OT: 22 dead in Va. Tech shooting rampage

[nutz4Neal]

What a sad sad tragedy..those poor kids..my heart goes out to them and their families. What is this world coming to?

[Deb]

It just struck me while listening to them and reading through this international messageboard that you don't hear about this sort of thing happening in other developed countries. Is it that it doesn't happen or is it that we just don't hear about it? I think in this day and time if there were kids killing kids in the rest of the world we would surely know about it.

It has been on the Canadian news off and on today also. How very sad. My heart goes out to all those kids' families.

It has happened here too Sherrie, not quite to this magnitude. There was one in Montreal where 15 engineering students were killed. Gawd, what kind of pressure are these students under nowadays, to make them go off like that?

[Behshad]

Shit like this happen too often in this country. Besides insanity I also blame this on weapon laws. As long as its this easy to get a gun in this country, this wont be the last time we'll see something this horrible happening. They really need to get more strict on who can and can not buy guns and for what reason . And dont bring up the freedom bullshit , cause we have lost the battle of freedom on more important things than guns.
My thoughts and prayers to all the victims and their families/friends. May the devil himself shove pineapples up this ruthless lowlife's ass in hell, since he didnt survive to take the punishment for his crime.

[Barb]

Shit like this happen too often in this country. Besides insanity I also blame this on weapon laws. As long as its this easy to get a gun in this country, this wont be the last time we'll see something this horrible happening. They really need to get more strict on who can and can not buy guns and for what reason . And dont bring up the freedom bullshit , cause we have lost the battle of freedom on more important things than guns.
My thoughts and prayers to all the victims and their families/friends. May the devil himself shove pineapples up this ruthless lowlife's ass in hell, since he didnt survive to take the punishment for his crime.

yes, because we all know crazy people and criminals who have no regard for other laws, will diligently obey gun laws. One person with a legal gun in his possession today could have saved a lot of lives by killing this asshole dead in his tracks.

[Andrew]

Too many guns - period.

Here in Tasmania we had the Port Arthur Massacre some 10 years back. 36 dead at the hands of one lunatic.

Within weeks we had the toughest gun laws in the western world implimented and nothing of the sort has happened anywhere in Australia since.

[chf34jmac]

Need to send a copy of that law to the assholes in this country.

[ohsosoto]

kinda puts things into perspective...... there are people who lose their children, spouses, parents and loved ones. those are issues to really be upset about.
however, some people become unglued about, lets say....who has the better voice, body, etc... reality. we live in a fantasy land.
s

[ohsherrie]

Too many guns - period.

Here in Tasmania we had the Port Arthur Massacre some 10 years back. 36 dead at the hands of one lunatic.

Within weeks we had the toughest gun laws in the western world implimented and nothing of the sort has happened anywhere in Australia since.

Need to send a copy of that law to the assholes in this country.

And there ya go.

The law would never get passed though Chief because the gun lobby spends so much money to make sure it doesn't.

[Barb]

Too many guns - period.

Here in Tasmania we had the Port Arthur Massacre some 10 years back. 36 dead at the hands of one lunatic.

Within weeks we had the toughest gun laws in the western world implimented and nothing of the sort has happened anywhere in Australia since.

Need to send a copy of that law to the assholes in this country.

And there ya go.

The law would never get passed though Chief because the gun lobby spends so much money to make sure it doesn't.

I'm not a fan of guns and would never own one, but it IS in the constitution that you have a right to carry one. On another note, this guy is a Chinese national here on a student visa. While we're banning guns, why not ban student visas too? the gun is just a tool -- it is the individual who makes the decision to make it lethal. Someone with this guy's mentality could have run over a crowd of people too. Crazy people and criminals do not obey gun laws.

[ohsherrie]

Barb, I'm all for banning student visas because I'm pretty fed up with having this country educate people who hate us. Thing is though, this kid couldn't have gotten the gun if they weren't so easily available here. Yeah, he could have driven a car into a crowd, but how many kids have died in this country in the last ten years by that means?

