How can creating a community of understanding help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech?

Question

How can creating a community of understanding help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech?

Answer 1

It can't. No matter what you do, there's always going to be crazy people out there...

Answer 2

We already have a community of understanding.... DON'T KILL PEOPLE!!!!!!

Answer 3

We need to figure out some kind of outward reaching program to help kids in need. They aren't going to come out and say "I have a problem" so maybe have a kind of "campus watch" program.



Unfortunatley, after such a tragedy there is always an outpouring of "What can we do to prevent things like this from happening in the future?" One good example of this was right after the Columbine shootings. I was a high school student in colorado about 30 minutes away from Littleton. I remember that not even a week after the shootings, we were forced into assembly after assembly to try and come up with a solution and how to prevent things like this from happening in our schools FOR GOOD! But the truth of the matter is - you can't. If we take the measures that would be nessecary to "stop a tragedy before it happens" there would be police men lining the hallways, cameras in the bathrooms and metal detectors on all the entrances. Now I ask you - is that really a way to learn?



What we need as a society is to accept people for who they are...not label them or judge them for their outward appearance. I know that in our modern "go-go" society it's very difficult to take time out of our days to reach out - but even just a smile will help. You might just make someone's day...

Answer 4

Unfortunately, you'll never prevent future tragedies like this one. You can put as many laws and securities in place that you want but things like this will always happen because this world is more and more f****ed up.



More laws went in after Columbine, more laws when in after 9/11, yet this still happened. It's a never ending battle.

Answer 5

tragedies will always occur; we cannot prevent all of them, even if we had a benevolent big-brother state with telepaths monitoring all of us for hostile thoughts.



the best we can do is encourage all our peers and family members to be good, decent, tolerant and accepting of others, to show genuine compassion without trying to meddle in others lives. Lead by example. Maybe the next would-be shooter can find a true friend to lean on before he/she resorts to violence.

Answer 6

The problem here was a person wih mental health problems. Not that there was a lack of understanding.



The mentally ill can not be helped until they reach out for help. OR they are court ordered to seek help and medications. Even then it can be an iffy thing.



This man cut himself from other people and became deluded. No community of understanding could have prevented this horrible tragedy.

Answer 7

You teach about peace anu understanding. Unfortunately, we are creating a world of intolerance, judgement, and violence.



As a parent, I am well aware of the seeds we plant in our youth. I know I have a lifetime that will be invested in my child of these seeds and I hope they will utlimately make a positive difference.



Awareness, acceptance, a feeling of gratitude, and the desire to help others is what this world needs to prevent future tragedies as this one. It has reached biblical proportions, but even biblically, there was always violence.



Do what you can Dr. Chopra. I will do the same. One can make a difference and now my child will carry the torch.

Answer 8

I'm not sure what this question even means. Why not create a community of whimsical wonder? Would that help prevent tragedies?



Maybe this country can begin making sound and serious policy decisions for the benefit of her citizens, instead of political necessity.

Answer 9

We can't make every single person behave. What could be done to prevent at least some of these types of things is for the media not to talk about nothing else for 6 months after it happens and actually give these people publicity for doing this crap.



When crazy people see how these people made the news, shocked the nation, etc., it gives them ideas.

Answer 10

It won't make people with mental problems well.

Answer 11

as a 16 year old high school sophomore, i understand that there are a lot of issues with today's world that probably help cause these things, though there are probably some underlying personal issues beside those. either way, society today is incredibly cut-throat, brutal, and way too fast. there is so much pressure from parents, teachers, and everyone for kids today to always go go go. we're being pushed to fully understand and cope with things that previous generations didn't encounter until graduate school, and it applies to both academics and social issues. My generation is being forced to grow up too fast. and the fast pace of society means that if you start to stumble, u are going to be trampled and left in the dust. Even though so much more is being expected of us, we're not getting the comfort and support we need to deal with all the stress and anxiety. Our world is a traumatic place to live, just turn on the news! I think we need to slow down, and take the time to focus on the individual person, ask people how they're feeling everyday. And don't expect too much from us, we need time to grow up, and a hand to hold along the way.

Answer 12

way is that to be taken offensivly to anyone that may read this I am in that generation. People are becoming less and less concerned for others and their well-being. Sure, someone can sit there and say "I care about what happend at Virginia Tech", but can or will they really mean it when it is said? Even after learning the complete truth from every facet of the situation and still FEEL for everysingle person involved? If there was a world wide network such as this site and people with minds ready to be opened, leaving all preconvieved notions in the past. This would really have to be an intence experiance of patience and love but people would start to relearn how they view others and not get hung up on the bad but the beauty every living being posseses.

This might be really hard for some to even grasp and for me it is mind boggling but with will there is always a way. I know I am willing to go that way and reconnect with people and love others for all the flaws and beauty they posses. I would take so much joy in a group like this because the growth would take place on either end of all connecting.

Answer 13

Trust, understanding and love is something I see as very lacking especially for the "I want generation". In no way is that to be taken offensivly to anyone that may read this I am in that generation. People are becoming less and less concerned for others and their well-being. Sure, someone can sit there and say "I care about what happend at Virginia Tech", but can or will they really mean it when it is said? Even after learning the complete truth from every facet of the situation and still FEEL for everysingle person involved? If there was a world wide network such as this site and people with minds ready to be opened, leaving all preconvieved notions in the past. This would really have to be an intence experiance of patience and love but people would start to relearn how they view others and not get hung up on the bad but the beauty every living being posseses.

Answer 14

The universities aren't going to do anything because that would cost money and might cast a legal blame they were some how responsible. Even homeland security wasn't able to stop this attack. Virginia tech does have a warning system (most commonly called an air raid siren) and some colleges, including Virginia tech have a policy to sound the alarm which required for every emergency to seek shelter and bar/shut the doors. In another recent study 90% of K-12 students have been bullied while they were at school so with all those bullies out there, there is just that much of a change for somebody to get dangerously violent since the schools and parents willing going to stop it.

Answer 15

I think after a tragedy like this the "what can WE do to prevent this" is such an impossible question. Sane, law-abiding, normal people understand already. Those who are mentally unstable and not receiving help or treatment do not understand. Cho was a threat to others and himself--that was already established several times in his adult life history, as reported by the latest Yahoo article. I think one reason that others were not notified of these dangers (his parents, friends, the university) were likely because Cho was over 18 (or maybe it's 21 in some states) and the doctor/patient confidentiality rule was applied. However, if a patient is discharged from a psyche unit, especially discharged on his own against medical advice, one way we can prevent tragedies is for that doctor/patient confidentiality to be waived REGARDLESS of age, and discussed only with people relevant to the patient. If someone is mentally unstable, perhaps not on medication or not taking care of his/her needs, shouldn't the family, friends and close contacts of that person know??? I understand privacy and confidentiality. I used to work in social services so I get that. But it's quite possible that these doctors on the psyche ward were bound by this law and therefore were not able to notify the university, parents, etc., of his problem. If the appropriate people really knew what was going on, they may have been able to help, i.e. prevent.

Answer 16

way is that to be taken offensivly to anyone that may read this I am in that generation. People are becoming less and less concerned for others and their well-being. Sure, someone can sit there and say "I care about what happend at Virginia Tech", but can or will they really mean it when it is said? Even after learning the complete truth from every facet of the situation and still FEEL for everysingle person involved? If there was a world wide network such as this site and people with minds ready to be opened, leaving all preconvieved notions in the past. This would really have to be an intence experiance of patience and love but people would start to relearn how they view others and not get hung up on the bad but the beauty every living being posseses.

Answer 17

happend at Virginia Tech", but can or will they really mean it when it is said? Even after learning the complete truth from every facet of the situation and still FEEL for everysingle person involved? If there was a world wide network such as this site and people with minds ready to be opened, leaving all preconvieved notions in the past. This would really have to be an intence experiance of patience and love but people would start to relearn how they view others and not get hung up on the bad but the beauty every living being posseses.

This might be really hard for some to even grasp and for me it is mind boggling but with will there is always a way. I know I am willing to go that way and reconnect with people and love others for all the flaws and beauty they posses. I would take so much joy in a group like this because the growth would take place on either end of all connecting.

Answer 18

As a society of individuals we keep a tight relationship with our family and those we love the most. For example, I do not know anybody besides my parents and my sister who would notice if I had gone missing over the period of a week. From that perspective, it is all too easy for one to think that everybody else is simply apathetic and does not care whether you lived or died. It is easy to get caught up in this negativity, become withdrawn, or even apathetic yourself. I believe most people (especially in the US) are isolated in their household bubbles - whether they are with family, live with their spouses or loved ones, or share a room in a dorm with another student. An event like the Virginia Tech tragedy will pop those bubbles for an extended period of time. (As was the case with the World Trade Center tragedy.) It will also cause a ripple effect. Those neighborhoods that were closest to the tragedy will come together. Colleges around the US will mourn and wonder what would have happened if it was on their campus. Parents of college students will call them up and ask if everything was ok, and how are classes going, and did you hear about...? But through all of this, there is still that disparity. In a society such as this one, it helps to be proactive, rather than reactive. And despite what many believe, we are indeed a society. In order to not only annoint, but perhaps prevent these tragedies, we need to start smiling and waving to passerbys, take part in community events, and basically become people advocates. Only by doing this can we create the best kind of world for our children and ourselves.

Answer 19

Creating any sort of community to help others understand not only themselves but other's views is a great idea. I think that if it were possibal to have trust, understanding and love incorporated into such a program could help the masses.



Trust, understanding and love is something I see as very lacking especially for the "I want generation". In no way is that to be taken offensivly to anyone that may read this I am in that generation. People are becoming less and less concerned for others and their well-being. Sure, someone can sit there and say "I care about what happend at Virginia Tech", but can or will they really mean it when it is said? Even after learning the complete truth from every facet of the situation and still FEEL for everysingle person involved? If there was a world wide network such as this site and people with minds ready to be opened, leaving all preconvieved notions in the past. This would really have to be an intence experiance of patience and love but people would start to relearn how they view others and not get hung up on the bad but the beauty every living being posseses.

This might be really hard for some to even grasp and for me it is mind boggling but with will there is always a way. I know I am willing to go that way and reconnect with people and love others for all the flaws and beauty they posses. I would take so much joy in a group like this because the growth would take place on either end of all connecting.

On the levle of people with minds that really don't see any hope than that is such a sad loss. On the upside word of mouth travles fast around this planet so those that arn't ready will be when someone close to them starts to grow in this process. Of course realistically some might never WANT to change how they think of and view others/situations but I say LOVE THEM without reguard of their unwillingness and see what may happen.

Answer 20

A community of understanding? I believe that place is called heaven. In the meantime, we simply have to hope some psychopath does not go on a rampage and start killing people for no apparent reason. Honestly, I think things could get worse in America. There are so many young people being forced to go to college and become successful. I have already seen what that has done to young people living in Japan. Japan has had a very high suicide rate. The Japanese live such stressful lives because they have to be so innovative in order to succeed in today's global economy. I don't believe the shooter at Virginia Tech was mature enough to be in that situation. He did have mental problems, but I don't believe most people less than thirty years old are mature enough to be in a situation like that. That's why we hear about shootings at public schools and things like this. The educational system puts an enormous amount of stress on young people. I think kids are trying to get into colleges when they are too young. I think they should work for a while and decide whether or not they believe college is really worth it. I was listening to Bill O'Reilly earlier today. He said the young man that gunned down those students had been in a mental institution before, but doctors never considered him to be a threat to society. That's how the shooter was able to purchase a gun. The solution is not to deny anyone that has had problems with depression the right to own guns. I think doctors made a mistake. They didn't spend enough time deciding whether or not the shooter was a threat to society.

Answer 21

I don't believe communities of understanding can help prevent tragedies like the one at Vir. Tech. There were enough signals that this young man was a time bomb waiting to go off that the best the authorities could have done was to expel him from the school after conferring with his parents and suggesting professional treatment for this young man.



That would not necessarily have prevented the tragedy.

It might have made it worse. He might have come back on campus and done worse damage than he did, unless he was put into a secure facility for the mentally disturbed.



People like this young man don't understand a community of understanding. Until he committed a crime there were no legal recourses open except the one I mentioned above. He was consumed by his own evil in a way that no community can hope to touch.



I think, if anything, Americans try to be too understanding

of the wrong things.



Maggie LeMasters

Answer 22

Japan has had a very high suicide rate. The Japanese live such stressful lives because they have to be so innovative in order to succeed in today's global economy. I don't believe the shooter at Virginia Tech was mature enough to be in that situation. He did have mental problems, but I don't believe most people less than thirty years old are mature enough to be in a situation like that. That's why we hear about shootings at public schools and things like this. The educational system puts an enormous amount of stress on young people. I think kids are trying to get into colleges when they are too young. I think they should work for a while and decide whether or not they believe college is really worth it. I was listening to Bill O'Reilly earlier today. He said the young man that gunned down those students had been in a mental institution before, but doctors never considered him to be a threat to society. That's how the shooter was able to purchase a gun. The solution is not to deny anyone that has had problems with depression the right to own guns

Answer 23

Those who are mentally unstable and not receiving help or treatment do not understand. Cho was a threat to others and himself--that was already established several times in his adult life history, as reported by the latest Yahoo article. I think one reason that others were not notified of these dangers (his parents, friends, the university) were likely because Cho was over 18 (or maybe it's 21 in some states) and the doctor/patient confidentiality rule was applied. However, if a patient is discharged from a psyche unit, especially discharged on his own against medical advice, one way we can prevent tragedies is for that doctor/patient confidentiality to be waived REGARDLESS of age, and discussed only with people relevant to the patient. If someone is mentally unstable, perhaps not on medication or not taking care of his/her needs, shouldn't the family, friends and close contacts of that person know??? I understand privacy and confidentiality. I used to work in social services so I get that. But it's quite possible that these doctors on the psyche ward were bound by this law and therefore were not able to notify the university, parents, etc., of his problem. If the appropriate people really knew what was going on, they may have been able to help, i.e. prevent.

Answer 24

I don't think that a community that doesn't understand is the problem. This person had his own problems and the only thing that went wrong is that the doctor or someone let him out of the mental health facility. I think that what happened at Virginia Tech is a huge tragedy, especially because it is the worst shooting ever. But I don't think that anything or anyone could have prevented it. Even the doctor at the facility couldn't have known that this would happen. When people say that our community is not understanding so that's why such and such happened, it is simply not true. We can't control anyone or anything by being more understanding. We can't prevent anything. If someone wants to do something terrible they are going to do it anyway.

Answer 25

you cant prevent tragedies. having a bunch of people get together to whine and cry about how horrible the world is may be good for a chick flick but in reality the population is booming and with it are people who are mentally ill. I live in a small town, population is about 7,000. I understand that Virginia Techs population is 14,000, i cant imagine attending a school campus that has twice the population of most small towns. And all of them young adults and in a relatively small area(no where near the size of a town). What this country needs is to build smaller neighborhood schools (as far as high school and elementry.) and colleges should also be smaller, Virginia Tech (for example) could have a tech north, south, east, and west. and have the schools seperated by a couple hundered miles. each division would have around 3500 students. Smaller and much more personal. Also the gun law issues should not be an issue. banning things (like drugs) creates a market and makes things easier to get. The number one reason that drugs are so easily obtained is because they're illegal. If they were legalized there would be no money in it and thus no drug market. So, the stiffer the penalties or restrictions on obtaining firearms the easier it will be to get them, the people that sell them will get more money for them and want to sell more of them. In summary, You can't prevent things like this from happening, its impossible. Changing laws, adding law inforcement, creating "communities of understanding?" (Im not even sure what the heck that means, sound like some political daytime drama, "vote for me and i will make the world a better place." Understanding someone that has a mental illness is not going to stop him/her from being that way. I wonder, maybe the guys in Iraq should have a community of understanding, the war would be over! The Iraqis would recognize how compasionate the soldiers are and just throw down their weapons and then enjoy a group hug. Us and them, holding hands and smiling. I dont mean to sound cold and i hope this is not taken the wrong way, I have a heavy heart for the students and their families, but im not going to minimize their sorrow and pain by pretending im involved somehow. Its nobody fault, all of the media is trying to point the finger at someone, looking for a scapegoat. The school is not at fault, the students are not at fault, the institution that he was sent to is not at fault. He is at fault, He was ill and it was nobody duty to recognize that, especially in a school of (and i cant stress this enough) 14,000 young people. so lets stop fooling ourselves, there are no solutions. it is what it is and unless someone builds a time machine there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Answer 26

I think creating a "community of understanding" can only go so far in preventing tragedies. It's truly sad to see how our society tends to react after a situation occurs instead of pre-acting before one does. In the VT tragedy, Cho basically demonstrated on many different levels that he was a very troubled person that needed help. He did recieve some help but obviously not enough.

What role did his parents play in this? Where were they? Did they just accept his anti-social behaviour as just that...antisocial?

I think parents need to take a more active role in kids lives today. But I also think television is a huge influence in today's youth. Do all our programs directed at today's youth have to be drama based and conflict filled? Reality shows in the beginning used to be; for the most part, unscripted. Now the participants are coached in situations and producers know what brings an audience. Conflict, drama, violence, sex, and so on...

With this being said, not every tragedy can be prevented. Too many people are quick to avoid a situation and not get involved then they are to extend a helping hand. Then we all wonder what went wrong and what we could have done different.

Answer 27

I don't know if it can be prevented. The dialogue helps people possibly recognize the signs that disturbed people exhibit and maybe they would report what the issue is.

The problem is that the, forgive me, "psycho" has rights and even police will say- we can't do anything unless a crime has been committed. By the time the person explodes, a crime has taken place.

This disturbed, mean, selfish, mentally ill young man was reported to the school for a few instances of inappropriate behavior and all they could do was talk to him and tell him to stop.

I fear that we will lose our right to bear arms as we have all ready lost our right to free speech.

My theory would be to protect the majority and give the functional, civilized people MORE rights than the few disturbed ones around and remove THEM from the general population and let the rest of us live in peace.

Why do we all have to walk on eggshells and live in fear because we don't have other solutions for these disturbed, ill, potential crimminals like medicine and different therapies?

What is there to understand? Mental illness has been studied for a long, long time and it is still very much a guess, at best, as to which therapies work. The same medication doesn't work for two people with the same mental illness.

We need to understand that certain "defective" ones need to be taken from mainstream society and institutionalized- why do we have to sit back and wait for something to happen?

It seems the same for child molesters- it can't be cured.

Putting up with this garbage annoys me to no end!!

Answer 28

I'm a big fan - and now I'm a little confused??? I'm suprised you would ask such a question. From all the philosophy I've heard from your viewpoint, I don't quite understand where you tie 'an understanding community' in with 'preventing such tragedies' as this nut-case going off.

The best explanation I've read about these type of things was written by a mathematician (can't recall her name).

Her example cites a city such as New York or Chicago as high as 2600 murders every year. London showing around 650 murders per year, and Singapore around 50 murders per year. These numbers do vary, but are relatively consistant.

This means I can go to Chicago, address the entire city, and say that within the next 12 months, 2600 of the people in the city will become murderers. In London, 650 will commit murder and 50 in Singapore. And I can do this fairly consistently every year, according to past records.

So - this correlation shows that the number of people murdering other people is a 'Social' problem. Even though we hold the individual responsible - it is the fault of the society. These correlations point to possibility to have a city with NO murders - if the society was set up correctly. It looks like Singapore and Tokyo are on the right track. It looks like the United States is going the wrong way.

Of course - it depends on where priorities lie. The USA is more for 'individual' rights, whereas a city like Singapore is more for 'society' rights.

Answer 29

I think the first thing we must do is look at ourselves. As a society of individuals we keep a tight relationship with our family and those we love the most. For example, I do not know anybody besides my parents and my sister who would notice if I had gone missing over the period of a week. From that perspective, it is all too easy for one to think that everybody else is simply apathetic and does not care whether you lived or died. It is easy to get caught up in this negativity, become withdrawn, or even apathetic yourself. I believe most people (especially in the US) are isolated in their household bubbles - whether they are with family, live with their spouses or loved ones, or share a room in a dorm with another student. An event like the Virginia Tech tragedy will pop those bubbles for an extended period of time. (As was the case with the World Trade Center tragedy.) It will also cause a ripple effect. Those neighborhoods that were closest to the tragedy will come together. Colleges around the US will mourn and wonder what would have happened if it was on their campus. Parents of college students will call them up and ask if everything was ok, and how are classes going, and did you hear about...? But through all of this, there is still that disparity. In a society such as this one, it helps to be proactive, rather than reactive. And despite what many believe, we are indeed a society. In order to not only annoint, but perhaps prevent these tragedies, we need to start smiling and waving to passerbys, take part in community events, and basically become people advocates. Only by doing this can we create the best kind of world for our children and ourselves.

Answer 30

Somebody was giving him medication for depression and he supposedly was scared somebody was going to call the police on him before he started shooting.



I don't think anything is going to happen. What happened was basically a duplication of the shooting at the Amish school. Schools never adapted to that shooting.



Stricter gun control didn't prevent the mayor of the Japanese city of Nagasaki or the string of mentally ill people busting into schools and stabbing the kids. In Russia, the cheif weapons by serial killers are knives and screwdrivers. Hundreds if not thousands have been killed by machetees in Africa in the past two decades. On the other side, not many people sucessfully shoot up a U.S. police station, but during a shooting frenzy even police have been known to shoot their fellow officer.



The medical establishment and the ACLU will prevent the mentally ill from being publically informed (including back ground searches) nor will anybody house the mentally ill no matter how dangerous they are. The police think they should be housed at an asylem and the asylems think these people are so dangerous that the police should handle them (nobody pictures Dr. Ruth in riot gear).



The universities aren't going to do anything because that would cost money and might cast a legal blame they were some how responsible. Even homeland security wasn't able to stop this attack. Virginia tech does have a warning system (most commonly called an air raid siren) and some colleges, including Virginia tech have a policy to sound the alarm which required for every emergency to seek shelter and bar/shut the doors. In another recent study 90% of K-12 students have been bullied while they were at school so with all those bullies out there, there is just that much of a change for somebody to get dangerously violent since the schools and parents willing going to stop it.



Locking doors won't work during class time because if there was a fire, people inside would be killed like those people in clubs in South America.

Answer 31

Those who are mentally unstable and not receiving help or treatment do not understand. Cho was a threat to others and himself--that was already established several times in his adult life history, as reported by the latest Yahoo article. I think one reason that others were not notified of these dangers (his parents, friends, the university) were likely because Cho was over 18 (or maybe it's 21 in some states) and the doctor/patient confidentiality rule was applied. However, if a patient is discharged from a psyche unit, especially discharged on his own against medical advice, one way we can prevent tragedies is for that doctor/patient confidentiality to be waived REGARDLESS of age, and discussed only with people relevant to the patient. If someone is mentally unstable, perhaps not on medication or not taking care of his/her needs, shouldn't the family, friends and close contacts of that person know??? I understand privacy and confidentiality. I used to work in social services so I get that. But it's quite possible that these doctors on the psyche ward were bound by this law and therefore were not able to notify the university, parents, etc.,

Answer 32

Well let's look at the reason behind most school shooting committed by students of late. More often than not it was loner kids who the other students picked on mercilessly for one reason or another. They seemed to feel as if the only way to stop the teasing was to commit these atrocities.



It is important that we teach tolerance. You don't have to like everyone you meet, but because they are human beings they are deserving of certain respect. School aged children are the worst for bullying and teasing because of one reason or another. Maybe we should all drill into our children's head that the person you tease today is the person who may take your life one day down the line so they will understand how serious a matter this has become. Obviously teaching them to "do unto others" isn't working.



In Cho's case however I call for a look at the mental health system in this country. With all the red tape and bureacracy the people who the help most often slip through the cracks.

Answer 33

unfortunately creating a community is near impossible. No two people think alike or agree on much any longer. It would be a better world if it could be done, but in today's world it seem everyone has a need to hate someone.

There are so many issues and so many philosophies and so many different religions.

I like what Jesus said about "our father" and he added later "your father knows who you are" . Well then if the name is not right or not the same as some one else "Hey Dad , seems a logical solution"

I may be one of the very few who think that way.

Many issues are personal and yet others want to dominate, or make sure you can not make a decision for your self due to moral issues or maybe I should say the oppositions moral issues.

I don't think we have the answers, for example we have people who know they are going to die so they opt out, and yet look at all the Flack Doctors get if they help them go easily. Then there is the abortion issue, rape babies rarely get a good life and almost always end up being ridiculed for a life time , and many become angry. That anger may be well justified. They are the focal point of the little saviors who want to later in life treat them with contempt.

There is one thing for sure , most desire to be a part of a community of some sort.

Answer 34

I don't think it's that easy to just create some kind of community of understanding because the root digs down way before that. Children could have had a hard life at home, inspired by the wrong people and eventually become mentally disturbed. All you can really do is just hope, or figure out what triggers this kind of behavior in some people, but everyone has their different problems and we've dug ourselves a too larger a hole to start climbing back out again. You could blame the parents of the children, their friends, surroundings but we cannot monitor every ones lives making sure they keep on the right path, many will stray. We can all just try and be as kind to people as we can, smile at them, become their friend. The gunman was very quiet and he barely looked people in the face, and students at the school had never heard his voice, if the human race overall was much more friendlier, maybe this tragedy could of been prevented.

Answer 35

Do you want the quick, easy solution? Or the difficult, long term answer?



The quick answer is of course more gun control laws. That's what the socialists will say we need. It makes them feel good. "Look at all these laws we've passed. We are improving the country by further restricting the good people. Yay us." Just because 20,000 gun control laws haven't stopped gun violence, it is no need to be discouraged. Maybe we need 40,000 laws. After all, everyone knows that all problems are solved by passing new laws. I think they're going to outlaw cancer soon, so we won't have to worry about that either.



OK, so now for the solution that will work. Get more people in church. I'm not saying convert people to Christianity. I'm saying get them in a church, or a synagogue, or a mosque, or a temple, or wherever your religion goes to worship. Teach creationism or intelegent design as an alternative to evolution. Teach people that religion is a good thing.



Actually follow the Constitution. If you can find the words or even the concept of "separation of church and state" in the Constitution, then I will give you $100. It's not in there. The 1st Amendment says that government shall make no law establishing a religion or prohibiting the practice thereof. This was done to protect religion from government, not the other way around. The only constitution that advocates the separation of church and state is the communist constitution.



Why do I say that religion will bring an end to all this violence? Simple, every religion with the exception of Satanism teaches that all human life is precious. Most teach that you and everyone else was specifically created by God (or Allah, or whatever). This teaches that every human life has value.



If, on the other hand, you believe that you are just the result of some great cosmic accident, then you have no intrinsic value. And if you feel that you have no value, then how can you believe that anyone else has any value. And if I have no value in your eyes, then you are free to beat, rape, rob, or murder me.



Also, every religion teaches belief in an after life (Heaven, Hell, Nirvana...) This belief results in personal responsibility. You are held accountable for your actions. What you do matters and you will get what you deserve. If you treat people well and promote good moral values, you will be rewarded. If you shoot up a school, you will not escape punishment.



But if there is no afterlife, what incentive is there to live a pious life? If there are no lasting repercussions of my actions then why should I care? Why not just live for today? So you lied, stole, and cheated your way to the top. You never technically broke a law so everything's good. Lack of belief in the afterlife gives rise to the idea that it's only wrong if you get caught. So you cheated on your wife, no one saw you. No one will ever know. It's all good. You killed 32 students and now you face life in prison - just kill yourself and you can escape punishment.

Answer 36

Well I do not think that this is possible until we develop a better understanding of mental health issues.



