman remained on the scene and casually read passages from the book, A Catcher in the Rye. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. (Taken from Investigation Discovery)

_______________________________

References:

"Self disclosure" from Mr. Murali's notes. If he got it somewhere else, ask him. Sorry.

" Top 10 Celebrity Stalkers" taken from Crime Countdown: Investigation Discovery. Link: http://investigation.discovery.com/investigation/crime-countdowns/stalkers/stalkers.html

JWCD

1 comment:

  1. It is interesting how you have anaylsed this. Don't worry. You are not challenging anything I have said. It is good to be critical on such issues. Thi s is what I want to see on blogs.

    ReplyDelete