Like many of you, I've been following the VaTech massacre. While this is no doubt one of the uglier incidents in recent US history, I have to castigate the media & experts. We've heard numerous folks telling us how the school should have "seen the warning signs" or "taken preemptive action". It makes for good TV copy, but it's bullshit. How do you "lock down" a small city? If you do, won't every hungover kid with an exam just call in a threat?

We pass laws about rights to privacy, & litigate over them at the drop of a hat. The same country then creates the Office of Home Land InSecurity and bestows upon it Gestapo like powers to circumvent the Constitution. Throw in a university (THE home of diversity and political correctness) and you have a complete no-win situation.

Universities are supposed to be melting pots, with students from all walks of life and nations of the world. Throw in all the hormonal diversions, the initial exposure to adult stress, and the chaotic state of campus politics -- the denizens are going to be clueless. Socially, we can't call people crazy, punch them in the nose, or even tell them to get lost without shame or a lawsuit. If it was you, or your kid, and the school intervened - you'd sue at the drop of a hat. Hundreds of students probably exhibit many of the same problems. (Lonely, horny, social outcast, angry,...) Should we brand them all? How many of them exhibit the same problems as Cho, get over it, and grow up just fine?

All of the extensive news coverage, speculation, & political "cashing in" on the incident is a likely motivator for these guys. Everybody who's insecure, wants to be famous. (What about those background idiots on the network morning shows?) The fame is why they do it! Why do we have this kind of massive media blitz? Gang bangers, suicide bombers, and impaired drivers are wiping out hundreds of lives every day. Why don't we have a media blitz for those events?

There will be another Cho. Sorry, risk is a part of life. Someone will lose their life today because they in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe you or me. Shit happens.  Some xenophobe is already targeting Koreans...

Every time something like this occurs, Americans sell a bit more of their souls for security. (If there's an anti-Christ, he'll be selling security!) We'll no doubt give the government more power & responsibility for our safety. The anti-gun nuts are cashing in already. As are folks who make security devices, cameras, and other kinds of surveillance equipment. (Don't you feel safer on airplanes now that we've confiscated your shampoo...)  Sorry, nothing is going to save you from crazy people, from coincidence, from natural disasters or any of the hundreds of potentially fatal occurrences out there.