Virginia Tech
I'm a little antsy about the whole Virginia Tech thing, not out of fear, but because I want to know if I know any of the victims. And nothing has ever hit so close. Not for me, not even 9-11. It was a little scary when the count jumped from 1 injured 1 dead to 28 dead and then finally to 33. Thirty-three lives is a lot for one person to take.
There was speculation that the gunman was teased. Ridiculed, for whatever reason. This is probably mostly a recolection of passed school shootings. I'm not condoning what he did, or what others in the past have done, but I understand, well maybe more like empathize, where they're coming from. Coupling depression and social rejection must be one of the hardest things to go through. Some of the shooters probably did not get the help or compassion they needed. And some are just plain evil.
One thing that is pissing me off is all of the "experts" criticizing VT's security and preparedness. Umm, excuse me? If you ran a university, would you prepare for this? Of course in hindsight you fucking piece of shit. Speculating that lives could have been saved, that this could have been avoided, especially this early, is inappropriate, for lack of stronger word. Now they're saying that "Oh it's Hollywood!" and "Oh, if we didn't have so many violent video games!" I disagree. Seeing something on the television is much different than seeing it in person. Many, if not most, people can calmly watch someone die on television. Few, if any, can do that in real life.
My prayers go out to the families and friends who lost someone special today (technicially yesterday).
"Remember, only the good die young."