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Keller @ Large: Plenty Of Shame To Go Around In Virginia Murders

BOSTON (CBS) - Shame on the creatures at the New York Daily News who decided to exploit the horrific murders of those two TV journalists in Virginia by running graphic photos of the incident on page one.

Hope they enjoy the blood money the make off it.

Come to think of it, there's plenty of shame to go around in the wake of that vicious crime.

Alison Parker-Adam Ward
WDBJ-TV reporter Alison Parker and photographer Adam Ward. (Image credit: CBS News-WDBJ-TV)

First and foremost, shame on the murderer. Whatever his derangement, his actions were not remotely justified by anything that ever happened to him.

And shame on the usual suspects who, well before the facts were fully known, rushed to exploit his act by blaming it on race, homophobia, guns, video games, his employers, and so on.

Shame on the race-baiters on both ends of the political spectrum who love to stoke anger and division when decency calls for calm and unity.

Shame on the gun nuts who would deny the fact that it's too easy for the unhinged to get guns. And shame on the movie and video-game producers who exploit violence and glorify gunplay, setting the stage for the Virginia killer to re-enact their vile work.

Shame on society for preferring to ignore mental illness, and then act surprised when it explodes in our faces.

And shame on our culture for everything it does to weaken the stigma of bloodlust and hate.

Have I missed a few deserving targets?

Probably yes, I'm ashamed to say.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News weeknights at 11 p.m.

Email Jon at keller@wbztv.com or reach him on Twitter @kelleratlarge.

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