NationStates Jolt Archive

I actually left an edit on my post explaining how I got caught up in the moment as well... before deletion. Though I still don't think it went directly to the gun control issue, more to the ease of homicide when using guns.

I actually left an edit on my post explaining how I got caught up in the moment as well... before deletion. Though I still don't think it went directly to the gun control issue, more to the ease of homicide when using guns. WE DON'T CARE! Just shut up about it! We don't care your rationale either!

32 Innocents have DIED today and people here are pointing fingers. Finger pointing won't bring them back or change what happened. Nothing can...

I actually left an edit on my post explaining how I got caught up in the moment as well... before deletion. Which is the only reason you weren't forumbannedThough I still don't think it went directly to the gun control issue, more to the ease of homicide when using guns.A better choice would have been to HIT THE DELETE KEY and start a new thread, like you were instructed to do.

Apparently I need to repeat this on every page. If I have to do it again, forumbans will follow.
Done. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=524276) Everyone who wants to talk about guns, do it there.

A good friend of mine is in the dorm right next to Norris. He's okay, but he's pretty scared.

32 Innocents have DIED today and people here are pointing fingers. Finger pointing won't bring them back or change what happened. Nothing can...

I sense a disconnect here. We're mad because arguing won't bring them back, so that's not allowed in this thread. But if nothing can bring them back, what will we do in this thread?

I sense a disconnect here. We're mad because arguing won't bring them back, so that's not allowed in this thread. But if nothing can bring them back, what will we do in this thread?

Interpretive dance?

*becomes a snowflake*

I sense a disconnect here. We're mad because arguing won't bring them back, so that's not allowed in this thread. But if nothing can bring them back, what will we do in this thread?
This thread is, as much as anything else, a mark of respect for those who we cannot bring back, a display of concern for those who were otherwise affected and an offer of support to and request for information on any of our community who might have been caught up in the whole sorry affair.

For whosoever cares, I was unfortunate enough to get caught on a college visit down there in the admin. building, Burress Hall (spelling?) I'm okay for those who care.

Scariest shit I've ever seen. There were at least 40 shots. Some I *think, **THINK, automatic. Police responded within minutes. SWAT followed shortly thereafter, quickly surrounding the building, blowing down the doors, and entering.

Some of you won't believe me, fine. I was in a room with a window overlooking the area, that's what I heard and saw. Those here who knew I was going away there, I'm fine.

For whosoever cares, I was unfortunate enough to get caught on a college visit down there in the admin. building, Burress Hall (spelling?) I'm okay for those who care.

Scariest shit I've ever seen. There were at least 40 shots. Some I *think, **THINK, automatic. Police responded within minutes. SWAT followed shortly thereafter, quickly surrounding the building, blowing down the doors, and entering.

Some of you won't believe me, fine. I was in a room with a window overlooking the area, that's what I heard and saw. Those here who knew I was going away there, I'm fine.

I'm glad to hear you're okay.

Thanks. Don't really know you, but I appreciate it.

And, oddly enough, despite having a ruined college visit, I still plan to go there. It really is a nice school.

I'm glad to hear you're okay.

Seconded. I'm glad my college visit wasn't so dramatic. Didn't even learn that my dorm sat a hundred or so feet from the New Madrid fault until it was too late to get out...

hehehehe, that could cause a bad day too.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible trajedy.

I'm glad to hear you're okay.
Same here. Good to know it hasn't put you off, too. :)

Same here. Good to know it hasn't put you off, too. :)

heh, a school that now has kevlar vests on its reccomended equipment list??? how could I resist??

In all seriousness, this is a freak occurance. Fortunately, I can see through that.

heh, a school that now has kevlar vests on its reccomended equipment list??? how could I resist??

In all seriousness, this is a freak occurance. Fortunately, I can see through that.

Unfortunately, the ones who can't are going to be talking about this for a very long time. :(

I'm glad you're okay.

heh, a school that now has kevlar vests on its reccomended equipment list??? how could I resist??

In all seriousness, this is a freak occurance. Fortunately, I can see through that.

Fortunatly, you are in shape to see through that. glad you're ok!

Unfortunately, the ones who can't are going to be talking about this for a very long time. :(

I'm glad you're okay.

Which is sad, cause it is such a good school, and is a very nice campus. I hope people do see through this and continue to want to go.

Plus, the quick police reaction helps.

