Behind the Headlines

I know with all the coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings, this is just a minute detail, but I needed to say something about it.

The multimedia package the killer submitted to the news has been all over the place. I’m not sure what my stance is on that yet. We need information, generally the more the better, but sometimes enough is too much, blah blah blah. But, the thing that has been really bothering me is that every time the video is referenced, it’s referred to as “chilling” or “menacing”. In news stories. Matter of fact. Like there is no debate on the subject.

Perhaps I’m just desensitized, but I really didn’t find the ramblings of the guy all that menacing or chilling. I find his acts both. And heinous and unbelievable and monstrous. But I don’t think prescribing an emotion or adjective to the video/pics is necessary. If it truly is chilling, then why sell it to me, why not just let me see for myself or describe it objectively?