As a fellow graduate of a Littleton, Colorado high school, I too share Alain Hoffman’s desire that the tragedy not turn into a platform from which to preach. If there is only one lesson to learn, it may be that the media has embedded itself in the heart and mind of American culture. The shooters, Eric and Dylan, were virtually guaranteed thousands of hours of media coverage. Our city was overrun by news reporters. There wasn’t a blade of grass outside that school left unturned by “investigative journalism.”

The shooters got their wish.

The media turned the victims into heroes, often inventing stories of heroism and harrowing courage in the face of danger. The facts as I know them are that there were explosions, gunshots and screams. Little more. I wasn’t there when it happened but at least a dozen of my friends were. I was at the memorial the next day with companions who had lost relatives, teammates and friends. The shooting had nothing to do with God, or Christianity, or even Hitler or trench coats.

I knew friends of Eric Harris; he didn’t hate Christians. He hated life. This was his magnum opus. He wanted to be remembered forever. The media granted him that wish. I knew friends of Rachel Scott; she was a normal kid who had a good heart. From what I’ve heard she was a joy to know and a good friend but she was not a saint or a martyr. She did not care about national publicity.

I think Darrell Scott has good intentions, but I feel they are misdirected. He is using this tragedy to preach his religion and moralize his daughter’s life. This tragedy needs to be put to rest. I, for one, will never forget the victims at Columbine – all 15 of them.

Eric Hagen

Junior

Computer engineering