No need to get too excited or upset by all the groups pointing fingers at each other and accusing each other of "using" the Columbine High School tragedy to push an agenda.

That's what groups do.

Antigun folks will use such an event to push for more laws restricting the sale and ownership of guns, and pro-gun groups will use it to point out the need for more personal freedom in choosing a weapon for sport or protection.

Religious groups are enjoying the example set by one courageous young woman who invited the wrath of the killers by admitting to her faith, and antireligious groups are accusing religious groups of using the tragedy to advance a Christian right agenda... in other words, the antireligious are riding the Columbine coattails as well.

'Twas ever thus.

Groups of people rallied around causes usually take a simplistic view and look for a single, simplistic answer. unfortunately, there's no single, simplistic answer to why two high school kids become killers.

They didn't become killers because guns were available.

I know I can get a gun anytime I want. It'll take a few days if I abide by the law, or I can get one this afternoon if I don't. So far, this knowledge has failed to freeze my blood and turn me into a killer.

Most gun laws are rather silly, because the people who obey them are not the people who are misusing the guns. Those who use guns in the commission of crimes are not going to obey the gun laws aimed at stopping gun crimes. Some would argue that the laws are meant to prevent accidents and "crimes of passion," but it's impossible to legislate against stupidity, and crimes of passion do not require guns... a knife, baseball bat or heavy lamp will work just as well.

They didn't become killers because they played video games.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I have a pretty violent video game on my home computer, and once a week or so I have at it. Again, I haven't noticed any violent tendencies building in my psyche as a result.

They didn't become killers because they listened to violent music.

If I were going to accept any of the simplistic explanations, this would be the one. Music has a way of drumming thoughts into one's head. But observation tells me that if those thoughts aren't already there, music can't put them there. Maybe violent lyrics reinforce those emotions. We just don't have enough scientific data to make any grand claims one way or the other.

They didn't become killers because they took ritalin.

That's the latest theory being tossed around on talk radio, and again it's tempting to latch onto that theory and feel comforted that, at last, there's an explanation that we can actually do something about. And again, I'd be willing to listen if someone would do some scientific research and give us some hard facts.

I'm certainly not happy with the drug culture that has grown up in our schools, where teachers are "diagnosing" children with disorders and pressuring parents into giving their children drugs that we still don't know much about.

When my daughter was struggling in school, we went through the same scenario I've heard recounted dozens of times, in which teachers suggest ritalin, parents go to doctors and the doctors prescribe the drug. I asked the doctor to explain why he was prescribing the drug, and he said it was because there was no "contraindication." Translation: he was giving my child a drug because there was no obvious reason not to.

That wasn't good enough for me, and I'm still glad we didn't go through with that flawed program. If your doctor can't give you a good reason why your child needs a drug, don't give that drug to your child.

Take all of those factors together, along with emotional problems, too much caffeine or sugar as a child, too much ridicule from classmates, too much criticism from adults... maybe there's an explanation of sorts.

It still all boils down to individual choice. They made thousands of choices that lead them to that moment in their lives, and then they chose to take the plunge.

Which brings me to the conclusion that there is a fairly simple explanation after all.

The Garden of Eden is a simplistic story, and its message is that there is good and there is evil, and humans have to choose.

When someone chooses the evil of violence, all we can do is try our best to defend ourselves, and remove that person from society when the decision manifests itself.