WHY is it such a tragedy what transpired at Virginia Tech? More people die from accidents everyday and never mind even the “gun-induced” deaths across the nation, especially in inner cities. In fact, the day the shooting occurred, 200 folks died in Iraq.
But let’s put that all aside and grieve with the families. Specifically, going to college can be a passive-cooker situation and living with people who are not like you nor act like you. Students commit suicides all the time on campuses but it is not a story because they take out only themselves. (In fact Marie Halloran, a suicide interventionist, came on Newstalk K-57, Breakfast Show, and reeled off the number of suicides Guam has had since January.)
This fellow, Cho Seung-Hu’s friends claimed, was bullied in high school. Lots of folks get bullied in school starting from elementary all the way to graduation. Maybe we should start keeping a profile on all those who were bullied (and the bullies as well).
The question is how do we know that those who have been intimidated by others do not (or will not) go berserk at some point? Remember different folks play things out differently. Maybe some joined the military so that they can kill somebody else (hopefully the enemy, not one of their own like what happened to Ranger Pat Tillman). Maybe some become politicians and commander in the military to act out their childhood maladies, frustration and weird fantasies.
As long as poor folks die, it is written off as a “oh that is because they live in a crime-ridden area.” If Iraqis die, it is chalked up as “Oh, we midwife their freedom; they can’t handle it.” The gunman Cho Seung-Hu specifically mentioned those who have it all and yet seem unsatisfied and desirous of harassing others. That is what has transpired in America under GW Bush from Jan. ’01. Folks bent on global domination. Like that is going to make them happy?
And on two related notes, why do some conservatives always freak out when things like this occur? I mean, you have to be ready to meet your maker anytime. What are you scared of? That you will die and go to heaven?
Lastly, when was the last time Bill O’Reilly (or Ray Gibson) read the bible instead of waiting for someone to “Paraphrase” it!

MATT PHILLIPS
Mangilao, Guam