NBC is feeling the backlash over its decision yesterday to air the disturbing video and photos of Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui. On the network's "Today" show this morning, co-host Meredith Vieira acknowledged the fallout from the controversial decision."We had planned to speak to some family members of victims this morning but they canceled their appearances because they were very upset with NBC for airing the images." Cho, a student from South Korea mailed photographs of himself posing with the guns he bought and video railing against rich kids and debauchery. The package to NBC News was mailed after he killed his first two victims on Monday morning but before he cut down 30 more people in classrooms.
NBC News President Steve Capus said that while the images could be hard for the victims' families to watch, the organization had a journalistic obligation to put them on. "This is I think as close as we will ever come to being inside of the mind of a killer, and I thought that it needed to be released," he said on MSNBC. "Pretty much every single news organization all around the world has made the same decision, that it was appropriate to release this information."
Wow, what a week for Mr. Capus and NBC.First, they cave to pressure and fire Don Imus. Now, they're victimizing the Virginia Tech community over and over with non-stop images of this bastard. Would Tom Brokow have allowed all this nonsense to happen if he were still sitting in the anchor chair? No wonder people are switching over to Charlie Gibson at ABC. Besides being an excellent journalist, Gibson at least has a heart and some morals -- and probably most importantly, credibility. NBC is now bankrupt on all those counts.
C Goodman YouTube.com has its first bonified mass murderer superstar. A multi-media package arrived on the doorstep of NBC News today. Inside was several photographs and a video of Cho Seung-Hui, the South Korean immigrant who went on that horrific shooting rampage at Virginia Tech Monday morning. He apparently found time between the killings to drop the package in the mail -- then he got back to the bloodbath.News outlets were all too eager to get their hands on what's being called Cho's "multimedia manifesto." Images of this nutcase have been popping up on television and on the Internet all afternoon. The media seems enamored with this guy, talking about his "articulate" manner of speaking on the videotape and his ability to plan out the bloody rampage with such precision.
At one point on the videotape, Cho is said to mention the names of the killers in the Columbine tragedy -- a tragedy that happened eight years ago this week. In the years since Columbine, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold have become synonymous with evil. Anytime there's a shooting on a school campus, their names are immediately evoked. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the two bastards from Columbine have become heroes in this underground community of psychos. The mere mention of their names on Cho's videotape indicates some form of idol worship -- Harris and Klebold were his role models.
And now it's all happening again. The next generation of would-be campus killers have a new idol. In this day of viral video, Cho's on-camera manifesto will forever be available on YouTube and other video sharing websites to provide inspiration to these sicko cowards. NBC News claims it was their "journalistic responsibility" to share Cho's rants with the American public. They say it's important to provide insight into the mind of a killer. According to them, it's evidence of why he "snapped" and killed 32 people before turning the gun on himself.
Congratulations NBC(and other media organizations who aired portions of the video.) You gave this piece of shit exactly what he wanted -- martyrdom. Cho obviously wasn't stupid. He had made it through almost four years of college and was very aware of the world around him. He knew that by making and sending off the videotape, his name, face and voice would forever be linked to death. He would achieve the recognition he sought in life from the grave using his weapon of choice -- the media. It was a part of his master plan and, once again, the media fell for it.
When will we realize that the worst thing we can do after these tragedies is to transform the perpetrators into cult heroes? At first, they start off as "unidentified gunmen." By the day after, we know their names, their possible "motives," their favorite color, whether they watched "Grey's Anatomy," and what size underwear they wore. They're instant celebrities, achieving the fame they couldn't fathom in real life. Ultimately, they have won.
Wouldn't it be better if we never knew who these bastards like Harris, Klebold and Cho were? If they simply remained "murderers" or "unidentified gunmen?" They can't be held accountable for their crimes in death, so what's the point in knowing who these scumbags were? I believe there should be an across-the-board policy at media organizations to not publish or air any specific information about these people. Simply identify them as a "23-year-old man" or "the unnamed killer." The media shouldn't be giving them a platform to spew their hate or a spotlight to become martyrs.
