Today's stupid shit. There is talk in the media about the media frenzy caused by NBC's airing of the video sent in by the Cho guy that let loose on the VT campus. Bill O'Reilly, who we decided to listen to on the radio while in the car yesterday, says he will continue to show the clips, because it makes people aware of what can happen when crazy students snap, and that there needs to be something done. Not surprising, his solutions amount to government snooping and stifling tactics, typical for him. Anyway, another news item pointed out that although NBC is getting a lot of flack, they still had the best ratings the day they aired the stuff. Was it right to show them? There are rational arguments for sides. People obviously wanted to see them, so those that are against it are saying the public can't handle it, as if it will adversely affect the rationale of the general public. Will it motivate crazies on the edge that are ready to snap, just looking for an excuse? It sounds reasonable on the surface, but there could be hazy aspects of the whole situation that make this argument questionable.

I'm getting all this from Slate... great site.

Officials at VT are allowing students to end the school year early, with the grades they have earned up to this point. Lots to consider surrounding this decision, but I think it's an indication of how bad the education system is. Although it was a tragedy, I don't think it was enough to alter the learning environment. I think education is much to important, more important than this situation in the long run, and the decision shows how much importance they really put on learning there. Just my take.

The military in Iraq is building a wall in Baghdad to separate Sunni and Shiite districts there. Somebody hasn't been reading their history. Nothing good ever comes from putting up walls, substantive or otherwise. In other words, what the fuck are they thinking?!?!