Gunman's name reported to be James Jay Lee. Lee organized a protest against Discovery in 2008 regarding Environmental Concerns, and accuses Discovery of being all about money.
Lee stated this in 2008: "These guys have been very sneaky and deceptive as to their contribution to the planetary problems. Just look at their ‘new’ show about saving the planet, “Planet Green,” to me, it’s just another show about more PRODUCTS to make MONEY, not about actual solutions. We can’t let them get away with doing it anymore. Join me in the PROTEST AGAINST THE DISCOVERY NETWORK to get them to start broadcasting real shows that actually work to save the planet. But not just a show about THEM TELLING US WHAT LIGHTBULB TO USE, but shows where solutions are brought to the new shows from people all over with good ideas."
Updates here and all over the net:
http://dcist.com/2008/01/29/protest_against.php
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/crime-and-public-safety/discovery-building-being-evacu.html
92 sediments (sic) from readers:
Well I just heard on HLN news that the gunman's demands have to do with "births" so the newsman said, "not sure if he is upset with shows like Jon and Kate Plus Eight and 19 Kids and Counting".
It blew me out of the water! I wondered the very same thing and then I heard the news guy echo my thoughts!
JMO
Lee recently published a manifesto listing his demands to the Discovery Channel ... including the immediate stop to "encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants." Lee also lashes out about Discovery Channel programs promoting war and technology.
Well, he's right about one thing...TLC/DISC IS all about money.
I hope everyone gets out ok.
This is what he's saying now, specifically about TLC:
"All programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions. In those programs' places, programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility must be pushed. All former pro-birth programs must now push in the direction of stopping human birth, not encouraging it."
Wow. Discovery's hypocrisy and ruthless business practices pushes people over the edge.
Guess he did not like watching beautiful little asian children being worked to death.
Those crazy environmentalists!
It's over and everyone is safe.
Police kill Discovery TV gunman
Police shoot to death a gunman who held three hostages for several hours at the Discovery Communications building in Silver Spring, Md., authorities say; hostages are safe.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/
It appears to be over now. I just read that the hostage taker has been shot (no news on his condition). I also read that he posted recently about Discovery encouraging overpopulation (among other complaints about the network). Yikes!!
So, do we think that Stevie boy ran to Kate's side to protect her once word broke out that a gunman was at the headquarters? I'll bet she high-tailed back to the compound.
Unfortunately the man was shot and killed but his reason for being upset? Disc./TLC encourages too many briths. He had a point.
Well, he was shot dead but the hostages are ok
what does this have to do with the Gosselins?
Local news in DC area is reporting the hostage situation is over. The three hostages are free and did suffer any injuries The police shot and killed Lee because they thought the hostages' lives were in danger. All of the children in the day care center in the building were safely evacuated. All of the Discovery employees are safe. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/01/AR2010090103911.html?hpid=topnews
Lee was absolutely right about Discovery/TLC. How very tragic that he chose this way to bring it to people's attention.What he did was wrong,and he is responsible, but I can understand his frustration with this corporate behemoth whose only apparent goal is to exploit people and animals for money.
Think this will make anyone think about the ramifications of their shows? Don't get me wrong - IMO this person obviously had mental health issues and no one ever deserves to be threatened with violence or harm, regardless of whom they work for. I am thankful that the hostages were not harmed, at least no report I've read so far says they were.
I'm just curious to see what kind of debate, if any, this sets off in the media.
Does anyone think this will change TLC's mind about doing all of their Muiltiple shows?
there were links earlier to his "manifesto" page but none of them worked. I finally was able to find the real url (not the tinyurl), went to google and looked in its cache and found the file.
Sounds like the guy wanted TLC to save the world and solve all its problems. all of them. Also he didn't seem to want *anyone at all* to reproduce.
http://bit.ly/agWOg8
An excerpt from the AP article makes mention of Kate Plus 8 as possibly being part of his manifesto:
"A lengthy posting that could be seen Wednesday on a website registered to Lee said Discovery and its affiliates should stop "encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants," a possible reference to shows like "Kate Plus 8" and "19 Kids and Counting." Instead, he said, the network should air "programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility."
Discovery Communications Inc. operates U.S. cable and satellite networks including The Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. Discovery shows include "Cash Cab" and "Man vs. Wild," and TLC airs "American Chopper" and "Kate Plus 8.""
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100901/ap_on_en_tv/us_discovery_channel_gunman
He was definitely a very disturbed individual. I'm glad no one else was harmed. It's sad for his family that it ended this way.
How horrible. Yes, this gentleman was very troubled. May he rest in peace.
Silimom, the same thought ran through my mind.
I'm also glad that no innocent lives were lost.
This very unfortunate situation should at the very least, open some kind of discussion amoungst the "suits" on what should be responsible programming vs. the sensationalistic programming they have become famous for.
