The gatekeeper

There was much hoopla over the airing of the Virginia Tech gunman's media confessional (I don't favor the term 'manifesto'); and rightfully so ... I had a chance to read an article online about the content of the videos before I actually saw the video. I, like millions of others, had my first glimpse of the videos courtesy of CNN. After I'd been watching off and on for about 15 minutes, one of the guests came on and his first comments were that they should cease playing the videos! At that point, I was thinking the same thing. After seeing some of the videos, I concluded that what I had read had answered enough of my questions about the killer and his state of mind.

I think that the videos are now rarely being shown and that is a good thing. However, I really think that NBC should have handled the situation differently. Of course, it was a huge coup for them, but as the sole gatekeeper, they should have exercised more caution on this decision.

It is so difficult for me to even look at the names of the victims ... especially since I teach college. Knowing that people are in place where learning is paramount. Hearing about the individuals lives and accomplishments is just astounding to me.

So many questions and queries ... ?

• I'm was starting to wonder if a certain American Idol contestant was beginnning to believe all the hype ... ?



• How/why is it that some airlines adhere to rules on check in baggage and others do not ... ?



• I've concluded that I am strongly in favor of the U.S. troops pulling out of Iraq ... does anyone else feel emotionally stripped when watching the names of the fallen soldiers on This Week on ABC ... ?



• I don't drink alcohol, smoke or do illegal drugs ... is it okay if my vice is cussing ... ?



• What is wrong w/the fact that I am just now getting around to fulfilling one of my New Year's Resolutions ... ?



• Can you think of one really good reason why I should attend my college reunion ...?



• I'm wondering, was I really unaffected by the premature implimentation of Daylight Saving Time ... ?

Oh, the web we weave ...

I have so much to blog about, but I am going to have focus.

Don Imus - shock jock made some insensitive comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team who lost to the University of Tennessee in the NCAA Women's Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio.

I want to say that I don't have much to say on this topic and that is true. But here is a synopsis of what I've thought on this topic:

• I am not surprised about his comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team
• I am not certain that his apology is sincere
• I am thinking that he is a bigot and does not fully recognize the attributes of bigotry or that he possesses the characteristics of a bigot
• I am glad that the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team held a press conference so that people can see that they are human beings and not just a nameless, faceless group of people
• I am impressed that the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team plans to meet with Imus
• I totally see how Imus could be flippant with his remark; as the rap/hip hop genre has surely used the term with nothing but derogatory connotations
• A two week suspension is not nearly enough time for an egregious comment of this magnitude
• What type of affect will this situation have on advertisers on Imus' show? And will that affect be shortlived like the Nike/Kobe relationship?
• I'd love to see a spoof on this on The Boondocks

Pacman Jones - NFL football player (Titans) has had several run-ins with the law; as a result the NFL has suspended him for the entire 2007 football season without pay.

Additionally, the NFL suspended Chris Henry (Bengals) for eight games.

• This really sets a precedent! I am surprised that the NFL finally to a stance on this issue
• Will this suspension send a message to other athletes to get their lives in order?
• But what is Pacman really guilty of? True, he's been arrested and charged, but what has been the outcome of those charges?

That's all for now ... more to come!