Thursday, April 19, 2007

Cho Seung-Hui on NBC

The following photo is a screen-grab from the video sent to NBC by Cho Seung-Hui, the killer at Virginia Tech.

It looks like a promo picture for an NBC series.

This is a pretty good representation of what the media conglomerates who control the entertainment and information industries pass off as entertainment.

This is an American citizen, not an actor.


Reuters - An image that NBC News say they received from Cho Seung-Hui, the shooter in the Virginia Tech shootings, is seen as it is aired on the NBC Nightly News, April 18, 2007. The gunman who went on a deadly rampage at Virginia Tech university this week paused between shootings to mail a rambling account of grievances, photos and videos to NBC, the network said. (Courtesy of NBC News/Handout/Reuters) Wed Apr 18, 7:57 PM ET


I don't think this is what the nation's founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the Bill of Rights. I think this is the image that Hollywood and gun manufacturers have of the United States as a nation.

This is not representative of our right to bear arms.

Gun control, especially handgun control, has to be addressed no matter how powerful the NRA and gun manufacturers' lobby. Will the parents of Cho's victims speak-out or will they be silenced by the mainstream media?

Will we hear their opinions about handguns or only see their sorrow?

Will the mainstream media make any sincere effort to bring the handgun control debate into the public discourse, or will it be swept under the rug while we are spoon-fed a digital diet of shock, outrage and sorrow?

It is time for this to stop! it is time for Americans to talk about this as much as they talk about Paris Hilton and Barry Bonds. It's time for all of us to call our elected officials and demand a change.

Added at 14:09

The Virginia State Police are expressing disappointment that NBC had broadcast part of the video sent to them by Cho Seung-Hui. I am disappointed that they haven't broadcast the entire video! America should bear witness to this tragedy.

State police chief Steve Flaherty said, "We're rather disappointed in the editorial decision to broadcast these disturbing images."
(See, Reuters article at yahoo.com)

Why is Reuters reporting this? I don't care what the police think of NBC. I want to know what the state police think about handguns being readily available for purchase in the State of Virgina.

How can a so-called civilized nation allow Cho Seung-Hui to have such easy access to handguns?

In Virginia, there is no state requirement that handgun buyers obtain a handgun license or undergo any type of safety training prior to buying a handgun. (See, Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence.)

Wikipedia gives an overview of Virginia's gun laws.

Why aren't the police talking about their disappointment with Virginia's gun laws?

As usual, the media is avoiding the real issue and focusing our attention on emotionalism and the pain of victimhood instead of placing the spotlight on the real issue: gun control.


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