Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Clueless At Va. Tech
IBD ^ | August 30, 2007

Posted on 08/30/2007 5:12:48 PM PDT by Kaslin

Public Safety: A governor's report on the Virginia Tech shootings says earlier warnings might have helped reduce the carnage. It says nothing about VT's complicity in denying the murdered their right to self-defense.


After the release of Virginia Tech's internal review of the shooting spree in April that left 33 dead, it was hard to imagine a more clueless document on the tragedy being released. But the report released Wednesday by an eight-member panel headed by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine takes the prize.

VT's review called on police, counselors and other university personnel to monitor students whose behavior might indicate they pose a threat. It also recommended internal locks on classroom doors and Internet-based message boards to transmit warnings.

Why it took four months to come up with a report that starts with a grasp of the obvious and concludes everyone did the best they could is beyond us. Fact is, everyone didn't do the best they could.

"Warning the students, faculty and staff might have made a difference," the governor's panel wrote. "So the earlier and clearer the warning, the more chance an individual had of surviving." That's the panel's advice: Tell people to run and hide earlier.

(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: cho; kaine; vatech; virginiatech

1 posted on 08/30/2007 5:12:49 PM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Excellent analysis of the report.
2 posted on 08/30/2007 5:16:18 PM PDT by Uncle Hal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Surely VT officials knew that in January 2002, when a professor and a student were killed on the nearby campus of the Appalachian School of Law, two of the three students who overpowered the gunman before he could kill more innocent victims were armed.

Worth repeating.

3 posted on 08/30/2007 5:29:52 PM PDT by TennesseeProfessor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

It is idiots like those represented by the panel that will be the death of us all.


4 posted on 08/30/2007 5:31:36 PM PDT by Texas_Jarhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
We do not need "gun-free" zones that are gun-free for everyone except the predator.

But if some of the others students or faculty had been armed and had tried to shoot back, someone might have been hurt.

5 posted on 08/30/2007 5:44:24 PM PDT by Logophile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

These same idiots at VT are hosting the thug rapper, NAS, at a free campus concert. I just watched the segment on BOR, and this guy’s got a GUN CONVICTION.

Academics need to be held criminally responsible for the bad things that happen to students because of the PC mindset of the complete morons who run those places. Some of the 88 Duke professors should do jail time for incite to riot against the Duke LAX boys.


6 posted on 08/30/2007 5:44:36 PM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TennesseeProfessor
Surely VT officials knew that in January 2002, when a professor and a student were killed on the nearby campus of the Appalachian School of Law, two of the three students who overpowered the gunman before he could kill more innocent victims were armed.

Worth repeating.

Pathetic as it seems, they might not have known. News coverage of the law school shooting minimized the armed students' response. IIRC, some of the reporting left it out completely.

7 posted on 08/30/2007 5:54:04 PM PDT by Bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Bob

News has become cruel melodrama.

I seek to make the lives of newscasters boring.

When fools do petty cruel things, I ignore them.

If the same people step to far out of line, I get a lawyer.

If they do not comply with the law of the land ,God hammers them.


8 posted on 08/30/2007 6:13:24 PM PDT by perseid 67 (God is great!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
The locking mechanisms on the doors on the main entrance to Norris Hall were 60 years behind international building code standards.

This is an Engineering school ~ that failure is what kept the cops out and allowed the killer to gun down another dozen students.

Starting with the Board of Visitors and working down through the President to the folks responsible for replacing old and dangerous doors and locks I would expect no less than a couple of dozen resignations (and whatever else would appropriately follow).

No doubt it can all be sorted out in a ruinous lawsuit. First student's family to file one will receive all the pertinent info on building codes, doors and locks ~ I guarantee it. As a Virginia taxpayer I can do no less.

9 posted on 08/30/2007 6:19:05 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TennesseeProfessor
Surely VT officials knew that in January 2002, when a professor and a student were killed on the nearby campus of the Appalachian School of Law, two of the three students who overpowered the gunman before he could kill more innocent victims were armed.

Since that information was not widely reported in the MSM, the officials may not have known.

From http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1024078861416 :

John Lott of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in the District, says that there were more than 280 stories on the Grundy shootings during the week after the incident, but only four carried details about the law students being armed.

Reports that the students were armed were posted almost immediately after the shootings here on FR. I recall reading the FR accounts, and thinking "The MSM will not report this story accurately, it sounds too pro-gun." That's what happened.

10 posted on 08/30/2007 6:19:32 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: TChad; TennesseeProfessor

FWIW, I believe the student at Appalachian School of Law was not carrying on campus. He was an off duty law officer and ran to get the weapon from his vehicle.


