MMeM, Vol.11 Issue 48 – Shame them.

We’ve all heard and read the statistics. This year, 2015, there have been more mass killings than there have been days. Sure we can quiver over the definition of a “mass killing” as being the murder of 3-4 or more, including the perpetrator or not, and on and on, but that’s just semantics. In any definition, it’s unacceptable.

In the news cycle of today’s world, with social media, 24 hour news outlets across multiple distribution methods creates a goal for the misguided who commit such horrific acts. None of us can be blamed for wanting to know who could have done these horrible things. Usually wanting to know is part and parcel with wanting to understand how to keep it from happening again. But, that need fuels the misconceived notoriety and infamy that these evil doers seek.

I ran across this bit of information a little while ago where a law enforcement officer was proposing that news outlets discontinue the naming of the perpetrators of mass killings such as those at Aurora CO, Sandy Hook, Columbine, etc. Needless to say, I knew I wouldn’t have to wait very long for an event on which to mention this.

See, San Bernardino, CA.

Pete Blair, director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University, has started a campaign, endorsed by the F.B.I., called “Don’t Name Them” — a policy that Sheriff John Hanlin of Douglas County, Oregon asked the news media to follow in the Oregon case, with little success.”

My feeling, I not only agree with this approach, but I propose taking it one step further. When these horrific cowardly acts are perpetrated on innocent people. Those to do them are not only NOT named, but if they are shown at all they are SHAMED. Take the worst school picture from their childhood, maybe something from say 6th grade or middle school if the media HAS to have a picture at all. Otherwise, lets just substitute all killer pictures with one of Jabba the Hutt or Gollum from Lord of the Rings.

Just make it known to all would be mass killing shooters that their supposed blaze of glory will be to live in infamy as a disgusting unknown pieces of crap. Let there be no stories of any hardships they may have suffered from at any point in their lives because we all suffer from things but the majority of people don’t do these horrific acts.

Hell, they could have started a blog or something.