Lest we forget...

Normally 'lest we forget' is uttered around Remembrance Day, but I find it more potent in the case of the Virginia Tech school shooting. I am shocked and disturbed that it's happened again, this time the worst ever. But, then again, why shouldn't it? The problem hasn't been solved, and maybe never will.

I remember where I was during the Columbine shooting. I was on a synchronized swimming competition tour, and we were all huddled on the bed in the hotel room watching the news. I could only have been 12 or something, but I remember it vividly. I remember they played the recorded phone call of the teacher calling 911, and hearing the fear in her voice screaming at the kids to get under the desks. It was the kind of scream that goes under your skin. I've only heard one scream like that in my personal life....and I never want to relive that night.

The idea of innocent people just being murdered, well it makes you realize how intense the pain was that these people must have been going through. I'm not saying that's the right outlet, no way, no how. But something is wrong. And we're not fixing it. For the few years after Columbine, schools were big on the security issue, and trying to ensure weapons weren't entering school. But that wasn't the issue, really. If someone wants to cause pain, then they will. But the focus should have been on the kids state of mind. They had 'zero tolerance' policies, but did they actually offer the needed attention to some of these kids? Probably not. There is always the odd teacher that is there for any student, and goes the extra mile, but generally no. It's not their fault, it's nobody's fault, but how do we fix it.

I don't mean to sound pretentious, if that's what this sounds like. I don't have the answers. I wish I did. But I know that it hurts when this happens. My sympathies go out to the poor families and friends of the victims.

Ideally I'd never like to read about this sort of stuff again.

But I know I will.