What a sad & scary incident. I'm glad everyone made it out safe. It could have been a much different scenario if any of those bombs had detonated. This is awful but I really thought it was Jon when I first heard it was an Asian guy. I was so afraid that they had completely sent him over the edge finally. It was a relief when I heard it wasn't him.
I am should TLC and Discovery is in full damge control, trying to stop the news outlets from linking this to their programs on multiples.
Scary. Now Discovery/TLC prgrammming may finally get some main stream media scrutiny about their programming direction. Glad no employees were hurt.
He spoke about "birthing"...TLC has a show on pregnancy that shows live births. I believe that was what his main reference was. I know Kate will want to think this is about "her"--like everything is about "her"--but it's about showing live births on t.v. and multiple families. She is only one of many families with programs on TLC and she was not individually mentioned. He had some valid points about the environment and animal cruelty, as well, but he picked a most inappropriate and illegal venue and deserved what he got.
When they show the previews for next week's Kate+8, watch the scene where they race down to the beach. You can see kate running (trying to beat the kids to the water, unlike a REAL mom would do I'm sure) from the back, but she looks like a dude in drag running. She doesn't look feminine at all and wouldn't a real mom let her kids "beat" her to the water? Just shows how much she has to be in control or "competitive" as she calls it.
Administrator, I sent my comment before reading yours. You are correct--he was talking about the live births on TLC. Your last comment bears repeating over and over and over: "Just goes to show there are many crazies out there, just another reason to protect your privacy and your family's privacy."
His manifesto:
http://theintelhub.com/2010/09/01/discovery-channel-manifesto/
Now that this is all over and everyone is safe, TLC will continue on as they always have in using their bottom line profits to determine their (non)moral compass and their driving motivation for every program they air. Nothing will change because they don't care....IMO.
@Admin...
"It's kind of odd to call Jon and Kate to a birthing show."
*******************************
The latest account I heard was that he was frustrated with ALL of the shows that had to do with the reproductions of humans, because humans are wasting natural resources and taking needed space for wildlife (such as destruction of natural habitats for housing developments). If ever there was a show about multiple births, and families having what he considered too many children, Kate and Jon would fit the bill. I don't think he limited his frustrations to "birthing shows."
Sad to say, despite this horrible situation, but I see Discovery trying to find a way to cash in on it.
Administrator said...
Who knows what this psycho's motivations were, now he's dead. But I thought when he said "birthing shows" he meant all the gross programing they have showing human pregnancy and birth, something I think should be a private moment between a mom and dad.
*******
If you feel that way, then you shouldn't watch the shows. Obviously the parents who choose to participate don't feel that their privacy is invaded.
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If you feel that way, then you shouldn't watch the shows. Obviously the parents who choose to participate don't feel that their privacy is invaded.
**********
Anonymous, I don't watch those shows. I happen to think childbirth is a beautiful, amazing moment, and I don't have the interest in watching complete strangers go through it. If they want to expose that moment to the world that's their right. But I think all these medical shows obsessed with showing all these births is exploitation of both the woman and the baby. They hand them enough cash to be willing to expose their vagina and they do it. Hmm, sounds like prostitution to me. Cash for exposing yourself.
Anyway, this crazy guy's issue with "birthing shows" appeared to be overpopulation. My issue is it's just another exploitation show. Obviously everyone agrees violence is not the way to express your disagreement about something.
RIP James J. Lee
According to AOL news:
"Stop all shows glorifying human birthing on all your channels and on TLC," reads one of the demands on the site.
Since Mr. Lee is no longer with us, we will never know what exactly he meant.
My personal interpretation was he was referring to not only the specific birthing shows but also the shows about large families and multiple births like J&K+8 and 19 Kids, as did the newsman on HLN.
In simple terms my impression was that Mr. Lee's issue seems to have been about overpopulation of this planet.
But no matter what his message was, violence is never the method to get heard. I am very glad to hear that no hostage was hurt or killed.
JMO
Troy Chula Vista said:
but she looks like a dude in drag running
~~~
I saw that clip for a promo for next show. I thought the same as you, but then I looked closer and I think it's Ashley running w/the kids. It didn't seem like Kate's build.
Anonymous said... what does this have to do with the Gosselins?
Serious? The Gosselins led the charge in multiple births, part of this man's manifesto. You didn't 'get' the parallel????
I can't believe she actually went out in public in this getup?? Isn't this like a beach coverup? With high heels????
http://celebrity-gossip.net/kate-gosselin/photo/kate-gosselin-1265
I take it back, maybe Kate does need a bodyguard.
Personally I would never participate in a job in which I'm required to have my family protected by a bodyguard, but that's just me.
OH Lord-Love-a-Duck! What in the world is this tart wearing now?! Take a look at how low her bossums are hanging! They must be just above her too-high navel! This is what you see in the National Geographic,not on a 35 year old well fed,healthy North American woman!
