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Tonyzonit
You're right, no good will come of it. The only control we have is the off switch, sadly.
posted by
mneme
on April 21, 2007 at 5:03 AM
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Thanks, Bhaskar - glad you agree.
It's another example of the dangers of free speech. Incitement to violence. Promising to kill people. Posing with guns. Sick vengeance (vengeance for what?). All broadcast, as if people, especially young people, aren't going to be influenced by it. The very showing of such images on network channels glamorises them. It's bad enough when something's on youTube or even just one mobile phone, but for it to be shown all over the world, then Cho will have been absolutely delighted, and the victims have been further insulted.
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 20, 2007 at 11:05 AM
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Yes, Shadow, we really need to wise up about this.
The media needs to be banned from showing violence or images such as people brandishing guns and making threats. Thanks for your comments!
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 20, 2007 at 11:02 AM
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How wonderfully you bring out the hypocrisy, also in that that we enjoy.
Or else, how can that be, if what bleeds, leads? The comment underneath is commendable. Well done,Tony.
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on April 20, 2007 at 8:33 AM
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Tony - yeah, gruesome stuff , isn't it?- I watched the first time when
it was still news worthy, but alas , to be slowly poisoned by excessive mind bending media stuff is really a BIG turn off. Thanks for highlighting this black side of the media society of today.
posted by
shadow-pen
on April 20, 2007 at 7:31 AM
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Yes, Proc - the media has effectively been glorifying this murder...
and there will be lots of kids who will want to go one better. I agree with your comments about the glamourisation of the famous - who typically are ex-pop stars or models who are notorious for drugs, drinking, partying or splitting up repeatedly with people. The gossip magazine industry is an extraordinary phenomenon.
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 20, 2007 at 12:43 AM
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Thanks, Pelagus!!
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 20, 2007 at 12:38 AM
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The copycat thing is really scary because already in the news this evening
another gunman with an ak47 was stopped. I was thinking the same thing that someone who sees the attention and 'glorification' of Cho's deeds will aim to beat the number 32. The media is responsible for many things. I mean ,look how they sell the idea of worshipping the rich. No matter how immoral and ghastly they are as people the media glamourises them so that impressionable young people think they are the people to emulate.
posted by
proc
on April 20, 2007 at 12:18 AM
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excellent!
you hit the point 
posted by
pelagus
on April 19, 2007 at 8:59 PM
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Tony
Yes, I agree. Know what? It's supposed to be 25C and sunny here on the weekend. Yippee! --Joy!Mary
posted by
FoliageGold
on April 19, 2007 at 3:54 PM
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Yes, Mary, if they can interview someone in the throes of suffering,
the wife, say, of someone who has been murdered, that is considered as a job done successfully, because it's dramatic. Of course we don't have a right to watch such insensitivity. There's no excuse or need for it. Just tell us the important facts and leave out the ghoulish scrutiny of other people's suffering. Glad to hear you're in good spirits. I'm looking forward to a sunny weekend over here - I hope you get the same over there!
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 19, 2007 at 3:37 PM
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Tony
I'm smiling, now! Always feels good to get it out, doesn't it? Well done. I understand and agree. What annoys me sometimes too, is when reporters ask, "and how do you feel?" I mean, REALLY......... --Joy!Mary
posted by
FoliageGold
on April 19, 2007 at 2:15 PM
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Thanks, Mary - you're lucky to have a saner channel to watch.
I particularly dislike the hypocrisy of the reporters (although it's not their fault, they're just doing a job) who stand at disaster scenes and look shocked and outraged. But why is it the top story? Why doesn't the news concentrate on the underlying ills of society - the unfairness and lies of politicians and who really wields the power, and how they don't pay enough taxes, and the real reasons for warfare - that kind of thing. But the media itself is controlled by people in or on the edge of power, and they cannot rock the boat - so instead they merely report on loss of life, because it's safe and profitable to concentrate on this because everyone seems to be interested in suffering and death. Phew! I need to take a break!! Hope you're doing well and smiling as usual!
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 19, 2007 at 2:08 PM
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Scramble - as I wrote the other day, i think the media's effect, not just
in showing things like murders that scare us, but also the glamorous and rich, and endless advertisements for things we can't really afford and don't need, is to make us paranoid and greedy. In other words, more and more right wing. And it's in the media moguls' and their rich friends' interests to do just that. They win when we are right wing. They pay less taxes. They gobble up more small competitors. And so it goes on.
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 19, 2007 at 2:02 PM
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Hi Neil - yes, i'm committed to doing one a day TILL THE END!!!
Even if Blogit should fall, i will carry on!! Thanks for your thoughts - I have great worries that the copycatting will step up a gear after this. It's becoming an established trait of society.
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 19, 2007 at 1:59 PM
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Many thanks, Najwa!!
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 19, 2007 at 1:56 PM
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Mnay thanks, Afzal!!
posted by
Antonionioni
on April 19, 2007 at 1:56 PM
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Tony
Thankfully, our local news doesn't always do that. They're #1 in the Capital, so they don't have to follow convention. I understand many other stations do this, though and I agree with you. There are some nights that I just cannot watch. Thoughtful sonnet. That last line was a zinger...... --Joy!Mary
posted by
FoliageGold
on April 19, 2007 at 1:47 PM
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Very Well Done Tony! The world is FULL of all this aggressive stuff! Every
where-papers-radio-TV-films-street corners and the media-as you say-use the most gruesome headlines first! I think we werepossibly better off BEFORE TV arrived! They talk about things we would not want our enemies to hear and PRETEND THEY DON'T HEAR! This country has gone mad! I find it very scarey!But it's not only our country! Chris.
posted by
Scramble
on April 19, 2007 at 12:53 PM
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I cautioned my daughters: watch out in yr. schools for copycats re. Chieu
Good thinking man! There will be a few crazies that will try to repeat as they attempted after Columbine. You're right about the media not being careful about the power of pictures and leading by bleeding. Sometimes I can see how government steps in to muzzle those hwo only watch the bottom line, and cross the line! shalomfromneil (Tony U are so prolific; I can't do a sonnet every day. Perhaps next yearm after more practice). Best to you and your's Tony.
posted by
ILLUMINATI8
on April 19, 2007 at 12:44 PM
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posted by
NAJWA
on April 19, 2007 at 12:13 PM
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WEll expressed .
posted by
afzal50
on April 19, 2007 at 12:07 PM
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WEll expressed .
posted by
afzal50
on April 19, 2007 at 12:07 PM
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