People fall into several categories when it comes to this:



1. They counsel people affected by it and know what to look for if there is a problem.



2. They have a mental health diagnoses, or a family member does and know the signs and symptoms.



3. They work with people who are affected by it, and have a generalized idea. Although some of these people over generalize it. They put people into categories and do not discover the true person. Everyone is different, no matter how many similarities there are.



4. They know nothing factual about it and either think extremely negative about it or are understanding, but leave me out of it.



Even law officials are not properly educated on this. For example, the officers in my town that are trained to work with the people diagnosed with mental health cannot tell the difference between a problem and simple emotion. The same is true of others in this category. People with these diagnoses are allowed to have emotions like anger, sadness, excitement, etc and there is not an issue.



I think that all of the people around the man that did this all dropped the ball. They noticed his odd behavior and did nothing. They noticed his thoughts in essays and did nothing about it. They knew that he should have gone into the hospital when he was in court and did nothing about it. His parents avoided him, and I have no idea what happened with them, and they did nothing about it. The list goes on and on. I am sure that at some point(s) he even knew something was wrong and did nothing about it. This is probably because of the stigma attached to mental health. It eventually took him over and destroyed him and everyone else.



All of this could have been avoided if someone had stepped up a long time ago. The same is true with all of the other incidences. In every tragedy situation, there were signs that were all ignored.



We have to erase the stigma of mental health and educate people about it. Then and only then can we avoid these kinds of tragedies. Every day there is a 'tragedy' because of the stigma of mental health. People go on about their lives and do not get the help that they need.

Answer 37

Creating a community of understanding WOULD ultimately render the world completely tragedy-free...But, the question is, how do we create one? We would need commitment from the entire world to make it possible. The problem is that already too many people who's minds are corrupted anyhow wouldn't let us. We've let our world get out of hand. And the sad fact is that everybody ENCOURAGES it. Everything that is broadcasted nowadays is violent and encourages violence. And it's not stopping anyone from continuing that violence, if anything, it gives people ideas. If we made more emphasis on the good, not the bad, America's mentality would change completely.



But that's not really the answer to the question, is it?



By creating a community of understanding those who are opressed can become part of the "normal community". What I mean is, no one would judge them because of their upbringing, their mental illnesses, their nationality or their ideas. Those with problems could be honest, and not scared to share them, and by sharing them, find a solution, instead of keeping everything bottled up inside until they go crazy and can't take anymore, thus resulting in a violent end.



Hope that makes sense....:)



Oh, and I just wanted say I'm a really big fan Dr. Chopra



:)

Answer 38

It's not the whole country's responsibility to ensure that our college campuses are safe. I think after a tragedy like this the "what can WE do to prevent this" is such an impossible question. Sane, law-abiding, normal people understand already. Those who are mentally unstable and not receiving help or treatment do not understand. Cho was a threat to others and himself--that was already established several times in his adult life history, as reported by the latest Yahoo article. I think one reason that others were not notified of these dangers (his parents, friends, the university) were likely because Cho was over 18 (or maybe it's 21 in some states) and the doctor/patient confidentiality rule was applied. However, if a patient is discharged from a psyche unit, especially discharged on his own against medical advice, one way we can prevent tragedies is for that doctor/patient confidentiality to be waived REGARDLESS of age, and discussed only with people relevant to the patient. If someone is mentally unstable, perhaps not on medication or not taking care of his/her needs, shouldn't the family, friends and close contacts of that person know??? I understand privacy and confidentiality. I used to work in social services so I get that. But it's quite possible that these doctors on the psyche ward were bound by this law and therefore were not able to notify the university, parents, etc., of his problem. If the appropriate people really knew what was going on, they may have been able to help, i.e. prevent.



It's just one solution regarding one person. But the weight of this should not fall on the "community's" shoulders. We should be sympathetic and helpful if a person comes into our lives who needs that kind of help. Will it prevent these things from happening? I don't know.

Answer 39

Candidly, I'm a bit dismayed that a person of considerable philosophical talent such as Dr. Chopra would ask a question that has its own built-in non-sequitur.



What exactly is a "community of understanding"? Why do you presume that such a construct is the solution, to the apparent exclusion of all others? Who's to say such a community doesn't already exist, and that it's doing the best it can?



Look, you're a nice guy, so I'll spell it out for you. Short of improved psychiatric assessments and treatments (it is quite likely that Cho Seung-hui was mentally ill and refusing medication), better protective interventions (check your guns at the metal detector in the VT engineering foyer) or other more Draconian measures taken at the expense of civil liberties, preventing tragedies like this is unlikely.



Let's put it in perspective. It's been over forty years since the last college-campus random massacre, when Charles Whitman stood atop the UTA tower and took out fifteen lives with a sniper rifle. It will probably be another forty years before we see something this bad happen again.



In this period of time, some fifty million Americans have gone to college. Of this massive number of people, a handful, maybe five, have been so psychotically disturbed that they had the nerve to pull the trigger on campus with their weapon trained on someone other than themselves.



Absurd constructs such as "communities of understanding" are not going to make that number lower than it already is.

Answer 40

Don't let political correctness prevent people from doing their jobs because they are afraid of being called racists. Cho showed all the signs of a sociopath and yet nobody made any complaint official so the police had nothing on him but two speeding tickets for driving nearly twice the posted limit. Failure to deal with a problem in a cloro/race blind fashion, failure to monitor or analyze what a student is doing on campus property (setting fire to the dorm SHOULD have been a red flag to someone, and the first, not third stalking episode). There will always be sick people, monsters, out there, but they need to be dealt with, NOT ignored before they kill. And not glorified by the media afterwards, as has happened once again, and will, the next time some creton tries to top this record somewhere else. And if they dealt with teh truth about "Ismail Axe" maybe they could prevent more of these incidents in the future, but everyone will prefer to ignore it and hope the threat goes away, sacrificing more innocent lives to a growing social dosorder.

Answer 41

This tragedy was caused by long term severe mental illness, not by a lack of understanding. No touchy-feely, fluffy answer is going to do anything to avoid a future situation.



The only way that this tragedy could have been avoided is with appropriate mental health care. However, the individual has to want the treatment. Unless some law is broken there is no way a person can be forced into treatment. Even if a person is forced into treatment how quickly will the treatment fail if the patient is fighting against it?



This tragedy definitely cannot be solved with a group hug and pats on the back all the way around.

Answer 42

Children could have had a hard life at home, inspired by the wrong people and eventually become mentally disturbed. All you can really do is just hope, or figure out what triggers this kind of behavior in some people, but everyone has their different problems and we've dug ourselves a too larger a hole to start climbing back out again. You could blame the parents of the children, their friends, surroundings but we cannot monitor every ones lives making sure they keep on the right path, many will stray. We can all just try and be as kind to people as we can, smile at them, become their friend. The gunman was very quiet and he barely looked people in the face, and students at the school had never heard his voice, if the human race overall was much more friendlier, maybe this tragedy could of been prevented.

Answer 43

A community of understanding would in fact help prevent a tragedy, such as the one at Virginia Tech. For example, if a community of understanding had been present in the gunman's life, then nobody would have criticized him prior to the tragedy for being of a different race, age, name, etc. Now according to news reports, the gunman's priority was to kill whoever reminded him or did discriminate him in the past. Also, if nobody had ever discriminated against him in the first place, he may have been at Virginia Tech or even a higher institute taking on education as a challenge and as a goal in life.

Answer 44

A community of understanding simply will not exist in American society. We aren't raised by the community anymore. The signs & symptoms were quite prevalent in this case, and yet they were all ignored. "It takes a village to raise a child" is obsolete in this day in age. Unfortunately, parents are having trouble enough to raise their own children, let alone neighbors understanding and caring for neighbors. The community would have to care enough to understand, but this man was shunned in every attempt he made (or was forced into) to get help. No one paid attention to the warning signs. So, I would say that more people are to blame here for the death of those victims. Granted the man was mentally ill - but if the PHYSICIANS & PSYCHIATRISTS in the community could get past worrying about how much $ they are receiving for an appt. rather than doing all it takes to make a proper diagnosis - these things could be prevented. And this IS the issue at hand. So the question you are asking should go something like this, Deep, : How can creating a medical community of understanding help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech? Well, if you didn't have to be a 'rich' person to get proper medical care - maybe he wouldn't have gone off in such a tangent. He would have received proper medical care. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and denied attention in the state of FLORIDA for not having insurance with her $10.00 an hour job. My family and I had to move her out of FL in order to seek out a clinic that could remove the rapidly spreading colon cancer. There are a lot of things that need to be changed in the community. But people do not work together , they work very much apart. I believe these tragedies could be prevented, but not many are willing to devote the time, cost, or effort in doing so.

Answer 45

I think what the community and leaders need to understand is being "politically correct" is not always the best solution. Take the shooter at VT , he had been diagnosed as a danger to himself and to others.. He NEVER should have been allowed to stay on campus, not if he refuses not only therapy but meds. Because of a similer student that had been removed from a Virginia campus in the past, sued and won , legislature was inacted to protect the rights of students like the shooter... To Hell with the rights of the other students. It was a community of "understanding" which inacted the legislation which would have prevented this kid from the campus. What our leaders and community need to understand is the rights of a few should NOT enfringe on the rights of many.. Government schools and their "politically correct" way of putting everyone on the same "playing field" also helped create this tragedy. When two kids fight, both get in trouble.. All this teaches a young student is not to defend oneself but to depend on others to save you.. All this "we need to be more understanding and less hurtful of others feelings" is doing nothing more than creating a generation of people which are dependent on others for all their needs. Sometimes life sucks.. Not everyone needs to make the team, those which succeed in class should be honoured above the rest, If you start a fight only YOU get in trouble, time out doesn't work but a paddle sure makes you take note... We don't need a community of "understanding" we need a community which takes a stand.....

Answer 46

The root cause of a child begins at home and the upbringing they get,values instilled in them at an early age along with the surrounding environment. The peers are just going to influence the same way as the upbrining does affect and every kid so if kids learn good from their parents and experience harmony at home they will never have weird thoughts....a mentally challenged person can be detected in his own home and thus treatment can be initiated by his/her parents but that means parents have to take up the whole responsibility which means communicating with their children on daily basis and spending quality time.



Arms and ammunition influence kids coz of the media and since all the media does now a days is cover all the issues influencing the world to detail some sensitive minds think that taking matters in their own hand wud solve issues but it's their confused state of mind which makes them take such steps.



This world is not better place for anyone to eradicate the problems and corruption each of us are facing as much evil and evil thoughts prevail in each of us thus making people understand on a mass scale is a challenge in itself.



We have many religious channels today but how many really watch it ? it's only when some goes thru a bad phase they seek god and help but otherwise humans have their own set of thought process running which no one can control.



Thus, finding solution to this problem is only hoping that good ethics and a sense of responsibility is instilled in the individual at a very early stage in his/her life....which means a better home and a better surrounding.



It's useless if u restrict coz restriction causes more crimes and more instability.



Personal individual councelling in the schools is a way of knowing wats going thru a childs mind and an early detection can put a check on the childs behaviour. Also one more thing that can be done is once in a week the childrens are made to do some good work for the society which will make them realise that they do have a responsibility to fulfill against the world and in the society.

Answer 47

We all have different opinions but a few have taken

the same point of view. You've put yourself in the shoes of the victims, but no body's put themselves in the shoes of the shooter. That's the point. He turned into a threat. It didn't have to be that way. People make assumptions. That's the problem. If just one person had stopped and taken the time to look at the guy to listen to him, to figure out what was wrong with him it might not have happened. It would have only taken one person to save his life and the life of the others... This is a great tragedy, like so many before. We always wait until something terrible happens to say it's time to make some changes. It's time to stand together and make things better. Nothing ever changes not until something massive happens, that's when people open their eyes and say that's terrible, how horrific. That is the only time that we actually come together and try to help each other out. No one wants to hear about the bad that has or is going to happen. No one thinks it will ever happen to them or their family. When is all honesty something this big and this terrible affects everyone, just like 9-11, and Columbine. With so much bad out there it's hard to see anything good....



I am in no way justifying what the shooter did, taking another life is unforgivable. I'm just saying it could have been prevented just like all the other massive tragedies that have scared our country.





our lives can change with every breath we take... hold on like hell to what they've got... we've all got meanness in us, but we've got goodness too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. And that's why we've got to make sure we pass it on.





NICKLEBACK:





IF EVERYONE CARED





From underneath the trees, we watch the sky

Confusing stars for satellites

I never dreamed that you'd be mine

But here we are, we're here tonight



Singing Amen, I'm alive

Singing Amen, I'm alive



If everyone cared and nobody cried

If everyone loved and nobody lied

If everyone shared and swallowed their pride

We'd see the day when nobody died



And I'm singing



Amen I, I'm alive

Amen I, I'm alive



And in the air the fireflies

Our only light in paradise

We'll show the world they were wrong

And teach them all to sing along



Singing Amen I'm alive

Singing Amen I'm alive



And as we lie beneath the stars

We realize how small we are

If they could love like you and me

Imagine what the world could be



If everyone cared and nobody cried

If everyone loved and nobody lied

If everyone shared and swallowed their pride

We'd see the day when nobody died



We'd see the day, we'd see the day

When nobody died

We'd see the day, we'd see the day

When nobody died

We'd see the day when nobody died

Answer 48

Unfortunately I believe anything we do to try to prevent or offset tragedies like Virginia Tech, Columbine etc. We will be always be fighting an uphill battle. As long as there is sin in this world things like this will always happen. This is the true illness in our country and the world alike. Men in all there puny efforts will never overcome the evils of the world. Unfortunately many of forms of lifestyles whether it be of media, religion, government infrastructure or whatever perpetuate the evils of the world. Sin has been the problem and it will always be the problem until this world is over or God Almighty eradicates it by cleansing the land. Which may call for many if not most of the world suffer judgment through life or death. Tragedies have been happening since the beginning of time and they will continue to happen. America wake up. We live in a corrupt society, rule by a corrupt system. Which is the government who once feared the laws of God but have now go astray. Whatever one may call it whether it be sow and reaping, karma etc. This country along with the whole world has been sowing into sin, corruption, injustice etc. Unfortunately it's reaping time and lives are apart of the stake. We are a people built up on violence, revenge, retaliation, greed etc. Even when it's not warranted. Just look at the war and all the lies the war is built upon. We cater to sin but we don't want to eat the fruit thereof. It saddens me deeply what happen but there is worst to come. Prophecy must be fufilled. Evil knows no boundaries until the Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lord has returned. I would encourage anyone and everyone don't die with ever knowing Jesus Christ.



Truth hurts

So does surgery

Though thank God for anesthesia

But more than thank Him for the

pain that we was suppose to bear

and so deserve. His son took that we

might have life eternally.



With Love.

Answer 49

You can try and create a community of understanding but with the busy schedules of most people I really don't think it will succeed. In college life it might work, but once you leave that environment I don't feel it will. People are short on time etc. People don't seem to care until a tragedy like the one at Virginia Tech happens. Good question though! Wouldn't it be nice to find such a community?

Answer 50

We need to continue to have questions like this and ones that probe even deeper about our individual role in what has become the outrage of young men in American society, outrage that creates this kind of mass violence. I know people are going to hate me for saying this but we are all complicit in some way or another because we pretend its not our problem.

Isolation and depression are created by modernization and perpetuated by the way we live in this society. Just look at how many people take anti-depressants in the U.S today? Our children or young people should not be suffering from depression.

I read that many people had this kid pegged as a potential problem or threat and when I read this I wonder if his noted behavior before this tragedy was not a cry for help.



We see the signs and we know the causes: exposure to violence on a daily basis, unhealthy attitudes toward sex, bottom line politics and corporate greed over human health and lives, intolerance of others differences; these are the things that are reaching the minds of our young today through a plethora of media and messages and we must put a stop to it at once.

We must somehow show our children that we are all a part of a global community in which one part effects the whole and each positive and negative thing we do has an impact on not only us but everyone around us. We have to become human beings again by not being so quick to judge and maybe just taking a little risk and asking someone "do you need a friend?"

Answer 51

The question is very vague. What is "a community of understanding?" I'll assume that the question can be interpreted as "if we encourage people to understand one another, how will this help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech?"



But this question doesn't address the issue of the type of sociopathic mental illness that the murderer possessed. How can one "understand" another human being, when one doesn't even believe in the other human being's validity or right to life?



Living in a society which encourages communication, empathy and sacrifice for the greater good (this does NOT define the current situation in the U.S.) would indirectly lead to the identification and correction of grave mental illness, such as the murderer possessed.



Understanding does not go hand-in-hand with a greedy, violent society.

Answer 52

I wrote this poem half a year ago, and the theme is exactly the same as the tragedy at Virginia Tech. That killer decided to suicide after he shot and killed those people, so the law (government law = law of prevention) will not have any effect on him (death Ego). To answer your question, the way I think to prevent a loner from doing terrible thing is to have everyone gets involve in the community. Let just use a smaller group of people rather than the community, let say a group of students in the same program. The school should have some kind of activities eg. club meeting, out door BBQ, party, etc... once every two months but they must get every student to show up. Give them reward for showing up eg. marks, food, etc… Also, and have a couple of counsellors there to talk to the students and look for those loners and get them involve in the activity too. For the community is the same concept, I believe that the government can do it, the question is about the budgets that is needed to run the program.



God created the law of nature

Human created the law of prevention

Law of nature applies to the universe

Law of prevention applies to the egotism

A living ego obeys the law of prevention

A death ego only obeys the law of nature

Answer 53

I'm all for a community of understanding -- I think we've really disconnected in the modern age, and people have spend more time watching TV than they do actually talking to other people. I think the internet helps to connect people again, and maybe once they rediscover the art of connecting, we will connect better in real life, too.



But I don't think you can foist this tragedy off on "an uncaring society." There are hotlines, there are teachers, there are classmates and friends. And maybe if the teachers and classmates had noticed something wrong, it is *possible* that this tragedy could have been averted.



But ultimately, something was deeply wrong with that guy, and it was his choice not to reach for help, and his choice to kill those people. Many people have survived horrific abuse and loneliness and even mental illness, and have *not* gone on to mass murder. So I think the fault and the guilt rest firmly on him.



We can't invade millions of people's privacy just so we *might* be able to root out one berserker. But it is a lesson that we should pay attention to what's around us. Give help where we can, alert the authorities when it seems necessary. But none of us should think that a murderer's deeds (or a suicide) is our fault. The killing is a kind of emotional blackmail on the killer's part. The last parting shot at the world they hated.

Answer 54

How about if the community understands that we ARE a community and that if we watch out for each other a little better, these people - mentally ill or not - wouldn't get a chance to do these things.



For example - if this guy shot two people at a dorm, how in the world did he escape? No one saw or heard anything? IN A DORM? Are you kidding me? And then, how did he get back on campus? No one noticed he was carrying weapons? What is wrong with this picture?



The police screwed up and so did the school, but that will happen. Heroism is rare these days and that is truly sad. When we all put ourselves first and not the greater good, well, how can anything be other than what it is? (and I don't mean run after a gunman and tackle him down, but LOOK out your window or your peep hole - give the police something to work with - a description, a direction, something!)



Be more vigilant people. Just pay attention for goodness sake. If you want to live in a community of understanding, start by understanding that you, yes YOU, are part of a community.

Answer 55

creating understanding obviously helps because then people overcome their fears and apprehensions about other communities.but i guess it can never be absolutely efficeient because human beings always have had and will continue to harbour suspicion anout people apart from their own,and at the same time i very much doubt if it can be done on a large enough scale.no matter what we do,how can we be sure that the next time a person from one community is wronged by one people from some other community ,s/he will not go into some kind of rage.

but understanding between the communities has to be promoted and it should be done at the highest order,this will not wipe out the problem but will certainly reduce the possibility of something like virginia tech happening again,and this movement should be spearheaded by people of influence and stature in society.

Answer 56

Society and the media as a whole does not create a community of understanding and basic human behavior is not loving or is accepting of others. Even if they do need help. Children are brainwashed to find violence against others as acceptable. Every time they play a video game that kills or watch the news where the people that are the criminals are given free press time for the crimes they commit it gives them the idea that the behavior is acceptable. A lot of people like that are attention seekers and feel for some reason they need the attention to feel justified in their actions. It is not enough to just be loving and teach kindness in schools, but they need to stop letting bully behavior go on and make people accountable for their actions. Their is no accountability anymore and you can not prevent a tragedy like this if you have a community that breeds this sort of behavior.

Answer 57

I'm not sure creating a community of understanding will help prevent tragedies like that. You can never fully understand the mind of someone who is mentally disturbed and predict where his mind will lead him. I think it is a matter of educating the community to be more aware of the signals and providing a way for someone you feel is a threat to receive treatment. No plan will ever be fool-proof otherwise we would not need rules and laws for situations like these. Presently we do not live in a utopia where everything is perfect. Death is a part of life and along the way there may be many tragedies and disappointments. Having the resilience to go on despite the odds and create something positive is among the strongest characteristics that we as humans have. Without that resilience and strength, anyone of us can get lost in the shuffle of life.

Answer 58

First we must ask why people feel the need to hurt other people. Have you ever noticed that if a child gets in trouble with a parent and is denied something he wants, he'll often take his anger and humiliation and lash out at his sister? In this sense, we're all still basically children. Not that many people are capable of shooting up a college, but when we hurt, if we're not given comfort or some other release, we tend to push that hurt outside of ourselves, onto other people. I'll give another example: a few months ago my husband had a bad case of the flu, and he was missing work and very scared (when he was a baby his "flu" turned into spinal meningitis and nearly killed him). I had to make an extra effort to try to comfort him and not take it personally when he snapped at me. He was miserable and wanted to get rid of that misery any way he could, even by snapping at me. This is the human condition.



However, we can stop this vicious cycle. It's called love. Just pure, basic love for your fellow man. We may be very different people, but we're all in this together. We're all just trying to survive. Each of us needs to keep that in mind, and perhaps, if we do, we'll be more sensitive to other people. If you notice that a co-worker has been especially quiet the past week, don't ignore it. Ask, "You've been quiet lately, are you okay?" If they don't want to talk about it, don't push, but the fact that someone cared enough to ask will help. If you don't know the person well enough that you feel comfortable approaching them that way, find some other way to bring some pleasantness into their day. Step aside and let them use the copier first. Ask if they want anything from the soda machine. These little actions really do help, and they make the world a better place.



Homicidal and suicidal people tend to think that no one cares about them. Let the people around you, even the strangers, know they're not alone.

Answer 59

Understanding is the basis of any relationship. We are living in a time , where we see things from our perspective.

We do not realise that our perspective could be prejudiced, or wrong. The other issue is we start judging people based on one action. We have become so self centered about us, we have created the concept of exclusion. We need tolerance and true love. Love with understanding, our society is so focused on externalities that we have forgotten to focus on our innerself ... how many people think about what they really are ? We need to slow down, turn off the tv .. and other external distractions and focus inwards, introspect.. and we should also not focus on changing the external environment or anybody else, there should be a movement where each individual takes some time off to tries to understand himself, and see if he the problems, or issues, are with the outside world or if it is with him, if it is with him or how he sees things, then he should change himself. Also most of the time, nobody hurts us, we allow ourselves to be hurt ... that is what causes the hatred, if we are strong inside nothing can hurt us, humiliate us or belittle us, it is the awarness that we are what we think we are ... that opens our eyes to reality.

If each of us try to live by moral values, follow the law, show consideration for all living things, and love each other un-conditionally, it could help creating the community of understanding to help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia tech, after all we are the community .....and part of the whole ...

Answer 60

One thing that has to be done is more people apparently have to be empowered to act in positive ways. I've heard several interviews where people basically knew that the young man at Virginia Tech was going to explode at some point and seemed to think he was dangerous, but no one seemed to have the power to do anything about it! He was kicked out of several classes for strange behavior, but ultimately no further action was ever taken (such as expulsion from the university). Btw, what does it take to get expelled from Virginia Tech???



I think the legislature in Virginia (and for that matter all states) should make sure that colleges have the authority to deal with students that are seriously mentally ill in some proactive way: either to encourage them to get counseling or if they will not then perhaps they should be expelled if they are seriously mentally ill. They should also follow up periodically to ensure that the students are no longer a danger to themselves and others on the campus. The man on Virginia Tech showed signs of serious mental illness for 3 years and nothing was done despite students and faculty reporting to campus police and administration! That is another tragedy of this that this student was ignored for so many years on campus.



Several people in my local news are also suggesting everyone should start arming themselves with guns. Oh, that's what we need. I could just see thousands of college students on campus arming themselves with assault weapons. And can you see the ones that like to drink a lot and fight a lot now having guns too? There will probably be college shootings every week! Oh, yeah, that will solve campus violence!

Answer 61

It is very tough. Teachers should have the right to order a student to see a councelor. If the student disobeys the teacher then he should be expelled from the university.



Supposedly, he had schizophrenia and was 23years old. The parents could of been trying to convince him to get help, but there is only so much parents can do with an adult. Unforuntately, some people with schizophrenia get help after they commit a crime. .



Anyway, the community is created by Virgina Tech. The school did everything in their power to prevent this tragedy.

Answer 62

Unfortuntaley, Im not sure we'll ever be able to prevent that kind of tragedy. This world is fast becoming a battle zone. It is a wonderful thing however, when a community (and surrounding communities) come together as one to comfort one another and work towards coming up with a solution to at least TRY to prevent future occurrences as horrible as the one at VA Tech. My heart is still sad for the families.

Answer 63

well Dr Deep, if you are pulling the all knowing intelligent teacher card in an effort to get us laymen to think more, I believe you could best serve us with your knowledge and tell us how to prevent tragedies like Columbine or Virginia Tech. As far as I know, none of these children were brought up warped or abused. In my opinion, they were chemically imbalanced. Can it always be seen and identified? No. Are the parents to blame? No. Should we be enlightened to look for signs, yes. But there would need to be classes about such, plus a willingness to attend etc. And as for creating a community of understanding, it would be nice but there are too many variables.

Answer 64

Lets Consider What The Shooter At VA.Tec Didn't Do.

He Could Have Kidnapped The School Authorities Or Shot A Celebrity or Joined A Terrorist Group

He Did What He Did Because He Thought It More In Tune With The American Way. We Have An OK Corral Mind Set

We Need To Not Allow Abuse Of The elderly Or Poor Or Sick Or weak Or Dumb.Then crazy People Won't Have A Role model And They Will Just Kill Themselves

Answer 65

I think they are very aware of what they need to do now. Unfortunately, when a tragedy like this hit, it causes new sense of awareness which should have been prevented. I think it is Virginia Tech's fault for allowing this to continue especially warning from students and faculty members. They had all the warning signs and should have done better protecting of the community. These signs should have been looked into for sure. Same thing with the 9/11. America is under target from many countries and itself. Now we are taking precautions with the airport with all their new rules and regulations. But again it takes a tragedy to learn from these mistakes? I think that is not the way to go. We need to be on guard at all times.

Answer 66

We should all join that great socialist organization know as S.U.S.S.(Socialist Utopian Society Syndrome) and we will all live happily ever after.



One thing that can be done is get medical information to the FBI so that when a background check is done for the purchase of a fire arm, that sale can be terminated when that medical information warrants.



When I purchased a Sig P220 45 Cal about 2 years ago The sale was put on hold for a day until they cleared up a problem that didn't exist. I bought my first gun at the local hardware store when I was 12 years old (Winchester Model 12, 12 Gauge), I have been purchasing 1 or 2 fire arms each year for over 40 years and never had a problem before. So I know that their are flaws in the system that can be repaired.

