Like the rest of the nation, we at the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) are stunned at the news of today's shooting at Virginia Tech. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends as they cope with this horrific incident.
As coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting continues to unfold, AAJA urges all media to avoid using racial identifiers unless there is a compelling or germane reason. There is no evidence at this early point that the race or ethnicity of the suspected gunman has anything to do with the incident, and to include such mention serves only to unfairly portray an entire people.
The effect of mentioning race can be powerfully harmful. It can subject people to unfair treatment based simply on skin color and heritage.
We further remind members of the media that the standards of news reporting should be universal and applied equally no matter the platform or medium, including blogs.
The advisory doesn't say anything about naming Cho's national origin, which is pretty much germane to any instance of news coverage.
But race, ethnicity, and national origin seem to be "compelling and germane" considerations to the AAJA for increasing "diversity" in American newsrooms. Witness their March 27 news release (parts in bold are my emphasis):
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 26, 2007) - With newspapers across the country experiencing dramatic changes in recent months due to consolidation, convergence and staff downsizing, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) today called for the nation's newspaper editors not to lose sight of the importance of diversity in newsrooms and in the coverage of the country's diverse communities.
"Now more than ever as we navigate tremendous challenges, it is crucial for industry leaders to ensure diversity at all levels. Diversity is fundamental to fair and accurate coverage of communities of color, which are growing exponentially nationwide," said AAJA President Jeanne Mariani-Belding, attending the convention of the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE), held March 27-30 in Washington, D.C.
[...]
"While it's encouraging to see the number of Asian Americans in our newsrooms increase, clearly there's much more work to be done in terms of attaining diversity in our management ranks, particularly at the highest levels. Having journalists of color in key decision-making roles not only enriches our journalism, but also reflects a true commitment from media companies to reflect America's demographics and properly serve our core audiences," said Mariani-Belding, who is also editorial and opinion editor at The Honolulu Advertiser.
In other words, according to the AAJA, it's good journalism to avoid mentioning race or ethnicity of a mass murderer while at the same time the race and ethnicity of reporters and editors are crucial factors to promoting good journalism.
(h/t Brian Montopoli at CBSNews.com's "Public Eye")
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Comments Policy
These hypocrites can put thei
April 17, 2007 - 13:17 ET by NoMoreClintonsThese hypocrites can put their suggestion where the sun never shines.
What this racist organizati
April 17, 2007 - 13:24 ET by Dave RWhat this racist organization is really saying is that you are only allowed to disclose ethnicity if the person is a WASP.
Homeland Security is you, at home, with a loaded firearm.
WASP vs the REST
April 17, 2007 - 13:40 ET by treshanAlthough I think that the race of the suspected shooter is obvious and reportable, I believe the organization is saying is that non-white races are subject to more speculation and stereotyping than Whites in a predominately White society. No matter how many reports about Caucasions involving violence or negativity there will ever be, no one will ever judge Whites based on those actions. However, when negative reports are broadcast about minorities, innocent minorities of that same race are often subject to unwarranted criticism or stereotyping or felt uncomfortable around. These are trials not equally suffered more often by Whites. In general, we just have to be careful about how we perceive race when associated with negative press to insure we do not absorb negative stereotypes ourselves.
thinking seriously
April 17, 2007 - 13:59 ET by tumbler_2007Just a serious thought:
My wife is employed in Emmeryville, CA and has many co-workers in her company of Asian birth and/or roots. Mostly Chinese from the mainland, or Hong Kong --they are all very highly educated and speak English OK.
Yesterday during the initial hours of this catastrophe, all her Chinese lady friends were in a panic, having heard the report that this killer was from Shanghai. The most remote possibility that he might be from their countries had them in tears and practically in shock. My wife explained to me:
Chinese, and almost all other Asians are extremely sensitive to any deplorable or tragic action by one of their own; by which the entire cultural community is put to shame. The one thing an Asian cannot bear is any flagrant dishonor or disgrace committed by themselves which reflects on the culture as well as every single individual in their country or community.
