Readers React: UCC shooter: To say or not to say his name

To the editor: I empathize with the people of Oregon and completely understand their request that the name of the Umpqua Community College shooter not be mentioned. (“Town’s plea: Don’t say his name,” Oct. 4) I would also ask that the rest of us not have to see photos of such criminals.

With tragedy after tragedy, I have decided that I have no desire to see the images of these people who cause so much pain to so many. Yet as hard as I try, there will be an image in the paper or flashed on the TV at the laundromat.

Why not make a link for certain images so that people can click on them if they really want to get a look at these twisted individuals? I will continue to flip the page and turn my head in disgust.

Anthony Bevilacqua, Eagle Rock

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To the editor: Chris Harper-Mercer, Chris Harper-Mercer, Chris Harper-Mercer.

There’s a movement to omit his name in the media for fear this will provide him with undeserved notoriety. I disagree.

We must say his name so that we all can feel the collective shame for allowing a broken mental health system to continue for decades. We cannot say, “I didn’t know!” — because Sandy Hook told everyone.

We must also remember the victims and their families: for the lives tragically changed or lost, and to realize that they were also victims of apathy — our failure to demand meaningful change in mental health laws.

Jeffery Hayden, Camarillo

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