Why do the media make someone's military background an issue in their reporting of crimes, especially when it has no bearing on the crime?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:04:42 -0500

There was a very unfortunate multiple murder outside of Philadelphia this morning. The perpetrator apparently was in the Marine Reserve from 2002 to 2011 with one deployment to Iraq from April to July, 2008. Some of the news outlets here are calling him either a Marine or Former Marine. This is the opening paragraph from the news thumb on my xfinity homepage, titled "Ex-Marine on the Loose After 6 Relatives Killed":
Monday, Dec 15, 2014 • Updated at 8:40 PM EST

A manhunt is underway for a former Marine reservist who prosecutors say went on a shooting spree early Monday killing six family members, including his ex-wife, and wounding a teen in three towns across Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Bradley William Stone, 35 of Pennsburg, is considered armed and dangerous. Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said police are actively searching for him and residents of one town are being asked to lock themselves indoors.

•Neighbor of Woman Shot, Killed, Heard Kids Screaming

Stone stands 5-feet-10-inches tall and weighs 195 lbs. He is believed to be clean-shaven, but earlier officials said he could have a red beard and close-cropped hair. He is known to use a cane or walker to assist in moving, Vetri Ferman said. He may also be wearing military fatigues — either green or brown.

The man served more than eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was deployed to Iraq, according to a Marine Corps spokesman. During his time, he earned several medals and his specialty was Artillery Meteorological Man — effectively a meteorologist that monitors weather conditions to ensure military fire accuracy.

Read more: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Lansdale-Shooting-285800521.html#ixzz3M1Q031m6
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Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 9:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:20:18 -0500

I've often wondered this myself. When it's just some shmuck, they don't often say "Oh he had a mental illness" or "Joe Blow, an employee in the electronics department at Target.."

If it's a SM or former SM, let loose.. they had PTSD. They deployed to 18 theaters 147 times. Blah blah blah blah... The media needs to go pound sand. There aren't journalists or reporters anymore.. just fear mongers.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 9:21 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:21:37 -0500

I was a firefighter for a few years of my life. It makes a better headline. "Former Firefighter burns house down"(Even if he had not been one for 15 years.)

"Former Sailor kills someone while drunk"(35 years after he gets out)

"Son of Army Officer is Involved in Drive By Shooting"

"Boy Scout Troop Leader Runs Red Light and Causes Deadly Accident"

Need I continue? It is all about ratings. "If it Bleeds it Leads" and it helps if you throw some other tasty details into it.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 15 at 2014 9:52 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:52:06 -0500

Because they are not so subtly trying to imply that their service somehow messed them up.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 10:39 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 22:39:45 -0500

People are generally wowed by TV and Radio stations and so when they find a legitimate story they do due diligence with tons of embellishments. Just look at shows like 20/20 where the reporter says to Craig's of Craigslist, Craig shook his hands and then politely left. The reporter then said, So, you don't want to talk about these allegations?" That may seem innocent enough but the reporter was goading Craig.

In my experience with the media I saw the ugly. Another 20/20 reporter was asking a slimeball babysitter if the allegations are true. They found her going to her apartment and they did about 5 or pictures of her walking away, in rapid succession. That is dramatized and this happens everyday and this is not just Rush Limbaugh.

Craig and the fat nanny abuser are accused and in the case of the nanny her acts were on a nanny cam, so this lady is guilty but the media is involved in inciting increased anxiety and they punch out and go home.

It is an industry who reports bad news and then a couple times a year goes to a soup kitchen and volunteers with cameras rolling and being a celebrity. Like Stephen Glass who was involved in creating stories for major magazines they all are 'Lois Lane', virtual stalkers with a camera primed for reality TV. Do you see a problem here?

As I've stated before I have worked on radio. I have heard the stories and the inflation that is used to get ratings. That is the bottom-line here, a surreal environment that is almost like a circus sideshow. Replete with manufactured and over the top reporting.

A Tampa DJ had a cohort have a staff go to Lakeland to have sex with an 18 yr old girl and her mother. They were doing a live cut talking to the ladies and giving media fodder for exploitation. Or the girl who was on a three-way call with a husband and wife, and exposed the husband as a philanderer. The problem is the girl had burst into tears when he gave the he flowers to his wife. Can you say, "exploitation? Oh and another station picked up the recording and dubbed it and used it again. Again the girl is exploited and used for a laugh and that was what that was, plain and simple.

Or the sex offender story that caused people to be vigilantes and going by the house hit an 11 year old in the head with an object, causing her suffering. Stir the crap and you get insanity and a proliferation of politically correct dogma. Not serving the community, but rather their own pocket books/wallets and wishing for a job on the big stages like NYC.

Response by SGT Vince Albert Dickson made Feb 21 at 2016 8:51 PM

SGT Vince Albert Dickson — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:51:47 -0500

I respect your views Sir! (Salute) I fell that they do it to turn the Public back to the Mindset that just because some of us (depending on MOS) have specialty training! Example Sniper; Urban Warfare; etc! Don't forget How People including some Service Members use to view Us Blessed toHold an 11Bravo MOS and Dumb or Low Scores on the ASVAB! I love being the Bogeyman Grunt!! Hooah