Answer 67

Community understanding may help a little to prevent tragidies like the one at Virginia Tech. Though I believe that it all starts at home and parental guide is a big factor. Still we can't fully prevent such tragedies mention because people change what ever education you give. It is sad to think that the tragedy itself happens inside the school campus. I don't think that the school is not giving enough subject in respect to proper behaviour. There are lots factor to be considered here not just education and community understanding.

Answer 68

My opinion is that the current generations, are suffering from family separation, traumas and the modern life style, that affects them emotionally, I say we should have some tradition in our lives, and culture that will hold us together,.. Parents should stop being selfish and start paying attention to their kids' lives, but not misinterpret that by spoiling them, as this creates a bad effect too, for example that could cause their kids to be bullies and not consider other peoples' feelings which also leads to tragedies.



I think life has become extremely hard, you have to exhaust yourself with work in order to live a "standard life", the prices of everything has increased and will keep increasing, and we all want to have the latest of everything that is in the market, that creates an unhealthy environment where everyone is so busy with their lives trying to achieve what they need without consideration to what matters the most, their family! …The media brainwashes our minds which makes money the highest priority and by that we neglect what really is important, we should all remember in the end, we will be gone, and we wont take any of this with us, the thing we could do is leave a good mark in the world, like to help keep family close together, watch their personality traits and social lives, and insure they are in good mental and emotional health for the generations to come.



If everyone started putting the family as top priority , the world would be better , and many tragedies can be prevented.

Answer 69

"How can creating a community of understanding...at Columbine High School" should have been asked way before. I remember the day of Columbine, and many school activities/programs followed weeks after. Yet same tragedies still occurred. I also remember this...

Instead of seeing possible problems and preventing them, many media looked for blames. The NRA, parents, schools, what kind of music the killers were listening to, what were they watching, and were bullies troubling them?..yeah, none of those blames have worked either.

Unfortunately we can do so little to prevent such tragedies. I am not offering a white flag to those murderers out there, however, I am alert and careful for those who want to hurt me for their troubled minds.

If we are able to prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech, we are more than capable of preventing, murders, suicides and terrorists.

I guess the question now is, what have we not done to prevent such thing? what alternatives? alternatives after another? Plan A, B, C, D,...?

it's an endless war.

Answer 70

I think yes... I think people like them need somebody to talk to but just can't talk, they can't find people they can trust. And they are insecure to start out with... which makes it even more difficult.



I think if he had an outlet, to express himself, he might have not done this. The reason they take such extreme measures might be because they have everything bottled up inside of them, and it just builds and builds until they can't hold it in any longer. I would think the bottom line, is that they do want to be understood, they do want affection, want to be listened to and they don't or can't get that and they show all those missing feelings in a different form.





And by participating in a community, whether virtual, real...etc... or online like Yahoo Answers, they can find people to talk to. And, sometimes just having somebody to communicate with and listen to your problems, makes you feel like you have somebody that cares for you. After all, isn't that almost the same as what they would do at professional councelling or therapy?? And also with communities like this that span the "world", there is a higher possibility of finding people, that share problems, thoughts and feelings....which make you not feel alone, or different.



I have seen lots of answers, on yahoo answers, that have been really considerate, affectionate, and caring... and just a single affectionate, understanding answer can make a difference in how a person feels.





So, yes I think creating a community of understanding can help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.

Answer 71

I do not think that there is one sole answer to prevent this type of tragedy. An online community or several cannot hurt because alot of people are online, although so many are not. Help lines (phone) exist and do help, although they need to be advertised by the different medias as a mandatory FREE community service alot more then they are. Also more need to be created. Parent, student, workers awareness also needs to be awaken on a much more frequent basis, and in alot of case in much better quality communication. All the services and programs created together will not prevent all tragedies, but some of these programs already do prevent tragedies already. How many? we cannot know exactly. Although many Do Not commit suicide because of these programs and also do not kill other people that they love or hate before doing so.

Awareness communities are very welcome in my book. They are Part of the solution, just none of them will actually be THE solution to all tragedies. It is just like trying to control the environment, eventually it backfires beyond control.

Answer 72

Tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech are not 100% avoidable, nor will they ever be. It is a very good sign that occurrences like that one are extremely rare at colleges and universities. The only way to make it possible to nail down every potential threat is to take away most of the civil liberties of the population. Given the options, we're doing quite well.

Answer 73

no can do.

Virginia Tech was one guy who obviously had a major mind problem.

sad is, that some teacher warned and have predicted this, but nobody was listening.



I strongly believe - and Virginia Tech is the evidence - that such thing is not something what happends from out of the sudden.

Aggression is building up, its a process, which can be seen if looked. Best thing to do is, listen when somebody warns and take it serious. Problem is, that certain people will then just point a finger on everybody.

That we saw in middle ages, when they burnt innocent woman accused practising dark magic or what they called it.

Answer 74

I Do Not Have An Answer To Your Question Only GOD Has The Answer.

I Really Hope This Does Not Keep Mental Health Patients From Getting A Degree. A Mental Health Patient Is Not As Dangerous As Most People Think.Mental Health Patients Are Perceived Wrong Most Of The Time And Are Not Dangerous No More Than Any One Else.The Mental Health Patient Is Usually Rejected Most Of The Time As It Is.Has AnyOne Stopped The 911 Incident? This Is What Is Equal To What Has Happened At The College. Are They Dangerous?

Things Happen And There Is No One To Blame For These Situations.People Need To Let Go And Move On.

Answer 75

I think that will be very difficult. As humans, don't we always judge people by their appearance, etc. before we even know what kind of person this is?

What we need to teach our children and practice ourselves is tolerance and acceptance of people no matter their color, religion or beliefs.

Is a tragedy as this preventable? Honestly, I don't know.

I have just read online that this young man was tormented and apparently picked on by fellow students. According to my son who says he is in the Geek group (he is only in Middle School and is already labeling himself) the weaker or different people always get picked on. He says at a certain point you just grin and bear it. But what about people that eventually can't take this anymore? Where are the teachers and authorities when bullying happens? My son says that not all the teachers step in, some have the kids will be kids attitude........

As a society I think we have the obligation to make sure that our schools and colleges are a save haven for everyone. We already have schools in place where backpacks are checked every morning and policemen roam the hallways (surely not a bad idea), but I think we also need to step in when a child is being bullied, verbally or physically. This child eventually could snap, as adults we don't let anyone bully or bother us, so why do we look away when it is happening in schools?

A very good read on this subject is 19 Minutes by Jodi Piccoult. It deals with a tragedy such as the one that just happened and let's you see through the eyes of a student that goes beserk after being tormented by fellow students for years. It is heartbreaking!

Let's hope that we all will learn from this tragedy and hopefully will be able to prevent something like this in the future.

Answer 76

In my opinion, such a problem may not occur if the people around the person have provide some help and understanding to the situation of the person. a more caring community that look out for one another may be a good start to reduce tragedies like that at Virginia Tech.

Answer 77

There are two answers: In the real world, if somebody is going to commit murder/suicide, they should do the suicide part first. In the Oprah world of 'warm and fuzzy' WE should all have a pet Unicorn and they would all be friends and we could play in the land of cotton candy and have happy thoughts all day long.

Why is it always about what WE can do to make everyone feel good? Are WE supposed to close our eyes to the fact that there are crazy people out there or should WE be preoccupied with not wanting to hurt people's feeling by using words like 'crazy'? WE have to get used to the fact that life can sometimes be rough. Writing books about a perfect world where bad things don't happen and if we just close our eyes and envision rainbows and sunshine to change it is misleading and cruel.

And what the heck does a 'community of understanding' mean? Understanding what led the gunman to kill or understanding that there are an awful lot of people who's lives will never be the same because some of their children/siblings/cousins/friends/students' are dead? The phrasing of the question implies that hugging a psychopath will make everything right. I smell another best-seller.

Answer 78

I would like to say it can, but I think that all evidence points to the contrary. I'll show you what I mean by dissecting your question.

How can -creating- a community of understand. Nobody can create such a community, because to do so would be tyrannical. You would have to find a means to force everybody else to see it your way, the understanding community.

To help prevent tragedies like the one in Virginia Tech; you can't prevent these things. Nobody really gives off many warning signs when they're about to go crazy and shoot up a school. There's no way to prevent it without a totalitarian big brother staring over your shoulder constantly.

Cho, contrary to his video manifesto, did -not- shoot up his school because he was being picked on. That may have been a contributing factor, but what actually happened was a mental breakdown. He lost control to the temptation of a single, evil thought.

Like the man who pleaded guilty to suffocating his own two daughters with a pillow because the strange, twisted thought just entered his brain--and made him think that it was to save them somehow. He plead guilty and was wrought with grief over his absolutely incomprehensible bout with insanity. The fact of the matter is that we cannot prevent these things from happening, and the reasons that these things happen could very well be a natural manifestation of a subconscious link with the necessities of nature. I forget what animal it is, but some strange animals throw themselves off a cliff to their death when they start to overpopulate--willfully. It goes without saying that this is either an extremely rational decision, or a preprogrammed instinct designed to control population for the good of all. The same may be true with these mass-murdering kids.

Answer 79

A community of understanding? We tell ourselves we are nice, understanding people. Yet the truth of the matter is that this country has evolved into a society of individualists. And as such, we mainly occupy ourselves with our own business. Look at the homeless who stand with their signs. A fraction of the people who walk by them even look at them, let alone do anything to help them. They feel small and insignificant. Most people don't care how they got there, and don't feel that that could ever be them standing there. Same scenerio across the whole country. It's only a matter of degree that seperates every person in this country. You have a nicer house. He has a nicer car. They make more money. She's prettier. Everything's a competition. Where's the acceptance of different but equal? Everyone's focusing on Cho's mental instability, and he was. Unquestionably. But they're also not addressing what his perception of reality was. He was made to feel inferior, and he was angry about it. If you did a survey of students from kindergarden to college senior. I'd be willing to say that a high percentage of young people feel pressure that whatever they have or do isn't as "good" as someone else' whatever. It's a fact of life, jealousy is a human trait that has the power to drive people to exceptional success or can destroy them with low self-esteem. If self-esteem descends a soul to the point of suicide, and is coupled with mental illness and anger, it becomes a time bomb. We all start life at different levels: richer, poorer, smarter, dumber, prettier. There's no equality, except in the fact that we all have the right to be here as much as anyone else. If you look down on others for what they don't have, you're a part of this problem as well. My blessings go out to the families.

Answer 80

My thoughts are, that we should pay attention to the very lonely and perhaps angry person we meet in school, at work or even on the street. I think we should reach outside ourselves and listen, look and if our intuition tells us, "Something is wrong here, this person needs my help", we should definitely DO something. Who knows if we could avert a catastrophe? It really is not important if we never find out. We may never know, but the fact is we can do something, every day, to help people who feel anger and hatred. We can become a friend, a confidant, a support to them. We can give them an outlet, thus diffusing their anger.

We are here to help one another, above everything else. Why in the world are we not doing it?

We are our brother's keeper, and we must assume responsibility for making our world safer and more humane.

It begins with us, though, and we cannot keep ourselves within our own little circles of family and friends.

Now, more than ever, we must extend ourselves beyond our comfortable boundaries and become the humanity we were meant to be. The people who can change everything for the better.

We have within our grasp, the ability to save a life, a community, a city, a country and a world.

Answer 81

If by community of understanding you mean defined behaviors and sanctions, etc., these were in place. They did not prevent the tragedy.



Given the circumstances as we know them, I do not believe a community of understanding is sufficient; this young man was repeatedly noted and reported for problems before the final tragedy, but for whatever reason, nothing was done to effectively remove him permanently from the student body before he harmed himself or another physically.



As a non-violent loner, I can tell you it's easy to slide through the cracks; people around you are busy, generally with something more pressing or more interesting than the quiet person who sits at the back and brushes off personal inquiry. As long as the work gets done to specifications and the wierdness that comes from being off to start with and then spending too much time alone doesn't cause officially-reported, paperwork-inducing problems, most people will settle for reasonable personal hygiene and go on their way. Those who did not or could not settle, those affected by the shooter's previous antisocial behaviors, were too little too late, and so Cho bought himself a gun and killed people until the police put him out of his misery.

Answer 82

I think it's thinking like that, that got us where we are today. Feelings and understanding and all that crap. Creating a community where parents are expected to raise their children, not let them run wild is a good start. A swift kick in the a** kept me on the straight and narrow. I have a child and I am all over everything she does. She is responsible for her actions (to some extent) and she pays the price when she messes up. I don't spank or hit her, but she fixes her problems, deals with them, and we talk about it. When she is a teenager and she has more freedoms I will do what it takes to keep her on the right path.



What good is a "community of understanding" without a community of people doing what is right?



I understand that you are upset and shot the neighbors dog. Lets hug it out.

That's not going to help anybody.

Answer 83

it Can't.



I am saying this from own experience. If you remember Lincoln Sudbury, which suffered with the fatal stabbing of a student on January the 19th of this year. Our school had and still has a very caring community where students help each other through good and bad times. It is also a place where there is and was no bullying. Students respect each other.



The truth is, trageties like these happen. Some people when they are born have illnesses, and the people who kill like that have mental illnesses. The man who shot at Virgina Tech was clearly proven before he even shot any one that there was something wrong with him. Teachers were worried about him before the massacre. Or at least the Media said.



What schools should do is keep a closer eye ( counciling, and if needed counciler supervision during school hours) on students who show to be depressed, or that show that they might be violent. This way, they can help students and stop something like this to happen again

Answer 84

This is easy, when the State of Virginia has determined that this person had a mental disorder and was a potential danger to himself and/or others, every relevant agency of the state should have been notified. VT should have been told so they could expell him. The state's information data base should have been informed so that this person should not be able to legally purchase a gun. Having a place with tens of thousands of people in a "gun free zone" only creates a safe place for the psychotic maniac that wishes to create chaos. Therefore, creating a community of understanding would be a wonderful and brilliant thing which could help prevent aweful things like this.

Answer 85

There is evil in the world and when the enemy has a willing

vessel as the Bible rightly says. The evil one has come to kill,

to steal and to destroy. This is not a joke. He will steal your

dream, he will destroy your family, he will kill if given the

chance.



The Bible says train up a child the way he should go and

when he is grown, he will not depart from it. So parents are

line of responsibility in the way their children behave.



I sacrificed my carrier to stay home and take care of my

girls. It is a choice. We may not see it. But children are in

the forefront of the enemy's attack strategy.



When King Herod heard that a child has been born who will

become a king as prophesied he feared and kill all the

children under 2.



When Pharoah in Egypt thought the Jews were growing

stronger and bear more children than the Egyptians, he ordered all male babies to be killed. So the battle for the

souls of our kids will continue to rage.



Wake up to this reality. There are forces out there more

powerful than any laws we can put in place. Things happen

in the spirit realm, before they ever appear in the physical.

So to win this battle, we have just one choice. Return to the

Lord. Stop fighting the Biblical upbringing of our children.



Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Here are the fruits we bear today:

adultery

fornication

uncleanness

lewdness

idolatry

sorcery

hatred

contentions

jealousies

outbursts of wrath

selfish ambitions

dissensions

heresies

envy

murders

drunkenness

revelries

and the like.

These are the fruits, in other words the harvest of

taking the Bible away from the schools.



But the fruit of the Spirit is:

Love

Joy

peace

longsuffering

kindness

goodness

faithfulness

gentleness

self-control



Do you see the difference? Can you tell what seeds you

will sow to reap the harvest listed above? There are two

lists. Its your choice. You decide.



You can find the details of these harvests in the Bible

Galatians 5: 16-26



You fight the ten commandments from being displayed

in public places. One of those commandments says, thou

shall not kill. And yet, when there is a killer in the public

place we cry, weep and lament.



The battle continues between evil and good. If you are led

by the Spirit, you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the

flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;

and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not

do the things that you wish.



Wake up, there is a spiritual battle going on. The thief has

come to steal, and to kill and to destroy. The Bible stands

above all human opinions.



Or can you give me a reason for this senseless act in VT?

Answer 86

This can easily pin point those residents that are in need of help.

I truly believe that it all starts at home. Teaching your children by example. if a child hears his parents, grandparents say mean and dishonoring things about another, this child too will do this as well when h/she becomes an adult. One should learn to respect others no matter what creed they are.. Everyone is the creator's child.

If this happens one can easily get help, and another will not ignore the help that the other needs. Although this individual was deeply disturb, the fact is since childhood he had slipped through the cracks of society. With an understanding community , this would have not happened. Remember it takes a village to raise a child.

My heart and prayers go out for all the victims and their families as well as the shooter's family. How devastating they must feel knowing that their own child had done this and they ignored all the syptoms of mental illness.

Answer 87

It is not always a matter of understanding and love! Some people want to be left alone for many reasons! This is not the healthiest behavior, but some times is needed! By having people over your head that "try to understand" you are getting stressed BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE "RIGHT" (?) to know!



No they have not! Until you ask for help, or someone to talk to, other people should mind their own business!



This, "WE" thing that is spread among modern societies, creates an environment of pressure.

Pressure for the people, that they do not manage to get respect from the other members of the team! And if this team remains for a long period of time, in a school or a university for instance, that means that you are the last in the "food chain" for all this period. That is bad and depressing! Danger comes from that direction during sensitive years and with sensitive personalities.



So the key to the problem is to reduce the "classes" between students and teenagers and to teach them some respect for the others. We do not have to drag people, that match some "dangerous" descriptions, to give extra tests and get counseling because all the others would feel safer!



The fears and mass hysteria is not a reason to torture suspects and to humiliate them! They do understand that there is this "unofficial network over their had plotting against them"! It is also an "invisible enemy", that you can not confront in a jury or in a battle. It is an "enemy" that no one admits that exists. It is the dictatorship of the "many", not of the few or even the best. I would say it is a "dictatorship" of the worst!



This behavior invites practically some people to give an "end" to the team that have diminished them and isolated them. That is why there are blind shooting incidents! Not all people have the mentality and the reasoning to balance things in their own heads! So personality breakdowns occur!



Respect for values is the answer! If you fail to meet the values standard then you fail in life! If you fail to meet the "standards" of some friends, this doesn't matter! You have to do what is right, not what is "needed" to stay popular! The people that fail to do what is "needed" to be popular, some times falsely, begin to shoot! Young people, should know that success comes to persons that do what they must be done!

Answer 88

I think your own answer is embedded in your question, that is, you are assuming that a 'community' will prevent this type of tragedy. That concept might work to a certain extent with some things like depression and suicide, for example.

Unfortunately, this child was probably schizophrenic and, as such, this illness is difficult to diagnose, much less to treat.



However, that being said, it is my personal experience that most schools leave their students virtually on their own. That, and the fact that this period of life can be very daunting, can create a troublesome mixture.



We are in the midst of a crisis situation where funds are cut drastically for the mentally ill, people are ignorant of the problems, and prejudice is rampant toward the ill who have no tools with which to help themselves.



Just think about it: in New York alone, public hospital stays are limited to 30 days, just about the time that the meds kick in or before, so the patient is out on their own practically before they've even gotten better.



Mass random killings in the US are an almost weekly occurence these days: you hear of them in the workplace, family unit, schools, malls, etc. By and large, the killer is most certainly delusional and has gone undiagnosed for ages or has recieved only limited treatment.



If there is to be a community out there to be created, we might start with our own larger country and that begins with the money needed for the resources.

Answer 89

My opinion, there's nothing that can "Prevent" such tragedy, accept by luck, IF they get caught in the act of breaking the law before it's too late ! You can't jail people for their thoughts ( even IF you know them ) only their actions by then it's too late, the tragedy has occurred ! Trying to force care programs ( of any kind mental, drugs...alcohol ) on people does not work because the want for the help has to be in the persons heart & soul... when or IF it is... they will seek & accept the help, even then tho, getting help is no guarantee, it will help or prevent them or anything else... insanity just is, for some people ! This man, like Mc Veigh & others, are not stupid, but insane, they plan things, they think they are right, have the right to do as they do & it definately makes a " Statement - when it bleeds it leads " ! No laws will stop or prevent such tragedy accept by luck... tho Life & Living can & does obviously make some people insane... there's alot of " Dog eat dog" ... people & pressure that makes Life & Living about money... not living !!!

Answer 90

1 thing that seems to be common to all these events is the fact that all the perps at one time or another cried out for help in a way. The problem is no one who heard the cries felt like getting involved. A person who has something to look forward to does not do this type of thing. Friendship, love, just a joi de vivre will prevent a person from this type of depression. The part we need to work on is the human element. If we take the time to pay attention to one another and actually LISTEN and ACT on what we hear we can help avoid these situations. Everyone needs someone to love and be loved in return. The absence of that can trigger depression and then anger. We need to have an addition to our childrens classes, a course in communication. If we learn to talk about frustration and hate at a younger age maybe we can teach this out of our population. There is no quick fix for the politicians so they can solve this and get votes. We spend too much time promoting "self success" and get ahead , be better than everyone else. Pressure to acheive can crack any psyche if intense enough and if it goes on long enough. People should be allowed to be normal if they don't want to put out the effort to be #1.

Answer 91

I think it does start with an individual effort but realistically, the person with the problem isn't going to voluntarily come forth and admit it. If someone notices a person actually a little stranger than usual, yeah, pull that person aside and offer to help them or get them some help. Most will not admit they have a problem or they may feel it's too late.

I really had a problem when they took prayer out of school. Say what you want, but whenever there are tragedies like this, there is an immediate request for the nation to pray. No offense but this is what should have been going on in the first place. How would you feel if a person tries everything else and then when they all fail, they come to you? I'm sure God feels the same way. I'm not preaching, but He does deserve more respect than that.

I was recently prescribed some anti-depressants because my doctor felt as if my illness would lead to depression. After hearing all these stories about people "flipping" out if they forget to take their meds or decide not to take them altogether, I haven't and don't think I should take them. I don't want to be dependant on meds to help me get through the day. I pray alot and read my Bible and I ask for strength on a daily basis. I also pray for our country and hope this never happens again. But bottom line, as long as there are people who want to take matters in their own hands, it will happen again. I only wish that if a person was so set on harming themselves, he/she would leave others alone. I am not condoning suicide but it is so selfish that they want to kill others before they take their lives.

Answer 92

( Hope you read this )

First, your question lacks clarity ..... with that said,

as a resident of Blacksburg Va. let me state for my home-town, that the lack of understanding is not the issue here.

How can we prevent such a horrific incidents from reoccurring? Or what other safety measures can we take to prevent another tragedy?



There is no true way to stop it completely and it doesn't take a doctor to know this. You can start at home, put more laws in action, have more faith in your religion, more mental health counselors available at any hour and add more security. This will lower the percentage of such incidents