For whosoever cares, I was unfortunate enough to get caught on a college visit down there in the admin. building, Burress Hall (spelling?) I'm okay for those who care.

Scariest shit I've ever seen. There were at least 40 shots. Some I *think, **THINK, automatic. Police responded within minutes. SWAT followed shortly thereafter, quickly surrounding the building, blowing down the doors, and entering.

Some of you won't believe me, fine. I was in a room with a window overlooking the area, that's what I heard and saw. Those here who knew I was going away there, I'm fine.

Glad to know you're all right. Must have been some crazy stuff.

This thing would never have happened at my school. All the gangsters would just shoot back...Hitting everyone BUT the shooter :(

Glad to know you're all right. Must have been some crazy stuff.

Yeah.

I was in the main admin. building, and those are usually the targets for political reasons. They went straight into lockdown/panic mode. That didn't help my mood too much. A really scary situation.

I feel bad for being there, but imagine the students in the classrooms who survived while their friends got shot.... They need the sympathy. My hat off to one group who got shot up, then were able to regroup and barracade the door to hold off a second attack. They'll all have memories that will never leave them. Just thinking about what those rooms must have been like is awful.

Coupled with the fact that I was *supposed to tour the engineering building 2 hours later, the thought that i would've *really gotten caught up in it if it had been just 2 more hours later. That still shakes me up.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the the campus community of Virginia Tech. Both for those that died and for those who survived.

May God Bless you all.

It's interesting how we all look for something to blame is such matters.....There is also the "quick fix" solution that causes arguments.

Could the denial of access to guns prevented this? Maybe. I would suggest probably not.

When a person has lost it enough to kill people; he will find a way to do it. If there isn't guns, then something like pipe bombs can be used.

Many things found in the standard household can be converted to bombs if not a weapon(Hmmm Lunatic Goofballs used socks anybody :p).

Why is it we take the simple route and seek to apply blame? What is it that prevents us to ask "Why?" It seems that people want to hurt people more then ever. Why? I don't recall these things when I was a kid. Has it always been that way? Did my mother keep me sheltered from such things?

Placing blame seems to be the easiest thing to do. The one thing that absolves us from pondering our ways. Wondering why somebody didn't notice the shooter and the problems that he probably had in life. Why didn't somebody reach out? Are we that messed up in this world that we don't notice our neighbors, friends, school mates are having problems? Is that we finally reached a point that we simply dismiss them with a "fuck em" answer?

We obviously have empathy as many feel bad for the victims and their families.

Why don't we use it and head these people off before they explode like that? They just don't wake up and think "Hey I am going to kill scores of people today and then kill myself!"

It's funny I find myself both surprised and yet not really affected by it. Maybe we are a little desensitized by such things. Is it TV? Video games? The Internet? I don't know.

Even here we had a near shooting rampage at one of the local community colleges a few years back. They caught the bastard as he was going in. Bastard? Was that right to think that?

I can only imagine what the families are going through. As I watch my girl get older by the years, I am starting to understand why some are a little fearful when their children leave the "nest."

I wish I had a solution. But; there is no simple fix for something like this.

Maybe we haven't evolved as much as we think we have.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry if it seems I am way out there. A friend told us a few weeks ago, that he had stage 4 cancer and began wrapping up his affairs. His family has bad cancer cases. We found out that it was a plan to commit suicide. He failed as somebody noticed him.

We got the telephone call and said "damn?" We turned on the TV and saw this news.

I am in one of those weird pondering moods........

I agree, Forrest. The only problem is that many times, it is an introvert that this happens to, and there are no signs.

Other times, like in the Melville book, Benito Cereno, all the signs are there, and are just misinterpreted or ignored until after the fact. Unfortunately, in many cases, that's the only time they make sense. After the fact.

In the end, I think it is a combination of many different things. Desensitization, misinterpretation of signs, glorification of violence in some medias. Unfortunately, there is never any one clear reason.

I think this says it all:
http://photos-641.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v72/132/104/7814569/n7814569_33173641_4982.jpg

Thoughts are with you guys...:(

PS, thanks fris.

Does anyone understand it? :(
Probably videogames and Marylin Manson.

http://img.420chan.org/b/src/1176771538646.jpg

Ignore most of the image, focus on the "hey /b/" bit. Apparently it was posted a little before the whole thing went down on 4chan /b/.

As I was sitting in class tonight, it was pretty obvious that if some sick scumbag sonofabitch had come in the door - the one door - and started shooting, he could have killed us all.

