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- Oct 30, 2005
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"One Night in Idaho," the Prime documentary, was very well done. A ways back I mentioned a book by Jeanine Cummins about the rape and murders of her two young cousins, for which several of the killers got the death penalty. Cummins's point was similar to a point made in the documentary after the arrest of BK: that all the attention turned to the killers and away from the victims. The documentary really re-focused my attention of the victims and what their families, their friends and the world lost. I've never seen any documentary so clearly show the ripple effects of murder.
I've always thought the plea deal was the best possible outcome because of no appeals. But after seeing the smart, articulate and loving friends of Maddie, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan, I am so glad they will not have to relive this trauma at trial and for years of appeals. These kids will live with this trauma the rest of their lives. It's good not to add to it.
The other thing that I can't stop thinking about is social media. The kids documented their whole lives online without any thought that a predator might feed on what they posted. Ironically, it's that very public life that gave the documentary so much powering Part 1. The whole bunch of these kids were living what many would think of as ideal college lives--not primarily the parties but the deep friendships and the goofy good times. It's heartbreaking.
And finally, hats off to Websleuths. Social media and "internet sleuths" were soundly and deservedly criticized for making and promoting unfounded accusations against the friends and acquaintances of the victims, for direct attacks on and threats against these friends and even family members, and for compounding a terrible tragedy to feed their own egos. Sometimes when we've seen videos or articles not from a mainstream or approved source, it's hard not to share the information. Sometimes it's hard not to point fingers at people who aren't suspects or to get rapped on the knuckles for not being sensitive to people whom we assume are victims. And Lordy, sometimes I forget to MOO or MHO. But we can read and post here without causing more harm and trauma to innocent people. And I feel good about that.
I've always thought the plea deal was the best possible outcome because of no appeals. But after seeing the smart, articulate and loving friends of Maddie, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan, I am so glad they will not have to relive this trauma at trial and for years of appeals. These kids will live with this trauma the rest of their lives. It's good not to add to it.
The other thing that I can't stop thinking about is social media. The kids documented their whole lives online without any thought that a predator might feed on what they posted. Ironically, it's that very public life that gave the documentary so much powering Part 1. The whole bunch of these kids were living what many would think of as ideal college lives--not primarily the parties but the deep friendships and the goofy good times. It's heartbreaking.
And finally, hats off to Websleuths. Social media and "internet sleuths" were soundly and deservedly criticized for making and promoting unfounded accusations against the friends and acquaintances of the victims, for direct attacks on and threats against these friends and even family members, and for compounding a terrible tragedy to feed their own egos. Sometimes when we've seen videos or articles not from a mainstream or approved source, it's hard not to share the information. Sometimes it's hard not to point fingers at people who aren't suspects or to get rapped on the knuckles for not being sensitive to people whom we assume are victims. And Lordy, sometimes I forget to MOO or MHO. But we can read and post here without causing more harm and trauma to innocent people. And I feel good about that.
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