The Most Upsetting Repercussion

We're in a time of mourning. Thirty-two innocent people are laying a corpse. This is no time to begin debating gun control. People are dead. And it's being politicized.

And I don't just mean the people who are saying, "Well, if all those kids were carrying guns, this wouldn't have happened." I'm also talkign about the people saying "If we had had stronger gun laws, this wouldn't have happened."

Well, I've got a bucket of cold water to throw in your face. This would have still happened if we had stronger gun laws. Law-abiding citizens who go through the proper channels aren't going to commit mass murder. It just so happened Cho did go through the proper channels, but he could have circumvented them. And people could circumvent stricter gun regulations.

Here's my second bucket of cold water. Even if every one of those students had a gun, people would have still died. And one death is too many deaths. Stray bullets going in every direction are not a good idea. I would go so far as sto say that if all the students were armed, there would be more gun deaths in a higher frequency in colelge campuses.

So let's drop the gun control issue and leave it for later. Whether you're for or against more gun regulations, this isn't the time and place for it. Keep it to your selves.

On Virginia Tech.

I've spent the past couple of days watching the extensive coverage of the Virginia Tech Massacre. When it first happened, I don't think it really sunk in with me. The more I watch it, the more it hurts. Over 30 people are dead in a senseless act of violence.

I've thought a lot about what I should say right now. I've been gathering my thoughts I guess. I've not really accomplished it, but if I don't get it written now, I may never be able to do it.

I did not know any of the people killed. But several people I know were personally touched by this tragedy. These people weren't heroes in the classical sense; they didn't leap tall buildings, get girls off of train tracks, or even get kittens out of trees. They were everyday heroes. They had overcome adversity to make it to one of the preeminent colleges in America. One of them was a triple-major. One of them was a Holocaust surviver (although Professor Librescu was also a hero in the classical sense). All of the slain students were pursuing their hopes and dreams. It is likely that the slain professors had either attained or were in the process of attaining theirs.

I haven't had any sound sleep since the night before this tragedy. I probably won't get any sound sleep tonight either. This could have happened at any college in any town in America. This could have as easily been at my college. And those people could have been my professors and my friends, or even me. I have to hold back tears typing this, and I have a huge lump in my throat as we speak.

I believe this is something that will have long-lasting effects on not only me, but on every college student in America. Every single one. On Monday, a piece of the innocence and romace associated with college died along with those innocent lives. And, like those lives, it can't be replaced.

I'll close with the lyrics to an old hymn while I'll admit to not having heard. You may have seen this in the news release from John Edwards' campaign:

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing, in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

We're All Shedding Maroon Tears

I wish my first post back could be something happier. But alas, it's not.

As of right now, there are 32 innocent people dead at Virginia Tech. Thirty two sons and daughters who will never fulfill their potential. Future doctors, lawyers, world leaders, scientists all perished today for no reason. This was a heartless and senseless act.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
--Romans 8:38-39

The Return of the Prodigal Son.

You may have noticed (or not) that I haven't posted in a long time. The main reason I haven't been posting, in all honesty, is that I haven't believed there was any need for me to write. There wasn't much of a role for me to fill.

I was, if I do say so myself, an ardent blogger during the 2005 state elections. In 2006, I cut back somewhat. I've posted like 8 or 10 times this year. But with all the things going on right now (the 2008 presidential race gearing up, a possible Warner-for-Warner switch for the Senate seat, Republican scandals), I just don't think I should be sitting on the sidelines.

So therefore, I'm going to begin regular posting again. Hopefully, you'll see daily posts (more than one on some days) that cover state stuff, national stuff, baseball, or whatever might be floating around my head at that moment.

Since I'm not on the LeftyBlogs blogroll (at this time), check back often to see whatever I may be thinking aloud about.

So stay tuned. It'll be an interesting ride.

-Neal

Undecided

You'll notice I've removed my John Edwards graphic on the side of my page. I've decided I prematurely declared an allegiance. The fact of the matter is simple; John Edwards is a great guy. So are Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, and Hillary Clinton (well, not a great guy). I can't, in good conscience, go ahead and make a solid commitment nearly two years out.

I'm truly undecided. Right now (and it's fluid--it changes every single day), my ranking looks like this (in alphabetic order):

First tier:
Biden, Obama, Richardson

Second tier:
Dodd, Edwards, Kerry, Kucinich, Vilsack

Third tier:
Clinton, Gravel

I appologize to all the Edwards people out there, but I just can't say I'm fully for him right now.

And that's where I stand today.

-Neal

Joe Johnson Is In

According to a comment made by Delegate Chris Saxman over at NLS today indicate that Delegate Johnson will be running for re-election this November.

I'm glad to hear this news for two major reasons. The first, most important reason is that it says Delegate Johnson is recovering. Secondly, very minor compared to Delegate Johnson's health, is that this seat will be safe for our side until he retires.

Good luck to Delegate Johnson in November [not that he'll need it :-) ]!

-Neal

So You Know Where I'm Coming From...

According to OnTheIssues.org, this is where I stand (and I tend to believe it's on the mark):

According to this grid, I'm a Liberal Populist. Agreed.

Go take the test and see where you fall.

-Neal