Anonymous said... Anonymous said... what does this have to do with the Gosselins?
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Gosselins are on TLC. TLC is owned by Discovery.
To help anonymous understand what this has to do with the Gosselins:
The Gosselins are on a Discovery/TLC produced show. This hostage situation took place at the Discovery headquarters in Maryland. Lee took employees hostage because he wanted to speak to CEOs there and make demands for a change in the programming. He believed that humans were contributing to the destruction of the planet and that there were too many babies being born. He wanted Discovery to find a solution to this problem, NOT broadcast shows in which babies were shown being born. In the demands (on his website) he wrote:
"It is the responsiblity of everyone to preserve the planet they live on by not breeding any more children who will continue their filthy practices. Children represent FUTURE catastrophic pollution whereas their parents are current pollution. NO MORE BABIES! Population growth is a real crisis. Even one child born in the US will use 30 to a thousand times more resources than a Third World child. It's like a couple are having 30 babies even though it's just one! If the US goes in this direction maybe other countries will too!"
Clearly he was upset over the population explosion. Families, such as the Gosselins, 19 Kids and Counting, and other shows about multiple births are contributing to the number of babies being born.
Hope that answers your question.
"This is what you see in the National Geographic,not on a 35 year old well fed,healthy North American woman!"
LOL, Prairiemary! I thought exactly the same thing. All she needed was a basket of crops on her head, and a water jug strapped to her side!
Why wasn't TLC's top Bodyguard on the scene?
Maybe he could have hit the guy with Kate's purse.
It's kind of interesting this guy picks Discovery of all things to protest overpopulation. I don't see that big of a connection.
Maybe he should pick on churches many still don't support birth control. Maybe he should pick on schools that won't distribute condoms. Or any organization that promotes children. Or support better education for demographics with high birth rates.
Do you think this incident made Kate and Jon scared? I would be scared and I wouldn't blame them.
Anonymous said... what does this have to do with the Gosselins?
----------------------------------------
Is that you Kate?
His main focus was environmental. Of course, population control is a part of it but his issues were more detailed than just the birthing shows.
Personally, I've NEVER watched a birthing video and I don't like medical stuff on tv. I like the CSI type but not the actual patients showing their stuff.
Think of it this way, if your mother had been filmed giving birth to you would that be okay with you to air it on TV for millions to watch?
To me childbirth is sacred and intimate and should be private. It used to be something that happened at home with a midwife. We have stripped it of all its intimacy. Now networks like Discovery have a camera crew in the room filming it all. It's really no different than filming the Gosselins on the potty, having a tantrum, double ear infections, throwing up. Nothing is private anymore to them.
Why do people want to see the birth of someone they don't even know? I can see maybe watching your sister's birth video but truly I cannot think of something more voyerist. Same with the Gosselins, voyers.
quote: "Danie said...Why wasn't TLC's top Bodyguard on the scene? Maybe he could have hit the guy with Kate's purse."
*****
I have to admit that this made me laugh out loud.
I wonder was a camera crew around when this happened and did the film it?
I want to know if the victims in this are okay with making an episode out of this incident to air for millions so we can watch how it all went down. And if it's not okay with them, why is it okay to film a child when she is most vulnerable? Such as when she is using the bathroom, throwing up, sick, double ear infections, or crying at the dentist.
Obviously this should never been shown on TV, I'm making a point.
Ha. I wonder if Steve will actually do his job now. Like stop staring at Kate and start looking for snipers overhead.
Admin asked why someone would want to watch the birth of someone they didn't know.
If a woman is pregnant for the first time, she wants to know everything. She doesn't care if she knows the person or not. It's not voyeurism at all. She wants to see what happens during the actual birth process, what to expect, how another expectant mother handles it, what option are available to control the pain, what takes place in the labor room, what medications are used to induce labor, etc. etc.
It's an impersonal thing for the first-time mother. She's curious. Her body is going to go through the same thing, and she wants to be prepared and educated.
That's why a pregnant woman watches. Why a pregnant woman giving birth would want to be exposed to the world is another question. Having a film crew in the labor room, to me, is just plain creepy. It's something I would never do (or have ever done)...not even private videotaping.
But, there are those who don't see it as an invasion of privacy and put it out there for the eyes of the entire country. I guess there are just free spirits who believe that birth is natural and beautiful and should be shared with the world.
Anonymous said... what does this have to do with the Gosselins?
=====================
I went over to the dark side; I was curious what was said about what happened today in MD
It seems that one person thought it might be Kelly from this blog, one person thought it might be Jon, and another figures Mr. Lee was just another nutjob so he was anti Kate and had posted on one of the hate blogs.
Again we will never know what Mr. Lee's message was because he was forever silenced today.
But one thing is for sure: I also have an issue with the programming and filming choices of TLC and Discovery. In general I do not believe in child exploitation, and in particular the Gosselin 8.
JMO
I don't have a problem with a woman wanting to educate herself on the birth process. But somehow women have managed to give birth for thousands of years without watching a birth video to see how it's done. We have become such a visual society and we demand everything be shown to us on TV.
I know there are forum out there for pregnancy where women share birth videos among themselves. That's one thing. It's another to throw it on TLC for whoever to look at it. There are perverted people out there. And I still think it cheapens the whole moment. Birth IS beautiful. So is sex, but when you film it, it becomes porn. Birth too, in my opinion, can turn into something else when filmed and subsequently shared with strangers.
I just think it's so typical of Discovery EVERYTHING must be filmed.
"Do you think this incident made Kate and Jon scared? I would be scared and I wouldn't blame them."
===============
Afraid for themselves, afraid for the children, or just afraid in general?
I agree. This would scare me to death, not for myself, but just to know that there are mentally deranged people out there who think children are parasites, and babies shouldn't be born. I'd watch those kids like a hawk.
Administrator said...
"Maybe he should pick on churches many still don't support birth control. Maybe he should pick on schools that won't distribute condoms."
Because those places cannot reach millions of viewers. He apparently thought Discovery had the power and resources to develop shows that would find solutions to the problem. It's interesting that he would assume that Discovery has infinite power.
@Anonymous..."If you feel that way, then you shouldn't watch the shows. Obviously the parents who choose to participate don't feel that their privacy is invaded."
88888888888888888888888888888
Or else the money is really good, and when those dollar bills are flashed, all concern for privacy goes out the window as the cash flies in.
This man had serious mental issues.To say it had anything to do with kate..is just grasping at straws.
This man came into a work place carrying ammo.He wasent after 1 person or 1 show.He hated all the Discovery channel was showing.The man was deranged and insane...for what ever his reasons were...he took the lives of other people into his hands.
I'm so glad that no lives were lost but his own.Its a very tragic story with a very sad ending.
I feel sorry for this mans family...and I in know way think this is a kate story.
This thread needs to end.We can assume "all" that we want.
This thread will remain. The company that owns the show was the target of this madman. We all have a lot of issues with Discovery. It is highly relevant.
I think what he did had nothing to do with Kate or he would have said so. She is a household name he would have said her name. His issue appears to be the environment and overpopulation. He was protesting Discovery in 2008 before this show was but a blip on the radar. What he did call attention to, however, (in an incredibly inappropriate and unacceptable way) is the questionable practices of a large corporation, the same corporation that owns the Gosselin kids.
I also think it really brings to the forefront, when you put yourself out there, are you safe from people like this? I think the obvious answer is no. Which is why so many of us are adament we would never do this to our kids. It's not ALL good as the sheeple would like us to believe to go on all kinds of trips all summer on camera. It also means that total strangers think they know you. Including madmen.
Although the gunman went about his point wrong, think about where he's coming from. These shows on TLC do promote having lots of kids and all its grandeur. Having tons of kids is over population. I think people should think before they have too many damn kids. People having 8 frigin kids...it's wrong. And now TLC just wants to promote and promote. It IS taking away from the natural resources of wildlife. It IS so sad that he went on this rampage, and Thank God no one got hurt or killed (except him), but I understand his POV. Though he was a psycho, I hope Discovery/TLC thinks about this and takes notice about their network. They are a sideshow, why would they want to show this? We don't watch TLC in our home because of this. I say boycott the whole station. This should do some damage to their image.
Administrator said... I take it back, maybe Kate does need a bodyguard.
Personally I would never participate in a job in which I'm required to have my family protected by a bodyguard, but that's just me.
________________________________________
But it's not her family protected by a bodyguard unless they are filming. It is just Kate, and Steve is servicing her in ways that have nothing to do with protection.
Time for Kate to call it a night.
What happened yesterday should be a wakeup call to her, The Duggers and all the families employeed by Discovery.
Administrator- first, I do not condone violence of any kind to ANYONE- especially children, the elderly, animals, even Kate. But it's true; the Gosselins, the Duggers etc... most definitely do represent over-population and Discovery/PT Barnum LOVES IT! The bigger the family, the more curious viewers will want tune in to watch how they interact.
I don't care how much Discovery tries to spin it, part of this unfortunate man's manifesto included (I'm paraphrasing) is how Discovery continues to showcase large families for entertainment.
Discovery's success has been from broadcasting over-population, over- consumption, over-eating, hoarding, over-everything for ratings=$$$$$
GREED.
Administrator said... This thread will remain. The company that owns the show was the target of this madman. We all have a lot of issues with Discovery. It is highly relevant.
I think what he did had nothing to do with Kate or he would have said so. She is a household name he would have said her name. His issue appears to be the environment and overpopulation. He was protesting Discovery in 2008 before this show was but a blip on the radar. What he did call attention to, however, (in an incredibly inappropriate and unacceptable way) is the questionable practices of a large corporation, the same corporation that owns the Gosselin kids.
