Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Mortality

In response to The God Who Was Not There posted by EvilChihuahua:

Bringing this discussion back to the Virginia Tech incident itself...

My cousin's husband is a youth pastor who lives in the VA Tech area. He emailed me today, asking for prayer, saying that he expects a record turnout at youth group tonight. High school and college age kids all over southern Virginia (the nation really) have been deeply affected by this. It's a jarring reminder of mortality.

Most high school and college kids think they'll live forever - or at least into some distant future. An incident like this really brings home the reality of death - and how no one is guaranteed the next hour or the next week (regardless of age).

I think mortality is one of the most sobering topics one can consider.

» EvilChihuahua - Mortality

In response to Mortality posted by BrianTubbs:

I agree. My mate was only 17 when he was killed. Nobody saw it coming.

-- posted by EvilChihuahua

» paper_turtle - Mortality

In response to Mortality posted by EvilChihuahua:

Before I graduated from high school two of my closest and dearest friends died--one from a disease which was never diagnosed, the other was an innocent victim in a drive-by shooting (in another location). At least two other peers died during that time as a result of automobile accidents.
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This was a small town (at the time less than 5000 people). These deaths rocked the entire community. I can remember how totally shocked and devastated I was. I felt as if everything I had ever known or believed had been called into question.
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I imagine every survivor of the VT massacre feels the same. My heart goes out to them.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Focused

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It's probably going to be difficult to remain focused on topic when such a broad field of ideas are involved.
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What happened at VA Tech impinges on each one of us. And, we are ALL connected in one way or another. It's a good idea we put our minds around the event to our fullest ability. Trying to disassociate only leads to our own personal problems. I have to think of the famous line from Victor Hugo, "No man is an island entirely onto himself. Therefor send not to ask for whom the bells toll, they toll for thee." (Or something very close to that.)
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WE were murdered there--part of us died in pain and agony. The more we understand of that the better we will heal and so will the other directly affected when these horrible, horrible events begin to settle in on us.
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In no way to detract from hte horrors visited on us that day, yesterday's events in Iraq seem to go right on past us without so much as a cough--not even a cleared throat. Yet five times as many innocents were blown to pieces and slammed to death in five incidents all within the confines of a single city, Bagdhad. Perhaps we can begin to tie these horrors into th single ongoing experience of our day to day living?
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-- posted by pink101

» Migisi - Focused

In response to Focused posted by pink101:

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yesterday's events in Iraq seem to go right on past us without so much as a cough--not even a cleared throat. Yet five times as many innocents were blown to pieces and slammed to death in five incidents all within the confines of a single city, Bagdhad.
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Amen Pink. We've grown accustomed (numb) to hearing the daily death tolls. It doesn't even phase us anymore. 3,315 American kids killed in Iraq, 561 in Afghanistan (casualties.org). Kids just like those at Virginia Tech. They've got families too. Where are the candle-light vigils for them?
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-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - Focused

In response to Focused posted by Migisi:
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Kids at VA Tech, for the most part, are privileged and from upper middle class families--not to fault THEM for that.
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Military personnel, for the most part, come from lower middle and lower class families and the military is a way out of their impoverishment--and not to fault THEM for that.
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What's my point?
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Better ask why we don't have the Draft.
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Questions Have Been Raised

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Questions have been raised regarding the airing of the so-called manifesto of the crazed killer, Cho, at the Virginia Tech campus.
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Some talkers are saying that it should not be aired or that it should, at lease, be editied before it is published.
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I'm sorry; but, I think it should be aired in its complete version. Maybe some words should be bleeped; but, the public has a right to know exactly what this crazy young man had on his mind.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Questions Have Been Raised

In response to Questions Have Been Raised posted by pink101:

I'm sorry; but, I think it should be aired in its complete version. Maybe some words should be bleeped; but, the public has a right to know exactly what this crazy young man had on his mind.

And give him a platform? He cited the Columbine shooters in his ranting, which tells me (and others) that there was a copycat aspect to this. How many other outcast, mentally ill kids are out there hearing Cho's rantings - and thinking "Yeah, I can relate to that"? I am not at all comfortable with NBC airing the video.
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» _Boanerges_ - odds?

In response to A Coincidence? posted by pink101:
I can do better than that!
yesterday, when calling customers who had a visit from one of our field techs (ADT salespeople and the customers that did not install) I misdialed a number in Ohio... The lady that answered - in fact - had an appointment with our company that same day!!!...
now.. what are the odds of that?

-- posted by _Boanerges_

» paper_turtle - Questions Have Been Raised

In response to Questions Have Been Raised posted by BrianTubbs:

Phil wrote:
I'm sorry; but, I think it should be aired in its complete version. Maybe some words should be bleeped; but, the public has a right to know exactly what this crazy young man had on his mind.
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Brian responded:
And give him a platform? He cited the Columbine shooters in his ranting, which tells me (and others) that there was a copycat aspect to this. How many other outcast, mentally ill kids are out there hearing Cho's rantings - and thinking "Yeah, I can relate to that"?
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I have to agree with Brian. I have absolutely no desire to hear any of it. I see no good reason to.
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You don't have to immerse yourself in prickly nettles to know they're something you should stay away from. And you don't have to listen to the ravings of a madman to understand the human psyche.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle