The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Too Much Of A Bad Thing

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

I agree with many Americans who are complaining that there is too much television and news coverage on the young man who did the shootings at Virginia Tech.

It is exactly what they want and it encourages others to follow suit with the same distorted view.

Somehow, if they didn't feel of any significance before, a most horrifying crime as those at Columbine and Virginia Tech will make them a celebrity of ill sort and for the first time, make them feel significant, even as they end their own life in suicide.

I feel the news has an obligation to report the happening but not to flaunt his name and photo over and over again.

Two other colleges were shut down after threats occurred.

Our newspapers are historic documents with many recordings of history that have taken place. Part of our jobs, as horrifying as it is at times, is covering events that make our blood run cold.

I hope I can do it in a fashion that reports the news, but not dwell on it week after week until the victim becomes a household name-"famous" for their horrific crime.

There are young people (and adults) starving for attention. If they can't get it in a good way, they will find a way to get it.

It seems CNN and other popular news media fall in their trap every time.

Let's hear of the compassion of those who helped the victims and then move on to other more positive news. There's a lot of good people who's stories need telling.