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Somber mood settles over students, campus

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Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM (136 days ago) by William C. Flook, The Examiner
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Related Topics: BLACKSBURG, Va.

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Map, News) - Virginia Tech students braced themselves Tuesday for a solemn reminder of what had taken place nearly a year before, some of them uncertain of what reaction the first anniversary of the massacre would rouse.

Despite the somber undercurrent, the population of the expansive Blacksburg campus went about its day like any other, save for the preparations for a major ceremony on the school’s drillfield today.

“I don’t think there is much tension here, I guess there is more of a sense of mourning,” said Don Tint, a sophomore computer science major from Fairfax, who said he expected to see more outbursts the day before the anniversary.

Gov. Tim Kaine called for a statewide day of remembrance today for the victims of the April 16 shootings, in which mentally ill student gunman Seung-Hui Cho shot and killed 32 students and faculty before killing himself. The governor announced that state flags would be flown at half-staff for the day and called for a statewide moment of silence at noon, which would be followed by bell tolls. Kaine, with University President Charles Steger, are among those scheduled to speak at today’s events.

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Freshman Valerie Hogan said she felt normal Tuesday, “but tomorrow I’m sure it will switch over to being more emotional.”

Others were unwilling to talk to the news media, whose return to the campus in recent days itself reminded students of the aftermath of the massacre. A sign by the drillfield told the media to stay away, and all about there was a palpable sense of exhaustion with the numerous reporters and camera crews. The mix of emotions on campus was encapsulated in the reactions of those who walked by a group of students offering “free hugs.” Some embraced the students, some quickly shuffled past, some refused. Junior Whitney Hayes said she had hugged hundreds of people since she and the others began that morning. She said they were inspired by a “Free Hugs” campaign that began in Australia.

“We figured with the 16th coming up, we’d come out here and support everyone,” she said.

wflook@dcexaminer.com

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Comments from Examiner Readers

8:11 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008 re: "Mix of emotions rises to surface"

 Examiner Reader said:
What the pro-gun people strenuously avoid is the obvious and statistically backed observations: - The greater the percentage of people who have guns in a given area (community, town, etc.) the more people are shot. Period. - If gun control (NOT gun elimination) had been in effect some of these shootings would not have happened. - people saying that the shooter "could have been brought down" are engaging in hyper-speculation that is worse than fantasy. Get real people.

 6 agree | 5 disagree
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10:54 AM MST on Thu., May. 17, 2007 re: "Eyewitnesses describe Va. Tech mayhem"

 shooting said:
I can't understand why the police didn't go in earlier, you could hear shots fired, and the police still on the outside waiting. But as always the truth will come out.

 757 agree | 281 disagree
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10:14 AM MST on Sat., May. 12, 2007 re: "Virginia Tech tragedy could spawn changes in state law"

 eddie in kenya said:
lets face the facts guys. Cho was never born a mass murderer. society made him, bred him and perfected him. this are the problems of capitalism that we must agree. he probably could not understand why he never had what the "rich lads " hadif the society took the extra step after telling him to seek mental health practition and went further to take him for the same, then they would have eased the pressure that was building inside of him and he would have realised that thru education he could be just like the rich blokes. My bet was that Cho was probably a sharp chap in school, hungry to make it in life but did not get the assistance required. He probably faced discrimination coz he was an immigrant from asia. lets blame, not Cho only, but more on the society that tended the little devil in him to become that big monster.

 247 agree | 215 disagree
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11:56 PM MST on Tue., May. 8, 2007 re: "Virginia Tech tragedy could spawn changes in state law"

 Monica said:
Even though Australia has the government "buyback of all semiauthomatic weapons and severely restrict their use in pistol clubs", can that restriction really prevent shooting in a school? People still have access to guns in other ways. We must look for another way to not go against our right to bear arms yet keeping people safe.

