by Marcus Brooks

Created on: June 21, 2007

The answer is tragically, no. Like the Columbine killings, the Virginia Tech shooter received more press, attention and(in some sick cases)sympathy for his heinous actions. As CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC and MSN covered the week-long tragedy from Blacksburg; only two days(if that)was spent mourning the thirty-two, innocent victims. The perpretrator, Seung-Hui Cho got what he desired. He received his fifteen minutes of fame, plus two weeks and two weeks after that. Cho wrote and said his inspiration to murder at Virginia Tech came from Dylan's and Kebold's deeds (Columbine)in Colorado.

Shamefully, I have to admit I only recognize three of the murdered Hokies, Ryan Clark, Brian Bluhm and Liviu Librescu. Who could forget Mr. Clark's infectious smile? Mr. Bluhm was born and raised in corn-fed, Midwest-bred Iowa. The first two were heroic students, while the third victim died a heroic professor. Mr. Librescu survived the vile Nazi death camps during World War II. As a child, death was his closest and most inescapable companion. He survived his Hitler's terror, war and poverty. He relocated here and brought his heart and soul to the students and facility at Virginia Tech. He perished as a guardian angel while barricading a classroom door when Cho repeatedly shot through it. Mr. Librescu saved the lives of dozens of students in giving up his life. At least, three martyrs died that day. Cho's actions may have garnered him attention. However, his evil never garnered him respect.

There, I gave the victims more than equal billing. That's more than what our media outlets did.

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