http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspxPhotographs and video from NBC News ---->en-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#156865Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:05:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156865Pamela HastyI have heard nothing concerning Cho's parents or his siblings. Are they all right (Physically)? This may be far out, but I have read that some "Orientals" will commit suicide due to the shame brought on the family?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#156909Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:34:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156909Jeanne Clow, Cooperstown NYI am appalled and disgusted that you would air the contents of the video/'manifesto' of a clearly deranged person whom you have now glorified and set up as an example to other deranged persons. It is clear that your ethics respect only money (advertisers.) Hopefully they will pull out as they did in the Imus fiasco. I for one will not watch your broadcasts in the future. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#156915Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:35:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156915D B, Phoenix AZWhy doesn't the media mention the need for building mental hospitals and through guys like Cho into them before the do this again. Better yet, Cho was here with a green card, and should have been deported as soon as the court said he was a psycho. Let S.Korea pay for his treatment. NOT my tax dollar. I'm sick of the idiocy of the media. At gun rights, and feel sad for the killer. How about the dangers of antidepressent drugs??? How many in the media and Congress are on the same drugs as Cho?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#156927Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:42:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156927al, ny, nyAsian, please -- not Orientalhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#156940Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:50:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156940Kenneth Barr, New York, NYIn response to the comments of Ms. Hasty, the tradition of "hari-kiri", or ritual suicide, is Japanese and is no longer accepted in today's society. I am sure that the Cho family, which by all accounts is a decent and hardworking as they own a small business, is devastated by what has happened. I hope their relatives and friends are providing whatever support they need.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#156961Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:05:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:156961JI KSi think his video is pretty dramatic. Looks like he wrote a play and wanted to act it out (Only for real).Cuz whatever is said in the video seems like a plot in a play there was a change of tone and mood. He surely was mentally ill. Am greived at what's done to innocent lives. They didnt didnt deserve this!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157019Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:47:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157019Sam, AlabamaMy question is: If there were all of these indications that this guy was a danger to himself and others, why was he able to buy a gun? http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157028Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:58:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157028Charity, Princeton, NJSam from Alabama has a good point. Wouldn't any of this have shown up in background checks? I think rehashing this video is useless and not worth airing. But WHERE did he make these videos and photos? That might give a clue. I would hate to think of someone in the victims' family or friends turning on their TV and seeing this. Ick.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157062Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:21:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157062P.S., Takoma Park, MarylandI think there are lots of problems trying to help mentally ill people before they do something like this. I was EXTREMELY close to my brother and thought that we were getting him the proper treatment for his mental illness and I thought he was doing okay. That almost cost him his life when he tried to commit suicide. I had absolutely NO idea what was really going on in his mind. Over the years, I was really surprised to find that he went ALONE to a psychiatrist's office monthly for a fifteen minute appointment to get his prescriptions refilled. There wasn't any improvement in his treatment until I became involved in these meetings. The doctors seem to act like their patients can REALLY tell them how they 've been feeling for the last month...they can't....a family member MUST be involved closely. Do you really expect a seriously depressed individual to be forthcoming enough in that short appointment to enable a doctor to adjust their medication properly??? I found, time after time, that my brother had just given up on getting any better, and told the doctor that he was doing okay each month. The doctor could bill out, so he was happy. My brother wasn't... Finally, I found another doctor who REALLY spent some time and effort helping my brother. He involved me closely in the meetings and I think that helped him get much better information. These medications are so strong, and the patients, I think, have a lot of problems communicating how they're doing to a doctor. After proper treatment, I was glad to see that my brother improved a lot! I loved him very much. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157065Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:23:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157065Sam, AlabamaIn my state, in order to purchase a gun, you have to fill out a lengthy application. There are questions that ask if you've ever been arrested for a felony or if you have a mental illness of any kind that would keep you from buying a gun. You just don't walk into a gun store, put your money on the counter and walk out with a gun. Or you shouldn't be able too. It would seem, that in the case of Mr. Cho, there was a breakdown in the system.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157101Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:49:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157101Sam, AlabamaCharity, it should have. Perhaps Virginia law prohibits information pertaining to mental illness being made public. But, state mental health boards should be able to issue an alert if someone has a mental illness and that selling them a gun would pose a danger to society. An alert wouldn't have even had to have been all that specific. Just say that this person should not be able to buy a gun.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157105Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:51:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157105Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaIn defense of NBC/MSNBC/Countdown, these beastly photos and delusional writings would have eventually surfaced. In addition, as the repulsive and vulgar package was turned over to law enforcement by NBC, it most definitely would have materialized. It was just a matter of time. A more frightening scenario is that these photos and writings could have been leaked by some insensitive and sick individual in the most deplorable and irresponsible manner possible, i.e. “youtube”. This scenario, in my opinion, would be horrifying. NBC was faced with a decision based on the lesser of two evils. Whenever confronted with two very arduous options, as NBC was, it is never easy to “choose which evil”. I believe the criticism I have read is both unfair and unjust. What would we have said weeks, or months from now had some disgruntled employee or insensitive jerk, armed with this “package of death”, leaked it in the most callous, inconsiderate and unfeeling manner possible? I believe NBC would have been verbally and viciously assaulted for either failing to safeguard these despicable photos, which is next to impossible with the technology available today; in addition to being slammed for not making the public aware of this information’s existence. Before one attacks NBC, or accuses them of playing some “ratings game”, I ask that you please consider both the extremely difficult decision staring NBC in the face, in addition to the evil scenario that I have illustrated above. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157115Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:58:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157115Gerald Von RiesenHere we go again. STOP IT! This was a perverted sick individual. SAY THAT! I will not be part of making him a martyr. SAY THAT! Non of what he said or did will be used to create new victims. SAY THAT! If we continue with this coverage we are as sick and perverted as he was. SAY THAT! If you don't what I have heard him say is true and YOU the news media WILL BE RESPONSIBLE for the next incident. Now if you dare ....... POST THIS!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157119Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:00:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157119Paula, Worcester, MAI am so disturbed at seeing these video clips. How many times will something like this happen before we do something about the ease of obtaining guns. My heart goes out to all that have been affected by this tragedy. I can only hope that we can work towards changing our gun laws and take a closer look at how we respond to individuals that clearly need psychological help.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157122Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:02:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157122Tru M., Cleveland, OhioI don't know whether anyone will see this between now and the reairing of the show at midnight, but if you do, I'd ask you to rethink showing a visual that appeared on the screen at least twice tonight. It was a double image with Keith on the left side of the screen and the above picture of Cho on the right. I don't know if anyone else saw it this way, but what I saw was an image of Keith Olbermann with a gun being pointed directly at his head! And I saw it twice! Was that really the message you wanted to send? I hope not, but that's what it looked like. I think it would be a good idea to rework the reairing so that this image doesn't repeat in that broadcast. I can't blame NBC and MSNBC for showing us some of what was in this mailing from Cho. It was newsworthy, and for that reason it made sense to show some of it. I just hope that now that it has been aired, it won't be overshown, lest, as Keith said, it prove too inspirational to others. Also, please, try not to make it look as if Cho is aiming a gun at someone else juxtaposed with his image on screen--whoever it is! The images are disturbing enough (including the one of Cho pointing a gun at himself) without having to see what appears to be Cho aiming a gun at someone else's head. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157146Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:19:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157146Richard Calkins, Grass Valley, CAI am a huge fan of Keith and the show; but your decision to repeatedly splash that murderer's photos in front of us while important issues and information were presented was an assault I would never have expected from you. Every time I opened my eyes while trying to listen -- there he was again. The same photos and clips, over and over. I had come to trust you were better than that "Fox" like treatment!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157155Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:22:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157155beaverdambobPlease please, this is more information than I care to know, the media has talked to everyone that has even sat next to this kook on a bus, then switch to another talking head expert that analyze's what a person just said. Enough of this already, the media is running this trajedy into the ground. I have to switch from the news channel to an old movie just to keep my sanity. Let this campus and the victims grieve in peace for crying out loud and just stop this wall to wall coverage and over analyzing this story. It happened, all human beings are sorry and disgusted that it did, but the only way to get over it and move on is to stop this madness. Any body else agree that this is overkill??http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157169Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:38:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157169Martine, Temple, TXHow I miss the days when the news was reported and did not get in the face of those who are in shock and grieving. PRIVACY, PLEASE!! It is a disgrace for the media to post the killer's manifesto. Those who carry out such hienous crime should not have any air time or internet space! Remove his picture - he doesn't deserve to be remembered! I applaud and thank those who made the time to post information about the victims. They were bright, creative, and full of promise. Our country will be less without them. May God's peace surround their loved ones and comfort them in the days ahead.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157173Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:46:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157173Bill A, Marietta GAPlease stop airing this "manifesto" and hawking it as news leaders. It runs the risk of encouraging would-be copycats to believe they too can have a media platform. It reflects a gross insensitivity to those victims already traumatized by the images burned in their memories. What purpose can it serve? If this airing continues, I will definitely lose complete respect for the inegrity of NBC News and will let my remote vote for another network!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157185Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:53:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157185Helen, UKNote what the name was on the sent from label....same as the writing on his arm....http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157229Thu, 19 Apr 2007 03:37:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157229Kevin, san FranciscoSo I was doing a search on Ishmael Ax Saw this: from www.slate.com/id/2162848/entry/0/ Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone I knew of one child soldier who escaped from the rebel army that had kidnapped him and headed straight home with no rehabilitation. A few days later, he was sitting under a tree watching his sister grind maize. He got up, hacked her to death with an ax, then sat back down under the tree. While I was at the camp, some schoolchildren were taunting a group of bush kids playing ball outside the trauma center.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157255Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:06:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157255Holly B., Boston, MAI agree that the media focus on this matter is dangerous. Especially since this country is still at war, with young people dying each and every day. Granted the shooter in this matter may be a 'kook'. But what can this society do about that? Lock up every person who writes offensive pieces? Might touch on the freedom of speech right. There's not really much we can do. Except, perhaps, re-think the control this society has over weapons designed to kill people. After all, why do we NEED semi-automatic weapons? To hunt deer?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157276Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:25:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157276TRV, Colorado Springs, COOne has to dig a little deeper to determine the meaning of Ishmael's axe. Many believe that David Quinn's book Ishmael is a thinly veiled reference to a much older work, The Prairie, by James Fenimore Cooper (of Last of the Mohicans fame). Cooper's oft-studied canonical work portrays a character named Ishmael Bush, who did indeed have an axe. The tool was used literally to clear the way and figuratively to create change and wreak havoc from East to West across early America. The axe "created and transformed through destruction, clears the figurative way for the deflowering of the New World." Those of us who study early American literature instantly recognize the parallels. The correlation between Ishmael's axe and Cho's disturbed desire for martyrdom is clear: Cho simply chose firearms as his personal, modern-day axe. Quite possibly, he even saw himself as the axe, as a destroyer and instrument of change. He certainly suggested such in the rambling manifesto sent to NBC, which contained numerous references to other literary works. This fact suggests that he intermingled his academic knowledge with his mentally unbalanced idealogy. Far more likely, Cho simply stole Cooper's symbol and twisted it into part of his own personal delusion. