Thoughts and prayers

Well I have delayed a day or so in posting this, only to let my emotions settle some and to see what facts would surface over the day. For anyone who might have missed it, there was a terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech yesterday. A gunman slaughtered 32 people before taking his own life in what can only be described as a heinous act. I have written about one other college related shooting previously on my old blog. While the magnitude of this tragedy is unbelievably larger, the idea is the same. Something goes off in someone's head and they decide to perpetrate the unthinkable. I feel helpless in a way. I know there is nothing anyone can do to change the events of yesterday, but wish there was. I wish there was a way to reach out to the Blacksburg, VA community to show them that the nation is with them in their time of grief. I have been keeping up on the news through many avenues including television, web news sources, and even facebook. It amazes me some of the putrid crap that has spewed forth from people's keyboards in order to receive attention for themselves or for their 'soapbox' causes. I want people everywhere to understand, the time is not right to push your own agenda or just act like a complete asshat. Right now is a time for mourning, grieving, and support of the families, friends, children, classmates, and colleagues left behind. I hope that the funerals of those lost will be respected by the media and especially the Westboro Church and Mr. Phelps will understand that (as with all of his protests) this is very inhumane and should not happen. I am sick to death thinking about all those people whose lives are forever altered by one person, a person so cowardly he took his own life versus being brought to justice. I know the Blacksburg tragedy will be a moment, much like Oklahoma City, the first WTC attack, Columbine,9/11, Challenger, and Columbia wherein people will always remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard about this mass murder. If there is one thing EVERYONE must take from these tragedies it is this, live life to its fullest and cherish everyday for there is no longer a truly safe place from people who are deranged. God bless all, in Blacksburg and around the world.