This may seem over-the-top to us in America. Precisely because here culture is merely a word; nobody worries about it anymore. To an Asian it's more important than even health and prosperity. I think the attitude is admirable and we can learn from them. Today I truly feel sorry for those good people. They're suffering inside, and we have to be understanding, IMHO. The harm is done. We have to pick up the pieces and love one another. The devil take the hindmost.
Tell that to Johnny Chung.
April 17, 2007 - 14:02 ET by bigtimerTell that to Johnny Chung.
Chung was a disgrace
April 17, 2007 - 14:07 ET by tumbler_2007Absolutely; you make my point. He disgraced himself as well as his people.
Naturally, we tend to judge by only the lowest common denominator when we're intellectually lazy. Which is why my post says seriously-- thinking seriously, bt.
tumbhttp://www.washingtonpost
April 17, 2007 - 14:20 ET by bigtimertumb
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/cf051698.htm
Read all the names in this article.
Think seriously.
Pol Pot, Mao Tse-tung, Kim Il
April 17, 2007 - 14:15 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LovePol Pot, Mao Tse-tung, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Ho Chi Minh, etc.
"I'd rather be bald than to pretend that I'm not!" --Mean Gene Dr. Love on comb-overs.
A good thought at that Tumble
April 17, 2007 - 14:08 ET by dscottA good thought at that Tumbler. I see no reason why anyone would target Asians over this incident, they as a group have a good reputation if you believe in such things as group identity. We need more information, like was he apart of a student activist group in SK before he came over here? Was he feeling alienated or not assimilating with the student body at VT? Some reports say he was a loner, what do his parents say? How about his fellow classmates before he came to VT? Lots of questions need to be answered before any conclusion can be made.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
all asians are fine people
April 17, 2007 - 14:26 ET by tumbler_2007It even turns out this kid was a South Korean.
I was sent to San Diego Int'l to receive a South Korean visitor to our company in the 90's. Nice enough, a serious businessman, elegant and polite.
On the way to our offices, I struck up a conversation. I remarked that Koreans were very advanced now in Asia because of their strong values & excellent work ethic. He thanked me.
BUT, apropos of this college guy. The man made a further comment on his own country: "Nowadays we have trouble with many of our young people. They've gone bad in many ways. They don't want to work like our old people. They expect everything for nothing. It's a shame." Maybe this murderer is one of the types he referred to. He expected more than was coming to him. If a girl jilted him he was not willing to cope with the reality. He decided, Instant gratification; or-- Fire at will.
More info. is coming out now:
April 17, 2007 - 14:33 ET by dscottMore info. is coming out now:
The gunman suspected of carrying out the Virginia Tech massacre that left 33 people dead was described Tuesday as a sullen loner whose creative writing in English class was so disturbing that he was referred to the school's counseling service. News reports also said that he may have been taking medication for depression, that he was becoming increasingly violent and erratic, and that he left a note in his dorm in which he railed against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on campus.
Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old senior majoring in English, arrived in the United States as boy from South Korea in 1992 and was raised in suburban Washington, D.C., officials said. He was living on campus in a different dorm from the one where Monday's bloodbath began. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/virginia_tech_shooting;_ylt=AqymJlgNKqV2V7zt5gDK.JOs0NUE from AP
Very disturbing... What medication was he supposed to have been taking? Didn't we hear about cases where taking depression medication can make a person suicidal?
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
I thought so, Zoloft, Paxil a
April 17, 2007 - 14:49 ET by dscottI thought so, Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac anti-depressants have be associated with violent behavior. I have to wonder if this is the origin of the problem. We need to know what this guy has been taking and if it was in his blood stream and at what levels. Lots of questions still.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
I wondered how long it woul
April 17, 2007 - 14:53 ET by Heather RadishI wondered how long it would take for the media to look for someone or something to blame, so the murderer could be absolved, and now I know.