[Ms_M]

I agree with you Barb - people who are sick/crazy, whatever you want to call them, and criminals would not obey laws anyway. If someone wanted a gun, they could get it.

[kgdjpubs]

Barb, I'm all for banning student visas because I'm pretty fed up with having this country educate people who hate us. Thing is though, this kid couldn't have gotten the gun if they weren't so easily available here. Yeah, he could have driven a car into a crowd, but how many kids have died in this country in the last ten years by that means?

For what it's worth, there was a guy at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC that tried to do just that last year. There were some injuries, but nobody died, thank goodness. Speaking as someone who literally walked through the area 15 minutes before it happened, it took a bit of planning and determination to get a car in there.

Still, it pales in comparison to what happened at VT today. I know someone who was from Blacksburg. This is hitting a bit too close to home...

[RossValoryRocks]

Thing is though, this kid couldn't have gotten the gun if they weren't so easily available here.

It is easier to buy a gun on the blackmarket than to go into a store to get one.

You can pretty much buy a gun on any street corner in the right neighborhood.

Giving up the right to keep and bear arms is assinine, because once a right it given up, or in this case diminished, it is all but impossible to get back. And the CRIMINALS will STILL be able to get firearms. All you do is keep the upright and honest citizens from being able to protect themselves and their families.

Stopping people from owning guns IS NOT the solution. As was said earlier a person legally carrying a firearm could have ended the issue long before it got to 32 people.

[chf34jmac]

I don't know if this is the right moment to start a philosophic discussion on gun control. Emotions are high. The days' events are too fresh. Let's just focus on the families who lost more today than hopefully any of us will ever lose. There will be plenty of time for that discussion in the days, weeks, and months to come.

[Rockindeano]

I actually agree with Stu here, 100%.

My question is this; Why was God asleep at the wheel today? God works in mysterious ways? Well fuck him. He works about as much as W.... Always at the Ranch.

Why the Hell was this allowed to happen?

Bring on the flames..I believe in God, but sometimes, a bit more often lately, I wonder why the Hell I do?

[mrsp]

God was not asleep at the wheel. We are. God gave us a free will. He's not a dictator. It's up to US to stand up and do the right thing. WE are in control down here.

[Barb]

Barb, I'm all for banning student visas because I'm pretty fed up with having this country educate people who hate us. Thing is though, this kid couldn't have gotten the gun if they weren't so easily available here. Yeah, he could have driven a car into a crowd, but how many kids have died in this country in the last ten years by that means?

He could have built a bomb too. People in that state are pretty much capable of anything. This shouldn't turn into a political argument, and I didn't intend that at all. Sorry! That's my last word on that aspect of this tragedy. I just am stunned that one guy could do all of this alone and no one could stop him.

[Rockindeano]

I just am stunned that one guy could do all of this alone and no one could stop him.

God couldn't stop this needless bullshit?

Do I sound bitter? Do I sound pissed? You bet your ass I do.

[chf34jmac]

Hey dude, your starting to sound like a father.

Gotta worry about all of this shit now man. Welcome to every parents nightmare.

[RossValoryRocks]

I actually agree with Stu here, 100%.

My question is this; Why was God asleep at the wheel today? God works in mysterious ways? Well fuck him. He works about as much as W.... Always at the Ranch.

Why the Hell was this allowed to happen?

Bring on the flames..I believe in God, but sometimes, a bit more often lately, I wonder why the Hell I do?

You know Dean, I wondered the same thing. But trying gain perspective on this only hours later is tough.

I don't know if we can find that answer here on Earth. But perhaps instead of blaming God we should blame the person who committed the atrocity.

I can here Pat Robertson now though...he will blame it on taking God out of our lives and this is God's punishment. Just like he did with Katrina.

The wacko's on both sides of the God issue will be out in force after this: The atheist wackos claiming there is no God over and over, and the religious wackos claiming is punishment for not believing in God. It's predictable.

[7 Wishes]

This kind of crap happens every single day in Iraq, and no-one in this country bats an eyelash.

