Too Soon For Blame And Debate?
(CBS)
On the "Evening News" last night, meanwhile, anchor Katie Couric raised questions about the university's handling of the incident. She was far from alone. As the AP noted, "tough questions swiftly surfaced as to how effectively Virginia Tech authorities responded to Monday's horrific massacre." The CBSNews.com story quotes a student saying "I think the university has blood on their hands because of their lack of action after the first incident."
Gun control and Virginia Tech's handling of the incident are certainly issues that need to be explored, but I have to wonder if they need to be explored so soon after the tragedy. We just learned the identity of the suspect, and investigators are still trying to piece together what happened; at this point, we do not even know the identities of all the victims. I understand reporters' desire to push forward the story, but we will have plenty of time in the future to debate gun control and assign blame. For today, at least, isn't it enough to focus on the horrible tragedy that just took place and not the recriminations and debate surrounding it?
The secrets of tennis legend 
The shootings have _not_ stopped. They live on with those impacted directly and indirectly. To see so many attempts _everwhere_ at highjacking this to political rants is heartbreaking especially those so disconnected from reality as to be their own form of psychopathy.
So ... is it better to help someone one-on-one or by ranting? Which one involves another warm human being? Which one is a _saner_ choice?
The overwhelming majority of gun owners in this country are responsible, law abiding citizens. A relatively small number of individuals are responsible for crimes involving firearms, and most of these individuals are not first time offenders.
Monday's mass-murderer at Virginia Tech, Cho Seung-Hui, appears to have obtained his guns legally. Though the carnage he inflicted was horrific and massive, Seung-Hui's abuse of guns was a miniscule exception to the norm of legal gun ownership. There is no law on earth that will protect us from human time bombs like Cho Seung-Hui.
Crime decreases in states with concealed carry laws. Congress should confine its efforts to funding programs that improve the ability of state and local communities to enforce existing laws.
Violent crime decreases in states with concealed carry laws. Congress should confine its efforts to funding programs that improve the ability of state and local communities to enforce existing laws.
2) The university's handling of the incident - What was the University to do? Tell the students to stay in the dorms, where the first shootings took place? Critics act as if, if the students were not in class that they cease to exist as targets.
We have enough complaining about everything without proposing solutions in congress.
2) The university's handling of the incident - What was the University to do? Tell the students to stay in the dorms, where the first shootings took place? Critics act as if, if the students were not in class that they cease to exist as targets.
We have enough complaining about everything without proposing solutions in congress.
The problem is that tragedy is framed very early, and once the slant of the story has hardened, you might as well be trying to slip your feet out of concrete goulashes. The right-wing PR hacks know this, and usually get their spin in while everyone else is honoring the solemns occasion by calling a truce -- thus, clearing the way for the blowhards to define "who-to-blame".
Either the media needs to get wiser, or everyone else has to figure out how the game is played. We may be mourning, but journalists need their angle yesterday. Steven Milloy will provide it for them. Or Rush Limbaugh, which is the back door way onto the evening news. When Rush speaks, dittoheads call, and producers obey.
Thank you for expressing what should be the obvious RESPONSIBLE attitude about yesterday's tragic events at Virginia Tech. Unfortunately the feeding frenzy is well under way. Talking heads are already steamrolling their viewers with interviews of assorted experts (many with specific political agenda), students and family members. The dominant theme is speculation. He/she who speculates most interestingly gets maximum exposure. True most of the viewing public wants answers now but the long term damage inflicted upon society - not to mention the individuals directly involved in any reportable event - is severe and long lasting.
The news industry in this nation is being crippled by its habit of treating rumor, innuendo and speculation as reportable items. It would be nice if journalists such as you are someday able to subject news reporting and analysis to what is, compared to current standards, the scientific method. Too few in the media industry seem never to have heard of the practice of suspending judgment until sufficient facts or evidence has been accumulated.
SSnell
Macon GA
- by wofmaria April 17, 2007 4:47 PM EDT
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
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14) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.