Virginia Tech tragedy

[Little Bird]

It has been mentioned that we should discuss the massive tragedy that took place in Virginia on Monday and I agree that it should at least me mentioned.

It's utterly horrific what happened and I can only imagine what the families, friends, colleagues, students etc are going through. The world is mourning this loss of innocent life.

I watched all the news reports and last night, I watched the entire memorial service held at Virginia Tech. I thought it was very moving and a wonderful tribute to those that lost their lives so unnecessarily.

As details of the killer are emerging, it has raised questions over gun laws and how the killers mental condition had been handled.

Feel free to post any thoughts you have on this tragedy but please respect one anothers opinions, even if you may not agree with them.

[kjm030584]

This was utterly horrific, and I find myself a little confused by how something like this could happen. I was also really concerned with the numbers, if there were 32 victems shot no less than three times each that requires at least 96 bullets which means that he was carrying extra ammo which means that he must have been planning this for some time. I can't believe that this kid hasn't gotten the help that he so obviously needed.

My Spanish teacher knew the German teacher who was killed and he was a wreck that day. It was the first that I had heard about it because I didn't turn the TV on at all on Monday. He really grabbed my attention because he's usually the fiesta kind of Spanish teacher.

Anyway, I hope everyone here wasn't close to anybody who lost their lives. My mom called me the day after to make sure that I wasn't scared about something like that happening on this campus. And I could only imagine how the parents of those kids feel right now, to have sent their son or daughter off to start their own life, only to be killed. sad.

[last_dance_rodeo]

I'm a little wierded out on how this happened as well. You'd think they would have had a complete lock down after the first two happened. I feel bad for the ones who died but I'm tired of hearing it. I've been finding myself turning off the tv and stuff. I'm just numb from it. I'm not sure how to explain it. There's just something wrong with this country.

[never.alone]

the media lives for stuff like this. to them something finally happened so they dont have to talk about anna nicole 24/7 anymore. we will not hear the end of this for a long time. they cant just lay it to rest they have to replay it on cnn and fox all day long, saying the same thing over and over again. i cant imagine being one of the victims families having to hear it on the tv like that.

[Little Bird]

Now that the video of the killer has been released, it really makes you wonder how it was allowed to escalate to this level. He was clearly an extremely disturbing individual who was clearly on the path he took and of course, that this was pre meditated. I too find it hard to understand why there was no lockdown after the first shootings. Considering, back in August when there was a 'possibility' of an armed escaped prisoner being 'near' the campus, the place was locked down. This time there was a legitimate gunman ON campus and they only locked down the 1 building and failed to notify everyone of what was going on.

The only really good things that can come of this are the lessons learned. Other campuses around the US will be over enforcing their security drills from now on and paying more attention to disturbed students. Hopefully, with the lessons learned from this experience, nothing like this will happen again.

It also makes me wonder how stringent background checks are on people purchasing guns. He had a history of mental health issues and had to seek councelling for violent tendencies and obsessive behaviour. This should be made available to gun sellers and gun licensees to prevent such people purchasing guns in future. It's the least that could be done and should satisfy the gun lovers in the US.

My personal opinion on guns in the US is not relevant here but I'm sure most would suspect my opinions already.

[R*Philippines]

This is only what i can offer:
JptA_YFEfUg

[Little Bird]

That's really lovely Roy. Well done!

[last_dance_rodeo]

ahh how sweet roy

[007]

THIS IS MY OUTLASH TO INSANITY AND THIS MORON'S ESCAPADE.

Yes, I"ll admit, this guy had problems, but he was at a very prestigious school and had it made. Couldn't have had it better! He had no real problems except how to dispose of his anger.

I'm not trying to disrespect anyone's opinions here (as opinions cannot be incorrect), as the Admin stated above about the tenderness of this subject and I have taken note of it, but I'm saying that to have something like this is tragic, no doubt, but it was all manifested in this fella's head. NO one did anything to him except himself ,and he is the only one responsible. None of this blaming it on Mommy and Daddy or mean playmates at school, he did this and the only smell he'll have to deal with is the rotting stench of his own corpse as he answers for why he did it. I'm tired of hearing that he can compare himself to Jesus Christ and think he was a saviour to the people by killing them. He actually compared himself to martyrs; this guy is nuts. He had no tragic childhood, unlike many of us. But just because I had a tragic childhood doesn't mean I run around shooting at people. You all think I have problems (and no one can argue that since it has been clearly stated on several threads and partially why I've backed off here), but let me ask you this, who ran around shooting at people?

To quote one of the greatest military lines ever, "People, you have no problems. My brother's a hippie, my sister gave the clap to the city of Chicago, Mom drinks, Dad pukes up blood and being in the military screwed over my chances of being a brain surgeon, people, you have no problems....except me....and him."

This guy just wanted to try and make himself out to be a sociopath and complete monster when he probably isn't, in fact, this guy is probably a complete wuss in real life who just had his psychotic episode and snapped. Another bankrupt mind of a putrid generation who'se played too many video games. He has no problems, try getting out in the world and paying rent, gas, food, insurance premiums and deductables on a finely wrecked automobile and then talk about having time to 'have problems'. It is not the society's fault he went nuts, okay. It's his, and the school didn't notice for one reason, IT WAS IN HIS HEAD!!!!!!!!

