Columbine parents plead for release of - basement tapes'

I've seen the BTs and would love for them to be released to the public for many reasons.

Kariann wrote:

So you are telling me a videotape where the killers show remorse and guilt and pretty much actually show human emotion is bad. How can this be any worse than the videos of them at shooting ranges, diaries, and bomb tutorials. Those paint them as heartless psychopaths, but parts of the basement tapes do not( Eric crying, apologizing and loving parents) if it is a matter of slurs, and names you could always block the names out like how they blurred all the faces In the others.
My theory is that our media and government runs on fear. They show disturbing videos of them acting insane( not saying they aren't) in order for us to be controlled in fear and fuel their politics. God forbid we actually sympathize with these two boys, as they feel trapped and this is their Only way out.

Oh my goodness, I could not agree with you more! This is exactly how I feel. I've read the transcripts of the basement tapes and I don't understand why they can't be released. If they omit people's names, then what's the big deal? We've already seen pictures/video of the guns and bombs they used so that won't be any surprise. We already know they hid that stuff in trench coats so that won't be a surprise. And I wholeheartedly believe that seeing the basement tapes isn't going to make someone want to shoot up a school. If a person wants to shoot up a school, he will. If he wants to make bombs, he'll find a way. If he wants to acquire guns and ammunition, he will find a way. Just look at James Holmes and all the ammunition and gear he was able to acquire! Obviously there is a way around the law and the authority so a measly home video of two teenage boys isn't going to do anything but provide information to those who are interested in psychology and human nature.

For all the people who don't think it would be useful to release them, I'd have to disagree with you. I think it will provide more insight into their psyche. I've heard that these tapes paint Dylan in a whole other picture than his journals do. When we read his journals, we see him as a gentle giant who just wants to love and be loved. We feel sorry for him. Then when we look at what happened at Columbine, we see him as a follower of Eric, just wanting to be accepted and have friends. But apparently these basement tapes show Dylan as an angry teenager who wants to take revenge on people. We see that he, in fact, is not a follower but an instigator in his own right.

I completely agree that the media wants to instill fear into us and paint these two boys as heartless monsters rather than show that they were psychologically disturbed and crying out for help. I get so mad when I hear of all of these memorials for the victims and Dylan and Eric are omitted from those memorials. They were victims of mental illness, they were victims of themselves, and while they did do a horrific act, they were still someone's struggling child who just wanted a way out. I get mad when I read about the victim's families suing Eric and Dylan's parents - they were victims, too. Not only do they have to live with the fact that their kids committed suicide, they have to deal with the fact that their kids also killed other people's children. It's a sick society to live in when we demonize people for having a mental illness rather than try to help them!

The basement tapes will help us better understand these boys, just like seeing pictures from Mars Curiosity will help us better understand the universe. I don't think that information is ever a bad thing. I think it can always help.

Wow..You are really in to it and might need a little help yourself..I would like to think that none of it would be any of my business much less everyone in other countries [and I live down the street and remember it well]...You sound like a failed psychologist..Try another occupation..You are sadly uninformed on many things you just said here..Important things..Like you said "there is always a way around the law"... Holmes bought everything all proper and legal.. The guns he had were nothing out of the ordinary..Thats the point..there should be testing at a young age to see competency.. The amount or type of rounds he had were all common and used by everyone..Armor piercing is not unusual in the least..The amount isnt unusual either.
Attention to detail is key in having an informed opinion..

Did you know more than 25 people were killed in one small city in Chicago this last weekend ..All with illegal guns...?? I dont hear anything about the crazies down there..

Sniper II wrote:

Wow..You are really in to it and might need a little help yourself..I would like to think that none of it would be any of my business much less everyone in other countries [and I live down the street and remember it well]...You sound like a failed psychologist..Try another occupation..You are sadly uninformed on many things you just said here..Important things..Like you said "there is always a way around the law"... Holmes bought everything all proper and legal.. The guns he had were nothing out of the ordinary..Thats the point..there should be testing at a young age to see competency.. The amount or type of rounds he had were all common and used by everyone..Armor piercing is not unusual in the least..The amount isnt unusual either.
Attention to detail is key in having an informed opinion..
Did you know more than 25 people were killed in one small city in Chicago this last weekend ..All with illegal guns...?? I dont hear anything about the crazies down there..

First of all, yes I am really into it but that doesn't mean I need help. You don't need to stoop to that level when you don't even know me. I was merely offering my opinion on the matter based on things I've read about the Columbine case. I'm still learning, so there's no need to jump down my throat about it. Let's be adult about this, now.

Secondly, when I talked about the law, I meant the red flags that should have been raised when he was buying multiple guns, multiple rounds of ammo, multiple articles of military-style gear, multiple things to make explosives with, etc. I never said he acquired anything illegally, but it should be seen as suspicious when someone buys $20,000 worth of stuff like that (especially 6,000 rounds and 350 shotgun cases!) in the course of a couple of months. Maybe it's because I'm not from the states, but I find that absolutely alarming. No one needs to have that much ammo on him unless he's going to war.

Also, Holmes was competent for his whole life until a few months prior to this incident. He was top of his class, he was a leader in a summer camp with no problems, everyone describes him as being nice and intelligent and they couldn't believe he did it. I've read reports from psychiatrists that say it is possible he had dormant schizophrenia that was brought out when he started doing worse in school. He may have felt inadequate because he couldn't live up to his father who is very smart and accomplished in his field. The psychiatrist said that combined with him failing that important test in the spring could have triggered the schizophrenia to come out. Ted Bundy was competent as well - he appeared as a handsome, charming, intelligent person, top of his class and on his way to law school. Almost everyone that knew him couldn't believe he was the perp until the case unfolded. People that knew Eric Harris before he moved to Littleton said he was very nice, respectable, intelligent, etc. and they were surprised when they had heard what he had done. So competency testing won't eliminate these things from happening (I will agree it might help but it would have to be tested before implemented).

Anyway, I don't know why you think I sound like a 'failed psychologist' when I didn't make any of my own definite diagnoses about these cases. I just offered my opinion. And there have been many psychiatrists who reviewed Eric and Dylan's journals and tapes and said what I said. I was just repeating most of it.

Like I said before, you don't know me so don't judge me based on one small comment on one forum I've only ever visited once. Well, technically twice now haha.

itorkdtme wrote:

<quoted text>
First of all, yes I am really into it but that doesn't mean I need help. You don't need to stoop to that level when you don't even know me. I was merely offering my opinion on the matter based on things I've read about the Columbine case. I'm still learning, so there's no need to jump down my throat about it. Let's be adult about this, now.
Secondly, when I talked about the law, I meant the red flags that should have been raised when he was buying multiple guns, multiple rounds of ammo, multiple articles of military-style gear, multiple things to make explosives with, etc. I never said he acquired anything illegally, but it should be seen as suspicious when someone buys $20,000 worth of stuff like that (especially 6,000 rounds and 350 shotgun cases!) in the course of a couple of months. Maybe it's because I'm not from the states, but I find that absolutely alarming. No one needs to have that much ammo on him unless he's going to war.
Also, Holmes was competent for his whole life until a few months prior to this incident. He was top of his class, he was a leader in a summer camp with no problems, everyone describes him as being nice and intelligent and they couldn't believe he did it. I've read reports from psychiatrists that say it is possible he had dormant schizophrenia that was brought out when he started doing worse in school. He may have felt inadequate because he couldn't live up to his father who is very smart and accomplished in his field. The psychiatrist said that combined with him failing that important test in the spring could have triggered the schizophrenia to come out. Ted Bundy was competent as well - he appeared as a handsome, charming, intelligent person, top of