(There was a study that showed increase risk of acting on suicidal impulses when patients under age 25 were given anti-depressants, but there was no demonstrated increase in homicidal activity. If this guy had just killed himself instead of taking 31 people out first, then there might be something to the anti-depressant angle; but that's not what happened.)We just don't know enough yet
April 17, 2007 - 15:10 ET by dscottWe just don't know enough yet, it's just mere speculation at this point and eliminating possibilities. Given this guy was here since 1992 (since he was 10), that's 15 years ago, there is no reason to figure him among the usual suspects. Everything we learn about him so far is atypical of terrorism. Mass murder is not just some criminal act, no sane person behaves that way. The logical probability is: insanity, drug induced psychosis or drug reaction because the alternative explanation is he acted from pure evil malevolent intent which is associated with terrorism.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
dscott,Yes depression medicat
April 17, 2007 - 14:53 ET by Sygdscott,
Yes depression medication has been implicated in higher suicide rates among users. The common, most widely accepted theory for this has to do with motivation.
When people are in the depths of depression that are often rendered incapable of any behavior at all, even suicide. However, when they begin taking medication their motivation level begins to rise, but this is a slow process.
The theory is that depression medication leads to suicide b/c it brings people up to a level where they have the energy to act much quicker than it brings them a level of 'happiness' or 'life satisfaction'. This is when they commit suicide. Engergy to act, but still depressed.
While the MSM has recently ma
April 17, 2007 - 15:26 ET by Carbon SasquatchWhile the MSM has recently made a big deal of this as though it were new information, I learned about the 'still suicidal but more energy' window when I was in nursing school 30+ years ago.
Negative focus on immigrati
April 17, 2007 - 15:08 ET by JDWNegative focus on immigration and health care are prohibited. This incident, although an awful tragedy, is a wonderful political means by which to attack our right to bear arms.
The upcoming weeks will be devoted to locating people who are against freedom to carry... and interviewing them, speaking with dems on the subject, and attempts to write new legislature.
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
"Born" in South K
April 17, 2007 - 15:03 ET by rx4music"Born" in South Korea doesn't make him a South Korean... there are LOTS of Chinese in S.K. And, I may be wrong, but, I believe his name IS Chinese... (I'm a little rusty on my Chinese. Anybody out there know for sure?) Not that it makes a lot of difference...
"I used to be disgusted, but now, I try to be amused..."- E. Costello
(edited to add- Did some digging... "Cho Seung-Hui" - Cho is indeed a Korean surname, however, there are Japanese and Indians who also have this surname... Seung in some dialects denotes a rank or status;i.e. brother, captain, expert (in Chinese)... Most interesting (and the reason I thought his name was Chinese...) Hui is Chinese for Islam. There is a whole ethnic group in China referred to as the "Hui People". Most people in China are aetheists, so, to escape religious persecution many of the Hui fled China to various parts of Asia... I don't know if this is the case with this guy's family, but, it is interesting and I will bet that you will never hear about it anywhere...)
You don't have a girlfriend
April 17, 2007 - 16:12 ET by dabalYou don't have a girlfriend, liar.
And...if you did, he would certainly tell you how to spell "Emeryville".
monk,Had the murderer at VT
April 17, 2007 - 13:59 ET by Dave Rmonk,
Had the murderer at VT been a white guy, a Christian, owned a pickup and was in possession of any political literature half a fuzz to the right of Dennis Kucinich, these facts would have been blasted all over the print and electronic media for the next week.
Just last week or so, some government school in the northeast was conducting terrorism drills based on a theory that the kids were endangered by white, male and conservative Christians. Given the fact that their most likely attackers would be Muslim, I thought this profoundly stupid, not to mention misleading. But, then, it was a government school, run by otherwise unemployable liberals, so what can one expect?
Had this simulation been run using Islamic barbarians as a model, the MSM, CAIR and the Euro-socialist Democrat Party would have had a collective cow.
I feel it beyond arrogant on the part of the liberal MSM to assume that we iqnorant types residing in fly-over country would somehow transfer our feelings of anger over what this low-life did to others of his ethnicity simply on the basis of what he did.
We have had several post 9/11 terrorist attacks in this country. One took place in North Carolina, another in Washington State. In both cases the persons responsible were Islamic, yet in both cases the MSM refused to report this very relevant fact.
Political correctness is self-destructive and insane.
Homeland Security is you, at home, with a loaded firearm.
It is "profoundly stupid
April 17, 2007 - 14:10 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveIt is "profoundly stupid." Those kinds of drills would be teaching my children to fear me (white, male, conservative, Christian). This does send the wrong message to our kids. While anyone anywhere of any nationality is capable of carrying out terror attacks, the fact remains that al-Qaida and other Muslim extremist groups have and continue to threaten our existence...their stated goals are to kill us all if we don't convert to their ideals. So, we have a known enemy and they have stated their goals...it is counter-productive to ignore that reality and run drill against a politically correct "enemy" that coincidentally (or intentionally) fits the description of the majority of fathers in America.
Home schooling is looking more and more appealing.
"I'd rather be bald than to pretend that I'm not!" --Mean Gene Dr. Love on comb-overs.
Mean Gene,This does send th
April 17, 2007 - 14:18 ET by Dave RMean Gene,
This does send the wrong message to our kids.
Exactly, and I believe it is exactly the message that the libs want to send. To them, white Christian conservative males are more of a threat than the Islamo-fascists.
That, and the fact that we are the only ethnic group that can still be made fun of with impunity.
Homeland Security is you, at home, with a loaded firearm.
Dr Mean Gene
April 17, 2007 - 14:26 ET by vrwc13http://www.nheri.org/
face piles of trials with smiles
get the point!
April 17, 2007 - 14:57 ET by treshanDave,
i know how anxious you are to espouse liberal v.
conservative talking points, but the point i was making was not one
involving those motifs, and neither is it as relevant to the debate as
race.
the suspected shooter's race and how that is reflected in the
media and in our perception of race in general is the point argued in
my opinion of the matter. OF COURSE, if he had strong religious and
political literature of any kind that would become the focus of every
political blog conservative or liberal. but so far this is not the
case. instead, it's this insane person who shot innocent victims over
possibly love or other non-political reasons.
the converse to
this situation would be "what if the shooter was white?", not "what if
he was white AND owned a pickup AND had hardcore political literature."
you're hypothetical destroys the balance. so what if the shooter was
white? well it would have been equally sad, but i don't think people
would look down on whites as a race because of it. and personally, i
believe most rational people would not consciously harbor negative
feelings towards asians because of this.
many stereotypes that people hold are from the media. that's why its
important that i encourage people to stop making them based on how
media portrays race in broadcasting.
you go on to say "Given the fact that their most likely attackers would be Muslim, I thought this profoundly
stupid, not to mention misleading." well, it appears from yesterday's
attack that a school shooting can happen with anyone, and we know from the past this is true, so we should not
just have muslims as the attackers. the left would be mad at muslim
attackers in the drill because it reinforces the idea that we should be
scared of muslims. and alot of people are! most importantly, it doesnt
matter WHO is the attacker in the drill because that doesn't change how
you respond to people with guns in the classroom.
don't let the media warp your brain. anyone can attack anyone. even the ones YOU don't suspect.
Shhh. It's an ethnicity issues
April 17, 2007 - 13:26 ET by schratboyHmmm? From now on we should refrain from mentioning a criminals national origin for fear of labeling an entire race of people? For the love of holy political correctness when will these people stop? Hypocrisy is not the issue here it's stupidity!
sure, why not ?
April 17, 2007 - 13:31 ET by tumbler_2007Martin Luther King Day has been a white man's legal holday for years now.
Which is relevant how?And whi
April 17, 2007 - 13:42 ET by I-BurnWhich is relevant how?
And while we're at it, I find "White man" demeaning and degrading. Please use the proper sobriquet: European-American.
Cho Seung-HuiTo be sure.. are
April 17, 2007 - 13:34 ET by Jack BauerTo be sure.. are ya one of the Tipperary Seung-Huis or the County Kildare Seung-Huis?