 223 agree | 230 disagree
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1:12 AM MST on Fri., May. 4, 2007 re: "Tech Gunman Bought Ammo Clips on EBay"

 Examiner Reader said:
The fact is, lockdown or no, this could have ended much sooner than it did. If just one student in any of those classrooms had been raised on a farm and allowed to carry the same pistol he probably carried in nature hikes as a kid, Cho could have been brought down. I will never understand how people can go on about more gun control in the face of things like this. If people are not allowed to defend themselves, many will inevitably die. The only way around this is a society where none of us have a bit of privacy or personal responsibility. Maybe you think that would be a great america - personally, I think we're already on that path and it's proving to not be "American" at all. If one person on that Long Island rail car had been armed, Colin Ferguson might have only been able to kill one or two individuals. One armed and trained person might have saved a great many souls in this case as well. Wake up, people. Big Brother cannot be there for you 24 hours a day.

 185 agree | 182 disagree
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7:08 PM MST on Thu., May. 3, 2007 re: "Tech Gunman Bought Ammo Clips on EBay"

 Examiner Reader said:
Fortunately in Australia we were smart enough to start a govt buyback of all semiautomatic weapons and severly restrict their use in pistol clubs, etc. We did this after Pt Arthur and haven't had major problems since. Seems like every month theres a new shooting in the US after someone goes and buys a gun out of a vending machine or at their 7/11.

 213 agree | 184 disagree
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11:57 AM MST on Thu., May. 3, 2007 re: "Tech Gunman Bought Ammo Clips on EBay"

 Examiner Reader said:
It actually, at the end, makes you feel a little sorry for the guy, mass-murderer or no.

 191 agree | 178 disagree
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12:14 PM MST on Wed., May. 2, 2007 re: "VT shooter had ties to Northern Virginia"

 paige said:
We will always rember VT and become close with this school and communtiy. We have to have faith and becareful about WHO you judge and make fun of "stewypooh"

 276 agree | 264 disagree
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12:11 PM MST on Wed., May. 2, 2007 re: "VT shooter had ties to Northern Virginia"

 paige said:
We should not judge any one by its cover unless you have read them all the way through page by page. We will never be able to accomplish. We created this person

 283 agree | 263 disagree
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9:38 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 26, 2007 re: "VT shooter sent package to NBC News"

 Examiner Reader said:
VT shooter discharged his hatred against rich kids, capitalists, and Christians. "Your Mercedes wasn't enough, you brats" - Cho wrote in his manifesto. "You loved inducing cancer in my head, terrorizing my heart and raping my soul all this time" - Cho directly accused his teachers and media in his note railing against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans". "You caused me to do this" - Cho refers to American schools and media that had instilled hatred in his mind. Those who continue blaming NRA, capitalists, and Christians for Cho's actions are like him: ready to kill.

 513 agree | 285 disagree
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4:14 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 25, 2007 re: "Kaine wants to close loophole in gun law"

 Examiner Reader said:
I am glad to hear we are not trying to pass more laws on gun control,but put to action the ones we all ready have on the books. People say Virginia law is easy on gun laws and that is not so,Virginian are following the law,our communication between agencies is all the problems. We need everyone to be more aware of what is going on around us here in America. We are in a different time now after 9/11 the days of the carefree living is over we must be awake and teach our general population to be aware of the people around them in everyday life. I pray there is never another war on this soil,this is a war of minds and games,with death to all American and the public must learn we are different. The general public does not know how to look at the war,the news is able to get to more people now than in the pass. Could we put together a public information center that would help people understand what is handed out to them in the news,no one can understand military ideas but military?

 487 agree | 223 disagree
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11:10 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 22, 2007 re: "Va. Gunman Sent Videos and Photos to NBC"

 Examiner Reader said:
I am a college student a hour away. This could happen anywhere. I think videos should be shown for anwers to America and to understand this whole event. I think you should show all that he sent, not to glorify him but to understand. In that said, my heart goes out to all students, victims and family. Gun control issues, these people will always get guns no matter what. As for drilling VA tech faculty and police, they have been threw enough, done all they could. I am interested in being a counselor so there for I am interested in all he sent to NBC. Our nation wants to know. And if it hurts turn it off. We have to grow and learn about these things. Thank you.

 174 agree | 180 disagree
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10:48 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 22, 2007 re: "VT shooter had ties to Northern Virginia"

 Examiner Reader said:
Well, this issue is a tragic one, I just wonder what could drive people to such a crime to another human. My question is: 1) How come we have the same Campus Crimes? Are these kids on some game or board or online music off the internet using brain washing technique's ... I just feel strange that a loner..such as Cho, and the others whom I did not follow.. However same type of crime and mentioned by Cho. what is the link between? Did they visit read, participate online ? who know.. SOMETHING IS CAUSING this!!!!!!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT SCHOOL KIDS DOING THIS TYPE OF CRIME...MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL.... PLEASE LOOK INTO EVERYONE'S HISTORY, COMPUTER HABITS, WEBSITE VISITED MUSIC LISTENED... SOMEONE COULD BE ...ON THE WEB ...BRAIN WASHING THE NEXT CAMPUS KILLER...

 319 agree | 237 disagree
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4:02 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 22, 2007 re: "Tech Gunman Bought Ammo Clips on EBay"

 Ron Levesque said:
The store says that In late March, Cho bought two 10-round magazines for the Walther P22, one of the weapons used in the massacre....That is wrong...If you look at the closed auction you will see that Blazers5505 or Cho bought or won two auctions or deals for a total of four clips not two as this AP story reads. .......Ron Levesque Spring Hill Florida

 168 agree | 164 disagree
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10:11 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 21, 2007 re: "Virginia Tech investigation hones in on computer use"

 Examiner Reader said:
For starters, it's a "magazine" NOT a "clip". I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. I've legally carried a concealed weapon for over 23 years. I also received training as a certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. I recently went back to school to complete my Bachelor of Science degree at a local university. My classes were at night, and got out at 10:00pm. The entire time I was in school, I had a Glock 23 handgun with an extra magazine in my book bag for my own protection. The founding documents of the United States say I have an "unalienable right" to my life. This "unalienable right" means nothing but empty words on a piece of paper, without the right to bear arms in defense of my life if I feel I need them. I'm glad I live in a country where I'm more than mere "property" of the state.

 178 agree | 177 disagree
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9:58 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 21, 2007 re: "Tech Gunman Bought Ammo Clips on EBay"

 Examiner Reader said:
In South Korea, if you are not in the military or in the police, you can not buy guns like Cho did in the US. When will Americans learn that the NRA and all guns are evil. The US Army knows this, that is why they train soldiers how to shoot machine guns. How long do we have to wait for another nerd like Cho to go to a hillbilly for guns? Not very long and I am sure that the next angry nerd will go for machine guns, etc..not just little hand guns that need to be reloaded. So do all the NRA members out there still think guns are safe? Guns don't kill people? What nonsense! The Koreans know this and that is why only their military and police carry guns. All of the angry Chos just punch each other, lob a molotov cocktail but not shoot at each other like in the good old USA. Guns are evil! Violence is evil! When will Americans understand this? Happy American in gun-free Japan! I want to see the NRA try to explain to all of the victims that guns are just our basic right as Americans.

 210 agree | 209 disagree
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5:47 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 21, 2007 re: "Tech Gunman Bought Ammo Clips on EBay"

 Nancy said:
I think this was the result of a very troubled boy whose parents didn't get help for him because they didn't assimilate well into American society. A lot of educators knew there was a problem but were limited in what they could do. The parents were in the best position to really know their own son and they did nothing. I know they are devastated at what he did, but other parents in similar situations need to look at their own kids and get help when needed. Maybe educators should have more power in forcing psychiatric care on students. So many people have now been hurt and traumatized. Please let's see what we can do to stop this from happening again!

 167 agree | 169 disagree
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5:25 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 21, 2007 re: "Va. Tech Gunman Writings Raised Concerns"

 Examiner Reader said:
This country has lost it's morals and valu's. i think it is sad when someone kills the first thing they claim is mental illness..all the school officials and counslors are deaf,dum and blind,when someone is in a mental facility and the schools know it they should take action to protect the rest of the students,,and the goverment is the same way,,deaf dumb and blind,,THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND RUN IT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE RAN WITH MORALS AND FAITH GEESH

 166 agree | 173 disagree
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1:54 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 21, 2007 re: "Cho Family: 'He Has Made the World Weep'"

 diplop said:
to lost " someone" is really a big pain and I feel sorry for all those people who have lost their sons, daughters, friends, including the gunman's family. it's a tragic incident which has made the whole world a "great shock" and made speechless as well. Please God, help the world to be a peace dwelling place without blood and weapons.

 187 agree | 173 disagree
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11:20 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Cho Family: 'He Has Made the World Weep'"

 Examiner Reader said:
As I read this statement I fell for the familys. The victims as well as the gunman and his familys.

 166 agree | 190 disagree
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9:56 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Maryland vigil honors VT's dead"

 Examiner Reader said:
Stop speaking about the "family" of the Gunman, what about all those poor "family's" that lost there love ones because of that "Gunman".Stop dwelling on that "gunman's" family and start worring about how VT is going to recover this loss, move on, and finally heal from his actions. The only hopeless that that family should feel is how or why nothing they could say or do could help those that their family hurt/killed. Move on from the story of the Gunman, start helping those family's, students, teachers, and friends HEAL!!!! Dina Leone, Maryland

 336 agree | 287 disagree
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8:49 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Internet spreads VTech info, grief in an instant"

 deeply saddened said:
To all at VT, I wanted to express my deepest condolenses to all of you who lost friends and family on the 16th. I still think about you all everyday and I pray for you all to find comfort in each other some how or someway. I hope that they stop playing the news over and over so that all of you can start the greiving process and move on, it is very difficult to do that when you here about it everyday. Again remember that the nation is praying for you and you are all on our thoughts.

 206 agree | 206 disagree
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2:42 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Moment of Silence for Va. Tech Victims"

 Ronald Rosenboro said:
i just want 2 giv a shot out to all the families that lost a love one in the tragic shooting at virgina tech last monday.

 167 agree | 163 disagree
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12:53 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Moment of Silence for Va. Tech Victims"

 Robert a.k.a. Da Prince said:
Some people just r going though some things but not enough things 2 kill so many people.

 156 agree | 167 disagree
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8:45 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Hokies grieve, wonder how to move on"

 Kayla Tramel said:
I just want to say im very sorry for the familys also me and my family are showing respect to day HOKIE K.T Chantilly VA ( student at westfield high class o7)

 240 agree | 239 disagree
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5:35 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 20, 2007 re: "Internet spreads VTech info, grief in an instant"

 Examiner Reader said:
The age of new media is upond us.

 213 agree | 167 disagree
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2:59 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 19, 2007 re: "Gunman was from Centreville, Va."

 ex-Virginian said:
The tragedy could have been shut down at 2 murders. I will tell you why from my experience with VA law enforcement. The person of interest was the boyfriend who was hunter and therefore had weapons. The cops were so sure that the boyfriend did it, it was only a matter of time before he confessed. So why alarm anyone else when you have the perp contained? Had Cho shutdown and went about his normal ways, I will wager that the boyfriend would most certainly have ended up on death row. This arrogance of VA law enforcement is rampant, wrong and one reason I will never enter the commonwealth again. The officials of VA are the most screwed up people I have ever seen, creating an alternate reality.

