www.PearHead.org

The reason is complex. We're supposed to think that we shouldn't be surprised he got into trouble while intoxicated (he crashed a party in a backyard while drunk). We should have seen it coming from way back when he was in Iraq.

I think, also, it's a sad irony that he wrote, "My plans... are to drink until my heart stops." It's ironic and sad, but now I'm just repeating myself.

I suppose part of it is that we're supposed to realize that he isn't blameless. Honestly, I think that's important - it's easy to, because he's a war veteran and a "hero" (in some sense of the word, for willing to represent his country in a dangerous war). So it's easy to assume that whatever happened wasn't his fault, which isn't an accurate representation of the situation.

Lastly, though, why mention myspace so prominently? Because, don't you know, MySpace is evil? It's led to school shootings, teacher-student sex, intense bullying, and now the senseless death of an Iraq war vet. The media needs to demonize technology that the kids are all using. You know, that Grand Theft Auto, the rock-and-roll music, MySpace, video games in general, etc.

Last thing: I think it's actually refreshing - a poor word choice, perhaps, in this situation, but ... - that the media is actually placing blame where it probably needs to go: on the shoulders of the victim and the perpetrator. They aren't explicitly blaming MySpace; they're sort of mythologizing it.

See, I told you it was complex.

http://www.yearofglad.com

"Luis Hogan, 26, received a 12½-year sentence Monday after pleading guilty in March to second-degree murder while committing a felony for fatally shooting Sheda, 26, of Cloquet on June 30 of last year."

DNT Article

Sorry to comment on such an old post but I must.
I'm not sure what "irks" me more, the large number of posts I'm seeing with poeple making gangster comments, giving Hogan sole responsablity for this event or the constant reminding that he is a soldier. Now before you anybody gets bent out of shape, I respect him for being a US soldier, I respect all of the men and women defending our country, but you need to leave emotion out of this because the night this young man lost his life he was not on duty. He was not in uniform. And if my count is correct he was in violation of at least 3 FEDERAL laws and several local. Just because he carried in Iraq does not give him a right to carry in the private sector, and if he did have a permit to carry, he should not be using alcohol in any amount if he is carring. I need you to know I think it went too far that night, Hogan bears some responsibality as does Sheda, no more no less. The main point for me is Sheda seemed to be looking for something, probably not to be shot to death but something, and hogan probably didn't get up that morning thinking... I think I'll kill somone today. I just do think Hogan is the "gangster" some people have made him out to be, just as I think the continual reminding of Sheda's job in the millitary is just unfair, sensationalizm looking for a good guy and a bad guy. Be sadened by the event.