# I just don't get the outrage. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531 "2013-12-31T01:23:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/1 "2013-12-31T01:23:31Z")
I don’t get the outrage here. This wasn’t the killer’s childhood home or anything special to him. IIRC it was a student apartment he rented for a few months while attending college. He was being evicted because he had withdrawn from classes. You can’t make a shrine out of everything. Nobody was killed at this apartment. It’s a place the guy slept and used the toilet. Nothing more. They aren’t exploiting the property. It isn’t advertised as a killer’s home. To suggest tearing down an entire apartment building because one asshole lived there for awhile doesn’t make sense. Think about all the students that depend on those apartments while they attended University. These people need to calm down and accept the fact that student apartments come up for rent every semester or two. They can’t throw a hissy fit every time. > **[James Holmes’ once booby-trapped apartment up for rent again in Colorado](https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/12/30/james-holmes-once-booby-trapped-apartment-up-for-rent-again-in-colorado/)** > > The death-trap apartment of Aurora shooter James Holmes is back on the market — much to the disgust of the families of his victims. Holmes gunned down 12 people in a in July 2012 rampage at a… > [@](#): > > The death-trap apartment of Aurora shooter James Holmes is back on the market — much to the disgust of the families of his victims. > > Holmes gunned down 12 people in a in July 2012 rampage at a movie theater in Aurora. He also booby-trapped his rented apartment with 30 grenades and 10 gallons of gasoline in an attempt to kill police. > [@](#): > > The 650 square-foot, one bedroom property is going for $850 a month. There is no mention about the previous owner in the ad. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/2 "2013-12-31T01:31:00Z")
One solution would be to change the street name or apartment building name. They did that at the Condo where OJ’s wife was killed. They also changed the front a little so looky-loos can’t find it as easily. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/3 "2013-12-31T03:39:23Z")
I guess no one should live in Germany because Hitler used to live there, right? That’s how silly this is. Why should the landlord have to take a loss on the property just because some asshole used to live there? If anything, the only person who should be allowed to get upset about this is the next tenant if no one tells before signing the lease. And I’m sure there are plenty of potential tenants that wouldn’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/4 "2013-12-31T03:43:42Z")
Not to mention throwing all the other tenants out of their homes because one bad guy once lived in an apartment there. ---
**Author:** ![Spaghettifrier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Spaghettifrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spaghettifrier)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/5 "2013-12-31T04:21:35Z")
It’s not outraging, it’s just a tad unusual. Often times places like these are bulldozed and replaced by unrelated developments. It’s unusual, which is good for some, bad for some, and meh for the rest of us. There are those who would never dream of living in such a place… then those who have a macabre fascination that will make them actually attracted to the place. I’d be surprised if there aren’t James Holmes fanatics vying for the place. Then of course are the victims families, who cannot really be expected to behave “rationally” on any matter concerning James Holmes. They probably feel disgusted that anyone could psychologically stomach living in a place where their loved one was tortured to death… and especially disgusted by the thought that anyone would actually be attracted to the situation. Perfectly legal, though. Perhaps in the best financial interests of the owners. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/6 "2013-12-31T04:36:53Z")
> [@Spaghettifrier](#): > > It’s not outraging, it’s just a tad unusual. Often times places like these are bulldozed and replaced by unrelated developments. What are you on about? No one tears down a perfectly good building except for us folks here in Las Vegas. > [@Spaghettifrier](#): > > It’s unusual, which is good for some, bad for some, and meh for the rest of us. There are those who would never dream of living in such a place… then those who have a macabre fascination that will make them actually attracted to the place. I’d be surprised if there aren’t James Holmes fanatics vying for the place. Was that the problem that the victim’s families were upset about? No? Then what are you on about? > [@Spaghettifrier](#): > > Then of course are the victims families, who cannot really be expected to behave “rationally” on any matter concerning James Holmes. They probably feel disgusted that anyone could psychologically stomach living in a place where their loved one was tortured to death… and especially disgusted by the thought that anyone would actually be attracted to the situation. Okay, seriously: what the fuck are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/7 "2013-12-31T04:42:20Z")
[Showtimes at the theater tonight](http://denver.mrmovietimes.com/movie-theaters/century-aurora-16.html). (Hey, Anchorman 2 is playing on two screens!) ---
**Author:** ![Spaghettifrier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Spaghettifrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spaghettifrier)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/8 "2013-12-31T04:48:02Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > What are you on about? No one tears down a perfectly good building except for us folks here in Las Vegas. > > Was that the problem that the victim’s families were upset about? No? Then what are you on about? > > Okay, seriously: what the fuck are you talking about? My only real response to your questioning would be the title of this thread: I just don’t get the outrage. Disagree? Share your thoughts. Then there would be something to respond to. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/9 "2013-12-31T04:48:19Z")
Strange. What, they couldn’t get the theatre bulldozed so they’re going after his apartment? Where nothing happened? I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/10 "2013-12-31T04:50:20Z")
> [@Spaghettifrier](#): > > Share your thoughts. Then there would be something to respond to. Why are you saying people were tortured to death there? James Holmes was the Colorado movie theater shooter. No one was harmed in his apartment at all. ---
**Author:** ![Spaghettifrier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Spaghettifrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spaghettifrier)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/11 "2013-12-31T04:56:32Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Why are you saying people were tortured to death there? James Holmes was the Colorado movie theater shooter. No one was harmed in his apartment at all. Ahh, boy do I feel silly. I got the story mixed up with another one. I will now go drown my head in a bucket of steamed porta-john waste as punishment for my scatterbrainedness. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/12 "2013-12-31T05:01:27Z")
[wrong Holmes](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Holmes) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/13 "2013-12-31T05:09:29Z")
