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Shakesthegrounds Rumblings
Wayne:
Thinking of you and your friends Truman... I wish everyone the best.
Shakesthecoffecan:
I would like to say something about the murders in Blacksburg, Virginia. I wish I knew what to say.
I cried today when I read the names and the paragraphs about the victims. The holocaust survivor who died holding the door back so his students could get out a window.
The professor who was known as one of the leading researchers in matters relating to Cerebral Palsy.
The girl who went to high school with the shooter.
The young lady who won a talent contest by doing a belly dance last year.
It sounded more and more to me like 9/11. I have half a notion to drive up there and be witness, but I resist. I could add nothing but body heat and I fear the grief is just too great to be endured just yet. I will go on Saturday. I have to pass by Blacksburg, I will make a point to stop.
I see on the news how Australia gathered all their guns, as did the UK, where it is five years if your found posessing one. I think, "Why can we do that here?"
I am in favor of it. I don't believe it will work. We tried banning alcohol once, it didn't work. Marijuana is illegal and Jack and Ennis smoked a joint. No one cared.
I fear we collect all the gun in this country, it will result in the expansion of an already lethal black market.
I dunno what the answer is. We have done so much to change the hearts of people in America I almost feel safe sometimes, but then I remember sometimes it is not their hearts, but their minds. This shooting may be one of those times.
The shooting has just been one aspect of the whirlwind of my life. The wind blew so hard that day it took down trees. The electricity and phone went out, its been a mess. But Maya Olivia seems to be making some improvement. I got a pic of her this evening hooked up to her tubes and monitors, it was quite frightening. I pray her mamma and daddy get to hold her soon. The rest of her life I cannot imagine, but this I think is obtainable.
Lynne:
Hey there, friend...Thank you for taking the time to write. I know that the past few days must have been traumatic for you to say the least.
I'm very glad to hear that there's some positive word about Maya Olivia - that's a spot of brightness in this otherwise bleak period.
I'm with you about not having any real good answers about how to prevent tragedies like Columbine, Simon's Rock, now Virginia Tech.
I don't think rounding up the guns is a good answer because, like you say, it creates more of a black market. I do think it would be helpful if our legislature would properly fund the enforcement of existing gun control laws like background checks and waiting periods. I think that too many times these are not really enforced, leading to people getting guns who should never ever have them.
Here's a random fact - the 'Golden' kid who killed at his high school in Jonesboro(?), Arkansas several years ago is a distant cousin on my maternal grandfather's side. My grandfather abused his wife and children and was mentally unstable (understatement).
I've been thinking about how disaffected and isolated the murderer must have been. Anyone who would do something so heinous has to be seriously mentally deranged. I'm not trying to excuse his actions, but it makes me wonder if there were less of a stigma in this country about mental illness and seeking help for emotional problems, if he could have been reached before he completely snapped?
What would the world be like if you could say to an acquaintance - 'You know, you're not sounding real stable right now - how about seeing a therapist, getting a checkout?' And the response is 'Not a bad idea - I'll look into it.' No weirdness, no defensiveness - just a fact of life like 'that mole looks weird, better let a dermatologist check it out...'
???
Anyhow, I hope your pilgrimage to your alma mater is good this weekend...have a moment or more of silence in Blacksburg for the families and for all of us here too, please.
opinionista:
--- Quote from: Lynne on April 17, 2007, 10:54:36 pm ---I'm with you about not having any real good answers about how to prevent tragedies like Columbine, Simon's Rock, now Virginia Tech.
--- End quote ---
I think there are several answers to these tragedies. And one of them is that there is too much weapons available in the United States. I was shocked to learn that Bush when giving his condolences didn't mention the problem. What saddens me about all this is that both the police and the press now is vilifying the murderer, calling him a loner, a violent person who even stalked women and aren't looking beyond. Sure, this guy was definitely a dangerous or a very disturbed individual, but I think the root of the problem lies someplace else.
Shakesthecoffecan:
--- Quote from: opinionista on April 18, 2007, 05:13:25 am --- I think the root of the problem lies someplace else.
--- End quote ---
I think your right. Cho Seung-Hui is just the latest manifestation.
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