VA TECH MASSACRE

[Sonia]

I'm surprised this has not been discussed here, yet. Any Thoughts, comments, feedback.

I'm a lil disappointed since I thought we were up on Current Events and this happened over a week ago.

[Xeon23]

Couldn't say why it hasn't been discussed yet, but kudos for breaking the ice.

Personally, this news angered me greatly. I know some people who go to Virginia Tech.. thankfully, they came out ok. I hope the shooter is burning in the 10th level of Hell for what he did.

The one thing that angers me even more, is those Westboro "Baptist" numbskulls are actually interfering with funeral services. I swear... Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to put a bullet through all of them.

I'm not a violent person, really... but they're just wrong to a degree I can't imagine.

[seanchai]

It's tragic.
The availability of guns in the US certainly is one of the causes.
Less guns would = less gun deaths.

seanchai

[DeliaTS]

Personally I have become a bit numb to the tragic loss of innocent lives lately. I have to admit that the first thought that came into my mind was 22 dead (before the actual #s came in) would be considered a pretty good day on the streets of Baghdad.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/02/28/the-daily-show-on-laura-bushs-media-excuse/

A couple disturbing thoughts coming out of the right wing echo chamber right now are:

1) We should have MORE guns in classrooms so we can better defend ourselves against the few wackos the want to go off on other students.

2) I shit you not . . . some are actually suggesting that those present didn't do enough to prevent it.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/18/worlds-worst-heartless-wingnuts/

The one thing that my GF Trixie likes to point out is that hardly any one is talking about that it was a GUY that killed all these people. How many times do we hear about women shooting up a classroom? No one seems to be talking about the GENDER issue here. It seems to be something so obvious that always seems to get glossed over.

I don't mean to belittle the loss of the friends and family of those at VT. My thoughts and prayers are with them all . . . just as they are with the friends and families of the 183 Iraqis blown up on Weds.

[syntax]

After the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996, Australia banned the sale and use of Automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

Martin Bryant was able to get his hands on a weapon and shot dead 36 people in a random frenzy on the streets of a small Tasmanian town.

As a result, handgun control in this country has been achievable, although not total. It's virtually impossible to get your hands on a gun legally here...

only single shot small calibre rifles.

it still boggles the mind as to why there is so much opposition to it in the US. Are people seriously not prepared to give away a single individual liberty in order to save peoples lives?

this is proof as to why democracy (not just in the US, but the concept alone) is full of holes. Liberty is governed by individualism, not the community as a whole. The problem is, that's exactly what Communism is...

and look how messed up that system is...

the stark reality of course, is that we just have to keep plodding on with our bullet proof vests and metal detectors.

there is no alternative, because by the definition of a constitution each of us have a great deal of power.

That sometimes, we shouldn't be allowed to wield.

[flombago]

One odd aspect of the story is that the gunman had been declared by a magistrate as a danger to himself. By law this would mean he would not have passed the background checks required to buy a semiautomatic weapon, but the information about his brush with mental health authorities was not available in the state police's database. Maybe this case will force the better upkeep of those databases, though it's probably limited by budgets also.

I agree with syntax and seanchai on the need for better gun control, but just playing devil's advocate here -- If a madman wanted to cause mass killings he doesn't need guns, he can do it with easily available chemicals to make a powerful bomb, Oklahoma City style. Of course he needs to be mentally competent enough to learn the chemistry, but I think the VaTech killer probably could have done it.

The NRA (National Rifle Assoc.) is very powerful and opposes nearly any gun control. They've had famous impacts on elections (Tom Foley, I believe, and Al Gore's presidential bid) because although the majority of voters favor gun control it's not a big priority, whereas those who oppose gun control see it as a decisive issue.

[Juliana_Dominguez]

korean men are cute.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/rei_lei/Men/Jo%20In%20Sung/JIS11.jpg

http://user.chol.com/~wiwi1/icsUpload/wiwi1/images/fe7ed5afaf.jpg

http://user.chol.com/~wiwi1/icsUpload/wiwi1/images/93988ba5fe.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/53/11215/640/LeeDongWook23.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/169/10353/640/lee8.jpg

:shock:

[Ecstatic]

It's vastly easier in the US to obtain a semi-automatic weapon than it is to obtain anti-depression pharmaceuticals. It's insane that this country doesn't have better gun control.

My deepest wishes are with the families and friends of those slain at VT.

[TSMorena35]

It's just unbelievable the devastation that one mentally unbalanced person can cause.
I also found it quite interesting that he was angry with the "rich" and the "elitist" when he as a student who was at the top of his class was a member of the group he was rallying against.

[bunzy]

It's tragic.
The availability of guns in the US certainly is one of the causes.
Less guns would = less gun deaths.

seanchai


Co-sign, it's a shame those idiots can't read between the lines!!

[BeardedOne]

Sadly, guns are here to stay in the USA. The gun lobby is far too strong and there are large numbers of the populace that subscribe to the famous "They can take my gun away when they pry it from my cold, dead hands" philosophy.

I watched a CNN special (Oddly aired at the inopportune hour of 1 AM) while I was in Harrisburg last night. They went deeply into all of the warning signs that came up in the months preceding the VT shootings and pointed out that the gun dealer that sold the primary weapon used in the shootings did everything that he was legally required to do before he sold the gun. The background checks failed completely because of a weak reporting system that is unlikely to ever come close to doing what some hope it will do.

On my last bit of driving home from my de-stressing weekend I came through some of the backroads of Lancaster County and passed two of the Amish one-room schools. At one, the students were all out in the yard, enjoying the first nice, warm, dry day that we've had for weeks. The girls in their long skirts and bonnets, the boys in their suspenders and straw hats. As I live not far from Nickle Mines, where the Amish experienced the horrors of a mass shooting, and only minutes drive from the Amtrak facility that drew the world's attention away from the post office shootings of some years ago, even if only for a moment, keep these things always in my head. Not much more than a year ago, there was a firefight in my own backyard, while I was blissfully playing with the new kittens on the porch.

