The Colorado Killer

As an interested observer of pop, social and political culture, I must confess to a fantasy I’ve had for quite a while. Don’t worry, you won’t be embarrassed. It’s nothing personal. I don’t watch TV anymore; so I don’t see TV news often. I do however; see Hannity and Greta on Wednesday nights, on the west coast, while working out in the gym. That’s about it. Instead, I listen to talk radio in the car and on my computer, so I am aware of current issues and I read many news sources and read blogs. I fantasize that when the media discuss or portray accused and convicted mass murderers, killers, rapists, arsonists, terrorists and other criminals, like the “Colorado Killer”, the name and likeness is blotted out so they remain nameless and faceless non-entities. I prefer calling this narcissistic reprobate “The Colorado Killer” for lack of a better or more fitting name.

I’m not saying that we or the media should not follow a newsworthy story. It’s just that the identity of the accused should be hidden for two reasons. The first is that by keeping the accused anonymous, we lessen the likelihood of them becoming infamous or a cult-like iconic hero to some and two, we protect the friends and family from unnecessary intrusion into their private lives. It’s not their fault they are associated in some way.

For mainstream media, a tragedy like the recent mass shooting in Aurora, CO, is a field day for exploitative investigative reporting; dredging up the most blatant and baseless theories allowing irresponsible and reckless journalists to throw anything against the wall to see what sticks. Red meat captivates viewers and readers and sells lots of advertising. Remember, journalist Brian Ross, of ABC’s Good Morning America, breathlessly stating that he found a man with the same name as the killer on the member list of the Colorado Tea Party? Turns out it was the same name, but different person. Besides being premature, reckless and an obviously stupid thing to do, it spread the idea out in the ether that the killer was a right wing crazy. Yeah, turns out not so much. Do I hear hidden or not so hidden agenda? Note to journalists: once you put something out there, it can’t be taken back. Interesting how that works isn’t it? No apology can reverse the damage. BTW: Ross and Stephanopoulos, the show’s host, should be fired for their irresponsible actions; though I won’t hold my breath. I’d die of asphyxia first. Not only they did they cast unwarranted aspersions on the Tea Party, but a member with the same name as the killer became a target of public calumny for his beliefs that are unpopular with the journalists. He also lost his anonymity. And no amount of fake apologies or asking for forgiveness can reverse the damage.

Hours upon hours of TV time; hundreds, maybe thousands of column inches for newspapers and magazines have been and will be devoted to naming the “accused” and following his life story. Studying the motive, dissecting the psychology, naming the pathology and delving into the friends and family of those intimately or peripherally acquainted will not negate the infamy garnered by the “The Colorado Killer”. Many thousands, maybe tens of thousands of minutes will be devoted to the full life of this one sad and pathetic monster. And to what end?

Many will follow this story because of morbid curiosity; because it happened to someone else and not to them. Still others will follow this story because they want to look into the face of evil and others will want to see what insanity looks like. But no matter the reason, every news organization, magazine or news outlet, adds to the infamy of this evil and pathetic creature. Notice that I did not call this monster insane. Insane or not, and that diagnosis may be coming, the killing of innocent movie goers occurred. Nothing can take that back or ameliorate the act. Insanity doesn’t lessen the damage. Not only does this demon exhibit extreme narcissistic behavior by acting out on his sick fantasies, but he will become infamous for his crime and if history is any indicator of the future, he will have loads of adoring fans and will probably receive numerous marriage proposals from sad, lonely and pathetic women. Books will be written and many love letters will be delivered.

Unlike the past purges of the Communist Soviet Russia, I am not suggesting that we alter images of these monsters or ignore their actions or even remove them from the historical record. That would be wrong. Understanding what they have done is too important to forget. I am simply suggesting that we, as a nation or culture, make a conscious effort to minimize the infamy of the killer himself; not to glorify or increase the iconic stature of this monster and repeatedly show his image. How many times have you seen t-shirts and other images glorifying Mao, Che, Fidel Castro or Charles Manson? Incidentally, it has been said that the black and red iconic drawing of Che Guevara as seen below is the most reproduced, copied and disseminated pop image of the late 20th century. After a while the image becomes iconic while the memory of the deeds leading to the infamy of the icon fades away. More than likely, the younger and less historically knowable owner is unaware of the mass murder, pain, mayhem and destruction perpetrated by the iconic figure. All they know is that it’s a cool and hip image. What does this say to the crime victims and their relatives?

It seems as if you have convicted
James Holmes without the benefit
of a trial by jury.
AMP1
Since Jul 26, 2012
Welcome to FR, troll

You people who want to blot out the killer are so wrong. It is more than a hunger, it is a ravenous NEED to know WHO did this and WHY they did it. The copy cat thing is a red herring. The human need for justice requires knowing all about the perpetrator and there is NOTHING wrong with wanting to know everything possible about the person who kills. Anything else is sticking head in sand.

"AMP1 Since Jul 26, 2012 Welcome to FR, troll"

Close, but slightly off the mark.

Make it ....

BEGONE WITH YOU, NEWBIE BLOG-PIMP

Apparently you’re just another blog pimp who likes to pimp and run.

By the way ... there’s a forum specifically for bloggers.

And “News” ain’t it.

Posting history pegs you as a blog pimp of the worst kind, and nothing further. Go away. Find somewhere else. Or post your opinion in full and discuss it.

Hulagirl. Thanks for your response. It is very thought provoking. You stated that you have a “ravenous NEED to know WHO did this and WHY they did”. To what end is your wanting to know? Do you deny that Holmes committed the crime? After all he was caught at the crime scene with the killers’ clothes and his apartment was full of Batman paraphernalia and it was booby-trapped. You also mentioned the “need for justice”. What about justice for the victims of his brutal and senseless crime? Do you also think that knowing the cause of his evil will add to social discourse or preventing another crime like this in the future? I don’t. I think it will only add to his mythic stature. The bottom line is that he committed this crime and he must pay.

Thank you for your response. I am very new to this blogging and not always aware of all of the rules. I will post in the blogger section.

Thanks again.

You’re welcome.

It also helps if you stop back now and again to discuss/defend your work.

Some don’t. They’re not held in high esteem.

Good to know.

As I said, I am new to this and am learning the rules.

Thanks again.

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