Spare At Least One Thought
April 18th, 2007 by Nancy ClevelandTragedy, killing spree, “event†as some have named it…call it what you will. The horrific terror of 31 children…for they were children…being slaughtered and over half that number wounded. No-one can comprehend or even try to relate to the suffering in the hearts of their parents, families, friends and classmates. We talk glibly about when the healing process will begin…not for a very long time, if ever…for any of them.
As a good friend said yesterday, who really ever thinks when watching their child leave home to start their future in college, that they their safety and well-being could be in jeopardy? We send a child to school, to college…increase their independence, support their dreams, watch them get excited about becoming a full-fledged adult…and the life, in a short time, is snuffed out along with every iota of dreams and hopes and ambition. Countless lives are shattered and a nation’s thoughts, prayers…and sorrows…are with the families of the victims. It is very early days but there has been no mention of the gunman’s family other than we can presume they are South Korean. Seems as though no-one has given much thought to them and I have no doubt that some would wonder why they ought. But you see, I’m sure there is no different a loss to that young gunman’s parents, either. They are the forgotten ones in this and will remain so…they didn’t do it, surely had nothing to do with it and yet, could be for them it is even worse because they know it was their son who took those young lives before taking his own. My heart goes out to them every bit as much. He wasn’t born a killer, at five that wasn’t his “ambition” and at fourteen probably wasn’t even a thought, let alone a “dream“. Who knows what happened, there can be no logical explanation, no excuse whatsoever, But his parents will suffer as much as the parents of those kids whose lives he took…their lives just as much in tatters.
Perhaps, as we grieve for the many parents suffering today we can, in compassion, spare a thought and include his.
April 18th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Now the sun will rise as brightly
as if no misfortune had occurred in the night.
The misfortune has fallen on me alone.
The sun - it shines for everyone.
You must not keep the night inside you;
you must immerse it in eternal light.
A little light has been extinguished in my household;
Light of joy in the world, be welcome.
April 18th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Along with all those who are suffering losses of their loved family members, I also thought about Cho’s parents, Nancy.
It was just reported this morning that they were both hospitalized in a state of shock. Earlier reports in the Korean press indicated that they had attempted suicide, but apparently this is not true.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=261805
I also thought once more about the families of our men and women in the military who are bearing such a burden for a similarly unnecessary action as this Virginia Tech tragedy.
As long as we continue to condone resorting to violence to resolve our problems, we should not be too surprised when these random atrocities occur. I am talking about unnecessary wars; I am talking about the death penalty; I am talking about abortions; and I am talking about promoting the ownership of guns, especially assault weapons.
Let us reexamine the meaning of the sanctity of life, and live it!
April 19th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Perry. This was an act of insanity. While we may examine the sanctity of life, a mad man can not.
This is not a political issue.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Good point, Pete.
But consider that it was a political decision to allow semi-automatic weapons and assault weapons to be available to the general public.
Consider that it was a political decision to go to war in Iraq.
Consider that it was a political decision to control abortions.
Consider that the death penalty is the result of a political decision.
So political issues and decisions are involved directly.
My point therefore is that some of our past political decisions contribute to the use of violence to solve problems by creating an environment that in effect promotes violent acts. Moreover, now that we are in the aftermath of this horror, politicians will weigh in on what should be a proper response to minimize future occurrences of similar acts. While we are at it, we ought to reexamine our attitudes and behaviors related to violence.
You might be more convinced if you consider the impact of radical Islamist clerics/leaders on those who opt to become suicide bombers. A climate of violence has been created by these leaders/politicians.
Cho Seung-Hui was indeed a suicide bomber, wouldn’t you say so?
We need to work to rid our body politic of all reliance on acts of violence, and find peaceful, non-violent solutions to all these issues.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:17 am
BAGHDAD — Five car bombs exploded in and around Iraq’s capital on Wednesday, killing at least 172 people and injuring more than 220 in the deadliest day for the city since U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a much-publicized security crackdown two months ago.
And when the USA declares peace, all of the violence in the world will come to an end?
April 20th, 2007 at 7:17 am
No, of course not Pete. But as a nation and the sole superpower, we need to change our approach to peace, since none of our major conflicts since WWII, namely Korea, Viet Nam and now Iraq have been successful. Korea remains a divided nation to this day, with the North a belligerent player; Viet Nam is a Communist nation; and Iraq, well do I have to tell you? And all were waged at great cost in lives, limbs and infrastructure damage, to what good end, I ask?
What was more successful was the Cold War, in which diplomacy backed up by a strong defensive posture ultimately prevailed. Moreover, look at Gulf War I, a defensive action to stop Saddam’s aggression against Kuwait, a quick strike back with a genuine international coalition, and no occupation. That worked!
Now we have the Cheney lead neocon cartel still pushing for continuation of a losing strategy with now a plan seven tactical maneuver called a “surge” into the Baghdad streets. Note that we now have Richard Perle out there again thumping the TV hastings for more violence.
When, I ask, will we learn that these neocons have been continuously wrong, therefore have become incredible when it comes to loss of credibility? Yet Bush continues to listen to them, desperately hoping to generate a credible legacy for himself, another incredible impossibility!!!
So we go from a discussion about the tragedy of violence we have just witnessed on our very doorstep at Virginia Tech, to the ineffectiveness/immorality of another policy of violence, now continuing in Iraq, a violence seemingly inherent in our culture, a violent streak of which we must work to rid ourselves. No one is in a better position to make a global difference right now than the lone superpower. What, pray tell, are we waiting for, Pete???
April 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Only thing is…we aren’t discussing violence. I agree with your political viewpoints, Perry…you know that and have done for a very long time. This is compassion for the loss of life and what it means to those who have given it, regardless of whether it is the families of the victims or the that of the perpetrators. Since I penned this post it has been revelealed, first of all that the parents were hospitalized due to the shock of it all…and I don’t doubt that for a second; yet also, by other media, because the father attempted to take his own life, as did the mother. While that’s been denied and I have no valid reason to think or know otherwise, that wouldn’t surprise me either. This is an Asian family to whom…generally speaking…honour is all and this was anything but an honourable act on the part of their son. More recent reports are that they are being protected and I suppose that was one of the reasons my post was addressed as it was. Why do those people need protecting? Because we have too many who, in their loutish behaviour or beliefs would place as much blame on the boy’s parents as they do him? That because it was their son who did it, they are to be villified? It’s a sad and depressing reflection upon our socieity when we have to even suppose we need to protect a killer’s parents from the mob mentality. They are no less deserving of compassion and kindness than any other parent who suffered a loss this week. And yes, for the parents of our military men and women…same applies, whether it’s their son or daughter who has been killed in Iraq or done the killing there…everyone is a “victim”. But, that’s another discussion.