No it's not. Its nothing even remotely similar. Your comparison totally sucks. There is probably a latin word to describe how badly it sucks but I won't even bother to wiki it. Thats how much it sucks.

The argument I made and the debate I hoped to generate is whether or not it was an atrocity at all.

Given that Graendal was the only one truly alive there (unless he had visitors which was dealt with in another message, read it there). And unless Rand caused humongous amount of damage to the pattern (I don't think he did but its still being discussed). Then there was no atrocity here.

Not unless you also call it an atrocity when Rand killed Rahvin. Or Semirhage. Or when he led an attack to Illian and killed Sammael. Or any of the many many things he has done to prepare for last battle all over the series.

Remember, I am talking _ONLY_ about this particular act here. Not Rand in general in this book and his overall actions. I do not deny that overall, he was indeed a psycho. But I never even tried to debate or argue that.