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04/18/2007: "Let Them All Rest In Peace"
For three days now, we've seen a constant stream of news reports coming from the campus of Virginia Tech. First it was the tragedy of the shootings, then the solemn ceremonies to mark the loss, and now the news that the suspect send a package of images and videos to NBC News, in all likelihood mailing the package between the two incidents.
There's no question that this was a horrific event, one that will impact the Blacksburg community for years. But I have to ask: At what point does it stop being a legitimate national event, and haven't we already passed that point? Imagine how it must be now on campus - every network has a minimum of two anchor crews on site, their evening news and morning show. Same goes for the cable networks, plus all their "superstars" - Andy Cooper, Shep Smith, Geraldo. Hell, even the local LA stations have sent crews there. I know it's tragic, but let's face it - it's tittlating, and that's the reason all those people are there. I mean, really - haven't these folks been through enough? Do they really have to put up with the smug mug of Nancy Grace on site as well? How can you possibly hope for these people to start to put their lives back together with klieg lights blaring through the night?
Beyond the tabloid element of it all, I worry about message we are sending when we focus on this and only this for hour after hour after hour. The pictures, notes, videos, poetry and plays of the suspect are all grist for the media mill, and every talking head is examining them line by line. But are they really that important? Do we really need to see anything more than his actions to know that we were dealing with a troubled man? Yet the media is spending hours digging into the most insignificant details. We are setting a dangerous precident.
Let's say I had a point I wanted to make, and sent my manifesto to CNN. How far do you think it'd get? But if I'm a troubled guy who wants his point to be heard, the media is sending a message loud and clear - kill a bunch of people, and we'll not only listen, we'll repeat your message every 22 minutes. Do you really think there aren't more just like him out there taking notes?
The death of 33 people under any circumstance is tragic, but look how we cover this incident versus others. If instead of a shooter it was a commuter plane full of travellers that crashed and burned, it'd be the headline for one news cycle and be gone. We certainly wouldn't be seeing biographies and tributes to the passengers being broadcast nationwide. Are the passengers any less worthy? Any less unfortunate? Any more deserving to die? How about the 170 Iraqis killed just today in car bombings in Baghdad? At most, they'd rate a quick mention in the news - if only there was a news crew that wasn't in Blacksburg.
We spend all our time ogling the tragedy, and then wonder why someone would want to emulate it. For a sociopath like this jackhole - and you know there are more out there - we're giving him the 15 minutes ... make that 15 days ... he couldn't earn any other way.
Hey media - do us all a favor. Shut down the lights and cameras and go home. Let the healing begin at VaTach, and go find some other ambulance to chase.
