> Yes, but for someone to say "I was teased a lot, and that's why I turned out like I did." or somesuch other nonsense, is just a plain-old cop out. ... I was taught that I have to take responsibility for my own actions. Not for what someone does to me...but for what I do to others.

You said it. Too many of society's problems would be alleviated if not outright solved if we stopped looking to put blame everywhere except where it belongs. People in this country don't seem to want to take responsibility for their own actions. It's one of the reasons we're so lawsuit happy. Break a leg, find someone to sue. Gah.