11 posted on 08/30/2007 6:58:31 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (I drink coffee for your protection.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

Since the liberal morons that run the school probably will not have to pay anything out of pocket when the huge lawsuits occur, they will not change their moronic thinking on this issue. Maybe a campaign to remind them that a crazed student might go after the top executives at the university because they denied him admission, student financing or even a class that he needed just might remind the top officials at VT that they could be next..............


12 posted on 08/30/2007 8:10:07 PM PDT by Stayfree (*************************Get your copy of The Fred Factor by David Gill at Capitol Hill Comedy.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Dial 357 in case of danger. When the danger is gone, dial 911.


13 posted on 08/30/2007 8:50:01 PM PDT by wastedyears (Alright, hold tight, I'm a highway staaaaaaaaaaaaarrr)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I believe it is Nightline that is doing a special right now?

This is the first I’ve learned that when Cho was in highschool, he was referred to counseling by the school because of his obsession with Columbine and his anti-social problems.

I’ve got an idea...how about colleges get notified about this sort of thing so they don’t wind up admitting mass murderers onto campus?


14 posted on 08/30/2007 8:58:20 PM PDT by Scotswife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bob

>>>IIRC, some of the reporting left it out completely.

even recently that’s been true


15 posted on 08/30/2007 10:39:15 PM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Scotswife

If I had kids going to college, I’d make sure they went with some training in Krav Maga as well as a defensive toolkit including several pepper sprays (Sabre Red .5 oz to 3 oz), a 65 to 90 lumen tactical flashlight (Surefire Executive Defender), some blunt hitting instruments (kubatons), and a very sharp but legal folding pocketknife (Spyderco Endura). Also a length of chain with a heavy Masterlock to keep attached to the backpack, “for your bike”, and some other very discreet but nasty items, all legal.

Finally the instruction “never leave home without three specific ways to defend yourself.”

Every time I think of VT, I keep going back to the very small amount of resistance against Cho, and almost no offensive resistance (aside from the one ROTC student who was killed). He did have the advantage of surprise, but if just a handful of these 50+ kids and teachers had some defensive training the outcome may have been a bit different.

Maybe.


16 posted on 08/31/2007 3:31:42 AM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

‘Why it took four months to come up with a report that starts with a grasp of the obvious and concludes everyone did the best they could is beyond us.’

It shouldn’t be surprising, it takes that long to vett a report via political correctness.

As usual, you get ‘mush’ afterwards.


17 posted on 08/31/2007 5:54:10 AM PDT by Badeye (You know its a kook site when they ban the word 'kook')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: angkor

He never should have been on campus in the first place.
Mentally ill high schoolers who openly fantasize about mass murder should never be admitted to any campus anywhere.


18 posted on 08/31/2007 7:05:02 AM PDT by Scotswife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Scotswife

If you turn down a student because you think he might shoot someone, you will end up in court.


19 posted on 08/31/2007 7:07:52 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: angkor

One problem is that he used two guns. He always kept one loaded. There were several people who tried to attack him They are dead.


20 posted on 08/31/2007 7:10:11 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Texas_Jarhead; Badeye
"It is idiots like those represented by the panel that will be the death of us all."

Yup. Just one look at the panel for the 9/11 "report" and I knew immediately that the "report" wouldn't be worth the paper it was written on.

21 posted on 08/31/2007 7:14:13 AM PDT by Designer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy

“If you turn down a student because you think he might shoot someone, you will end up in court.”

Somebody needs to take it to court and stand up for the rights of nonviolent students.

Ho was open about his obsession with Columbine. It was so disturbing that his high school had him referred to counseling.

VTech should have had this information.

Instead, what happened - is a mass murderer was placed in a dorm with innocent unsuspecting boys - and his mental disease proceeded unchecked.


22 posted on 08/31/2007 7:15:57 AM PDT by Scotswife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: ishabibble
"..this guy’s got a GUN CONVICTION."

Hypocrisy simply doesn't exist for those on the left.

23 posted on 08/31/2007 7:19:10 AM PDT by Designer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Designer

Yup. Just one look at the panel for the 9/11 “report” and I knew immediately that the “report” wouldn’t be worth the paper it was written on.

Yep.


24 posted on 08/31/2007 7:52:58 AM PDT by Badeye (You know its a kook site when they ban the word 'kook')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Scotswife
He never should have been on campus in the first place. Mentally ill high schoolers who openly fantasize about mass murder should never be admitted to any campus anywhere.

Yes, I know. But if not for Cho, it would be someone else, at some other college or business or school parking lot.

Boy Scouts motto: Be Prepared.

25 posted on 08/31/2007 1:44:06 PM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

bump


26 posted on 08/31/2007 1:55:11 PM PDT by VOA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy
One problem is that he used two guns.

