Nothing wrong with empathy.
Is there anyone who didn’t feel the anguish of those who jumped from the WTC to avoid the flames?
Any parent with a child in college not have a moment of heartstopping fear at the unfolding of the senseless murders at VT?
Did we not feel the fear of all those who were overcome by the tsunami, with no place to flee?
If we simply say, thankfully, it wasn’t me or mine so who cares......what does that say about us?
No, there is nothing wrong with empathy. There is something wrong with a vapid industry that preys on people's emotions and magnifies local pain to national proportions and ignites knee-jerk reactions that rob people of reason and freedom.
Here here. The students and faculty have been in my thoughts and prayers since Monday. I have felt sad about it, and I don't think there's a thing wrong with that.
I have been particularly touched by the story of Liviu Librescu. I am a college teacher myself and have asked myself a thousand times "Would I have the courage to do what he did?". The answer is always "I don't know". I made a little memorial poster of him and put it up outside my office. Sometimes I get a little misty-eyed when I think about what he did.
Flame away
NO!
If we simply say, thankfully, it wasn’t me or mine so who cares......what does that say about us?
It says "It didn't affect me so I don't care and I'm not going to get sickeningly emotional over it. Besides, you seem to be overly emotional enough for everybody. Now go curl up in a ball, hug your Teddy bear and have a good cry because of my non-caring callous attitude.