My nephew, a student at Virginia Tech...

[rateyes]

is physically OK right now. He lived last year in the dorm where the murders started, and is an RA at the dorm next door. He did not have class at the time, and is locked down in his dorm room..the last time I checked. His father (my brother) said it's very possible that some killed or wounded are friends of his, but since names haven't been released, no one knows. Regardless, these kids are somebody's friends, children, sisters, brothers, etc.

I hope to talk with my nephew soon, and see how he is doing emotionally. But, I am reminded today that terrorist events like this one is normal course in the illegal, immoral war in which our nation is engaged in Iraq...because of OUR PRESENCE.

It's time to get the hell out RIGHT NOW. We've got too many deeper problems that need to be solved on the streets of every city, every town, U.S.A. and in other parts of the world.

Where are our priorities?

:cry:

[LisaM]

1. That's a good point. This h appens in Iraq several times a day.

Americans wouldn't tolerate this happening on a daily basis anywhere here, but don't seem to care if it happens in Iraq.

[rateyes]

5. Out of sight, out of mind....

sad.

[kestrel91316]

16. Perhaps YOU don't care about Iraq deaths. Don't presume to speak

for the rest of us.

[rateyes]

21. I don't think Lisa was speaking for either you or herself...

she was simply talking about the society, in general---ours is a pretty narcissistic society---("if it doesn't affect me directly, then I don't bother my 'beautiful mind' with it) (especially pro-war folk) who seem to think that even the deaths of American soldiers in Iraq is "worth it."

[kestrel91316]

26. She's barking up the wrong tree to imply that DUers upset by the VaTech

killings don't want to bother their alleged beautiful minds about Iraq deaths.

[LisaM]

22. Me? I care deeply

But I don't think that we, as a nation, count those Iraqi deaths the way we would if there was that kind of violence in one of our own cities. I was just agreeing with the OP.

[Waya]

2. Glad your nephew is ok.....physically at least...

.....I just tuned into it....so, don't know much about it yet....gosh, awful....

[rateyes]

6. Thanks. nt

[MissB]

3. Check out this post

(which was right above yours when I first clicked on your post) Oh, and I really hope your nephew is able to handle this with as well as possible. I can't imagine.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x667322

[rateyes]

9. Good for Larry Johnson...

thanks.

[Justice]

4. I am glad he is okay

What it tells me is that we still don't have crisis management plans in effect at schools, in cities and towns - we aren't focus on preparation for any crisis - terrorist, weather or anything else.

[rateyes]

11. Some places are better than others...

I was, in a different place than where I live now, on the Crisis Management Team of the public school system. We had three students in 4 months die from a freakish accident, a car accident caused by a drunk driver, and an unexplained case of internal bleeding.

I think our team was very useful...but, a lot of kids were wondering if they were "next."

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. The other good point you made is

this is a terrorist attack, not that any in our fearless media will call it for what it is

By the way, when you talk to him do not be too shocked if he wants to clamp down and NOT talk, normal actually

[bowens43]

12. How is it a terrorist attack?

Terrorism is a term used to describe violence or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians by groups or persons for political or ideological goals.

What was the political or ideological motivation for the attack?


We don't know whether or not this is a terrorist attack.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. that is part of the problem

terror by definition is meant to terrorize and force people to change their way of life

It does not have to have a political end behind it.

It could very well be an anarchist,

or as they are reporting over a girlfriend

My question to you is... has this attack terrorized people?

Yes

Has it caused casualties?

Yes

Do we know why it happened? NOt yet

Two out of three wickets hit

We have internal terror in this country, but the media REFUSES to aknowledge this. Whether this is the bombing of the Murrah building, or Columbine, they do fit the definition... time to face the facts

[orleans]

41. (college students=terrorists)?

(i got some shit from my insurance company for my business--terrorism insurance that i have to call about: "do i actually have to have this crap?" the closest i get to terrorism is working with young children! now, i know some people view a three year old as a "terror" but i hardly think i need terrorism insurance because a three year old needs a nap!

i really need to check that insurance crap out--state farm, not paying katrina victims but pushing the terrorism insurance?

[rateyes]

13. Yeah, I know. And, I won't push him...

when he's ready, he'll talk.

