As a student, the shootings at Virginia Tech were especially difficult. But the media attention on mental illness is simply perpetuating the stigma that all people with mental illness are crazy or likely to snap and hurt their classmates. IN FL, there are talks about increasing the university's capacity to expel mentally students. The school I attend, UF, would not have to do that if they did not turn away suicidal students or make it a school crime to have suicidal thoughts. This is a problem many people cannot help and need care, but are not dangerous to other students. By all means, I understand the impact this killer has caused on the lives of so many people. I would just like to see one member of the media take another position on the issue. I adore Ron Allen. As a journalism major, I have a sadly dim view of mainstream media. However, Mr. Allen is the exception -- he's brilliant. In this case, I just want him to think about the people whose rights may jeopardized because one person was off-the-chart. Need I reming America -- In some states felons can own guns, but Baker Act petients cannot! Where did their Secong Amendment rights go? As much as I hate to say it, I fear the VT shootings will begin a process of discrimination at universities. That includes the mentally ill, foreign students, and possibly African-Americans.

I visit a prison each week and have noticed the predomenence of left handed people there. i would be interested to know if the killer was right or left handed. Also, why was he so angry--what has been going on in his life.

The criteria of the tapes being news is not credible. A statement that the package had been received and had been given to law enforcement would be sufficient. Any information that would further the investigation could be reported, but to give screen time to a psychotic killer only encourages other potential psychotic killers. I think the Columbine murders was publicized too much. If someone wishes to see this diatribe, refer them to a library.

I believe NBC made a wise choice in airing the bits and pieces of a disturbed person. This answered the questions of millions of people, and every news organization. This was done with integrity and responsibility, by NBC.

I think it was terrible that this information was showed. The news media gave this very disturbed individual exactly what he wanted, to inspire others and explain the reasons behind his "martyrdom". Instead of doing this please give more attention to those victims who used their lives for good rather than giving evil a platform.

He got what he wanted, and others will follow. The good ole American culture that normal Americans have no control over, but have to live in the world it creates. The garbage should have been passed on to the cops, screened for anything useful to the case and burned.

In regards to the airing of the VT shooter, I who has been in law enforcement all of my life, agree the material after careful editing should be made available.

In nearly each instance, (previous shootings) the term "bullied, picked on" comes up. Maybe, seriously doubt it, but maybe the people will start to understand, picking on someone who is quiet and to himself or who has a slightly different look or accent, now a days have grave results.

I applaud NBC, people need to see why this person attacked, hearing it from the shooter is more powerful than a paid correspondant telling us.

What could have been different if only one person had backed off. We will never know the full outcome, that was taken to the grave with Cho...but how soon will we forget this just like all of the others, including 911 until the next one happens...?

When will we learn...?

Completely unnecessary. NBC should be ashamed of ever considering this.

You should immediately stop showing the video of the killer on TV and on any of your web sites. You are giving a voice to someone who felt like he had no voice. There are countless of other people out there that feel the same way. In their minds you are putting the killer on a pedestal. Now people know his name, pay attention to him and he stands out in the crowd. Other troubled people see this and they see their chance to be above the rest, if only for a little while. You are opening the door for the copycats. Print the story, but leave out the video and the pictures.

The airing of the shooters' multimedia documents was surely the proper choice journalistically for NBC; some news is inherently painful -- and there's substantial value in the public understanding better the motives (and psychoses) of a ruthless killer, in order to better address such problems within our society.

On the other hand -- NBC should not turn over the public airwaves within its control to a killer and his paranoid ravings, if for no other reason so as to not to proffer "fifteen minutes of fame" to other troubled souls, if they too should commit such heinous crimes. I understand NBC News president Steve Capus has committed to not giving more than 10% of any NBC broadcast to this aspect of the tragic Virginia Tech story -- which is certainly an appropriate decision and even that level should quickly taper to nearly nothing.

I only wish such limits had been placed on the overblown Imus story last week, for a shock jock's troglodyte comments were only amplified through excessive repetition, whilst other important news went unreported.