"One year after the tragedy at Virginia Tech, families are still mourning, and our nation is still healing. As Americans gather today in vigils and 'lie-ins' – or pray silently alone – our thoughts are with those whose lives were forever changed by the shootings. But one year later, it’s also time to reflect on how violence – whether on campuses like Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University or on the streets of Chicago and cities across this nation – can be prevented. Clearly, our state and federal governments have to strengthen some laws and do a better job enforcing others. But we all have a responsibility to do what we can in our own lives and communities to end this kind of senseless violence. That is still our task one year later, and it will be our ongoing task in the years to come." ---Barack Obama
So when Obama showed up in Cville my first reaction was - sweet - time to tell that punk off. After the trash he talked about Virginia Tech http://www.reason.com/blog/show/119704.html I was really looking forward to laying in to him. Every politician has a foot in mouth moment, and that was pretty unforgettable - comparing verbal violence to physical violence and murder... sorry bro, negatory. Anyhow, so he stepped out of his limo on Market street right as I was walking by. Score.
"Mr. Obama - You show up to apologize for your Virginia Tech trash talk?" I snarled
While his aides were clearly freaked Mr. Obama stood there calmly and went about his business. A smart man knows not to get into a meaningless word battle on the street with an irate punk.
Mr. Obama has my vote for knowing when to keep cool. Any word out of his mouth, other than an apology (and we all know that's a no go in politics) would've been an opportunity for me to cut him down further. He cut his losses with reasonable dignity, and didn't make a jackass of himself.
Vote for Obama, he's a naturally cool guy. He's a man, and from my experience I would say a gentleman. Someone who can take criticism and keep rolling.
This is the first time I have written a formal blog entry. I guess I'm finally cool.
So, in terms of the title of my blog, "e pluribus nonnullus," it's Latin for "out of many, some." I guess it's a little pun on the US's time-tested phrase e pluribus unum. You can take it however you want; I didn't put too much thought into its meaning. But I knew that four years of high school Latin would finally pay off.
But on to the content. Last week, as you all know, we witnessed the worst school shooting in American history. Thirty-two Virginia Tech students and faculty members were killed by Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year old South Korean student.
I am a Chicagoan, a citizen of the United States and of this world. As a writer, advocate of change and one who experienced firsthand many issues that Barack is committed to addressing I will do all in my power to help broaden the horizons. Barack Obama shares many of my own ideals and visions and although there are many challenges ahead, I, like he, will remain tenacious, perseverant and committed.
I may not have much in finances but what I do have is heart, soul, a great mind. I am currently building upon the foundation which I had recently established. Much of my writing, philosophies and thoughts could be viewed on my website: www.tri-umphs.com. In part, it is here where I am making inroads and it is here, where I ask you to partake as well....
My simplest of philosophies are:
"The Triumph of Humanity is achieved only through the vast collection of good deeds." RJF
"A foundation is but the base and it is the collection of building blocks that creates what many should strive to ascend." RJF
I think it time we get to basics, considering what's most important. I think it time we consider the importance of unity, community and the sense of camaraderie. I think it time we devote ourselves to more humanistic causes and ideals.
Unequivocally, Barack Obama is the type of leader who has been blessed with an abundance of attributes, which include honesty, integrity and foresight. He possesses the will of the people, good people, who too believe in a more harmonious world. Yes, Barack Obama shares many of the same beliefs and visions as I do. As we do.
Since Barack Obama had announced his candidacy I am more optimistic, more committed in my own works. I've been inspired. Visit: Ricky's Musical Odysseys
And because of the tragedy at Virginia Tech I wrote this piece: Tell Me: A Plea
My Sites:
www.tri-umphs.comwww.linkinlasvegas.comwww.chicago4all.com
I would like to express my sincerest and deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the Virginia Tech massacre. May the victims rest in peace. However, because this tragedy has sparked a heated gun control debate and inspired many to encourage Mr. Obama to embrace more strict gun control legislation, I feel it is necessary to defend my position that increasing gun control laws will not provide a greater degree of safety for the general public.
Below are excerpts from a rather long essay I wrote at the University of Colorado at Boulder:
I am very concerned about the speech made in Milwaukee that led Obama to categorize Imus, outsourcing of jobs, and the mass murder at Virginia Tech in one lump.
I understand what Obama was trying to accomplish. He was saying we need to be careful of what we say and what we do. He also tries to make the point that we need to become more empathetic if we are going to stop the cycle of violence- "...there's a lot of different forms of violence in our society, and much of it is rooted in our incapacity to recognize ourselves in others."
This is absolutely true. But this goes back to parenting, of course. We teach each other to be violent. We teach our children to be racist, sexist. We teach them that one kind of person is superior to another type of person. We sensationalize violence on TV so that anyone trying to make their mark on the world sees that this is the most efficient root to becoming famous or making their point reach millions of people. It sure beats trying to make your point by campaigning, say. More people know what Cho Seung-Hui thought than know what Obama thinks and Obama (God willing) may run their country one day.
I think Obama and his speech writers need to make sure they drive their true points home and do not leave any ambiguity about their intentions when making statements. People will rip into you if you leave it open. They will say, 'how can you compare VT to outsourcing?' I have seen on Ben Smith's blog on poltico.com that people are changing their minds, possibly, about Obama because they do not understand the connection he was desperately trying to make between the different forms of violence.
We need to make certain we give them something concrete and not only the big picture and lots of 'abstraction'. I find it refreshing for a politician to look at the world like I do but not everyone understands it and you have to cater to everyone. Good luck.
This comes from Tobin Van Ostern of Students For Barack Obama:
We’re All Hokies For me it started with a casual question directed my way as I walked into class around noontime, “Hey, did you hear about the shooting at Tech? Two people are dead.” Just like that, the day changed. Being from Virginia, my thoughts immediately focused on my friends at the school. The concern blocked out papers, work, and school. A bit later, the toll grew to 33 dead, dozens more injured, and countless lives shattered across the country.My first reaction was to pull out my laptop and get online. I, fortunately, was able to get in touch with one of my friends at Tech who then gave me a rundown of everyone he had heard from so far. One of our friends lived on floor where the first two shootings took place. She ended up safe, but lost one of her friends forever. Later, I spoke to another friend of mine, Morgan, a first-year at the University of Virginia, so we could crosscheck our lists of friends to make sure everyone we knew was safe. During our conversation she made a remark that hit home, saying, “It’s just that there aren't words to describe what anyone is feeling. Whether it’s a personal suffering or those at Tech, we are all affected by this in a different way. All we can do is let the people in our lives know that we love them.” Throughout the day I was contacted by concerned students from the different Students for Barack Obama chapters, all of whom expressing grief and promising their prayers for those at Tech. John, our George Mason Director, found out through a news alert online while in class. He had a similar response and went to check the Facebook page of a good friend at the campus. “I’m okay,” read her online status. Today, John’s dorm sports a sign simply stating, “God Bless the Hokies.” My own university, the George Washington University, held a vigil on Monday night and urged students to wear orange and maroon via a campus-wide email. Scanning my Facebook friends list, I scroll past countless friends from schools across the country that have all changed their profile pictures to the VT logo overtop a black ribbon. The message is clear: right now, we are all Hokies. Our lives have been interrupted by a tragedy on a college campus of unprecedented magnitude. What could have ever prevented this? We will never know for sure. Different programs? Different local action? Different policies? Maybe something as simple as a hug, a friend or a community outreach program? I invite everyone to share their thoughts and feelings on the tragedy. What could we as students and citizens do differently?
Being from Virginia, my thoughts immediately focused on my friends at the school. The concern blocked out papers, work, and school. A bit later, the toll grew to 33 dead, dozens more injured, and countless lives shattered across the country.
My first reaction was to pull out my laptop and get online. I, fortunately, was able to get in touch with one of my friends at Tech who then gave me a rundown of everyone he had heard from so far. One of our friends lived on floor where the first two shootings took place. She ended up safe, but lost one of her friends forever. Later, I spoke to another friend of mine, Morgan, a first-year at the University of Virginia, so we could crosscheck our lists of friends to make sure everyone we knew was safe. During our conversation she made a remark that hit home, saying, “It’s just that there aren't words to describe what anyone is feeling. Whether it’s a personal suffering or those at Tech, we are all affected by this in a different way. All we can do is let the people in our lives know that we love them.”
Throughout the day I was contacted by concerned students from the different Students for Barack Obama chapters, all of whom expressing grief and promising their prayers for those at Tech. John, our George Mason Director, found out through a news alert online while in class. He had a similar response and went to check the Facebook page of a good friend at the campus. “I’m okay,” read her online status. Today, John’s dorm sports a sign simply stating, “God Bless the Hokies.”
My own university, the George Washington University, held a vigil on Monday night and urged students to wear orange and maroon via a campus-wide email. Scanning my Facebook friends list, I scroll past countless friends from schools across the country that have all changed their profile pictures to the VT logo overtop a black ribbon. The message is clear: right now, we are all Hokies.
Our lives have been interrupted by a tragedy on a college campus of unprecedented magnitude. What could have ever prevented this? We will never know for sure. Different programs? Different local action? Different policies? Maybe something as simple as a hug, a friend or a community outreach program? I invite everyone to share their thoughts and feelings on the tragedy. What could we as students and citizens do differently?
To directly help the Virginia Tech community, visit these two websites (they maybe slow loading): Link
Link
And please use the space below to discuss what you can do in your local communities.
It's late, however I've found myself commenting to a post on Scott McKeag's blog regarding the incident at Virginia Tech and gun control. I've pasted the thread and my response thus far, but I'm interested in the views of others.
Please let me know what you think.