Rat bastard motherfucker, all those kids killed because the little shit for brains **** had a grudge, or something.

mmmm...Asian guy bursts in armed with two pistols and kills everyone.
sounds familiar.

Anyone seen Chow Yun Fat lately?

May God Bless you all.Where was your God when the atrocity happened? :(

We are all Hokies today.

It's sad how many young people so senselessly lost their lives.

I think this says it all:
http://photos-641.ak.facebook.com/ip002/v72/132/104/7814569/n7814569_33173641_4982.jpg

Thoughts are with you guys...:(

PS, thanks fris.I've actually been pondering drawing a similar cartoon, but featuring only Cavman and a Hokie, but with the same phrase. It's a bit of a relief to see that I'm not the only one with that idea.

http://img.420chan.org/b/src/1176771538646.jpg

Ignore most of the image, focus on the "hey /b/" bit. Apparently it was posted a little before the whole thing went down on 4chan /b/.

Ugh, 4chan really needs to be purged from the internet, even if that is just a photoshop.

4chan doesn't need purging. It's an unfortunate consequence of it having such a reputation that it attracts crazies... If we're going by number of confirmed spree shooters, somethingawful is the one that's in need of a good purging.

Also: it's a shop. The timestamp thing is spaced out wrong.

More crazies= more fake claims of responsiblity for spree killings!

4chan doesn't need purging. It's an unfortunate consequence of it having such a reputation that it attracts crazies... If we're going by number of confirmed spree shooters, somethingawful is the one that's in need of a good purging.

Also: it's a shop. The timestamp thing is spaced out wrong.

Maybe it's just crazies that should be allowed near the internet.

Turns out the shooter was asian. Probably some kid who's WoW account got deleted.

And what is your reasoning behind this assumption?

Summed up with one word:

"lol"

Turns out the shooter was asian. Probably some kid who's WoW account got deleted.

And what is your reasoning behind this assumption?

Turns out the shooter was asian. Probably some kid who's WoW account got deleted.

Asian, huh? That's.... unexpected.

Admit it; you all expected a white kid. :p

dunno how the dorms in VT are, but if they are anything like other dorms I've been in, you have long corridors... you know... and you have students running down those corridors and you not only get shot students, but also students trampled by those running, add to the shots, the sounds of screaming and you have chaos and pandimonium all over the place, making it harder for everyone.

now factor in that scared people will not think as rationally as you, who recieved some form of training, and I for one won't blame the students for their actions or lack of actions.

Interesting that you point that corridor bit out. I never thought of how helpful the fact that my dorm building's halls make little jogs and bends would be in a situation like that before. I'm glad the doors are so heavy and lock automatically upon closing, too.

This is some awful news, truly.

And what is your reasoning behind this assumption?
Asia.

Where was your God when the atrocity happened? :(

I'm not going to get into that debate.

Asia.

That's a pretty big reason....


I don't get it :confused:

And what is your reasoning behind this assumption?

They take WoW pretty seriously over there. It's like a sport. Brazilians committed suicide over the 1950 WC. Asians commit suicide over pixelised breastplates and stirrups.

Where was your God when the atrocity happened? :(

Must you be an asshole? This is neither the time nor the place for a debate like this. STFU and let the rest of us mourn.

They take WoW pretty seriously over there. It's like a sport. Brazilians committed suicide over the 1950 WC. Asians commit suicide over pixelised breastplates and stirrups.

Ugh, I'm not even going to bother.

Must you be an asshole? This is neither the time nor the place for a debate like this. STFU and let the rest of us mourn.
Hey, some people react to a tragedy by saying, "May God be with them all." Others react by saying, "Where the fuck was God?" I'd say both are completely legit reactions. Everybody is questioning why, how, why goddammitall WHY right now. We just do it in different ways.

Must you be an asshole? This is neither the time nor the place for a debate like this. STFU and let the rest of us mourn.

The internet is not the place for mourning. Try real life.

The internet is not the place for mourning. Try real life.

However, this is the place where people are coming together to mourn a massive tragedy. So yes, this is a place to mourn something like this.

Granted. I just get really tired of being asked... no, ordered to defend my faith when I'm still in a bit of shock.

Here's a hint, don't. I never do when someone asks me that question after a tragedy because it ain't worth the effort.

Hey, some people react to a tragedy by saying, "May God be with them all." Others react by saying, "Where the fuck was God?" I'd say both are completely legit reactions. Everybody is questioning why, how, why goddammitall WHY right now. We just do it in different ways.

