The Media Sickens Me........?

EXACTLY!!! Those images and video should NEVER have been aired! Saying it's the "public's right to know" is hog-wash! This is sensationalism journalism at it's worst!!! At the very least, only a transcript of this mad-man's rantings should have been released. How could NBC do this? I cannot imagine the additional pain this is bringing to the families of the victims... NBC and all the networks, newspapers and Internet that are airing the pictures and video from this "manifestation of pure evil" (I will NEVER use his name!) are guilty of adding to this great tragedy and possibly fueling future copy-cats. They are all guilty of being accomplices by doing exactly what this murderer asked them to do!

We need to remember that the media is first and foremost looking out for it’s bottom line and that’s it’s stockholders. You certainly don’t see any shabbily dressed anchormen or women on television.

Does releasing it make this guy more glamorized? How many people do you know who are desperately looking for attention and are willing to do anything to get it, especially if it makes a big splash on the headlines? There are way too many unsavory people out there who are willing to stoop to any level and use any excuse to justify their actions. Many of them are undereducated or come from lower income families. This doesn’t mean that the poor are evil. I came from a poor family and went on to college and basically made something of myself, but one only needs to look no farther than their nearest music or movie store to see thousands of images and lyrics glamorizing acts of violence.

Unfortunately the media doesn't really make any efforts at trying to provide closure except on it's own terms. They'll sort of use a forceps to close the wound but they'll insist on having the patient heal over it so the media'll have something to tug on at a later time when it's convenient.

As for the media bearing any responsibility... Let's not forget the first amendment (nope. can't forget about that)...or the 'people's right to know', and these tend to be reduced to mere cliché’s when compared to the scope of what we're seeing today. I mean, how many cliché’s provide justifications for something that was done out of hate and possibly sickness? Won't this inspire other people with similar psychological inclinations to do the same thing?

Unfortunately rationality doesn't seem to apply to the media. Neither does common sense.

You know freedom is a double sided sword.

If I was a parent of a young ( or old ) victim, I would be getting very angry. You're right about that.

The only saving grace of this is the possible prevention of future "Cho"s .

I saw a clip of two of his hi school mates. One said he offered him $20 to saw any word. The other was saying he wouldn't let people copy his answers.

They looked appreciably bigger than he. So his number was up a long time ago.

I once stepped in while two bigger kids were harassing a small smart kid. I know they can be mean. But I was tougher, and the youngest kid in the class got a free hand.

As for me I think all the talk about re victimizing is probably true, but prevention might be worth it.

At least I hope so. I really do feel for the survivors. They will carry some "stupid" guilt with them. It was only chance, in their case.

It doesn't stop. The damage is huge. My heart goes out to them.

Media will spin it in what ever way it most expedient and self serving.

I totally agree with you. The media likes to take people's wounds, and pour salt in it. I can't stand it. I also don't think I could ever be in their job posistion. I couldn't make light over people's tragedy. THey stand in front of the camera looking beautiful, while someone who just lost a son can't see straight. THe media gave this jerk exactly what he wanted, attention. SO in some sick sense, they let him win. You posted an excellent question, and made a wonderful point.

I totally agree. The media should be focusing on global warming and Iraq and such rather then giving this guy attention. The poor families are prob. tired of seeing his face. I sure would be.

We always want to know why. Why did that guy cheat on me, why did he not call, why did some guy go nuts and kill 32 people.

Our curiosity is why the video was shown. So little was known about this guy - leavin ghim as a mystery would somehow make him more "alluring" and mysterious - and therefore a "hero" to other like-minded people.

Yes, I'd want to know who the person was who killed my child, or what his reasons were for doing it. Would the answers make it better? No, but my human curiosity would still want to know.

I totally agree, the media is HEARTLESS, that video should of been for the eyes and ears of law enforcement only. The poor families that watched, have to see that evil video on tv and radios -it brakes my heart for them. How stupid is the media?

If this country is too stupid to pass reasonable and sane gun control laws that would make it more difficult for the insane to acquire semi-automatic weapons - then the population needs to be constantly reminded that people like this exist. Its sad - but true