What red flags regarding the guns ???? First there is nothing odd about the guns in the least..When you buy guns , you also buy ammo...They are common and can be bought at ANY sporting goods store..Try to understand that..Guns are completely legal..His choice of guns was not out of the ordinary one bit..In fact he had very few compared to the average gun owner. And honestly, good thing he was using a unreliable magazine that jambs. Had he been using an AK then he would have had a more choice of reliable brands of magazines....I understand you are not from here but in many western and mountain states many people have guns all the time..Guns are a tool for survival as well as sport..Many mountain people carry guns everyday..I always take one when I fish 15 minutes from my own home [I live by Columbine] due to the bear poop I keep stepping in to get to my fishing hole..We also have mountain lions close to the city..Not to mention the thugs and thieves..Guns are a normal thing and for you to be so surprised at his choice or amount of ammo just shows how out of touch with guns most people are..Its not uncommon for anyone to have thousands of rounds.Its not uncommon to shoot a thousand rounds in a day of sport shooting...In fact when obummbler made his gaffs about taking guns away from Americans he just started a huge gun buying spree..Ammo is flying off the shelves..The fact is anyone can carry a gun..Just not a loaded gun.You can carry the ammo in your pocket...You can have a gun on your belt in public fully loaded without a CHP..Same in many states.You can have a gun in your car..Just not loaded...I know many people carrying guns..Many women in professional occupations carry guns..Lots of people shouldn't own guns..But lots of people shouldn't own sharp scissors either..Fanatics say Why do you "need" a gun ??..Its what gave us our freedom..Its what keeps the thugs from hurting Grandma..You could be dead in the time it tales the police to help you ..providing you can make a call..Guns are instant protection....You can cock a shotgun in the dark and everyone in the room knows that sound..Everyone speaks shotgun..

Sniper II wrote:

<quoted text>What red flags regarding the guns ???? First there is nothing odd about the guns in the least..When you buy guns , you also buy ammo...They are common and can be bought at ANY sporting goods store..Try to understand that..Guns are completely legal..His choice of guns was not out of the ordinary one bit..In fact he had very few compared to the average gun owner. And honestly, good thing he was using a unreliable magazine that jambs. Had he been using an AK then he would have had a more choice of reliable brands of magazines....I understand you are not from here but in many western and mountain states many people have guns all the time..Guns are a tool for survival as well as sport..Many mountain people carry guns everyday..I always take one when I fish 15 minutes from my own home [I live by Columbine] due to the bear poop I keep stepping in to get to my fishing hole..We also have mountain lions close to the city..Not to mention the thugs and thieves..Guns are a normal thing and for you to be so surprised at his choice or amount of ammo just shows how out of touch with guns most people are..Its not uncommon for anyone to have thousands of rounds.Its not uncommon to shoot a thousand rounds in a day of sport shooting...In fact when obummbler made his gaffs about taking guns away from Americans he just started a huge gun buying spree..Ammo is flying off the shelves..The fact is anyone can carry a gun..Just not a loaded gun.You can carry the ammo in your pocket...

America has an insane amount of gun violence and with all the reasons you just gave me, I have never wondered why. If you think that buying all the stuff that he bought in the short amount of time he bought it is okay, then it's no wonder he was able to go through with it. Why on earth would a poor, struggling 20-something who just failed and dropped out of school need that many guns, that much ammo, and that much gear? That doesn't raise any red flags? I understand it's your right, I understand guns protect people (and I'll use the recent 71 year old man who protected people from getting hurt at an internet cafe) but in my opinion, a person should not be allowed to buy THAT much in a short period of time. Otherwise things like Columbine and Aurora happen. Maybe there should be a cap on how many guns a person can buy in a certain amount of time. Something is obviously wrong when Canada has had about 10 school shootings in the past 100 years and the states has had well over 100 school shootings in the past 85 years. And that doesn't include mass murders like what happened in Aurora. I heard on the news that the US has an average of 23 mass murders a year. That's crazy!!

I bet you know tons of people that own guns and that's fine. I know two people that own one gun each and they only use it for hunting. Our culture is a lot different. We don't view people as threats. Albeit, every country has it's crazies that go on these rampages, but why does America have so much trouble with mass murder? Maybe it's because Holmes bought 4 guns and 6000 rounds of ammo and no one thought that was a big deal. I think that's insane and absolutely unnecessary.

