The Fred Thompson Report: Another Lesson from the Virginia Shootings

ABC Radio Networks ^ | April 18, 2007 | Fred Thompson

[Josh Painter]

It seems to be part of our nature to feel that we live in an era separate and distinct from the past – until something like the Virginia Tech killings forces us to face reality. Then, the horrors and atrocities of "the olden days" visit us again.

Periodically it has been decided, by the people who decide this sort of thing, that history as we know it is over. Or, at least, that things have changed so much that the lessons of the past no longer apply.

Though there are fewer and fewer people around today who remember it, the conflict that was officially ended by the signing of the Versailles Treaty in 1919 was known for several decades as “The War to End All Wars.”

World War II, however, required a rewriting of the history books. The Holocaust and similar genocides committed by the Soviets now make the reverie of the ’20s and ’30s a sad footnote.

Since then, history has “ended” several times, notably with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Once again there was the sense that, finally, we had moved beyond the need to think about people and regimes willing to murder for their own ruthless purposes...

Technology has made great leaps forward, but human nature – and the fact that society still sometimes produces people like the killer at Virginia Tech – has not changed...

What happened on the campus in Blacksburg, Va., was an awful reminder of the challenge ahead of us – not just to secure the safety of our college campuses, but to secure all of the rest of our nation as well. Once upon a time, madmen needed armies to attack other nations. This is no longer the case.

[Lady Jag]

[Old Sarge]

I am inclined to agree - let the Wild Rumpus start!

[Fred Nerks]

Troll you say? Breakfast or lunch?

[Ghengis]

Was I the only one looking for him to say something about the need for Americans to have their Second Amendment rights affirmed so that this sort of thing can be nipped in the bud by armed citizens?

Maybe you will enjoy today's commentary.

[SuziQ]

Given his stance that we need to take steps to ensure that people are better defended against psychopaths, what recommendations would he propose?

If he brought up the subject, that's a good question, but that's not really in the purview of the President, except in an overall "Let's see what we can do" suggestion.

[mkjessup]

'Crusader 2007'(laugh-chuckle-snort) never knew what hit him. F'in idiot-trolls, will they ever learn?

I love the echo of empty silos, they smell like DEAD TROLLS!

[mkjessup]

My gawd Fred, what in hell kinda snake is that?!?

[SuziQ]

Now THAT was a good commentary!

[karnage]

Indeed, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you!

[Fred Nerks]

Cute, isn’t it? Eats sheep and kangaroo. Tried to take a bite out of the electric fence and it’s goodnight snake.

The Carpet Python, a harmless large non-poisonous snake, is found in Central Australia. It may reach a length of four metres.

[mkjessup]

The Carpet Python, a harmless large non-poisonous snake, is found in Central Australia. It may reach a length of four metres.

Doesn't he have a brother named 'Monty' in the UK? ;)

[tarheelswamprat]

Maybe you will enjoy today's commentary.

Yes, outstanding!

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Liberals deny the existence of evil.

<moonbat>Except in the persons of George W. Bush and his puppetmasters, Rove and Cheney.</moonbat>

[Jim Robinson]

Outstanding!! Run, Fred, Run!!

[Fred Nerks]

LOL! you funny...

[SmithL]

Hey! I recognize that picture! That means Miller Time!

[mkjessup]

Funny you should mention that. Somewhere in my mountains of stuff packed away, I have a cassette tape of an NBC radio news broadcast from the first Gulf War where the announcer was so enthused about the way Saddam's army was collapsing and surrendering like the French that before he ended the report with 'this is NBC Radio News', he actually said "a dozen empty missile silos, one million dead Iraqi soldiers, it's Miller Time".

I have not laughed that hard in a long time. ;)

[reagan_fanatic]

Aww - that's too bad he's already fried!
Better luck next time, pal!

[Cobra64]

I like your ideas. Especially the Eagle Scouts. Another FReeper mentioned ROTC students. Both excellent ideas for “Kids to Carry.”

[stephenjohnbanker]

Thanks