I was watching a news conference in 1987 when former Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert "Budd" Dwyer committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth with a handgun. It was incredible television; shocking, saddening and ultimately maddening because he used a captive audience to commit a heinous act.

Today NBC News revealed Virginia Tech Mass Murderer Cho Seung-Hui sent the network a box full of rambling notes and videos about his state of mind. It opens up the mind of a disturbed person who leaves a surreal epitaph and the final ?¢‚Ǩ?ìmultimedia manifesto.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

Everyone seems to have a video camera, video phone, or other means for recording themselves. It opens up the most intimate moments and provides an incredible snapshot of what we are doing, thinking and contemplating. And in Seung-Hui's example, it also provides an opportunity to extend ourselves beyond the grave - providing yet another opportunity to victimize, influence and prey upon the people we feel have wronged us.

Suicide bombers use video eulogies to show why they carried out their mission and to prove they did it deliberately and with purpose.?Ç Seung-Hui's videos and notes presumably are an attempt by the man to explain and justify his actions.

How much do we really want to see or feel about someone else? How painful is it to watch the video, wondering how Seung-Hui's action could have been prevented? Will it provide a roadmap for copycats? Or will it in the end be nothing more than a desperate attempt to show everyone who is in control?

A final act to prove you have the gun and are not afraid to use it.

Photo: Wikipedia.