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157285Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:36:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157285Tom Y MNThe show desribed a thoughtful, careful analysis of the pros and cons of showing the so called "manifesto." I assume they took into account the feelings of the victim's families and friends. Obviously, NBC decided the pros outweighed the cons. I would have errored on teh side of caution and not run the videos. Only NBC and law enforcement had the videos, and the police must have taken the guy's computer, so I think it's unlikely that others could have obtained and distributed the videos. I suppose he could have stashed them on the web somewhere, though. However, I can't say that NBC should not have aired this material. I'm sure it was a tough call.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157291Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:53:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157291Darrell M, Honolulu, HII am tired of the anti-gun comments. Every legal citizen should be able to own firearms. If someone wants to get a gun they will get a gun regardless of toughening up gun laws. Toughening gun laws only lessen the personal protection of law abiding citizens, but situations that firearms where used to protect people from violent crimes are seldom seen are never seen in the liberal media we have today.He was a legal citizen and had the right to obtain a firearm.Stop whining about gun control. Guns don't kill people. People like Cho kill people. If he killed them in some other fashion would you be complaining so much. I think not. More people die from other means each year than firearms.In a tragedy like this everyone always wants to point a finger somewhere else, or should I say in almost any event people point elsewhere. It's ridiculous people need to stop playing the blame game. Obviously this guy was mentally deranged and would have carried the murders out with or without firearms. Things like this will happen and will continue to happen no matter what is put in place. There will always be violence in the world. Adding Laws to further restrict the people will do nothing but take more freedom from the law abiding citizens of this country. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157293Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:58:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157293Andy, Los Angeles, CAIf you don't want to watch it, change the channel. Quit blaming the media for everything, for heaven's sake. Eventually, this would've gotten out anyway - it's better for it to come out with some correct commentary, as NBC has done so. Also, it's the #1 video on this site - obviously, there is a lot of interest in this. BTW, Holly, the reason we have the right to own guns is to protect against tyranny. No other reason. If you completely trust our government, then good for you, but I'm not as naive as that. I want my insurance policy against tyranny - the right to bear arms. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157294Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:59:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157294Mike, Savannah, GeorgiaKeith asked if the killer's manifesto might provide some useful societal information. To me it does. It does because I feel that his troubles and the horrors he unleashed upon others can only be explained by those who suffer from, what I believe to be, the mental angst Seung-Hui had no choice but to call his own psyche. I suffer from chronic depression and take medication to control it. However, on a couple of occasions I have tried to wean myself off of it. During one of these times I inevitably began my mental backsliding and it was apparent to me and my wife that I needed to continue my medication. But before I did so I attempted to describe, with tears of depression in my eyes, what it was like to be suffering from a mental illness that belies dangerous episodic anger and depression. I did this so that others might understand why some people are inclined to conduct what are often perceived as evil deeds. Those that do not suffer from such an illness are society's only hope to shield the innocent from the rage that so often culminates from mental illness. Below is what I wrote during one of my downward spirals. I hope that it may help some people to understand what it is like to be plagued by uncontrollable anger: 'Try to imagine living in a world governed by anger. A world where by which you have to consume artificial, manufactured supplements in order to control a sense of pent up rage that could express itself at the most minute of triggers: a word, a look or even a memory. Imagine growing only more enraged inside at your own acknowledgement that ‘something is wrong with me, I must suppress this anger’; an acknowledgment that inevitably arises every time you sense something afoul with your temperament. Such is the cycle that roils daily within my head, through my psyche and I cannot control it. Worse is the depression that ensues from the shame you feel after you are not able to suppress the anger that causes you to say hurtful things or to think awful thoughts about other people, often the people closest to you; thoughts of how they are against you and never concerned about anybody but themselves. However, deep inside you know it is you who is only thinking about yourself. You are aware of this, despite the anger inside telling you to think otherwise, and this makes you even angrier, more depressed. It is as if two forces were battling within you: reason, representing your true self, and the anger, which is but a demon that has possessed you and battles for complete control of your psyche. When your reason expresses itself in your thoughts, notifying you that what you are saying or thinking is wrong and not necessary, the depression acknowledges the sentiment but fuels the anger, leading closer and closer to the death of reason. Mole hills become mountains and from these mountains anger is determined to reign from a vantage point whereby it can survey the destruction borne by its conquest of your psyche. Reason’s only hope is that anger’s conquest is only temporary and that external forces can rescue you from the feelings of terror, control and enslavement that encapsulate your psyche - causing it to swell like a cancer or blister, inevitably due to burst into rage and subside, again, into depression. My type of anger is a vicious kind. It creates its own sustenance, feeds itself and grows fat. The rage it produces is like a tick that drops from its host after feeding, only to venture away, lay eggs and spread its misery to others. Its offspring are my words and how they make others feel: not good. The offspring infect others with the notion that I am not good, that I am defined by my anger, and this makes me even madder. My anger has consumed its young and become fatter: a parasite and a self-sustaining entity in one. It appears to be unstoppable and that realization angers me even more and I become depressed at the seemingly hopeless situation. Self-perpetuating anger appears to be winning in the battle over the fate of my psyche. Soon reason will be dead and I will no longer be capable of communicating like I am now, I won’t want to write or talk, as the last thing anger would want is for others to understand what I am going through. It is important for anger to deny me the ability to express how I feel for it would only provide a means by which I could garnish sympathy: a chance for a person to rescue me. Anger wants me to be defined by rage because frequent assaults of rage curbs sympathy and only the sympathy of others can help me. Empathy is useless as others in my shoes are not in a position to offer help; they are busy fighting their own battles, fighting for