In the Midst of Horror, A Conscience

Colorado — and the nation — continue to search for answers to the recent tragedy in Aurora, CO. Twelve innocent people were killed by an unhinged gunman (and 58 more were injured) in a movie theater during an opening night showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.”


What surprised and impressed me was the conscience and public relations consciousness of a corporation and an individual who quietly found a way to “do the right thing.”

Warner Brothers issued a statement expressing its sympathies to the victims and their loved ones; promptly cancelled premieres of the film in Mexico, Japan and Paris; and made plans to donate to several charities geared to support the victims of the shooting spree. Studio executives reportedly also decided to delay the planned September release of another film, “Gangster Squad,” which deals with violent themes.

It’s not just the studio, which moved swiftly to put people before profits. "The Dark Knight" star Christian Bale and his wife visited victims of the movie theater massacre on Tuesday. He went as a private individual to offer his condolences.

"Mr. Bale is there as himself, not representing Warner Brothers," said a studio spokesperson.

"Words cannot express the horror that I feel," Bale said in a statement released on Saturday, "I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

In the midst of the horror of the massacre, good deeds and heartfelt communications were clearly the first steps in the long journey to heal the wounds. The city officials, police and so many others, including the President of the U.S., exhibited the conscience and caring that in this country we have grown to expect.