I'm beginning to see all of this stuff as my own personal Baghdad.

[MizzJune]

korean men are cute.

:shock: :lol: :lol: Juliana... YOU'RE A MESS!!!
Nah, but this was extremely sad... and i feel as if this can hopefully be an incident that was shocking enough to help those who ostracize others to take a look at how their actions can have severe consequences on the general population.

[uriah]

It's insaine to think this country doesn't have better psycho control...At least when someone who is visiting a Psychologist with serious mentel issues should not be allowed to take a BFAC (basic fire arms certificate) test...That seriously goes without question...they should go to jail for just applying for it...It's not like you don't show ID? We live in the information age...How hard is it to link that to the ATF? Still, really messed up...Can't stand people who are just retarded and kill inocent people cause mommy and daddy didn't love them and all the other kids made fun of him at recess...Korean's are cute!?!?!?!

[2Real4U]

1. guns are here to stay in the US.

2.People kill people.

3. anyone wish to guess what commonality there has been with every school shooting so far? (hint...antidepressant drug)

4.I've had a firearm on my nightstand for about 26 years now....it has never killed anyone. I clean it every now and again...I've yet to see it take any action against anything...it hasn't moved an inch.

5. Although not PC......one might dare to pick up the NRA monthly magazine and see how many INNOCENT peoples LIVES are SAVED when scumbag thieves, robbers and rapists are snuffed by legal firearm owners ...each month.

6. Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns.

7. What the US needs is better record keeping. If you've been diagnosed with mental instability...those records should be forwarded to FBI. If this had been done...this young man would have never legally obtained a pistol.

8. Having a (legal) gun free zone 1000 feet around every school is just plain asinine. (Lets give every asshole nutcase with a gun the chance to grease 30 students effortlessly). This defies logic and is a typical liberal "feel good" tactic.

9. Last poster had it right. We need better psyco control.

[2Real4U]

..........more kewl facts

never let the facts get in the wayof a good story though....

http://www.anesi.com/accdeath.htm


We need to:

1. ban all automobiles

2. ban all ladders, chairs...and limit construction to single story buildings from now on.

3. demolish all buildings that are taller than single story structures

4. ban matches and lighters.....


on a more serious note..........


Doctors kill more people per year than guns


Nathan Tabor
Nathan Tabor
December 29, 2004

"Today I want to set the record straight and dispel a few of the more common myths with some hard facts.

First, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, there is an interesting correlation between accidental deaths caused by guns and by doctors.

Doctors: (A) There are 700,000 physicians in the U.S. (B) Accidental deaths caused by physicians total 120,000 per year. (C) Accidental death percentage per physician is 0.171.

Guns: (A) There are 80 million gun owners in the U.S. (B) There are 1,500 accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups. (C) The percentage of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.0000188.

Statistically, then, doctors are 9,000 times more dangerous to the public health than gun owners. Fact: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR. Following the logic of liberals, we should all be warned: "Guns don't kill people. Doctors do.""

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/tabor/041229



It is obvious we need to ban doctors....or at least...license them. Hell, we shouldn't allow them within 1000 feet of schools, right?

Tell your kids...if they see a doctor they should run away and go find the nearest adult and tell them about him (he doctor) quickly....so that proper authorities can then be notified.


.....and to any of you smartasses here who point to this schleppy website trying to debunk these facts.....

http://www.newstarget.com/021206.html

You'll be hard pressed to find any pring outlet keeping track of how many lives are SAVED by legit firearm use...other then the NRA

They make the very WEAK anti-firearm argument regarding "intent" of doctors........well, my "intent" when pulling out my gatt when the stranger broke into my kitchen at 3 am a few years ago was to PROTECT my loved ones..... by any means necessary....

...you get the picture....

[2Real4U]

"The one thing that my GF Trixie likes to point out is that hardly any one is talking about that it was a GUY that killed all these people. How many times do we hear about women shooting up a classroom? No one seems to be talking about the GENDER issue here. It seems to be something so obvious that always seems to get glossed over."


Testosterone, Ritilin and / or Prozac do not a nice cocktail make. The effects are well documented. Firearms should be left out of that delightful mix. We need better recordkeeping.

[2Real4U]

....more points to ponder.


Since 911 many more states have gone the way of "shall issue" regarding concealed firearm permits. In EVERY state where this has happened violent assault / rape and murder rates have dropped sharply.

Don't believe me? Check out FBI statistics.

England has virtually banned all civilian firearm ownership. Look at the crime rate since that happened. Look at violent assaults. It skyrocketed. Same with Austrailia.


You sheeple wanna live in a nanny state? good for you...have at it.

I really don't give a crap if anyone here wants to roll over and become a crime victim.....just do not take away right to protect myself and my loved oned. If you're dumb enough to think that cops will "protect" you and your family....
well, you deserve what you get.

Newsflasht: cops are called AFTER the crime has been comitted, ok?


A firearm in the well trained hands of a 120 pound TG is an equalizer.

Imagine that....you don't have to become a "Gwen".

Life is full of choices.....you want to be a doormat and/or a punching bag.....that's fine by me. That's your problem not mine. If you want to step up to the plate and take personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and your loved ones....welcome to the real world.....have a noce time.

Almost every one of my past GF's has been trained to a high degree of skill in firearm handling. Most went on to get their concealed carry permit.
When I work late... I can feel a bit better knowing they can handle most "bad" situations with confidence.

It takes 2 to be a victim.......the perp....and the willing victim.

/ rant over.

[uriah]

I love this thread...