http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspxBy Richard Engel, Middle East bureau chief The disturbing and cryptic video clips, photographs and manifesto the killer Cho Seung Hui sent to NBC News instantly reminded me of the taped testimonials suicide bombers leave behind to justify their crimes.en-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157693Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:34:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157693LNP, Maryland, USAI think it was incredibly irresponsible of NBC to show footage of Seung-Hui's videotaped message. One or two still photos of him - minus the weaponry - would have been sufficient. It serves no purpose to blanket the airwaves with video loops of his hate speech. There is no analysis to be had. Civilized people will never be able to understand what goes on in the mind of a homicidal maniac, no matter how many panels of experts are summoned. The Nightly News showed more than enough. MSNBC & CNN flogged the same images incessantly in last night's coverage, as did the Today Show this morning. This demonstrates an incredible insensitivity towards the victims' families. What is the standard? Will we next be seeing beheadings and full-length terrorist propaganda films? There is a fine line between news and exploitation, between the public's need to know and tastelessness. NBC crossed it. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157702Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:36:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157702Brandon Villanueva, Mount Olive, NCThis is a fascinating perspective. I would be interested in some sort of psychological analysis of what seems to be the cold and unsettling art form of these martyr videos.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157722Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:43:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157722Julie Wehunt, South Pittsburg, Tn 37380I do not want to see or hear about Cho Seung-Hui. We as a society need to focus on the VICTIMS involved in the Va Tech massacre not the disturbed, attention starved individual that caused this senseless act. When we focus on him, we are fullfilling his desire. I dont want to hear about him or see him. I already know he was a disturbed individual. When the focus is on him, you are sending a message to other disturbed individuals to "top" his act of violence. I am encouraging my family and friends to boycott any media linked to Cho and focus on the victims and their families. Your company should do the same. Please consider this seriously. I am certain I am not the only person who feels this way. Julie Wehunthttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157745Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:54:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157745JulioIf you want a simple answer, look both words up in the dictionary. You'll find that Ishmael means in addition to it's Biblical/Koranic meaning it also means: an outcast. Also, we all know what an Ax does...it is used to severe or cut things off from something else (i.e. an outcast cut from society). As far as the Muslim influence, it seems that he may be saying that the emergence of Islam is a product of selfishness that occurred when Ishmael and Hagar were forcibly outcasts because Sarah (Abraham's Wife) wanted it that way. Ishmael was forced to live in terrible conditions and from the descendents of Ishmael you have the Muslims, who in Cho's opinion could represent the emergence of outcasts who through terrorism are trying to avenge the evils of the "Great Satan" west. ...but, I could be wronghttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157762Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:00:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157762Jason Houston, TXWe sure are spending a lot of time glorifying this idiot fool who blamed every little problem he had on others. Rather, he should have manned up and taken responsibility form him-self. Oh ya I forgot, in society today we have an excuse for everything and everyone!!! Bottom line is that a-hole took the lives of innocent hard working honest human beings. His face belongs at the bottom of my toilet not on every website or paper. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157814Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:17:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157814Stuart, Pautuckett, MA I disagree. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157825Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:20:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157825Jenny Rankin, Little Chute, WisconsinI believe Cho was lost between cultures. The fact that he signed into his classes with a question mark is the telling marker. He didn't know who he was. He didn't know where he fit in. He didn't fit in at home. He didn't fit in at school. He didn't have friends, and he didn't have a social life, whether out of choice or whether out of not knowing how to. The fact that he tried to connect to two girls and ended up with campus security on him shows that he didn't have the skills to socially interact and when he was rejected he withdrew and internalized that anger until he exploded, sadly, this week. I am in no way, condoning what he did. He was confused and lost and although many people noticed that he needed help, he never received it. He should not have been on that campus, he should have been in a hospital. I don't think this has anything to do with Islam. It has to do with Cho and who he was trying to be. Anyone who tries to read anything else into that is doing just that, trying to read into something that simply isn't there.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157832Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:21:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157832Mike, Philadelphia, PACho sounds like a hi tech version of Sirhan Sirhan, the Palestinian Terrorist killer of Robert Kennedy. Maybe the "programmed Killer" scenerio should be further explored. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157837Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:23:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157837mike, New york city, nyare you kidding me with this??? did you even bother to read his rambling just released yesterday. He clearly makes reference to for his hatred against rich kids. Hes obviously depressed and even refers to himself as the jesus christ of misunderstood and oppressed kids. why not include in this blog reference to possible literature links such as moby dick or the fact that ismail ax could be a video game website tagname. This is very weak journalism on your part for linking this devestating attack with yet another deviance in this world and attempting to stir up fears of yet another islamic nuance. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157847Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:27:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157847Washington DCTo think that Cho had any connection to Islam is ridiculous. He was clearly a disturbed individual, and as I recall in his videos and manifestos, he made many more references of Christ and Christianity. So to try to dig up anything that could have any relation to Islam and say he was influenced by it is crazy. With that logic, then he was also influenced by Whites, since he mentioned the Columbine killers. He also must have relation to Christianity since he mentioned that quite a few times. So I guess that makes him a White-Korean-Christian-Muslim right? Reminds me of a time when I took a survey once and wanted to remain completley anonymous so I signed my name Mohommad (with some other random islamic last name). Does that mean that I have been influenced by them along with whatever stupid meaning you can come up with of why I wrote that? I decided to sign my name Mohommad just because it was convenient and had absolutely no relation to myself. Please stick to real journalism and stop trying to make a connection to Arabs and Muslims with just about anything you can. This guy is mentally disturbed and an outcast from society. Of course he is going to fantasize about making a name for himself in any way he can.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157866Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:32:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157866Mark Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio"There appear to have also been references to the Koran"? Please. Look, I understand that your view is just a bit myopic at the moment, but you're a journalist, how can you not see this for what it really is? The only "reference to the Koran" is the name Ismail. Hui's upbringing was Christian and he uses the symbol of the Cross at least twice in the manifesto. In the only Koranic passage where an ax appears with Ismail, it wasn't his, it was his father's, Ibrahim's. (BTW, in the Christian Bible, Abraham uses a knife, not an ax.) Hui was an English major and would at some point have had to have read Moby Dick, wherein the name is spelled "Ishmail," as it is in the Christian Bible. I think it more likely that he would have used this spelling if he had wanted to reference this biblical character. The name is meaningless. He made it up. It's an anagram, for Pete's sake. It's what you get when you "mix alias." How did you miss that? You are not helping the situation with this sort of alarmist story. You're knee-jerk reaction to the name Ismail is a part of the problem.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157891Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:39:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157891Hassan ShahbandarYou are as crazy as he was, to stick this crime to Arabs or Muslims !! This youg man was mentally ill, you can not explain his actions !! three of his victims were Arabs or Muslims.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157914Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:47:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157914Jack, Charleston, WVThis is absurd. No matter what this kid was saying in his video, he was completely disturbed. He referenced dying like Jesus Christ, so if any religion is to blame it is his misconception of Christianity. Nonetheless, no religion should be blamed for this for neither Christianity, Islam, nor Judaism condone his actions. Anyone saying otherwise is merely spreading the hate that Cho had and put into action. Stop this hate!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157920Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:49:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157920Gman GWhere were his parents and what role did they play in his life? Did they not see his troubled soul crying for help? Parents play a big role, I'm concerned that the parents did not do much...comments?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157929Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:52:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157929Keith Witters, Charleston, West VirginiaThis just proves that we need more of God in our classrooms. Jesus could have made a difference in this situation.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157941Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:56:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157941Paul Zetterower, Jacksonville, FLCalling Cho's media release a 'Manifesto', in my opinion, can help set up the next Cho-like attack. Cho obviously felt (rightly or wrongly) very powerless and unrespected compared to his peers. His media release was an attempt to get the attention, in death, that he felt he never got in life. Seems like Cho knew what he was doing when it comes to that part of the story. What's worse is that anyone out there who is currently contemplating taking Cho's path themselves is seeing that their postmortem 'Manifesto' would be the spotlight of the world. We shouldn't censor Cho's words, for there is much to be learned. However, it would be much more correct to label them as 'mentally ill rantings' rather than a 'Manifesto'. If we accurately label, instead of romanticize, the words of Cho, this may help eliminte at least one potential reward a future Cho would think they would receive for exercising their own murderous binge.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157946Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:57:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157946PetroHawk, Houston, TXYou retard. While you're at it, why don't you just blame all of the World's problems on those "dirty little religious fanatical arabs...". What pathetic journalism! Do you work for Mossad or something?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157950Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:58:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157950Paw Paw, NCRichard good points and no matter how disturbed or mentally depressed the psychologist say he was there is no difference in this young man and any of the so called insurgents or terrorist in Iraq. Still all the Homeland Security, CIA, FBI, National Intelligence, and police can't stop someone willing to kill themselves and others for what they believe, but they sure cananalyze it to death afterwards. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157952Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:58:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157952Patrick, Lancaster, PAGod directed Abraham to sacrific Isaac, the promised child, not Ishmael. Ishmael was the son born first by Abraham's concubine. God intervened and provided a sacrificial ram, but Abraham's faith in God's promise was proven. The decendents of Ishmael were the Arab nations. The descendents of Isaac are the Hebrew nation.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157956Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:59:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157956Dennis, Chicago ILWhy would one expect anything innocent about a tatoo from one who wields weapons of massacre. No, everything in the last days of Cho's life had significance to him. Perhaps, he had ties to Islamic terrorists, perhaps he was influenced by them. We don't know, but we do know that the same "evil one" behind the Islamic terrorists were behind Cho. And yes, he is leaving his mark, the mark of the beast. Are these random events? Or are they birth pains? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157961Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:01:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157961Travis Aeschliman, Fort Wayne, INI find NBC's decision to air Cho's video deplorable. For shame for giving the killer what he obviously wanted. You should have had enough honor and courage to refuse to make it public. Instead you whored yourself out for ratings. I expected better. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157973Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:04:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157973ismaelI think wat ever he was doing,he passed his msg. feel sorry for him.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157977Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:05:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157977JorgeIsmail being the sacrifice who was spared. Apparently saw himself as Ismail returning to get his revenge or to turn the sacrificial rite around. As if to say, "You let me live, that's wasn't too smart." It's interesting that he used "Ax" rather than, say, a knife. The ax is actually a symbol of god. Perhaps he saw himself as an avenging god--the one who prunes to ultimately promote growth? He seems to have fixated on the Abraham-Ishmael story because it deals with a father figure betraying, hurting, sacrificing his son but ultimately sparing him to walk around scarred and angry. This would perhaps tie in with the apparent abuse he suffered at the hands of his stepfather. His rant seems largely directed at his abuser but his feelings had long mutated into an anger directed at all of society. Perhaps for failing to protect him as a boy--a child who cried out for help and received none? His loneliness and isolation must have been tremendous. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157979Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:05:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157979Virginia TechMr. Engel, Cho's quotes reference "Jesus", the founder of CHRISTIANITY... not Islam. Get is straight! See quote from his package: "You have vandalized my heart, raped my soul and torched my conscience. You thought it was one pathetic boy’s life you were extinguishing. Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people." Are you prejudiced against muslims or something? Not good reporting. Sad to see a fellow journalist fuel the fires of hate.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157985Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:06:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157985Amir H., Ossining, New YorkMaybe you should read Wikipedia's article on Ishmael. It seems that he was an internally tortured and shunned son of Abraham in the Bible and Torah. Those ideas would fit the killer's views of himself much better than the Islamic view. Islam isn't always to blame. I hope people of all religions pray for the victims and their families this week.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#157992Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:08:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:157992Virginia TechMr. Engel, Cho's quotes reference "Jesus", the founder of CHRISTIANITY... not Islam. Get is straight! See quote from his package: "You have vandalized my heart, raped my soul and torched my conscience. You thought it was one pathetic boy’s life you were extinguishing. Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people." Are you prejudiced against muslims or something? Not good reporting. Sad to see a fellow journalist fuel the fires of hate.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158004Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:10:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158004GetItRight The Koran??? Cho was talking about Jesus dying on the cross!!! Research before you write. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158006Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:11:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158006KB, Denver, COI am disgusted at the television coverage of Cho Seung-Hui. Why glorify and reward this kind of evil? In my opinion, I believe the media has set a publicity benchmark for future murderers. No longer will it be enough to kill as many people as possible indiscriminately, but a mass murder will now need to submit staged photos and video tapes to audition for a spot in the headlines. Isolated and angry people with a similar psychology will take notice of the fact that this is the ultimate reality spectacle. No talent? Desperate? No problem! One need not look to "Survivor” or "Idol" for 15 minutes of fame, just shoot bullets to get all the undeserved attention a heart can crave and live forever in infamy. Just make sure to have headshots prepared before hand with the appropriate props. How entertaining will murder be without images of a killer with a hammer and gun in hand being broadcast across national television?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158017Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:12:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158017Yosef, Seattle WAThis is nothing. What Cho did is no more worse than what other suicide bombers are doing in Israel or Iraq. The only thing is that it happens so rarely in the US that we as Americans feel so immune to terror and think that this is a 3rd world issue or issues that countries like Israel and Palestinehave had for centuries. I feel that it's just time that the United States wake up and smell the roses. This is nothing new, it happens all the time in other parts of the world. Why should we feel that we are immune or that it doesn't happen in the USA???http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158018Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:13:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158018William Daoust Orlando Fldoes anyone remember the fact that we are in a holy war. was the word jihad forgotten as it seems some in the country want to forget i remember children praying daily about a jihad with the united states if this thing with cho is bad what is going to be said when it gets really intense death is common in other countries our shock at this vicious attack seems though worthy a little stupid in the worlds bigger picture though my heart goes out to the families of the victims and friends at virginia tech i hope everyone starts to remeber we are in a holy war and i dont think its going to just stop our unprotected campus life is ripe for the viscious kind of attacks we have begun to see. its simple we are not prepared here at home for this yet its here we are at war and its within our borders i just think we are not all remembering 9/11 everyone said they would remember well? duh their taking it to us our homefront doesnt have bombs going off daily yet instead its suicidal maniacs going nutso on our youth could he have been one of the terrorist cells we have all heard about a sleeper cell hmmm? the country needs to wake up those who declared jihad on us will never stop. again i am so sorry for the family and friends at v tech http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158021Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:14:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158021Kim, New JerseyI think that "WE" are giving Cho too much attention. Showing is rants across the nation is poor taste and the media should know better. There are copy cats waiting everywhere. We are giving him exactly what he knew we would and that's tv time. Our focus should be on gun control. No one should be allowed to purchase those types of guns, especially a student from another country. I am trying to understand the mind of a gun salesman. How can you sell a gun to a student? What purpose would it serve? Well now we all know. People come to America because of the right to live life more abundantly and it's freedoms -when our freedoms keep us captive and controled by fear one must ask themselves is it worth it. We live in a society where the BLAME GAME is constantle played. No one wants to own his/her responsibilty and there is a lack of respect across the board. Until we put prayer back in school, relearn the morals and respect one another this world we live in will continue in a downward spiral. Come on America haven't we learned anything from 9/11.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158026Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:14:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158026E.J, State College, PAWhat in the name of all that is good is wrong with our news media? When a madman shoots 32 innocent people leaving them for dead,in the aftermath, the media gives him exactly what he wanted; a platform for his sick and twisted ideas about the world. What more needs to be said? What kind of explanation is neccessary? For a man to shoot 32 people it is quite evident that he is completely insane and out of touch with the world. So why give him the benefit of the doubt and air his dirty laundry? The only thing that presenting his words to the country does is inspire other pyschos to take action against their country and classmates. Instead of putting Cho's name to rest the news media turns him into a posthumous rock star. It is in this regard, that I agree that this video is like the ones shot by the other pyschos of our planet, terrorists.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158027Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:15:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158027bonnie baltimore marylandthis is one of those situations where prevention would have been the best medicine. if we as a society take care of something as soon as it occurs or as soon as there is a red flag and become more preventive. We will be more successful in handling and de-escalating events like this.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158030Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:15:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158030Joshua Turley, Navarre, FlI think the virgina tech shootings were tragic. I think what may be worse is that we as a society do not realize the blame falls collectively on all of us. We have failed this young man. Somewhere there are personal aquaintances, parents, friends etc. who should've looked out for him and pointed him in the right direction. They should've took the time to talk to him see what was going on with him and help him out. The blame, however, does not fully fall on those who knew him. We who support violence are to blame. Everytime you buy a movie ticket for a feature that glorifies violence and gun play, you are to blame. Moreover, everytime you turn a cold shoulder to someone in need because it's "not your responsibility," you are to blame. Everytime business's put profit before people, and everytime we thik about ourselves before we think of others we are to blame. Cho was not a fluke, but the eventuality of a society gone astray, a society who does not understand that they are a society, and without the knowledge of how to live for the benifit of such, self-destruct. It's all the millions of tiny vices that people foster and the effects of which that collect like so much gunpowder to become an expolsive keg. I know there are those who do not believe in God, however that does not take away from the beneficial right-ness of his commands. Image a world where we "love our neighbors as ourselves." Really imagine it, to love someone just like you love yourself. I think the solution is as Michael Jackson said "if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158031Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:16:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158031Ron AppersonYou (MSNBC) are doing exactly what his shooter wanted. And it will only kindle in others with that propensity - look at the notierity he's receiving from you! PLEASE focus on the great stories of the lives he took, and what a loss! Yes, the behavior patterns should be studied and evaluated, not glorified.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158036Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:16:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158036edwin goulartacording to the bible Ismael was not the son of Abram that was to be sacrificed, but Isac. This is not just an Jewsish believe but also Christian.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158043Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:18:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158043L. D. Estes, Texarkana, ArkansasGun control will not keep someone with mental illness from killing people. McVay killed hundreds in Oklahoma and in Iraq hundreds are blown up and killed every day. Thousands were killed at the World Trade Center. We need to pray that God will help those people before they go off the deep end.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158045Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:19:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158045MARY F ALLENWE REALLY CAN'T MAKE A JUDGMENT YET ON IF THERE IS ISLAMIC CONNECTIONS UNTIL WE KNOW THE WHOLE STORY BEHIND HIS MADNESS.HE WAS A VERY MIXED UP INDIVIDUAL AND IT IS VERY DISTURBING THAT HIS MENTAL ILLNESS FELL BETWEEN THE CRACKS AND SO MANY INOCENT PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES.I WANT TO KNOW WHERE WAS HIS PARENTS IN ALL OF THIS.I AM NOT BLAMEING THEM BUT IF THEY KNEW HOW DISTURBED HE WAS THEY COULD HAVE USED THEIR INFLUENCE TO GET HIM HELP.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158046Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:19:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158046maureen,Las Vegas. NVIf this young man,who was clearly very disturbed, has a family somewhere, why have they not even been mentioned.they must be going through there own private hell(33 times)if you can find it in your hearts to say a prayer for themhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158047Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:19:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158047Seth, GeorgiaI think this further proves this guy was totally confused. This was not your typical "I'm a crusader fo Allah, I'm gonig to slaughter people" rhetoric, from what I ahve heard of it. This guy was just crazy. Some will likely claim he's just another Muslim fanatic but that doesn't seem to be the case, apparently religion was jsut an excuse (as it is with Muslim fanatics too) but with Cho, it was religion in general, not islam, that he used as his excuse. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the more fanatical Muslim groups like Al-Qaeda try to claim him as a Muslim crusader, but it will only make them look that muc more desperate for attention. The cold fact seems to be this Cho character was jsut a psychopath, pure and simple, an evil man who lusted for blood. We can alalyze him and his motives until we're blue in the face, the fact is none of us will ever know. it could just be that he was jsut a messed up kid, or jsut plain evil, or a combination of both. This wasn't the first time a fanatic slaughtered innocent people and claimed they did it for the benefit of the righteous, and it won't be the last. They get these blind ideas of being a crusader but it's all about bloodlust. Avenging the righteous is jsut an excuse to back themselves up. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158052Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:19:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158052becky funk, sealy, texaswhat a shame that nbc didn't just turn the tape over to the fbi and refuse to put this psycho on tv. maybe if he hadn't seen all the footage from the columbine killers and didn't think that he could make a nationwide audience listen to his ramblings, it might not have been so inviting. shame on all the media for giving him his fifteen minutes of fame. where are his parents? usually parents of psycho killers try to make excuses or apologize for their childrens actions.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158055Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:20:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158055John, Elizabeth City, NCI think it's pretty distubing that the media has basically turned this guy into a celebrity putting him at the top of every headline. There is very little to be said about memorials for the victims or how the school is coping with the loss. It's all about pictures, videos, and writings on the killer. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158057Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:20:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158057Greg Groton, MANBC and MSNBC should not be showing images of this killer. Instead they should be showing images of those that were killed by this disturbed man. I guess NBC will air/show anything to make a buck and glorify a killer. The media in the U.S. has no conscious. NBC has shown that it will do anything for ratings. Shame on all of you. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158059Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:21:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158059Simone, Chicago ILIt is inevitable that we all search for "meaning" in this desperately sick young man's "manifesto". However, mental illness is precisely that - mental illness. His words should not be assumed to have deep meaning and be placed upon any single or group entity, religious persuasion, political affiliation, etc. Records are coming to light that clearly show he was (a) deeply mentally ill and (b) that the ball was dropped not merely once but so many times, by a mental health field bound by vague laws; a university clearly content to take his tuition but not warn and protect this young man from himself or what he might do to other students; a police force that did not clearly communicate with both the university and mental health professionals. As a society, we are already making the same mistakes we made after Columbine! We shouldn't paint this young man as an "otherworldly monster" - he was a deeply sick young man who was ALLOWED to fall through the cracks. And now, there is plenty of blame to go around for the blood he has shed. This is so tragic for so many reasons - but most of all, because it could have without any doubt have been avoided - the killings, and his descent into madness. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158061Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:21:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158061AC, Rock Hill, SCIssac was to be sacrificed by Abraham, not Ishmael.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158063Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158063Stacie Shanks, Knoxville, TNBy making Cho famous, we are doing the victims a disservice. Also, all the media coverage about how this was the worst shooting spree in American history just dares someone to do it bigger and better. Isn't there a way to memorialize the victims without glorifying the shooter. Cho was obviously a very disturbed young man and should not be the focus of our nation's attention.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158064Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158064Atom - SF, CAThe photos, letters and videos Cho made and delivered to NBC News should have been sealed as evidence and NOT been released for a long time. Now NBC News, in a bid at self-promotion by releasing their exclusive 'scoop' to the world, has provided images that will make Cho a hero to some people who believe such acts are justified and may inspire them to do the same thing. NBC News has been manipulated by the terrorist to do what Cho couldn't do for himself - project a powerful image of himself as a martyr. It's the first thing you see splashed all over the MSNBC Website and the world's other media today.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158066Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158066scott calhoon oklahoma city oklahomaPlease dont characterize this individual as a martyr. look up the term. This individual was a psychotic mass murderer. He is a martyr to no cause but mental illness. Some people glorify martyrdom and suggest a higher cause. The media should not let this happen here.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158067Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158067Donna Underdal,Bolivar,MOI don't really care why he did this.I'm just want to see something besides those two idiots Anna Smith and Imus.Atleast Cho had his shit tight.If only you news people had some idea what you where talking about.Your simple shit had to help drive him over the edge.But I know you people didn't do anything.Like the rest of the world.Just ask ya. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158068Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158068Seth, GerogiaI also agree on the parent issue. I find it odd that they would not have noticed this behavior. It sounds as though they just ignored it and didn't care. Of course the parents of the Columbine kdis were the same way and look what happened. And "God" has nothing to do with this. Religion has nothing to do with it. As I said before it was jsut a cop-out, it's the same as Muslim extremists, they claim what they do is for Islam when in truth it has nothing to do with anything other than the bloodlust they are programmed to exhibit by their masters, whome hide in caves while they "robots" do the work.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158073Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:24:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158073JoshWhat's more disturbing is that Richard Engel's crap finds a place among the MSNBC headlines. Tells you a lot about the media.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158075Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:25:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158075Susan Higginbotham Bartlett, TNA civilized society is one which protects those incapable of protecting themselves. We have long been an unciviled society neither offering protection to the youngest of our society (the unborn) and the oldest...Children and the elderly are abused more and more and their emotional, physical nd spiritual needs are ignored. What we are seeing now is the area between the unborn and the elderly are being filled in as well. We are adding more and more age groups to those our society can no longer protect. We could not protect either the students at Va Tech nor could we protect this mentally ill assassin from himself. We must return to the belief that all life is precious and do all to teach our society to treasure life not only in all ages but in all that we see and in ourselves as well. We must strive toward civilization once again. If we turn a deaf ear to one segment of society than we will only continue to add more areas where a deaf ear is justified. These students were precious people that no one can replace. God only knows what they may have offered society. A cure for cancer? A means of peace in the world? A cure for MS or LEukemia? They were the best of the best...its time to honor them with the best we can give.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158077Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:26:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158077Greg Groton, MAKeep God out of my kids classroom. Maybe his parents should of put God or Jesus or whatever you call him into their own PERSONAL lives. If I want some invisible man in my kids life I will do so on my own time at home. The strong minded and sensible don't need religion to justify themselves or their existence. Religion has been the major force behind most wars in history. Religion kills, opiate of the masses.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158078Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:26:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158078Daniel McIntosh, Sutherland NEWhat his problem was besides being mentally ill, is that these lower class kids get tired of being the scum. When he describes certain graphic actions he is simply statign that he was put down by the 'cool' group and probably made fun of. I have myself seen where this behavior pushes kids beginning from a very early age into going into left field. When you do that with someone unstable you are going to see this kind of behavior. People aren't necessarily getting crazier, but society is definitely getting more mean.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158107Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:30:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158107Timothy L. Ford, Nashville, TNKeith I couldn't agree with you more. Even though Cho is primarily responsible. I feel there is a percentage of blame on others for not acting on obvious signs of a cry for help starting with the parents. The blame belongs to everyone from Healthcare to the church to the family and "friends." Society is so cruel that honestly we all are on edge. Don't fool yourself, we all have issues and need someone to talk to or just to vent. First give it to God. My prayers to all families who lost a loved, the school as a whole and to the nation. And yes, we still need to pray for the family of Cho, it is our duty as Christians. We must be accountable and responsible. God Blesshttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158109Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:31:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158109Roger, Denver, COCurrently, on othe msn.com homepage, under MSNBCNEWS there is an article entitled, "World Blog: Cho's martyrdom video" I urge you to change the title for this article. Cho was not a martyr. He was mentally ill, he wasn't killed by anyone else, and he certainly wasn't killed for a "cause".http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158110Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:31:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158110Tim, FloridaCho said, "Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people." Muslims don't believe that Jesus died, but rather was raised to heaven before his death. You are terrible journalist that is blinded by an agenda and dislike of certain individuals because of their beliefs. This article is racist and disgusting, and disturbing. It spreads the nasty racism that many in this country have fought and given up their lives in the past decades and centuries in order to end it. Articles like this push us back hundreds of years. You should feel absolutely embarrassed by this unprofessional article.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158111Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:31:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158111Rob in CAOh, I think Jesus has done enough.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158116Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:31:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158116Rob W-T, London, England§ One would assume that this is a web handle, on people who act as loners in real life often retreat to places of fantasy and safety, where it is possible to suspend reality, become popular, smarter, develop ones self not in the eyes of others but through their own imaginations. Recent online gaming trends suggest this the recent addictions to World of Warcraft and other online communities where ones social and physical inadequacies can be hidden and one can live the life of a hero or indeed a villain. Alternatively A likely root to the handle may be in the novel Ishmael; In the Depths by EDEN Southworth. This novel describes Ishmael’s descent into madness, as the girl he loves is of such a class that despite his frustration they can never be together. Ishmael uses an ax to vent his frustration and his feverish chopping of wood is a sign of his descent into madness, and in the end his recovery from his obsession. Being an English Major it is not unlikely that the protagonist was aware of this work despite its obscurity. It is also possible that with speculated reports that the protagonist stalked a certain person or persons unknown he felt for Ishmaels plight and one can suggest that the those he stalked may have been unobtainable to him, circulating in a ‘rich’ crowd which he felt was exclusive and unable to express his angst or acknowledge his short-comings he blamed the rich the snobbish and the privileged for excluding him and giving him no chance to fulfil his desires. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158117Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:31:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158117Cheryl Pi do see how people would see a similararity - they seem to echo some of the same tones, but clearly this person was not of a right sound mind- in our social society- he may have been more suitable in a zealot group of extremist - who have such extreme beliefs- they do other harm to preach it loud. mental illness is a puzzeling one to solve- many times the symptoms are masked for other things- some people are just introverts. But the assignements he turned in did flag someone- that is where the first cry of help should have been taken seriously.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158122Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:32:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158122backtobasic, indonesiathis is a wake up call for parents as leaders, nurturers in that smallest unit of society called family. go back to the basic responsibility of raising sensible responsible kids who would grow up, go out into the world and do some good. adorable babies just do not automatically become monsters.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158123Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:32:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158123Ben, San Diego, CAWith all his references to the affluent and cruxifiction and religious tones, it may be worthy to explore his motives as anti-Jewish.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158127Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:33:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158127Matt Noubani, Houston, TX I've read this article 4 times and I still can't understand the author's reasons to relate the massacre committed by a South Korean with Arabs!!!! as an Arab American I think to draw a relation between Arabs and/or Muslims and this mad crime is totally absurd, responsible journalism should not feed on the Arab-terror phobia as well as should report facts based on the circumstances and the individual’s own personal motives. The acts committed by Hitler, koresh , bin Laden, and Choo are not driven or represented by a certain race but by the individual’s own motives and behavior. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158128Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:33:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158128Nancy, Kansas City, MOYa know, the media is giving him A LOT of air time....what Cho wanted. The media should pay for acquiring the photos/video and NBC donate the money to the families of the victims....not what Cho wanted!!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158131Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:34:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158131david baptist, swansboro, north carolina, i wish the media would please stop giving this reject so much air time, its a slap in the face of the beautiful people he distroyed, i would love to never see his face or hear the name agian, thankshttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158132Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:34:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158132Wayne Limberg St. Cloud Wi.I think Jenny Rankin is right on with her interpretation of the young troubled man.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158134Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:35:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158134CP, Chicago, ILI think it's interesting that he made references to two major world religions. It just goes to show that he was 1) intelligent as far as this was concerned, and 2) knew that it would spark questions and perhaps even brew up more stereotypes. I don't think he really was into either religion. As most have already commented on, he was just a very disturbed kid who grew to hate. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158136Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:35:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158136Motahar Philadelphia, PAI find it quit disturbing that MSN journalists would be so ignorant. It is disturbing to me as a muslim to read that MSN journalists are now attempting to link Cho to Islam. After listening to a few clips from his manifesto one could easily see that Cho reffered to Jesus Christ explicitly, and does not refer to Islam or Judism in such an explicit manner. Even after that I would be ashamed to link Cho and Jesus and Christianity. This individual was mentally disturbed. Religion should not be brought into this, Please reconsider such postings, they not only defame religions of GOD but also discredit MSN and its journalistshttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158137Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:35:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158137Clarence TourmeI think Superman could have made a difference too. Or Spiderman. Or Hiro, or Peter Pitrellli. This proves that there is more need for comic books in our classrooms. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158138Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:35:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158138Jay DiLeoWith over 300 million individiuals in the USA, each with his or her own psychodynamics, and in a free society--only one of them was disturbed enough to do something like this. We don't appreciate how amazing that is, where so many people are bumping into so many people.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158139Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:35:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158139Donna CabotI think the more publicity he gets the less time we will have to concentrate on the victims of this terrible crime. It is likely the only reason he left all of this behind is to get the attention he needed and wanted when he was alive. The media should not let him receive all of this attention, pull all of this from the TVs, radio and the internet and focus on the victims and their families.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158140Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:36:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158140Bryan Lowe , Canton, OhioIt was Issac not ishmail who Abraham was asked to sacrafice. Ishmail was sent away with his mother into the desert.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158142Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:36:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158142Alexander Lu, Redlands, CaliforniaAll of us should be very careful in what we say when refering to race, gender, or religion at this point. I am sure that experts in the field of psycho analysis are on it. There are a lot of things we do not know about the man. It is clear that Cho is confused and crazy in the lay man's term. The thing is, he is also clever. It is very hard to defend against someone like this because we do not predict when they would snap. I am sure there are many more like Cho walking and living among us. Just be careful because there may be copy cats out there.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158145Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:37:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158145Kim, New JerseyFirst off I have one child in college and another going immediatelt after graduation. This is very disturbing for anyone that has college age children. In a world where we can log on line and blog, e-mail people in China or India I am confused as to why we can't seem to master simple communication. After 9/11 - information should be shared much better between CIA, FBI, state police, local police, hospitals and schools. I can't for the life of me understand how everyone knew about his problem except the main people that needed to know. Any disturbing writing, harrassment or any other antic should have resulted in a call home so that the Cho family could have picked up their son and 32 people would be alive today. All of this could have been avoided if the Professor, room mates and students pleas were heard.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158146Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:37:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158146Mark-- Laguna Niguel, CA This is ridiculous. I guess the Koreans don't have to worry about backlash--we'll just blame Arabs now. I wonder if the Son of Sam killer was really talking to God, since GOD spelled backwards is DOG. Cho was obviously mentally ill. I think our time is better used in trying to understand how this happens.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158156Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:39:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158156Molly Wilson, Havana, FloridaWhat a tragic event at VaTech. I have a daughter and son-in-law who graduated from VPI. Consuming sadness for all involved. I am interested in knowing if the Hui family is under federal protection and if they are receiving the same counseling offered to the other families of this tragedy. Being a parent of any of these students is a horrific nightmare. I hope they take advantage of any counseling offered. MCW http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158157Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:39:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158157Carl, Miami, FLismail ax = mix alias? hmmm. I agree that too many are reading too much into the videos. They simply depict a a very troubled individual. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158158Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:39:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158158Elizabeth, St. LouisIs it possible this was in fact not just an isolated incident, but an act of terrorism? Look at the similarities and you start to wonder. In past attacks of this kind, the gunmen don't normally leave behind taped messages to a national reporting agency. Nor do they refer to the Koran, or know to use heavy weaponry like a glock. That is something a trained assasin does. Is it possible this kid was recruited by a terror network, brainwashed, and committed this act as a means to prove his loyalty? The pieces just don't fit for this to be a random act of violence. They do fit for the scenarios I gave above. I think he deserves a second look by the feds. I don't think he was just a messed up kid. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158162Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:40:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158162Howell, NJIts as simple as this. HE WAS CRAZY!!! Stop trying to read into him and analyze. HIs parents knew, his roomates, Doctors, police, classmates and teachers. They all new he was nuts. But it comes down to this...there's nothing anybody could've done until he commited a crime or hurt himself. Think about how many people just as crazy ashe was walking around us everyday. People are getting more insane and more evil. So who do we blame for that? I say everybody should shut up and try to fix the problem.Maybe doctors should let police and public know when there an insane person walking around us.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158164Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:40:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158164jeff, portland oregonJudging by the repeated references to jesus and christianity in the manifesto, I don't believe Cho needed more god in his classrooms, christianity appears to be something he was well versed in and fed up with. Where was god during this massacre? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158182Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:43:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158182Rob, New Orleans, LACho was mentally ill, not knowing how to react in a social/ife setting where he was not mentally able to be the person he wanted to be. This led to his withdrawl form school and society and finally led to this terrible tragedy. Lets not forget the families who will never see their kids again. That would be a more appropriate discussion at this point.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158183Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:43:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158183 Taylor Lucas, Jordan Valley, OregonThis is a misunderstanding he should never been on campus if he was writing threatening letters about students and teachers. But none the less he was another form of the Columbine massacre. Which means he shouldn't have been picked on. He should have been left alone. He is very arrogent to be blaiming his crime on islam and arabs this was entirely his fault. In my opinion he is a crazed madman and a should have been tested years befor to find a disorder. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158184Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:43:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158184J. LeeTo those who took offense at NBC's showing Cho's images to the public calling them "shocking and disturbing," have we noticed that we see these images practically daily in our popular films and TV shows? CBS pulled an episode of "Bones" from this week's scheduled because it depicted a buried corpse inside a college campus. We are bombaded with these images daily yet profess complete and utter shock when we the same image in the news. Though there is the gulf between fiction and reality, I think we should come to grips that our popular culture we glorify and promulgate is not so flattering as well.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158186Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:43:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158186Dr Abu Asmarai think you are a sick half past six journalist. How did you passed as journalism or you bought the degree from some private college. you should use your head and reason before your write or give up writting and be a muslim so you know what Islam is all about. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158187Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:44:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158187John DoeIm so tired of these COWARDS shooting people and thinking it makes them some sort of martyr. The bottom line is this kid was a weak and insignificant person whose only way of getting peoples attention was by commiting this unspeakably cowardly act. You are no martyr Cho, you are a pathetic coward. Rather than deal with your problems you took the easy way out. News flash, everyone, everywhere, and in every country has problems but they deal with it. His dilusions of grandure are laughable at best, but leave it to the big news corporations to fulfill his dream by plastering every single picture and word of his on television and the internet. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158188Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:44:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158188Teacher gIt could have also come from the novel moby dick "call me Ishmael..." What is evident is he was controlled by evil - he was a senior he could have graduated and went on with his life - but was convinced that there was no hope - who was he running from? I believe In God and I believe in evil - If this isn't a classic case of "demon possession" I don't know what is. It's sad - because what keith said is so true a true trust in Jesus would have changed everything - this just tells me I need to live each day as it were my last - because it just might be - http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158190Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:44:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158190Amanda, Jonesboro, AR.When you cut this to the core...Cho was a mentally disturbed young man. Most likely he gathered a bunch a gibberish together to keep everyone's interest. Somehow he derived pleasure out of knowing that we would all be wondering and speculating about his motives. I believe he enjoyed this killing spree in a way we cannot comprehend. He was mentally unbalanced, mostly likely for years. Coming from the Korean culture it's unlikely that he would seek mental health counseling. The Korean population are very proud and take care of one another. Perhaps he got lost or way unreachable. His parents might have tried but could only do so much. However if they did know and didn't force him to get help....we'll probably never know the answer. His narcistic tendencies allowed him pleasure in knowing that he caused pain to a multitude of people.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158195Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:45:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158195SPS, New York, NYTo reiterate the sentiments of many who have posted already, tying Cho's actions to islam in anyway is just unfounded and ludicrous. He references Christ, Christianity and the Columbine killers much more explicitly than anything that would suggest he was influenced by Islam. His ramblings resemble a tone used by evangelicals and white supremist than anything else. May be he was in the KKK! Sound ridiculous? Not any more than Engel's dubious attempt at "journalistic analysis".http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158196Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:45:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158196Mike Bendel, Abilene, TX I hope this brings attention and action to the seriousness of mental illness and not just condemnation of Cho, the school, or a hundred other things to deflect from what's really happening here. Our ignorance about mental illness is so evident in some of the comments being made about this terrible event. My partner has a mental illness and has been totally screwed by the system and more sadly, the community and church he was part of for years. Ignorance abounds and there is very little adequate, affordable help available for those who seek it. I wonder too, if insurance was a deciding factor in Cho's being released and only being a "danger to himself"? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158200Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:46:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158200CPutnamI think there hasn't been enough attention paid to the trauma of immigration. What did Cho leave behind when his family came? Who did he love back there? What issues might he have had struggling to negotiate his way in a totally different culture/language? Sure, some adjust with very little difficulty, but others don't. Add in some mental illness, or a mood disorder triggered by the disruption and stress of the move... Add in a low level of baseline resilience in the first place... Add in parents totally overwhelmed and preoccupied with making their way in a new country/language, probably working millions of hours to get by... Who knows? To me the disturbing thing is that the kid clearly was not unattached, clearly had feelings...everyone speaks as if he were a "loner," a difficult kid with whom it was hard to make eye contact, etc. But for me the operative word is KID. If you have a kid in elementary school, middle school, high school who's hard to reach, what is your responsibility as a teacher, counselor, parent, neighbor, etc? Do you just say, he's a difficult kid, he doesn't even make eye contact, and throw up your hands, or do you try to find a way in? If he was mentally ill, there were missed opportunities to treat him. If he was lonely and disaffected, that says he did *care* and there were opportunities to reach him. *That's* the failure. The failure isn't that he wasn't banned from campus sooner (so then he would just have come right back with a gun...). The failure is that this kid didn't get the help he needed at the right time in his life. I think we need to devote more resources to understanding the traumas and stresses of immigration and helping those who come from drastically different cultures to adjust. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158202Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:46:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158202Angela, Seattle, WashingtonIs no one stepping forward to say that they knew this kid? Parents, relatives, friends, where are you? How is it that this kid had no parents or family? Someone brought him here to the US when he was 8. This disturbed kid was conditioned over many years to become a mass murderer. How can you bring a child into this world, watch him disintegrate and not have some accountability. Someone needs to step up and take responsibility for how this kid turned out. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158204Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:46:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158204Gary Taylor, Dallas TexasThis kids mind was twisted and where are the parents who should come out and explain what he was like as a child and did they see the way he was going. This behavior should have been seen by them.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158207Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:47:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158207Brenda Marshall, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, CanadaI first must send out my heartfelt sympathy to the friends and families of all the victims. That being said...the media must stop giving all this attention to this unspeakable human and what he has done. It is time to focus on the good that all these people who are now deceased have brought to this world. By giving all the attention in the wrong direction only reinforces his actions and the actions of "copy cats" to follow. Allow the people of Virginia Tech to grieve and heal without always having to see and hear about the person who has ripped their lives apart.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158209Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:47:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158209mmc, merrifield, vaAccording to the facts, Cho was obviously psychologically disturbed because he was very angry and unhappy so he chose to inflict innocent bystanders with his anger and hatred. His lack of social skills and his parent's influence or lack thereof was certainly a reason for him being a loaner. People do not just simply isolate themselves for no reason. His purpose in life was to make a statement of anger to the world and the only way he felt comfortable expressing himself was through writing out his anger and frustrations with his life; he obviously was so unhappy due to his lack of support among family, peers, and lack of positive influences that he chose not to surround himself with. Everyone has good and evil in them and we have the choice to act or not act upon our free will, he chose the path of destruction, and his influences were not positive. There is no excuse for his horrible actions. The most heinous of all crimes of humanity is to mock yourself as a martyr with a victim mentality acting as if you're the only person with problems. The fact that this heinous act occured results in communities and people coming closer together, that's just one positive that comes out of this sadness. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158210Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:47:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158210T Burns Mt Pleasant, IANo one will ever truly know his true intentions. We can all try to explain our own opinions and that is what they are, our opinions. Stop for a minute, think, then type. If finger pointing is the best that you can come up with, turn off the computer. Their is enough hate in the world today, don't add more fuel to the fire. Instead, figure out what you can do to make each day, a good day for someone else. May have helped this situation. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158211Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:47:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158211BrienStop giving this person the dignity of a name or a place in our society, or history. The quicker we erase his name, pictures, and thoughts from our minds the better. His motives will be studied, his actions will be discussed, and perhaps something will come of this to prevent this from ever happening again. Leave that to those who do this sort of work and say a prayer for them because their jobs are thankless. But here is a thought for everyone. Why is it that all we ever remember, and are forced fed by the media and our society, are who the killers were? I know who Whitman was, I know who Klebold and Harris were, I know who Bundy, De Salvo, and Dahlmer were. What I don't know, and I imagine many people do not know, is who their victims were? I for one feel remorse when I admit this to myself. It is time we forgot, and the media allows us to forget, who these insane people are, and instead lets us concentrate on remembering who the victims were. They are the ones who deserve a place in our thoughts, feelings, and prayers.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158214Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:48:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158214Chad Coogle Okc,OkHe was a coward, plain and simple. He just watched Natural Born Killers one to many times.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158215Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:48:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158215Daniel Bowers, Redding CaliforniaI'm pretty sure Cho wasn't confused at all about what he was doing. Angry, yes. Crazy, definitely. But he planned this out and new exactly what he was doing. This blog is pretty ridiculous, so I have to disagree with what's written here. Please don't attach this nutcase in anyway to Islam; it's unwarranted. At least you didn't blame gun control laws for Cho's actions, then I'd really be pissed off. Blaming guns for Cho killing people is like blaming cars when someone dies from a drunk driver. Idiotic reasoning.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158223Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:49:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158223Wonder WomanThats true! Why didn't Jesus save the day?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158224Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:49:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158224CWSTOP SHOWING THESE PICTURES, LET THE FAMILIES HEAL!!!!!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158230Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:50:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158230Andrew, Phoenix AZKeith Witters... which God? Your God? Or should our government choose one it likes? What if our government chooses one you don't like? What then? Please stop talking about bringing God into the classroom or government. This person already had enough religion in his life. It gave him delusions of being Jesus-like. Some help.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158231Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:50:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158231Brad S New York I think everybody should quit looking into it to deep as far as religion . This person needed help long ago and the system failed him. He should have been made to get help. My prayers go out to the families and friends of these inocent victims.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158233Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:50:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158233Denver, COVery poor journalist here in my view and leading to those nuts out there that want to believe what your selling. Are you hoping to incite someone else to do this too.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158234Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:50:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158234Matthew Hortman, Ga.Unfortunately, I believe this all boils down to Cho wanting to be recognized. That's all. Religion was just a backdrop. No one paid him any attention, so he forced his importance on us. In his mind Im sure he was a nobody, so he became the villan to make us take notice. He made himself important to the world in a sick way. The media is a double edged sword. We all want to know the story, but the story will only create more Cho's. The media sensation gives the ignored and disturbed a great sense of power. He was a nobody, who now the whole world knows by first name.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158235Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:50:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158235BaltimoreHow could god have made a difference in this situation....that is like saying that the gun dealer also played a part in this. Clearly this person had issueshttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158239Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:51:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158239Bruce, Atlanta GAI'm not convinced that kid would have been helped by God or anything else in the classroom. What needs to happen is for the system to be looked at, and find a way to deal with problems that were begging to be dealt with. I can't blame the school or the administrators or any one individual but definitely his parents should have seen more and done more in advance.