If our nation hadn't spent million$ on investigating an unfaithful President and if our current President hadn't fired head of security, we would have the means to protect our loved ones better. Where are our priorities as a NATION? Do we spend the monies to educate more in the fields required to prevent tragedies & secure our country? Or do we figure out exactly how that CIGAR was used? Here is an idea, "Hey Bush don't FIRE those who trained for years & lived double lifes to protect us ALL!"



~~~Dedicated to all "Hokies"~~~~

A "Hokie" is not just a Va tech student, or a sports fan, or a home-town good ole boy or girl. A hokie is not just a mascot, it is a state of mind. It is integrality, honor, loyalty & a hokie nation of extended family. Our essenses of identity lies in our families, friends, religion, and our home-town. We become stronger, wiser, closer, & more protective with our heads held high.

Answer 93

hmm 'a community of understanding' 'that can help prevent tragedies like the one at v tech?' how about change society and its structure. for instance why we waste 6 hours of a childs day to send to the memorize bullcrap that in no way shape or form relates to REAL LIFE. Create programs that help a community thrive by helping to provide food, clothing, and shelter. but at the same time build a peaceful community i.e. carpenters, eletricians, biochemists, physics, science in itself. Plenty to be learned. We can make this happen but society doesnt want to change because we allow these things to occur we will always live in a world of tragedy. i.e. Give the army weapons power not every one should own a gun imo. We are protecting ourselves from outside invaders that is all we should need it for WE do not NEED to start wars on the inside and that is what is occuring.



People wake up and smell the roses civil war is already here.

Answer 94

This might be really hard for some to even grasp and for me it is mind boggling but with will there is always a way. I know I am willing to go that way and reconnect with people and love others for all the flaws and beauty they posses. I would take so much joy in a group like this because the growth would take place on either end of all connecting.

On the levle of people with minds that really don't see any hope than that is such a sad loss. On the upside word of mouth travles fast around this planet so those that arn't ready will be when someone close to them starts to grow in this process. Of course realistically some might never WANT to change how they think of and view others/situations but I say LOVE THEM without reguard of their unwillingness and see what may happen.

Answer 95

I think the community needs to come together in unity, love and concern for one another. It all begins with reaching out to those who are less fortunate and those who are the least and those who are being bullied and hurt because they turn inward and they become angry, resentful, bitter and full of hate. We are growing more intolerant and even in this day and age we are still judging by skin color and not content of character. We are going to struggle, but we all need to come together and unity and love and in a perfect world we would be safe.



How do we prevent this from having another Virginia Tech? We may have to make stronger gun laws and once we have someone with the rage that this young man had show up in a counselors office and to the police, they need to be on alert. There is a lot to be done and a lot to say and all of in hindsight.



We just need to do more and keep doing more so that we don't have another Columbine or Virginia Tech.

Answer 96

Ya' know Dr., you call for a perfect world. It's not going to happen. The fact these incidents are so minute in the overall scope of the grand scheme of the college experience (in the United States) is simply an overlooked fact. In this country, we have been improving our community of understanding since 1776 and we continue to do so today. Yes, there are disgusting and ugly bumps like Columbine and Va. Tech, yet those are minutia compared to the overall high school and college experiences in this great nation.

The last thing we need to do is only focus on the tragedy; we need to focus on the loss of life, and supporting families that have been broken by this horror. We also need to focus on the fact that the United States continues to have the greatest educational system in the world because the United States is a community of understanding. It will continue to be improved Dr., so forget preventing tragedies like that. That simply is not plausible because we already have such a community. The fact that a bad egg exists is not representative of a community that lacks understanding. I think your question fuels the fire of people believing that the murderer should have been "understood." I do not share you view, in this particular instance. Peace.

Answer 97

I feel what's most important in a community is not necessarily understanding but the attempt to accept different people. The difference, I feel, is where one implies a certain level of judgment, the other simply skips that process of gaining a concept of another for ones own self, and shows an automatic love. Brotherhood I feel is unconditional love, and loving another as ones self.



I feel that in the case of Cho Seung-Hui, the people who were closest to him, his roommates, may have went beyond what is expected, but I think we may expect too little in the first place. In a community that accepts the individual and embraces him as their own, members would not use as a method the "three strikes" approach with others. It's instead necessary to use then discard these "strikes", especially for people like the "question mark man". Getting to know a person and loving a person goes beyond strikes, and it is necessary to invest more in others, strangers, not just those we perceive as worth while or kindred, and refrain from the attitude, "I have only so much for the other."



I feel that if an individual such as Cho, or as the Columbine kids, who he made reference to and likely related to, were embraced as a brothers, the fear, awkwardness and embarrassment both sides feel approached with bravery, such individuals would feel able to begin opening up; he might from the moment he stepped onto the campus have undergone growth and healing.



Of course no one is perfect, and maybe it is unfair to ask that a person invest so much emotion and time on a stranger, but the outcome of this latest tragedy is more unfair—to all involved. I think overall what I am talking about here is compassion, something, along with sacrifice, that should be the goal of every individual and community.

Answer 98

When there were less people on this planet and everyone knew their neighbors and cared about them was long ago now. Much of the community of understanding has been lost and the world has become increasingly impersonal and many people are isolated. In this case, some people saw warning signs of a troubled person and they tried to help, it was to no avail and the tragedy could not be prevented. We can try as hard as we can but some things just cannot be prevented, we are not perfect.

Answer 99

That's the thing, people don't want to have to understand. I have to admit, we are too wrapped up into our own lives. We are too selfish to understand. As long things are going good in our lives, then no one else's matter. Right? You all have to admit it. It's true. Why should a stranger's life matter? The first step is stop........ and look around. Don't be so judgemental towards others, that means toward the rich, poor, illness, famous, average or anyone. I don't know your life and you don't know mine, unless we actually sit down and say a few kind words to each other. Even then, you, nor I have the right to judge. Learning to accept and trying to understand is the first key. Then, try to help and show concern. This was a very troubles kid, who really needed some guidance. Listen to all the students who said, he was quiet and a loner. He didn't say much and had a unusual demeanor about him. Maybe if someone would have just sat down a talked to him and tried to be his friend and understand him rather than judge him from a distance, things could have been different. I am not blaming anyone, I am just trying to see the big picture here. Trust me, I am as guilty as all those who judged him. Why are we all so against each other? We were always taught to share and learn together and work as a team when we were young. Why can't we do that in our everday life and remember our values? Why can't we all as humans work together and stop all this nonsense? Killing each other and hurting each other? Why don't we try to understand each other?

Answer 100

I think the state of Virginia needs to improve upon their stalking laws. The shooter stalked two women prior to the events of April 16th. I live not far from Virginia Tech and have had an ex-boyfriend who stalked me (he is now in jail) along with two other women. No one took it seriously at all and all of his behaviors and the way he thinks are extremely parallel to the VT shooter. I was shocked when I was being stalked, called the authorities and was repeatedly told that nothing could be done about such behavior. And the man I was in a relationship with even told a police officer he would 'go down for capital murder'. Central and Southwestern Virginia are 'good ol' boy' networks where they just do not take what is happening to women seriously. Had someone done so with the VT shooter, perhaps we would not have seen such a tragedy occur on Monday.

Answer 101

There are a number of ways we can create a community of understanding to help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. First of all, everyone on a campus whether it be elementary school, junior high school, high school, or even in life people must learn how to get along and treat each other with respect at all times - we all see how the Don Imus situation blew up and now this tragedy. Plus whenever a parent purchase a gun their kids should be unaware of it and not know of it, period.

Second of all, I was listening to the Tom Joyner Morning Show when I heard him come up with a bright idea to change these things from happening. He mentioned if the people who are going to buy these guns, should have trusted family & friends with him to describe what type of person he is to the gun shop owner. There was one flaw in this which his sidekick, Sybil pointed out, his friends would lie for him which is very common.

To Tom Joyner's suggestion, I'll add that there must be an on-duty police officer and a lie detector conductor there to help the owner out. The lie detector conductor would question these friends or whoever to see if they're telling the truth and when it comes out they're lying the person purchasing the gun & the liar would go to jail for a week or longer. The police officer would be there to protect and serve the owner and the conductor while he calls other officers to pick the two up and bring them to jail.

This will definitely create a community of understanding help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.

Answer 102

Certainly there is no real cures for mental illness. We can recognize the issues that those people have. We can somehow change the laws that allow teachers to report concerns and to get help.

But one issue of the violence in schools is the attention that schools give to the exceptional. Athletes are treated with adoration and their attitudes are accepted or ignored. Kids from rich families are coddled and pampered. The brilliant students are sometimes encouraged and rewarded. But those that are not is the limelight and often ridiculed by the athletes and smarter and or richer kids. It is often this harassment that makes those children feel alone or worse banished. I had two children that were good students, not athletes, and we were middle class parents. They had a difficult time in school. Not to the point that they wanted to react to the attitudes of the teachers and other students. But enough to make high school uncomfortable and unrewarding.

That is the environment of Columbine or Virginia Tech or most other schools.

Answer 103

We have overlooked bullying for years. We have come to accept as a part of our society that we just dont talk about and we allow it to go on. The problem is we have witnessed many tragedies that are a result of bullying. The columbine masacre and now the Virginia Tech masacre are all a direct result of people treating someone as less than human for years, until that person takes revenge. If you listen to the stories of how he had been treated for years, there is no question why this happened. Young people with plent of money and great homes treated him like an animal and no one ever reached out to him and asked if he was allright. They just overlooked him, harassed him and bullied him. The only help he got was punitive at best. I am not surprised at what he did. I know it is tragic and I believe it could have been provented. The lesson here is people cannot treat people who are different so poorly. People should not allow themselves to think of themselves as better than others. The popular people in schools should not turn there noses up at people they view as outcast. People should learn to treat all humans equally, with respect, love and concern. Dont put yourself on a pedastle and dont look down on others. We have seen these warnings time and time again and no one has done anything except act surprised when these tragedies happen.

Answer 104

There will always be evil on earth. We can never prevent every tragedy, and disturbed people like Cho fall through loopholes in the system. When we are able to prevent tragedy, it is only because of the grace of God.



If we were like God, knowing and seeing all things, we would be able to at least try to prevent all evil happenings. However, since we do not know the future, we can not always correctly interpret warning signs that point us to the conclusion that a disturbed person could turn violent against himself and/or others. Just as Cho's own professors and counselors could have never predicted the Virginia Tech tragedy, so we, even armed with much intelligence and wisdom, can not predict when, how and where a tragedy will occur and stop it from happening.

Answer 105

I can't really. The best thing that could be done is that America should make the rules tougher. The freedom there is great, but it is abused and that should not be allowed. The rules are already tough, but America needs to do something there.. Okay, people say that mothers have weapons to kill their abusing husbands, i totally understand that, but don't we have police for that? If we remove all the weapons and make sure it is hard to get by, things like this will be prevented. How about closing websites that show you how to make bombs? That could be a great help too. The weapons can stay as long as the freedom is not abused but here, it is abused.. But i can only wonder how many more would have to die before weapons will be hard to get by.. What about just legalising that for states that do allow shooting someone who is on your property? Let's start with the little things first by changing it in one state and see what happens..



But the best thing we can do for the community is by educating them. The people who need help needs help, urgent help, you cannot let someone like Cho walk lose in the street, you never know what might happen. The best way we can all resolve this is by educating people and explaining them if there are any changes in people's behaviour that they have to report it to someone who can deal with it. We have to educate them and then it is really up to them how they will prevent these tragedies. People do these things for reasons. I'd say give someone some counseling.

Answer 106

As long as humans remain individuals we will have the occasional person who runs amok. Short of an ant like community that is well thought policed there is no prevention for tragedies like Virginia Tech. It is a shame that the effort expended in fruitless efforts to prevent the inevitable is not turned toward the prevention of automobile deaths or fires in substandard structures or to something were there would be a payoff. Speaking in terms of "creating a community of understanding" shows a poor grasp of human nature.

Answer 107

It depends on what you mean by a community of understanding. Knowledge is power which should be used as a force to prevent future tragedies. First of all, the community needs to understand how essential is the issue of pharmaceuticals in present day society. Granted, some individuals with medical or psychological problems can benefit from pharmaceuticals. But to a great extent today's drug problem is at the drugstore. The pharmaceutical industry has far too great an influence on the medical profession. And it's too easy for a doctor who is struggling for an answer to a patient's problem to simply "prescribe something". The killer at Virginia Tech was prescribed medication and there has been some suggestion that his extreme behavior may have been a result of his medication. As a doctor and a metaphysical guru you may not find this answer a warm and fuzzy one. But what happened at Virginia Tech is a not an easy question answered by someone from a community of "beings of light" with a pat zen type answer.



Therefore, what we need to do is to grapple with the prescription monster created by the pharmaceutical industry in concert with doctors. Next, we need to understand how best to help those people who are loners and suffering from lack of love.



The unibomber, Theodore Kaczynski, and the Korean student at Virginia Tech have a similarity. They both appear to have been love starved and lacked basic social skills on how to communicate with the opposite sex. How do we help those who are love starved yet not intrude on the privacy of those who enjoy their solitude? Furthermore, how do you balance out the good and bad in profiling? It's not that difficult to screen out individuals like Kaczynski and the Korean student at Virginia Tech before they do harm to others. But do we want "thought police" preempting actions before they occur?

Answer 108

Sir,



Community may be a way out of it. But we can never understand as to how effective it might be.



Personally, I think that we need to understand that its an illness. An illness which one suffers from under a certain environment.



After this incident we need to read the stats and understand.



Almost 90% of these cases are from USA. Why?



Why a normal human behaves in such an erratic manner and takes such a drastic step?



No gyan here but in most cases we have seen that the victims are usually 'sandbags'. Too easy a target. The killer is usually a calm loner. He has nothing to lose. Life is worthless to them and the 'soul-challenged' guy knows it.



Options we can look at to prevent the same:



1. Community which is easily available at all places. The mode should not be too electronic! A human touch is required, where one could confess about anger and other emotions (something like what we have in churches)



2. Less cold environment

Not that the temperature should be regulated but that the atmosphere of acceptance should be in every class/rooms/workplace. A tough call.



3. Vent-anger institutes/Clubs

Where a member could take an extreme position (shooting targets, punching, etc) to vent out his/her anger. Something like what we have in China.



We can think on this. Problem is huge. It will take time to solve.



Abu

Answer 109

as bad as we want answers, i think that our media does NOT help at all. they help us to see the names attached to the faces, they help us to understand the crimes. but after watching the video clips and the photos by Cho Seung hui, this will now make some other disturbed person to try and top this massacre. I feel that the package released by NBC and CNN and ABC and, and, and... you get the point, was not the best idea and now a person will try to become more infamous than Seung. The media has only glorified it further. to get back to the point. I am confused. In his diatribes, he was stating that everyone could have avoided this disaster. If people were more understanding, not as promiscous or bratty, maybe he would not have snapped. I dont know. But after listening to the interviews by his former suitemates, it sounded like people did try to reach out to him, so why the difference? ANd unfortunatly, i dont think that an understanding community is the only step to prevent tragedies. The amendment 'the right to bear arms' was written way before modernization and before a time where guns were not as much of a problem. It seemed like the Poetry professor had her arms tied, as her superiors may not have picked up on the same signs as they are not in the same venue as him. And school officials would need to take teacher concerns with more care. Basically one is able to fool everyone, Seung did. It sounds as if records would only have existed if the authorities would put every little thing in it. singular things may seem innocuous, but put together, the referrals to the mental hospital, the 'threatening' of the students, should have been enough to raise red flags for the FBI and ultimatly the denial of a weapon without the average Joe knowing the exact reason why it was denied by the FBI. also there should have been an orange flag for the 2nd weapon, may not be something, but could be everything. I think as the normal citizen, we are just told signs of depression, we are not educated enough to see the real signs, again singular things were noticed but not all put into context. His former suitemates were able to pick up his offness but did they know enough? Would we have known if we were in their shoes? So instead of just a community of understanding, there also has to be very strict and harsh gun control, better recording systems, media standards, and better education for the younger population, as well as the older ones. Also i feel that while it might be an invasion of privacy, a school should know if a student of theirs owns a gun, or 2. they wouldn't know everyone who had a gun, but it could maybe help to keep tabs on students, especially if they are mentally disturbed.



Also maybe another random thought that may seem silly. Since physicals are strongly encouraged, and even required by some, there should may be a more indepth study of 'the killer brain' and screen a sample population across the country and look at the development of the brain and compare it to Charles Whitman, Cho Seung Hui and others and see if indeed there is a common thread among killers or potential ones. and maybe this way, people would be able to give help to others before they know they need it.

Answer 110

The problem is much bigger than it actually appears.

For starts, lets just take a wild guess at the number of people (kids, teens, youth, middle aged and the old) at the number of people who fall between the category of 'normal' and the category of the gunmen at virginia tech.

My guess would be atleast 25 percent.

The problem is that we get active with such issues only after it reaches its extreme but the fact is that all such people are trying their best not to reach the extreme but never get acknowledged for their efforts.

Categorising such a large number of us will not help any way as it has not helped till now. The number of such people has only increased despite the 'CLAIMED' advances in sciences.

The training standards of scientists, ie Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Counsellors etc, is also a question to be addressed.

I know of atleast one case of a family friend who has been put on drugs from the age 18 and today at 45 he has just become a zombie. Waking up and facing life every morning is an effort to him which is beyond our comprehension. No doctor throughout the course ever tried to reduce his medication and I feel are the culprits for his situation.

Social changes are the only answer to such maladies and that too imbibing and inculcating such change and not alone preaching and propagating from a high pedestal.



Family seems to be the ideal platform but alas the fabric of the society has been undermining this institution for lond and this is what is responsible for our miserable state of affairs which is more than acknowledged by the sentiment of desperation that oozes from your question as well!

Hope we all learn, whether from our mistakes or otherwise, or else how do you think we humans can bridge the gap,which is quite wide, between the human race and the animal race which I guess is superior. I quote: ' OF ALL THE LIVING CREATURES MAN IS THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT KILLS ITS OWN SPECIES' What a shame!!!

Answer 111

Common, you just gotta accept that some people are naturally evil and that things happen. hopefully the departed accept Christ and will have better thing to look to, but If they didn't then...everyone gets a chance. I think that getting to that pont may be prevented but incidents like these will happen all the time, as long as Christ is not an integral part of our society. The way they might be prevented is through not stressing kids that much! I mean common! look at most engineering schools, it's a complete dog eat dog world aout there, I mean...It's too competitive, it's not unusual that kids have nervous breakdowns. when professors start relaxing, parents understanding, and the entire industry accepting that there is a limit to human knowledge (although we're far from it) then...maybe then,,,might thing like this be prevented. But you can start by creating a sense of interconnectedness between parents and kids, I mean parents can be strict or too laid back, the decease of the nuclear family has a lot to do with this. if you can create a nacional ethic and moral, you might be able to solve it, but not in any way of "community understanding" that's like the beginning of fight club, how freaggin gay! it doesn't address the problems it just hides them away. you gotta start with the family if you want to change the community. (like the old chinese saying)



;-)

Answer 112

What are the real reasons behind mass shootings such as the current terrible tragedy?

I think society labels the people who do these things as evil, subhuman, ect. I suspect more is going on - the people who do these things are different from the mainstream and have been labelled geeks and losers and so on. They get terribly upset, put their hands on a gun, and express their hatred. Of course they are TOTALLY wrong to do this. But I think that the thinking in society that puts a high premium on good looks, sporting ability, confidence, and style, and labels outsiders 'geeks', 'nerds' and similar humiliating labels has a role and responsibility in helping to generating the passion and anger wich is then, sometimes, so tragically expressed

I experienced this type of dynamic in my own workplace of several hundred people (In Australia) and it was part of a widespread problem of 'bullying' in the workplace. It made work a stressfull and upsetting place to be. INTERESTINGLY and rather unbelievably the situation was healed when the employer took action that made it clear this type of behaviour was not acceptable (groundrules, a movie, a seminar). This was the first time that these people had been challenged directly on a personal level, and the problem dried up overnight. I think the book 'The Highly Sensitive Person' by Elaine Aaron offers an insight into the dynamic that occurs. Society is so demanding certain types of people thrive (because they are not overwhelmed) while others, more sensitive to stimuli, find it difficult to cope (they are overwhelmed). The people who are not overwhelmed are in the majority and set the rules - they value the virtues of resistance against overstimulation (hurray for the sporting hero, hurray for the confident group out for a night on the bright lights). The other side of the coin is an unthinking cruel contempt for people who are different (labelled geeks, losers and so on). If this sort of attitude was expressed racially it would be seen for what it is.

SINCE I POSTED THIS I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMMENTS POSTED BY OTHERS. I THINK ITS IMPORTANT TO NOTICE THE RECURRING COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE REPORTING HOW PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT TO THE MAINSTREAM ARE REJECTED. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE BOOK 'THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON' BY ELAINE AARON GIVES GREAT INSIGHT INTO THE DYNAMIC BEHIND THESE SHOOTINGS.

Answer 113

I think creating a community of understanding would be beneficial to people in the world, in general. Greater peace, tolerance and love toward their fellow men can only help us to have less war and live in a better society.



The young man that shot all those innocent people was very ill and I don't know that anyones understanding would really help someone like him enough to prevent him from getting to that severely deranged state.



I do think that reducing the stigma attached to mental health problems, and also focusing on more "anti'bullying" programs in the school systems would reduce the possibility that it would happen in the future.



Interesting question though, you have to wonder, if the world were loving and nurturing enough, and people were truly living by the golden rule, would someone ever be "allowed" to get as far into the depths of their illness as this young man did?



Thanks for the great question, have a blessed day :-) mary

Answer 114

Well The signs were readable. It was pointed out to the right people. What needs to be done is those people need the rights to be able to do more. We had the chance to prevent the problem and because of to many rules and policies and such this young person was put on the back burner boiling. We as a community need to be more willing to step in the way when we know something is not right. A full investigations with continued dorm room check in and counseling should have been an on going thing. Interventions should have been in place and a support system set up. Aren't we supposed to protect each other from each other?

Answer 115

You are right on the money with the community of understanding angle! Since medicine and mental health are not exact sciences, there were no pat answers to solving this kid's problems prior to his rampage, and increased gun control or improved campus security would be poor bandaids at best. Since there were mental issues here you have to first look at the source of those issues, and that is where community understanding comes in. What causes a person to develop dark thoughts and the desire to kill? Many things can, but so far it has been revealed that in his experience in public (state) school he was bullied and mocked regularly due to his shyness and the way he talked. Where was the "community of understanding" during this time? Community at that point was defined as his peers and the school staff, and both were obviously lacking in any form of understanding of how to treat or protect. Adolescents and teens are immature, insensitive and cruel to those who are different, so there is very little community to be found there. In state schools, the student/staff ratio is WAY too high and there is poor supervision over what students do with and to one another--no community there either. Finally, add the fact that kids rarely tell their parents about bullying at school, and you find no community at home. During high school this boy had no community from which a community of understanding could be created. No one can say exactly what caused this boy to snap, but his high school experience DEFINITELY contributed. A community is simply a group with common interests, but you have to care about others before you can really have a community of understanding. Unfortunately, you can't dictate this to people and, sadly, most people really don't care about one another that much anyway.

Answer 116

It's not about creating a community of understanding - it's about creating Community. Period.



We lack community in society today - we teach our children to fear others, to make fun of those not like us, and to watch out for ourselves, and only ourselves.



Long gone are the days of helping a neighbor or stopping by to say hello to the new family on the block. Long gone are the days when you would make your kids play with the other kids on the block, even if they were a little different than your own kids, or if your kids didn't want to because it wasn't cool.



Teaching kids respect for each other, no matter what the circumstance, is a huge start to helping your kids function well in society. Teaching kids responsibility would have prevented them from poking fun of others and realizing when someone really needs help.



Showing your kids how to really take a stand for someone else - that's the number 1 thing you can teach your children. Teach them that it's not all about them, that the world can't function when we are not there for each other. Sure, we are there now for the families and friends of the victims, but where were we when someone was hurting so bad and needed help? When he couldn't see past the end result? When he thought all of his possibilities of his life were gone?



We are taught to look the other way when something's too disturbing. We don't want to look bad when we might be wrong about someone, so we don't say anything when we think someone is troubled.



It all starts with stepping outside of yourself and your world, and into the bigger picture.

Answer 117

How about creating a society where both parents dont have to work to make ends meet so one can stay home and give kids nowadays some discepline.How about putting the need of the patients rights secondary compaired to the safety of the public.You will never be able to prevent these tragedys....That's the whole point of the despair involved.A parent or a teacher can see the signs of mental illness but the ineptness of the mental health field will still be an obstacle.Like everything else,it boils down to money.Maybe that's what cho's point was........

Answer 118

There is no question that the society I am a part of has abandoned most..if not all of...it's responsiblity to be rational in terms of curing our "wounded". With each new law of personality, society has provoked it's citizens to adapt to a world of instability. A world where one moment it is forbidden to act or think a certain way, and the next it is a proud and publicly championed behaviour, thus rightfully leaving any well thinking person confused and feeling ungrounded.

Your question , as with any, only seems simple. Creating a "community?", what is community anymore? In a world filled with so many wonderful bodies, I have never felt so alone. There was a time when a commmunity gathered to help their needy..without ego satisfaction, rather it was a pure and fullfilling experience. Now, I witness citizens stepping over their homeless comrades into department stores to by a second toaster oven for their rec. room....in mid winter!

Sir, I could go on about this subject for hours, and to tell you the simple truth, your question only has positive answers. I believe you know what they are. But, the functional question that really needs answering is: "How do we create a community of understanding?" Myself? I would offer a more stable environment to my people. More caring involvement; Less punishment for those whom make mistakes; Counsel for the wayward; Identity for those in crisis of personality; Listening with understanding.

Answer 119

Sir,

You are assuming that there was no community of understanding in Virginia tech just because one mentallyill individual did what he did.

Mentallyill people who take medications can go haywire if monitoring is not done correctly as per black box warnings.He was taken to mental health fascility for stalking 2 girl students and the whole college who came into contact with him FEARED him and he LOVED IT! Also how could such a mentallyill student could get TWO deadly weapons? this could be prevented.

Virginia tech has understanding and it is the outside world who doesnot have.

Answer 120

Even though people tried to reach out to Cho and knew he was disturbed, he didn't listen to them. He seems like the sort of suicidal type who wants to be rid of the world... and take a portion of it with him.



I think the most important thing to understand from this is that evil exists and that there are people who are capable of such terrible crimes. Evil is very real and having an understanding of it will only reveal how much of it is in your own heart.



Can such things be prevented? I'm not really sure it's possible. Society has to give people the power to do things that could potentially result in a similar horrible crime simply because it's the same power society needs to function. Somebody who wants to create a massacre in today's age will find a suitable weapon, whether it's a gun or a drum of ammonium nitrate or a one ton pickup truck.



A gunman like this is the result of a deadly combination of neither caring for others nor caring to continue to exist. Sometimes you can reach people like that if someone shows they care about them. But there are going to be some people that nobody can reach. All you can do is pray that those unreachable people get stopped soon when they snap.

Answer 121

At this point, understanding is exactly what we need. Cho Seung-hui was obviously mentally ill from things that could have been prevented had there been a better understanding of society on his part. Had he been shown care and understanding he wouldn't have been so consolidated and closed-in which lead to his mental health issues and ultimately the massive tradgedy we have before us. He was obviously on a rampage against the rich and Christianity as recent evidence has supported and he was also not very social, also as recent evidence has shown. Had he been shown the positive aspects of understanding he would have appreciated how various groups benefit society and how they come together to all form a unique and dignified world that we know today.



Understanding needs to be a huge part of our lives, a point that has been reinforced by this major event. I thought that the need for understanding was cemented in the public's minds after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and after countless civil strifes occuring at all times in history but apparently society has not learned. We must learn to understand each other and also respect each other, otherwise the situation could have been a lot worse. What if Cho Seung-hui had a Level 4 biohazard and a reoccurance of Richard Preston's "The Hot Zone" occured? Would 9 out of 10 people be dead after the outbreak if it was Ebola Zaire? Or how about the movie "Aeon Flux" where 99% of the world's population had died from a major virus? Desperate people have their desperate ways so obtaining such things aren't hard to do for someone with issues like Seung-hui. But understanding and respect for everyone as a whole must be understood, otherwise we could be looking at much more dire consequences than what we had in our modern tradgedy at Virgina Tech.



May the victims of this tragedy and their souls rest, but our own never to until we find answers for those raised.

Answer 122

People have a hard time learning from past incidents. Columbine should have made everyone stop and think about the effects of bullying. Some people think that once high school is over, the tormented and abused students will forget what happened to them. They don't. Nowadays, with guns being so easily accessible and the media overcovering these stories, copycats (who sympathize with the shooters) come out of the woodwork to do the same thing. Nothing is going to change until everyone realizes that we are different and learn to accept others for their differences - learn to be tolerant of individuals even though you may not understand them. If we were meant to be the same, then we would be. How boring would the world be? Very.