Please, Jack, refer to the
April 17, 2007 - 13:53 ET by Hero SquadPlease, Jack, refer to the shooter as "Chuck," so as to further mask his true ethnicity.
Would this group have been just as concerned about the ethnicity of the shooter if he was, say, hispanic or African-American?
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Sure hero... Chuck it is. Chu
April 17, 2007 - 13:55 ET by Jack BauerSure hero... Chuck it is. Chuck O'Hui! Nice ring to it.
I have one question for this
April 17, 2007 - 13:36 ET by GothampcI have one question for this group: Have you demanded the dismissal of Rosie O'Donnell over her "chong chong" slurs?
Given the obvious origin of t
April 17, 2007 - 13:37 ET by QueenMumGiven the obvious origin of the shooter's name, what next? Make up a more PC name if/when the perp is a member of a particular minority? Come to think of it, what sort of name would serve the purpose of "diversity"?
This is just about the most ridiculous take on the tragedy yet.
Remember, Donna Chang had eve
April 17, 2007 - 13:55 ET by Hero SquadRemember, Donna Chang had everyone fooled about her true ethnicity on "Seinfeld."
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
So it bad form to identify so
April 17, 2007 - 13:40 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveSo it bad form to identify someone according to their appearance?
If that is true, then it must be insensitive to say:
"The dude with the mustache..."
"That Asian guy over there..."
"He's the one with the large nose..."
"The over-weight man next to the skinny guy..."
etc, etc, etc.
Unless these Asians are ashamed of being Asian, what's the problem? Nobody is saying "Asian" in a derrogatory manner. Asian is only being used to identify the individual. No one would have any problems if it was a white man and he was being described as a "white man" or "caucasian" or "North American." This is ridiculous...BTW, the gunman was Chinese, and last time I checked they outnumber every other race on the planet. This is not a race issue...it is an issue of stupidity.
"I'd rather be bald than to pretend that I'm not!" --Mean Gene Dr. Love on comb-overs.
Besides, in this particular c
April 17, 2007 - 13:44 ET by QueenMumBesides, in this particular case the shooter's background is relevant to the story overall.
This was a problem we had dur
April 17, 2007 - 13:49 ET by GothampcThis was a problem we had during the Rudy Guiliani years in New York City. A group of race baiters (you know who they are) said they didn't want suspects identified as "African-American men". Guiliani said "If the witness describes them as tall, African-American men, we are not going to issue a warning for short, white men."
**Correction** I just learned
April 17, 2007 - 13:51 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love**Correction** I just learned the perp is Korean, not Chinese. My mistake. From news reports I heard just before I went to bed last night they were saying his visa was issued in Shanghai or something like that, so I assumed he was Chinese.
"I'd rather be bald than to pretend that I'm not!" --Mean Gene Dr. Love on comb-overs.
I am past sick and tired of t
April 17, 2007 - 13:49 ET by bigtimerI am past sick and tired of the minority groups telling us what to do in all aspects of our lives, I also am sick of the politicians following their lead, I am way past sick of the msm following like lost little puppies.
He is what he is ....so stick it!
For the Record: The shooter
April 17, 2007 - 13:51 ET by Michael ChapmanFor the Record: The shooter in the VT case is Cho Seung-Hui who, according to ABC News, was born in South Korea and was a legal resident alien in the USA. A photo of the shooter can be viewed here, as posted on ABCNews.go.com.
What Cho Seung-Hui's race, ethnicity, or gender has to do with anything, I don't know, but maybe the reportorial geniuses at the AAJA could explain in another press release. Or maybe they're seeking advice from Al Sharpton, who knows?
Actually, I'm not sure why As
April 17, 2007 - 14:01 ET by dscottActually, I'm not sure why Asians would be concerned, at least in my memory it is a very rare event when a South Korean does anything violent in the US. I'm at a loss to think of any incident in the last 30 years. Violence is usually against them, and usually perpetrated by Asian gangs doing home invasions. Was he from a student group over there that violently demonstrates against the SK government?
