1) The school isn't to blame on this one. Hindsight being 20-20 and all, they certainly should have alerted the students sooner, but it's preposterous to expect the school to know exactly what to do in an unusual situation like this. Of course now schools will probably have to go through drills so that everyone knows what to do in case this happens again. Also to ensure that we're properly terrified until the next time it does happen, which everyone knows it will.
The real problem with blaming the school is that it reveals not only cowardice, but extreme naivety about the dangers of life on the behalf of the average American. It is not the duty of the schools, or the government, to protect everyone. Even supposing that either possessed the capability to do so, they would then be so tyrannical as to present a far more ominous threat to the safety of those who foolishly seek protection where it shall not be found. If you want to prevent someone from killing you and yours, carry a handgun and don't be afraid to use it in self-defense.
2) Which brings us right to the next point. I told one of my friends yesterday that we could count on a full-court press clamoring for more gun control within 48 hours. That flood of nonsense has started already. Allow me to rebut with this piece from WorldNetDaily:
More than one year before today's unprecedented shooting rampage at Virgina Tech, the state's General Assembly quashed a bill that would have given qualified college students and employees the right to carry handguns on campus.
At the time, Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said he was happy to hear of the bill's defeat, according to the Roanoke Times.
"I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus," the Virginia Tech spokesman said.
Gun control doesn't work. It never has and it never will. Criminals, by definition, do not obey laws; if the murderer couldn't have obtained a hand-gun legally does any one doubt his ability, or his intention to buy one on the black market? Confiscating all the guns might work, and indeed did work quite well--for the Nazis. But I question the wisdom of allowing the government to have all the guns. Proponents of gun control neither think rationally nor do they have much of a grasp on history, so the bemoaning will not recess, and if we're not careful, we're going to see so more nefarious legislation.
3) As always, this media circus presented all involved with massive ratings. It's rather amusing watching the television clowns milk tragedy for personal gain but aside from watching a little of the Factor to laugh at O'Reilly, we're all better turning the dang thing off.
4) As Vox points out, referring to the incident as "American" gun violence is disingenuous. We now know the killer was from South Korea. I'm picturing Michael Moore visiting South Korea and lamenting the pervasiveness of gun violence there, while making a trip to their benevolent northern neighbors in his next propaganda film.
5) Last and most certainly least, Imus almost made it. This is one problem with writing my columns so many days in advance. I'm almost required to write another one, but I think I'll simply accept the moniker of antiquated so long as no one calls me antediluvian.
UPDATE:
Drudge just posted the ratings from last night's broadcasts. Two pittance if you can guess who won.
CABLE NEWS RACE
MON., APRIL 16, 2007
VIEWERS
FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,546,000
CNN LARRY KING 2,574,000
CNN COOPER 2,535,000
FNC GRETA 2,349,000
FNC HANNITY/COLMES 2,304,000
CNN ZAHN 2,014,000
TOTAL DAY
FNC 1,636,000
CNN 1,267,000
MSNBC 525,000
2 comments:
The fact is that he was not that well armed. A group of guys could have overpowered him without a weapon if they played it smart. 3-5 guys, working together, could easily take down a single man carrying only a 9mm and a .22, especially since chances are this guy was more of a lucky shot than a well-trained shooter. I would like to know how many of those shots actually killed people quickly, rather than making them slowly bleed to death. There are must so many variables involved that make me think that there wasn't much good reason to assume that a few guys working together shouldn't have been able to handle this guy.
There are must so many variables involved that make me think that there wasn't much good reason to assume that a few guys working together shouldn't have been able to handle this guy.
Probably true, but it's easy for us to say that now. During the event, no one knows how they would actually react. I still hold that if someone else had been armed the situation would be have dispelled for certain.
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