My aunt (who I have not spoken to) works in administration at Virginia Tech. I grew up about 40 minutes away from Tech and grew up going to games all the time. Thus, the events of this week have been close to my heart.
It seems to me that there may be times when tragedy strikes so quickly and so severely and with such evil force that we just need to stop it! We need to keep our big mouths shut!
NBC played video tape footage from the shooter this week. Rosie O’Donnell went off about gun control. In the immediate aftermath, the President of the University was attacked for having not put the campus under immediate lock down. This of course, is something that many other University Presidents have stepped up this week to say is absolutely impossible. I even read one blogger this week who felt the need to point out how misguided we are in assuming this tragedy is “that bad.” Apparently, we have ignored too many other “greater” tragedies around the world to feel as if we have the moral authority to speak at all about this one. I didn’t hear them, but I’m sure someone in the televangelism world pointed out that this was some sort of judgment on the “godless” university. There have been a myriad of talking heads trying to figure out how it happened, why it happened and how it can be prevented again. And I am particularly saddened when Christians join in on it.
Now, if you are someone whose life has been affected by a tragedy (no matter its magnitude), the last thing you need are a lot of talking heads blasting off at the mouth (whether on television or in the blogosphere). Trust me. I was affected this week (not like those who lost loved ones or those who live and work on the VT campus), but I was impacted and all of the endless speculation and political and religious postulating and posturing only heaps more pain and frustration. This is especially true if people are asking all of the wrong questions at the wrong time and it is as equally true even if they are asking the right questions at the wrong time.
Americans talk too much. We need to just stop it! We need to learn when to shut up and be silent! The greatest truths are often revealed when we shut up long enough to discover them. Talk is cheap. Very, very cheap! And, despite what our world would like to tell us about the value of dialogue and communication, there are times when silence is the only thing that brings healing and equilibrium.
Granted, this is a rant and I usually try to avoid ranting on my blog. So now, I’ll take my own advice and shut up 🙂
Be back on Monday
I thouroughly agree. There is no justice in this senseless act of tyranny only grieving and sadness prevails. Be silent, hug a friend, and pray for the victims. Enough said! Rick
I agree. I will keep your aunt in my prayers.
I feel so helpless in the face of the VT tragedy. When I’m sad I write poetry to express my thoughts Here it is:
Tech Shall Rise Again
We woke up this morning like any other day.
Seemed like any other while on our way.
We heard the news and there was a deep pain.
Our friends at Blacksburg had fallen to evil and slain
Where did it come from?
Our tears fell like rain,
Tears fell from heaven’s domain.
Tech shall rise again and overcome the pain.
We look to heaven and Jesus is crying
We cry not alone, he is crying too
He felt the same pain
Where did it come from?
Could’ve been a wonderful day
My friends at Blacksburg have fallen to evil and slain.
I hear shouts of victory.
Evil shall flee away.
Tech shall rise again and overcome the pain.