What I want to know is how a foreigner obtained a firearm in the US. I thought you had to be a "citizen" to buy one??? I am wrong on this?
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
*don't attack me for pointing this out*
April 17, 2007 - 14:09 ET by MightyMouth"Cho's parents live in a townhouse development in Centreville, a suburb of Washington. They own a dry-cleaning shop nearby"
I don't quite know what to say.... *don't attack me for pointing this out*
Childish, I know. But is anyone expecting anything less from the likes of ME!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
How unbelievably stupid!
April 17, 2007 - 13:52 ET by d1carterHow unbelievably stupid!
dl...And arrogant!
April 17, 2007 - 13:58 ET by bigtimerdl...
And arrogant!
Imagine the uproar if it was
April 17, 2007 - 13:54 ET by Roger the ShrubberImagine the uproar if it was revealed that the killer was left-handed?
The Left-Hand lobby would go crazy!
Ned Flanders feels your pai
April 17, 2007 - 13:56 ET by balboaNed Flanders feels your pain.
This is such an overreaction. What other nationality would people think this guy is with a name like that?
Please, us left handers have
April 17, 2007 - 13:58 ET by Hero SquadPlease, us left handers have enough prejudice from right-handists to battle in society - separate scissors, baseball gloves, telling us where we have to sit at the dinner table so we don't bump elbows. Why would you want to saddle us with this as well?
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Well, the left-hand side IS
April 17, 2007 - 14:08 ET by Roger the ShrubberWell, the left-hand side IS the evil side, is it not?
No, no, no, Hero! Left-handers are superior.
April 17, 2007 - 14:11 ET by RJNo, no, no, Hero! Left-handers are superior. It's a blessing to be left-handed!
All our lives, we have had to reinterpret instructions of every kind. This means that at an early age, we self-reliantly learned to use our logical and deductive skills, etc....and this higher-level performance continues throughout our lives.
Revel in your left-handedness, Hero!
RJ -- I'm sure I remember rea
April 17, 2007 - 14:14 ET by Jack BauerRJ -- I'm sure I remember reading that those on la sinistra side had shorter life-spans.
Sorry pal.
Sinister! Damn, Jackson, that
April 17, 2007 - 14:18 ET by Roger the ShrubberSinister! Damn, Jackson, that made me laugh. Made me think of this guy. I wonder if he was left-handed?
LOL - shrubbster.. Well he ce
April 17, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Jack BauerLOL - shrubbster.. Well he certainly looks evil enough to be left-handed. No offense RJ...
And thanks for the leftorium link I have learned...
Jack, it was jealous right-handers
April 17, 2007 - 14:25 ET by RJYes, you did read that, Jack. It was a goofy theory put out by jealous right-handers. One part of it even said (and I kid you not) that left-handers were likely to steer into on-coming traffic in emergency situations.
No mention of whether or not the theory held up in England......
RJNo mention of whether or no
April 17, 2007 - 14:29 ET by Jack BauerRJ
No what happened there was a spate of left-handers mowing down innocent right-handers going about their sidewalk business!
More right-handed ideology.
April 17, 2007 - 14:36 ET by RJMore right-handed ideology. Can't live with the facts? Just make up new ones. No problem, though. We're used to it and learned to overcome it from an early age.
Even as a kid, my spot was reserved at the corner of the table, instead of being jammed in the middle. "Move over - left handed." Never an argument from the sheeple righties.
LOL RJ....Just goshing ya. My
April 17, 2007 - 14:47 ET by Jack BauerLOL RJ....
Just goshing ya. My best friend at school was a lefty (handed as opposed to ideology). And my brother's also a lefty.
Yeah, sure...."my best friend was a lefty...."
April 17, 2007 - 15:01 ET by RJYeah, sure...."my best friend was a lefty...." Rings kinda hollow from someone laughing a the sinister reference....