I also think it really brings to the forefront, when you put yourself out there, are you safe from people like this? I think the obvious answer is no. Which is why so many of us are adament we would never do this to our kids. It's not ALL good as the sheeple would like us to believe to go on all kinds of trips all summer on camera. It also means that total strangers think they know you. Including madmen.
_____________________________________
AMEN to every single comment.
I agree, lunactics like this are the exact reasons why kids should not be part of reality shows. The public knows where the kids live and where they go to school, and the poor things are put on display for everyone to see while filming. As a parent, hearing about this man made chills go up my spine. I don't even put my kids' names on their backpacks out of safety concerns. Yet Jon and Kate are making their kids prime targets for lunatics like this. It's just time to get kids off reality shows, period.
After TLC started that new multiples show, Quints by Surprise along with Kate screeching in NYC (complaining the whole time about the CROWDS and how HOT it was (global warming), how ironic this happens just days after a Kate's new special and the premiere of yet another TLC "We Just Wanted One More Baby And Got A Litter" show, if some parents like millions do, had to tell themselves no, they couldn't afford it or it was not possible--or be happy with what you have (I so want to say be happy with what with God gave you but that would be mucking with science! And we couldn't hear another reality family tell us that God did it!) At least with the Quints by Surprise story, I actually believe their story unlike Kate Gosselin who gets away schooling other personality disordered women like her how to manipulate the system like she did and become one with TLC and famous, rich, freebie and tabloid queen, Forever 21 meets Fredrick's of HW style-wear @ 35+!
So yeah, all those multiple shows and specials, those baby shows (right or wrong) is exactly what this crazy man although he did make his points. Discovery/TLC has had a problem for a long time and we've all complained about it!
Perhaps TLC/Discovery's problem is that when they get an idea that gets ratings...they make like Kate Gosselin's narcissism with fertility drugs and show it over and over again.
Report according to The Associated Press:
Discovery Channel hostage-taker hated programming
By DAVID DISHNEAU and SARAH BRUMFIELD (AP) – 7 hours ago
SILVER SPRING, Md. — A gunman police shot to death after he took hostages at Discovery Channel's headquarters said he hated the company's shows such as "Kate Plus 8" because they promote population growth and its environmental programming because it did little to save the planet.
Entire report can be read here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j3HWmZzozhVViJ3jG784a_iYoXEQD9HVL5780
TLC/Discovery has alot of soul searching to do before a bigger tragedy occurs - AND no doubt, they will be held responsible.
Even on the mainstream radio the other day they were saying look this guy's actions were horrible BUT he does have a point.
That article though says shows like Kate Plus 8. I just don't think he was specifically targeting Kate Plus 8. And actually I don't think that show promotes overpopulation, I think it actually discouarges it. Kate drills it into our heads over and over what a burden eight kids are, I get the message, don't have eight kids.
He said birthing shows, to me that's crystal clear he's talking about all the shows on all day long on that channel about childbirth.
"The public knows where the kids live and where they go to school, and the poor things are put on display for everyone to see while filming. As a parent, hearing about this man made chills go up my spine. I don't even put my kids' names on their backpacks out of safety concerns. Yet Jon and Kate are making their kids prime targets for lunatics like this. It's just time to get kids off reality shows, period."
+++++++++++++++++++
I absolutely agree. Even if I were a contract honorer, I'd yank those kids off the air so fast that TLC wouldn't know what happened. I watched the NYC show. Those kids were on open-air buses, running all over the park...any crazy who had an issue with multiples, over-population, etc., could jump out from behind a building, a tree, and open fire. Those kids were not protected. They don't have a one-on-one bodyguard, and even the one that they supposedly have is just a glorified surrogate father. He can do nothing to protect those kids. They are pathetically vulnerable.
I agree with the poster who said that this IS about families with multiples and over-population. Just because he didn't specifically name the Gosselin, the Duggar and the Jones families in his "manifesto" doesn't mean that they weren't part of the whole scheme of things. He DID refer to children being parasites; TLC focuses on parents who choose to have large families. He referred to the greed and his frustration that Discovery is all about money. How else does TLC make its profits -- by exploiting families with multiples, showing live births, etc.? One cannot just dismiss this as saying it had nothing to do with the Gosselins. Discovery owns that family, and others, and it's Discovery and the greed of large corporation that this madman went up against...and lost.
Admin said -- "That article though says shows like Kate Plus 8. I just don't think he was specifically targeting Kate Plus 8. And actually I don't think that show promotes overpopulation,"
+++++++++
I think that it possibly does. It shows that if a family has multiples (overpopulation), they will be treated to the finer things in life...vacations, expensive homes, and everything that money can buy. TLC shows programs about large families; parents see this, and think that having large families is a way to make it big.