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158243Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:51:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158243Gregory Moorpark, CaIn a “just” world the victims would receive far more press than the piece of trash that made them so. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158248Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:52:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158248GGThe oddest twist is the attempt of Bush to comfort the grieving students! One murderer speaking for another i guess? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158250Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:52:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158250Mercedes, Austin, TXObviously some of you have never dealt with people that suffer from mental illness. They are rarely willing to cooperate with their loved ones that want to get them help. Most belive everyone is out to get them. He was no longer a minor and could not be institutionalized without his consent. Not even by his parents. It's easy to trace back his history and claim that the red flags were ignored. Nobody knew him long enough; or at all for that matter; to put those pieces together. His religious ramblings were just that....ramblings. This was a catastrophe that should not be blamed on religion. In this day and age we are quick to blame and point the finger. Lets keep all religions out of this. He was a sick, sick person.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158252Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:53:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158252PDL Salt Lake CityI really don't understand why the media would give the killer exactly what he wanted, attention. That was the whole point of sending everything to NBC. I think its a joke that the media is glorifing this attention straved lunatic by covering every aspect of his horrible act. How about we focus on what really matters and tell the story of the tragic loss of life.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158253Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:53:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158253JT CAI think i agree with Gman....where are his parents now, they have said nothing, no apologies, nothing. their boy was disturbed very disturbed did they just shut him out....is that the Korean culture?? im not one for gun control but if some is put into some institution with mental problems that person should be on a do not sell list as far as gun are concerned.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158256Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:53:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158256A. Daniels, Queen Creek, ArizonaRegardless of what words he used or what was written on his arm, this is a terrible tragedy. A journalist taking a situation such as this and finding a way to involve the muslim people is a way to make a story and stir up bad memories, it has been that way since 9/11. These killings had nothing to do with anyone but him, his mental status and his hatred towards others, the same as it was with the Columbine killings. Stop making this into something it is not and try something new, just write the truth. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158257Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:53:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158257Alice B. TokasWe may have here a "Manchurian Canidate" style killing. He was bright enought too get into VT. Something ticked him off, some word, some person, something he seen or heard.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158259Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:54:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158259Robert BlueDid Jesus die after shooting up the synagogue?? Must have missed that verse. Well, actually Peter did chop off an ear of a court official with a misplaced sword strike in the scuffle at Gethsamene so maybe that's it. Never forget that a real martyr is willing to die FOR the cause NOT kill people for your own justification before Godhttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158278Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:57:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158278Douglas, Little Rock, ArkansasInsanity! Islam is peace. I see no evidence that this guy had Allah in his life at all. People who really practice Islam are peaceful and could not act in such a selfish and hatefully misdirected way against others.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158279Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:58:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158279Staci Nichols, North Little Rock, ArkansasHe wanted his 15 minutes of fame, and that is exactly what he's getting!!!! It's such a shame others had to pay their life for it!!!! My heart goes out to all the families of this senseless tragedy!!!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158280Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:58:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158280Henry, Jersey City, NJI think Mr. Cho knew exactly what he was doing. It is unusual for Americans to see people for what they are, but the fact is...there are plenty of people like Mr. Cho and that is unfortunate. Too many wonderful people have gotten hurt due to one man's actions. It is easy to look at someone's behavior while they are alive, but it becomes more clear of their motives once they act them out. I think that the good thing is ...Mr. Cho did not have any children to leave his legacy. Unfortunately for his parents, if they are his biological parents, they have given birth to a human being who has proven capable of such an unspeakable act. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158281Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:58:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158281Richard Engel, Moron, DCI am so tired of the bush era journalism - its absurd and down right stupid. Go back to school and grow a brain!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158282Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:58:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158282doug baltimore, mdThis just proves there is no God or Allah, or whatever else you want to call it.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158283Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:58:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158283Omar Peeters, LAFirst of all, what's a Middle East bureau chief doing writing about something in Virginia? This is TERRIBLE journalism. Trying to establish a link between Islam and this incident based on Cho's statements is idiotic. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158286Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:59:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158286Akhtar MunirNO one should be blame for his action but he. It is easy to shift the blame. He was a sick person. He needed help. V. Tech should do so which they did not. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158287Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:59:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158287Ronald, Tampa, FloridaIf he had anything to do with religion, he would never have taken such a coward step and become a cause of distress. I think it is a biased point of view when some people even try to relate this incidence to Islam or Christianity. I think it is a way of adding some spice to the report by MEDIA. The next day there was new of 81 killed in Iraq 2.5 times more people killed by no more coverage was presented except a small story. The reason is clear news media is a business not a charity.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158289Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:00:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158289M.Y., Hong KongI am highly troubled at the amount of attention that the entire world is giving this absolutely twisted and ignorant ranting, but most especially the media. This discussion and the release of the videos is only going to fuel another lunatic or even a normal person who simply would like to have the world's spotlight if only for a few minutes. We are giving ideas to other fools who would do anything to gain some significance in life, even if it means that they have to commit an even bigger mass killing... Just letting you all know what you're contributing to... Stop giving him any commentary on his ideologies and philosophies. He only deserves condemnation.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158292Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:00:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158292F.J., Willmington, NCRichard Engel should lose his job. He's obviously a racist. No wonder the Iraqis in Baghdad don't like us!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158349Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:10:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158349AdenBlaming Islam for these murders would be like blaming Christianity for World War II. He was a disturbed individual who exerted signs that were caught too late. To sit here and point fingers at the innocent won't bring anybody back. I think we have enough Cowboys pointing fingers at islam blaming it from the war to the fact somebody hit a deer on the way home.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158350Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:10:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158350californiawe have not heard all the facts, only what the goverment and the media want us to receive. This is the only contry on the world were ill feelings and descrimination against certain groups is part of the US culture. Comming from europe , it takes time to acclimatate to the madness of this society. some groups are more accepted than others, I wonder if this man was also sick and tired of this type sickness that is so common in our society.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158352Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:10:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158352heidicome one, Abraham son "Isaac" was supposed to be sacrificed not Ismael, please get your Bible facts straight! I am praying for the families hurting.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158353Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:11:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158353Anonymous Student, Fort Collins, COThis story is a tragedy. Trying to connect his actions with other acts of violence in the world must be done only out of fact...Not as propaganda for fear and hyping of crises in the Middle East. What can be deduced from his manifesto and past is that he was mentally ill. Why is his mental condition/illness not being given the respect it needs? He was a severely disturbed individual. What made him feel that way? Why did it culminate at this time? Why was he left alone for so long while helplessly ill? The lack of understanding and neglect of mental illnesses is a world-wide problem, but America certainly has the resources to do better. This story isn't about blame, it's of an emotionally and mentally disturbed boy who wasn't understood by ANYBODY. I can't fathom that pain. Most people don't have that--most people have someone to relate to who is still alive; however, in his manifesto, he related himself to people who have already died. He seemed to only sense a purpose to his life in it's conclusion. There is certainly something to be learned from this...Is it really wrapped up in the words "Asmail Ax?" Or are those words being used as an excuse to ignore the complicated and confusing crux of Cho's issues? There are other people with his pain...How can their lives be different? How can we help our fellow citizens, who find themselves similarly lost, discover and nurture THEIR purposes? http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158354Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:11:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158354Scott FertigIsn't the son of Abraham that is nearly offerd as a sacrifice Isaac? Ishmael is the son of Hagar, Sarah's maidservant.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158359Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:11:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158359Gregory C Baloun, Downers Grove, IllinoisAs usual, the media rushes to fill the air with enough material to fill the time alotted. They don't care if the material makes sense or not. Nobody knows anything about this guy, and it is doubtful that anyone ever will. But, the story must go on. It does appear that the path to becoming a monster began many years ago.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158360Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:11:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158360Sylvia Rindy, New Diggins, WIWhats happening to us? Are we so numbed out that we don't think that insanity and evil are alive and well and living in the general population??? I am mad as hell.....are we just sitting ducks for the evil and the insane?? Lets spend money on security and the mentally ill for once, get off our asses and make some changes. And what the hell is a 24 year old buying hand guns for anyway?? HELLOOOOOOO... 250 million guns? Should we all be packing? My son is a hunter and I am not talking about rifles, its hand guns...they are used for one t hing and thats killing people, enuf said. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158362Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:12:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158362Michael Crest, Silverspring, MDHey Engel, if I were you, I'd stick to counting the dead Iraqis. That's a little less subjective... and you'll be less likely to stick your feet in your mouth. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158364Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:12:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158364Carl Pedersen, Maple Valley, WANot only did NBC cross the line on this, they crossed my the line of decency to the families and to my family. Our children are in bed by the 8pm sex, drugs, and rockandroll start of the prime time shows. Why, at 6pm, we they witness to somebody pointing a gun at them on TV, bragging about his weapons, and hearing the horrible statements? Why, for MONEY. Simply stated. The FCC needs to crack down on these networks for the protection of the young children during the day. Sure, we could lock them in their bedrooms while we watch the news, but why should we have to? Simply stating that some person murdered 32 people and where it occurred is enough. There is no need to show a "gift" that this guy WANTED you to show to make himself some sort of a Martyr. Get your head on straight NBC. Don't be as low as ABC.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158413Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:21:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158413Leesburg, VirginiaXenophobia at its worst! That's just as bad as saying that somehow Virginia or his high school had something to do with his twisted psyche. This is a lone man who was evil and then fumed about supposed slights. Let me spell out that punctuation--Period. There are no other connections. The response now should be to pray for the victims, survivors, community and parents involved.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158415Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:21:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158415Mike Beecham, La Junta, ColoradoI getting so tired of major news outlets giving a platform to a malicious madman. If you want to be famous, perform some atrocity. DROP IT! How about doing a piece on the lifes and goodness of some of the precious people who died in this atrocity. Let's forget the murderer, and let's stop our morbid preoccupation with the twisted mind of the insane.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158417Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:21:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158417Alan Please Do not sale Gun in the street or store? Why? if u see the law sale gun in the store If you sale more gun the more see okay I don't like that, the law to sale gun , keep gun for Policy only or FBI only I'am need to protact my child or my self too safty for gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158421Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:22:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158421Kim Goetz, Colona, ILTo try and link these killings to any religion is ridiculous (as stated in your article. Cho was not a person of any particular faith, he just used religous references to somehow validate his muderous rampage. I have not nor will I listen to or read the ramblings of a maniac like Cho. I think it is totalling irresponsible for it to be broadcast. Somehow immortalizing his murderous killing spree is replusive. I can not imagine the grief and utter horror this must be giving the families of the murdered. Instead the VICTIMS stories should be playing over and over on the news, web, etc. As long as insane persons such as Cho are given celebrity status after a horrific killing sprees, school shootings will continue. There is enough hate in the world without trying to hold a particular religion(s) responsible. This was nothing but the act of an insane person.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158424Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:23:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158424MC PruettAccording to reports from South Korean Buddhist authorities, the name written on the arm of Cho Seung Hui, 'ISMAIL AX', is an anagram for SALAMI XI, and as deciphered according to the ancient texts of the unique Buddhism-Shamanic religion as practiced only in ancient Korea. The meaning of SALAMI comes from the Italian verb salare, meaning 'to salt', and is a reference to salting the earth, and which refers to the practice of spreading salt on fields to make them incapable of being used for crop-growing. This was done in ancient times at the end of some wars as an extremely punitive scorched earth tactic. The Latin symbol for the number 11 (XI) is the reference used by Cho Seung Hui to signify his 'authority' to 'Salt the Earth' as this is the number ascribed by both ancient and modern numerologists alike to great artists, religious leaders, prophets, and leading figures in history, and is considered to be the 'highest' of all numbers. A further 'clue' left behind by Cho Seung Hui lies in the ancient mythology of his ancient Korean homeland and wherein he believed in his 'right' to be 'Shin' (godlike, divine, supernatural), and as evidenced by the reports from Western media stating his 'religious devotion' to a song titled 'Shine', which was preformed by a musical group called Collective Soul. It is NOT MUSLIM......stop trying to turn it into a terrorist attack......he wasn't Muslim.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158427Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:23:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158427Bryon Doe, IndianaIt is almost a clear consensus; this guy was not under some dilusion of a crusade. His religous associations were as unclear as his mind. Please stop trying to stir up the public into a battle between muslims and christians in the US. We have too much of that in other parts of the world already. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158430Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:24:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158430Rey Smith, Spokane, Wash.I would remind Hassan Shahbandar that MOST of the victims of Islamic terrorists are Muslims -- a fact conveniently overlooked by their apologists, and a key to understanding the intractability of the problem. As long as Muslims persist in romanticizing themselves as the victims of outside forces, rather than engaging in healthy and progressive self-criticism as other religious people have done, they will continue to threaten the stability of societies around their world with the paranoia that festers in the minds so many of their devotees -- and that expresses itself in acts of senseless and brutal violence in the name of some pathetic and misguided "martyrdom."http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158431Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:24:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158431David, Ottawa, CanadaFor what it's worth, in medieval apocalyptic literature, the Ishmaelites were a savage race whose arrival was considered a forerunner of the apocalypse. According to Pseudo Methodius, the Ishmaelites had been imprisoned for aeons behind a great wall of mountains, but would one day break out and wreak havoc - murdering priests and desecrating holy places. This shooter doesn't sound sophisticated enough to have known about that, but it's a possible source.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158651Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:57:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158651CM, East Lansing, MichiganI can't help but wholeheartedly agree that NBC and the other media outlets need to exercise some restraint in plastering this so-called manifesto all over the television. Not only is this incredibly offensive to the victims and their families, but is also highly irresponsible. Who knows how many disturbed individuals are out there watching and entertaining the idea of engaging in such a horrendous act. Certainly this might be the catalyst for them. Tactful and informative journalism was sacrificed for ratings and the almighty dollar.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158652Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:58:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158652Sally SousaSince he was an English major, perhaps it makes more sense that Ishmael is a reference to Moby Dick. Perhaps society was this student's white whale.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158654Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:59:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158654Jimmy CrackI respect everyone's own opinion, everyone will have their own take on why he did, or what made him do these killings, that's part of why we are "individuals" My problem is: Why not just kill yourself? I know...another suicide would not be plastered all over websites. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158655Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:59:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158655Chip, Rochester, New YorkTo Jenny Rankin in Wisconsin (Comment on April 19th): Bravo! To suggest a religious connection would seem meaningless. I believe that you hit the nail on the head. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158657Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:59:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158657Jeff Wismer, Washington, D.C. 2000 Graduate of VaTechThat's right...label him as a homocidal maniac, a monster, and an evil-doer...b/c that's what's easy and why not when the President labels an entire civilization as such. the Intellectual laziness in this country is reaching all time levels of ineptitude. Education in this country is bottoming out at all time dangerous levels of illiteracy, scienctific understanding, and critical thinking. It's everyone's fault that this happens, b/c we've all stood idly by for the past 25 years as we brushed aside AIDS, depression, environment, and health care. Of course I realize when you live in a society that has it so good, that this inherently will happen, and the weak, unhealthy, and those in real need of care will be disposed of in places we see fit to dispose them. This young man, is just another product of years of societal neglect and turning a blind eye to the problems festering and growing like a cancer in our society. Religious fanaticism, bigotry, racism, and cruel indifference. WE will all continue to suffer these consequences and many others in the near future if we continue on this path of personal and community wide destruction. None of us are immune to it. President Bush, Global Warming, Terrorism, Ignorance, and War are all products of a unhealthy system that as been unchecked and unbalanced for at least the last 25 years, b/c we lack accountability...and anything that allows us to shift or disavow our responsibilites is unhealthy...and that's why I think modern religions such as Christianity and Islam are fueling the destruction of humanity, b/c they are dogmatically fighting against humanity and distracting humans away from their accountability, and giving humans a convenient escape from their responsibility. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158659Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:00:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158659Beth woodhaven michiganenought is enought this freak wanted all of this attention so by putting it out there you have helped him in his sick mission. it is sad that a child goes off everyday to be educated and they have fears of being murdered SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158660Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:00:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158660Kay Warren, Roanoke, VAThe news media must stop talking about record numbers of dead. That makes this story about the shooter and encourages other disturbed outcasts to up the ante. The people who commit these types of crimes should not have their names become part of the popular lexicon. Their names should never be spoken again.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158661Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:00:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158661Dorothy B Riverdale, North Dakota To Jack Where were his parents? I am so tired of parents being considered responsible for everything a child of theirs does. Maybe it is time our country does more for the mentally ill and challenged. Have you ever tried to get help for a mentally ill person? I have and all you do is run into expensive or closed doors. Yes it is a tragedy that this should have happene in our dear United States. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158664Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:00:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158664Jeff, New York, NYPerhaps Steve Capus never listened to Peter Gabriel's song entitled Family Snapshot. The scenario being played out is similar motivation to Cho’s. I am disappointed again in Mr. Capus's judgment. He directly chose to go down the path Cho begged for. From Family Snapshot: Holding my breath Release the catch And I let the bullet fly All turned quiet-I have been here before Lonely boy hiding behind the front door Friends have all gone home There's my toy gun on the floor Come back Mum and Dad You're growing apart You know that I'm growing up sad I need some attention I shoot into the light http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158665Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:00:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158665Mark D. NYI think cho was a 23 year old virgin who was rejected too many times and blamed it on others. he represents the social ill of this world and manifested into what many socially trubled people would normaly manifest into. A terrorist! Media portrays what the ideal "cool guy" should be and he didn't cut so he went out and terrorized his peers. Kinda like all these fanatics. OH by the way, thanks NBC for glorifying him.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158667Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158667Stefanie, Cuyahoga Falls, OHWhat hurts me the most about this situation is that the people who were killed were people who were doing what they were supposed to. They were good people going to class, trying to better themselves, or professors trying to better the future. I am a recent college graduate about to become a teacher, and this situation, I think, is bigger than we all know it. I see it everyday - students are beginning to lose hope in the world, and it is sad. Global warming, war, situations where innocent people are being killed on a college campus...the list goes on. This world is not a pretty one to live in right now, and it has got to be hard to grow up in it. And about the air time Cho is getting makes me sick. The news knows that this is what the kid wanted. But it is making them money - and apparently money is more important to these people than the thousands of human beings who are dealing with this. Today I walked into my 10th grade classroom - and each of my students could tell you word for work what the killer's manifesto was. They could mimic his poses in the pictures. I find that extremely disturbing. I just pray that these kids will be able to look forward to a good world. A world that will allow them to succeed and give back to the good in people.