Vtech Media

Below is a letter isubmitted to the editors of the Hamilton Spectator. Let's see what happens.

RE: Professor Saved his students

To the Editors,

Over the past couple of days, the tragedy at Virginia Tech has dominated the news and the pages of the Spectator. Throughout this I have been very disappointed in how the Spectator has chosen to cover and report on the incident.

On the front page of Wednesday’s Spectator, the headline read “A Deadly Enigma – America’s worst killer was clearly on the edge – but nobody acted” with a photo of the shooter beside it. This headline, especially because it was above the fold, is blatantly sensational. In addition to being sensational, it is incorrect.

This is a fact recognizable by anyone who read the article. The article sates that the shooter was under psychiatric care. The same paragraph also states that one of his professors referred him to counseling on the basis of work submitted for a class. Clearly, some people acted, it was just too little too late.

The second thing that has been disappointing is the coverage of the shooter. The Spectator has shown itself to be like every other news agency by making the shooter into a posthumous celebrity. By continually showing images of the shooter and the frequent use of the shooter’s name, the identity of the shooter is quickly being etched into our society’s collective consciousness.

This is reinforced by the front page of Thursday’s Spectator which shows 6 different images of the shooter brandishing a gun. The headline also displays a portion of the shooter’s message and rationale.

Not only has this given the shooter instant fame, albeit infamy, it also presents the message that committing heinous crimes is a means of getting oneself heard. The shooter wanted people to hear a certain message. This is why a package was sent to NBC. The media, including the Spectator, has fulfilled the wishes of shooter – a criminal.

Throughout all of this, the Spectator could have risen above the fray and not helped to increase the fame of the shooter.

It can choose to substitute “the shooter” for the name of the shooter in its reporting.

It can refrain from printing images of the shooter, a concise description may suffice.

It can refrain from publicizing the ideas of the shooter.

It can publicize stories like that of Liviu Librescu. Mr. Librescu’s story was told on page A6. He was a professor who assisted his students in escaping from the shooter. Ultimately he ended up giving up his own life in the process. People and stories like this need to be given much more coverage than the words of a mass murderer and the contributing to the fame of a killer.

Vimy Politics - Good on Ya Jack.

I am extremely surprised to, as of yet, not hear single thing in the media that states WHERE both Stephane Dion and Gilles Duceppe were on Monday morning, April 9. What was it that they were doing that was so important that they could not attend Vimy Ridge cemmemorations in either Ottawa or France? In comparison, I am rather impressed by Jack Layton's presence at the Ottawa ceremonies with the G-G. Despite a historical ideology against war (based on the views of the CCF from which the NDP emerged and the views of original and proiminent CCF members before there was a CCF), he attended and showed his respect for the sacrifices and success of the battle. Country above party....I like it. And furthermore, it probably cost the taxpayers the smallest fraction of what it would have cost to send him to France if he so chose to do so. Fiscally responsible and along with his ideology from what I know. Clearly, he has shown more leadership than the leadrship of the BQ or Liberals.

Blogging on Blogs

Throughout the day I try to frequent a number of different blogs. Some are ones that others have directed me towards (such as Warren Kinsella's), one I have located myself through other blogs (Inkless Wells), and others are individuals I have followed in other areas that happen to have blogs (The View From Dubai).

As part of my morning routine, I often listen to the Q107 morning show. Two of the personalities of theshow (host JOhn derringer and "The Last Word"'s Maureen Holloway) also have station based blogs. Part of the premise of this show is a glimpse into and the attempt at a development of some sort of a tie between the personalities and the listeners, otherwise why would they talk frequently about their families and personal lives (or post photos that include their family).

In a recent blog post by Maureen she explains to readers that she had been approached by someone she knows about joining an exclusive T.O. club. She then proceeds to explain all the good things and then give a superficial explanation for not joining. The reasons were so superficial, and really disingenuous, that I felt compelled to respond point this out and why they were superficial reasons. This response actually got a response from Maureen (not all do) in which I was criticized for making it a "university debate". No, I pointed out the irrationality of the reasons. Why I should care was then questioned....in response....if we as listeners should not care, why bother both telling readers about the invite when it was being turned down. Interestingly, the real reasons for declining were pretty much rational reasons I gave in my response. As a result, what is gained by being disingenuous in this manner by giving the reasons as not being a "joiner"?

Not sure where this is going...but a lil honesty would have been preferred....blogs are not necessarily justramblings, especially professional ones. I think I will refrain from responding to the response....but really, professoinal blogs should not confuse themselves with personal ones.

My Parents House - Ego Run Wild

In today's paper I was reminded of a show I had seen once, My Parent's House. The premise is that the older children who have moved out get to come back and redecorate one or more rooms of their parents house (http://www.myparentshouse.com/about/index.php) . Tonight an episode airs that was shot in my local area.

My problem with this show is that it assumes that children really know what their parents want or need in terms of home decoration. The premise that they know this indicates an excessive sense of egotism on the part of the children. Tells us a lot about current society.

Moving images

Over the yearswe are inundated with moving and heart wrenching photos. Some of the more common ones that are given media attention as UN Photo of the Year etc. are often refugees, famine victims or the like - photos that, I think take the subject out fo their natural environment either directly or indirectly.

While reading the Economist this past week, (an article on Robert Mugabe's control and effects on Zimbabwe) this photo took me aback more than many of the others to which we in the west have become de-sensitized over time.