Many people commenting on this blog have expressed the hope that sociopaths/psychopaths will pay in this lifetime for their evil deeds. Well, I am writing to tell you that if this is your wish, statistics are in your favor. You likely just need to wait it out because psychopathy is associated with life failure, as I will explain.
In a recent study, Psychopathic personality traits and life-success, Dr. Simone Ullrich and colleagues examined relationship success and life success in more than 300 men, they have followed for many years, these men are now 48 years old. In their study, psychopathy was not associated with success in any of life’s domains. When they examined symptoms of psychopathy the interpersonal domain (being charming and manipulative) was not related to ”˜”˜status and wealth” or ”˜”˜successful intimate relationships”. Impulsiveness and antisocial behavior reduced ”˜”˜status and wealth.” The authors state “ It is concluded that psychopathic traits do not contribute to a successful life and that the findings cast doubt on the existence of the successful psychopath.”
You may be asking, What about all the “successful psychopaths” we hear about? First of all, I believe that these are a very tiny minority. Remember that the disorder sociopathy or psychopathy is a group of impairments that I relate to an inability to love, poor impulse control and deficient moral reasoning. Confusion arises because some narcissistic individuals have impaired ability to love accompanied by grandiosity, but their impulse control and moral reasoning are not as impaired. These individuals may achieve some life success (Journal of Personality Disorders, Vol 21(6), Dec 2007. pp. 657-663). So if a person is unable to love and grandiose but not excessively impulsive or immoral, that individual may achieve some career success. But still an inability to love prevents any real relationship success.
So now you can move on. Fate and Karma will get that psychopath/sociopath. You can go about your life working as I do, on trying to love more and live better.
Stargazer:
Yes, you can send the letter. Once the Congressman’s office looks into it, the Army is going to be the one who is going to have to explain what they requested and why they acted as they did regarding your complaint.
If you don’t have the exact dates, use the following words:
“I met with Lt X (or any other investigators on or about DATE(S)”.
Regarding the emails, you can’t give what you don’t have. I think I would say something to the effect of:
“I discussed (and gave copies to if you did) numerous phone calls, emails I had received from Y with Lt.X, the substance of which was as follows (BRIEF DESCRIPTION).”
Matt says “I would put a caption in bold and underlined just above the “Dear Congressman X” which reads “Re: Army Fraud Investigation Failure to Notify Witness”. Or something to that effect.”
Ooooh, Good idea. I’m cutting and pasting now.
Okay, I’m working on rewriting this letter. I will post later. Thank you for all the free legal advice. You guys rock.
Ask Matt. I just realized you have him to consult. He’s more qualified than I am to make that call.
Here’s the deal from my perspective. If the description of the adulterous relationship is matter of fact, I’d include it.
I don’t know your history here, but if you didn’t know he was married when the adultery occurred, I don’t think the adultery itself shows you in a bad light.
No matter what, if your letter is concise and sticks to the facts, some emotionalism in the earlier statements won’t necessarily be held against you.
Presenting a picture of someone who experienced a trauma but recovered sufficiently to simply be “concerned as to the final disposition of the case” will do nicely.
You don’t have to be a ice queen, but the last thing you want is to be seen as vengeful or unbalanced.
Stargazer:
Include the statements — the Congressman’s office will probably see them anyhow. However, you don’t have to discuss the adultery in the letter.
The point of the letter, which has to be made very clear, starting in the first sentence is: (a) I was told by the Army that I would be kept apprised about a complaint I filed against X. (b) The Army was supposed to keep me apprised of the status of my complaint; (c) to date not only has the Army not kept me apprised, but has rebuffed my efforts to find out the status of the case by blocking my email inquiries, etc.
Then give the background: I filed the complaint with the Army against X on or about Y Date; (b) I met with NAMES of INVESTIGATORS on or about Y Date; (c) 3 additional witnesses met with the investigators.
The point is get the focus on you and what the Army failed to do for you as Congressman’s constitutent. Then build your case against your ex.
See where I’m taking this?
Elizabeth Conley:
I see where singing from the same hymnal on this one. 🙂
Okay, Matt. How does this look? Let me know if it’s too long:
Re: Army Fraud Investigation Failure to Notify Witness”
Dear Congressman XXX:
In September 2008 I was a key witness in a fraud investigation against a junior lieutenant in the army named X based at X army base. The army solicited my sworn statement, along with the sworn statements of 3 of my friends who knew and spent time with X. They believed at the time that X was faking a severe disability to get a medical discharge from the army, where he and his wife have been living on a substantial salary for over a year while his alleged disability was being investigated. The four of our sworn statements confirmed that, in fact, X showed no medical disability during the time we spent with him. I faxed those on September 26, 2008, and the platoon sergeant stated she received them. I also provided a tape of 25 voice messages from X as supporting evidence, as well as multiple emails detailing times and days he drove to my home (he claimed he could not drive). On or about December __, an investigator came to my house to take a statement. At that time he informed me that he had never received the 4 sworn statements I had faxed in September. I re-supplied the statements. During his visit, I also supplied contact information of other acquaintances of X who could also swear that X exhibited no disabilities during their acquaintanceship. All three army personnel promised to keep me informed of the outcome. They said they take this type of issue very seriously. During this time X had a “no contact” order against contacting me. After the investigator re-obtained our sworn statements in December, I never heard from them again. I emailed the investigator twice. The last time was in January or early February. He informed me by email that the investigation had been completed, but that the army was dealing with the deaths of two soldiers and could not make it a priority. Again, I was told I would be updated as to the outcome. There were no further updates.
On February 11th, X appeared on an internet forum I frequent, claiming that he had had some troubles but that they were all behind him now. I immediately contacted the three army personnel to get an update on X’s situation and send them the link. Two of the three responded. The investigator said X had received “administrative punishment” and that he would forward my request to the chain of command (the captain). The captain said X is still living on the base and has not been discharged. He said the case had “gone to legal” and would give me no further information. No one ever told me the outcome of the investigation, as promised. One of the other witnesses emailed Captain X to ask about the outcome. Captain X then blocked my emails on February 12th after expressing his upset that I shared his (public) email address with the other witness. (I believe the army e-mail addresses are public information). It makes me wonder whether the fraud case that the army was so interested in ever went anywhere.
As a tax payer and a key witness in their investigation, I have a right to be notified of the results of the investigation, as the army promised! If there is any way you can look into this, I would be grateful.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for additional details or documentation.
Okay, Matt, I didnt’ see your last post. I will rewrite the letter again (thank you!)
You’re the lawyer Matt. You know how to state things concisely and convincingly.
I’m the veteran. I just know that if you want get a military unit that isn’t fulfilling it’s duties to toe the line, you instigate a congressional investigation. It’s ridiculously easy, and it nets real results – plus respect.
Stargazer,
Most people understand that embarrassment, more than anything else, is what keeps people from reporting crime and sticking up for their rights. No matter what’s been stolen or the nature of the injury, it seems there’s always a bit of embarrassment that goes with being a victim. If you’re dignified, almost everyone will be respectful and understanding.
Elizabeth Conley:
I agree with everything you said.
I also had to laugh when you noted that “disrespect” is a recent word/verb. Must be a generational thing. I remember my high school English teacher pounding that one into my head.