32 Dead at Virginia Tech

Hey guys. As many of you know, a great many students at Virginia Tech were gunned down today, the 16th of April. I would like to extend my appreciation to those who have inquired to the well being of myself and the rest of the Comedity crew and cast. While we are all alumni of Virginia Tech, most of us no longer reside in Blacksburg, and those of us who are still there are all fine, last I heard. But your concern is greatly appreciated.

For those who didn't catch the story, you can probably check out any of your favorite news sites and find an article or 8 on the incident. This was a huge thing; it's is being called the deadliest shooting in US history. To sum it up, a gunman who's identity is unknown or not being released yet, shot two girls in AJ (one of the dorms) and then walked across the drill field and shot 30 other students in Norris. Many others were injured before the gunman committed suicide. That's the short of it. But in every article you'll read they get the kill count wrong. They include the gunman in the list of casualties. I find this unequivocably wrong. He was not a victim, and I feel it to be wrong and disrespectful to include him among the dead as if he were a victim of this incident.

The day is not even out and blame is being slung around, hoping to strike someone, anyone. People are blaming the school administration for not locking down the campus after the first shooting in AJ. They probably should have done that, but say that it was believed at the time that the shooting in AJ was a terrible but isolated domestic dispute rather than a prelude to a killing spree. I don't believe any of the administration would ever intentionally put students in harms way. Yes, they screwed up, but I can forgive them that mistake. They are remorsful, and will seek penitance.

But I cannot forgive the gunman. I will not. Nor should anyone else. His crime is unforgivable. Only God has that kind of mercy.

The blame for this should be laid on the shoulders of the gunman, and no where else. It was his actions, and his choice. This was not the fault of guns, or violent videogames, or even a hard life and bad parenting. The fault is that one young man did not deal with his own emotions and choices in a rational and appropriate direction. It's his fault in the end. It was his responsibility to be a productive, competent individual, and he failed. The blame rests with him, and I do blame him. I do not blame the manufacture of the guns he used, nor do I blame the violent computer games he probably played, or the violent movies he watched, or the reporters who showed him the scenes of every violent crime they could cover. I do no blame his parents for not raising him better, nor his teachers or his friends for not encouraging a more possitive growth direction. I do not blame the poor economic situation he grew up in, or the politics of the era, or the rising price of gas, or the war in Iraq. I do not blame his religion, or his ancestry, or his way of life. I blame him.

There's already been enough tragedy and harm done on his part. I see no reason to spread it around. Do you?


On a more pleasant note, I am returned from my caribbean vacation, which was very awesome. Thank you all for the warm birthday wishes. The filler comic you see is provided curtousy of our very own Lone Kilted Ninja (who can be found on the forums), thank you LKN. I'll be hitting up Anime Boston this weekend, and I'll be doing a pannel there about copyrights, how to protect your work and how to avoid being sued for ripping off someone elses work. I'll be doing this pannel with Santineao of Rock the Shiny (who has a sale so super secret I don't know when it starts) and Jennie Breeden of The Devil's Panties. It'll be awesome and informative and very very important to all you artists. So join us if you can, and be inquisitive.

Welcome to the Comedity. Don't step on the Penguin.
Garth(Tuesday - April 17th, 2007) -00:12:39