Those Who Cannot Succeed at Being Good

Succeed at being bad. People who perceive themselves as underdogs, for example. Robert Hanssen, convicted spy and former FBI agent, for one. Hitler, for another, who failed at everything until he found his "calling" as an anti-Semitic loudmouth with a talent for commanding attention. He was brilliant at genocide and terror.

Joseph Stalin was short with a malformed arm, and became very good at evil.

Those who perceived themselves to have been wronged by the system tend to view their actions as justified. Robert Hanssen, for example, disliked the US government and the FBI, and therefore it was "OK" to sell secrets to the enemy. Hitler had a problem with a number of people, therefore it was "necessary" to harm them.

A partially formed theory, to be sure, but one that keeps running through my mind, especially after seeing films like tonight's "Breach," which is about Robert Hanssen's story. A brilliant mind, but used for harm rather than good.

Harumph.

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