Shame on ABC News for trying to make the horrific shootings in Aurora Colorado into a political issue.

Reporter Brian Ross on Good Morning America this a..m..

Stephanolpoulos: I’m going to go to Brian Ross. You’ve been investigating the background of Jim Holmes here. You found something that might be significant.

Ross: There’s a Jim Holmes of Aurora, Colorado, page on the Colorado Tea party site as well, talking about him joining the Tea Party last year. Now, we don’t know if this is the same Jim Holmes. But it’s Jim Holmes of Aurora, Colorado.

Stephanolpoulos: Okay, we’ll keep looking at that. Brian Ross, thanks very much.

If you don’t know, then why would you say such a thing and possibly risk an innocent man’s reputation?

Basic journalism 101 demands that a reporter verify at least three sources to corroborate facts.

I don’t usually get political on my blog, but I was so taken aback by these remarks, I had to write something. The deranged acts of a deeply disturbed individual should not be grounds for anyone’s political agenda–left or right.

Right now, 12 families are dealing with the unexpected, horrific deaths of loved ones! I can’t imagine how they are coping with the shock of their losses. The person who killed them was deeply disturbed. No sane person could premeditate such a crime, kill people and sit in the parking lot.

As the story unfolds, maybe news media could be less speculative and more factual–a refreshing change from the usual political language that both sides like to use to inflame tragedy.

Right or left, it doesn’t matter. Stop rushing to judgment and start reporting news!

More from Beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad