A Sirius Offense, Round 2 (WAS a Sirius Defense, Round 2)

[judyserenity]

No: HPFGUIDX 35063

On the topic of Snape's interpersonal skills, I pointed out that we 
only see Snape from Harry's point of view.  Penny responded:
> ... while Harry's perceptions are 
> definitely a factor in our understanding of Snape thus far, we see a 
> multi-faceted McGonagall through his lens....

In other words, I believe Penny is saying that Harry is fair is his 
perceptions of other strict teachers like McGonagall, so why should we 
think he is all that biased when observing Snape?  I actually have a 
lot to say on the topic, but not tonight.  It deserves its own thread. 


OK, on to Sirius.  

Penny said:
> But, I don't believe that *Azkaban* is the triggering event for 
> Sirius' PTSD. ... I think the trauma or "triggering event" for his
> PTSD happened on 31 Oct/1 Nov 1981< 

I think the death of his friends and witnessing the attack by 
Pettigrew could trigger PTSD, yes.  But, Jo Serenadust had referred 
specifically to his time in Azkaban, and that was what I was 
responding to.  I also just don't think that the events of 
Holloween 1981 would be likely to make him violent.

Penny asked:
> What about vets who engaged in 
> heavy military-related violence in the course of the war for example 
> how would you class those guys (not the ones who engaged in 
> senseless civilian-related violence ... which was, I believe, very 
> limited but sensationalized)?

Well, like I said, I'm not an expert on PTSD.  I do know that the 
more combat a veteran saw, the more likely he is to develop PTSD.  
However, since most people with PTSD aren't violent, that doesn't tell 
us whether those same vets are more likely than other to be violent.  
I'll be interested to hear what your friend has to say. 

I don't think we know for sure how much violence there was by our 
forces in Vietnam against civilians, but I do know for sure it's more 
than I ever want our soldiers to do again. 

I said:
> > Sirius is a wonderful guy -- nay, a saint -- except when he's 
> > choking
> > his godson, breaking a boy's leg, slashing everything in sight,
> > feeding a classmate to a werewolf, or threatening to AK a former
> > friend, which unfortunately is almost all we ever see him do.

Penny listed many other, better things Sirius has done:
> 1.  Risking his life to save Harry...
> 2.  Writing a permission note ... and giving an owl to Ron (seems a 
> 3.  Writing concerned letters to his godson...
> 4.  Leaving the safety of his tropical hiding place...
> 5.  Risking detection by having a fireside chat with Harry ...
> 6.  Keeping in constant contact with Harry & Dumbledore...
> 7.  Demonstrating wisdom ...in his cave conversation with the Trio
> 8.  The post-3rd Task scene in Dumbledore's office. 

Well, I admit my quote was exaggerated for dramatic effect.  However, 
I also believe that actions speak louder than words.  (This is one of 
the reasons I think Snape isn't so bad; he says nasty things, but what 
we've actually seen him *do* isn't so bad.)  Ok, so Sirius answers his 
mail and makes some wise comments, but I don't see that as such a big 
deal.  Heck, for all we know, Snape has lots of penpals, whom he 
answers promptly, with sage advice.  Would that make you like him? 

Now, I will grant that Sirius shows real concern for Harry at various 
points (like, when he isn't choking him), as evidenced by your points 
1, 4, and 5.  However, as I've said before, one thing that bothers me 
about Sirius is that he acts as if only his friends count, and other 
people don't. 

Again, as I've said before, part of the problem is that Sirius (and 
several other characters) are written inconsistently.  The concerned 
godfather of GoF is a far cry from the angry knife-wielder of PoA.  
So, whether you like Sirius or not depends on which Sirius you think 
is the "real" one. 

I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree about Sirius.  I 
feel like the conversation is going around in circles; I've made most 
of the points here before.  I'm not liking Sirius any better; in fact, 
the whole conversation has brought up things I dislike about Sirius, 
that I had completely forgot about.

Penny, I get the feeling that it really matters to you whether people 
like Sirius or not.  Why?

-- Judy