The lion killer’s just a mouse
AMERICAN dentist Walter Palmer deserves every bit of the recent opprobrium heaped on his head for killing Cecil the lion. But I also feel pity for him.
Those who suggest he must be some kind of sadist or psychopath to enjoy hunting are wrong. Sickening though his so- called ‘sport’ may be, I’m not sure there’s any evidence that he revels in inflicting pain.
If that’s what excites him, he could have used his bow and arrow to kill rats or pet cats in his backyard. There are individuals who do that kind of thing — and it’s often a sign of a deeply scary psychiatric disorder.
To my eyes, Dr Palmer is rather more pathetic. What he seems most interested in is the thrill of posing for photographs next to huge, powerful creatures — timeless symbols of strength and nobility — that he’s laid low.
Never mind that the contest was grotesquely rigged and involved no risk or courage. Just look at me, the four- eyed tooth-tugger from Minneapolis, lording it over rhinos, leopards and bison. Am I not manly and macho?
Well, actually, Dr Palmer, I rather doubt that you are.
While you’re obviously a wealthy, successful individual (slaughtering lions isn’t a cheap hobby), I suspect there’s a gaping hole in the centre of your life.
For men who are comfortable with how masculine they are don’t need to prove it this way.
I remember a story my grandmother used to tell about my grandfather, who died before I was born. He was a tall, imposing ex- soldier, who had a ferocious temper and was decorated for his fearless exploits on the battlefield.
one day, when my mum was still a little girl, my gran returned home to find him ironing Mum’s little frilly dress.
In those days, it went without saying that ironing was women’s work. My gran immediately tried to take over, asking him: ‘What would the neighbours think?’
But he just shrugged and refused to stop. As my gran explained, he didn’t care what people thought — he knew he was a real man and felt he had nothing to prove.
The fact that Walter Palmer feels the need to show how virile he is by killing big animals simply gives us an insight into his miserable insecurities.