Last week, the nation mourned as the news of the Fort Hood shootings traveled across television screens. Just a week before the observance of Veterans Day, the only thing Americans could do was offer sympathy to the families of those who died. While the media was all too eager to report that Nidal Malik Hasan was a graduate of Virginia Tech, it was just one more tragedy adding to an already turbulent fall semester.
So far, there have been more than 70 comments posted on the article “Alumnus suspected in Fort Hood Shooting” (CT, Nov. 6). As I skimmed over them, I noticed a troubling sentiment being reiterated — the idea that Tech is somehow cursed, or according to one post, we graduate “mass murderers and dog killers.”
One person even said she was “embarrased to tell people of (her) connection to the school ...” But the insanity is most evident in this post: “I left out a very relevant and recent event on the VT campus last year. A Chinese Muslim beheaded a female friend. We also have a Muslim President (self confessed) who stated in a speech in Turkey earlier this year the US is a Muslim nation. The coffee is getting quite aromatic isn’t it?”
Why is it that when one side loses power, the conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork? As any rational person will say, there is obviously no connection between the president and the GLC murder, nor is the president a Muslim (and so what if he is?). But I digress. I realize that most likely, most of the students and alumni have kept a cool head about this, and these people represent a small minority just trying to get attention. But to those that who question associating themselves with Tech, just calm down.
When Michael Vick pleaded guilty in 2007 to dog fighting charges, many wondered how Tech would handle its association with its most famous alumnus. At the time, I was a senior in high school, and, with my black Labrador in mind, I condemned Vick’s actions. But neither that nor April 16 just a few months earlier stopped me and thousands of others from applying early decision to Tech. There was no reason to let it stop us. We knew Tech does not breed murderers. Instead it was and is an excellent university, and the rest of the world knew that as well.
This leads directly to the fateful day that changed our school forever. Psychology majors would probably identify this as the subject of the availability heuristic, the idea that we draw on information readily available rather than on an overall evaluation of the facts (airplane crashes are a great example of this concept — many people fear planes despite the overwhelming statistical safety).
Despite the fact that we all know Blacksburg to be a safe community, many will hearken back to April 16 at the first sign of tragedy. Many professors recall thinking that, after the school holiday following April 16 ended, many students wouldn’t return to campus.
Yet when that day came, students returned and classroom seats were filled like a Lane Stadium night game. We haven’t run from the tragedy, either. Every year the community mourns on the Drillfield for the anniversary; we remember the brave actions of professor Liviu Librescu, who gave his life to allow his students time to escape the gunman; and we celebrate with Nikki Giovanni’s reassuring words, “We are Virginia Tech,” on our backs.
The connection to Hasan is saddening, but his actions are the true tragedy. Just as Vick pointed to the culture in his hometown of Hampton, Va. as the root of his actions, I am confident Hasan’s mind was corrupted somewhere outside of Tech. Just as Vick has begun to work to change the culture among youths in the same shoes he once filled, we need to remember the values Tech does teach, namely self-sacrifice, education and tolerance. A biochemistry major, Hasan was obviously a bright guy. This certainly does not rectify his actions in any way, but it reminds us that he graduated from Tech because he was intelligent, and he studied biology and chemistry, not violence and hatred.
What we need to remember, and what most of us have, is that Tech is an elite school, no different from the University of Virginia or the College of William & Mary, graduating thousands of engineers, architects and teachers every year. Many of us go on to study law or medicine, participate in cutting-edge research, and directly and indirectly change the lives of people everywhere.
There are mean people, even hateful people who graduate from Tech, but those are issues they most likely developed at home; they are certainly not taught or condoned here. With Veterans Day this Wednesday, it seems appropriate to end with this: Just as the April 16 Memorial sits outside Burruss Hall, don’t forget the War Memorial positioned just above the War Memorial Chapel venerating, among others, the seven Medal of Honor recipients who graduated from Tech.
