Virginia Tech Shooting

[chickles_:)]

Hi everyone! :sad:
I just wanted to add my voice of deep grief and condolence to this thread. What happened is horrible. I know it is important to analyse and discuss the implications of such a terrible tragedy - it happens everytime something of this magnitude occurs.

But I hope too, that we can give ourselves - to say nothing of the family and friends - some time just to mourn the senseless loss of 32 young people each one of whom just last weekend looked forward to the future with the usual mix of life's joys and frustrations.

God have mercy on them and comfort to all who feel the agony of the loss. 😍

Many blessings - even amid the shock and horror.
Chickles😍

 

[Mr Dog]

I hear about this also and it is very sad. 🙁 A professor holding closed a door so class could escape, even though he is shot through the door. I am very sorry.

 

[TKLVR181]

Yeah, Dog. The guy was a Holocaust survivor as well.

 

[blackmagicjack1]

I think this is an excellent example of living a certain way. It's a tragic loss but you have to admire the man for standing up for what he believed was right, the lives of his students.

What I'm trying to say is let's remember the richness of life. We should all be grateful that we have this opportunity before us. There is a habit of immortalizing the tragedy of death, and losing the joys of living.

 

[Midnight Circus]

Enough guys! Put aside any differences, and let this be dedicated to the loss of such good people!

You're right, I guess.

Cho, wherever you are, this thread is for you.

 

[Betchass1]

I'm really sad that this happened.
But I don't expect humans to be any other way. If you think this is anything new, you have blinders on. "THE WORST MASS SHOOTING IN US HISTORY!" is impressive, but look at those qualifiers. This obviously doesn't count the Civil War as a mass shooting. And I personally consider someone like the BTK killer a more heinous criminal than this guy.

Two things:
1. every one of us supports systems that employ violence;
2. every one of us has the personal potential for violence and aggression. Video games, movies, and songs may focus it, but it comes from nature. I believe the human violence in the world today is much softer than it ever was in the past. Mostly due to increased media and communication; it's harder now to pretend our enemies aren't human. We all have violent urges, inherited from the ancestors who managed to survive. We redirect these urges into more or less harmless activities, but we shouldn't deny they exist.

We can never learn to prevent/deal with events like this as long as we insist that the ones doing it are less than human.

 

[Betchass1]

I hear about this also and it is very sad. 🙁 A professor holding closed a door so class could escape, even though he is shot through the door. I am very sorry.

That is a hero. I'm glad he was foreign, in a way. The news kept mentioning that the killer was a permanent resident with a green card, and I thought oh boy, now all kinds of immigrants are going to be attacked. If nothing else, maybe this professor's tragic death will serve to ameliorate the inevitable backlash for innocent immigrants.

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

Cho, wherever you are, this thread is for you.

Is Cho the professor(and Holocaust survivor) who held the door so that students could escape?

If so, I am in hearty agreement. 😛aw:

 

[Mr Dog]

Is Cho the professor(and Holocaust survivor) who held the door so that students could escape?

If so, I am in hearty agreement. 😛aw:

No. Cho is killer. 🙁

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

Well, I'm about to take a dump. I'll dedicate it to Cho.

 

[Celerich]

*sigh* once again, an attempt to kill sorrow and turn it to anger, and i dont mean you Rick. You killed my words, knowing full well i meant to dedicate it to the loss of all thrity two of the students. I will dedicate nothing to Cho, nothing except a wish. A wish for an eternity in hell to be tortured every way possible. He deserves no less. But this is dedicated to the loff of the STUDENTS, so i will do so. I pray for them daily, and i ask you all to do the same. There will always be death and saddness, but a few can do alot to at least ease the pain. God bless.
-Joe

 

[Mr Dog]

Are people supporting Cho??

 

[Betchass1]

*sigh* once again, an attempt to kill sorrow and turn it to anger, and i dont mean you Rick. You killed my words, knowing full well i meant to dedicate it to the loss of all thrity two of the students. I will dedicate nothing to Cho, nothing except a wish. A wish for an eternity in hell to be tortured every way possible.

This is creepy. Sounds like a warning sign. You should be watched.

BTW, minor point, it was 27 students and 5 faculty.
http://www.vt.edu/tragedy/list.php

 

[Weedly]

I think its really sad and disgusting how the mass media misinformation machine treats the event, they use it as a spring board to publish slews of bullshit about degridation of morals, school shootings rampant, youth gone wild whatever. In today's campus newspaper alone there where seven articles about similar occurances bloating this incident way out of proportion and asserting a false representation of the national averages so to speak. So everyone be very afraid of the wrong thing ok?

Sidenote: I dont condone what cho-whats his name did, cold blooded murder is a crime and all. During my adolesence I was treated similarly by my peers as cho and the columbine kids were (forgot their names). Nobody deserves that treatment for ANY reason.

 

[Midnight Circus]

*sigh* once again, an attempt to kill sorrow and turn it to anger, and i dont mean you Rick.

Anger? Anger at the social injustices within the school system, perhaps. Cho went through a lot of social trauma during his formative years in our school system. But, hey, whatever, right? That's the proper attitude to have. Sweep it under the rug, call the shooter a monster, and wait for the next one to get cranked out of the murder machine.

You killed my words, knowing full well i meant to dedicate it to the loss of all thrity two of the students.

Cho was a student, too, you know. His parents lost a child that day, just like all the others. But perhaps they deserve no sympathy, eh?

I will dedicate nothing to Cho, nothing except a wish. A wish for an eternity in hell to be tortured every way possible. He deserves no less.

I hope you realize that its people with your sort of mentality that make school shooters what they are. You lack empathy. You're content to label him a monster and move on with your life, even though he was just as human as any one of us.

Cho was ridiculed mercilessly during his formative years in the US school system. Even during high school, he was made to feel like an outsider. It's no wonder the kid snapped.

Obviously, I don't agree with what he did. You don't kill thirty-two other people. But I also can't say that I don't know where he's coming from.

If you've lived your life without ever knowing the bitter sting of ridicule, then you are one lucky (and blissfully ignorant) SOB. If not, then get off your high-horse and pipe down.

But this is dedicated to the loff of the STUDENTS, so i will do so.

Again, Cho was a student, as well. His parents suffer the same as every other, and he, too, felt the pain of death. Except he died long before the bullet ever entered his body. Either honor them all or honor none of them. Don't pick and choose.

I pray for them daily, and i ask you all to do the same.

No, you pray for SOME of them, because you obviously leave out Cho, the person whose soul you should be praying for the most (the repose of the soul of the so-called sinner). Instead, you would rather he be damned to hell.

I shall not pray with you...for when I pray, I pray as a sinner myself; not as a self-righteous hypocrite.

There will always be death and saddness, but a few can do alot to at least ease the pain. God bless.

Leave God out of this. I'm sure he doesn't want anything to do with your arguments.

Well, I'm about to take a dump. I'll dedicate it to Cho.

Say what you will about the Asian sensation; the kid got the new high score.

 

[Celerich]

I know of his problems, and disturbances, but not one of them excuses murder. And i know of his parents, i pray for them as well. But dont you DARE go into my belifs like you're some high and Rightous person for laughing at the death of so many instead of showing compassion. I'm threw discussing something for your simple pleasure of twisting my words. And GOD Bless.
-Joe

 

[Hivemind341]

It is a very unfortunate event, It is part of a reather disturbing trend for young people, This is not the first mass shooting at a school / collage and i am conserned that it won't be the last.

A lot of guys have a hard time at school (including me) but I can't see what he hoped to achieve by killing indiscriminatly. and stopping half way through to post a video to CNN, Is fame really that important to this person?

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

and stopping half way through to post a video to CNN, Is fame really that important to this person?

Yeah, and what's really scary is, it worked! Midnight Circus is already calling the guy the "Asian Sensation", like he was some kind of title-holder in boxing or other.