By putting the show on the air, TLC is padding the bank account of these families. By putting shows out there that feature multiples, parents see just how much money these families can make. Heck, Kate did it herself...she was fascinated with multiples and shopped around this story to networks.
This is the reasoning of many Sheeple, particularly the young ones. Kate's a role model. They want to be like her. How many times have we read posts by those who say that if they were a parent, they'd do the same thing -- just to get the vacations and freebies? I remember reading a comment by a young mother who underwent fertility treatments because her goal was to have "at least" six kids to begin with, so she could have a reality show "just like the Gosselins." TLC puts the idea out there; misguided parents follow through. It's overpopulation for fame and money.
You know how when you stop being five years old things stop being black and white and certain things trump other things?
Like the classic example would you steal medicine if it was the only way in the world you could save your mother's life? Little children say no, don't steal. But when their brains develop a little more they start realizing the greater good would be to save their mother.
Kate's whole I honor contracts crap....except, when your children are being emotionally harmed and it's not in their best interest, you're not supposed to honor contracts anymore. The greater good. Why this is so difficult for Kate who knows. Oh right, money.
He went about it wrong, BUT... said...
Although the gunman went about his point wrong, think about where he's coming from...
*****************
Did you read this man's words? If so and you agree with them, that is incredibly scary. He wanted the entire human race eradicated. He didn't specifically have a problem with large families, he had a problem with any child being born. All you proud Moms on here? Mom of 1 or mom of 20, he hated every one of you.
"All you proud Moms on here? Mom of 1 or mom of 20, he hated every one of you."
In the interview with his brother-in-law, when asked what he would say to Lee, the brother-in-law said that he would ask him how his grandmother would feel about this, or to consider the feelings of his own mother, and how upset she would be.
Based on this, it appears that he didn't hate all mothers, but who knows what goes in the mind of someone like this?
Anonymous, we're all speculating here. Based on the news story, evidence of his blog on the internet, and this man having a history of frustration with Discovery, we drew conclusions.
We certainly can't speak for him, but it is plain to see that Discovery/TLC IS producing alot of programming that one would say is exploitive, and it just so happens to produce many shows that have families of all sizes in many situations- lately they have been fixated on families with multiples. How does that tie in with saving the earth? Overpopulation= over consumption, depletion of trees, hunger, pollution, poverty the list goes on and on. Granted, he went about protesting in a wacko way...
My point is, that his beef was with Discovery, what it choose to broadcast. He held them responsible, and because he was mentally unstable, he made a fatal decision to carry out his anger.
No one on this website condones this unfortunate man's behavior. Nor would any of us go with bombs strapped on us and guns blazing against anyone or any corporation.
There is a huge difference between having intelligent conversation- agree or disagree with another person's point of view, but it's another thing altogether to actually carry out an atrocity. It is obvious he was mentally ill.
Like I said before, Discovery is and should be responsible and taken to task for what it broadcasts- just not the way Mr.Lee did it.
Interesting quote from the Associated Press article posted above:
In court and online, he had demanded an end to Discovery Communications LLC's shows such as TLC's "Kate Plus 8" and "19 Kids and Counting."
Instead, he said, the network should air "programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility."
"Humans are the most destructive, filthy, pollutive creatures around and are wrecking what's left of the planet with their false morals and breeding cultures," Lee wrote in a bitter manifesto on his website.
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I think he was frustrated with tv's glorification of high-order multiples, especially families who used science to manipulate nature to create human life. TV is fascinated with these types of families, yet has there been media discussion of how this shameless promotion can also affect our environment or even society? One could claim that someone might see how these families quickly become famous, possibly rich, and want to reap in those benefits by trying to do the same (which is a sick and twisted reason for having kids). If Kate Gosselin can do it, maybe they can too.
Has reality tv created a series showcasing families who are content with infertility and using alternative methods i.e. adoption or even making a choice not to have children, whether or not they could? I would be curious to watch and follow a celebrity or even a family (serious about adoption/not just for tv ratings) go through the adoption process, because I really don't know much about the process and choosing someone else's baby (and yes, I could learn about it on the internet). You see pictures of celebs happy with their adopted children, but it would enlighten me to know the REAL (not staged) highs and lows of the entire process.
I don't condone what Mr. Lee did, but his actions have brought to light a different perspective on tv's fascination of families with multiples (or MULTIPLE children), especially now when more families are exploiting their multiples.
Gosselin Gossip said...
Interesting quote from the Associated Press article posted above:
In court and online, he had demanded an end to Discovery Communications LLC's shows such as TLC's "Kate Plus 8" and "19 Kids and Counting."
Instead, he said, the network should air "programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility."
"Humans are the most destructive, filthy, pollutive creatures around and are wrecking what's left of the planet with their false morals and breeding cultures," Lee wrote in a bitter manifesto on his website.