Perhaps he is confused with the HH Holmes murder hotel? > **[H. H. Holmes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Holmes)** > > Herman Webster Mudgett (May 16, 1861 – May 7, 1896), better known as Dr. Henry Howard Holmes or H. H. Holmes, was an American con artist and serial killer, the subject of more than 50 lawsuits in Chicago alone. Until his execution in 1896, he chose a career of crime including insurance fraud, swindling, check forging, three to four bigamous illegal marriages, horse theft and murder. > Despite his confession of 27 murders (including some people who were verifiably still alive) while awaiting exec... ETA Sigh…stupid slow old iPod ☹ ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/14 "2013-12-31T05:47:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > One solution would be to change the street name or apartment building name. They did that at the Condo where OJ’s wife was killed. They also changed the front a little so looky-loos can’t find it as easily. The condo was razed to the ground and a totally new dwelling was put on the spot. The street name is the same but they may have modified the number. One of my Mom’s oldest friends has lived around the corner from that spot for like fifty years. Their neighborhood was a nightmare for years because jackass lookyloos had to have their picture taken in front of that place. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/15 "2013-12-31T13:41:37Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > [wrong Holmes](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Holmes) Ah, of course! Being a Chicagoan I should have guessed. Anyway, someone took care of that place long ago as it ‘mysteriously’ burned down not too long after he was caught, so no worries there. As for this case, who knows? Maybe someone’s all worried that crime tourists will come by to stare or that some wannabe will want to rent it out, but I think that’s rather farfetched. The modern equivalent of the Holmes castle would probably be that house in Cleveland where those women were held captive, and I’m all in favor of that place being destroyed. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/16 "2013-12-31T14:26:38Z")
James Holmes had such incredible potential to do something important in life. He should be in a lab doing medical research by now. It’s a tragedy that his mental illness went untreated until after he killed all those people in that movie theater. A lot of lives were lost that day and his life and future is finished too. Holmes’ connection to that student apartment building is so short lived. It would be different if he had killed victims there. Tearing down a building that houses college students isn’t logical. > **[James Holmes (mass murderer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Eagan_Holmes)** > > This is an accepted version of this page > > James Eagan Holmes (born December 13, 1987) is an American mass murderer responsible for the 2012 Aurora theater shooting in which he killed 12 people and injured 70 others (62 directly and eight indirectly) at a Century 16 movie theater on July 20, 2012. He had no known criminal background before the shooting occurred. Before the shooting, Holmes booby-trapped his apartment with explosives, which were defused one day later by a bomb squad. > Holmes was... > [@](#): > > Graduating from Westview High School in the Torrey Highlands community of San Diego in 2006,[8][27] Holmes attended the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and, in 2010, received his undergraduate degree in neuroscience with the highest honors.[28][29][30][31] He was a member of several honor societies, including Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key.[32] According to UCR recommendation letters submitted to the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), Holmes graduated in the top 1% of his class with a 3.949 GPA. The UCR letters also described Holmes as "a very effective group leader’’ and a person who “takes an active role in his education, and brings a great amount of intellectual and emotional maturity into the classroom”.[33] > > In 2008, Holmes worked as a counselor at a residential summer camp in Glendale, California, that catered to children aged 7–14. There he was responsible for 10 children and had no disciplinary problems.[34] > > In June 2011, Holmes enrolled as a Ph.D. student in neuroscience at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/17 "2013-12-31T14:31:55Z")
Yeah, this one doesn’t make much sense. He didn’t kill anyone at the apartment (not for lack of trying). He didn’t live there long. It’s a rental, so he never owned it and won’t get any money from this. It’s also one unit in a larger building, so closing it or getting rid of the whole building is totally impractical. I wonder how many victims’ families the Daily News had to call before they reached someone who said something angry enough to justify its inclusion in the article. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/18 "2013-12-31T14:49:10Z")
Best that I can tell KDVR a UHF station started the story. Reminding the world of its connection to Holmes. > **[Former apartment of James Holmes up for rent](https://kdvr.com/news/former-apartment-of-james-holmes-up-for-rent/)** > > AURORA, Colo. — The former apartment of suspected Aurora theater killer James Holmes is back on the market. From there Huffington and TMZ tacked on the outrage angle. Daily New carried it too. It would be better to just ignore the property. Let it fade from memory. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/19 "2013-12-31T15:05:07Z")
This isn’t worth a news story in the first place. It’s poor judgment by the Fox affiliate, and the report itself was embarrassing - loaded with stuff about the shooting and Holmes’ bombs that aren’t relevant to the apartment now. I think the criticism should go to the news outlets, not the two family members who want the building destroyed. How would you feel if someone called you out of the blue asking for a comment on some obscure aspect of this story that affected your life this way? If they start organizing demonstrations, I’d say they’re being ridiculous. In this situation they just got trolled by the Daily News or TMZ. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531/20 "2013-12-31T15:24:42Z")
Absolutely a tempest in a teacup. Rent it out and let its former tenant be forgotten. This past year, the mother of the man we like to call Doucheybeard McWhineybritches (you may know him as Anders Behring Breivik) died, and her apartment was sold. He had lived there in the years before the bombing and mass shooting, although not immediately before. There was a bit about it in the papers, and the apartment ended up selling for a lower price than what you would expect given the location and all, but it sold. Someone else is living there now, and I think it’s a good thing. I hope that person makes it their own and in the process eliminates all traces of the previous occupants. Because even though McWhineybritches may have sat in one of the bedrooms and plotted and schemed, the walls didn’t soak up some sort of magic evil essence. The floors are not coated with the musings of a twisted mind. It’s just an apartment. It’s a bit more difficult when it comes to the places where they committed their crimes. In the case of the Colorado shooter, that question seems to have been settled already - the movie theater, it appears, remains a movie theater. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-dont-get-the-outrage/677531.md?page=2)