Granted. I just get really tired of being asked... no, ordered to defend my faith when I'm still in a bit of shock.

I know, I know. It's just one of those buttons your parents install and never bother to take back off when you grow up.

HEHE!! Ok, I'll agree to that :D

Ugh, I'm not even going to bother.

What? It's true.

Here's a hint, don't. I never do when someone asks me that question after a tragedy because it ain't worth the effort.

I know, I know. It's just one of those buttons your parents install and never bother to take back off when you grow up.

The internet is not the place for mourning. Try real life.

I turned to my online friends after Columbine, when I was living in Denver and spent three hours not knowing where my cousin was. (She was fine, she went to Kennedy, which is in Denver Public, not JeffCo) Mourning takes many forms.

What? It's true.
Little troll, this is neither the time nor the place for this. Go somewhere else, m'k? Thxbi.

Little troll, this is neither the time nor the place for this. Go somewhere else, m'k? Thxbi.

WHAT? I'm not trolling. I read these stories all the time.

WHAT? I'm not trolling. I read these stories all the time.
We can see damn well what you're doing. Again, this is not the time for it.

Wander off to 4*chan for piss poor excuses of humor in this.

We can see damn well what you're doing. Again, this is not the time for it.

Wander off to 4*chan for piss poor excuses of humor in this.

Hey, fuck you. I'm being entirely serious here.

This conversation is over.

We can see damn well what you're doing. Again, this is not the time for it.

Wander off to 4*chan for piss poor excuses of humor in this.

Oh, fuck off. The guy's being serious.

Also: it's just 4chan.

Hey, fuck you. I'm being entirely serious here.
Ah, then you ARE a troll.

This conversation is over.
Good, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Somehow when I heard about this it bothered me more than your usual run of calamities and tragedies. Maybe because I'm at uni as well and I can imagine what it was like moreso than I can imagine being blown up by a car bomb. :(

Somehow when I heard about this it bothered me more than your usual run of calamities and tragedies. Maybe because I'm at uni as well and I can imagine what it was like moreso than I can imagine being blown up by a car bomb. :(

Yeah, me too. Although I'm at TAFE, everyone's too laid back at TAFE to do something like that.

Here's a hint, don't. I never do when someone asks me that question after a tragedy because it ain't worth the effort.
well of course you don't. Why? Because you can't.

well of course you don't. Why? Because you can't.

maybe you two can go fight somewhere else?

maybe you two can go fight somewhere else?

We've only got so many posters that can drop in to say 'How sad'.

We've only got so many posters that can drop in to say 'How sad'.

then maybe the thread will drop off the first few pages and people can fight elsewhere. this is not the place to start picking at each other......but then that's just my opinion.

Now, at least 33 people killed. Means the shooter must have at least a few hundred rounds if using an assault rifle or machine as they are very wasteful on ammo. Looks like well planned assault and it was rumoured the gun wasn't alone, and had a helper.

I guess these people do target schools or unis because most people inside are unarmed.

He was using two handguns.

Now, at least 33 people killed. Means the shooter must have at least a few hundred rounds if using an assault rifle or machine as they are very wasteful on ammo. Looks like well planned assault and it was rumoured the gun wasn't alone, and had a helper.

I guess these people do target schools or unis because most people inside are unarmed.

Sadly, this happens a lot in several cities of the world. My condolences for all those that died in such horrible incident. At least those incidents in the US get international attention. In other countries, they pass entirely unnoticed by the international community.

This Week in History

April 15, 1912- Titanic sinks
Monday April 19, 1993 - WACO
Wednesday, April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City
Tuesday, April 20, 1999 - Columbine
Monday, April 16, 2007 - Virginia Tech
Saturday, April 20, 1889 - Hitler's birthday

This Week in History

April 15, 1912- Titanic sinks
Monday April 19, 1993 - WACO
Wednesday, April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City
Tuesday, April 20, 1999 - Columbine
Monday, April 16, 2007 - Virginia Tech
Saturday, April 20, 1889 - Hitler's birthday

Last Friday was Friday the 13th! :confused:

This Week in History

April 15, 1912- Titanic sinks
Monday April 19, 1993 - WACO
Wednesday, April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City
Tuesday, April 20, 1999 - Columbine
Monday, April 16, 2007 - Virginia Tech
Saturday, April 20, 1889 - Hitler's birthday

Heat makes people violent?

