In the wake of the recent Colorado massacre in a crowded movie theater, we are again hearing the clamor of the uninformed.
A criminally insane young man used gas bombs and firearms to kill and injure over a hundred people. He chose his venue well. He carefully timed the crime to delay police intervention. News reports aside, he appears to have had an accomplice.
Immediately, the "disarm America" crowd, both foreign and domestic, started calling for more gun control. We have heard the term "semi-automatic" bandied about as if the reporters understand the term. We see pictures of military style firearms posted with every report of the incident. We are carefully led to believe that guns are the cause of this crime, not the atrocious acts of one, or possibly two young men.
Personally, I blame the media.
These types of public killings are not about killing people. They're about getting attention. When a deranged individual, or group of individuals, kills in public, they become famous. Their names and faces are plastered across every newspaper and TV screen. Their family, friends, and neighbors are interviewed. Their manifestos are read to the public. They get a message out. They get attention. They get notoriety. That's why terrorist groups will claim responsibility for crimes they didn't commit.
I say take the fame away. When these events occur, report the news. Cover the story. But keep the killer's name and identity a secret. Never report on what was found at his apartment, on his computer, or written in a diary. Don't tell how the crime was carried out, how many guns or explosives were in the criminal's possession, or what organizations he was associated with. Leave relatives and associates alone.
When referring to the killer, use derogatory language. Call him a coward, a lunatic, a fool. Use the media for a campaign to destroy his image. Never use his name, but make sure that anyone who does discover his identity will have for him only a feeling of disdain.
Let's stop making heroes of murderers.
News of accomplice
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wkyc.com/news/article/252995/396/Witness-Someone-let-gunman-inside-Colorado-movie-theater-
Living in Chicago, I recently realized that inner city homocide is not really the result of the person pulling the trigger, but rather, the acceptance of the community. In other words, if the community is accustomed to violence in their community, they will not take the steps necessary to end that violence. In many ways I feel that way about these "mass killers", and agree with you completely. Our society, although horrified, saddened, and appalled by these killings, still continues to occupy a morbid fascination with the perpetrators, thereby feeding the mechanism that allows for more psychopaths to develop, seeking infamy.
ReplyDeleteYour strategy is a solid plan, but must be demanded by a society that is not willing to propogate these incidences with the desire for a rubber-necking opportunity.
Joe, I'm sad to say that I hadn't applied this concept to inner-city crime. You're right, though. Very well stated.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, but unfortunately as likely as tabloids going out of print. Even when the reader knows the trash is slander, inquiring minds still want to 'know'. I don't blame the media; I blame US. If we really wanted truth, if we really wanted to celebrate the good instead of frenzy over the sensationally bad, that is what we would pay for and what would be published and broadcast. The media is simply a reflection of the majority.
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