As a follow-up to my thoughts earlier today on NBC's sensationalist, National Enquirer-style handling of the package of self-aggrandizing material sent to them from Cho Seung-Hui, don't miss Hugh Hewitt's comments. He asks, "The Single Worst Editorial Decision In The History Of Broadcast News?"

Two days ago I shared a stage with NBC News president Steve Capus. Earlier today I commented on what I considered to be his cluelessness about the contempt in which MSM is held as well as my amazement at Capus' pride in MSM's Katrina coverage. Tonight I am dumbfounded by his --and his colleagues'-- decision-making in this matter. Instantly their decision to air the video and publish the pictures revolted vast numbers of ordinary Americans of all political opinions. (My sister-in-law, a very, very liberal individual, just said to me that "I don't recall ever hearing of anything so irresponsible.") I heard an outraged clinical psychiatrist from NYU University denouncing the decision in the harshest terms on Los Angeles radio station KNX. The airing of the pictures and video is obviously a hurtful and destructive act, one that will prime many killing pumps in the years ahead, and one obviously made on the fly by individuals of almost no experience with or curiosity about the deranged mind. Would it have killed Capus et al to ask around a bit about what to do? Of course not, but their decision could indeed kill others down the road. They acted as their own guides, because that is the way the business works. In their very, very closed world, it made sense. To the vast majority of Americans it was an appalling, horrific decision, far worse than what Don Imus had to say last week.

Read the whole thing. Given that Imus was fired because he caused enormous discomfort to college-age students and their parents, hasn't NBC just repeated that same offense (minus the racist language) on an even larger scale?

As Hugh's producer asked on the air, "Will Capus fire himself for the offense he has given the families of the victims and the rest of the country as well?"

Update (11:52 PM PDT): Hugh's interview with Howard Kurtz is up:

I know I’m going to be very, very angry when I see these pictures, if they play any of this video, because in effect, it’s granting Cho’s final death wish.

HH: Yes.

HK: I don’t want to see him getting attention, either. At the same time, it’s this huge national tragedy, huge national story, and we do want to get some insight into what motivated this sick, twisted individual.

Read the rest. Kurtz seconds my immediate take from this afternoon that the Travis Bickle-style photos of Cho will be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow. We'll soon see.