So what's happened in the hours since NBC received Cho's "multimedia manifesto?" Cho's face is everywhere -- he'll probably even make the covers of Newsweek and Time, maybe even People. Meanwhile, the misery he caused to countless families and friends of the victims at Virginia Tech is pushed to the backburner. The victims have been victimized again. Cho is now the story. And once again, the bastards have won.
Cho Seung-Hui. That name will forever live in infamy -- synonymous with the largest mass shooting incident in U.S. history. Earlier today, authorities released the name of the 23-year-old English major as the shooter in yesterday's killings at Virginia Tech University. Officials say Seung-Hui moved to Virginia from South Korea in 1992. He was in his senior year at Virginia Tech and has been described as a sullen loner whose creative writing in English class was so disturbing that he was referred to the school's counseling service. Seung-Hui was also reportedly taking medication for depression and those who knew him say his behavior was becoming increasingly erratic and violent. Investigators also found a note that he left in his dorm in which he railed against "rich kids,""debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus. School officials admit that they're finding it difficult to find out information about Seung-Hui because he was a loner.
Faculty, students, parents and even President Bush and First Lady Laura turned out Tuesday afternoon for a memorial service at Virginia Tech's basketball arena. In a six-minute speech before thousands, Bush said, "To all of you who are OK, I'm happy for that. To those of you who are in pain or who have lost someone close to you, I'm sure you can call on any one of us and have help anytime you need it." Quoting Scripture, he told those angered by the killings not to be overcome by evil. "People who have never met you are praying for you," Bush said. "They're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, a real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God."
Don't say Lindsay Lohan will ever let work get in the way of her partying. A rep for the actress says she's decided to pass on a role in the upcoming film "The Best Time of Our Lives" starring Keira Knightley. Lohan was supposed to start filming on April 21, but her reps weren't able to work out an agreeable contract with the film's producers. Oh well. That leaves more time for her to party and pose for men's magazines such as Nylon. She's on the cover of this month's issue.
Trump's Underwear Caper
Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell's public feud has reignited and it feels so...desperate. Donald recently got his mitts on some provocative bondage gear Ro wore in the 1994 S&M-comedy bomb Exit to Eden, via a fan. Don then sent said undergarment to Barbara Walters, Rosie's boss at The View. He explained his action to the New York Post: "I sent it to Barbara to hang in her office because I didn't want it in mine. It was funny, except that it was really gross. It's disgusting."
Lily Allen - "Littlest Things"
"Not So Fergalicious" Parody
Paris, Nicole Give Campers Enemas
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie sat down together with members of the media to promote the latest season of their reality series "The Simple Life." After famously feuding and filming their parts separately last season, the celebutantes reunite as camp counselors for the show's fifth installment, which premieres May 28 on E! Their task? Leading campers through fitness sessions, couples counseling, drama lessons and beauty-pageant preparations — and surviving without cell phones. While the girls didn't want to talk about their checkered driving records or Richie's recent dizzy spells, they were more than willing to share about performing a certain rectal procedure. "We gave the campers enemas," Richie told an interviewer. "We did it outside, so that was a lot of fun. It probably wasn't that fun for (the campers), but it was definitely interesting. It was something that I never thought I would do before."
Avril Pays $9.5-Million For Bel-Air House
Singer Avril Lavigne must be doing pretty well for herself. The Canadian pop star and her rocker husband Deryck Whibley have paid $9.5-million for a house in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel-Air. The eight bedroom home was the set for MTV's Meet the Barkers reality show, and boasts 10 1/2 bathrooms, an elevator, a steam shower, sauna, pool, spa and ten-car garage. Her new cd "The Best Damn Thing" drops later this month.
Avril Lavigne - "Girlfriend"
"Blades" Slices Up "Grindhouse"
The Quentin Tarantino three-hour double-feature "Grindhouse" was no match for the Will Ferrell comedy "Blades of Glory" at the box office this weekend. For the second week in a row, the figure-skating flick glided to box office gold, raking in an estimated $23-million. The heavily-hyped "Grindhouse" pic featuring Rose McGowan and Rosario Dawson came in fourth, falling short of expectations with just $11.6-million in ticket sales. "Meet the Robinsons" and Ice Cube's "Are We Done Yet?" came in at 2 and 3.
