While I mostly agree in principle to your points on the failings in modern society, I do want to draw two issues forward. Firstly, the blame must rest solely on the perpetrators of these violent crimes. It’s acceptable to say where we, as a society, could have done things differently, but individuals need to accept, and be made accept the consequences of their actions. These are evil men, committing horrendous crimes. For all the arguments about society, and/or their parents, and community failing them, the fact remains that they chose this course of action. They are not the victims.

Secondly, your point about blaming European leaders also raises my ire somewhat. These European countries are liberal democracies. Meaning that the population of each has a very great opportunity to play a part in the political process. We can argue the effectiveness of individuals ability to affect change, but that aside, there are many organisations, unions, political parties, and movements, as well as simply within general society that allow all people to influence the systems of education, welfare, and corrections within their nations. The citizens of France, or Belgium, and other European nations must accept that their societies bred these murderers, just as Norway bred Anders Behring Breivik. The citizenry of each democratic nation must stand and accept the responsibility for the people they elect to represent them. It’s the only way we move towards true representative liberal democracies.

Great article. It keenly touches the personal points of knowing people there, and knowing the places. I wish we heard more about the ongoing massacres through the Middle East, and through Africa. They seem to be largely absent from most forms of media.