[RossValoryRocks]

This kind of crap happens every single day in Iraq, and no-one in this country bats an eyelash.

Ok one politcal fight at a time. Iraq is a separate issue.

[Rockindeano]

Hey dude, your starting to sound like a father.

Gotta worry about all of this shit now man. Welcome to every parents nightmare.

Dude, I have 2 kids already.

Named my son after the Boss. Yup, Bruce.

[Barb]

This kind of crap happens every single day in Iraq, and no-one in this country bats an eyelash.

It's kind of expected in a war zone. Not so much just sitting in class at Virginia Tech.

[Rockindeano]

I actually agree with Stu here, 100%.

My question is this; Why was God asleep at the wheel today? God works in mysterious ways? Well fuck him. He works about as much as W.... Always at the Ranch.

Why the Hell was this allowed to happen?

Bring on the flames..I believe in God, but sometimes, a bit more often lately, I wonder why the Hell I do?

You know Dean, I wondered the same thing. But trying gain perspective on this only hours later is tough.

I don't know if we can find that answer here on Earth. But perhaps instead of blaming God we should blame the person who committed the atrocity.

I can here Pat Robertson now though...he will blame it on taking God out of our lives and this is God's punishment. Just like he did with Katrina.

The wacko's on both sides of the God issue will be out in force after this: The atheist wackos claiming there is no God over and over, and the religious wackos claiming is punishment for not believing in God. It's predictable.

Dude, I am NOT an athiest nor am I am a Thumper.

My point is God fucked up today. Must have been doing his taxes or some shit...Maybe he was playing Weather Tycoon and finding succes in that he managed to dump 457 inches on the Northeast Corridor today.....all the while, some zipper head is going Outlaw Josey Hokie, slamming slugs into this Countries' next leaders. Perhaps the good Lord has lost a step ? Maybe he can't get up the field like he used to? Maybe he lost 9 mph on his slapshot? Maybe he needs a colostmy bag? My point is, if this is as good as God can do, I say we fire his ass. Unacceptable.

[7 Wishes]

Iraq is a separate issue? No, it most certainly is not. Is an Iraqui life worth less than an American life? No. Just because people are dying because of a war our "president" illegally started, does not diminish the suffering of every single individual who has lost a loved one. That does not make this incident any less horrifying...I have a good friend who graduated from Va Tech not long ago, and she is beside herself...

This is somewhat tangental, but then again, it is not. It would cost $8 billion to outfit every single transport vehicle in Iraq with armor that would prevent casualties of U.S. soldiers by IED's. 83% of all U.S. casualties are caused by IED's that penetrate these vehicles; while our brave young men and women die terrible deaths, we are stuck in the politics of semantics and blame and denial. The fucking budget for the illegal war is $160 billion dollars. It would cost 5% of that to reduce the U.S. casualty rate sevenfold. Can someone tell me why that hasn't been done? It's bullshit. Those deaths are squarely on the shoulders of this sorry administration.

These poor kids died in vain, and nothing good can come out of this. There is no silver lining. This country is going to hell in a handbasket. It's too late, because guns are a part of this culture. You can't buy a CD at Wal-Mart in which the singer, God forbid, questions the ingelligence of the current administration, or says "shit", but you can buy a fucking shotgun and shells with no background check whatsoever. Yeah, I need a fucking M-80 or a Remington to hunt quail and rabbits like brave old Mitt Romney. Well, I'm sorry. I'm American, but I grew up in Europe. In England last year, there were four handgun deaths. THE ENTIRE YEAR.

[Rockindeano]

No, it most certainly is not. Is an Iraqui life worth less than an American life? No. Just because people are dying because of a war our "president" illegally started, does not diminish the suffering of every single individual who has lost a loved one. That does not make this incident any less horrifying...I have a good friend who graduated from Va Tech not long ago, and she is beside herself...

This is somewhat tangental, but then again, it is not. It would cost $8 billion to outfit every single transport vehicle in Iraq with armor that would prevent casualties of U.S. soldiers by IED's. 83% of all U.S. casualties are caused by IED's that penetrate these vehicles; while our brave young men and women die terrible deaths, we are stuck in the politics of semantics and blame and denial. The fucking budget for the illegal war is $160 billion dollars. It would cost 5% of that to reduce the U.S. casualty rate sevenfold. Can someone tell me why? It's bullshit.

These poor kids died in vain, and nothing good can come out of this. There is no silver lining. This country is going to hell in a handbasket. It's too late, because guns are a part of this culture. You can't buy a CD at Wal-Mart in which the singer, God forbit, questions the ingelligence of the current administration, or says "shit", but you can buy a fucking shotgun and shells with no background check whatsoever. Yeah, I need a fucking M-80 or a Remington to hunt quail and rabbits like brave old Mitt Romney. Well, I'm sorry. I'm American, but I grew up in Europe. In England last year, there were four handgun deaths. THE ENTIRE YEAR.

How dare you question our brave president, fighting for freedom in this world!

[RossValoryRocks]

No, it most certainly is not. Is an Iraqui life worth less than an American life? No. Just because people are dying because of a war our "president" illegally started, does not diminish the suffering of every single individual who has lost a loved one. That does not make this incident any less horrifying...I have a good friend who graduated from Va Tech not long ago, and she is beside herself...

This is somewhat tangental, but then again, it is not. It would cost $8 billion to outfit every single transport vehicle in Iraq with armor that would prevent casualties of U.S. soldiers by IED's. 83% of all U.S. casualties are caused by IED's that penetrate these vehicles; while our brave young men and women die terrible deaths, we are stuck in the politics of semantics and blame and denial. The fucking budget for the illegal war is $160 billion dollars. It would cost 5% of that to reduce the U.S. casualty rate sevenfold. Can someone tell me why? It's bullshit.

These poor kids died in vain, and nothing good can come out of this. There is no silver lining. This country is going to hell in a handbasket. It's too late, because guns are a part of this culture. You can't buy a CD at Wal-Mart in which the singer, God forbit, questions the ingelligence of the current administration, or says "shit", but you can buy a fucking shotgun and shells with no background check whatsoever. Yeah, I need a fucking M-80 or a Remington to hunt quail and rabbits like brave old Mitt Romney. Well, I'm sorry. I'm American, but I grew up in Europe. In England last year, there were four handgun deaths. THE ENTIRE YEAR.

Yes...American lives are worth more than Iraqi lives. THERE I SAID IT! I could give 2 shits about an the Iraqi people. I went and fought one war over there, so did Deano, and guess who was shooting at us? IRAQI'S!

What have YOU ever done you sanctimoniuous prick? Have you even picked up a weapon in defense of ANYTHING?

Stay in Europe, with no physical way to protect yourself, as Europe is Islamified and in the end it will be convert or die. But as a wise man once said "From my cold dead hands!"

I also suggest you actually LEARN your about your Constitution and the desire of the framers of to allow us to PROTECT ourselves. I am sure you will bring up the "It says militia" thing, so I suggest you read the Federalist papers. Madison who framed the Bill of Rights explictly says that the militia IS THE PEOPLE, all the people.

So give up your citizenship and head back to that bastion of stupidity called Europe.

[Rockindeano]

Here we go...Lets get it on!

[7 Wishes]

You are an ignorant dittohead. THE WAR IN IRAQ HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PROTECTING AMERICANS. IT IS ABOUT OIL, GREED, AND MANIUPLATION. The war in Afghanistan was justified and absolutely the right thing to do. Except we should have gone in there and gotten that muderous bastard. W'S OWN FATHER SAID THAT STARTING A WAR IN IRAQ WAS UNWINNABLE AND FOOLISH.

Don't you lecture me about the Constitution, or American history. You have been brainwashed.

I respect you for heeding your country's call in the first Gulf war. I would have gladly given my life in Afghanistan, if it had helped catpure that sadistic bastard and bring him to justice. You don't know me, and I don't know you, so don't presume to make assumptions about my belief system or my "patriotism". You have been programmed by The Machine, and you can't help yourself.