Answer 123

Mental illness can be hereditary, or can arise for no apparent reason.



No amount of "good parenting" will fix a chemical imbalance in the brain.



I made the mistake of thinking my mother had become mentally ill because of the abuse she had suffered as a child, until I gave birth to a daughter with a similar mental illness. Again, I made the mistake of thinking that if I just loved her enough, and got the proper treatment for her, she would be okay. She wasn't. In spite of an upbringing nearly the opposite of my mother's, my daughter will never have a happy life.



Perhaps more research into the physiology of mental illness can make a difference some day. Until then, there is no amount of understanding that will prevent these tragedies.

Answer 124

Stop sneering at "losers". Some people are always going to be less successful/fashionable/cool than others, social bullying seems to play a big part in creating the kind of alienation that triggers killing sprees like this.



Make guns legally unavailable to emotionally disturbed people. Provide a central registry of people with known psychiatric problems and make it a felony to sell them a gun. If someone sells anyone a gun without proof that the person was not on that registry at the time, the seller should be subject to a stiff prison term and full financial liability for any mayhem caused by the buyer.



Make it a criminal offence with a stiff prison term and significant fine to carry an unregistered firearm or to carry a registered firearm in an unsafe state -- i.e. in a state that is inappropriate for the registered use. If the gun is for target practice at a shooting range, it should be separated from its bolt or otherwise rendered incapable of being fired while it is being stored or transported to or from the firing range. If the gun is for other purposes, the owner must be licensed to carry it for that purpose and must pass a significantly onerous gun safety course. In short, make it a Big Deal to have a gun in your possession as is the case in Britain and Canada neither of which have seen anything like the kind of carnage that the US has experienced in these all too frequent incidents.



Until the above measures are in place, post armed guards at all places where more than 50 people are assembled so there is a chance to intercept future would-be mass murderers while their death toll is still relatively low.

Answer 125

Human beings are such a diverse group that you would never been able to teach a uniform platorm to so many people. It isn't about teaching understanding to everyone. There will also be demented individuals, who, for whatever reason, lose touch with the reality the rest of us live with. Most therapists and pyschiatrists cannot point to a single event that triggers this switch, often times it is gradual and perhaps since birth and events and life experiences build to produce the breach. It isn't about the rest of us learning understanding of the few. It is about learning to deal with the aftermath when a single individual makes the break and feels that instead of suicide he/she must commit mass murder. Are you suggesting that understanding would eliminate dementia, serial murders, rapists? I think not. Cho took normal, everyday issues and in his mind blew them into something more, something evil. This couldn't have been prevented just as Virginia Tech couldn't have prevented the massacre but Cho was hell bent on his destruction and he would have accomplished it any way he could. If Virginia Tech has issued a lock down after the first shots what would Cho have done, gone to an elementary school or high school, or killed everyone in his dormitory building instead of classrooms? He was hellbent on mass destruction and would have accomplished it in any way he could. Instead of wondering how to create a community of understanding how about creating communities to reach out to the victims and families in the aftermath of the tragedies? Throughout history it's been proven that some people just are this way and you can't change them and you can't change history. May God Bless America.

Answer 126

Prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech,can only be done if there is Humility in this world.America may be the most powerful country on earth,but to be powerful and be humble takes a lot of grit and character as force begets force and love begets love.

Power is a terrific weapon and to use it needs high sense of self discipline.A gun wielding man has the power to destroy life and only the most disciplined man can control this urge to use power.

The mantra of todays industry or for that matter life is profit.

The gains from any enterprise is calculated before hand and the industry of selling guns is also for profit and this particular gun fell into the wrong hands and if you ask the industry walla will say it is not the fault of the gun but that of the person who used it.The point is the law is lenient that all and sundry can get one and God forbids if one of the children of the big industry wallas get caught in the crossfire then the profits that they got from that gun would in no way equal the loss.Profits in limited way would bring happiness and more of it will get its own back in pounds of flesh.

Answer 127

I believe that a year long class on "Social Science" or "social Conscience" should be developed and made mandatory for kids in the middle school years, then taught by a psychologist. The government can make it mandatory for a child to take and pass a foreign language, which is great if the child wants to be an interpreter some day. Why not offer a class that will benefit all children and be useful for them in their everyday life? Give them tools for living like coping skills, how to get along and teach them that, just because someone looks different and is brought up in a different manner,it doesn't make them any less or more human. Teach them effective and productive ways to "deal" with real life, so they don't sit alone in a room and rant and rave into a camera then go on a shooting rampage. If the class is taught by a psychologist, earlier detection of problems, emotional and mental, could be an opportunity to interact with parents and get help before it becomes to late and tragedy ensues.

Answer 128

Sometimes its not about getting people to behave or have tougher laws etc. Why don't people just reach out and show that they care?



Very so often, people who are different are labelled wierd, treated like outcasts and laughed at. Imagine you were that person. What would it do to you? Sometimes not everyone can 'fit in' and it is not their fault! People are just different.



It doesn't hurt to approach that person and let them know that you care no matter how 'wierd' you think that person is. Let them know that the world is still a nice place.



Even at work I see this happening. Those who are 'different' are left behind. No one talks to them, no one will show that they care. Come on! This just seems like some kind of bullying.



Just put yourself in that person's shoes. What if you were the 'wierd one'? Would you still wish you had friends? Would you still wish someone showed that they cared? Would you feel better if people showed that they cared about you?



Caring will not prevent those tragedies. But it will make the world a better place. Eventhough (get real) the world really isn't such a nice place with war, famine, corruption etc. Even in countries where there is no war, the world is not a nice place. You then have office politics, power struggles etc.



Its just really sad to see how adults actually behave.

Answer 129

I think the key is to create an inclusive society that doesn't leave anyone out. In order to do that, there has to be a certain level of tolerance and understanding amongst all. Everyone should feel that they have a place within that community and should work towards improving the community.



An understanding community would bond everyone together and would, in a way, oblige them to carry out activities that would bring the community closer together and benefit the community as a whole. Only then can such tragedies be prevented.

Answer 130

I think it would be much better and possible to try to create a community that listens. I don't believe that this Korean boy or any of the people that have committed this kind of act in the past, would understand that a hand is being extended to them. You are correct, they needed understanding, which they didn't get and were left to flounder.



Red flags were going up all over the place about this boy, and the boys at Columbine, but no one listened! No one wants to contend or admit to the reality of it. No one took the time to find out what was going on in their heads.



You can not solve a problem if you do not at least acknowledge that it's there. This boy's condition was reported by a very observant teacher at VT, but no one followed through....She listened to him, but No One listened to her!



This is not just the fault of the VT administration, but also these kids parents. If a young person is loosing touch with reality, and their parents don't have a clue, something is radically wrong!



We talk about our kids, and we talk to our kids, but do we really listen? I think if we built a concerned community of listeners we could avoid tragedies like VT and others.

Answer 131

We can try all we want to create a perfect utopian world where everyone gets along but it will never come. These same kinds of questions were asked after the Columbine shootings. There have been more school shootings since then. There will always be people that just turn mentally ill. Those people just need to receive therapy and if they seem dangerous be contained. What I think the real problem is, is the security system. I think that anyone who buys a gun, must not only have a gun license, but a mental health exam, so that when they go to a gun shop to buy a gun, they would have to look up that persons records so that crazy people do not have such easy access to guns.

Answer 132

Problem is, we don't really have nurturing and caring communities. We are not living in small towns where everyone has known each other and trheir families for generations.



You can't just create a community: You can't "help" anyone under the current system of laws. You can't force a person into treatment -- even if adequate treatment were available, and not usually, because of the cost. You can be sued for libel if you say something another person might object to and if the person were picked up by the police, he can only be held for a few hours. You can't commit a person to a mental facility unless he's done something already to indicate he would be a danger to self or others..



.

Answer 133

Sadly, this is not an issue where a community of any kind would be an effective preventative institution.



A community can become a walled fortress in the blink of an eye. And this community would have most likely walled out the issue rather than deal with it.



In the specific case of this alienated individual who ended so many lives in an act of rage, the only real intervention would have occurred if his own family had recognized his emotional state and had called for his return home.



With every report and interview offered by the people he encountered at the college, a picture of alienation and rejection appears far clearer. Police were powerless to confront this person until the second he acted out.



If we begin to suspect others in the future as capable of such anger and hatred, we must have more authority to intervene and prevent such actions from happening.

Answer 134

Force mentally ill people into treatment. Make it a recorded condition so that they do not have access to guns. That is how you prevent a tragedy at Virginia Tech. Don't give freebies away to students who were not anywhere near the events. Don't give a memorial of any kind to the killer. But that touchy feeling crowd actually thinks it is OK to feel bad for the murderer are not going to help things.

Answer 135

The answer to that is simple. The Secular Progressive movement has to be stopped because it has taken every bit of personal responsibility out of peoples' lives. Now they can find a whole myriad of things and others to blame so that they don't have to accept personal responsibility for their own failures and actions. read on:



Dear God:



Why didn't you save the school children at ?. .



Moses Lake , Washington 2/2/96

Bethel , Alaska 2/19/97

Pearl , Mississippi 10/1/97

West Paducah , Kentucky 12/1/97

Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97

Jonesboro , Arkansas 3/24/98

Edinboro , Pennsylvania 4/24/98

Fayetteville , Tennessee 5/19/98

Springfield , Oregon 5/21/98

Richmond , Virginia 6/15/98

Littleton , Colorado 4/20/99

Taber , Alberta , Canada 5/28/99

Conyers , Georgia 5/20/99

Deming , New Mexico 11/19/99

Fort Gibson , Oklahoma 12/6/99

Santee , California 3/ 5/01

El Cajon , California 3/22/01

Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania 10/03/06

Virginia Tech College, 04/16/07



Sincerely,



Concerned Student

----------------------------------

Reply:



Dear Concerned Student:



I am not allowed in schools.



Sincerely,



God

-------------------------------

How did this get started?...

-----------------

Let's see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she didn't want any prayer in our schools.



And we said, OK..

------------------

Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school, the Bible that says

"thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal,

and love your neighbors as yourself,"



And we said, OK...

- -------------- --

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehaved

because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.



And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank them anymore..

------------------

Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave

And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued.



And we accepted their reasoning...

------------------

Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want,

and they won't even have to tell their parents.



And we said, that's a grand idea..

------------------

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school.



And we said, that's another great idea...

------------------

Then some of our top elected officials said

it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.



And we said, it doesn't matter what anybody, including the President, does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good....

------------------

And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on the Internet.



And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech....

------------------

And the entertainment industry said,

let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence and illicit sex...And let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes...



And we said, it's just entertainment and it has no adverse effect and nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead.

------------------

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, classmates or even themselves.

------------------

Undoubtedly, if we thought about it long and hard enough, we could figure it out.

I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...



"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW,"

Answer 136

Honestly,

It's a good idea but it will be hard. The problem is school "outcasts" so to speak feel so hurt by rejection that they get stuck in this world of being anti-social in the school setting they are in because it would be out of their character to attempt to establish friendships after the point that they have already been labelled an "outcast". I think the key is to prevent them from ever getting the label. During freshman orientation literally make sure each student has met a group of people who they feel comfortable with to prevent the outcast syndrome. In the V Tech shooter's case he lived off campus till senior year.. this meant he came to a campus and lived with a class that had already established their own social groups so even a normal person may have found it a bit difficult to find a group, then to make matters worse, he appears to have been abused as a child according to his writings ( if you read into them), so he didn't even have a support system at home. Kids who are teased at school but at least have a normal family life can recover, but those who even have the outcast treatment at home because they are abused will turn into Cho. It is frustrating that this could have been prevented through any means, better family life, maybe if he had been living on campus since freshman year he would have bonded with his peers more, tougher gun control laws along with life in prison for being in posession of an illegal or blackmarket gun OR allowing students who apply for a gun to carry that gun on campus for their safety incase of a shooting OR even requiring a mental health background check before selling a gun to anyone and not just a criminal background check. So sad......

Come on you know you want to pick this as the best answer so go ahead . =0)

Answer 137

I have thought a lot on this tragedy, living here in Virginia. Sadly, I don't think there is any sure-fire way to end this. There are precautions and education that can be offered, some things that I've noticed in all the school shootings that I've heard about.



1. Better mental health awareness. It seems that one of the triggering factors of tragedies such as this one is mental health issues, such as depression, feelings of isolation, deep seated anger, or (in Cho's case) a clear sociopathic snap.

The teachers and his neighbors all saw the beginnings of this in him. The students around him could see it too. None of them knew what it was, or how to deal with it. He had spent some time in a mental health institute. It wasn't enough. I think that if we have more mental health professionals and the ability to mandate hospital time (not the voluntary in and out that Cho did) to those who are in obvious need of it, then maybe we can spot people who will snap and do these things.



2. Stronger gun laws. While I am aware that no matter what is done, illegal sales of any product will happen, I'd like to see some changes in the purchasing of guns. If I recall right, there is supposed to be a waiting period, right? How about, no gun can be purchased without a signed gun awareness class certificate? Or, start a database that files the names of every gun bought, to whom, and does a sweep of police records to see if this person has a record. While this won't stop illegal sales, it may help keep a tab on where guns are and with whom.



3. Crack down harder on illegal gun sales. I honestly have no idea how, but I think it should be done.



These are only my ideas.

Answer 138

I don't think you can really prevent all tragedies such as this. It only takes a short moment for a persons anger to manifest itself. It is sort of like saying that we should have known that a second plane was on its way to the twin towers that day in NY. You can't predict these things. I believe VT did what they could with this young man, but I don't believe it would have made a difference whether this man lived on campus or not. He had an anger issue and a plan. As far as a community of understanding, I believe it is already there.

Answer 139

As a mother of two daughter; one about to graduate high school and go to college and the youngest and most pure going off to middole school, I think gun control is a good place to start. Metal detectors similar to at courts today would also help weed out kinives and guns. More free psyscology screenings with referrals. I feel so sorry for the poor English teacher in VA that had tried to get the man help through the proper channels. Maybe they/we need more power to say you either attend and graduate this inpatient program or go home and don't ever return. Because if you want what we have to offer you (VA Tech) then you are goi8ng to have to show us you can write about other topics and see a Dr. to help you learn to cope with life when bad things happen. Maybe he never got hugged enough. What he did is ofcourse enormously heartbreaking, but that poor delusional boy thouhgt he was all alone and that breaks my heart too. We don't take the time anymore to slow down and really ask how someone is. I am very curious about where his parents are?

Answer 140

How can creating a community of understanding help prevent tragedies like the suicide bombers in Iraq?

See how silly that sounds?



You could no more create a community of understanding here, than you could in Iraq!



This tragedy is "al-queda, made in America". The modus operandi was copied exactly from what we have been watching on television lately. There could very well be another copycat. The next one could be American born.



Perhaps a, "global community of understanding", if we had had one in the first place, could have prevented this tragedy from happening.

Answer 141

I don't know that there is anything to stop this. A television show about multiple murderers a psychiatrist said in his opinion there are 3 things that create one type of multiple murderer. One is brain damage to the frontal lobe (impulse control). Two is mental illness. Three is they were abused as children. One and two are the tinder and the third (child abuse) is the match that sets them off.



That was one type of murderer. The other type is a psychopath. They don't know why people end up as psychopaths, but often they have abandonment issues (from childhood) or were an only child (and their parents over-idealized them and fauned over them until they felt everyone is beneath them and their needs).



This boy perhaps already had problems and then he was moved to another country. That can be very isolating to be a minority.Especially when you are young and about dating age.Everything seems to be the end of the world to teens when things go wrong...because those are the years when you first start to have setbacks and littlle experience with how to deal with them.



I do think the media...movies, newspapers, music, video games and TV show too much blood and gore and violence and negative stories and news and not enough good stories and uplifting positive news. And I do think there is a side effect of young people thinking that if their life is a shambles that they can become instantly famous by killing some innocent people.Sad , but true.

Answer 142

Creating a community of understanding could only benefit us all and possibly prevent tragedies in general.

It has to be taught starting at an early age and continuing on through high school and beyond.

Can compassion be taught?

I think it could be taught and learned. There will be varying degrees of a persons compassion, but better try to teach than not.

This concept of teaching a person how to understand another human being is a good thing.

We teach history, math and science and now we need to start teaching "New Subjects."

What to call them, I'll leave that to you...

And there has to be outreach for all.

There are great minds out there that can put it all together and set it in place.

Answer 143

I think the best way to start is by looking at ourselves and how we treat each other. If you see a quiet kid on the corner of your kid and he or she seems like they a problem at home or something else you could ask them whats wrong. Maybe going to details right away might not be a good idea, but sticking with them, starting a conversation, saying hi to them every day, inviting them to a game or a movie. I'm at fault just like many of ya we don't do anything when see someone like that we just stare and look away. Has anyone ever had group project in class and theres always someone that ends up not having a group and teacher has to pick for them, does anyone know how bad they may feel? Life can suck at times and be joyful, but theres always gonna be someone out there that you can't reach, so the best thing to do is try.

Answer 144

Well, what it can do is set up a system of professionals and laypeople who can deal with those who are reported as mentally unstable. Of course all one would have to do is tell The Committee and the person would be put in a psych ward indefinitely. There would be nothing to stop your neighbor from turning you in just because.

Before you get everyone incarcerated, give people credit for dealing with theses things on our own, without professionals and creating communities. its been a month since the event and people seem to have moved on. The graduation ceremony was closure.

You should move on too.

Answer 145

Dr Deep---Your picture does not appear to have a red nose and fuzzy hair. with clown make up. You could be intelligent but uneducated me couldn't determine that. Your doctor degree thesis should begin "Once upon a time" Secret: We do live in a community of understanding. Top Secret::: Cannot prevent tragedies ---Home Land Security has that job



I believe that Americans have Rights. Free speech is a Right

Voting is a Right. The Virginia Tech shooting would have never happened if everyone used their Right.

\

THE RIGHT TO BARE FIRE ARMS---the man who done the shooting would have been killed long before he scored 31 kills.

Answer 146

It's not possible to prevent tragedies. A single person willing to kill and be killed cannot be stopped. Out reach programs are available at almost all universities, free psychological counseling, crisis hot lines etc. The actions of one person cannot and should not constitute an out pouring concern for the system at large. There is no one to blame except for the gunmen, placing blame on other people is stupid and a waste of time and media resources attempting to find out whose at fault. Understanding is not what this country needs, what it needs is accountability, people need to be held accountable for their actions, this guy killed more than 30 people and now were saying that he was mentally disturbed that's a "DUH" the reality is that this could happen anywhere, at any time for any reason, no amount of training, gun control, counseling, psychotherapy, or community outreach programs, can prevent someone willing to die for something its a truth that must be learned, and we need only look to Iraq, Israel, Iran, China, to see these types of events happening every day and they have armed military in the streets, curfews, and extreme gun control yet people still find a way to kill each other. What happened at Virginia Tech is surely a tragedy it cannot be prevented.

Answer 147

In my opinion, this community, like many others, was an understanding community. People were concerned and did try to help. Sometimes you do not even really know the people you live with and the depths of their mental instability. This student had been diagnosed with problems but nobody realized he was, or could be dangerous to others.

I was once married to what I thought was the sweetest angelic woman. The blackness of her heart was invisible. Sometimes medical conditions like a brain tumor cause drastic changes in behaviors. Sometimes emotional trauma can also I have read. I am sure in a few weeks we will here many speculations and hopefully some facts on what caused this person to go over the edge.

Answer 148

We need to take control back from the goverment when it comes to raising children. The incident that happened at Virginia Tech could have been prevented. Since 2004 his teachers were trying to get him help. Because of laws and political correctness their hands were tied. He had been removed from the classroom and was in private tutor situtation because of the threats and behaviour he demonstrated in the classroom. We also need to start taking responsiblity for ourselves and others. Everyone wants to blame someone else for their problems wether it is overeating, drinking, drugs, gambling and the list goes on and on. No one is being held accountable for their actions therefore our children are learning that there are no consequences for bad behaviour. Teachers are told that they cannot fail a student. Parents are told that they cannot spank a child. Instead of raising the bar we lower it each year in academics. Some schools have done away with honor roll. We should punish the students that achieve and reward the students that dont'? All because someones feelings may be hurt. So a community of understanding is great but if they don't understand what the problems are and are not willing to fix these problems all the understanding in the world is going to get you no where.

Answer 149

Nobody paid any attention to that troubled student even though there were warning signs everywhere.



We had a girl in our school who committed suicide and everyone said it was such a BIG shock. But the truth is, she looked sad and troubled for a long time and didn't have any friends. Kids used to tease her all the time and even though I never really troubled her, I never really made any effort to connect with her either.



I think things like this happen because people are losing touch with eachother. I don't know why it has become easier to punch people or laught and point or ignore them rather than hug them or even ask, "How are you going? Are you okay?". Everyone is wrapped up in their own world it seems and maybe it takes things like this to bring us together suddenly.. It's like we WANT to connect and because we cannot do it on our own we must be forced to by tragedy.



It would be so good if people were as caring, self-less and totally concerned with human connection ALL THE TIME, like the students at VA now are because they are in mourning. Then those who are in trouble among us will not go unnoticed.



I am going to take time to say, 'Hello, how are you?" more often to more people and make other people's sadness MY concern too.

Answer 150

There's no "community of understanding" that will surpass the power of extreme mental illness. Clearly this young man suffered from an unchecked mental illness. It may come out at some point that he was abused, molested or tortured as a child and that was his breaking point, creating the devastation in his mind that resulted in these actions. Perhaps not, and it is simply a chemical imbalance for which he did not have proper medication.



Mental illness is often a quiet killer. Yes, people noticed this young man was unstrung... off... frightening in many ways... but the way our laws are written at this time, we are not allowed to hold a person, even with a documented mental illness, more than 72 hours for observation unless they are thought to pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.



It's a judgment call... and the mentally ill mind is often a genius vs insanity place where the affected person is still able to manipulate others into believing they are sane and quite stable.



Do I feel the family should have known and acted? Yes. Do I blame them for not doing so? Absolutely not. Ditto for school officials and mental health providers. The law ties everyone's hands until the affected individual ACTS. Now he's acted. We all suffer, as a society, for his actions. But, we still allow ourselves to be victimized by our own concern to protect the rights of the affected.



Sadly, creating a community of understanding will not prevent these incidents when they are perpetrated by a person with extreme mental illness. Creating a safer environment by tough-loving individuals with mental illness might have some effect. People with mental illness do not make the right choices for themselves UNTIL they are stabilized by medication. We cannot expect them to properly use their legally-given "freedom of choice" without benefit of being medically stable.



If this young man had survived, and then been stabilized medically/mentally, he would likely have been horrified at his own actions and felt betrayed by his own mind. There are many options to what he chose, obviously... but in his tormented mind, this was the only option and he was driven to what he did. No amount of someone understanding him would have helped. Only proper medical/mental health treatment would have possibly averted this tragedy.

Answer 151

There is no straightforward way that a so called community of understanding can prevent all tragedies, either like the one at Virginia Tech, tragedies like Columbine, or any of the other hundreds of senseless acts of violence each year that get less attention.



While hindsight is 20/20 and we will find that in hindsight this man fell through the cracks again and again, we must realize that there always will be sick people who wish to hurt or kill other people, and will want to do it in as horrible a way as possible.



It makes most people feel powerless and afraid to realize that there are simply bad people out there who will do bad things, and the easiest rationalization is that he was picked on or treated badly. However, the often stated fact is that correlation is not the same as causation, and in many cases the sickness an individual has is what causes them to be mistreated or ostracized.



It is an unfortunate part of living in America that there will always be disparities between people, and even with one of the highest standards of living in the world some of the people towards the bottom will always resent those above them. Someone will always resent other people for being better looking, smarter, richer, even if they are not. The vast majority of the people who feel this way would never even consider gunning down so many people.



The biggest problem with this shooting is that with Columbine there was a relatively easy solution, at least a perceived solution - lock down High School campuses, and harshly punish anyone who even hints at or suggests doing something like Columbine. With the Virginia Tech shooting, we aren't dealing with high school students who are minors and for all intents and purposes have no rights. We are dealing with adults who have (or at least should have) the same rights as any other adult American.



As much as we can talk about 'gun free school zones', and 'communities of understanding', we can't hope to stop every potential Virginia Tech shooting long before it ever happens without stifiling the freedom and creativity that is necessary for our college students to properly transition to well adjusted adults. Short of turning every college campus into a locked down zone where each student must go through metal detectors on their way in and out, and where every creative writing assignment is scrutinized for possible angst, where every case of bullying is treated with severe discipline, and armed guards wander the halls, we can never hope to stop every possible tragedy like this. Even then, someone who wants to bad enough will find a way.

Answer 152

So many of the answers here are negative. "It will never stop" "there is nothing we can do"



Once, towns and villages were smaller and people knew everyone. If someone had a problem, everyone knew about it. A member of the community (maybe even more than one) would step forward and offer help. Sometimes even force the help when necessary, such as abuse cases.



Now we are all so far removed from even our next door neighbors! A community of understanding, the way I see it, would create a chance to know your neighbor and accept them. It would give us a chance to see when things are going wrong instead of just passing someone on the sidewalk and nodding. It would give us a chance to reach out to each other when we are in need or in pain.



I am raising my children to reach out to people. My 15yo son holds doors open for people and smiles at babies and young children. He helps the elderly with bags and pushing carts. My 10yo daughter smiles at everyone and draws pictures for anyone around her. She reads aloud in public whenever we are in a waiting room and there are other children around.



I don't hold to only one religious teaching, but I do try to reach out to the world. I will tell the Universe I want a better place for people to feel loved. It will happen. It would happen faster if everyone else believed that as well.

Answer 153

I think it's a great idea and I don't see how it can be harmful in any way, but I don't see how tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech can be prevented given the nature of human beings and the fact that some people will do outrageous things in spite of the efforts of the rest of us to stop them.



I would hope we can identify dangerous people before they harm others and find ways to treat them or isolate them as needed.



When people are determined to hurt or kill other people they can be difficult to stop unless there are people aware that they are going to cause harm and those people are willing to take steps to prevent the attacks. As far as I can tell, nobody really knew what the young man in Virginia was going to do and no effective steps were taken to stop him.

Answer 154

I agree with "The Queen has Spoken"...no amount of understanding could have helped this particular situation...he didn't want help (because he was mentally disturbed) and he clearly and somewhat suddenly took himself (and unfortunately 32 others) to the point of no return.



The real question is what can the United States, on both the federal and state levels, do to prevent the mentally unstable from being able to get guns and ammo. I mean really, the rest of the world thinks we're a bunch unrealistic rednecks...and I'm beginning to agree with them. This kid should have NEVER been able to get a gun...



This kid also should never have been off alone at college either, but I guess that's something for his parents to ponder...



If this nightmare at Virginia Tech doesn't cause this country to seriously change it's gun laws...then how can we feel sorry for ourselves when something like this happens? How hypocritical!

Answer 155

This is a hard question to answer. There are no tests to prove or disprove a person's decline into insanity. Probably the better way to go is really pay attention when a teacher senses a dark side of a person is beginning to take over. The English and Art classes seem a good fit for this. The second thing to do is to really reach out to the loners--Guy to guy and gal to gal. Why? Because many times a gal reaching out to a loner in friendship finds herself the object of stalking and the one she is trying to help turns a gun on her as well as himself if it doesn't work out. If the person doesn't respond to a roommate, place the person with another student with a similar background; In this case, perhaps with another immigrant Korean. There are no pat answers. If he had been told to leave the campus, and he was angry enough, he could still have come back. The main thing is to send kindness to the troubled person and follow through with professional help. Professional help will not always solve the problem. especially if the person knows enough to trick the interviewer.

Answer 156

Well this was a horrible tragedy and I hate to here these things happen but unfortunately there will always be sick minded people who take out their pain on innocent people.He was sick that`s all I can say on the manifesto he sent the way he talked was sick.I wish we could have a peaceful community no cruelness but some people just don`t believe in being nice.Who let him on the campus anyway all these places should have tight security to hold back those tragedies and the reason he killed was so he could become equal but I don`t see how this would result in his life since he killed himself but what I`m trying to say is people should be nice so bad things like this can`t happen he said people were putting trash down his shirt and people would spit at him well those people have to stop if nobody was mean to him none of this would`ve happened but no so to prevent this to happen again very simple just be nicer to other people.