Midnight Circus: Laughing at the dead the day of the event, and then further idolizing the pathetic nutjob. Classy. 🙄

 

[MistressValerie1]

Please don't let this thread degenerate into personal attacks on fellow members; thanks in advance.

 

[Midnight Circus]

Yeah, and what's really scary is, it worked! Midnight Circus is already calling the guy the "Asian Sensation", like he was some kind of title-holder in boxing or other.

Sadly, I didn‘t create the title. It actually comes from eBaum’s World.

Midnight Circus: Laughing at the dead the day of the event,

I quote my explanation for "I lol'd":

Because now everyone will pontificate as though they know the mindset of the perpetrator, the circumstances surrounding the event, the pain of losing a loved one in such an event, etc. They will run around like chickens without heads, the media will open itself up to so-called "authorities" on the so-called "criminal mind," and in the end, a video game or movie or faulty gun control law or musical performer will be blamed for this and we will, once again, learn absolutely nothing about the society in which we live except the same old meme, "it's screwed up, what can you do?" Again: I lol'd. It may be a cold response, but it's the most honest one I can give. I felt the same way about the Columbine incident. We learned nothing from that little fiasco, either, especially not any sort of social reform within the school system.

It says nowhere in that post that I laughed at the dead, but rather laughed in anticipation of the media confusion/outcry that was sure to come. Reading comprehension is something you should work on, chief. Lurk moar.

and then further idolizing the pathetic nutjob. Classy.

How exactly so I "idolize" him, Rick? By stating a fact--that the took two pistols with which he supposedly had no practice and managed to extinguish thirty-two other lives with them? Or do I "idolize" him because I'm unwilling to write him off as an inhuman monster as easily as some of you? Either way, I think you're assuming a bit too much--and we all know what they say about assuming, Rick.

Also, it’s nice to know that you find the mentally ill to be “pathetic nut jobs.” Classy.

 

[Midnight Circus]

I know of his problems, and disturbances, but not one of them excuses murder.

It doesn't justify the murders, and I don't recall ever claiming it did (if I did, by all means quote me on it and correct me, please). The problems do, however, make Cho more than the sociopathic monster you'd like to believe he is.

And i know of his parents, i pray for them as well.

Oh? Does that come before or after the prayer that their son (whom I sure they love/loved unconditionally, despite his actions) rot in hell?

But dont you DARE go into my belifs like you're some high and Rightous person for laughing at the death of so many instead of showing compassion.

First, show me where I said that I actually laughed at the dead (for I recall laughing at the media confusion and stating such). It would seem that, like our mutual friend Rick Tibbler, you have a slight problem with reading comprehension. Second, you mention compassion as though you have an overstock of it. Considering I'm not the person who wishes to see anyone writhe in the fires of hell, I find your statement supremely ironic. Finally, as for your beliefs, I'm sorry that I pointed out your hypocrisy and called you on it. I'll try not to be so honest next time.

I'm threw discussing something for your simple pleasure of twisting my words.

That’s the sad thing about debates…sometimes, the other person will actually read what you have to say and respond to it in kind. It’s not so much “twisting” your words (as there’s not much to misunderstand about you wanting Cho to burn in hell for all eternity) as it is using your words to help construct my argument and support my claims (essentially, using your words against you).

And GOD Bless.

To echo a previous sentiment, I’m not sure which god you’re talking about, since the God I know is a loving and merciful God who is slow to anger and would probably take a look at the bigger picture here (including the aforementioned problems and disturbances that Cho was facing) before passing judgment. I mean, even Jesus Christ forgave those who murdered Him. We’re all sinners, here, as we‘re all human. What right do you have to want Cho damned to hell?

 

[taragohn]

let me first state that in the light of these events I really cannot understand that people still believe in God at this moment. What sick God allows this to happen in the first place

Than the real problem; gun laws. How is it possible that a peson with known mental problems is able to purchase a gun without even filling in a form? He bought a gun like it was an every day product like food or drink. Is this not the core problem? The fact that people can buy a lethal weapon without even one person checking if he not mentally unstable and probably should not have one

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

Somewhere out there in the darkness of the Interweb, a circus is missing a clown. 😉

Since day one, you've shown no compassion for the victims, and keep framing this whole thing around the shooter, Midnight Circus. Defending his motives, fascinated by his murder-count, even dedicating the thread to him.
He shouldn't be the focus of this thread. Those kids and faculty who lost their lives due to his insane killing spree deserve better. We on this forum deserve better.