 292 agree | 286 disagree
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12:54 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 19, 2007 re: "Va. Tech Shooter Was Laughed At"

 Devil's Advocate said:
He was a permanent resident, I believe.

 175 agree | 174 disagree
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12:22 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 19, 2007 re: "Former high school classmates say Va. Tech gunman was picked on"

 Examiner Reader said:
Was the shooter an American citizen?

 167 agree | 171 disagree
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9:05 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 18, 2007 re: "Inside the mind of the Va. Tech serial killer"

 Examiner Reader said:
he is crazy

 298 agree | 269 disagree
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4:20 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 18, 2007

Examiner Reader said:
What a shame and a tragedy for the nation. Why do the authorities (campus and local police, etc) plan for these items continually and then when they actually happen, they do such a poor job of protecting the unarmed civilians? Two hours of hanging out while someone mails a package and then comes back and kills unarmed children is unacceptable. Just like Columbine incident, the police arrive after the assailant kills himself or runs out of amunitiion. So much for putting their lives on the line.

 172 agree | 181 disagree
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3:37 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 18, 2007

Examiner Reader said:
That kid wasn't right in the head.

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9:48 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 18, 2007

Examiner Reader said:
Why were the students not in a lockdown after the 1st 2 murders? C'mon now, 2 persons dead, and no killer. Was it the change of shifts for the cops? I wonder. I'm sorry but there should be reprocussions/accountabilty. Why are we not realizing that our children, future leaders of this nation are seriously troubled. Lacking coping skills in their social diet. Yet we're shocked at acts such as this, when all we've done as parents, leaders, etc.., is to ignore the quality/quantity of intake of violence from an early age. We've weakened a once strong nation, full of family values and faith. We're never satisfied with what we have, life is not simple anymore. We've raised our future leaders on fast food, video games & internet. These things were the earliest educators of our babies. We were too busy to notice! Who knew that the 2nd income would have resulted in our children committing these viscous crimes on one another?

 239 agree | 218 disagree
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8:58 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 18, 2007

Examiner Reader said:
I can not beive it happend it is terribal it sucks we love u all

 802 agree | 224 disagree
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8:38 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 18, 2007

Ashley Coxton said:
I am sorry about those who lost their lives and the families who has to deal with the tragedy.

 769 agree | 183 disagree
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10:39 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 17, 2007 re: "Va. Tech Gunman Writings Raised Concerns"

 Examiner Reader said:
I just feel that there NEEDS to be a much bigger investegation when ANYONE in this country wants to buy a gun. This is the perfect example as to why there needs to be bigger precations! The only thing that is checked is a criminal record. I feel that there needs to be a pycological evaluation and a mental evaluation of individuals wanting to purchase a gun. There needs to be a legitament reason as to why someone feels the need or desire to own any type of firearm!!! I am currently applying for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and for this carreer itself, there is a written and oral mental health review as well as a 4 to 6 month background investigation! This posion requires the employee to be inside of a prison with very dangerous or even deadly criminal; I find it rather surprising that to be surrounded by these type of offenders they require all of this, yet to be in the public around innocent friends and loved ones, it only takes a week to aquire a f

 160 agree | 162 disagree
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6:46 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 17, 2007

Examiner Reader said:
OH God, here's the deal. The guy told everyone what was wrong with him, he told everyone what he was planning to do. Only one person paid any attention, she attempted to get the attention of someone else but she was ignorned. I am angry at the guy who killed all those people but I am even more angry at those whom he told of his pain, & who ignored him. Dammit!

 175 agree | 167 disagree
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1:01 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 17, 2007 re: "Maryland vigil honors VT's dead"

 Examiner Reader said:
Pray for everyone.

 308 agree | 282 disagree
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12:25 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 16, 2007 re: "Eyewitnesses describe Va. Tech mayhem"

 desitechy said:
There are so many freinds I have and i can't reach any of them...Anu, Appu, you ok? I hope so.

 268 agree | 243 disagree
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