A teenage school shooting plot was foiled thanks to a tip posted by another teen on MySpace. My first thought as I began reading the article was that it’s good to finally see some positive press about MySpace. I don’t use it, but I know people who do. They’ve somewhat jokingly told me that they keep it secret for fear that people would think them pedophiles. MySpace needs some positive PR, for sure.
As I got further along the page I briefly wondered how long it would be before people started talking about violent video games. Then, toward the end of the article, came this paragraph quoting Sheriff Steve Norman:
“I think there was probably some bullying, name calling, chastising,”
he said. He also said investigators had learned the suspects were
computer buffs who liked violent video games.
By now, I’m not surprised. Law enforcement officials never can wait to bring to light the violent video game factor in high profile teenage cases. I may be jumping the gun, though. It could just as well have been a reporter who couldn’t wait to drag it out of him. I wonder which game it is this time. I remember for the Columbine kids, it was Doom. The media was all over how one of them had modded the game with his own voice, as if that were something twisted and psychotic. id software, the makers of Doom, was one of 25 entertainment companies sued by families of Columbine victims in 2001 (they were also sued in 1999 after the Paducah, KY shooting at Heath High School). The Columbine suit was dismissed by a judge in 2002.
I’m going to be following this case closely. I won’t be surprised if it generates another lawsuit or more attempts at governmental parenting. When are we, as a country, going to step up to the plate, stop pointing fingers, and focus on the root of our problems? When are we going to take responsibility? Teenage crime prevention starts at home. If people can’t accept that, the problem is never going to go away.
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