 

[Cbarton]

let me first state that in the light of these events I really cannot understand that people still believe in God at this moment. What sick God allows this to happen in the first place

It's called free will. God gave us the ability to make choices. This man made the wrong ones by deviating from His will and word. We gave up or perfect soles by disobeying God in the Garden of Eden and eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. At that point, man gave himself over to a sinful, and no longer holy, nature. (See Genesis chapter 3). All evil in the world sprouts from that seed.

We allowed it to happen. Just like any other occurance in the past, the warnng signs were there and not acted upon in a timely manner. That's the fault of man and political correctness, not God. Don't blame God for man's mistakes. You have the choice: Good or Evil. God or satan. Cho chose satan. If Cho had chosen God, this would never have happened. This was an act of man, not an "act of God."

The Holy Spirit is there to guide and direct us, but most chose to ignore Him. Everyone want to blame anyone but who is truly responsible, satan and the sinful choices of man. Typical of this generation.

 

[Midnight Circus]

Somewhere out there in the darkness of the Interweb, a circus is missing a clown. 😉

You'd fill that void quite nicely, Rick, especially with your archaic views of the mentally ill.

Since day one, you've shown no compassion for the victims, and keep framing this whole thing around the shooter, Midnight Circus.

No compassion? That's hardly true. I've never once said that Cho was right in doing what he did; again, you're assuming way too much. I'm just not as quick to jump on the "I hope Cho burns in hell" bandwagon as some of you, because doing so is , in my opinion, an over-simplification of things. The situation isn't as black-and-white as that. If you disagree, then that's your failing.

Defending his motives,

Empathizing with and understanding his position, maybe. I never once said he was right.

fascinated by his murder-count,

Now you're reaching. A lot of people are fascinated with his murder-count, especially people in the media and those investigating the case. It's pretty crazy that an untrained person would be able to do all that damage in such a short amount of time. In fact, you can't even really think about the thirty-two who lost their lives without reflecting upon that fact, so I have no idea why you feel like being an ass about this particular point.

even dedicating the thread to him.

Celericho said that the thread was dedicated to the students, and Cho was a student. Aside from his last few hours, he supposedly wasn't a bad guy at all according to the reports. He just...snapped. If it makes you feel better to consider him some sort of demonic hellion on the level of Adolf Hitler, then go right ahead. You'd be wrong and extremely ignorant in doing so, but that's your choice.

Like I said, his parents lost a child, too, and we can't possibly know what kind of hell he suffered throughout his life. Why you confuse "empathy" with "idolitry" and "callousness" is beyond me.

He shouldn't be the focus of this thread.

This is probably something I should have addressed before, but I'll take care of it now: this isn't a memorial thread. This isn't a thread set aside for forum members to brag about how much they cyber-care by having them sign a cyber-wall which none of the victims or their families are ever likely to see. This thread is about the shootings, of which Cho was a big part, surprisingly enough. So, it only makes sense, then, that Cho would be involved in this thread somehow. I find it interesting, though, that because I don't necessarily side with those of you who absolutely despise Cho himself (and not his actions), I'm all of a sudden making him the "focus" of this thread. But, hey, whatever you say, cap'n.

Those kids and faculty who lost their lives due to his insane killing spree deserve better.

Deserve better than...what? Me disagreeing with some of you on Cho being a monster? Somehow that doesn't make sense.

We on this forum deserve better.

I lol'd at this. Hard. Mostly because it's a ridiculous attempt to rally a battle cry against me for no reason other than the fact that you disagree, and most likely based solely on your own prejudices.

If you disagree, then disagree. You don't need to be a dick about things, though.