Heat makes people violent?

I dunno...it's pretty much cold as balls in the Northern Virginia region. Heck, it was snowing at VaTech when this stuff was going down.

I dunno...it's pretty much cold as balls in the Northern Virginia region. Heck, it was snowing at VaTech when this stuff was going down.

There is always snow there in april? What about Columbine?

I dunno...it's pretty much cold as balls in the Northern Virginia region. Heck, it was snowing at VaTech when this stuff was going down.

People do get more depressed during winter when there's lack of sunshine.

There is always snow there in april? What about Columbine?

It was fairly nice when Columbine happened, and it's really rare to have snow in mid April, but it would appear that such is the case.

well of course you don't. Why? Because you can't.

Take it elsewhere asshat. I'm not playing.

then maybe the thread will drop off the first few pages and people can fight elsewhere. this is not the place to start picking at each other......but then that's just my opinion.

And I agree entirely and for the record, I was not trying to start something either.

You know what's pathetic, is 30+ people are dead because some wackjob decided for whatever reasons to go on a rampage, and here a bunch of you can't resist the opportunity to get your rocks off sniping at each other, trying to look superior, smugly telling folks what ought to have been done after the fact, and coming up with either fairytale, simplistic, unworkable, or idiotic solutions to a rather complex problem like you're some sort of experts on How To Solve the World's Problems. You're no better than the politicians you criticize for using tragedies as a vehicle for your political views when you pull crap like that - worse in fact, using the inherent anonymity of the internet to hide behind.

It never fails around here, whenever there's opportunity to get nasty. Maybe it's time to back up, cut the childish baiting, and take a moment to show a bit of humanity, and sympathy for those affected by all this. Just a thought.

*agrees*
I've avoided this thread mainly because I just knew it was going to end up being a debate over gun control.*
Turn the thread back into what it rightfully should be. Respect the dead.

(*For the record, I'm against guns altogether. Just don't try to make me reply on that view; this thread should be to honour the dead, not host an argument.)

Apparently, the gunman was South Korean, now.

The WoW link is all coming together.

This Week in History

April 15, 1912- Titanic sinks
Monday April 19, 1993 - WACO
Wednesday, April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City
Tuesday, April 20, 1999 - Columbine
Monday, April 16, 2007 - Virginia Tech
Saturday, April 20, 1889 - Hitler's birthday

Well, my birtday is next week :p

Well, my birtday is next week :p

And you shoot guns... and you are tired of school.... uh oh...

*runs away*

What the President said was true. Schools should be places of peace where our nations young go to learn the skills that will make soceity better. 32 young men and women died today for no reason.

They woke up in the morning ready to go to school, to learn and become valuable members of soceity. This horrible act should not happen anywhere, especially a school. My thoughts are with the victims families.

:confused:

He was making an extremely bad joke in extremely poor taste. He apparently doesn't understand the concept of shame, so I will not comment on it further.

So it seems this guy started killing two people at about 07:15, and then returned to kill 30 more people at about 09:15...

And it seems that most of the dead were from one class, where apparently only four people survived? This is chilling :(

I turned to my online friends after Columbine, when I was living in Denver and spent three hours not knowing where my cousin was. (She was fine, she went to Kennedy, which is in Denver Public, not JeffCo) Mourning takes many forms.

Heck, I remember frantically checking IRC and various regional forums on the morning of the London subway bombings a couple years ago to make sure that my London NS friends were okay. The Internet is as valid a place as anywhere else.

Also, Nathi, you continue to rock. :)

To anyone at Virginia Tech, stay safe - we mourn your loss deeply. :'(

--Martin P.
Harvey Mudd College

Apparently, the gunman was South Korean, now.

The WoW link is all coming together.

Good to see you back.

Look, it's me, in a mellow mood and choosing NOT to rip you a new one.

What the President said was true. Schools should be places of peace where our nations young go to learn the skills that will make soceity better. 32 young men and women died today for no reason.

They woke up in the morning ready to go to school, to learn and become valuable members of soceity. This horrible act should not happen anywhere, especially a school. My thoughts are with the victims families.

What the President didn't say was also true.
"Terrorist."