their life. They too need sympathy but with every day that goes by that they insult or hurt someone their chances of being rescued are slim. No one wants to be around those that are angry.' http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157296Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:02:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157296Marlin Matlock, Susanville,Ca..My basic question is: WHY, WHY WHY did the teacher(professor)not contact some authority higher than her when she suggested to the potential killer that he seek psychological help????? She obviously senced that something was terribly wrong with this person, and she wasn't the only one. Before we jump on the school and the police and anyone else , why not look at the people who first noticed something WRONG with this person and did nothing !!!!!. Doesn't the faculty and the other students have some responsibility for the safety of others. There are always ways to get someone evaluated, even if they don't think they need the help. If they demonstrate that they MIGHT be a danger to themselves or someone else, that is enough. We all know that there are a bunch of crazyes out there, when we come across one it is our responsibility to make it known to those who can do something about it. It is time we step up to the plate and start taking an action to get these physco's indentfied and removed from society. M.R. Matlock Retired Peace Officerhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157305Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:36:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157305Darrell M Honolulu, HIIn response to the Anti-Gun propaganda, believe or not millions of people throughout our country own them. Most of those people would never consider harming anyone with them, in fact they are actually very responsible. Obviously if you took the time to educate yourself about firearms you would realize that there is sport shooting, hunting, and use for personal protection that has saved many from being murdered, raped, robbed, and other violent crimes. Yes and people take great enjoyment and pride in many different shooting events. That don't require Hunting. There is also Olympic Games for these events. Imagine that guns and gun owners are not what you all stereotype them to be. So in response to Holly why do we need semi-auto weapons? Because it is our constitutional right and part of American culture. I am both an avid hunter and sport shooter I teach my daughters about the proper use of firearms and also take them hunting with me. I take great pride in teaching them these skills. It seems that most Anti-Gun radicals have little or no education about firearms and the practices they are used for by citizens of this great country. Maybe if you experienced the joy firearms have brought to my family and millions of others throughout the world you might think differently. Just because you don't enjoy something don't trample on it if others do. Firearms don't kill people. People kill people and more than likely not with a gun. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157315Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:57:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157315Kathy Campbell, Sacramento, CAThanks for encouraging every future mass murderer in our country by giving this one exactly what they all want - mass publicity. Receiving those shameful videos should have made it crystal clear that publicity was a big part of this man's motives, yet NBC and affiliates rewarded him by fulfilling his dreams to a T. Now all the future mass murderers will compete with him for infamy. Note that I refuse to name this person - if the media would follow suit and focus instead on naming and remembering the victims, perhaps we would see less of these media-hungry murders in the future. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157317Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:00:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157317Michael GatesOur mental health system is out of whack. Our gun laws are out of whack. Our security measures are out of whack. College internal auditing is out of whack. Maybe it is time for a real hard look see at what the hell we are all about without the blackpaint distractions on the AM dial.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157343Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:50:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157343Lakshmi kanna,TN,Indiaenough of blaming the NBC men for its their prime duty to disclose the A/V of the killer to the masses,atleast in order to avoid such incidents in the future. There is no need of those whacks and quacks, if its all us to pat their boldness as they say to the public with full zeal what the real scenario was. Only its now the time to blame the time, for the killer took nearly as long as two hours of time to start the second play after the successful completion of the first one. Where have gone those security personals and the police as within the deal of the horror filled hours? The massacre might had not happened if the killer was identified and arrested within that time range? and why the few of the close associates of him had not approached the police or not even have tried to seek the help of the psychology experts to save that poor cho after knowing all about him, may be becausethey have not known such massacre will take place some times in the future. So atleast now we will understand to act seriously on those x and y who behaved, spoke and respondeds abnormally withus, very before they go the grounds to start such unusual acts.I pity for the victims , their families and found words are enough to console them all i know. I appreciate and admire the big work what NBC has done so far.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157352Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:13:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157352D FungI am curious as to why the media has been constantly associating this tragedy with "South Korea." While his crime is horrific, does connecting this killer with a country and culture that is only connected to him ethnically contribute any value to allow for a better understanding of why it happened, and how we can prevent it from ever happening again? If anything it only misleads the public into thinking there is a connection between the killings & his psychosis with his ethnicity - it's a perfect opportunity to create race-hatred, and nothing else can benefit from it. Chances are, this killer is more influenced by the same values systems and surroundings as the typical American that grew up watching music videos, violence on tv and the movies. I am appalled by how the media has treated this tragedy by adding attributes that are irrelevant to their depiction of the case. Can you imagine what kind of bias and prejudice Asian Americans may have to deal with just by this kind of labelling? If a Caucasian male did this, would the media mention his ancestry as if there is a possible cause connected to it?!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157380Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:33:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157380Tru M., Cleveland, OhioMarlin, if you read more extensively you will find that the professor DID contact higher authority, but there is only so much that can be done when a person is acting like this and has also done some other disturbing things but hasn't necessarily threatened anyone's personal harm. I'd love to know why he was allowed to buy a gun, absolutely. Please don't blame the faculty and the other students for not taking "responsibility for the safety of others. THEY TRIED! Cho was at one time evaluated and set free! How are professors and students supposed to "remove him from society"? Even if he were forced out of school, he'd just have bought his gun and gone shooting someplace else. Honestly, I don't think there are any easy answers here as to how this could have been prevented, so let's stop looking for them, okay?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157466Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:14:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157466Mark StephensWhy are we paying attention to this obviously disturbed individual? The media should be focusing on the 32 lives that were ended because of this tragedy. Not to their killer who had the presence of mind to create, compile and send out a press kit about what he was going to do in-between rampages. This is NOT ABOUT HIM. It is about the people who both lost their lives, to those who were injured, and to the people who he terrorized. There is only one reason why that person wanted to do something like this. For publicity and fame, and thanks to the media he's getting wall to wall coverage in spades.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157470Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:15:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157470Lori - Washington Stateand in other news... Did anyone realize there were over 250 killed in Baghdad yesterday? The Dow hit a record? The Nor'easter finally left the east coast after much damage? That Gonzalez is testifying today? Gas prices are up for the 11th week in a row? Who won which MLB game? I agree with so many of these posts. Enough is enough and now we have to give this killer not 15 minutes of fame but days and days of it? This was a tragedy. It was horrible. Let the families grieve in peace and move on. When did the news become just "the story"??? The only good thing that comes out of the news channels focusing on just one story is that more people may actually pick up the newspaper and read it because it is the only place you can get actual "news". http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157565Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:47:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157565Steve, Astoria, NYrunning the "manifesto" videos on a continuous loop and re-stating the "record" number of killed will only provide incentive for the next disturbed individual to commit more atrocities. for once, forget about ratings and $$$. please stop airing these videos at once. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157686Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:31:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157686Pat, Boston, MAI don't think these videos should ever have been released to the public. I never in my life saw such hatred. I wonder if in the future we will run away from or ignore what we perceive as a mentally disturbed person, instead of trying to help, because we've become so frightened and ill-equipped to deal with these issues. To echo what Michael Gates said, our mental health system is out of whack, our gun laws are out of whack. And to add one more, the future of our inner city children has been and most likely will always be out of whack. More guns is not the answer here and anyone who thinks so is missing the point. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157738Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:52:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157738Barb G, Albany NYthis sick kid fell through every possible crack in the mental health system. unfortunately, what will happen is that every other 'apparently' sick individual will get reported, and a lot of time will be wasted. but this guy was so obvious to so many people, i just cant figure out how he slipped thruhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#157883Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:37:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157883N. Hager, Edmond, OKA moment please for the parents of the children, the children of, the wives, the husbands, the significant others, the friends who have lost someone in Virginia and across the world. Let's look at a bigger picture, remember that 183 died in Iraq yesterday, 168 people are remembered today in Oklahoma City and without fail, everyday the obituaries quietly report singular losses that effect so many lives. We have lost our social thread entirely if we choose to air images of a disturbed young man wielding guns rather than respectfully declining this editorial decision out of respect for those immersed in the needless loss of a loved one, some who do not yet have the closure and healing time will allow. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158012Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:12:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158012TW, Milwaukee, WIDarrell and other gun nuts, will you still be singing that same song if and when your children harm someone else or themselves with YOUR guns? I think not. No self-education needed to come up with that. Just common sense and a little something called empathy. Don't wave around the second amendment as justification to own weapons designed for one purpose only - to kill human beings. Your explanation of target practice and sports involving these weapons is just plain silly. Do you also use a sledge hammer to pound in carpet tacks? How about using a fireman's high pressure hose to wash dishes? You're like all those schmoes on the road driving SUVs because they can, not out of any real need for that kind of high tonnage vehicle. This whole "I'm an American and I have a right to and I can, so I will" is distressing. None of that means you SHOULD. Practicality has fallen by the roadside in this country, along with responsibility and accountability. The way NBC and the other news stations are plastering this murderer's face all over the place is disgusting. Or maybe it's so all you gun nuts will have something to print off on high gloss paper and plaster on your wall. Your hero! http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158019Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:13:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158019Stephen Chagdes, Eau Claire, WIHave we all failed to recognize that VT officials did not send out any e-mails concerning the first two shootings at 7am??? I attend the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and I know that had I recieved an e-mail saying that there had been two fatal shootings and the killer was still on the loose: I WOULD NOT be going to class. Most of those students had no idea what had been going on that day. SHAME on the school officials for leaving the students and faculty out of the dark. SHAME on them for not canceling classes because they still had not caught the person who murdered two students in their dorm rooms!!! Everyone is coming up with excuses about the murderer: there was nothing anyone could do. It is all woulda, coulda, shoulda now. The ONLY thing that could have been done to protect the 30 other lives was to warn students about a killer on the loose and to tell them to stay home until furthur update. Had they done that, then perhaps would have been able to backtrack and find the killer and he THEN would have been put in the mental institution he belonged in. I find it REPULSIVE as a college student to think that higher officials did not warn those who pay good money to attend their school that their safety could be at risk. Am I the only one who feels so strongly against the insensitive officials at V Tech? My prayers to all of the families and their beloved lost ones. UWEC supports you all the way.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158025Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:14:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158025TW, MilwaukeeDarrell, I'd sure like to hear how else someone like this crazy man could kill 32 people inside two hours. I'm all ears! Regale us with your brilliance. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158106Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:30:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158106Jason A, Newport Beach, CaJust more proof that we can't trust government to protect us. We need to protect ourselves and not live in the fantasy world that big brother will do the right thing. The one thing to take away from this attack is the hero aspect. The few individuals that actually defended themselves as their fellow classmates were curled up in the fetal position need to be recognized. Learn how to defend yourselves people. Stop being sheephttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158130Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:33:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158130Steve, Johnstown, PAI agree that NBC should not have shown the video manifesto of the killer. On last night's edition of Countdown, two different criminal profilers agreed that this information should not have made it to the airways. One of them specifically said it would encourage copycat killings. Nice work NBC. By posting this guys pictures and rants ad nauseum on news shows and websites, you played right into his hands. Unfortunately, Cho "raised the bar" on mass killings, and God help us when the next disturbed person tries to outdo him. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158357Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:11:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158357Amy Santa Fe, NMEnough already with the pictures of an obviously deranged individual. They were shown on every network and cable news program last night over and over and over again. Today NBC has released even more video. While I don't see anything wrong with allowing people to get a glimpse into this truly disturbed individual, I think all of America gets the picture as to just how sick he was without yet another round of videos to reiterate the obvious. Besides,we have to face the scary fact that there are probably many other mental insane individuals out there, and showing those sick videos over and over again could help push one of them over the edge. As to the rest of this tragic story, of course we want to figure out the whys,and it would be nice if we could find someone or something to blame, but I don't think there are any answers or anyone to blame. Is any person or school prepared for this kind of lunacy? The roommates, the teachers, the school had no idea that this guy was going to do what he did. It wasn't like they all had the luxury of getting together and comparing notes on their experiences with this sick man. They did the best they could with the information they had at the time.Haven't we all been around someone creepy at some point in our lives, and not rushed off to the police to demand the person be arrested or locked away? Would any of us been able to do more? I doubt it. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158414Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:21:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158414Linda Corbett, Pittsburgh PAPlease take these ugly horrible pictures off. We've seen way more than we need to see. Im disappointed that they are still being published, You are being fried on my local talk radio and I cant defend you if you keep showing this horrorlhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158572Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:46:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158572Dr. Grace, Concord, NC While I completely understand that some of you may think the airing of Cho's manifesto might be an "encouragement to deranged people" I would like to just play devil's advocate right now. If we don't see just how deranged a person can become from being untreated for a mental illness, then arguably would these mentally ill people just continue to be sloughed aside? We MUST see and learn from our mistakes. Do we hide from seeing pictures of our dead soldiers in Iraq? Yes - this administration won't let us see them because they know just how disturbing they will be so they can continue this horrendous war. Did we hide from pictures of the holocaust - conducted by deranged people? No. Did we hide from seeing how Hitler behaved and his totally mental mannerisms and idealogy? No. Because we need to learn from mistakes. That you are disturbed is good. Learn from this and teach others.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158584Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:47:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158584Jamie, Chula Vista, CAMarlin, Susanville, CA: "My basic question is: WHY, WHY WHY did the teacher(professor)not contact some authority higher than her when she suggested to the potential killer that he seek psychological help????? She obviously senced that something was terribly wrong with this person, and she wasn't the only one." Actually one of his professors DID contact the police, campus authorities and others. She was on t.v. the day of or the next day telling who she contacted. She was told that he hadn't committed a crime and really there was nothing they could do (not quoting here). There are so many could have-would have scenarios, but what is done is done. What is sad, besides the obvious horrific murders themselves, is that this country,in time, will carry on just like it always has. Time will pass, and when it happens again like it has before, people will ask WHY?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158901Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:33:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158901Jay, Warsaw INThe "killer's manifesto" is news. It is disturbing news and painful news, but it is still news. If your world view is such that you desire news networks to not report news then, well, perhaps you need to rethink your world view.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158965Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:45:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158965Shawn, MissouriI think NBC Universal/MSNBC did the right thing in airing this video, but limiting the use. There is no need to show it all the time but it is important for us to see it. Being a college student myself this hit really close to home. Seeing an insight and giving all the information is the responsibility of the news media. It hurts but its good to see that all the information is getting out there. MSNBC is not letting politics of this get in the way of reporting the news and the video is news. If only people would stop trying to blame video games for this since it was found he had no games and that he was disturbed; we can move on and try to make sure that this does not happen again. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#158995Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:48:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158995Scott KilhefnerI too am disappointed deeply that Countdown and Keith Olbermann chose to air the video manifesto. It will fuel the inner fire of the next school shooter and may be the trigger that pushes him over the edge. Tomorrow is April 20 and I pray that as a teacher, all the students and teachers across America will be safe. How will you feel if some lunatic who watched the video on your show tries to outdo the Columbine and Cho massacres because he was energized by the airing of the video? I would have expected O'Reilly and Fox to do something like this, but Keith, not you. I honestly thought you were better than that. Disappointed, truly am.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#159487Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:15:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159487Bonnie, MadisonUnder the theories being advanced by many people here, no one should ever report about murder, crime, or anything bad because (a) it's unpleasant, (b) the families of the victims won't like it, and (c) someone else might see it and want to copy it. Let's leave aside for the moment that this sounds a lot like the Bush adminstration not wanting the media to report about the mess they've made in Iraq. The Virginia Tech shooter didn't copycat something he saw on NBC news the night before. In fact, we have no way to know what finally triggered this poor tortured kid to do what he did when and where he did it. How, therefore, do we purport to know that someone else could be motivated to carry out the same kind of act just because they see these videos? Some have argued that the presence of guns didn't matter here because this guy would have just found some other way to randomly mass murder 32 people. Okay, then the videos aired on NBC news last night don't matter either because anyone who might motivated to commit the same act him/herself probably would have found another flashpoint, at some other time, in any event. At least for the moment, people are paying a little more attention to the issue. While I do have some concern for the families of the victims being exposed to these gruesome details, there were already plenty of gruesome details out there before NBC news aired the videos. In fact, I believe that investigators stated that the