[kaygore]

8. I have nephews there, too, who are OK but in shock

I am so happy for you. I am here visiting my brother and sister-in-law and my sister-in-law and I are glued to CNN and have had several calls from my nephew there.

[rateyes]

15. You're in Blacksburg? I've got several friends who live there

and one of the VT buildings is named for a friend's uncle. I see you are from VA Beach. Ever heard of Deltaville? I used to live there, right on the Chesapeake Bay. Great place.

On edit: Glad your nephews are OK. Hug them tightly when they get home. There are going to be a lot of hurting people we need to take care of.

[kaygore]

31. I am from Va Beach but am visiting my brother and sister-in-law

in Morehead City. My nephews are at Tech. One is a graduate who graduated but works at an aerospace company associated with the University and sits on the edge of the campus.

[rateyes]

35. Beautiful city, Blacksburg. nt

[LiberalEsto]

10. My daughter's best friend is OK

As soon as we heard about it, she text-messaged her friend at Viginia Tech. It took 2 hours but she finally replied and said she was okay.

I'm glad your nephew is okay.

But as the parent of daughters aged 20 and 23, it horrifies me to think of the losses other parents are just beginning to absorb.

[rateyes]

17. I hear you...

I've got three daughters. One in college, one starting college next year, and one in middle-school. The stuff scares the bejeebies out of me.

[babylonsister]

14. Rec'd. Thank you, rateyes, for making the comparison, and I hope your

nephew will fare well emotionally. Another sad day for the US...

[rateyes]

18. People are people....

and the people of Iraq who lose their loved ones, grieve as heavily as we do when we lose loved ones. And, if I might add: FUCK BUSH, who sleeps like a log as if he's innocent. Bastard.

[malaise]

20. We have three graduate students there

They are OK and sending info to our faculty. They told us 32 people ahve been killed with many more seriously injured.

[rateyes]

24. Happy for your students...

sad for those that weren't as fortunate. Keep an eye on them. :hi:

[malaise]

27. You can't imagine how happy their

Faculty head is right now, not to mention their families.

[rateyes]

30. I just talked with the father of a student there....

she was in the next building over from the lab after the shootings at the dorm. Her sorority sister was shot in the back, and is right now in surgery! Send your thoughts that way!!

[malaise]

32. I hope she recovers completely

How awful.

[Oilwellian]

23. It's just too close to home

My husband has been mentoring a VT kid who will graduate next month with a mining engineer degree..we've been worried sick for him all morning...finally received word he was ok.

[rateyes]

25. I know...

I used to live in Southwest Virginia, and have attended some VT football games. I know a LOT of kids who have gone, or do go there right now. In fact, I just thought about a daughter of a friend of mine who I haven't checked on...going to do that right now.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

28. RE ! Glad he's ok - You are SO right ! nt

[rateyes]

29. Howdy LPYB! Good to see you!

:hi:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

33. u2. they just had a moment of silence for VA tech on the house

floor. wish they'd do that everyday for the fallen iraq soldiers and read their names and say something about them.

been layin low since I was really pissed that Imus got fired - I was in a minority of two or three around here. burning out - you know, I'm one of those people who always thinks they're the only one who's right ! haha

[rateyes]

34. lol nt

[AZBlue]

36. I'm so glad he's ok.

You're right though - there will be many emotionally wounded from this.

[Rhiannon12866]

37. K&R. I agree with you, my friend, and am so sorry.

I hope that your nephew is alright and that he didn't lose friends. Bush* was just on, with his press conference, and will be "praying for the victims and their families." That's all he ever has to offer, instead of making a real effort to keep our young people and our citizens safe...;(

[rateyes]

38. IMO, * only says what he thinks he has to say...

everything is about him.

[Rhiannon12866]

39. You're right, this is all about him, and I didn't expect anything better.

Katrina was much worse, and he expressed little sympathy there, so what do we expect? And then there's 9/11... ;( He could have stepped up to the plate on this one, in an effort to redeem himself, but he's just not capable of action or empathy. I just wish that the local authorities, who were there in force, can keep these kids safe and manage to get to the bottom of this horrific incident very soon. ;(

[bigwillq]

40. Glad he is ok.

:hug: