Mona Charen

In the following viewpoint, Mona Charen maintains that violent media images inspire teens to commit violent crimes. Because children are saturated in violent media from such an early age, the author claims, they become numb to violence and are therefore prone to aggressive behavior. Charen is a syndicated columnist.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. On what basis does Charen state that the nation suffers from a “moral meltdown”"

2. What inspired fourteen-year-old Michael Carneal to open fire on a group of friends, according to Charen"

3. In the author’s opinion, how is the entertainment media able to influence actions"

It is sad evidence of our internal carnage that we seem to have become an expert nation of mourners.The latest version, from Paducah, Ky., was so well stage-managed and professional&mdash...