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158668Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158668Lance, Garden City, MichiganNBC, NBC, NBC????? I just so happened to be flipping through the channels last evening only to catch Hardball with Chris Matthew's during an interview with Brian Williams....Topic: The Cho video. Both journalists were saying how hard it was to view the video and to air it---especially due to the fact that Mr. Williams has a child in college at this moment. Why then did you air it???? I have a degree in Journalism and one of the things I was taught was to report in a responsible and timely fashion---What NBC did was highly irresponsible and untimely. Did you not think about the parents and families of the victims? Did you not realize that perhaps waiting for a few more days---even weeks would have been a better choice? Even the idea of not airing the video at all would have been a more responsible decision on NBC's part. The news media is self regulating and does have A LOT of freedoms, but this decision to air Cho's video is going to hurt the media and perhaps in the end we may even see some Cho inspired copy-cats. Think about the message that your network is sending to the public.....(unfortunately, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, there was a college closed today due to a bomb threat.......) Shame on you NBC for your lack of thinking about others and their feelings and shame on you for your hunger for ratings and getting this worthless piece of the story out there first.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158669Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158669Chris D, Irvine, CAI completely support NBC’s broadcasts of the video and writings. We always have the power to switch channels or not seek out blogs about the story. By bringing this disturbed man’s thinking to light, there is a chance we might recognize similar characteristics in people from our own lives and intervene before such a terrible act occurs. I prefer raw footage to edited, translated, cleansed or biased interpretations from people who ‘know’ what we should see.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158670Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158670SIlva,South Americaok! He's crazy... Why in USA crazy students want to kill their friends and in others countries these thing just don't happen?http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158672Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158672Miami, FlI am sick and tired of everyone saying that it was irresposible of NBC to show the footage from Cho. I felt it was more irresposbile to show over and over again the images from 911 during times when young children were normally sitting down to eat dinner with their parents. How do you explain to a 6 year old why someone was "flying" out of a building and that they would not be getting up after they hit the bottom? No matter what we have shown worse images on tv and have called it patriotic, well this man needed help and was thrown back out into the world over and over again. All we are doing by arguing about this is giving into Cho's sick wishes that he become a martyr and as long as we continue to talk about this issue we are just helping others with these same ideas hear what this man had to say. It's time that Americans stop concentrating on the world problems and start concentrating on America, maybe if that would have happened someone would have realized that this guy needed to be locked away for good.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158674Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158674L. Roberts, Los Angeles, CAI think the horror of what happened unfortunately has blinded most people to the fact that despite the heinousness of what Cho did, he too was a victim. He didn't arrive at his homicidal rage on his own. He had a lot of help from a society that increasingly marginalizes, diminishes and devalues many of its citizens based on race, gender, etc. We are supposed to be a classless society but class systems run rampant in nearly every sector of our society. It's very easy to point a finger and lay blame but we, as a society, create our own monsters. The question needs to be asked and answered, how did Cho or the Columbine boys ever get to that state. The cause must be addressed and not dismissed out of hand that they are just crazy, homicidal idiots. The fact that these sentiments have been expressed in this forum and others is part of the problem. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158675Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158675PJ Roscoe,IlNow the news networks are considering not showing anymore of the video's of Cho because it may be too harsh on the viewing public. I don't need to media censoring what they report. I want to see all the facts and make my own determination. All the monday morning quarterbacks are already trying to point the finger of blame because someone should have recoginized his behavior as potentially dangerous. I feel that viewing of the tapes and his behavior is a good learning experience about his behavior and what we should look for. Not showing the video's is counterproductive. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158678Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:01:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158678IshkWe should close the borders for 12 months and take care of our immigration problem. I am tired of everyone trying to be politically corrct by not offending anyone. This kid was a South Korean Immigrant an not an American. If you want to get educated in our country,with our student loan programs and every other government program,then apply for legal citizenship.If you do not like our country then get the F--- out !http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158679Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:02:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158679RM80 Vancouver, B.C., CanadaI think that Engel and Elizabeth (from St. Louis) are reading more into this than is actually there. This is not the work of Islamic terrorists, or Christian or any other type of religion. This is the work of a mentally ill person. He can site the Koran, the Bible or Lord of the Rings all he wants and it doesn't change that fact. I agree that he shouldn't be getting the "media frenzy" attention, but then what can you expect from a system that puts everything down to the healthy bottom line approach. The only problem is that WHEN the next one happens, the mentally deranged person will be referring to Virginia Tech as his/her inspiration instead of Columbine.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158680Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:02:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158680Margaret Wagner, Hilltop Lakes, TexasCho was a disturbed young man who, in his confused mind, created havoc in our world. Hopefully educators, parents, and students will learn much from this tragic event. Meanwhile, please honor the innocent people whio died and comfort the families. Educators really need to open their eyes to see what happens in the halls of our schools. Too often, schools ignore or gloss over to keep from stepping on toes and our children suffer because of it. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158681Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:02:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158681Chris, Goldendale Wa.Truly amazing what people will do to get ratings! This was something that should have never made it on the air until at least six months after it happened if then at all. Let’s let the government do their job on trying to figure out why this person did what he did instead of some reporter trying to make his affiliate look good. Total lack of class on the part of NBC for airing this on T.V. Maybe you should have just made a couple simple statements and shown one or two pictures instead of showing what you did. But hey we all know that each and every news agency has to get the upper hand on the others.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158682Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:02:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158682douglas meador, redding, ca.Kudos to NBC for allowing this footage. Whatever the insanity, murder and mayhem that might be captured on film, let us view it uncensored, frame by frame. Those who, due to some weakness of character, might find it offensive need not feel constrained to watch. I for one have had enough of the castrated, homogenized and sanitized tripe that passes for news anymore.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158686Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:03:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158686Lisa, Crestview, FLI too believe that NBC was insensitive to air these videos in the aftermath of the tragic events that had occurred earlier in the week.. Please consider the feeling of the victims that survived, the friends and family of those they grieve for, not to mention the parents of Cho who obviously was an extremely disturbed and mentally unstable young man. We need to find out why it happened and what could have been done to prevent such a thing from happening again. Cho was clearly a danger to the public and himself and all the warning signs had already manefested themselves months prior to this week. We, as people, have stopped caring about what happens to our fellow human beings. We live in a society that doesn't care about or even know our neighbors any more, we are so cynical about life in general that we have forgotten Christian values and what it really means to actually help one another. Even if that includes helping someone who some folks have labelled evil.. This person clearly needed to be institutionalized and medication given to help him - he should not be demonized!http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#158688Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:04:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:158688Bruce, Seattle, WashI think that by viewing cho tapes, pictures and comments NBC has played into Cho's wishes of dieing the way he did and sending you that parkage you received. Firstly, you only cause more suffering of the victums, families, friends and people in America that are affected by this type of information. This also fuels his cause the same as the all the previous film clips and news of prior similar cowardly acts could have helped in triggering him to do what he did. It seems that it all comes do the almighty buck. http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#159412Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:56:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159412SICK IN OHIOHonestly you ask where his parents are? Would you come out in view for the world to JUGDE????? I know I wouldn't. They also lost a child. except they have to come to terms with the fact that it was there son who did this!Apologies??? For what??? they didn't pull the trigger or put the gun in his hand. When do we APOLOGIZE for the ACTIONS of our GROWN children? Who by LAW WHO are RESPONIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS!!!!!! DO not put the BLAME or BRUDDEN of such an act of violence ON anyone EXCEPT the PERSON who pulled the trigger!!!!!!! http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#159418Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:57:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159418SteveDon't blame NBC. If you only had heard about it you would have looked it up on the internet. The student did a horrible thing. As for myself I want to know as much News as possible.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#159421Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:58:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159421Dan MOI'd have to say that everyone who picked on him contributed in a small way to his action. Grade school and high school teachers should have done a better job. They have failed him and all injured. Obviously he was looney tunes as not everyone who get's picked on kills, but we spend good tax money to educate our children not get them picked on at school. Hey here's a novel idea, get rid of the guns and ammo and this wouldn't have happened.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#159422Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:58:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159422Dan, Atlantic Beach FloridaThis guy believed in God and look how nuts he was. Too bad some of the other students or Professors weren't armed, this could have been over quicker. Waiting for Cops is not the stay safehttp://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#159425Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:59:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159425Nettie Gastonia North CarolinaMy prayers go out to all of the families. I hope that God will help you heal in this terrible tragedy. My question is when are we as people going to open our eyes and realize that one person is not better than the next? I believe everyone at one time or another has been picked on about different things, we need some sensitivity on our conscience. In no way am I saying what he did was right, it was by all means WRONG, but why cant we all try to be nice and live together peacefully instead of laughing and talking about people who are less fortunate.Please leave your smart remarks about God in your head Our God is an awesome God He has reason for everything. Maybe it is hard to understand but in time it will all be made clear.http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/19/157577.aspx#159426Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:00:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:159426JADE MARSHALL MO.THE GOVERMENT NEEDS TO SEND ALL OF THE IMMIGRANTS BACK TO WHERE THEY BELONG AND MAYBE THESE THINGS MIGHT NOT HAPPEN. THE MONSTER THAT DID THIS IS A KOREAN. THE LAW AND GOVERMENT IS NOT LIKE IT USE TO BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!