Let the Blame Game Begin

     As the country still reels from the Virginia tech shooting, the bodies of the dead not even in the ground, the finger pointing in the blame game has already started. Is it us as Americans that are always so quick to place blame or is it just us as humans?

     Some say that it is the Tech president’s fault for not closing down campus after the 7:15 shootings. Had students not been on campus the 9:00 shooting would not have happened. I can see how some would say that.

     Some say the local authorities were slow to react to the situation although we now know that the gunman chained the doors of the building shut to slow the authorities from entering the building. I can see how some would say that.

     Some say that there were signs that the shooter has psychological difficulties, noting that he had been referred to counseling previously and one of his English professors found his writings “disturbing.” I can see why some would say that.

     Some say that it’s nobody’s fault but the gunman’s–that anything in the hands of someone so intent on evil can bring death and destruction to mankind. I can definitely see why some would say that.

     But out of all the articles I’ve read, and out of all the stuff I’ve heard on radio and television, the most astute observation came from our President. In case you’ve been living in a cave for the past six years, President Bush often has a problem articulating himself.

     CBS’ Cutie Couric interviewed the President after the memorial service on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg. She wasted no time in asking W. about our country’s gun control laws. Here’s my recollection of the last part of the interview. I am paraphrasing in some parts but not exaggerating, as I am given to do at times.

     Cutie Couric: Mr. President, some say that it’s too easy to get a gun in America. How do you respond?

     President Bush: I think there’s going to be a debate in our country over gun control and there should be after an event like this. To be honest with you Katie, I haven’t had time to think about it. The only thing I know is that there are families grieving right now and my heart grieves with them.

     Can I shout a big hallelujah and amen? Why am I asking? This is my blog and I can say anything I want.  Listen to me now and believe me later: I will make posts in the future in which I will expand on my opinion in the VA Tech blame game. However, for now President Bush, our leader who often times has problems explaining things, put perfectly into words what I was thinking. Who cares where the blame lies 48 hours after 32 people were murdered?

     There are the parents of the dead who are going through an actual hell on earth right now. Imagine this. The victims’ parents did everything a loving parent would do. They changed dirty diapers and got up in the middle of the night to feed them. They made sure that looked both ways before crossing the road. they made sure that they kept a watchful eye on them when they were swimming. They made sure they put their seat-belt on when they learned to drive. They guided them through all the perils of childhood and adolescence, thought they were out of the woods,  just to see them slaughtered.

    Thank you Mr. President for so eloquently saying what I was thinking; let’s play the blame game later. For now let’s just think about the families left behind.