I grew up with 'a particulr individualist' trying to kill me on several occasions with malicious intent, this person even attacked me with his bare hands and left permanent scarring on my body. For the boy, this shooter had none of this. He had no problems, the world was his oyster. He could have had anything, and he was ready to graduate and the AAO would pretty much guarantee him a stable, decent job. And sicne Asiatics sociologically have higher incomes, he would be set for life. He decided to do this to maliciously kill otehrs for his own enjoyment. He talked about cleansing the world, but he noly put himself in his level of Hell. He's never had anyone trying to hurt him in his life! And I think his 'cleansing' of teh college campus was a cop out for his own mental infatuation with video games and trying to be John Rambo. Unlike some of us, he's never felt utter and complete fear for his life.

How do you prepare yourself for the uncertainty of death? Each man, each man must do that. For those of us who've had bullets flying over our heads, we put it all out of our mind; for those who haven't, well, they probably thought of little else while seeing this event unfold.

PO1

[ROBARE]

I carry a gun and before I bought it, Fl checks your back ground A to Z.I even carry it when I work out west,Which I'm sure they check every branch and agency before I get on my flight I'm sure! But this guy should of got a red flag with his mental dis. background.Now you gonna see a law passed with his name on it.I'ts my right to carry one and I do!!My dad will not go any place with out his.You can find a gun on the street if look hard and pay.But if you make hard enough with laws you got better chance of stoping a guy like this.

[007]

I couldn't agree with Robare any moer than his brilliant post exhibited. I also am a USPSA certified shooter and have been in comps since the age of 16, certified at 18. We need a nation of aware individualists who know the weapon laws and regs and will not break them. Good point, ROBARE.

The world needs more people like us.

[kjm030584]

Am I the only person that doesn't carry a weapon any more? Most people I talk to lately said that they always carry a weapon of some kind, mostly knives. I think it's kind of stupid, especially with knives. Don't people with knives usually get shot? And IMO guns aren't really the issue here, the issue is that this kid never got the help he needed.

[awiste]

Am I the only person that doesn't carry a weapon any more? Most people I talk to lately said that they always carry a weapon of some kind, mostly knives. I think it's kind of stupid, especially with knives. Don't people with knives usually get shot? And IMO guns aren't really the issue here, the issue is that this kid never got the help he needed.

I agree with you completely. This kid had severe mental illness that had nothing to do with any kind of childhood or alleged bullying. It was all in his head BECAUSE HE WAS SICK!!! Unfortunately in this country there is a problem with our health care system and people don't get the help that they need. Often, very mentally ill people get "sent home" for outpatient treatment because it costs tens of thousands of dollars for them to be kept in the hospital and insurance companies will only pay so much and the families can't always afford to pay for more. (This is also what happened to that woman in Texas who killed her four children due to post partum depression--she had been hospitalized and needed to stay there but her "allotted time" had been used up so they sent her home) As far as the school's response to what happened, there is extreme fear of litigation in this country. You could get sued for "locking down" the school unnecessarily, or you could get sued for not doing it. There doesn't ever seem to be a right answer. Also, unfortunately, the cops could have done very little to prevent this. Sure, the guy did some creepy things but no one ever wanted charges brought against this guy. There were no overt threats... the PD's hands were tied. This was an incredibly tragic event that we can only hope never happens again.

[007]

I enjoyed your post, Awiste. Very true, and brings about importance to the situation. Thank you.

And I also liked your view, kjm030584. Very good points proven, but I will say this not to argue, but as a symbol of 'been there' and having 'done that'. When you don't have your weapon on you, is the day you'll need it. And if you pull it, you'd better use it. Use your mouth to get out of any istuation, if that doens't work, you must use your hands and feet, if tha doesn't work, then, go for the gun.

[Veilingmeat]

Heh, Tragedy indeed. A very sad case for a truly sad individual...feeble minded laws that allow such ppl to legally purchase a firearm!? let alone with ANY form of mental illness!
I'v always said....any US citizen can just randomly waltz on into a gun store and pick up a M.60 GPHMG, and blabber to the store owner "....oh, its just for home defence" it's bloody wrong!!!! i know this guy used pistols...but jeeez!!! he could have made out to be 'Commando' if he REALLY wanted to. We all agree to cutting down the gun laws yes!? i think its going to have to happen, but its gonna be a looooong process, far too many high ranking officials bickering on and on over coffee & donuts over it all....besides, it'll just end up as an underworld sales market..what ever happens!
.....Seems to me, that something like this seems to happen EVERY year in the US. It GOT to stop

[awiste]

Its kind of interesting when you talk about the gun laws here in the US. In high school we had some foreign exchange students who just assumed we all had guns and that we've all been mugged or held up. I was sort of offended by that. Then when I was in Australia I ran into the same stereotype and I was about to tell the people that I didn't know anybody who had been held up with a gun but then I sadly remember that my little brother had a gun held to his head when he was just 14. The muggers got away with a whole two dollars (really how much money did they think a 14 year old carries?) Then about a year and a half ago my sister was mugged and they punched her in the face and broke her tooth. They also stole her purse and tried to go shopping with her credit cards. Then, last winter I was staying with my sister at her house and we were both woken up by the sound of rapid fire gunshots coming from the street.... I wish things weren't this way. It makes me very sad and I just don't see an end to it.