videos added nothing new. I also notice that other news outlets have reported extensively about these videos, and maybe even have already aired some of the video footage themselves. Are they equally culpable if there is a copycat? And are we equally culpable just by talking so much about this in plain sight on the internets? http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#159693Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:02:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159693James, Orlando, FLDarrell, your pro-gun reasoning leaves much to be desired. You said "Guns don't kill people. People like Cho kill people. If he killed them in some other fashion would you be complaining so much." Yes, Cho was clearly pathological, perhaps simply insane. But if he only had access to a bat, or knives/swords, or a bow/crossbow, or even a bolt-action or breach loading firearm, it is unlikely he could have killed so many so quickly. THAT is the argument for gun control. Note the term "control," not "elimination." In a country that is free, society can never stop a deranged man from committing violence. Society CAN try to reduce the damage that deranged man makes in the process. Your other argument "...why do we need semi-auto weapons? Because it is our constitutional right and part of American culture" also doesn't hold up. The constitution may provide the right to bear arms, but it does not specifically provide the right to semi-auto weapons. Since the term "arms" is subject to wide interpretation (one man's "arm" is another man's WMD), it is perfectly reasonable to allow our legislative system, who were elected to represent *US*, to determine what arms can be borne. And just because semi-auto handguns are currently part of American culture does not mean that it must be so forever. Slavery was once part of American culture, but enough Americans reached the conclusion that it was wrong, the issue led to southern secession and a war, and now slavery is no longer part of American culture. And please don't turn this post into an argument about what really caused the Civil War. That argument belongs elsewhere.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#159773Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:27:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159773Lee, Topeka1.Person who said right to bear arms is so we can protect ourselves from tyranny of the govt, form militias and have a revolution if we want to overthrow a govt that is tyrannical, is right. That was the intent of the Amendment. But it is voided today; you'd get what David Koresh got. So lets get gun control and get real. (Deer rifles are 2 B ok.) Many more peeps are killed by ACCIDENT with guns than ever actually protect themselves from criminals in some sort of attempted attack--that rationale is pure bs. 2.There are fellow students of Cho's from high school and middle school who say he was picked on pretty badly for a long time (years) in school. It is a terrible thing that our culture does produce children who do seem to go through a very mean and moblike stage. Bullying REALLY hurts. It can drive people crazy, as we can see, producing so much pain and blockage of social development in a kid. I do think we need to get on the stick and make people aware of how much these "small" things do hurt. Its like Imus having no idea how much it hurt those girls; there were tears when they met Imus, their feelings were like that. Imagine how an isolated and alienated child might feel who gets hard-hearted cruelty every day at school at a vulnerable age, like puberty; We do need to see this as the cause; sick he was, for sure, but there was a cause for all that pain.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#159893Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:55:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159893Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaBonnie, Madison - Brilliantly stated my friend!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#159912Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:00:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159912Jodi Eaton, Honolulu, HawaiiWhy is the media giving credence to this coward by calling his suicide note a "manifesto"?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#159960Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:13:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159960TW, Milwaukee, WIYou know everyone, let's forget for a moment about the whole "We need to understand him" psychology angle. What does that mean anyway? Understand him so you know which medicinally-mandated pharmaceuticals to pump him/her with? Make sure and read the possible side effects, they don't want you to know about those, that's why in the TV commercials it's this quickly spoken rapid fire blur of gibberish at the very end of the ad. Did any of you consider for a second that the murderer sent the items to NBC because he wanted the fame, the notoriety - he wanted his "manifesto" to be televised? And you guys fell for it hook, line and sinker, some of you not only fell for it but you're in here defending it. You just couldn't WAIT to do exactly what a murdering psycho wanted you to do. You defend the last wish of a murderer of children. This also calls into question the NBC honcho's comment the other night, "We immediately turned over all items to the FBI..." Exactly how immediately is "immediately?" Immediately after you made copies so you could follow the last wish of a murderous madman to the letter? Not only is the televising of this material sickening, including the immediacy with which you guys apparently considered the need to televise the material and the need to continue to show it 24/7 - but also, the desire by our society in general for this kind of material to be televised. If you have such a burning desire to see violence done to young people, go see a slasher flick, then you can even watch it done to dumb young people. There are plenty of other events unfolding in the world everyday that are at least as tragic and senseless, and the coverage of these events is undoubtedly diminished by this current obsession. See: Iraq. For God's sake, you flash "Greatest mass killing in American history" like it's something to envy! Every day we edge (or maybe it's a sprint?) closer to Idiocracy. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160004Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:25:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160004brian, Fayetteville, Ark.Keith, Please remove all images of this insane killer. We've seen enough.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160093Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:54:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160093Peter, St. Paul, MNHow many more copycats will be sending their videos to NBC and other media outlets before embarking on a murderous spree? This was was a heartless and stupid decision by NBC, and I intend to boycott NBC/GE products until they admit their mistake. At least when the New York Times and Washington Post printed the Unabomber's manifesto, there was some logic to do so. At the time, the Unabomber's identity was unknown, and it was hoped that someone would identify the author of the rambling manifesto. This is in fact what happened, when Ted Kaczynski's brother, David, came forward after recognizing the writing.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160350Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:20:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160350B BraggI love how our comments have to be approved before appearing and yet you aplashed this pychos pic across the globe - and I know NBC thought it had a MORAL obligation to do so........so you did it......now you have the power of the media to YANK it. Come on.and I tried to change the channels - that devil's face was on every single channel and I had to turn the sound off so I couldn't hear it. I do not think we needed to HEAR him.......he had plenty of time to talk - and alot of people tried to get through to him in LIFE- to give him a moment is to take away the beautiful celebration of all the lives that were lost. One thing else. ON TUESDAY - not even 24 hours after all those kids and the professors were killed in cold blood - Keith drew parallels that the American public have become insensitive to the boys and girls that are serving and DYING in IRAQ - well I am fully aware of what we are losing over there and I found that an insult. I like Keith and I will continue to watch him - but that was too soon. There is alot of people in the USA that VOTED the Congress out so we could instigate a change in the IRAQ policy and get our troops home. In one piece. I must tell you that there is one thing I am contributing too and that is the Disabled Vets...........I really wish we could focus on the lives of the victims and the disabled Vets - those are the HEROS.......please stop glorigying this paranoid schizophrenic- because that was what he was. The mental health agencies failed in a BIG WAY>http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160425Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:50:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160425Ronald, Montreal, CanadaI will like to conclude the shooting into two points. First, no matter what reason, the shooter should be blamed for the tragedy. Secondly, the Bush's government and its official should be blamed for the loosen gun law which allows the shooter to obtain their weapons so easily.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160565Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:55:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160565Margie Miller, Memphis, TennesseeI am so disappointed in MSNBC and in Countdown in particular. I consider Countdown a program with principles and rational values. Keith Oberman's continued elaborations, beyond any good good reasons, on the Virginia Tech shooter, with all of the needless repetition of details, sickens me. I was originally glad that the shooter sent the package to MSNBC as I thought they would treat it responsibly, but alas they have not. They have used it for its sensationalism and their belief that the details must come out is very self-serving. Countdown has gone way down in my estimation. Keith Oberman, if he continues his sensatioanl expose tonight (Thursday, has certainly earned "The Worst Person in the World" award. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160600Fri, 20 Apr 2007 01:12:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160600Margie Miller, Memhis, TennesseeAnother point I would like to make (I don't know if my first point has made it past the screeners yet). Do we realize that this magnitude of death occurs in iraq, and especially Bagdahd, everyday. Not long ago, it was reported ONCE that a whole team of young teenage soccer players were killed by gunfire . . . ages 12-14. Can you imagine the loss? This shooting at Virginia Tech is being billed as the worst in our history in terms of numbers. How fortunate we are compared to so many other countries!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160807Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:43:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160807Craig C, Damascus, MDI am saddened by the whole VT tragedy, but angered by the news coverage. Newsflash to CNN. The killer is not the victim. Newsflash NBC. The killer is not the story. NBC is not the story. The senseless, needless loss of 32 people conducting their own lives, teaching, learning, working to make the world a better place...THAT, you fools, is the story.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#160876Fri, 20 Apr 2007 04:33:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:160876Carol Capogna, Troy, MIBravo to MSNBC for showing some of the twisted ranting of this man. We need to know because knowledge puts the light on what why and how. There is no doubt that this man was a twisted and sick individual. The University has a lot to explain about why he was but in a 6 person unit when the school knew about his mental health history. Their disregard for the other 5 persons subjected to him every day was criminal considering the red flags waving all over him. Stalking, Demented writings, non communication excused as shyness. Let's get real. It is a hard story to face but so is Iraq. Sticking our heads in the sand does not cure the problem. Ignorance never cured a problem or found a solution. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#161325Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:08:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:161325C A, Tuscaloosa, ALCarol-Troy: This is not to say that a large University should not try and provide a safe environment for their students, but in this case the University has nothing to explain. A large univeristy is not like a small town community college. A large univeristy has so many students (thousands) that everyone gets what is known as a Student ID Number by which they are known by the university, and many of their professors. Large universities have a hard enough time getting all these students into their proper class schedules. To insist they make sure that every single student is matched with the right room mate(s) is ludicrous. They are not there and are unable to act as parents or mental health social workers. They are there to take the students money, to provide them college level educational instruction, and if room and board are paid to provide a room where the student can store their belongings, lay their head down at night, study and get something to eat. If parents want their kids to get more personal attention make sure they attend a smaller college, but don't expect it from a large university. In this case any action that should have been taken with this person prior to this tragedy was the responsibility of the parents, the police and the community mental health facilities at large. Universities do not and will not take the place of parents or social workers. So for those freshman heading to a large university this coming fall, be prepared to do some very quick growing up. Your first day of class registration will wake you up to this fact. Before asking for an explanation from the university one would have find out if this person's room mates made formal complaints to their unit leader or dorm leader in which case the university might have a responsibility for attending to and correcting these formal complaints. Otherwise, there was no lack of responsibility here on the University's part. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#162397Sun, 22 Apr 2007 05:20:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:162397John Spokane, WashWell he chained the doors up so any type of explosive device, fuels or other highly flammables could have been used to cause as much or more loss of life TW, but it is not about numbers. We have plenty of laws in place already to control legal purchases of firearms. There is no way to prevent these things from happening no matter how many laws you have in place. Just imagine several of those students had concealed carry permits only if they were allowed to carry them at school would have turned out different. Think they need more firearms training at schools and at least arm the teachers so maybe a trajedy like this could be avoided.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#165072Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:41:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:165072teriIt's not so much wether to share all information but how. Throwing the most offensive picture right smack in the face of everyone just looking to see what's going on in the world today is what I don't like. The only way to sensor myself is to not go to the MSN website. If I see a headline or subject I am interested in I click on it signaling I WANT more information or choose possible assault in graphic nature. Why not have the resource for information without throwing it, graphically, right in or unsuspecting face where last week the picture and title was about spring shopping? A buffer of some sort? Aportal to more information for those who choose to go there. Cheap tactics, just throw the traffic accident in there face and hope they won't look away.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/18/156728.aspx#165081Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:43:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:165081teriThe answer is definately NOT for more people to carry guns. It's a gun-toting society that glorifies guns in the first place.