New Shows Die An Early Death
It seems network executives don't want to give new dramas a chance anymore. Several new shows have already been cut by the networks, after just a few airings. Say good-bye to FOX's "Wedding Bells" and "The Winner," ABC's "Six Degrees," and "The Black Donnellys" (probably the best of the crop), over on NBC. While execs say most of the series are on "hiatus," most observers agree they probably won't be back. It's really disappointing to see NBC pull the plug on "Donnellys" because it was a well-produced show, did relatively well in its time slot for NBC and had a good lead-in with "Deal or No Deal." Instead of giving it a chance, NBC opted to replace it with the cheap and utterly moronic "Thank God You're Here," whatever that is. Good luck NBC with that decision. That's why you're usually Number 3 or 4 in the ratings.
Johnson Wins Masters
Zach Johnson proved Sunday that Augusta National can still find room for a regular guy among all their giants. Johnson lifted the quality of his game above more accomplished players like Retief Goosen, Stuart Appleby and four-time champion Tiger Woods to win the Masters. Johnson's final-round 69 was good enough to beat that trio by two strokes and produce his first major championship.
Rose, Rosario Go Nude For Rolling Stone
Rosario Dawson and Rose McGowan have decided to bare all on the cover of rock magazine Rolling Stone - wearing nothing but bullet belts. The sexy ladies are co-stars in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's new Grindhouse double-bill, which the magazine has dubbed "the most violent chick flick ever made". Dawson reveals tiny McGowan had to stand on a box to make sure her bottom touched her co-star's. She says, "She actually had to be on an apple box to make sure that our butts touched and our shoulders touched."
102-Year-Old Woman Gets Hole In One
For Elsie McLean, her years on the golf course finally paid off. At 102, she recently set a new world record when she became the oldest woman, or man, to hit a hole in one. Following the achievement, Elsie remarked, "I said, 'Oh my Lord. It can't be true. It can't be true.' I was so excited. And the girls were absolutely overcome. And so was I." Elsie has been golfing since her 20s and has even been featured in Golfers Digest. She was invited to appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," but declined.
Lily Allen Blasts Bush During Concert
British singer Lily Allen reportedly launched an astonishing drunken rant during a concert in San Diego calling George W Bush an "a**hole" and claiming she is "probably bisexual". The 21-year-old turned angry after guzzling beer and cider onstage during her performance at the city's House of Blues last week. She said, "George Bush is an a**hole and a c**t" before also directing her vitriol at Tony Blair. Allen then claimed she was bisexual because she was sick of men with "tiny d**s", reports British newspaper The Sun. A concert-goer tells the newspaper, "Lily got really drunk on stage. "She then started calling Bush names and the audience went a bit quiet. She also said that San Diego has the best crack whores she has ever seen and that she was thinking of becoming a lesbian."
Halle Berry To Shave Locks For New Movie
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry is planning to pull a Britney. The 40-year-old has announced she will shave her head bald for an upcoming movie role. Berry will shed her hair for a romantic comedy which she said is currently titled "Nappily Ever After." She plays a woman whose hair is starting to fall out, so she decides to shave it all.
Sanjaya's Sister The Latest Internet Sensation
Move over Antonella Barba! Sanjaya's sister is giving you some competition on the racy photo front. It seems the sister of the popular American Idol underdog is making some waves of her own on the Internet. Shyamali Malakar has shown up on several sites sporting nothing but a guitar.
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"We had planned to speak to some family members of victims this morning but they canceled their appearances because they were very upset with NBC for airing the images." Cho, a student from South Korea mailed photographs of himself posing with the guns he bought and video railing against rich kids and debauchery. The package to NBC News was mailed after he killed his first two victims on Monday morning but before he cut down 30 more people in classrooms.
First, they cave to pressure and fire Don Imus. Now, they're victimizing the Virginia Tech community over and over with non-stop images of this bastard. Would Tom Brokow have allowed all this nonsense to happen if he were still sitting in the anchor chair? No wonder people are switching over to Charlie Gibson at ABC. Besides being an excellent journalist, Gibson at least has a heart and some morals -- and probably most importantly, credibility. NBC is now bankrupt on all those counts.
