Blame the Scapegoat
11/6/2002
In light of the recent sniper attacks in Maryland and Virginia, the media has drawn criticism in the handling of supposedly confidential information. In order to get the story on the evening news they may very well have crossed the line.
If the reports were accurate that the suspect specifically said not to release the contents of his communications with police, why would the media take it upon itself to possibly risk more lives by releasing this very information? Someone with in-depth knowledge of the case had to be the leak to the media as well. Was getting the message about a tarot card out to the public important enough to go against the suspects’ demands? I would not want that responsibility on my shoulders.
This however is not even my biggest complaint about this whole case. News channels will interview any so-called “experts” in any number of areas to evaluate (or speculate in most cases) what has and what might happen next. One specific analyst on CNN suggested that the suspects might very well be young teenagers trying to one up each other. First of all there is no news worthiness in that general of a speculation without any facts to back it up. If you interviewed ten “experts” you would likely get ten different evaluations and speculations. This same analyst proposed that these teenagers might have practiced their shooting abilities by playing “realistic shooting games such as Doom”.
When are people going to stop blaming video games for the Nations problems? If I drive a Ferrari on a game system do you think I will know how do drive one on the Autobahn? That has to be one of the most ridiculous “expert” opinions that I have ever heard! The fact of the matter was the media was as confused as the police and they were desperate for someone or thing to blame. Not having anyone specific to blame, this analyst used the same tired scapegoat as they used for the Columbine shootings. It must be those violent movies and video games that these kids today play.
The simple fact is there always have been and always will be disturbed and violent people in this world. I do not dispute that environmental factors can greatly alter a person’s mental state, but to blame an entire category of video games is pure desperation on the part of the media. If a person has the ability and intent to commit a crime, they will do so with or without a video game.
Thankfully, this speculation was not widely broadcast or adopted, but shame on CNN for putting this garbage media on the air. This type of reporting is more detrimental to the public than video games.
Why? Just Because!