RESPONSIBILITY

I've been watching the news a lot more now because there is nothing else on at that time. I saw all those stories about Columbine High School, and also the fallout from it. From what I gather, once again they are attacking the media, claiming that TV and video games are somehow responsible for these little shits going nuts and blowing away everyone in site. Sorry, but anyone who agrees with that idea needs to have their head examined. First of all, growing up, my family never forbade me from watching anything. I was allowed to play any video game I wanted, even though at the time there weren't all that many to choose from yet. I was always allowed to read whatever I choose. I didn't go to school with a gun and shoot people because of it. I'm sure there were days when I wanted to, but I had a brain and was logical enough to know that it would be the wrong thing to do.

Second, TV shows really aren't that bad. Most of the more violent shows handle it very well, with a clear 'bad guy", and a time slot that ensures most children wont even be watching it. Video games are a little more violent, but with proper supervision from responsible parents, and a little bit of that logic I mentioned earlier, even these are completely harmless. The problem is, parents don't want to be held responsible for anything anymore. They'd rather just let the government raise their children so they don't have to be bothered with it. These people shouldn't have children. If you aren't going to take the time to teach them right from wrong, do us all a favor and don't have kids.

Third, if you really are intent on blaming the media, why don't we stop for a moment and consider the most violent and sexually explicit show on TV: THE NEWS. At least four hours a day (often much more), children can tune into live bombings, murder, sex with interns, famous people getting caught for "lewd" sex acts, mudslinging (which is just a fancy word for politicians acting like four year olds and calling each other names), and of course, the glorification of other kids who blew away their schools. These kids are now some of the most famous kids in the world. What little psycho wouldn't want that?

The truth is, television, video games, music, sometimes even the parents are all just scapegoats. The only real blame should fall on the psychotic little brat who just went nuts for some reason and killed all his classmates. When an adult kills a bunch of people we don't sit around going "Gee, where did we the members of this society go wrong?" We just accept the fact that some people are wired differently, put them behind bars, and when their time comes, strap them into a chair and electrocute the hell out of them until they no longer exist on our plane of existence. So why is it when a child displays the same lack of judgement, logic, and sanity do we feel the need to find someone else to blame? It's hardly fair that because of a handful of bad apples I may not get to watch the TV shows I like or blow up aliens courtesy of Play Station. I won't stand for it, and neither should you.