Sadly, this happens a lot in several cities of the world. My condolences for all those that died in such horrible incident. At least those incidents in the US get international attention. In other countries, they pass entirely unnoticed by the international community.
Where has this happened elsewhere? Just out of curiosity, but I've never heard of a college campus having 32 people shot in one day...
We've only got so many posters that can drop in to say 'How sad'.
Then let this thread serve its purpose and drop off when people are done saying "how sad"

Just because you aren't mourning it doesn't mean you have the right or need to be an ass. Go somewhere else.

Somehow when I heard about this it bothered me more than your usual run of calamities and tragedies. Maybe because I'm at uni as well and I can imagine what it was like moreso than I can imagine being blown up by a car bomb. :(

definatly same here. I think every college class had that same tense feeling, a mix of mourning and a tiny bit of fear of a copycat. Doesn't help that they were killed for no reason other than attending a college class

Then let this thread serve its purpose and drop off when people are done saying "how sad"

Just because you aren't mourning it doesn't mean you have the right or need to be an ass. Go somewhere else.

Hmm? Might I ask what was...'ass'-y in my comments?

Hmm? Might I ask what was...'ass'-y in my comments?

If you want to debate god, go to a religious thread. People have asked you before, and you continued to hijack. This thread is for people to check in, as well as mourn. Now, I politely ask that you go elsewhere and let this thread serve its purpose.


In other news, it seems that the stream of copycats has already begun. A student at my university (BU) was arrested today for threatening a repeat of the VT incidents

If you want to debate god, go to a religious thread. People have asked you before, and you continued to hijack. This thread is for people to check in, as well as mourn. Now, I politely ask that you go elsewhere and let this thread serve its purpose.

Last to leave the party, much?

In other news, it seems that the stream of copycats has already begun. A student at my university (BU) was arrested today for threatening a repeat of the VT incidents

It's hard not to be curious about the shooter's history and what might have driven him to such a vile act ... but I get an uneasy feeling when they put pictures of someone like this in the paper or on the TV news, and delve into his affairs. That's a lot of attention he's getting, even if it's mixed with revulsion and delivered posthumously.

Do people really want to look into the young man's mind and understand what makes him tick? Or is it more "horrified fascination"?

There is no "stream of copycats." And we shouldn't go looking for one.

Hysteria is beginning to set in over my way. Yesterday, a "bomb scare" was issued at a nearby college because someone thought that a book-bag left at a bus stop was a bomb. Alright, better safe than sorry, but I can guarantee this would not have been called in a week ago. Then, at another college in my state, another "bomb scare" was called in. Not sure what that one was about.

However, reading the local newspapers, I was rather dismayed by some of my peer's reactions.

For instance, one said:

"I don't think this will happen at our school."-Some moron from my school.

Nobody thinks this will happen. VT students didn't think it would happen. Columbine students didn't think it would happen. News flash: It doesn't matter where you are, it can happen. Being naive doesn't help the matter.

Or, this piece of gold:

"That's why I stayed here. It's more safe."-A senior at my college.

Yeah... let's forget the high school shooting that happened only about a year ago, not 100 miles from here. Let's forget that wackos aren't region-specific. Let's forget that yes, indeed, it can, and does happen here. We're "safe".

I'm incredibly annoyed at the naivety of people. It's this naive attitude that stops people from noticing the warning signs before events like this happen.

Sorry if this seems a bit angry, I'm just incredibly annoyed right about now.

Last to leave the party, much?More of a final polite request.



It's hard not to be curious about the shooter's history and what might have driven him to such a vile act ... but I get an uneasy feeling when they put pictures of someone like this in the paper or on the TV news, and delve into his affairs. That's a lot of attention he's getting, even if it's mixed with revulsion and delivered posthumously.

Do people really want to look into the young man's mind and understand what makes him tick? Or is it more "horrified fascination"?I think it is like a car accident. You don't want to look, but for some reason, can't bring yourself to turn away.
For many of my friends both here and at other schools, we're trying to understand why it happened...what threw this student over the edge. We're at a large university. The undergrad population of BU outnumbers the population of many surrounding towns, not to mention the sheer number of universities in the area. Having that many students increases our risk just out of sheer probability. I think what we're looking for is why this happened and how we could stop it here, if any way actually exists.

There is no "stream of copycats." And we shouldn't go looking for one.The boy specifically mentioned VT. Threats like these will continue to come in the next few weeks...some will not be legit, some will. It isn't clear which ones are and are not, but they are still threats of copycats, some of which could become full copycats.

As it turns out, the threat was against Wheelock college, just down the street from us. However, the student was a BU student

the article (http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_108153035.html)