Reconsider the validity of Tech's violent reputation
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"nor is the president a Muslim (and so what if he is?). But I digress."
http://jatticus.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/the-problem-with-being-muslim-and-american/
"The Problem With Being Muslim and American"
"A Muslim-Army major murdered many people and wounded many more at Ft Hood today. Since 1775 no Christian or Jewish officer has ever done that. Yet, it isnt a surprise that a Muslim officer would do it - if he were a devout Muslim. A Muslim-American officer has to choose to be a devout Muslim or a good American. One can not be both."
"Islam's civilizations are over 800 years behind the West. They are further behind - and thus more barbaric - to us than the barbarian Visgoths were to the Rome when they sacked it in 410 AD. The Visigoth barbarians were about 600 years behind the Romans."
Truth and hate completely different things.
No one hated the Germans before WWII. But we killed 10 million of them.
No one hated the Russians but the Germans killed 30 million of them.
No one hated the Japanese but 3 million of them died in WWII
How many more Infidels need to die before you get these folks, we don't hate, mean business.
Friends is friends and business is business.
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We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and strive to maintain a climate for work and learning based on mutual respect and understanding.
We affirm the right of each person to express thoughts and opinions freely. We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect.
We affirm the value of human diversity because it enriches our lives and the University. We acknowledge and respect our differences while affirming our common humanity.
We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others.
We pledge our collective commitment to these principles in the spirit of the Virginia Tech motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
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The wordings of the current oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers are as follows:
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
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Correction I believe it was only 20 million Russians, sorry
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Vows I made to to wife and my now grow children.
Priest: "Do you take ___ as your lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
Bride/Groom: "I do" Bride/Groom: "I take this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." "
Or:
Priest: "___, will you take ___ here present, for your lawful wedded wife/husband according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Catholic Church?" ("I will")
Bride/Groom Repeat: "I, ___ take you, ___ for my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." Bride/Groom: "With this ring I thee wed, and pledge thee my troth?"
When you love people your supposed to take care of them and protect them from HARM.... (So What)
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"Islam's civilizations are over 800 years behind the West. They are further behind - and thus more barbaric - to us"
First of all, the civilizations were there, the religion was created in the 9th century.
Also, wouldn't that mean Christians are more barbaric than Jews? Christianity is thousands of years younger than Judaism.
Sir, grow up. Yes there are some Muslims who wish to do us harm, but there are a lot of Christians who wish to harm us and DO harm us as well. the truth is most Muslim Americans are good citizens and good people, and Islam teaches love and compassion to the poor, not "death to America".
P.S. Don't forget the Crusades or the Inquisition. Christians were not all decent people and true to their faith, either.
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The previous post was to "So What..."
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Must be liberals, they always get defensive and fling personal attacks. And I'm not a power tripper or an elitist so no need to call me Sir.
But we are talking about 2009 and Islam being 800 years behind in there laws and civilization than us today.
I encourage you read more about life in Islamic countries and watch Charlie Wilsons War to get an idea of how this country caused much of the ignorance and bloodshed happening today.
If you think their way of life is so great maybe Islam lovers should move to their countries instead of Islamist taking over ours.
America is great because of it's freedoms and God fearing people who freedom comes with responsibility.
Freedom did not free and without sacrifice.
Thank a VET on Veterans Day. Kids your age are getting maimed and killed to let us debate without censorship, or fear of being murdered or locked up. But I'm sure many out there reading would love to lock me up.
First me, then the guy in the funny hat, or funny clothes, until everyone looks like a Muslim huh?
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"After Virginia Tech no one blamed Koreans because there was no large group of Koreans shouting, "Death to America!" After the Luby's in Killeen incident no one blamed Christians because there was no large group of Christians shouting, "Death to America!" Can the same be said of Muslims? Just asking."
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I will thank the Vets.
But America is not just Christians, there are atheists and people of other religions as well. they are also good patriotic Americans. Also, many of the Founders were Deists--not particularly religious people (Jefferson wrote his own Bible).