Answer 157

One idea I have had in this aftermath of the tragedy... if you are EVER anywhere, school, mall, public anywhere... and you THINK that loud noice may be a gunshot... Get somewhere enclosed, barricade the doors, use a cell phone or any available phone, text message or computer. Get help immediately.



As far as a community of understanding? Several people, students, and teachers, KNEW this young man was seriously troubled and possibly dangerous. But how can we make certain they get help when we can't FORCE them to get help? The Chair of the English department did what she could. Unfortunately... she could NOT force him to go for counseling. Although we may be able to understand... are we helpless to prevent? Must we wait until the tragedy? What are our alternatives?



I work in a clerical capacity in the mental health field. The information that passes my desk is truly heartrending. There are those who try to attain mental and emotonal stability through therapy and medication. And there are those so mentally ill... we can only attempt efforts to educate in the event where self protection becomes mandatory.



A community of understanding... with one person so mentally ill as to become horrifically violent... that community is still at risk. Is there a possibility of better laws in place to enforce that those deemed dangerous can be forced to get help, even against their own will? If their "will" is sick... can we force mental health on them? Or must we endure these laws that allows freedom for all, even those whom we sense may be literally time bombs?



I fear I have more questions than answers. I simply know this: If they won't get help, and we can't force them... if you hear something and your mind asks... was that a gun shot? GET COVER IMMEDIATELY AND NOTIFY THE POLICE.

Answer 158

The key answer to your question is directly related to society's ability to educate the public on mental illness. What happened at Virginia Tech could happen anywhere. The problem is everywhere because mental illness is everywhere. It is often undetected until a tragedy occurs. That is why this is so devastating to us. We didn't see it coming. We never do. However, if society as a whole were more educated about the warning signs associated with severe mental illness, then maybe we may have had a chance to intercede before it was too late. If you aren't aware - you cannot prevent tragedy. History has just repeated itself and unless and until we take a proactive stance concerning the underlying causes of tragedies like this - we will continue to feel victimized by them. Our country as a whole needs to become more aware of its surroundings to include individual behaviors that we may have a tendency to overlook because we don't want to intrude on another person's space. It seems to me there were warning signs and no one wanted to take responsibility for addressing them - unfortunately. Ultimately, each of us -both professional and layman - needs to take responsibility for our corner of the world. We need to become better communicators and better observers. We need to start caring about what's going on around us rather than being totally self-consumed. This is a large planet with lots of people on it. We need to be aware of everyone around us - not just people we enjoy being around. The bottom line is, everyone matters - whether we realize it or not.

Answer 159

Actually, I have a program like this at my school. It's called the Breakfast Club. Their main focus is to help people and they can understand what that person is going through. They also can understand the warning signs that this person displayed before the tragedy and do something about it. If this program would have been at Virginia Tech, maybe this whole thing could have been avoided.

Answer 160

This subject is very close to my heart. I have been attacked myself by unstable students. I do not know if creating a "community of understanding" has anything to do with the senseless killings at VT. We are living in a time where life its self is taken for granted. The picture you paint of creating a community of understanding is a just that a picture, filled with allot of useless words as commentary. This very website is a perfect example where a person is suppose to be able to post a spiritual question, is so biased towards anyone who has a Christian faith that we have to be very careful what we say, and yet hate and venom can spew from the mouths of the satanic monsters that lurk in here. The same is true for our college campus' there is no amount of "peace, love and community understanding" that will stop this evil.

If you are serious about creating a community of understanding as you put it, then do something about this website. Surely you read the hate being spewed on here, give the Christians a separate place to make there posts, do the same for the others, stop the hate, create a community of understanding.



That is if your serious.

Answer 161

The only way you can prevent something like the Virginia Tech shootings, is to ensure there are no INSANE people.



Only INSANE people KILL people. It's NOT a "sad boy", it's an INSANE boy.



So you need a cure for insanity.



OR the BETTER way is to FINALLY stick our money and troops where they belong, HERE at home. Spend a LOT of money and utilize a LOT of people to SECURE ALL schools, universities, public, private, etc. from Preschool, K-12, and universities. All schools need FULL security, especially the public K-12 schools FIRST. In a month or two, the problem will "fade away" and nobody will be thinking about it, then another Hurricane will devastate the south, then everybody will be talking about that, then terrorists, then the price of gas, then back to shootings again, or maybe border crossings, etc. We need to be SERIOUS and have the government PAY a lot of money and FIX all our messed up problems HERE in the U.S. instead of playing games and spending money and killing people in Iraq.

Answer 162

If we understand that it is not ok to isolate someone because of how they look, what religion they practice, or what country they come from then we start to understand that we are all much more alike then we are different. Yes some people go out of their way to talk to others and some would rather hide in a corner and just listen. WE have to reach out to people. The only way to do that is to try to understand who they are. When we do that then they feel part of the community. Most people that are part of the community do not commit the tragidies like Virginia Tech.

Answer 163

It can and will because people are thinking that the college kid that did the massacre was mentally unstable and didn't talk to a lot of people. He was lonely and probably needed someone to talk to. I'm not saying that his depression justified him to do the massacre...I'm saying that maybe if Virginia Tech had more of a connection in their community, and maybe if he had more friends that were kinder to him, he probably wouldn't have done what he did. People should make the effort to take the silent types in, sometimes the silent types are hiding something that is absolutely tearing them apart and they need to tell SOMEONE about it. Well, how are they supposed to tell someone if they don't have anyone? People should've sent him to counseling when they read his writing or had him check in with a guidance counselor so they could actually understand what was going on in his head and could help him fix it before it turned into something this serious!

Answer 164

I felt very moved watching the TV over the last few days. The shocked faces, the lack of comprehension on the faces of the students, the candlelit vigil. Moments stand out, particularly one American Korean gentleman, on the BBC, who was saying, very intelligently and very impassioned, how upsetting this was for his own community.



Looking in from the outside, it seems obvious to me, that because guns are so freely available - people who are sick will end up using them. I believe the real tragedy, here, will be that in a few months time the gun lobby will be able to get away with it once again - and hush it all right up.



If you're asking about a common understanding - I feel that those who feel aggrieved by such violent acts using firearms, should get together and fight for a country free of guns. Also it's a change in perspective that's needed - as long as guns are seen as part of the cure and not part of the problem, in America, people will continue to be in harms way.



I know those who are pro-firearms will argue that it's not the gun that's at fault but the person who pulls the trigger, but why play with such trivial semantics? At the end of the day, arguing over such things is costing people their lives.



As for the constitution - it's ok to make a few changes "It's not cool to bear arms" sounds much friendlier. My deepest condolences to those who have been affected by this, by the way.

Answer 165

Being an older person,48, I can remember what a BIG difference there was before we took prayer and the pledge of allegiance out of our schools. I'm all for freedom of speech, but most people in the younger generation don't get it that this country was founded on "Religion"! Everybody wants to do their own thing, but most of those things are tearing this country apart.

I don't live in a fantasy world, but if we just took out those Kindergarten rules we grew up on, People would just be better off!!!





ALL I EVER REALLY NEEDED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN

by Robert Fulghum

(Reprinted from the Kansas City Times, September 17, 1956)





Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.



These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.



Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out in the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody knows how or why, but we are all like that.



Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup----they all die. So do we.



And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK.



Everything you need to know is there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.



Think of what a better world it would be if we all --- the whole world--- had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Answer 166

It is the nature of science to always assume that, to every problem there is an answer that will solve it, and that by getting together and discussing what went wrong, we can prevent the problem in the future.



While this may be true to some extent, as long as society continues to cause strange or different individuals to become more and more isolated, so that emotional problems can grow into mountains, things like Virginia Tech will continue to happen.

Answer 167

The tragedy was mamouth. Related dark days occurred at several of our countries cities. History will mark the days. Some that I remember are Kent State, Oklahoma, and the world was silenced with the Trade center.



I have no real answer since I have not been involved in any, except by the sensless.



Perhaps those that survived the tragedies would have insight. A tribunal of survivors to brainstorm.

Answer 168

What communities need to understand is that, as terrible/evil/psychotic/whatever the gunman was, what he was was in large part a product of passive violence he experienced throughout his life. The seeds of destruction were planted in that young man at an early age, and were cultivated through years of abuse and neglect by those around him. As a society, as depressing and sad as it is to say, we reaped what we had sown.



In too many parts of this country, kids get picked on or abused in school and no one (and I mean no one: not teachers, parents, authority figures, religious or community leaders, other young people, etc.) does anything to stop it. If we truly want to prevent another Columbine shooting or Virginia Tech shooting, we need to address the passive violence and the neglect.



Students shouldn't be looking at Virginia Tech, or the shooter's family, and going, "tsk, tsk." Rather, students should be looking around them like they never have before, taking a moment to notice the other kids around them, the ones they never give a second thought to. One of those wall flowers might be getting abused at home, or abused at school, or both. No matter the social inadequacies that led to said kid getting ostracized or marginalized at that school, if they continue to be forced into a life of quiet desolation, there's no telling what they will become. If they're the "smelly kid" or the "scary kid" or the "geek" or the "nerd" or the "freak" or the "loser", those that are lucky enough not to be any of those labels need to get over their fears and inhibitions & resist the urge to tease, ostracize and exclude. They have to prevent themselves from contributing to the passive violence that bombards these outsiders.



We need to be lights in the darkness for those that live or have lived on the margins of society. Either that, or we'll see these tragedies continue to happen & we'll have reason to be afraid of the dark.

Answer 169

You cannot create a community of understanding to prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. The problem is that there are too many people with mental illness problems who fail to receive treatment. If they have received treatment, often they stop taking their medications. You may not even know that a very disturbed individual resides right next door to you, because they are often loners. You cannot reason with someone that is beyond reason (whether they choose to refuse to listen to reason or just cannot due to their illness). This is like trying to keep suicide bombers from killing. You cannot identify all of them. You cannot often pick them out in a crowd. You cannot reason with them because they kill out of a belief and not a rational. The best that we as a people can do is try to develop supports for those who need mental health services. We can teach our children to treat others with kindness......"do unto others as you would have then do unto you". We can be more observant so that we may be able to identify those in need.

Answer 170

Many would say that a 'community of understanding', had it existed for the young Mr. Cho, would not have left him feeling like he was not a member of our world. This 'community of understanding' might have also helped him with the problems he was having with his inner conversation. Language is the cause of all human behavior, so perhaps this 'community of understanding' would have understood him and helped him to be a valuable part of our world.

Our world is a violent place. Many feel that using violence to settle differences is acceptable, like our present administration, but with understanding as a basis for our actions one would hope that, as a society, we could understand that violence only breeds more violence; which turns into an unending cycle.

When you look at it, you have to wonder if what Mr. Cho saw was a world that used violence to settle its problems with others, and that, considering that he was having a very serious conversation about how others created his world, he realized that he could use violence to settle the differences he was having with others.

I also feel that we could 'understand' mental health in a way that would allow us to help, and work with, those who are suffering from mental health problems.

As a last point, I feel that a 'community of understanding' would not put their personal need for wealth and power over the needs of every person. If our world operated off of 'ethical' principles, we would be doing what is best for everyone, not just a few. Unfortunately, considering the duality of meaning within language, understanding often turns to misunderstanding. Language and meaning are the most powerful tools that have ever existed. As humans, we can use both to ignite nuclear weapons, murder those around us, or create peace and understanding in this world.

Understanding within the individual will create it in the community, and visa versa.

Wonderful question Dr. Chopra

Answer 171

I think it starts with the family structure and society. However, I really don't think there is much that can be done due to unwillingness and not having the ability to do something about it. Think about a time when there was not so many tragedies- almost all generations have some sort of tragedy to overcome. On the upside, tragedies can be subdued by adequate training starting at home. If more parents had the time and awareness to raise their children "correctly," society would have a better chance. On the other hand, there are children who do suffer from mental illnesses- but it still can be lessened.

Answer 172

I'm not sure what the community was like at Virginia Tech. At my college, which was a a fairly small community, respect and caring about others were an enormous part of the college experience. If a student is clearly troubled, like this individual, his professors and the administration need to pay real attention and see that he gets help.

Answer 173

I think it's clear that the murderer not only had deepset mental problems, but spiritual problems as well, and he took out his rage on others in a calculated way. This is pure evil at work.



There is no trick to understanding evil except to call it by its name and confront it when we meet it. Americans need to become more PROACTIVE and encourage old fashioned virtues like bravery and honor. We must be willing to fight back when we are attacked, especially when the innocent are being victimized.



Tragically, most of the victims were either not willing to (or advised not to) stand up to the man that killed them. It would not have taken that many people to overpower him.



What the community needs to understand is how vulnerable it is. As long as we remain weak we will be targets for criminals like this.



This tragedy could have been avoided, or at the least the death toll would have been drastically lower, had the citizenry taken seriously its right to keep and bear arms.



That could mean letting a trusted teacher keep a concealed weapon or having marshalls in the classroom like we do on airplanes.



Are we going to get busy and PROTECT our citizenry, or are we going to stand around and talk about counseling and "promoting understanding"?? Come on, let's move past the psychiatric mumbo-jumbo. It's all a big smoke screen.

Answer 174

I wish I had a magic formula that would allow me to say that I have a solution. Unfortunately, with the unending variation of human beings in the world, I don't believe that it will ever be possible to prevent ALL such actions. A couple of things have struck me as points at which the "system" failed. First, I believe that the person who committed these acts was able to get guns FAR too easily. I don't support a complete ban on guns, but for him to be able to walk into a store and purchase guns on the spot is a bad idea, in my opinion. I think that a thorough background check must be a requirement for gun purchases.



A background check isn't going to help much if there's no data on file about people who shouldn't have guns. I think that our criminal justice and mental health systems MUST be actively providing data on people who are viewed as a threat to others. Today it has come to light that this person had been declared mentally ill by a court, and yet whatever background checks were run at the time he purchased these firearms clearly didn't manage to indicate that this person had known problems.



Much as I wish it were so, I don't know that a "community of understanding" is going to address the type of illness from which this young man clearly suffered. His delusional thinking is not something the average person is equipped to deal with in most instances, and unfortunately his mindset is not readily evident to those around him. No matter how well-intentioned those around him may have been, I do not believe that the average person is sufficiently familiar with or trained to recognize the signs of the illness out of which this person acted.



I do think that specific groups that are at risk must be helped; I have to wonder if this young man's values from two diverse cultures - Korean and American - were in such conflict that the stresses caused by that conflict were too much for him to handle. Certainly I can imagine that the demands any of two very different cultures (not just Korean/American) could present challenges that not everyone is strong enough to handle. I believe that a certain amount of willingness to adapt to American culture must be present, but equally there must be a willingness by Americans to accept those with a different background. "Cultural diversity" must become more than a catch-phrase, so that people who are dealing with two different sets of values and demands can find a way to exist in both worlds.

Answer 175

We cannot Doc. At some point, free will has to be let out and with free will their is the possiblity that something like this might happen. The only way you can eliminate it from the relm of the possible is to make everyone your little robot where they have no free will anylonger. It is tragic this had to happen, but that is the world we live in. Perhaps if we were to arm everyone, then the first time the shooter goes to kill, others will be armed and prepared to defend themselves and their fellow human beings. On a planet of 6 billion people, their is going to be a fringe of lunitics who are not mentally stable. Of those, some will be able to keep it together enough to evade the general public until they snap. Then, when they snap, something happens. Unfortunately, when this lunitic snapped he gunned down 32 others in his wake. If the first 2 had been armed, perhaps it would have stopped their. We will never know.

Answer 176

In my opinion, this troubled person was labeled as “troubled” because he did not have the capability of expressing his frustrations which resulted in depression and anger. We, as a community can do a lot towards avoiding tragedies such as this.



Not just adults, even today’s teens are all in a rat race and their only desire is to acquire more fame, popularity, power amongst their clusters etc. This is the attitude that most of us encounter in colleges and no one has a minute to spare…. no one stops to listen…….. unless a tragedy like this hits them hard and brings them back to earth.



The less fortunate, and by this I don’t mean just poor, I mean the ones who are not popular, the ones who are constantly bullied, the ones who are cornered, the ones who are labeled as nerds or geeks…………. they suffer in silence because they are unable to turn to anyone for comfort and unable to express them selves.



This situation gets the better of them and when they can’t keep it all bottled up, they blow!! Sometimes it can be mere hatred towards a sibling or larger hatred towards the community…………… such as the Virginia Tech. massacre.



We, as a community I think should be more understanding, sometimes a single smile or a warm hug can go a long way and it can change a person’s life for good……….. you may never know. And these don’t cost a dime either……

Answer 177

challenging question, but I don't see it as "how do we stop violence" I think you're truly asking how can CREATING A COMMUNITY of understanding help prevent. We all have to do more than just say "stop the violence or we can't help." We can all help in some way. I'm not saying you can stop a tragedy, but reaching out to all communities and really caring about people is a start. Caring by listening to everyone, accepting EVERYONE. Letting others in. Not ignoring people and/or situations that may not feel right. We are all in charge of being aware of our surroundings. I think creating, reaching out, and being a constant member of a community could help get us to stop passing each other by and open our eyes and our hearts.

Answer 178

You are answering your own question within your question. Instead of asking sincerely, "How can we prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech?", which might have produced that one unique and innovative new wonderful insight from this bright-eyed international community that could have created a better world, you stole the thunder and essentially told us that if we "create a community of understanding", we could help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. Blah blah. ( No wonder your nickname is "Deep Pockets". ) As long as Americans tolerate the NRA-sanctioned bloodbath of over 40,000 humans killed with guns in the United States EVERY year, voters do not need "understanding". They need a lobotomy.

Answer 179

I think that mental illness is all too easily swept under the carpet. As we are now learning about the VT shooter, we can clearly put together a series of incidents and behavioral issues that should have been dealt with.



The interviewed roommates obviously knew that Cho was a strange person but reacted like most and just tried to let him be and not rock the boat. As a parent I am striving to teach tolerance to my child. We teach our children at a very young age that people come in all different sizes and colors and physical limitations so that they don't grow up making fun of the people that are different from themselves.



My point here is that we need to teach mental health differences along with societal and cultural differences. Most of these "loners" that have actually crossed the line certainly have dropped many clues prior to the deed. I am not suggesting that the average person is qualified to diagnose mental illness, but we can learn some of the signs.



Communities in general need to provide a safe place where incidents can be reported and HEARD. If this can be accomplished I believe that these tortured minds could get the help they need and be removed safely from society.

Answer 180

I am not entirely sure what is meant by a "community of understanding."



If the question is asking how we can find more ways to reach individuals in their moments of anguish in order to prevent this kind of tragedy, I would say that it's a complex task.



When a person is as troubled as the Virginia Tech gunman, Cho Seung-Hui, appears to have been...starting with the stalking-type issues all the way through to the shooting incidents...emergency responders' (police officers, etc.) hands are tied by legal requirements that generally make sense. I'm sure that most people would agree that we don't want to live in a police state where our civil liberties are threatened; we just want to feel safe.



Unfortunately, the gunman sounds like his life was already in extreme turmoil in the past year. If I were to make a suggestion, it would be to give assistance to families with children whose circumstances indicate they may be at future risk towards criminal behavior and mental illness. Families I would consider would be ones with kids who are acting out, perhaps petty criminal behavior, impending eviction/homelessness, family history of mental illnesses, etc.



The goal is to short-circuit the process of families or individuals getting to a crisis point. It's much better to put in a little energy early on...do things right when the tide might still be changed. California is trying something like this. I suppose we shall see how it works out.

Answer 181

How can creating a community of understanding help prevent tragedies if people like you only pop up when terrible things happen?



Understanding does not just come by tragedy. Understanding comes with the good and the bad.



Why are Hollywood oppurtunists all over cases like these.



Why are as Americans so HUNGRY for blood? Have you seen these stupid tv reproters on FOX news and CNN? Asking for every gruesome detail? Doing TOO much right after the tragedy? One repote asked a girl "What did you see? Any blood?" It's like it's an event and not something that happened in real life to them. It's like these newscasters are robots trying to pretend to have emotions like people, but execute them horribly and awkwardly. CNN keeps showing an image of a child in shadows and along with really hevy music. Don't you relaize you're making a mockery out of this situation?!?! It



Have some compassion please and stop making a tragedy a production for news.



Someone above said there will always be a bad egg. Cho's roomates tried to reach out to him; sometimes people need medical help. Mental illness DOES have effects on the brain and kindess and therapy alone isn't going to solve brain malformations.

Answer 182

The reason why tragedies like virginia tech take place is ,because, students nowadays are ignored .If a person is not rich

or does not go to any parties ,then he is ignored by his classmates.

Sometimes ,insulted for not having any money .

This leads to the growth of evil ideas ,of killing his enemies.

And when guns r easily available then he will surely make use of it .

So try to unite students.

Answer 183

We need to start from the family. Families now live with no spirituality whatsoever. These days people are away from God. There is no prayer at school. We have to change the laws in the government for public schools to start praying again. Kids are not going to school, dealing with drugs, killings, no respect for the elderly.



Probably you can start a program teaching the principals and teachers of the schools, also parents and students; that is OK to be angry, but how to handle anger. There are too many kids with anger about their lives, their families, insecurities and from there we can prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. I love your books.

Answer 184

By creating a community of understanding helps prevent tragedies like the ones that happened at virginia tech and columbine by allowing parents and children to discuss their fears and sometimes even their own problems, what you need to do in that situation is to have it where children and adults are able to speak and be heard. Talk to parents how they can watch for warning signs that their children maybe in trouble. And even have kids do the same to watch for signs in friends and family members. But sometimes there are children and adults who are to far gone to help but as long as you tried you never fail.

Answer 185

To create a community of understanding we would have to undo the mistakes we have made as a society. We need to take better care of our children both emotionally and mentally. The world has forgotten the golden rule that we reap what we sow. Some individuals are born with physiological illnesses and go untreated either due to ignorance or because someone didn't care. Prevention can happen if strict rules are instituted in schools that evaluate the mental state of individuals with warning signs, problems and or complaints against them. This man that killed all of these people has serious problems with his social isolation and self hatred and others were aware of it. We need to put a law into effect that removes those individuals from the campuses in America and ensures that they get proper treatment. Students have a right to have a safe environment in which to learn in.

Answer 186

I think that the best way to help prevent tragedies like this is to just be aware of the people around you, and to show a little compassion for others. From what I understand, there were lots of warning signs that this guy was in danger of going off his nut, but no one really paid any attention, which just made it worse. I am a high school teacher, and I have discovered that one of the most important jobs I have, besides teaching the material the students need to know, is just to be there for my kids. High school can be a very traumatic time for teenagers, and when you add in family problems, and all the other stress that kids have to worry about, the stress load just gets incredible. Sometimes the best thing to do to help in situations like that is just be willing to listen to the people around you. Just my opinion.

Answer 187

I think that it is quite obvious, we are a society possessed with a need to be a “better” than the person next to us.

The media is feeding us with an obsession based off of beautiful faces and wealthy people gaining what the average person may never be able to obtain.

It is pro-active to sit here and point fingers across the table at anyone without first realizing that we are ALL to blame for the actions of any man.

We must analyze the way we as a society or as a community work together, instead of always trying to compare ourselves to others we need to start nurturing one another.

A world where we are better able to understand our own selves will in turn create a powerful movement of true understanding, where we can help and watch each soul around us reach their full potential.

We are not all born with the face or the body, the mind or the capability to rise about the average and become something better…

I work at a school, and I put effort forth everytime I see a lonely soul…why?

Because I enjoy reaching out to those who feel like they are not understood or alone in the world, I myself have been in that position many times before, I think its important that every breathing person deserves to feel needed, wanted and loved.

When we deprive people of these feelings they become lost and unable to cope with the world around them, it is then that tragedy occurs and once again we as a community of this planet are left asking ourselves how we can prevent it from happening again.

It will take a few months before many of us are back to our normal lives, back to thinking in our minds how that person looks or walks funny, how they aren’t the same as us, commenting on how another persons actions annoy us…

We need to stop…

So simple I think, “do unto others as you want done to you” is the phrase?

Beyond some “hippy-ish” persona, beyond the masks of pretending to understand, we need to reach deep within ourselves and learn to love.

Answer 188

There is no way to prevent such tragedies unless we can start seeing into the future. This was a random sick demented act, by someone who needed deep psychological help and refused to get it. There is no way for any one to predict when or where a madman will strike. We can however talk to our children more, and train them to recognize signs of depression or anxiety within themselves and others. We also need to teach kids -and some adults- the value of understanding that we are all different and to accept a persons differences. These actions will never stop a determined nut job, but it may help change the way many of us view the world and those we share it with.

Answer 189

All the understanding in the world would not and did not

prevent the tragedy from occurring.



Understanding without positive action does nothing.

All the signs were there, but no one bothered to put them

together. They viewed each incident separately and never

saw the pattern. The pattern started more then 18 months ago.

NO ONE SAW IT.



All the information that has emerged since the incident

indicates that he was sociopathic from a very early age.



NO ONE DID ANYTHING, NO ONE SAW THE PROBLEM.

Answer 190

As I see it there is a constant in the stories you hear from these killers, and I am not defending them by any means, and that is they were all picked on. We live in an enviroment where if you don't fit in the norm you are allowed to be a target. If you are too thin you are accused of being anorexic if too fat you are an open target for ridicule. If you dress different or god forbid are unable to afford Gap clothing You are not a part of the in crowd.



And it is starting younger and younger. It crushed me to hear my Kindergartener "Mom I am not popular". He was 5!!! And now he has gotten his face smashed into a table at lunch and nothing was done on the school behalf. In the same school a child had been dealing with getting bullied for an extended amount of time and oen day he stood up for himself and started yelling and cussing at the bullies and was immediately expelled from the bus. It feels as if the bullies have the school on their sides because more often then not they are in the golden "in crowd".



Unitl we can accept people for who they are (which will never happen) there will never be an "understanding community" therefore there will always be school shootings and likely if you look into the shooters past they started out sweet and fragile children who had been pushed around since being placed in the school enviroment.

Answer 191

We have to ask why doesn't this happen in other countries?



(1) right to bear arms ??? ok but semi-automatics? those types of guns should be banned! Why didn't he have some form of record for those 2005 stalkings? A reqt should be to do a thorough background check before giving someone a weapon - interview coworkers, professors in this instance, mental evaluation, waiting period, training, etc.? You don't give someone the keys to a car or a plane and say go - this needs a process as well.



(2) The kid felt so alone - and isolated - why didn't his family get him the help he needed? and the school < I'm very angry with that one particular professor saying she saw the mean streak in him and they were all afraid of him - but they didn't pursue for fear of getting sued?!! They should have a VirTech Law like they do with Megans' Law and pass something that protects teachers and others from reporting questionable behavior.



(3) Stop playing his videotape and talking about HIM! This will only produce copycats. They see this and say how else was this guys' cries going to be heard -- no notariety, glorification or immortality for these kids - use it as an opportunity to reach out to other desperados in the same boat <



community of understanding << human nature is sometimes very cruel << I had a very close friend who was epileptic and had uncontrollable seizures and was so saddened to see the truth of most - taking advantage, making fun, stares, etc. This poor guy had to deal with a sickness and on top of that the "anti" social aspects of it all <<< we need to be taught social sciences and love of human nature early on IN SCHOOL it's obvious whateer they get in homes these days is not enough.

Answer 192

" Community of understanding" should begin at home.



Parents, spend time with your kids! It is not always about talking about everything or knowing how to ask the tough questions. Spending time simply means hanging out together, go to the movies, sit in the same room and read together or even watch TV together. It seems like nothing, but from these casual easy moments, bonds are created, secutity is felt, that is how meaningful dialogue and asking and answering difficult questions can happen. If a child, at any age, know that there is someone there, so that at any time in their life when they come to face with problems, big or small, they are never alone.



Also, to understand that to have a psychiatric condition is NO taboo. Seek professional help, don't let shame or fear of being discovered stop any individual to seek help. Mental illness, when not treated WILL rob you of your life and as in the VT event, it robbed the lives of so many people on so many levels. There are all kind of resources and medications to help. Accept mental illness as one would accept other medical conditions. If a person is diabetic, he will take appropriate medication to control it so why should it be any difference with mental illness?

Answer 193

I think you're being a little assumptive and more than a little vague. A "community of understanding"? What does that mean? I fear the answer is: Anything you want it to mean. Tragedies like this have plagued us since the dawn of time and will until we as a species are extinct. There is no deeper meaning, no sense or order to be made of this. An individual in our society cracked- he went insane. And in that flare of insanity murdered 32 innocents. When we say we want answers, what we really mean is that we want control- control over our environment and the security that brings. That sense of security is shattered and will only come back in time. My heart goes out to them and my deepest condolences to all that have experienced loss due to what has happened. But let's not euphemize and sterilize the utter *meaninglessness* of the circumstances. 32 people died for *no reason* whatsoever, and all the survivors can do is endure.

Answer 194

The tragedy is compounded by the elimination of some of the best minds in resolving today’s problems. However it should serve as a wake-up to the necessity for understanding culture.



This young man came to America when he was in the formative years of seeking a role model. His father was a good man and gave his all in performance of his business. However to an eight-year old it may have appeared as being submissive to a higher economy.



At the same time he was exposed to the product of a permissive society that exercised individual worth and freedoms. Surely that would have created questions in his young mind that people could not understand not having been there.



The early pictures of him show eyes that are definitely awake. Yet one of his teachers or councilors said she saw or thought there were tears behind the Sunglasses.



We are in a new world requiring cultural understanding. I was married to a woman of different culture for twelve years before I realized what cultural difference was and it came about through business activities not my day-to-day interaction with the woman I loved.



The world is Global now and we have to recognize cultural is more than different language and dress.

Answer 195

"How can creating a community of understanding help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech?"



Easy. Fiction writers have total control of their characters.

Answer 196

You will never prevent tragedies. They will always happen in some way, shape or form. They will be man made, natural or whatever. You will never prevent them from happening. All you can do is plan for the worst and hope for the best. A community of understanding may be helpful in the aftermath of a tragedy, to help in the healing.

Answer 197

First of all, I think it's important for us to be sensitive to other people's feelings. We must acknowledge that nobody is the same. We are all unique and must be respected.

We must live together as one. Support each other and stop attacking one another. It's always about competition. Who's got the best car, house, career,etc.

We must appreciate the person for WHO they are and not WHAT they are. The material world doesn't matter and won't make us feel any happier if we are disturbed on the inside.

I would rather be poor and happy pyschologically, rather than rich person insane.

We need to stop Stereotyping...judging by race, ethnic background or vecinities where one lives.

Sometimes the humblest people come from the worst parts of the world. I feel like they appreciate more because they have less. They weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

We must also give in order to receive and visa verse. To make a concienscious effort about how we want to be treated so we can understand how to treat others. Also take time to think before speaking.

It's real easy to offend, but try saying something nice. You will see that it's not as easy. Why??? It shouldn't be that way.

It's seems that cruelty is all that has been developed in our society, causing human damage and misery.

Is this the future of tomorrow? How can we improve as a country if we don't start at home first?

I recommend more psychologists at school, PTA meetings with parents about how parents should behave at home, and more ASB meetings, in order for students to see that guns and knives do break bones after name calling. And not sticks and stones. :)

Answer 198

In almost every tragedy such as this there were signs that something was wrong. And somebody knew it! The Professor was so scared she didn't want him in her writing class and she did alert authorities. What we can do as a community rather it be school or otherwise is monitor situations and report them! This guy was clearly troubled. Confidentiality laws didn't permit officials to do alot but he still could have been monitored or designated a person of interest by the school. There is a fine line regarding mental illness, counseling or therapy. Many people seek help but others will not because society still attaches stigma to anything that even hints of getting help for problems. You can see a counselor because you can not get past your beloved pet passing away. You may need a medication for depression. Many in society would say you were crazy. Many hide the fact they are in therapy. We as a society need to get past that stigma first.

Answer 199

One thing was clear, this individual was mentally ill, and alienated from his peers because of it. The boys in his dormatory were aware of his alienation, this is where social responsibility starts. Including him in on some fun, or making the extra effort to extend the hand of friendship could make all the difference. In this modern world, a mental disability is unseen, these people need all the more friendship, and compassion they can get. As now seen in modern society, the MI of the world are making alot of headlines because it is very much a silent disease, that is until its too late. Alienation is also on the rise in this country, we no longer have the loving neighborhood community, its a lonley place.

Answer 200

It begins in the home. The parents should not allow bullying between siblings or others. Teach children compassion for the outcast, the different appearances and from being racist. But also teach them to be alert when they sense a dangerous person.

The teachers should take acting out seriously. My grandson who is 13 was telling me of a girl in class that was putting on lip gloss. The teacher walked over to her with her hand out and the girl jerked back and gave the teacher a go to ---- look. The teacher let it go and continued class. I'm sure it's hard to teach young kids but you cannot let them be the boss.

Whatever happened to PTA? Parents and teachers and possibly the police should meet on a regular basis and discuss how to handle certain children.

But I don't see that happening or creating a community of understanding because most of the parents would not or could not participate.

I still think that putting metal detectors and dogs and policemen at school is the best thing to do. One girl said to me if she is treated as a criminal, she will be one. But I think that our children would feel safer knowing someone was protecting them.

Answer 201

This situation illustrates the tragic condition of mental health in today's society. Seeking assistance has such a stigma attached to it that many people try to mask their problems until their issues have such a strong grip on them, that they lose sight of reality. When events like this happen, many people are more apprehensive of reaching out for the assistance that can help them, because they fear what people's opinions may be. Hopefully, society will become more open-minded about the assistance available in the mental health system and those who desperately need it will be treated by those professionals trained to recognize problems before they escalate. Innocent people died Monday. Basic freedoms are under assault by many outraged people. The underlying flaw in that line of thinking is that making those changes will only be a band-aid over the deeper issue. If we are able to gain insight into the minds of the troubled, we can help them lead more stable, productive lives. Otherwise, the alternative is ignoring them and revisiting this issue when the next tragedy occurs. Everyone has someone who loves and cares about them, no matter how depressed and withdrawn he or she may be. They deserve the opportunity to feel relief from the ills that plague them.

Answer 202

Parents, teachers, community groups, and churches can help prevent this kind of tragedies.



Here are what can be done to prevent such tragedies from happening again, or to minimize of chance of such tragedies from happening again:



1. PARENTS play a significant role in shaping up the future of the children. Parents should spend more time with the children, give them love, listen to their problems, understand what they do, who they hangout with, and guide them with the positive view points of the world. Neglects can lead to the abnormal thinking and behavior of the children. If the parents found out that something is wrong with a child's behavior, they should talk to the child and figure out the cause. If the parents are able to steer the child to the right direction, that would be great. If not, they should seek help from outside professionals. Correction at the early stage is crucial.



2. Community groups can help in the following ways. First, they can provide semiars for parents with children. Many parents in this country don't know how to be good parents.These semiars can teach parents to behave like parents, how to set role models for the kids. Parents learn how to be loving, caring, proactive, supportive, and responsive parents. Second, community groups can organize youth activities, teach them positive altitudes toward life, such as respect others and accepting failure as part of life, and cultivating friendships and support among youth.



3. Churches can play the same roles as community groups.



4. Schools and teachers can put more attention to helping students with emotional and behavior problems. Schools have the responsibility to teach all students to respect each others, including those with expressional problems and natural weaknesses. When a teacher sees a student with problem, the first thing is try to understand the student's problem with care instead of making him/her to feel bad or embarrassed infront of the whole class. Try to understand the cause and affect, then you can predict and change the future of the student. The teacher should schedule a time separately to communicate with the student. If neccessary, talk to the parents to understand more about the problem. Then take appropriate steps to correct the students behavior and lead him/her to the right path.

Answer 203

It never fails to surprise me, when catastrophy occurs, all of a sudden everyone is a professional analyst. "Well.....we need to setup some sort of Investigational Committee, that will head a task-force into the root causes of People like Mr. Such-n-Such. In other words we need to fully understand the reasons and compulsions behind a man of this sort. Thereby rendoring a reoccurance of this type in the future, moot."

Here's what everyone is forgetting, God's word the Bible, has been telling us these things are going to take place. Problem is....no one is listening to the Bible. "well.....we need to be careful and separate "Church and State". If that be your answer, no wonder your in a fog most of the time. The last thing anyone should want is to leave God out of anything!! The very second that you walk away from God, don't expect him to come running after you, it should be the other way around. But that's alright, scoff if you must, swear if you find you just can't take it, it will never change the out come. "God's Perfect Will" will take place whether you think it should or not.

Answer 204

Due to the fact that almost all humans have some sort of defect (I, for instance am partially paranoid) - in some sad cases (seen in the Virginia Tech shooting, at Columbine and in people like Stalin and Hitler's SS) these problems are dangerous to the rest of population (i.e. Someone suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD] is not a danger to the rest of us). However, as I said above, some people suffer from (in cases like Stalin and Hitler and the SS) those people have too much power, and they use that for evil purposes (generally to cling onto power). People like the shooters at Columbine and the shooter at Virginia Tech, generally (however, we cannot say for sure) feel oppressed or are encouraged by violence in general (Video Games, Television etc.). As more and more films are made that involve Violence and as more and more incidents like that of Virginia Tech occur, it is a sad probability that there will be more shootings. Don't forget, that as all people are unique in every way, the chances of not having a psychotic person or a person who has a necessity to kill others are quite low.



We just have to strife to help these people before it's too late.



S.O.

Answer 205

Only understanding that leads to action is of any value. I work in a profession where i often deal with people who have mental illness and are potentially dangerous. Very few of them receive effective treatment, if any. They end up in the court system, on probation, with the condition that they seek counseling. Very few of them show up for probation, much less seek treatment. Most of them have no transportation, no job, no insurance. If you can actually find a facility that serves indigents, it can be weeks, if not months before they are even seen to be evaluated. Then, after they are seeing a Dr. they won't take their meds. So, once again they are either arrested for probation violation or for a new offense, given more probation and released to the streets. These people are very often homeless because they can't function well enough to work and if they have disability benefits, their families usually take it from them and then fail to care for them . Next step is to try to have them committed, which is very difficult and almost never happens. This partly due to overly sympthetic judges and to stringent criteria that has to be met in order to not violate civil rights. Then if you obtain a commitment, there is not guarantee that the state hospital will find that they meet the requirements. This is most likely due to lack of bed space, or a preference to fill a bed with someone they can bill at a higher rate. So, the person is released, again, and we are back where we started.

The point of my rant is that there is a lack of proper care and qualified people to assess potentially dangerous mentally ill individuals and many obstacles to insuring the care is admistered. Due to confidentiality laws, it is not always possible to even warn others of possible danger.l am fairly conservative, but there really does need to be more funding for mental health care. Also, when dealing with this sort of person, the focus should be on the welfare of the community as well as the person in question.

Answer 206

I am almost rolling on the floor laughing over this question.

You'd think that the answer is so obvious, one wouldn't have to ask.

Years ago, stuff like that never happened. Why ? Because parents spent more time with their kids, taught them values and raised them with respect for human life.

Now, most families have 2 working parents. This is necessary because things cost so much more, now.

The children go to daycare and only see the parents for very few hours a day.

Sitting down to a home cooked meal and talking is a thing of the past, too. Now, it's drive through McDonald's , Burger King, Taco Bell, or KFC. Or, there's Domino's or Papa John's.

Years ago, there weren't video games, computers, and 100s

of TV channels. Children went outside to play with the neighbors and learned to get along and developed social skills.

Also, parents were not afraid to discipline their children.

Today, if you spank a child, more than likely you'll get charged with chilld abuse..

People say things like its better, now....they call it progress.

I wouldn't say that Columbine or Virginia Tech is progress.

Answer 207

People say love where you are or leave. This isn't usually an option for students. Leaving school means giving up on your life. To a student, your school is your identity.



In every school there is a mainstream community, and several outsider communities. The mainstream community keeps itself alive, it is always visible. The outsider communities are composed of those who don't belong or who don't want to belong.

How does he become crazy? Easy.

When an outsider can't find an outsider-community, he becomes sad.

When an outsider is pressed by the mainstream community, he becomes angry.

Solution?

1. make a climate in which outside-communties are quickly formed and visible.

2. make a climate where it's easy to live far away from teh mainstream community.



Ofcourse, this doesn't happen too often. On the occasion that administrators take an active role in community building-- setting up special days and gatherings etc. it's usually for the majority. THey don't plan social outings for the psychos in the back.

Answer 208

Dear Mr. Chopra,

I have always respected you and your work. I have seen a few of your documentary's and found them to be very enlightening. As to your question, you have the answer right in the question. Creating understanding, this will prevent these tragedies. It's too bad that we as a society, are not as educated, or diciplined as you. You are at a point much higher on the intelligence scale than most other individuals. So, I guess to create this understanding you speak of, we need to be where you are. This I feel will not happen. Case-in-point, the student who was arrested yesterday at Colorado University. We can't even TALK about this tragedy without making ourselves into criminals in the eyes of the faculty at C.U, and the Boulder Police Dept. So you see, we are nowhere even close to your understanding and perception. I wish it were different, but it is what it is.

Answer 209

It can't. Doing away with politically correct, left leaning campus administrations who take the concerns of teachers and students seriously will. There were so many signs ignored for the sake of this guy's "rights" to free speech on campus. The school administration, it's security department and the local police failed. No amount of "community understanding" will prevent a psychopath from acts of violence. If it wasn't a gun it would be a Molotov cocktail. These events are planned well in advance as you, as a doctor, should know. Your question is naively symptomatic of the problem and is not indicative of an answer to it.

Answer 210

It really can't since "creating a community of understanding" is an essentially meaningless term. What is a "community of understanding"? Is it a community in which all the members of the community understand each other? What does it mean to "understand" someone else? Is it that you get their meaning? Is it that you accept their emotional issues and predilections?



And even if everyone "understands" everyone else, is there any reason to think that the few psychopaths like Cho will not do what they do anyway?



Doesn't it take action, not understanding, to stop someone from killing? Wouldn't it have been psychiatric treatment and/or oversight that would have made it more likely that he would not have been able to get this done?



Understanding is nice. But "creating a community of understanding" is like saying "can't we all just get along".

Answer 211

In the context of the shootings, what could have prevented Cho from taking a drastic action like this? None of us could know. He was depressed, probably because of some horrible experiences he had in life. And the rampage that happened was because he reached his breakpoint. Maybe he would have been a better person if he had people who cared around him. But like the first answerer has said, nobody ever opens up to let us know he/she has a problem, we have to go to them.



But if you prefer to show ignorance rather than sympathy, it only worsens the person's condition. In other words, we could all simply be NICE once a while. I mean, how hard is it to lend a helping hand? To show your support? To be there for others? There are so many others like Cho out there, sullen, lonesome, distressed, fed up with society...

Most of them think they don't have a voice. And shutting them up isn't the solution. Understanding them might take alot of time but that's the only thing we can do.



This is an example of the kind of ways they will adopt in order to make their voices heard. They turn into these dangerous people they're not aware of themselves.



I believe all we need to do is care.

Answer 212

Two words will prevent tragedies such as Colombine and the Virginia Tech from happening - GUN CONTROL.



A guy, with a known and reported past of mental illness and loneliness, was able to walk into a store and buy a gun and then he was able to go and kill 32 people.



It is absolutely pointless anyone talking about a community of understanding unless we address the problem of Gun control.



We need to start taking guns away from homes and making them less accessible - close down the gun shops, and put guns back into the hands of the authorities - police, security and the military.



Unless the community stands up and demands stricter guns control - its only a matter of time before the next one.



Think about it.

Answer 213

I really hate to sound like Hillary, but it takes a village - not just to raise a child, but to reign him in. Especially in a "close knit" community like V-Tech, his dormmates, classmates, professors or someone must have watched his decline into madness. The news reports that people had in fact expressed concerns about his writing and some questionable behaviors. Unfortunately, no one took action to seek help for the young man before it was too late.

I have personally experienced the detached, aloof nature of a college campus that is larger than Va., and there is an attitude that these are mature adults who require no guidance or help beyond what they provide for themselves. Most of them are or quickly become responsible, but there are many who simply drop out or don't return because they cannot cope, then there are the few who turn to violence to address the wrongs they feel they suffered.

Additionally, schools don't want to get involved because it violates a student's right to privacy. For instance, we had a student go missing and when I questioned her disappearance, the school threw their hands in the air and waved me away, telling me they couldn't do anything unless she was reported missing, and they couldn't report her missing, or call her parents to inform them! So who is responsible?

Virginia Tech is a small city, just like the college president said, and it is difficult, if not impossible to know what every student is doing, but if each student looked out for one other student, and each teaching assistant, associate professor, professor, secretary, custodian, etc., looked after 2 or 3 students, and so on, that would be a start. Then, if every person would take responsibility for not only their actions, but their inactions and recognize their responsibility to themselves and their fellow citizens, perhaps a tragedy like this could be avoided.

Answer 214

Tragedy prevention is an oxymoron. By definition, tragedies can't be prevented. Everyone likes to htink there is some feel good or easy method for keeping the sociopaths at bay, but there isn't. Waking up to reality, being alert and learning to protect oneself is the only protection. Unfortunately, not enough people will listen and all too soon we will have this happen again.

Answer 215

I think a tragedy like VT would be almost impossible to prevent. First the area of concern is such an open area that it would have taken too long to secure. The problem is that there were warning signs all over the place. But when we try to take action they quote privacy laws or civil liberties. Its sad for a tradegy like this to have to happen for us to learn, but we do learn from our mistakes. I wish it didn't take the young adults lives for colleges to realize safety of our kids is of the upmost important and if we hurt a few feelings along the way then so be it. Us Americans take our freedoms for granite. We need to be willing to take the appropriate steps or actions to keep our country safe, if that means metal detectors, then so be it. If it means closed campuses then ok. We pay thousands of dollars for our children to go to school, how about using some of that money to hire additional campus security. That would be a good start. God Bless the families and friends of those lost at Virginia Tech. Our hearts and prayers are with you.

Answer 216

As long as people with mental illnesses are connected in the media wtih tragic, sad, events like this, people who could hurt themselves and others will not get help. The publc will remain uneducated and think that people with mental health issues are all dangerous people. In turn we will have a paradox in helping such persons getting treatment.

There are thousands and thousands of people who put themselves thru torturous rituals for even thinking they hurt someone. (see info about obsessive compulsive disorder... http://www.ocfoundation.org ) Persons with mental heatlh issues are much less likely to "go postal" than others. I hope, that this tragedy will bring some education and thought about how we should help people.

Noone is crazy or cookoo - people who have a medical biological medical, issues - brains with chemicals that don't function properly brought on by X-Y-Z or who knows what...

Could this man have been stopped? It's too, easy to say in hindsight. Probably not. There is no way to say it could have.. I give my condolances to the families and realize that there are 10 zillion aspects with this atrocity besides mental health. However, if there is anything good at all to be gained from this I hope we can shed light on ways to do things better in the future.

Answer 217

The best solution to prevent tragedies like these is to end restrictions on gun ownership. If everybody has a gun, it'll be much easier for psychos to be stopped before they can do much damage.



Other than that, banning anti-depressants and tolerance education regarding the wealthy could also help. This guy went psycho because he was no longer depressed and it is common sense that anti-depressants make normal people crazy. We've also got way too much hatred of the rich in this society. Just take a look at the motives behind Nifong's lynching of the Duke Lacrosse team and the shooter at Virginia Tech. The both hated the rich and wanted to victimize them.



Its sad that we don't do more as a society to prevent stuff by utilizing the common sense solutions. Instead we support things such as gun control that assume that criminals are going to follow those laws when they don't even follow the ones against murder. If laws ended crime, we wouldn't need gun control because the laws against murder would eliminate all crime. If the reverse is the case (and criminals disobey laws), we don't need gun control because it would make it worse.

Answer 218

Dr. Chopra,



When compared to other cultures around the world, America is very individualistic and self centered. A cold society, indeed. People do not make eye contact when walking down the street; you will never get a free smile from a stranger, unlike societies in Latin America and the Middle East.



So anyone that comes to America after having grown up in a different society will find it awkward and intimidating to try to make new friends since it is hard to break in.



I can understand this man's frustration in a society where no one cares about one another, that is unless you are related or part of a group of friends. But as an outsider, I have noticed that America is very cruel, lacking people skills.



The only thing that there is to understand here is that this man was partly at fault, and so is the society that surrounded him.



In answer to your question:



We can promote a community of understanding by promoting family values and the importance of unconditional friendship.



So.... Next time a stranger glances at you, just smile back...



If we are ever to become part of an Inter-galactic society, we must first learn to live in peace with one another, showing absolute respect.



Cozmik

Answer 219

I think one of the problems is that we only try to understand others through quick judgements and often take others for granted. I think there are many people (myself included) who feel alone and deeply misunderstood because of a "community" that rejects ideas that don't conform with what it defines as "normal". There will always be outcasts, loners, etc. and there is nothing wrong with that. Also, I'm sick to death of people acting like it should be illegal to be depressed, and that everyone should be on drugs if they act outside of society's "norm." This society is turning into some nazi-freak sci-fi 1984eque novel. I think the best way to prevent this kind of tragedy is to teach our children to treat the world with equality, tenderness, and respect. Too many people are ego obessed and our society is going to ruins because of it. It doesn't matter what religion, race, class, gender, etc., a person is, if we don't all stop thinking that life is about material possesions and that the world is an object for us to manipulate towards our own greedy purposes then we are doomed. Perhaps there will be more and more tragedies like this one, and it wouldn't surprise me considering where we place values in this society.

Answer 220

It can't...there will always be people that will be misunderstood, even pride themselves on being misunderstood....I mean look at rock musicians..being misunderstood in america can even sell something, due the the intrigue that it may offer. I think that people's awareness level needs to be increased so that they know the signs and things to look for in people that may be going over the edge. I myself sometimes think the line between fantasy and reality can become blurred, and that people need to know when someone is having a rough go at life and what the outward signs of that may be. People also need to quit acting like a bunch of dammed idiots and take time to sit down and about something more then themselves....and take in their surroundings long enough to look past their periferial vision. Everyone theese days seem to be out for themselves with no since of community. While looking at other cultures outside our own, it seems that we as americans seem to be the group that has it and also have the most greed. When you are amongst a group of people that care for nothing but themselves life can get pretty miserable. I would suggest that rather than trying to understand someone, it would be more honorable to try to build a society based in relationships. Even if you don't know someone it's okay to say hi.....and ask them how they are doing. Even if you don't care, it's free...and by an act of being socialble or kind you might convince someone there is more to life....

Answer 221

When I think of community of understanding I believe it should be taken in the context of how can we be better prepared. We can't prevent people acting out like this...but we can be aware of ways to prevent the mayhem from being as bad as it could be. This college campus was not ready for this type of event (neither are most). I believe we need to start looking at emergency response tools, and training for students and staff...not just security and the police.



I would reccomend that they shut down congregating of students when such an even rises. All it does is give the shooter a better chance at increasing their carnage. Also I think that a campus alert system implemented across the school that could alert students would be smart. Just like in high school with a p.a. system. Furthermore students should have a peice in orientation to go over more detailed emergency response measures. All students that are considered to be a possible threat due to behavior should also be submitted to the campus security and possibly the local authorities. Students should also be taught how to react in such a situation and told that things like breaking a window to get out is a very viable option etc. Save yourself first. These are just several ideas and I believe that even more ideas will be stated by other people answering that should be closely looked at.

Answer 222

One thing we as parents need to focus on , is trying to teach and show are kids that we are all human no matter be it rich or poor. That everyone deserves to be treated as equals. Just because John Doe drives an exspensive car does not mean that he is better than Joe Smoe who drives an old beat up car. I teach my kids that if you have nothing good to say , then say nothing at all.That no matter what you do in life you must never disrespect or hurt someone. Parents need to take control of their kids, I hate hearing a parent say that their kid is out of hand, and yet they sit back and do nothing about it. If they were to have a service to remember these people who lost their lives be it at VT, or 911. I believe parents should make their children go to it. Teach them that what comes of tragedies like this is nothing but sorrow and heartache. I believe that no matter how much we as a community try to pull together and better things , there will always be that one person that believes only what they want to believe and nothing more. It's sad to see all these kids killing each other over stupid stuff. I really think that things were so much better when I was a kid. We followed the rules, and if someone was picking on another kid an adult took care of it. If there was a fight it was two pairs of fist a few bruises and some blood and then it was over. No gun's or knife's. In order to have this understanding in our communities we have to actually have a community that cares. One more thing I heard this said one time and I have to be honest I wanted to bust the woman upside of her head. She said Hey I could care less it didn't envolve my kid so its not my concern. Well to this ladie I say.."One day it could be your child..maybe he/she will be the victim of a horrific crime or maybe the one that caused the crime..I know this much you can turn your backs now..and if it happens to you in your house...well...I no matter what you have said will still give you a shoulder to cry on and all the support you need....

Answer 223

We have always been a community of "them" and "us". Those people look, talk, dress, worship, eat, live differently than "us". Until we can get past this "community of separateness", nothing can change. It is all common sense. Start at home and teach children respect and appreciation of other cultures. But since most people can't treat their own kids with this regard, where will they learn it. From mass media? Overworked, underpaid and stressed teachers?

Gun control would be nice, but there is already enough guns in the States to arm every man, woman and child twice over.

Look to our elected officials? We are bombarded daily w/ their faults and indiscretions.

Tax an already overstressed health system, which in, an ordinary American can barely afford regular health care. Let alone luxuries like mental health care.

Pray to God? Which one? I grew up believing God helped those that helped themselves. That would have been lost on the sick individual in Virginia. His demons(god) led him to believe he was vindicating the "wrongs" committed against him.

No answer here that will create world peace,and brotherly love, sorry. I can only raise my kids as I feel right. And pray to "God", my neighbors do the same......

Answer 224

By understanding how one, like Cho Seung-hui, felt at the time, we could have prevented tragedies from happening by taking the time to understand what is hurting the individual. Negligent has cause this issue to happen. I feel it is up to us as individuals to see that we help to see to it that we become a community of understanding in order to prevent somethings as the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Answer 225

As a society, in general, we tend to turn a deaf ear to people with these types of problems. We tend to look away and say "It's not my problem." Obviously, in this case, it was our problem. Or at least it became our problem.

I always thought of myself as an understanding person. Even when people have wronged me, I would rationalize it by saying to myself that they must have had a good reason for it. But, after listening to this "manifesto" that Cho sent to NBC, I still am having a hard time understanding his reasoning. He says that the world "forced him into a corner" -- that he "had to do it." Why? I don't understand, and I don't think anyone ever will.

He was obviously very disturbed, for lack of a better term. But, we could have listened to those who were saying that there was something wrong and acted upon it. If so this tragedy could have been avoided.

I think, generally speaking, that we need to pay attention when someone is crying out for help, or, as in this case, someone else is telling us that they are in need of help. It is very difficult to "understand" the logic behind someone like this, however, we now know that there was a problem, it had been pointed out, and action should have been taken. I wasn't there, I didn't know this person, or any of those involved for that matter, but, looking from the outside in, this is what I see as the resolution. It is great to be understanding, but I don't think that understanding would have helped much in this case.

Answer 226

I think that killing is part of human nature and our desire to destroy the world in which we live. This tragedy could have possibly been prevented had the proper measures been taken to see that this individual was givien the supports needed to deal with his disability. we have to realize that just because an individual does not ask for help that they do not want it. I think that the acts commited by this man, not that I will try to justify what he did, were his ultimate cry for help. Why else would he have made those tapes and sent them to the NBC headquarters in NYC? Why would he have made an attempt at contacting people after he had already supposedly killed two people on the college campus? Maybe he was asking for help, maybe he was trying to make a name for himself. Who knows? The point here is that these individuals did not ask for what they got in life. We are left to play the hand we are dealt from the time we are born. It is not his fault that he had the mental issues he did, however on the same note, i must state that issues or not, he will be held accountable for his actions, even in heaven you are accountable. You do the crime you do the time. I guess the point I am trying to put across is this, lets all do our part to recognize a problem before it happens. All the metal detectors in the world aren't going to stop a person bent on chaos. We need to get to these people and stop them before they can accomplish their goal. We need to also make supports for people with mental disabilities more easily and readily accessible. We need to help. Thank you.

Answer 227

Forgive me for dealing with reality, but it won't happen because people are too judgmental to ever have a community of understanding. We are too busy being jealous, blaming others, finding scapegoats, exercising prejudice, etc. In order to build a community of understanding, you have to have people who are willing to be understanding.



So the true question is, how do we create a community of understanding? Your question is not intelligently constructed. You are skipping several steps. What good does it do to talk about the advantages of such a community, if we are unable of having one? Fine, we see all of the benefits of the "understanding" community. Now, how do you plan on creating it and with whom?