....lol...come on, Jack, do you really think I'm being serious? Just playing off the political ideology thing....well, except for lefties being superior.... ;^>
Went to get Steve "Lefty
April 17, 2007 - 16:02 ET by Hero SquadWent to get Steve "Lefty" Carlton's autograph a few years ago, and he was signing... with his right hand!
I felt so duped, empty and confused.
My wife hates it every time I point out someone who's left-handed.
H.S: Look honey, Jason Bateman is left-handed!
Mrs. H.S.: Shut up.
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
LOL.Well the media haven't ye
April 17, 2007 - 14:08 ET by Jack BauerLOL.
Well the media haven't yet mentioned the dextrous ability of the shooter, so I suspect that he was indeed left-handed -- or sinister.
As a gun owning male, I wou
April 17, 2007 - 14:01 ET by Dave in TexasAs a gun owning male, I would kindly request that the media refrain from reporting that guns were used in the killings at Virginia Tech, or that it was a male that used them. Can we also not report that it occurred at Virginia Tech... or that anyone died. Just say "Something happened somewhere". Yeah, that works.
Dave: LOL :)
April 17, 2007 - 14:10 ET by QueenMumDave: LOL :)
Didn't Jerry Rivers say the s
April 17, 2007 - 14:10 ET by NoMoreClintonsDidn't Jerry Rivers say the suspct was a "greasy haired white guy" at some point last night?
What happened to that? (and is there a greasy haired white guy journalists association?)
Did you see him start to cry
April 17, 2007 - 14:14 ET by GothampcDid you see him start to cry on the early news this morning? It was around 8am. It was a very awkward moment.
Goth,That was when Jerry cr
April 17, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Dave RGoth,
That was when Jerry cry-me-a-river Rivers found out that the VT murderer was not white, Christian, conservative and male. :-O
Homeland Security is you, at home, with a loaded firearm.
I think he was crying because
April 17, 2007 - 14:42 ET by GothampcI think he was crying because he probably lost a bet with O'Reilly over the fight they had on open borders.
I also saw Geraldo
April 17, 2007 - 14:55 ET by tumbler_2007Geraldo was emotionally shaken. One of the few times I've seen him at a loss for words. He kept on saying "extraordinary" or, "extraordinarily," every other sentence.
Nobody should poke fun because he did the report from the site. Somebody had to, and he was very professional. Guys around here are just full of spite and can't say anything original or savvy. Only throw tomatoes all the time.
Incidentally: I went to Truth or Fiction; Jerry Rivers is just an urban myth. A bogus name applied by jerks who despise him. 'S Okay, nobody cares.
Rivers is nothing but an over
April 17, 2007 - 15:01 ET by bigtimerRivers is nothing but an over-blown phony media whore...always has been, always will be.
rivers might be
April 17, 2007 - 15:05 ET by tumbler_2007Yeah, but Geraldo isn't Rivers, BB Brain.
A bogus name applied by jerks
April 17, 2007 - 15:07 ET by NoMoreClintonsA bogus name applied by jerks who despise him.
I think you just insulted about 98% of the people who belong to this forum.
I believe a journalist should
April 17, 2007 - 15:10 ET by GothampcI believe a journalist should be emotionally detached from a story. I watch Fox News, but they seem to hire some wussies. Remember Shep Smith getting all blubbery at Katrina? Their job is to report the news with a brave face, not melt into tears.
oh, shucks ! listen to the Godfather !
April 17, 2007 - 15:22 ET by tumbler_2007I know some people dislike any deviation from a cookie-cutter type they demand. Big Deal !
If the sight of 30-odd bloody corpses of young students unnerves Geraldo Rivera, I salute him ! He's a human being, not a cartoon. God, children; lighten up!
I believe he is a Libertarian
April 17, 2007 - 15:36 ET by dscottI believe he is a Libertarian and therefore we should excuse his reaction. <sarcasim on> Lord knows, nothing phases us conservatives.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Horendo??? I don't think so
April 17, 2007 - 15:42 ET by sarcasmoHorendo??? I don't think so...
