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"I swear, I'm gonna get on top of your building with an AK-47 and just start picking people off," ranted a local radio talk show bad boy after his power failed during the Super Bowl. He was threatening the power company! This was the first of two bizarre incidents Saint Louis residents experienced in the same week. While the shock jock's antics would normally be headline news for a week, a tragic event blew him to page 3 by Thursday. Charlie Lee "Cookie" Thornton killed 6 people at the Kirkwood, Missouri, City Hall on Thursday evening. Thornton used two hand guns in his attack.

While "Cookie" certainly didn't need a radio mouth to inspire him, these two men did have something in common. Both seemed to think that violence can solve problems. Each acted on the powerlessness and frustration of his situation. Experts tell us humiliation proceeds many violent acts.

These events were heavily reported on the local media. The Kirkwood story played prominently on national newscasts. Mass murder is big news. It should be. But what is the effect on each of us when we see these stories over and over? This Helium topic demonstrates the results of such intensive coverage. People believe violence is on the rise. Some folks buy more and better locks or security systems. Others might buy a gun! Some turn off the TV.

Ah, TV! And radio! And yes, certainly, the papers and the Internet. They filter our world. Unfortunately for us, economic realities effect the electronic media. Financial facts slant the coverage offered by traditionally trusted outlets. "If it bleeds, it leads" does direct newscasts. Murder and mayhem are cheap, obvious and easy-to-cover stories.

When you hear the hoopla about high definition television and radio, you may not think about the investment it represents for broadcasters. It is a really big deal when you remember that the market for broadcasting has been shrinking for years. Revenues are down and there is no good news in sight. Media companies have treated their shareholders to big profits for years, and now with fewer people watching traditional stations, the former cash cow is worth less and less. Faced with lower profits and increased expenditures for new technology, television depends more than ever on covering big emotional stories that are inexpensive to produce.

Bad news for big media doesn't mean bad news for us. The US Department of Justice has statistics on the web site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/c vict.htm. These numbers show that violent crime has been on a downward trend for years. While these numbers can certainly be interpreted in different ways, no one really knows why violent crime is down. Why not believe these numbers? Can we think that the glass is half full for a change?

Tragedies like the Kirkwood killings and the moronic drivel that has become talk radio will continue to dominate the mass media, but we can temper our feelings knowing that the nightly murder and death report does not provide a true reflection of our world. We should morn when appropriate and then face the new day. If a friend or relative becomes despondent, listen and try to find help for the person.

The United State is a very violent country, but it may be improving. Let's not downplay the good news that crime is down. Instead, let's try to put forth a better image in the world. Perhaps our next President, whether it is John McCain, Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama, can show friends and enemies a more moderate face. Instead of the global gunslinger we have become, can these United States lead with reason, dignity and fairness. What have we got to loose - our reputation?

Learn more about this author, Ron Erb.
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