RK ARCHIVE - New Thread on Virginia Tech Tragedy (Now 33 Confirmed Dead)

heading to Blacksburg now (Ghost of A.L. Philpott - 4/16/2007 5:16:27 PM)

Just got off and am heading HOME TO BLACKSBURG for a few days. For those of you trying to replay events in your head or figure out WTF happened like I have been, here is a truly horrifying account from inside one of the rooms:
http://news.bbc.co.u...

God be with us all. Thanks for providing a forum for everyone to keep in touch and involved.

(Ghost of A.L. Philpott - 4/16/2007 5:16:49 PM)

I'll be on campus and in Blacksburg for a few days, and I'll be at the convocation tomorrow. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

In Blacksburg? (Bubby - 4/16/2007 5:33:54 PM)

You might want to consider donating blood to the American Red Cross, they have recently moved:

250 South Main Street Suite 200
Blacksburg, VA 24060

Open for donations tomorrow 1200 to 1800 hrs on Tuesday.

my condolences (TurnVirginiaBlue - 4/16/2007 5:34:16 PM)

Just stopping by Raising Kaine to hope all are ok and to express my sympathy. Horrid tragedy.

State of Emergency (Lowell - 4/16/2007 5:46:18 PM)

GOVERNOR KAINE DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY TO COORDINATE RESPONSE TO SHOOTINGS AT VIRGINIA TECH
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia, directing state agencies to take all necessary actions to aid in the response and recovery following today's shootings at Virginia Tech.
A declaration of emergency allows the Governor to immediately deploy state personnel, equipment, and other resources, and to coordinate state and local response in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy.
"State agencies, including State Police and the Virginia Departments of Health and Emergency Management, are doing everything possible to be of assistance to those who were injured, and those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy," Governor Kaine said.
The Virginia State Police are on-scene in Blacksburg investigating the shootings in cooperation with local law enforcement. The Department of Health has sent the Chief Medical Examiner and additional personnel to the area to assist with the fatalities. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has sent staff to the scene to advise and assist local emergency managers and first responders. The Virginia Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state level assistance. In addition, the state will help coordinate crisis counseling assistance for those in need.
Additional information about the recovery at Virginia Tech will be available online at www.vt.edu.
Separately, Governor Kaine has ordered the lowering of the Virginia state flag in honor of those who were killed or injured in today's shootings.

I don't remember the last time (phriendlyjaime - 4/16/2007 6:03:39 PM)

I have cried so much. I don't make a habit of praying...but today is a bit different.

Me too, Jamie (KathyinBlacksburg - 4/16/2007 6:09:00 PM)

Tears off and on all day (KathyinBlacksburg - 4/16/2007 6:10:14 PM)

Statement by Brian Moran and Ward Armstrong (Lowell - 4/16/2007 6:05:38 PM)

STATEMENT ON VIRGINIA TECH TRAGEDY
House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran release the following statement regarding the shooting on the campus of Virginia Tech.
"The senseless nature and magnitude of this violent act is incomprehensible. The prayers of all our caucus members are with the families and friends of these victims, and members of the Virginia Tech community."

Too Many Angels in Heaven (Josh - 4/16/2007 6:08:28 PM)

The streets of Heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of Heaven are too crowded with angels. But every time we think we've measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard; we will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes, and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

h/t webranding

Well (phriendlyjaime - 4/16/2007 6:13:16 PM)

I HAD stopped crying...

Josh, the poetry thread is great by the way. I will add...

Jim Moran Statement (Lowell - 4/16/2007 6:19:28 PM)

News from Moran: Statement on Virginia Tech Tragedy
Washington, D.C., April 16th - Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement regarding today's tragic events at Virginia Tech.
"I am sickened by the unspeakable tragedy that befell Virginia Tech earlier today.
"I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those who died. I offer my wishes for a speedy recovery to those who have been injured. My heartfelt sympathy extends to the entire Virginia Tech community.
"This is a dark day for the Commonwealth and our nation."

I taught in Norris Hall! (Matusleo - 4/16/2007 6:27:03 PM)

I taught several classes in Norris Hall during my time at Virginia Tech. I still have many friends there (thankfully all of them are okay). This is shocking. I never thought anything like this would happen to my Alma Mater.

*sending prayers for all those suffering this day*

Matusleo

Comming together (Ambivalent Mumblings - 4/16/2007 7:00:02 PM)

In the hours after this tragedy, I believe we are all affected in some way or another. A majority of Virginians know someone who's a current or former student at VT, and many of us were ourselves (I personally attend GMU, but know a significant amount of students at Tech). If a person doesn't fall into that category, we all can simply share in the grieving process, which will obviously be different for each of us depending on our connection to the event.

What I do believe is noteworthy is the plain and simple fact that Virginia's political blogosphere put aside partisanship for a moment and simply provided a forum for those affected by the events to express their emotions or simply read condolences. This caught my attention today as I was checking back to see what people were saying and I noticed that all but one of posts that being displayed by the "leftyblogs feed" on this site were about the shootings.

Bloggers might sometimes fall into petty arguments about certain topics, but we all realize when there are greater things at hand to talk about. May we keep all of the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers.... and down the road, remember that we all are human beings who, in the end, ultimately want what is best for ourselves, our friends and families, and the world as a whole.

(kevindruff - 4/16/2007 7:04:57 PM)

Hat tip (kevindruff - 4/16/2007 7:19:00 PM)

A tremendous hattip to Jim McCloskey...

Wow, Kevin. (phriendlyjaime - 4/16/2007 9:33:56 PM)

That picture...I have no words.

Picture (DukieDem - 4/16/2007 11:37:16 PM)

There's a great picture of all the va mascots comforting a hokie under the title "We are all Hokies Now"

NLS (DukieDem - 4/17/2007 12:02:26 AM)

It's the one up at NLS.

A parent's worst nightmare (cycle12 - 4/17/2007 6:47:06 AM)

My brother and I are Virginia Tech graduates, as is my oldest son, and my youngest son was a student there initially before later transferring and graduating from VMI.

Two weeks ago, on a bright, sunny, warm and peaceful spring day, I rode my motorcycle about 30 miles south of our home to visit the Tech campus once again, always a beautiful place to behold and experience.

As I sat on my bike on the narrow road which surrounds the Tech drill field, at a student crosswalk within view of Norris Hall waiting for the pedestrian traffic to clear, I reflected on the beauty of the campus and the quiet, friendly nature of its smiling, laughing, talking - always talking - students on the move to or from classes or other activities.

The Virginia Tech campus and environs have changed significantly since I graduated from there nearly 35 years ago, the student body has nearly doubled, but the students seemed to be just like those with whom I had attended that wonderful university all those years ago.

When my wife and I first sent our sons off to Virginia Tech nearly a decade ago, we had no concerns about their safety, and we were glad that in order for them to go to college, they were able to get away from home, but not too far away...

My heart and thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who were hurt or killed or otherwise affected by yesterday's incomprehensibly senseless tragedy, and especially to those parents who sent their children off to college, thinking that they would be safe and secure.

Yesterday's tragedy was truly a parent's worst nightmare, and it could happen anywhere, anytime.

I will visit Virginia Tech again, soon, and I'm sure it will be beautiful there, as always, but it will be forever different, too. On my next trip to Tech, I will appreciate the campus - and especially the students - even more.

Of the thousands of Virginia Tech students and professors and other staff members and support personnel, it now appears that one student was deeply troubled, became violent and inflicted himself on that previously tranquil community.

One person - that's all it takes to create an unthinkable nightmare.

Steve

New Thread on Virginia Tech Tragedy (Now 33 Confirmed Dead)

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