I see nothing wrong with Islamic way of life, but I do remain a Catholic. If being tolerant and educated of other religions makes me a bad Catholic and a bad American, so be it. But it doesn't, and that's why I love America.
I'm not pushing Islam on anyone (if anything, I would profess MY OWN FAITH.
Do you honestly believe Judeo/Christians are the only patriotic Americans?
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I'm just trying to be a realist.
FACT:
Lot's of in info on VT shootings before Cho and murders/shootings after Cho not revealed and covered up. School hires PR firm to cover up more.
FACT:
We are at WAR! Our sons and daughters are dying. You don't understand it could be you the "elite" the "privileged" at University instead of the poor blokes that patriotic or just need a job. We used to have a draft and if we don't get more volunteers soon or get a better strategy may have a draft again. Vietnam very unpopular but many were drafted and served. Many went to Canada and gave up citizenship for whatever reason. Many died go visit the wall in DC and visit the POW museum in at Andersonville in GA.
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Get ready for either war or serious economic struggle. Will you be able to send your kids to college or will China be the only place for higher education by then?
Just trying to open your eyes. The world is a very dangerous place. Pheonix AZ has the second highest kidnapping rate in the world next to Mexico City and that's probably only because many kidnap victims are illegals and it doesn't get reported.
We are at war on our border, south of our border and inside our border. http://borderreporter.com/
The world is more dangerous than at anytime since WWII and everything you know and understand can disappear and change overnight.
And ask yourself does the US military the worlds most powerful Military in the world really need Steigers help with the shooting as reported or is it just propaganda. Just think about these things please.
Or is this just PR to instill confidence in Steiger and VT admin? The Fed Gov't is liberal and Kaine is leader of Dems.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNYeDgXWlZS57A-1tZYLL4VYsn8wD9BR2E3O0
Just think and ask questions all I ask. A lot is at stake.
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are we at war with the
Christians?
Jews?
Hindus?
Buddhist?
Atheist?
Wickens?
Last I heard the Muslims were the ones claiming credit for killing thousands if not millions by now around the world in the name of Allah.
"Akbar Allah"
I can only make decisions and create views with the information at hand and my job and goal is to stay alive, keep my family alive, protect my country and my fellow citizens so they are free to chastise, verbally attack and ridicule, me tomorrow.
I hope I have at least caused everyone to think and talk and research the subject to a greater extent and demand, competent, ethical, leadership that will never make the mistakes of the past that are costing students and citizens their lives.
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Do you honestly believe Judeo/Christians are the only patriotic Americans?
I assume you ask this in reference to a retired US military officers Blog I quoted it from. go read his blog and ask him. I thought it was a good question.
http://jatticus.wordpress.com/
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http://www.pbs.org/hallowedgrounds/
Please watch this to gain more insight and appreciation for your freedom.
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I think this is a great article and I agree - there are a lot more VT graduates that don't cause harm to others. There have been several other shooting rampages and I did not see their college mentioned.
I spent some of the best years of my life in Blacksburg and I am proud to be a Hokie - no matter what.
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I agree I am so proud to be a Hokie. I have had wonderful experiences at Tech and even my graduation year (2007 the year of the shooting) I was never ashamed of our school. Terrible things happen all over the world all the time and the recent connection to Tech has been sad. But this only has motivated me and many many others that are associated with Tech to volunteer and help others. What people continue to fail to see is all the wonderful things that students, alums and Hokies do to better our world.
I have a friend who graduated with me from Tech in 2007 and is now stationed at Fort Hood. He joined the army to protect and serve and he is taking these tragedies, grieving, learning and trying to turn around and do something wonderful with his life and help others. This is what we should all try to do in the wake of these events.
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Did shooters Mission change to Suicide killer when his assignment changed?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6521758/Fort-Hood-shooting-Texas-army-killer-linked-to-September-11-terrorists.html
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http://www.nps.gov/ande/index.htm
Thanks you for making us and keeping us free
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