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comments from students and teachers on the incident:
Monica, age 13 of Hawthorne, Calif.,
writes:
"I personally think that guns shouldn't be banned. Because it
wasn't the gun that killed the people, it was Seung-Hui Cho. I
also think that the principals and staff at the school should
have warned everybody to get out of school instead of sending
them an e-mail message." (4/24/07)
Alex, age 13 of Lennox, Calif., writes:
"Why do we even have guns? Guns turn people into killing machines.
No one can stop someone with a gun in mind to kill 32 people,
but we can prevent it: Say no to guns!" (4/24/07)
Jan W., a teacher from Storrs, Conn.,
writes:
"I have so much respect for those teachers who did their best
to protect those students in their classes. They are great heroes
and should command the admiration of their fellow teachers, students
around the globe and parents everywhere." (4/22/07)
Jan T., a teacher from Berkeley, Calif.,
writes:
"This young man needed help from the people who mattered to him,
including better communication with classmates. Instead of policies
for increased police surveillance, I hope schools come up with
better community building." (4/20/07)
Sasha J., age 14 of San Ramon, Calif.,
writes:
"I can't begin to imagine how horrible this is for the students
of Virginia Tech, but at the same time, I can't begin to believe
how quickly this is becoming a point for the gun law debate. The
laws can wait. For now, at least give people a chance to gather
their bearings and heal." (4/19/07)
Susanna, a teacher from Elko, Nev.,
writes:
"We've left too much up to both our law enforcement officials
and our military and then we blame them when they lack the power
of prescience. Responsible adults need to train themselves to
recognize and effectively respond to perilous circumstances and
we need to pass those lessons on to our young as well. This becomes
an increasingly urgent necessity as the world becomes more chaotic."
(4/19/07)
Sylvia., age 21 of Terrell, Texas, writes:
"When you look at the American dollar bills you see 'In God We
Trust' but the question really is have we been doing just that?
I strongly believe if we put prayer back in the schools it will
improve." (4/19/07)
Stephen H., a student from Alexandria,
Va., writes:
"While what happened at Virginia Tech was terrible and tragic,
the story should not be used as the center point for the pro-gun
law debate. Guns do not kill people. Seung-Hui Cho is a killer.
Saying that guns kill people is saying pencils must misspell words.
Banning semiautomatic pistols and rifles because they are an unneeded,
useless and deadly commodity would be the equivalent of banning
fast cars. Instead of limiting the consumer's choices because
we fear the worst, we should better inform and education them.
I hope the American people and politicians can come to a logical
realization and stop blaming freedom for tragedies. Our government
should trust the public to make simple decisions, not fear them."
(4/19/07)
Robert A., Frederick, Md., writes:
"Amidst the rumbling thunder,
sapling youth, seasoned oak,
all fall in final obsequies;
A Virginia lush, hemlock bred,
a Socrates bids a final adieu
Life, hold your secret
I trust not my instinct to know;
A mother: sighs
A son: still
The grave: giggling
Life, a bang, a shudder, a thud
The tomb holds its prey, fists clenched
smug her face adorned
How, how, idyllic Blacksburg?
Green all around, beauty's own salon
How, how, how,
hell consorts with paradise
And the heavens say not a word?
Perhaps, an Einstein, an Euclid
just a seed, not yet a fruit, sure not a forest; Gone!!
Life; thy mystery, thy secret, thy jinx!!!" (4/19/07)
"Topperkins," Indianapolis,
writes:
"Couldn't the university afford a 2-dollar door stop? Too much
cost? B.S.! Get the local high schools' wood shops to make door
stops for free. Three under a door and it won't budge. Yes, hindsight
is 20/20, but what about foresight? They're supposed to be so
darn smart, these teachers, yet the young died in their care."
(4/19/07)
Willard R., a teacher from Bridgeport,
Conn., writes:
"I hope that young minds are not inured to pain and suffering
of others." (4/19/07)
Joel B., Halifax, Nova Scotia, writes:
"Can the Virginia Tech community and society in the whole, advanced
Western world examine themselves critically, in order to analyze
the genesis of Seung-Hui Cho's breakdown, and his descent into
murderous madness? Part of the background of this terrible tragedy
are effects of social isolation in the culture of cliques, elitism
and snobbery, which flourish on campuses and in organizational
settings." (4/19/07)
Alana, age 14 of Charlotte, N.C., writes:
"I hate what has happened. But all schools need to have an up-to-date
security system so no students or teachers get hurt." (4/18/07)
Amy C., age 23 of Albuquerque, N.M.,
writes:
"I am a student and living in the dorm and it's very scary to
hear something like that might happen. I think they should have
better security on all campuses and have cameras on every building."
(4/18/07)
Ginger B., a teacher from Charlotte,
N.C., writes:
"We require people to take a test to drive a car, can't we at
least put up a few barriers to this kind of senseless killing?
I'm sure Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave." (4/18/07)
Courtney, age 16 of Michigan, writes:
"I do agree with gun control in some ways and in some ways I
don't. I agree when people like him go around and kill innocent
people who don't deserve to die and we suffer the loss and pain
to follow. I don't, because you may live in a bad place and need
it to protect yourself, not intending to shoot anyone. But guns
are given to anyone and I don't agree with that because you could
be selling a gun to a complete lunatic." (4/18/07)
Bob B., Reno, Nev., writes:
"Another tragedy and needless suffering. Too many have no idea
of the effective ways to deal with anger. The dalai lama's method
of transforming anger should be offered in every school. The mental
health system offers little but drugs, violence and blame. Please
let this tragedy be the beginning for transforming the mental
health system." (4/17/07)
Patricia D., Canberra, Australia, writes:
"Our news here is filled with questions as to whether, in the
wake of yet another hideous shooting spree, anyone in the United
States is talking about gun control. As always, the answer is
no. I and my friends and colleagues were absolutely astonished
that President Bush's initial comments said he was horrified and
then went on to say he supports the right to bear arms. When Martin
Bryant went berserk in Tasmania 10 years ago and killed close
to 40 people and wounded another 30 odd, the immediate reaction
was not only tougher gun laws but a voluntary turning in of semiautomatic
weapons. Yet there, you've got a 23-year-old student with an arsenal
in his dorm room and no one seems to think there's a problem.
The Virginia gun laws are an absolute joke." (4/17/07)
Mike J., Clyde, Mich., writes:
"Ironic, don't you think? The next story you reported on Tuesday's
broadcast was the mayor of a Japanese city who was assassinated
while campaigning for re-election. Japan has some of the strictest
gun laws in the world; they didn't stop, nor can they stop a determined
killer. Common steel, a little knowledge and a moderately equipped
machine shop are all that's needed to make a rudimentary firearm,
zip gun, etc. We should examine other options before passing more
laws." (4/17/07)
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Yes it's true that he came to the United States illegally, but ever since that he has only done positive things. He has a job, pays taxes, does volunteer work, raised a family, and so many other things.
