VA Tech Shootings...The Discussion Thread

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 8:03am

It is my understanding that a previous thread meant to be a place to discuss the non-emotional aspects and consequences of the event was deep-sixed.

I think it is worth trying again, because while I'm sure everyone agrees, it is a horrible tragedy, not everyone is going to see how it fits into the bigger picture in the same way.

Update: I missed the existing discussion thread by bwaysinger in my hasty reaction. Note to self: never post before morning coffee.

Updated On: 4/18/07 at 08:03 AM

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 8:48am

Iflit - actually, Bwaysinger's thread became more of a place to express sorrow and solidarity with the VT community and all who mourn. It was (is) an important thread for that purpose. The other thread was begun in an attempt to provide a space for open discussion of the issues pertaining to the mass killings. It was felt that an open, honest discussion was better held outside the original thread.

This is a long-winded way of saying that your thread is a good idea. I hope to read many diverse viewpoints during the day. For those who haven't seen it, etoile's post on DG's thread this morning is worth reading.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 9:43am

I've been increasingly disgruntled since I shut off CNN in disgust last night. There is a fine line between news coverage and spectacle, and I feel it's being trampled on in the rush to have "something new". The pop-psychology analysis of the shooter's motives and damaged ID, the deification of the victims which in it's worst form will result in the most attractive coed gracing the front of supermarket weeklies for months to come, and the rush to assign blame is simply out of control.

I watched an interview with former room mates of the gunman, and the leading questions and summations of what was said, was appalling. No shades of gray...the interviewer jumped to the most sensational conclusion.

I still have a kid in college. I'm absolutely NOT untouched by the tragedy or immune to realization that this could happen anytime and anywhere. I just believe that aside from expressions of sympathy, sadness and horror, there is also much to be rationally discussed, some of which we may not agree with...

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 9:46am

I've turned off the tube also Iffie.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 9:58am

unfortunately, some folks will never shrink from an opportunity to proselytize among the suffering, knowing that those in a vulnerable state after a tragedy are often susceptible to suggestion. i find those who pimp their own agendas in a place where some are seeking nothing more than solace and comfort as disgusting as the killings themselves.

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 10:54am

Some of the display, particularly by the media, reminds me of a line of Prior's from PERESTROIKA:

"Sorry I can't join in with all of you death junkies."

That's all I can think when I see the non-stop, regurgitating coverage on all of the networks and basic cable outlets. I saw a girl being interviewed by Meredith Viera this morning. She was a student at Columbine during the shootings. I don't know if she was at VT to lend a helping hand or (and this I can't fathom) was actually a student there. At any rate, Viera asked what the media did right and did wrong in regards to Columbine. I wish the girl said, 'I got a list.' But she was very smart and said something along the lines of "You didn't give us the space the community needed to heal. Every time students got together...20 of us...50 of us...the media hounded us because they wanted to be there."

The media simply has no place in Blacksburg now. Why are they still there when absolutely no new information can be found there. What there is to know will be released in time. These reporters are in danger of making themselves part of the story...if they haven't already done so.

And the level of profundity coming from their lips is nonexistent. Matt Lauer, that mental giant, actually said, 'This is a day that will live in infamy.' And I thought, how can someone use a phrase so specifically attached to World War II in this situation? It seemed so wrong. The VT shooting was its own thing and, therefor, need not be compared, even by accident, to the War which saw one of the greatest human tragedies on record.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:04am

Oh, robbie! I could just kiss you!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:09am

robbie, the public has a right to know. every detail about everyone who might have been even tangentially related to this or any other shooting or anyone who's ever looked at a gun.

it's been disturbing to hear the interviews which sound eerily similar to post game sports interviews, "how did you feel when you heard the gunshots?" as opposed to, "how did you feel when you heard that you'd won the mvp award?"

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:14am

Totally unconnected, but did we learn nothing from the total gluttony of the Anna Nicole Smith coverage? This is what we've come to. It won't be long before they're digging through this guy's refrigerator, too.

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:16am

I think even more disturbing is the palpably real feeling that the newsfolk believe they are actually a PART of the healing.

I'm adverse to any public forms of therapy (Dr. Phil, Oprah) becuase it makes true psychological work into entertainment. As someone who has benefited from therapy, I can't imagine wanting to go through any sort of healing, grieving or growing process in front of ANYONE...or at least anyone in whom I do not choose to confide.

I want those college students to say, "I'm sorry, Robin Roberts, but our grief is ours...our feelings are ours...and our healing is ours. It is not for you to discuss, digest, disceminate or dissect."

Updated On: 4/18/07 at 11:16 AM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:39am

just the latest example in an ever growing trend for newsies to make themselves part of the story as opposed to reporting it.

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:42am

That's why I still like Charlie Gibson. He can provide light commentary that is illuminating or comforting (or both) without distorting the story to suit his needs.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:45am

The other totally empty sentiment that pushes my button, is hearing "We are all in this together" (or a variation on the theme)over and over. Um, no... this is a very different reality for those actually *experiencing* this tragedy. The rest of us can be sympathetic, empathetic, and supportive...but to act as if this loss belongs to all of us in the same way is oddly disrespectful to someone who witnessed the carnage or has a loved one suddenly missing from their life.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:49am

Glad I don't have a TV.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 11:49am

i'm still having nightmares from watching the newshour last night. gwen ifil interviewed three university heads or near heads, one of whom was the dean of students for the university of arizona. it was freaky. the woman was grinning the entire time like she'd just won the freakin' lottery. the mrs. said, "what she thinks is so f*cking funny?"

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:02pm

Your wife speaks really poor English, papa.

Luckily, I do have a television, but only to watch movies. I never turn on the local news and I don't have cable, so I've been saved the temptation of watching the recap of what has happened during the last 15 minutes of the investigation into the killer.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:05pm

only when she feels like it.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:10pm

I swear I wasn't insulting the honor of your woman. Don't hurt me!

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:18pm

You can watch movies on the computer now.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:23pm

Yeah, but I don't have a computer at home, only at work. While it's easy to get away with being on BWW at work, it's probably not so much so with watching a full-length feature film.

[ABSteel]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:33pm

Our TV is in the loft. There's a TV in the living room, but no one really uses it, unless we have company.

The loft TV is usually turned off during the day, as I'm in my office, without a TV.

ETA: I totally forgot what this thread was about. Oops. I believe the killer needs to be held responsible. He bought the pistols. He took them to the school. He pulled the trigger. He killed those people. It's a tragedy, that the people must know about, and learn the signs, and whatnot, but only in time. Those students and their families need their privacy, so they can grief anyway they want. It's not for us to decide for them.

It seems that people tried to help him, but it wasn't enough. Next time we come across a person who seems so "crazy", we have to do more what happened in VA.

Updated On: 4/18/07 at 12:33 PM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:41pm

But how do you report someone who just acts weird? I don't know what more could have been done than was done from a legal standpoint at least. But I'm certainly not an expert, so who knows...

[ABSteel]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:45pm

I watched a part of the interview with the roommates, and they said that the shooter was reported to the police after stalking three girls.

Also, the English teacher tried to help him, but when he wouldn't take his/her advice, s/he sent him to the counseling services where he stayed for a night, or two.

This is what the students said, btw.

Severe depression has to be helped. His writings reflect that he was a very troubled young man. People tried to help him, but he either didn't want it, or knew he couldn't be helped.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:47pm

Oh, I completely agree with you. But what route could have been taken? I'm honestly asking; that's not a rhetorical question.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/18/07 at 12:47pm

so what do you do? involuntarily commit him? he hadn't done anything to warrant it. if folks were locked up on the basis of their potential, then bww would become a very, very lonely place.