Disgusted by media, but not surprised
I was disgusted and appalled (although not surprised) that local news programs chose to air the rantings of an evil criminal like Seung-Hui Cho. It is disturbing to think that he knew that the news agencies would air his videos and photos, thereby perpetuating his desire to inflict terror and pain even after his death.
The proper forum for viewing this body of evidence is Virginia law enforcement officials, not the national news.
I consider the media to be an accomplice in this horrific crime and other future similar crimes. These disturbed individuals know that their evil sprees will have unlimited news coverage, complete with a catchy title and dramatic music, ensuring 15 minutes of fame for otherwise deranged killers.
I long for a time when the news is reported rather than dramatized and glorified under the guise of public interest.
Ann Mantooth, Thornton
I agree, The two psycho's(I don't say their names) that shot up Columbine are getting exactly what they went after...their names to be part of American history. Our media, EACH and EVERY year on the anniversary date of the shootings, bring these two less than animals, a little more fame by using their names in "rememberance."
When I saw the face of the VT tech killer on my tv screen and he started rambling away, I turned him off. I don't want to hear the rants of a mad man!
Posted by A on May 5, 2007 07:25 AMsweet , thats yoru choice, you can turn it off, or change the station, others might want to listen to it , like psych majors and criminalist, dylan k and his buddie did not want the news attention same with the Seung-Hui Cho. guy, they were deranged killers who had mental issues , they did not do this for the media attention, the media does this for attention not the other way around , c'mon people censor yourself not the media
Posted by hoimaha on May 5, 2007 08:30 AMMy rear end they didn't want the media attention AND they were definately bug-a-hotchee mental cases all three of them!!
Posted by A on May 5, 2007 12:00 PMGet real, hoimaha!
"dylan k and his buddie did not want the news attention same with the Seung-Hui Cho. guy,"
If Cho didn't want the media attention, why compose the rambling screed and videotape himself and then send it to NBC News?
You're delusional. He may have been a deranged killer, but his actions required detailed planning (chaining doors) and he wanted his posthumous 15 minutes (years) of fame and the media has been complicit in giving it to him, all in the name of ratings.
Posted by RU Serious on May 5, 2007 12:23 PMIf Cho isn't news, what is? Does the letter writer think it would be better to bury our heads in the sand about individuals of his type? Don't you think Cho's videos would have ended up being widely viewed on the internet even if no major media outlet aired them?
Posted by karen on May 5, 2007 05:46 PMI think what the letter is saying is if we all ignore psycho-killers and refuse to watch their videos, they will go away and not hurt anyone.
Posted by kmm on May 5, 2007 06:04 PMThe fact is that most of the psycho killers will go away if we ignore them.
Posted by Yaakov Watkins on May 5, 2007 11:43 PM