JMR
Haha, you bit. LOL“The ob
April 17, 2007 - 15:46 ET by dscottHaha, you bit. LOL
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
He is raving illegal immigran
April 17, 2007 - 16:21 ET by NoMoreClintonsHe is raving illegal immigrant loving leftist and always will be.
Why don't you take your arrog
April 17, 2007 - 16:19 ET by NoMoreClintonsWhy don't you take your arrogant attitude somewhere else . . . and lighten up yourself. Can't you see there are no fans of that phony asshat here . . besides you.
Boy; there's a nice American
April 17, 2007 - 16:29 ET by tumbler_2007"Why don't you take your arrogant attitude somewhere else . . . and lighten up yourself. Can't you see there are no fans of that phony asshat here . . besides you."
Is our country now only perfect when you pick who we have to hate; and if we don't hate we're unwelcome?
This is NewsBusters, NoMoreClues. Not your corner of Dogpatch. If I have no naturally animosity against Rivera, and won't call him "Rivers" to suit a few idiots who like that, I just say what I please. I think YOU'RE acting phoney, pushing your own stinking arrogance. You're a lousy citizen, IMO.
Check out www.snopes.com, whi
April 17, 2007 - 16:36 ET by Darth DutchCheck out www.snopes.com, which confirms or denies urban legends. Yes, his name was not Jerry Rivers, BUT his name was "Gerald Rivera" and (in his own words), he changed his name to "Geraldo" legally because it was "more latin" sounding.
Dutch
It's no ego thing
April 17, 2007 - 16:47 ET by tumbler_2007My name is Gene (Duhhh.) and I'm called Gino. I'd wager in Spanish Harlem the guy was always called Geraldo by homies. It's the Latin version. SOUND isn't relevant; what's happening is guys from the neighborhood. They all adopted the kid.
In fact, had he really changed it to Jerry I'd figure he didn't own up to his roots.
I'm not disputing that he was
April 17, 2007 - 17:25 ET by Darth DutchI'm not disputing that he was called Geraldo growing up; in fact, he states that he was by his father's side of the family. The point is that he legally changed his name to Geraldo so that he could sound more Latin. Sure, that's not as PC or "sinister" as changing it from Jerry Rivers to Geraldo Rivera, but it's still pandering and it's still PC.
On to other things...how was your Reagan book you were reading? My wife and I along with the in-laws went to the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Good times...
Dutch
The PC shit-hole world we liv
April 17, 2007 - 14:52 ET by nicksmith112The PC shit-hole world we live.....
When suspects are still at large the media WILL NOT include race in the description of a wanted suspect!
Be on the lookout for a 5'5"-5'11" male medium build.....lol
Reply
April 17, 2007 - 14:54 ET by PeterDWhere oh where is the Reverend Sun Yung Shaprton when you need him?
April 17, 2007 - 15:09 ET by NoMoreClintons
Gotta love that one . . .
"RACISM!!!!!"
April 17, 2007 - 15:00 ET by Rowane{sarcasm}You KNOW that it's nothing more than racism to report the "ethnicity" of ANY criminal perpetrator unless it is a white, Christian, male.{/sarcasm}
Seriously though, how fast do you think the MSM would have been broadcasting it from on high if the perp had been a WASP? I'd bet they'd have been interviewing his kindergarten teacher before the echoes of the last gunshot had faded.
Death to Islam, and
their mediot stooges!
Duty, Honor, Country
(in THAT order)
Rowane
I dunno if anyone has pointed
April 17, 2007 - 15:07 ET by NazarethI dunno if anyone has pointed this out- I didn't read throuigh the replies here- sorry if it has- the Asian Shooter has "Ismail Ax" written on his arm- Ismail was the father of all arabs- coincidence? Yeah, sure it was- he was just 'depressed lone shooter with psycological problems', right? Suuuure he was. Read the story here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-070417vtech-shootings,0,1137509.story?coll=chi-homepagepromo440-fea
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