Yes, I know. There are many "what if's" about this incident and in no way shape or form am I blaming the victim.

I'd just hope that parents might let up on the mental resistance that their kids may need some self-defense training and tools when they enter the wider world (even though it's ther smaller and safer world of college).

I was speaking with a friend recently whose freshman daughter will be living on campus soon, and she has a car for getting around and even trips home for dinner if needed (only a an hour drive).

Just as a matter of principle and (for me) common sense, I suggested pepper spray and perhaps a good xenon flashlight for those trips to and from the campus parking lot at night.

His response "Oh, things are much better on campus now, they've really tightened up in the last few years. Security is good." Me, "Yes, but she'll still be walking alone on campus at night from time to time, it might be good for her to have something for self-defense, and maybe take one of the women's defensive training courses, the college probably offers them for free." Him, "They have escorts on campus now, the girls just make a call and someone will escort them to and from the parking lot." Me, "But there may be a time when she's waiting alone and outside for the escort, or she's just in a hurry, or any number of things." Etc etc.

You can see where this is going and so did I. Dad simply did not want to entertain the idea that his baby daughter would ever need to "defend herself".

Now I'm not a parent and could be speaking out of my hat, but it seems to me no more inconvenient or onerous or frightening to have some defensive training and tools on a college campus, than it would for a hiker to carry a first aid kit, some spare water and sustenance, and maybe even a cell phone and GPS, along with a smattering of training in "how not to get lost, but if you do...."

In neither case am I saying that the student or the hiker would be prepared for everything, but at least they'd not be unprepared for anything.

27 posted on 08/31/2007 2:10:24 PM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: angkor

We’ve had two attempts to lure girls into cars since yesterday.


28 posted on 08/31/2007 2:29:13 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy

where’s that?


29 posted on 08/31/2007 2:34:31 PM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Bob; TennesseeProfessor
News coverage of the law school shooting minimized the armed students'
response. IIRC, some of the reporting left it out completely.


That is my recollection.
IIRC, some media analysis group (MRC?) revealed that when a
gunman is brought under control by an armed citizen...that
usually is conveniently deleted from MSM reports of the event.
30 posted on 08/31/2007 2:38:06 PM PDT by VOA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: angkor

Here at Virginia Tech. One Wednesday and one Thursday. Same guy, a Nigerian


31 posted on 08/31/2007 2:41:29 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Did anyone expect anything else? Does anyone expect these people will ever be held responsible for their actions?

They could cause the death of thousands and the PC crowd which rules the media and academia would blame conservatives, the NRA etc. We are living in a make believe world where down is up and right is wrong.

In other words a sick society which is getting sicker.


32 posted on 08/31/2007 2:47:47 PM PDT by yarddog (`)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VOA
IIRC, some media analysis group (MRC?) revealed that when a gunman is brought under control by an armed citizen...that

During the VT incident and with all of the reporting, the Appalachian Law (??) shooting was mentioned a bunch of times that I recall, but always for the comparative and shock value of "Virginia is no stranger to shootings on campus"...or something like that.

I distinctly recall reportage such as "the shooter has disarmed by several other students including two off duty police officers". The use of personal firearms was simply deleted from most of the reports to my recollection.

33 posted on 08/31/2007 3:10:16 PM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

34 posted on 08/31/2007 3:13:21 PM PDT by bmwcyle (BOMB, BOMB, BOMB,.......BOMB, BOMB IRAN)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Corin Stormhands
FWIW, I believe the student at Appalachian School of Law was not carrying on campus. He was an off duty law officer and ran to get the weapon from his vehicle

It was two ex-cops, and they did get guns from their cars, but the point here is that armed students on campus stopped the killer from continuing.

There are differing accounts of what happened. One student apparently claims that the ex-cops did not need their guns to subdue the subject, as mentioned in the article I linked above. One of the ex-cops disputes that student's story here.

35 posted on 08/31/2007 7:37:00 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: TChad
It was two ex-cops, and they did get guns from their cars, but the point here is that armed students on campus stopped the killer from continuing.

I understood the point. I was just attempting to clarify that the students were not carrying on campus.

36 posted on 08/31/2007 7:47:18 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy; angkor
Our daughter is taking Tai Kwan Do classes - she's 9. Mommy and Daddy have no illusions about the big bad world - I grew up in NYC and come from 3 generations of NYPD.

She's not ready for handgun training yet, daddy is still working with her on long guns, but she will get it when the time comes. I'm going to take a class this fall for my CCP, and believe me, this will be a pistol packin' momma once I get the permit. I run a business that deals mainly with cash, plus I have a part time job at night that requires me to lock up the building alone.......

37 posted on 08/31/2007 8:06:56 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson