Rolling Stone features Boston bombing suspect on cover

karrie

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Jan 6, 2007
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How is saying that he "became a monster" absolving him of his sins? For that matter, if Rolling Stone magazine has the authority under any religion to absolve sins, it's news to me.

I understand that some folk would simply like to brand him a monster and basically deny that he's a human being, but I'm not sure that's the best way to look at it. Personally I don't care, I just want him dead, but I recognise the validity of enquiring into how he became the kind of person who set the Boston bombs.

In direct order, they tell you, he was popular, and promising, until his family failed him, and then he became a monster. It spells it out pretty clearly.... HE was good, his family was the issue, they caused it.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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What about Ol' Willie? Man ain't exactly the poster boy for Christian virtue.
Hell no, a tax evading reefer head.

In direct order, they tell you, he was popular, and promising, until his family failed him, and then he became a monster. It spells it out pretty clearly.... HE was good, his family was the issue, they caused it.
He got caught up in his brother's bi-polar frenzy but instead of following him he should have done whatever possible to get him help instead being a tag along bomber.
 

Tecumsehsbones

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In direct order, they tell you, he was popular, and promising, until his family failed him, and then he became a monster. It spells it out pretty clearly.... HE was good, his family was the issue, they caused it.
Well, it also mentions radical Islam. But I don't see how saying he "became a monster" is exonerating him. It's examining the process. It does not say his family, or radical Islam, or anything else "turned him into a monster."

I don't see it as exoneration. Same time, I acknowledge the validity of your interpretation. I hope that's good enough. I don't mean to argue the point with you any more.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

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May 28, 2007
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EagleSmack

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Badda-Bing!
 

WLDB

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Jun 24, 2011
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In direct order, they tell you, he was popular, and promising, until his family failed him, and then he became a monster. It spells it out pretty clearly.... HE was good, his family was the issue, they caused it.

They were an influence. In the end he made a choice. As did the older one.

To me, they are making this as-shole famous. They could have easily used one of Boomers to tell their story.

Im not sure why people are so surprised by this or when it happens any other time. He wasnt the first killer to be given special coverage and he wont be the last. Everyone knew his name and what he looked like within a few days of the bombing. This cover story doesnt change that at all. RS has had Charles Manson on their cover. Victims dont get this sort of coverage if they are average people most of the time. In order to get that they tend to need to be famous themselves - like John Lennon. Unfortunately thats what sells.
 

tay

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May 20, 2012
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I'm guessing all of the people having a knee jerk reaction to this cover aren't familiar with the concept of 'investigative journailsm' such as that practiced by Rolling Stone ........





Details uncovered by this reporter shed new light into the June 18 death of journalist Michael Hastings.

Hastings’ friend and confidant SSgt. Joe Biggs disclosed a macabre twist in the award-winning journalist’s death in a suspicious single-car accident. According to SSgt. Biggs, “Michael Hastings’ body was returned to Vermont in an urn.”

This revelation provides another wrinkle in the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) handling of a case they labeled “no foul play” only hours after the writer’s death.

Nevertheless LA County assistant corner, Ed Winter, said it took two days to identify the burned-beyond recognition body of Hastings. Officials also confirmed that an autopsy has been performed, but the cause of death is still pending. Unfortunately the family will have to wait for cause of death answers as LAPD media spokesperson Lieutenant Andrew Neiman indicated, “It will take several weeks to get the toxicology results.”

SSgt. Biggs also emphatically stated that liquor was not a factor in the accident, as Hastings hadn’t consumed alcoholic beverages in five years.

So why is the LAPD delaying the reports?

It was SSgt. Biggs who released the following chilling email to members of the media; “Subject: FBI Investigation, re: NSA -Hey (redacted names) — the Feds are interviewing my “close friends and associates.” Perhaps if the authorities arrive “BuzzFeed GQ,” er HQ, may be wise to immediately request legal counsel before any conversations or interviews about our news gathering practices or related journalism issues. Also: I’m onto a big story, and need to go off the rada[r] for a bit. All the best, and hope to see you all soon. Michael”

The receipt of this email from Hastings tipped the scales for SSgt. Biggs. “This wasn’t an accident and I will continue to investigate his death.”

As an investigative journalist, Hastings saw his fair share of threats. One particular passage in Hastings book, “The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan,” revealed that a former McChrystal staff member made a death threat. “We'll hunt you down and kill you if we don't like what you write,” the unnamed staffer said. Hastings coolly retorted: “Well, I get death threats like that about once a year, so no worries.”

Despite the LAPD's categorization of the Hasting fatal accident as a "no (evidence of) foul play,” LAPD continues to ignore FOIA (CPRA in Calif.) requests made by San Diego 6 News for the police report, 9/11 call, autopsy, bomb squad and toxicology reports, or make the Mercedes available for inspection which only fuels conjecture.


http://www.sandiego6.com/story/hastings-investigation-20130714
 

55Mercury

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May 31, 2007
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I think RS has... uh, gapped on its musical mandate in running stories with no connection whatsoever to music.

It took that paragon and parody of American sub-culture, Grand Theft Auto, to reveal the music connection to the subject pariah in the OP:

The Gap Band - You Dropped a Bomb on Me - YouTube

I guess this outs me as a playa!

:?P
 

WLDB

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Jun 24, 2011
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Hey!! Rolling Stone, after your done glamorizing murdering scum, how about a shout out for the victims??


Simply because it doesnt sell. Thats why they always get far more attention than the victims. Im sure we could all name at least a few dozen terrorists or serial killers but would be hard pressed to name all of their victims. Again, Manson was on the cover rather than any of his victims. Like it or not this is pretty normal for most of the media. I dont really care who they put on the cover. Ive never bought a single issue of RS and doubt I ever will, or any magazine for that matter.

I dont see how this is glamourizing him at all. He looks hungover and they call him a monster. His brother is dead and this guy will never see the light of day again. Hell, may even be executed. Thats not exactly glamourous or a way to turn some of RS readers into terrorists themselves.