My thoughts and prayers are with all of the students, faculty, staff and families of those at Virginia Tech tonight. As a Veteran it sickens me to think that we cannot protect our children against such horrible, dastardly deeds. For the life of me I cannot figure out why someone would even think of committing such a horrible act.
JC, LF, if this post is out of line please delete it. No offense will be taken.
nighthawk,
Like you, I am a Veteran and this just turns my stomach that one human can cause so much harm to so many. My heart goes out to all exposed to this. It really makes me think about where I am employed and I hope makes the administration think about it to. I am employed at a 2 year college that is about 4 miles from the nearest town. Beautiful place to work, but, it is kinda out on it’s own away from all law enforcement. Makes you look at things a little differently.
I’m shocked, this is almost too much for me to comprehend. How can this continue to happen?
Being here in Virginia, it is almost surreal. Just about everyone here has someone they know who is attending the school. Many people are still waiting for “notifications” and some will be of the worst kind. Ours came yesterday late, a good friends son who lives in the dorm where the first shooting occurred is safe and sound, as are all in his circle of friends.
I know this post is going to get all political, and people who know so little will claim they have all the answers. Gun control. education. support groups. blah blah blah blah blah. Folks, we live in a free society. If someone is hellbent on causing destruction, they will. We have laws and enforcement and do all we can within the boundaries of a free society, but it will never EVER be enough to prevent someone who is hellbent. The other side of that coin is having a government representative knocking down your door and ransacking your home every couple weeks confiscating your weapons and anything else they consider “contraband” without warrant or cause. I believe they call it communism.
It is not fair to the memory of those lost to compare the price we pay to live in that free society. But this will happen again. Its sad. shameful. shocking. My wife said outloud maybe we should homeschool our child. Um, no. THAT, would be giving in. Retreating from society. Were Americans. We dont retreat. We will pray for them yesterday, bury them tomorrow, honor and remember them forever, then pull up our boot straps and move forward.
There are those that will blame the state police for not shutting down the entire campus, as if they were to know a domestic dispute would turn into a massacre. Maybe they should have shut down the town too, in case he decided to go there instead. No, blame lays in one place, and he thankfully put his last bullet where it belonged.
Every time an incident like this happens, it gets turned into something it shouldnt. Blame gets spread around, people lose their jobs, and tragedy gets compounded with ignorance. Do we feel better that we place the burden of this on someone who did or didnt react with the decision that in hindsight was best? Its going to happen, the press will make this into a story that never ends until someone (else) is hanged for it. It always happens that way. Ever occur to anyone where the real blame lies? Dont believe the hype people. You want to point a finger? Point it at those who will try and stand to make money off this tragedy. I see it coming and it enrages me. They started down that road late last night on the coverage, and it will escalate.
Be free thinkers everyone, that is all we can do.
Well said…my thoughts exactly. Our prayers go to all affected by this tragedy.
Joe
I couldn’t agree more. To stay away from the political side of the story, and more on what is important at this point: I’ll bet everyone hear knows someone who knows someone that was affecte directly by this. I found out just today that the VP of my company, who my mother in law works for, has 2 kids that live on campus at VT. Very scary indeed. My heart, thoughts and prayers certainly go out for the families, friends and aquaintences who are affected by this tragedy. Especially the shooter’s family. Undoubtedly this young man’s family and friends will be drug into this at some point. As sad as this is, it definatley helps me appreciate the fact that I’m alive, and living in a country of freedoms that I enjoy everyday and that I have a family who loves me. The next time I wet a line, I’ll certainly think about these blessings!
It is indeed sad that this tragedy took place, & my prayers go out to all affected by this. I WILL add that I was VERY upset to hear a local radio newscast last night where the newscaster said “All football & basketball players are accounted for.” …as if OTHER lives were less important?? I found that remark disgusting & I will no longer be a listener to that sports talk station. While I am pleased they are ok, there are MANY more there who are NOT athletes. ALL the precious lives are important. It is very sad that many were taken.
All we can offer is prayer and support. Let’s do just that.
Mike
It appears that one very disturbed young man was responsible for this tragedy. The saddest part from my vantage point is that even antecdotal reports from people that had some dealings with him, reported that the signs were all there. His creative writing teacher even referred him to counseling due to some writing he submitted. Likely he never went or didn’t stay long. Fellow students even joked about what he might “do” someday. He had started a fire in a dorm, and was guilty of stalking a couple of women. Why was this young man still walking around campus? I had a college roommate who got into a drunken, albeit extremely violent fight with his girlfriend. furniture was smashed, things were thrown, and a knife was brandished. Fortunately no one was injured. We kept them mostly seperated. they both were gone within two days. He returned the next year after much counseling, she never did. He was a changed person.