You're right - I don't know much about guns. That's because our culture generally doesn't feel a need to have one. I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to say that guns and ammo cause violence. I'm sure Holmes would have attacked people with kitchen knives if he couldn't get a gun. That's also why I don't think eliminating guns is a good idea either - if people want them bad enough, they'll find a way to get them. But if the states is having this much trouble, maybe they need to change the way people acquire guns or the types of guns they sell to the general public.

I'm sure we can both agree that there is a problem in the US with mass murder/gun violence and something needs to be done. I'm not going to claim to have the answers but there has got to be another way.

Canada doesnt allow you to speak your mind in public do they..I hear you can get a ticket for cussing..That right there would make a normal person pack up and move..

You are so uninformed..There are so many companies all over the world making and selling tactical gear and very little of it has any business being illegal so it isnt..Why would it raise red flags and to whom ?? There isnt enough man power in any agency to possibly monitor all the transactions from all the world wide companies..There are no red flags to be raised..From what Ive seen so far, you can buy anything he had online and or locally..There are millions of related transactions going on every minute..Lots of people buy ammo by the thousands..You can blast off a thousand in a few hours..Its not uncommon. And its not just in America..Its everywhere..
Obummbler just wants to make it like we/gun owners are the problem when its his ineptness and lack of patriotism that makes us not trust our own government and have the continued need to have our own self defense...

Chichago has 30 to 40 murders in one weekend from non legal weapons..If all those people can get them and legal people cant then we are defenseless and crime will be just like Mexico..or Chicago..
Did you know Obamma was the guy in charge of Chicago before becoming president ?? Look how that turned out..He is responsible for all those killings..Its his home town and yet its still the most dangerous in America..

You would be one of the vulnerable ones....

I would have to weigh out whether risking my life and ammo saving you is worth it or not..

In addition,,You seem to think gun owners only own them for defense..Did you know there is shooting in the Olympics ? Did you know thousands of people still use guns everyday for obtaining food ? Did you know there are so many shooting matches going on all over America almost every day ?? People like you always go with the "why do you need " banter..Its so much bigger than you see on the news..You only see shootings..You never see all the shooting matches going on everyday..Its a sport like any other. And has been around long before any of us were born...Many disabled people shoot competition because they cant play ball sports..Old people shoot competition because it was what they did all their lives.. Its something you can do sitting down..Its fun..I dont hunt..Not all shooters have the desire to kill the little forest animals.. I grew up with guns in every family members home.
Only one is a hunter..
Several in my family were law enforcement and competitive shooters..Its bigger than you think..And better too..

"Need " ??? How bout its because we want to.. That is enough..Love it or leave it..

My son Mark Taylor survived the columbine shooting, and was a whistle Blower,now he is caught in Mental place called MHCD and drugged , and was told he will die there. look up Columbine Family Request.org . Our Attorney John Decamp is willing to expose all information on gag orders. which is very important to all family's .to get the truth. John has been going on Radio shows and has been exposing for the last month.John will talk to any of the family"s about this. He wrote a book called the Franklin Coverup and in that book he said some day he will expose columbine shooting when he felt safe.The truth needs to be out there.John has records from court that any family can have,that was gagged ordered.

there is a lot of talk about the guns.... why aren't people questioning the reality.... this was a failed bombing. If they had beem successful would you be blaming propane? or how about screws that they used as shrapnel to impale those who got away? would we be saying."how.did someone let them get all these screws? how.did they obtain propane tanks?" no. they got the guns because they wanted to and back then they got them easily. yes as an American we do have problems with guns... but the guns didnt kill these kids, eric and dylan did. and for everyone who asks why, its because they wanted to. some kids want to be doctors or lawyers or teachers they wanted to kill people and that is what they did. its sad and its wrong but its true.
as for the basement tapes, why not release them? by now there have been more shootings so the reason of trying.to prevent a copycat is utterly ridiculous. kids have the internet and can find.practically anything. I say release the tapes.... prove that there is no cover up.... just my opinion.