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I think he was frustrated with tv's glorification of high-order multiples, especially families who used science to manipulate nature to create human life...
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I think you are applying your personal viewpoint to Mr. Lee. Read his words.
“There is no sense in advertising weapons of mass-destruction anymore. Instead, talk about ways to disassemble civilization.”
“Saving the Planet means saving what's left of the non-human Wildlife by decreasing the Human population. That means stopping the human race from breeding any more disgusting human babies!”
“For every human born, ACRES of wildlife forests must be turned into farmland in order to feed that new addition over the course of 60 to 100 YEARS of that new human's lifespan! THIS IS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE FOREST CREATURES!!!! All human procreation and farming must cease!”
“It is the responsiblity of everyone to preserve the planet they live on by not breeding any more children who will continue their filthy practices. Children represent FUTURE catastrophic pollution whereas their parents are current pollution. NO MORE BABIES! Population growth is a real crisis. Even one child born in the US will use 30 to a thousand times more resources than a Third World child. It's like a couple are having 30 babies even though it's just one!”
His issue was not with high-order multiples, his issue was with the birth of any child whatsoever. He wanted human civilization to disappear. He was clearly mentally ill and for people to take this tragic incident and try to claim that it has anything to do with the Gosselin situation specifically is beyond the pale.
@Gosselin Gossip...
"I don't condone what Mr. Lee did, but his actions have brought to light a different perspective on tv's fascination of families with multiples (or MULTIPLE children), especially now when more families are exploiting their multiples."
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I caught a snippet on the news today in which one of the gunman's friends was interviewed (it could have been a relative, I didn't catch the name). This was not the brother-in-law who spoke during the hostage situation yesterday.
This person said that what really set
off Lee was Discovery/TLC's blatant exposes of families with multiples, and how the greed of a corporation contributed to encouraging couples to have large families when Discovery's focus should have been on saving the planet, not showing the day-to-day activities of parents with lots of kids.
No names were named...but I would think that the Gosselins and the Duggars fit right into this scenario.
And to think that these children have no physical protection and are at risk for abduction or worse. It's not at all unusual for copycats to surface after an incident like the drama that unfolded yesterday.
Overpopulation is a very well respected theory about what is wrong with the environment. I just went to an Earth Day fair a few months ago where there was a whole booth set up as to what to do about overpopulation. This is not radical stuff.
This guy's viewpoint in general was not radical. How we went about getting his message across was the radical part. No one here is defending him. No one here is blaming this on Kate. No one ever deserves to have their life threatened.
I read Lee's manifesto, it's here:
http://www.savetheplanetprotest.com/
Where did he say he wants to kill people? He never said that. The worst he said was "the planet does not need humans", that is hardly saying he wants to kill humans. He wanted people to stop having babies, there's a huge difference. Lots of people believe we should stop having kids because of overpopulation. China's one child rule.
He also wanted Discovery to stop showing programs about war--that's hardly radical. Lots of people are against war and promoting war.
He advocated for finding solutions to illegal immgiration by helping those countries so they will retain their own populations--again, not radical whatsoever.
He wanted to fix the US economy, who doesn't. And also "find solutions for unemployment and housing." Again, who doesn't?
I AM NOT DEFENDING THIS GUY. But this is not even close to the craziest manifesto ever out there. His points are rational, his method was madness.
Here we go again. Was this the straw that broke Lee's back?...
The premiere of Meet The Carpio Family premieres on September 14 on TLC. Sextuplets in New York. They live in Queens, so they won't have to travel too far to drag the kids all over NYC in the heat.
It just won't end, will it? TLC is hell bent on exploitation and will always find families to be suckered into the greed.
Interesting quote from the Associated Press article posted above:
In court and online, he had demanded an end to Discovery Communications LLC's shows such as TLC's "Kate Plus 8" and "19 Kids and Counting."
Instead, he said, the network should air "programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility."
"Humans are the most destructive, filthy, pollutive creatures around and are wrecking what's left of the planet with their false morals and breeding cultures," Lee wrote in a bitter manifesto on his website.
----------
I think he was frustrated with tv's glorification of high-order multiples, especially families who used science to manipulate nature to create human life. TV is fascinated with these types of families, yet has there been media discussion of how this shameless promotion can also affect our environment or even society? One could claim that someone might see how these families quickly become famous, possibly rich, and want to reap in those benefits by trying to do the same (which is a sick and twisted reason for having kids). If Kate Gosselin can do it, maybe they can too.
Has reality tv created a series showcasing families who are content with infertility and using alternative methods i.e. adoption or even making a choice not to have children, whether or not they could? I would be curious to watch and follow a celebrity or even a family (serious about adoption/not just for tv ratings) go through the adoption process, because I really don't know much about the process and choosing someone else's baby (and yes, I could learn about it on the internet). You see pictures of celebs happy with their adopted children, but it would enlighten me to know the REAL (not staged) highs and lows of the entire process.
I don't condone what Mr. Lee did, but his actions have brought to light a different perspective on tv's fascination of families with multiples (or MULTIPLE children), especially now when more families are exploiting their multiples.
"All you proud Moms on here? Mom of 1 or mom of 20, he hated every one of you."
In the interview with his brother-in-law, when asked what he would say to Lee, the brother-in-law said that he would ask him how his grandmother would feel about this, or to consider the feelings of his own mother, and how upset she would be.
Based on this, it appears that he didn't hate all mothers, but who knows what goes in the mind of someone like this?
Report according to The Associated Press:
Discovery Channel hostage-taker hated programming
By DAVID DISHNEAU and SARAH BRUMFIELD (AP) – 7 hours ago
SILVER SPRING, Md. — A gunman police shot to death after he took hostages at Discovery Channel's headquarters said he hated the company's shows such as "Kate Plus 8" because they promote population growth and its environmental programming because it did little to save the planet.
Entire report can be read here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j3HWmZzozhVViJ3jG784a_iYoXEQD9HVL5780
TLC/Discovery has alot of soul searching to do before a bigger tragedy occurs - AND no doubt, they will be held responsible.
You know how when you stop being five years old things stop being black and white and certain things trump other things?
Like the classic example would you steal medicine if it was the only way in the world you could save your mother's life? Little children say no, don't steal. But when their brains develop a little more they start realizing the greater good would be to save their mother.
Kate's whole I honor contracts crap....except, when your children are being emotionally harmed and it's not in their best interest, you're not supposed to honor contracts anymore. The greater good. Why this is so difficult for Kate who knows. Oh right, money.
Do you think this incident made Kate and Jon scared? I would be scared and I wouldn't blame them.
Why wasn't TLC's top Bodyguard on the scene?
Maybe he could have hit the guy with Kate's purse.
To help anonymous understand what this has to do with the Gosselins:
The Gosselins are on a Discovery/TLC produced show. This hostage situation took place at the Discovery headquarters in Maryland. Lee took employees hostage because he wanted to speak to CEOs there and make demands for a change in the programming. He believed that humans were contributing to the destruction of the planet and that there were too many babies being born. He wanted Discovery to find a solution to this problem, NOT broadcast shows in which babies were shown being born. In the demands (on his website) he wrote:
"It is the responsiblity of everyone to preserve the planet they live on by not breeding any more children who will continue their filthy practices. Children represent FUTURE catastrophic pollution whereas their parents are current pollution. NO MORE BABIES! Population growth is a real crisis. Even one child born in the US will use 30 to a thousand times more resources than a Third World child. It's like a couple are having 30 babies even though it's just one! If the US goes in this direction maybe other countries will too!"
Clearly he was upset over the population explosion. Families, such as the Gosselins, 19 Kids and Counting, and other shows about multiple births are contributing to the number of babies being born.
Hope that answers your question.
Anonymous said... Anonymous said... what does this have to do with the Gosselins?
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Gosselins are on TLC. TLC is owned by Discovery.
Who knows what this psycho's motivations were, now he's dead. But I thought when he said "birthing shows" he meant all the gross programing they have showing human pregnancy and birth, something I think should be a private moment between a mom and dad. They have A Baby Story and a bunch of other hospital shows always showing women popping out babies. It's kind of odd to call Jon and Kate to a birthing show. His issue seemed to really be the environment. Just goes to show there are many crazies out there, just another reason to protect your privacy and your family's privacy.
What a sad & scary incident. I'm glad everyone made it out safe. It could have been a much different scenario if any of those bombs had detonated. This is awful but I really thought it was Jon when I first heard it was an Asian guy. I was so afraid that they had completely sent him over the edge finally. It was a relief when I heard it wasn't him.
Although the gunman went about his point wrong, think about where he's coming from. These shows on TLC do promote having lots of kids and all its grandeur. Having tons of kids is over population. I think people should think before they have too many damn kids. People having 8 frigin kids...it's wrong. And now TLC just wants to promote and promote. It IS taking away from the natural resources of wildlife. It IS so sad that he went on this rampage, and Thank God no one got hurt or killed (except him), but I understand his POV. Though he was a psycho, I hope Discovery/TLC thinks about this and takes notice about their network. They are a sideshow, why would they want to show this? We don't watch TLC in our home because of this. I say boycott the whole station. This should do some damage to their image.
It appears to be over now. I just read that the hostage taker has been shot (no news on his condition). I also read that he posted recently about Discovery encouraging overpopulation (among other complaints about the network). Yikes!!
Wow. Discovery's hypocrisy and ruthless business practices pushes people over the edge.
Guess he did not like watching beautiful little asian children being worked to death.
Those crazy environmentalists!
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