The VA Tech Shootings

[Rico]

I don't usually post this kind of stuff on this forum, but I just had to say that what happened today makes me both sad and angry.  I'm sad at the loss of life and for the families of those lost today, and I am angry at the University.  From news I have heard there were two different incidents and all they did was to email students early in the morning about the first shootings.  That is not the action to take.  If they had only contacted all the dorms, resident assistants, etc. and told everyone to stay inside some of this might not of taken place.  I really can't understand these actions.  As someone with a son in college now, and a wife who is a teacher this hits close to home for me.

I just want to say my thoughts and sympathies go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy.    :'(

[CelticFilmMaker]

Rico,
Amen.  I agree.  When I heard I too was extremely shocked, saddened and yes, angry.  Angry at both the University and the shooter(s).  I have a background in psychology so, from an academic standpoint, can understand there are many motivators to this behavior, but I still feel this is a coward action. 
Saddened because of the incredible loss of life, the snuffing out of potential world leaders, artisans and God knows what else.  The world will never know what these kids could have done.  Ever.  I'm also a bit angry with the media coverage.  Yes, I know that it is the job of the news to report such things, but (in my humble opinion) they all too often sensationalize these acts, giving the perpetrators exactly what they desire - the limelight.  What does this teach future rampagers?  My prayers are with all concerned.  Thanks for posting this Rico, as always, you are a very classy guy and I'm glad you're "our leader"! ---Al

[Poodyglitz]

Another senseless act of terrorism and a tragic loss of lives. That is just plain evil. I'm so sorry for the families as well as the young people who witnessed the killings.

[moyer777]

I can't imagine what people are feeling that are close to the situation.  How horrible.  My prayers are with the families and student body and faculty today.  I think about my son going off to college everyday and I cringe that something like this could happen.  ugh! 

:(

[MrOsterman]

  If they had only contacted all the dorms, resident assistants, etc. and told everyone to stay inside some of this might not of taken place.  I really can't understand these actions.  As someone with a son in college now, and a wife who is a teacher this hits close to home for me.

Aura of Normalcy.

That's the goal in many of these crises.  They want to make it seem that all is well and there is no reason to panic.  They might have also wanted to try to avoid vigilantism and other kinds of retaliation.  And I think that colleges, unlike highschools, have no mechanisms in place to deal with these possible problems yet.  Highschools have added regular "lock down" drills to their annual emergency preps alongside of tornado and fire drills.

It's likely that more dorms and the like will start to have lockdowns like many businesses.

Mr. O

[JoSpiv]

What I like about this place is people are so nice.

i post on another forum and people are arguing about Gun Control and getting very mean.   

Honestly, this was such a horrible event.


Also, I don't like how NBC and everyone else is starting to turn it in to a media circus.  Leave the kid, and his family alone.  He clearly had serious issues.  Why can't people just try and make those affected by it feel better.  Like what the Washington Nationals did.  they wore VT hats during thier game.  It's a simple thing, but I'm sure it makes the students and other smile even for a moment.   

[Poodyglitz]

I was watching "Good Morning America" this morning and their psychology consultant was imploring all news agencies to stop immortalizing the gunman by constantly showing the video. The videos do not really give any real insight into his inner workings. He said that Cho's goal essentially was to be famous and that all the video will do is inspire other weak people to imitate him (as well as the Columbine murderers). I'm inclined to agree.

[Rico]

Unfortunately we live in a somewhat media crazed world.  People seem to have a fascination with things like this.  I haven't seen what this Cho kid delivered and had to say.  I don't really want to know.  He obviously had some serious issues.  Some think that giving press to this type of behavior is a bad thing.  I tend to agree, but the media outlets still do it.  One day I wish we would give as much attention to the good people do, instead of the bad.

[MSUFan]

Up @ MSU we have a rock that anyone can paint it has like a million something layers of paint on it. Anyways, we have painted with the Virginia Tech logo and had over 2,000 people for a vigil last night at the rock. Tomorrow light is the bigger vigil in which people are expecting upwards of 10,000 people. It is amazing how close the people on our campus including myself feel to the Virginia Tech students.

[Darkmolerman]

If you want info about it MSNBC has some pics of the murder and Wiki has a article on him

[Chief]

I feel you Rico.

We are defenetly far from VA, but we here felt this tragedy and the general reaction was sad and anger. How on earth can someone do that? goes beyond me.

Terrible news indeed.