[MasonPatriot]

Here's the text of the Virginia Tech president's statement on the suspicious package incident we had yesterday: BLACKSBURG, Oct. 12, 2001 -- The bomb-like device found in the Virginia Tech Newman Library yesterday was a well-constructed hoax. University police, state police, and the FBI participated in the investigation yesterday afternoon and evening. This event, in conjunction with recent announcements from state and local authorities, should compel us to have a heightened sense of awareness of our surroundings. Should you see anything suspicious, do not hesitate to immediately contact university officials or the police department. This outrageous and irresponsible interruption has had an impact on the educational and personal lives of Virginia Tech students as well as the rest of the university community. This incident required the combined resources of hundreds of people from law enforcement, specialized technical personnel, university physical plant and many university officials. We condemn this action of the disturbed mind or minds that put our community at risk. Law enforcement will pursue and prosecute the perpetrator(s) to the fullest extent.

[EarlyBird]

Thanks MasonPatriot.

Hoaxes are almost as bad as the real thing. Isn't one of the limits to free speech the act of yelling "Fire!" in a theater when there is no fire?

I think that solid citizens (even those who currently think that their college football teams are the end all to be all) should start forming vigilante groups to ease the pressure from the authorities, who obviously can't handle all of this on their own.

There must be something we can do as a community besides donating money to United Way.