Gratuitous Violence

In journalism, a news topic that can be used over and over again for several days is a story that has "legs." The news media have certainly found that the story of the VA Tech shootings has "legs." I have no objection whatsoever to honoring the students and faculty who were injured or killed. I don't object to trying to find out why this happened. My beef is with showing the killer's video diatribe over and over again.

The pro-life movement had it's name blotted just a few years ago when mentally unstable individuals decided to kill in the name of protecting life (the irony is obvious here). It doesn't take much to incite someone who is on the edge of reason-- a "cause," whether genuine or warped, and a weapon. The VA Tech shooter referred to the shooters in the Columbine High School killings as if they were the victims. To show admiration for such an act certainly showed Cho's instability. Allowing his diatribe to air unchecked could serve to incite another to copy Cho's actions. Unfortunately, it is becoming all too obvious that such potential for violence can remain within the confines of the law until it is too late.

It's time for the media to accept the role they play in our national dialogue on this issue. They need to take responsibility by being more circumspect in what they air. They can start by refusing to air Cho's rants and instead honor his victims by using more thoughtful content.