"A Tragedy... of Monumental Proportions." (by John Nichols for The Nation)

[marmar]

BLOG | Posted 04/16/2007 @ 4:35pm
"A Tragedy... of Monumental Proportions."

John Nichols

There will be plenty of "rapid responses" to the gun rampage on the Virginia Tech campus, which has claimed the lives of as many as 31 students -- making it the deadliest school shooting incident in the history of the United States.

Do not doubt that the National Rifle Association is preparing its "this-had-nothing-to-do-with-guns" press release. The group has no compunctions about living up to its reputation for being beyond shame -- or education -- when it comes to peddling its spin on days when it would be better to simply remain silent. But the NRA will not be alone in responding in a self-serving manner. Many groups on all sides of issues related to guns and violence in America will be busy making their points, just as many in the media will look for one dimensional "explanations" for what the university's president, Charles Steger, has correctly described as "a tragedy... of monumental proportions."

"The university is shocked and indeed horrified," explained Steger, after it became clear that what had happened on his campus Monday was worse the carnage at Columbine High School in 1999 or at the University of Texas in 1966.

The trouble with shock and horror is that it does not often translate into contemplation, let alone serious reflection on the state of a nation in which such an incident can occur -- and, more troublingly, in which no one can suggest that the killings were unimaginable.

The first question, appropriately, is: Why did this happen?

The second question, equally appropriately, is: What should we do about it?

There is is a simple answer to Question No. 1: America is a violent country. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?bid=15

[central scrutinizer]

1. How soon will the NRA schedule a rally in Blacksburg?

[C_U_L8R]

2. I believe two things need lots of examing and debate

first person shooter games and access to lethal weapons/ammunition

oh and throw in the republican culture of hate and intolerance for extra measure

[SteppingRazor]

3. One small and morbid caveat...

at 31 lives, this isn't just "the deadliest school shotting incident in the history of the United States." This is the deadliest spree shooting in our history, regardless of location.

[tblue]

5. Is that true? Oh my gosh................

[SteppingRazor]

8. Fraid so. The "record holder" up until this point...

was the Luby's Cafeteria shooting in 1991, which left 23 dead. Followed closely by the McDonald's shooting mentioned below.

[maxsolomon]

7. Wasn't the one at the San Diego McDonalds as big?

http://www.mcmurder.com/1980/1984-07-18_b.html

i'm wrong - that was "ONLY" 21 dead.

may the families & friends of the victims know peace.

[enid602]

4. why

Why is it 'shock and horror' when violence is directed at Americans, but 'shock and awe' when it is directed at people we don't like?

[tblue]

6. And not just 'any' Americans

At least as far as * is concerned.


http://graphics.boston.com:80/bonzai-fba/AP_Photo/2005/08/31/1125490295_5541.jpg

[youngdem]

9. Perfectly stated. A window into our minds, for sure.

We will wax for days about what we need to do to prevent this. To me, it is simply a tragic numbers game...every once in a while, one of us snaps. Shitty, but true. And we can all wear full body kevlar body armor and attend class in armored humvees at classrooms built like drive in theaters, and we still would only have the illusion of absolute safety.

Let me be the only one to propose that perhaps a MORE permissive and open society might be more beneficial in preventing these types of things more than attempting some Orwellian bullshit. A locked down society is more stressful, more regimented and more judgmental - all potential triggers for unstable people. And that we must accept that we cannot prevent all acts of violence, especially when the attacker is suicidal.

[stevietheman]

10. Actually, we have no idea why this happened yet...

Let's not jump to any conclusions, including giving up any of our gun rights at a time we may need to use them against a government gone too far.