We are all Hokies
I've had a lot of thoughts since the atrocities committed yesterday on Virginia Tech's campus. I can't say I was personally invested in anyone currently there. My brother went there briefly back in the 90's. I've been to Blacksburg a few times and have always rooted for them during the Commonwealth Bowl. But even being so far removed, it hits me hard how so much potential could be wiped away so viciously. It's going to be really hard for all the families, friends, community, and college to rebuild and come to grips with this. It is why I do not want to hijack this loss for a political rant. Besides Paul Roberts sums up my feelings pretty well: http://www.lewrockwell.com/roberts/roberts204.html.
However, it's been barely 24 hours, and already you have people playing political football with the dead. Jack Thompson (nemesis of gamers everywhere) has pointed the finger once again to interactive entertainment (aka murder simulators). Even Dr Phil has been echoing the video game theory. In addition, you have the knee-jerk disarm everyone/arm everyone fringes battling eachother just like the last time a shooting occurred. Even students are attacking their administrators for failing to react to an unprecedented attack. The students should be allowed to hold their administrators to higher standards and expectations, but the faculty are not to blame for the killings. The blame and malice lays squarely on Cho Seung Hui.
I think Seneca's comments from 2 millenia ago are still applicable today:
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est.
A sword never kills anybody; it’s a tool in the killer’s hand.