First you will have to create people who are willing to treat others as they want to be treated. Do you think you can do that? Have you ever met one person who honestly practices such a thing? There is no one who does it, including yourself. So if everyone focused on respecting others regardless of how they appear or preconceived assumptions about them, we might be able to realistically consider it.



The world is full of misunderstandings because everyone is trying to find the answer foolishly. They ask questions and focus on the beauty of their theories, but they never start at a realistic point. We can't control people, therefore, we cannot create a community of understanding. We can only be examples of understanding and let those we touch follow in our steps. It's foolish to fantasize about the benefits of something that is not realistic.



People can barely work in a group together without misunderstandings when they're trained and professional. You think, you can just create a whole community of people doing the extremely improbable? Let's start with this question, in your spirit of being understanding, talk with me about this post, so that I can witness how understanding you are. Can you make yourself (1 person) understanding? Then how do you plan on making others that way?

Answer 228

hate to say this---gonna sound like a redneck---and have respect for rednecks...



some teachers, some students, some janitors need to be armed. Some people---and it needs to be understood that most people won't know who is who---some unspecified people, who are understod to be stable (this is the tough part, but ex-military is a good start) need to be armed.



it doesn't take a lot of people, but



just one or two could have stopped the carnage at Colombine.



and I was not very far away, I am not talking out my ***



there are no easy answers, but



there are solutions that don't cost a lot of money.



having a couple of teachers/janitors/ people at a school who are armed and trained would be a big plus



all the best, Brian

Answer 229

A good social environment bent on trustworthiness amongst us and our friends or children can be of immense help in preventing such tragedies worldwide. Tragedies can be avoided through proper education and civil sense on the illegal use of weapons such as knives or guns. People need to understand the true meaning of what deep scars, events such as that in Virginia Tech can leave behind on relatives of the deceased. Building stronger community ties and support would definitely help manage psychological problems amongst people.



Psychologists, counsellors, social and welfare workers can definitely work with NGOs or other counselling agencies to help deal with young adults and especially international students in foreign countries. More attention and guidance must be provided to psychiatric patients by psychiatrists to help curb their anxietites and that there should be the constant support by the parents as well.



Moreover, by having a socially motivated structure in schools and colleges not just in America, but in other countries, cultural factors can provide valuable information to teachers and professors on their students. Students can also form groups to help each other in foreign universities to curb problems dealing with stress that could be both psychological or physical at the same time. Therefore, by creating an understanding between individuals through continued support, motivation and positivity, I strongly think that tragedies like this one at Virginia Tech or the one at NASA (just recently) can be avoided.

Answer 230

Perhaps we are not seeing the forrest for the trees. I think we need to treat others the way we would want to be treated, whether physically or mentally ill, and realize that every comment we make can either send someone over the edge of the cliff to never come back, or bring them back because they realize people still care. Everytime a sarcastic comment is made it can hurt, from school yard bullies to work place gossips. "Smack Talk" is called "smack" for a reason. It's a verbal smack. For whatever reason some people are more vulnerable to the hurt and pain inflicted by this and other people are too willing to jump on the train of harrassment or abuse (by calling someone strange, ignoring them, shying away from them because of illness) rather than stand up and realize that every single thing created on this earth, regardless of your religious beliefs, deserves a level of respect, be it property owned by others that shouldn't be trespassed, or a human heart that can't take anymore sadness or stress. We have the ability to make or break someone's day. We should chose to do what we can to make everyone's day in a positive way. Things will still happen, but we are becomming a hardened, cold, narcasisstic world.

Answer 231

Unfortunately it's sad to say,it's the sign of the times.

Humanity been what it is, we are a violent race of beings.

There is no quick fix in creating a peaceful and understanding of any one community. Why ?? because there will always be one who wants to have that power of leadership.

Unbeknown to some or most there is always that element of a person or persons who have a sickness of the mind.

Hence another aspect of human frailty.

There are too many Ifs and Buts and indecisiveness of the human race.

We are who we are, with all our faults. We were not born perfect and the good Lord gave us that opportunity to do with it what we will. Be it good or bad. You will find. Life was not meant to be easy or perfect.

However short, One must make the most of what we have now and enjoy what there is left. Be it in the face of anonymity

or otherwise.



We have and will always live in the face of violence. There is no perfect world, not while we humans have an ounce of hatred in our blood for others.

Its a very sad state of affairs.

But we will continue to pray and love while we still can.

God help us if we don't destroy ourselves in the process.

It's already started.

Answer 232

Tolerance and understanding is first taught at home . Parents don't always realize what sort of examples they are setting for their kids.



We need to teach kids about debiliatative emotions and fallacy of causation. The student that shot the other kids was blaming them for his emotions. I understand that the other kids should have been more understanding with him, but teaching kids to handle their anger and frustrations in a more positive way will help prevent tragedies such as Virginia Tech and Colombine.

Answer 233

Stop allowing people like this to fall in between the cracks. Ignore it and it will go away. Its easier because it requires to much time and money to truly help people. We live in a self centered society - especially American society all people care about it is material wealth and who has what. The mentality is if it doesn't affect me I don't really care - I don't get paid enough for this anyway.



He probably was treated like a social outcast because he wasn't rich or white or conformed to the other students. They mentioned something about him stalking two girls because he sent them a text message that was annoying! I don't understand how that can be viewed as stalking.



America has the highest homicidal rate in any of the leading countries and far exceeds any other free country. People are sick of struggling, racism, segregation and prejudice but that is what this country was founded and built on so it will be hard to correct.



Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone who cared enough to invest time in him - someone he could trust. I don't condone his actions but the truth of the matter is something has got to change. If it doesn't this will continue to happen. It is not a simple answer, because the foundation has already been set. It is sad that a person feels this is the only way they will be heard but based on the story in the news that is exactly what happened.



This country is built on segregated communities first of all that is the understanding and if you don't conform and follow like good sheep, you are called crazy. That is your community of understanding. You want to help stop the BS then face reality. I believe that people hate because they hate themselves that is where racism and prejudice breed.



So start with the individual -how do we help people love themselves so that they have the self-confidence to deal with the harsh realities of life. Individuals create communities and Individuals like that build communities of understanding.



Hate ceases with love that is the eternal law - there is no way other around it.

Answer 234

The media frenzy is an insulting outrage, whereas I perceive your question as primarily self-serving. What about the homeless guy who died in the alley last night? We'll just turn a blind eye to that whole issue while we spend money to send kids off to be murdered in Iraq, right? OMG, this event is sad, but so insignificant to what is within our control.



If anything, my comment might be how our society and the world is headed for disaster in a multitude of ways. Look at the stress on the plant, let alone the social stress from economies, cultures, jobs, etc. We are doomed and it's going to get ugly. A "community of understanding" in this case, is an idiotic notion.

Answer 235

I think some of the root problems can be traced back to the late 60's thru the mid 70's legislation.

I.E. Removal of prayer in schools, removal of the 10 Commandments, removal of the Pledge of Alliegence.



As it stands now, the criminals often have more rights than the victims.



What I find bizzare is that Wisconsin has now gone No Smoking in public places, and yet, the medical records of somebody who is teetering on the edge has the right to keep his condition sealed.

Parents are often being kept out of the informational loop because of "privacy" issues. What does this give us?

More privacy? Not really...But it has allowed over 30 families to have a private funeral for their children!



I am not advocating the loose elimination of our privacy rights, but there were people and organizations who were aware of the shooters problems!

Answer 236

A community of understanding can not only awaken the truth within, but it can help to search out that truth in others. To fully understand another person, you must first understand yourself and the community can assist with that. A community of understanding can provide a thoughtful and caring haven for a troubled soul. I have no idea, as does anyone else, what troubled this young man in Virginia, nor do I know if just one person offering a hand could have made a difference at this late date, but there are others in our human community who could use that caring hand. I, for one, try to offer that hand whenever possible.

Answer 237

Create a community of understanding...that is always a good thing to do. The goal of it however should be to improve society, not to prevent tragedies such as this one. For some people, treating them with respect and kindness works wonders in releasing their potential and integrating them into society. Then as much as we may not want to admit it, some people are sick and just beyond all help.



This is not saying that one shouldn't try to be understanding or tolerant. However a healthy dose or realism needs to be mixed in with our understanding: there are more than a few people in this world who simply want to harm people, and they won't understand anything but violence against them. Sometimes people are sick, and it's not my fault, or your fault, or some other guy's fault, or video games' fault or movies or books, ads, or sports' fault, it's their fault and their's alone. Yeah it's hard to do, but sometimes youjust have to admit that there is no kindness that you can show some people that will dissuade them from their evil intent.



I will say this: gun control laws didn't help this situation one bit. It wasn't that the laws weren't strict enough or that there were not enough of them. The problem is that they were there in the first place. Laws don't stop criminals, they only serve to restrict and guide the sensible people who wouldn't have broken the law anyway. If every law in the world were removed tomorrow, the vast majority of us would not become rapists, killers, and muggers. The people who are these things are these things regardless of the rules and laws in place.



http://www.ncpa.org/pi/crime/pdcrm/pdcrm20.htm



Criminals are going to have guns regardless. However, if the criminal believes that they may confront another citizen who could kill them, they won't be so likely to try to assault people, as the above article shows. Yeah property crimes went up, but who was commiting these increased property crimes, normal people like you and me who suddenly went mad with power when a gun fell in their hands, or some criminal who already had a gun anyway, but decided that they didn't want to run the risk of being shot? Well who was already a criminal and breaking the law? The act of owning a gun doesn't make you a criminal anymore than the act of owning a car makes you a hit and run driver.



So, if you're looking to play the blame game, there's my candidate, the gun control lobbyists. Outside of that though, I will just keep living my life the best I can, respect those that respect me, and avoid the rest, and whatever else happens, happens. Sometimes that's all you can do.

Answer 238

I'm a university student, and in a way I can picture how it's like to be in his shoes. I DO NOT mean being a killer, but how he was a "loner" type and socially ostracized. I can relate to being in a similar situation though probably not to his extent through a lot of my life, and when you're in that situation, sometimes you can be the most individually strong person in the world and walk around thinking to yourself that deep inside, you are no different from anyone else and should be able to control your own destiny, yet you can't. It doesn't have to be the social environment in a school - it can be politicial or cultural discrimination at a wider slice of society - but it's the types of things that, when you're taking a shower by yourself, make you think that other people are blocking you from being the person you really are. Unfortunately in this case the killer's ego got the best of him, and decided to prove his destiny without thinking about others.



Many people either say that it's up to us to create a community of understanding as a preventive measure, others say that killers can't be prevented and we must depend on force. This is like arguing whether we should be less "aggressive" towards countries populated by Muslims or use more force in cracking down terrorists in the wake of 911 and other attacks. The answer is somewhere in-between. We do need to target those who show violent tendencies, and it's possible that no "community" could have helped this man.



However, we must be careful about labelling certain members of our society as "being" a certain psychological condition - I'm not saying that people who are mentally ill shouldn't be noted as such, but that it should generally be thought of as a condition rather than a permenant part of themselves. These days I keep hearing about how scientists claim they're locating genes that determine your personality, what your eventual income will be, whatever. I find this part of a worrisome trend, as it's telling people that they don't have control over their lives - the universe is deterministic, and they don't have free will. In short, this is killing the human condition. It may be that we have some genetic tendencies, but the idea that we are in control of most of our lives is contrary to what socially ostracized people think of themselves.



This applies in real life situations - when I was in middle school, I thought that the divisions between the "cool" and "uncool" people was as far of a caste system that I'll ever experience, but in university I found out that there was more segregation amongst the student body. In addition I felt pressured by the university to think monetary success is the only meaning of success, and "networking" to the point of cronyism is encouraged. It's not what you are or how much of a free thinker you are, my university told me, but how much you know others who are more "successful" than you who would otherwise not care about you. It's that type of culture, in addition to plain bullying, that takes away from the "community" feel that people who feel isolated need.



That being said, this particular killer had a violent streak that went far more than being a "loner" and required serious counselling; just having a "community of understanding" probably isn't enough. But it will help a lot of people in our society.

Answer 239

Not being smart here, but didn't you just like answer your own question? Shouldn't it have been do you think creating a community of understanding would help prevent tragedies like the one at Virgina Tech? By saying how can it help, it could ONLY help. Maybe i'm reading you wrong, but you kind of answered it yourself.

Answer 240

If the teachers were armed with guns, the shooter would have been knocked off before 30 plus people were killed. If the pilots were armed during 9-11, the tragedy could have been avoided as the terrorists were eliminated. If gangs keep shooting each other there won't be any more gangs. If the child molesters and rapists received the electric chair with no liberal courts and attorneys to stand in the way, there would be less of that type of crime. See a pattern here ??? Wake up people !!! There is too much freedom and tolerance in this country for the criminals, and it's time to change our ways before its too late !!!

Answer 241

That would be ideal, but very hard to do because that would involve having everybody on board. It would also be tough because unless the person is so outwardly and obviously a danger, it could be considered discrimination. But, this is certainly a great idea and some form of this needs to be implemented to avoid another tragedy of this magnitude, or possibly even worse! Just having a group who is dedicated to helping troubled people may be inviting enough for some. But, with others, like Cho Seung-Hui, a more aggressive, but also tactful system would have to be enforced.

Answer 242

Governments need to make mental health a priority. By assisting those with mental health problems many of the problems of the world can be solved. Mental health problems affect all of us either directly or indirectly and the longer people go without help or the problem being detected the more likely a terrible outcome like Virginia tech.

For a start mental health services should be free in countries that can afford it. In countries like Australia it is, but there isn't enough facilities, and the waiting list is too long. In countries like America free health care mental or otherwise doesn't exist at all - and it should.

Free mental health care of course will not prevent all of these tradgedies as there will always be those who slip through the gaps, but it will go a long way to assisting prevention.

Additionally we need as a culture to get our sense of community back - something is wrong - we don't know our neighbours, we don't have time to talk to people and get to know them, we all go home to our individual couches, and individiual televisions instead of getting out there and being with each other - being a community. I know it is missing but I don't know how we can fix that issue. Community however is still alive and well in many cultures - like those in Asia. We need to be reminded of what is important.

Additionally America needs to review its gun laws. People in the States will always say that reviewing the gun laws will not help because he could have used another weapon. However without a gun he could not have killed as many people if he used a knife or a baseball bat.

Answer 243

To create a community of understanding to help prevent tragedies is to educate the people to proactively prepare for it. Like teaching them how to prepare a 72 hour kit for each person residing in the community. The 72 hours kit is sufficient enough to help an individual survive and it will be enough until aide for the victims will come. Establish an organization that would administer first aide kits. Establish a group to specialize in fire safety, records safety, medical security, personnel management security, shelter and communication management. This in turn wil promote team management and prevent casualties.

Answer 244

When you are in college either on / off campum your teacher pays attention to you as well as your work I think the teachers should've noticed a change in behavior because no one just gets the urge to kill overnight. Campus security needs to be more aware of what goes in and out of campus property. I know that may result in putting the attendees through more hell but at least things like searching all cars and bags can prevent weapons from coming in. Metal detectors as well could help cause studends now-a-days are just getting smarter than the police and it is a shame. After all is said and done those are the things that should already be in place. It should not take 33 dead and 15 injured to start thinking about it.

Answer 245

Could you please define "community of understanding"

Understanding what?

There needs to be a greater understanding of mental illnesses. I have a close relative who is anorexic. Many people think it is an illness where you think "I am too fat” This can't be farther from the truth. It is a very complex illness that can include obsessive compulsive behaviors, depression, and the lack of feeling self worth. What we need is mandatory classes for parents and children (all ages) to prominent mental illnesses. Red flags to spot people who may be suffering from these illnesses.

There is a lot to say on this issue - mental illnesses- but people must be educated in this.

To prove this point, this relative of mine needs full time psychological help. She currently works full time, and if you spoke to her you would think she is a sweet normal person. However, when it comes to food, she will hide pieces of food in napkins or up her sleeve. She will only eat in very small bytes. She will fight as if her life depended on it not to eat 1 extra calorie. When her insurance company was approach to provide psychological care, this is all they offered: In the event that she goes below 80 pounds she is eligible to go to a hospital that basically is on top of you 24/7 making sure get up to 85 pounds. The hospital charges $1000/month and insurance will pay for about 80% of it. The problem is obvious; the source of the illness is not the weight! The source is a mental issue that must be dealt with. Yet not event he insurance companies get the picture, and if they do they only care about money. Here’s an example to show this point. Let’s say there is a person who always talks during prayers at temple services. You can tell that person to be quite, and it will be a temporary fix. However, later on or the next that person will be talking again. Telling the person to stop will fix the issue in the long term. You must attack the root. The root of this issue is that there is a lack of understanding of the importance of prayer and the sanctity of the temple. Once this is achieved, then the talking will stop on its own.

A lot must be said on this issue, we should all take small steps to educating ourselves.

Answer 246

what i don't understand is this guy had some serious problems and everyone said they noticed,reported and nothing seemed to be done.the article said that he was hospitalized on one day in dec and was able to leave the following day,something about the doctor saying the guy told him he was alright.if he was so ill why did someone not intervene,call his parents and have him committed?it seems as if everyone is trying to blame someone else,no matter who is at fault you can not change the situation and bring back all those lives lost.it is a terrible tragedy which could have been avoided.my prayers go out to the survivors and the victim's family.as far as what vt did about the lock down,i really don't think you can make that kind of decision in the middle of a crisis,it may have made matters worse,they really didn't know the full extent of what was going on and who the shooter might have been.

Answer 247

We as a society have worked on a "community of understanding" for many years. When a person has a serious mental illness that hasn't been treated, there would be nothing you could do other than take that person out before they did harm. However, I believe that we should spend a little time on learning some SELF DEFENSE behaviors, and educating our young people in this area. For instance, how to recognize or be aware of signs of mental illness, and how to avoid being a victim. I do worry we would have a "witch hunt" type of scenario, but EVERYONE should be enabled and empowered in the area of awareness and self-protection when in a public place.

Answer 248

Here in NC The Mental Health Care System has been in a 'Free-Fall' - It's terrifying to 'Watch'! Our State Governor has cut funds to the point of - Closing State Run Hospitals - 2! Just today - they broke 'ground' in Charlotte for a 'Treatment Facility' - Yet - the Sheriff is asking for "BEDS"! He's complaining - and, Rightly So - that the jails are full of the mentally ill!!!



With 'Things' like this - These types of Tragedies are bound to happen again - Unfortunately!



It's the 'Voter's' - Here they voted Democrat - And, this is the result. The Liberals Always say that they care for those disadvantaged - Well, this experience has proved that 'THEY' don't!!!



Take Care - God Bless!

Answer 249

I beleive Just like schools teach Math and English, There should be a class that startes as early as 1st Grade to help the children understand what violence really is and how it effects our lives and communities. They have Sex ed, Dare , Narc and all the classes on kidnapping and I know it has made an impact since inception. My parents really emphasized Morals and empathy for others. I feels so much for others that I am such a better person. I was not taught this past kindergarden in school. I was taught by my parents. Now a days we can not rely on parents to instill this due to jobs or other kids not just because there bad parents.

Answer 250

It might be less likely that some would feel unheard, which could cascade into isolation. It is sometimes said that society can't be blamed for such things, which is largely true, but no one (not many) developed on an island, and how crazy is our stressful society, where someone in an environment as sheltered and stress-free (although seemingly not so during matriculation) as college would mass murder? Something is clearly wrong in the crowded spaceship, and it should no longer be denied with platitudes from the days of agriculturalism and tribalism. Even so-called self-made people are heavily affected by their environment; our young man in question gave plenty of ignored warnings - uncharged stalking incidents, extreme behavior, perhaps unfinished mental treatment, etc.

Answer 251

All creating has been accomplished already.

Promoting understanding is a task that should be at the forefront of any peoples organization.

We are at an emergency state of mans tongue that which is a deadly poison.

Opposed to placing blame in the aftermath of such tragedies let us dig in and be more concerned on how to respond with Love to one who may have rendered something unusual and act on it until we see a positive result that healing is taking place.



Tears must flow before and not after.



Prevention means attention!



I Love the human race*

Answer 252

First of all, my family and i here in the Philippines are extending our condolences and prayers to the families of the victims of the tragedy at university of Virginia Tech. There are so many answers to your questions which will be tested in the future. However the root of these tragedies are the psychological aspect of the people in the Virginia Tech. I will not solely blame the young Korean but also the people around him day and night, including his family who failed to observed the emotional and psychological status of the man. Creating a community of understanding can't be of help to prevent these tragedies, but the community of understanding and love of our FAMILIES will be of great help to prevent these tragedies. i always emphasized in giving pre-baptismall seminar in our parish, that creating a family of love will bring about the balance psychological status of their children. The first teacher in psychology of every children are their parents and their siblings. Therefore the parents should be the one responsible to their children. Love and understanding within the family will bring about a balance emotional, psychological values of the children. I also suggest that your government should be more strict in allowing unstable people to be given permit to carry and to buy guns or other intruments of destruction. Too much democrary and freedom is also dangerous to your citizen. Discipline should also be enforced to the young people. If you have love, understanding, responsibility and discipline in your country I am sure tragedies like what happened to Virginia Tech will not occur again. May prayers are for the soul of the victims, my only consolation is that they are now in heaven in the bosom of our Creator, Our Father.

Answer 253

1) Smarter gun control laws would help. (He may have bought the guns he acted with at an unregulated gun show. Congress had a chance to close up this gun sales loophole once, where anyone can buy a gun on the spot, no questions asked. But they chose not to because of the powerful NRA lobby.)



2) Even after this guy was dead, everyone was rushing to say how strange and weird he was. If he heard that all his life, is it any wonder he was filled with rage? He seems to have been a victim of cliquism, ostracism, bullying, the kind of ugly class consciousness that says "I am all important because I have lots of money, and you are a loser and a zero." People MUST, MUST learn to be more accepting, less judgmental and less self-centered. Without a shift in the way people act and think, society is doomed to repeat scenes like this over and over again.

Answer 254

Various communities of understanding exist in different forms in society already. This can, for example, be people that share a religion and go to church/gurudwara/mandir/synagogue or even a local community or youth group that seek ways to make improvements in the local areas etc. However, the sort of person that is going to be the cause and be the centre of a tragedy like this, is not one who would choose to be part of any 'community of understanding' as they clearly have their own agenda. That's not to say we should give up all together. Situations like this should make us consider and evaluate how society and laws need to be changed. I think schools should play a bigger and compulsory role in teaching children at a young age to give back something to their community and try and include some form of community project for kids to get involved in, as some families never teach the importance of this to children. You could argue that guns don't kill people,people kill people, but ultimately the licence to get guns so easily in america makes it easier for people to committ such crimes and such tragedies to take place. Its a shame, but gun crime is now massively affecting the UK, particuarly London now, and I wonder how much of an influence the US has on that. So my answer is:

- Reevaluate gun licencing laws

- Ensure school curriculums have a compolsury component which focuses on teaching children from a younger age the importance of community and giving something back

Answer 255

Don't know if it would in this case or in all cases. From what has come out so far it seems that many people did try to understand, care, show compassion for him. Was this the complete reality? Don't know. Was he "clinically" or "legally" mentally ill? Don't know. If so was he simply delusional (eg. schizophrenia) or was there a factual (possibly only occasional) basis that perpetuated, cultured, magnified his illness (eg. mocking, stares, bullying, abuse).

To the questions point--Needs to be real, honest consideration and outreach from all individuals to all individuals. Not phony but heartfelt. Outreach programs can and do work but not for all. ("It's their job, they don't really care." "They're all phonies." "Good intentions don't help me.") Many facets of society must change. These events can be construed as terrorism. It's possible that the same factors drive all terrorism. Economics (Capitalism isn't necessarily bad but the way in which corporations and people have shaped it and the way in which it now shapes people is. Capitalism [making money] should not be the end all and be all of life.), (in)justice, politics, indifference, paternalism, the "f*ck you I'm first, best, better" attitude, etc. I think there has to be a fundamental change in core interpersonal relationships.

Until this happens there needs:



1. Better security ("We had no reason to believe that the shooter was still around." The shooter wasn't in custody so you had every reason to believe that the shooter could be around.)



2. Less guns, less types of guns, no auto or semi auto guns etc. Right to bare arms does not have to mean to carry auto guns on you at all times. A less literal definition could be used---the right to own a gun. When this right was defined in the 1700's there were no auto guns, few and cumbersome hand guns, and was in response to invading foreign forces. They wanted to be able to have an armed militia to stop invading forces--not to stop their neighbours, children, tresspassers etc. I think the forefathers would be sick to know what right to bare arms means today. If everyone carried a gun on them then we could all shoot everyone else and then everybody would be safe and happy.

Sorry, ramblin.

Answer 256

There is not really any way to prevent such tragedies. As long as we are allowed to make choices things like this may occur. It is more about making people aware of the consequences of their actions.

The only thing that we really can do is mourn the victims of the tragedies. As long as we remember and honor the victims then they didn't die in vain. If one person hears about these tragedies and suddenly notices the person sitting alone and decides to talk to them, then there's still hope. After all you never know what a simple gesture like saying hello to someone means.

Answer 257

Dr. Chopra,

Perhaps creating a community of understanding is not the answer as there is no need to understand such heinous acts. A community of prevention and avoidance may be better ideas. I am sure that there are groups of people that like to perpetuate and study this type of behaviour patterns but in reality don't most of us just do not want these things to happen in our communities. We need to assess what is gainen and lost by these bad acts and realize that the human race is what is the big loser when these events occur. Understanding does not equal deterrence and in the final analysis is that not what most of us want?

Answer 258

Welcome Depak! By all accounts there are opportunities for intervention in such cases over a long period of time. If we respond with provocation or denial we end up with tragedy. If we respond with the intention to understand instead of blame, we might prevent tragedy.



The problem with getting people to appreciate this path is that one cannot prove what one has achieved through compassion and understanding. Tragedies may have been averted, but you can never point to this to justify the path. Law and Order is a simple sell, but a costly path. Understanding and compassion are a more difficult sell, but a more fruitful path.

Answer 259

All schools; primary, secondary and universities need to be able to deal with those students who are troubled. When a student has written papers that concern the teacher and other students in the class there should be something that can be done.



I understand that the shooter in the VT massacre had been ordered by a judge to undergo psychiatric treatment at a facility in a nearby city, however, when he was seen by the doctor at this facility he was put on an outpatient basis even though the judge had ordered treatment. This should be looked at as well.



We need to take all the signs that were there and look very closely at them and figure out what can and should be done to help avoid this from EVER happening again.

Answer 260

Some tragedies cannot be prevented. Our society, our species, is full of rage and evil that will always manifest itself in people. Who knows what that man faced in his life? It may have been all in his head, or he may have been tormented by others. Community of understanding? Human beings understand only what they want to.



A change has to happen at the cultural level, which involves how we all raise our children and treat our fellow citizens. We must also become more concerned about all of our citizens who are less fortunate than we. As long as there is such a huge wealth gap, there will always be anger.



It will take, I'm afraid, a lot more than a school shooting to bring about such a change. What it will take, if anything, is beyond me.

Answer 261

We only seem to get the feeling of community now in tragedies and triumphs, which happens only a few percent of the time.

We seem to have lost empathy for other people and have gotten more paranoid about others.

When we lose interest in community and all the people in it, you don't notice people in the peripheries, like these loners.

WE know that many of the people like the gunman at Virginia Tech are out for revenge.

We seem to take pride in being as beautiful or rich as we can. Anyone who does not meet those requirments or does not wish to meet them are seen with a sense of scorn. These "non-conformists" often enjoy this idea of being different, as it gives them power over their lives (and we also know the gunman was an arrogant person).

We live in the world of the body beatiful....our media, entertainment industry promotes this to all ends of the Earth.

We have promoted the idea of standing up for yourself, leave the rest behind etc...when we leave people behind, bad things can happen.

Answer 262

I think if it was found that there was a specific motive.. such as that he was treated poorly (such as people being racist, etc), then some sort of "community of understanding" in the sense that it is important to teach the world not to be prejudice, racist, etc.. Would help prevent things like that. HOWEVER, if it was a 'psychotic break' or whatever you want to call it, then it's hard to say what exactly could have been done.

Answer 263

The United Nations is a community of understanding but it can't solve all the problems of the world. Selfish interest, business competitions, greed, jealousies, religious conflicts will be some of the root causes of tragedies.

Answer 264

It means that all Americans as a people should be ultra-sensitive pansies to each other to prevent unintentionally hurting a mentally unstable person's feelings. Because who knows, this person can just go to the gunshop nearby and and easily acquire a 12 gauge shot-gun and kill your children in school. Yeah, being pansies from now on will help prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. Btw, there's a sale at Mike's Gunshop this weekend. Buy two AK 47s and get one Glock 21 for free. They give 15% discounts to those who present their student ID.

Answer 265

When we truly understand we care, and when we care we do what we perceive to be in the best interests of another human being. Which is also in our own best interest because we are able to love those we understand and are willing to step up and help, we are willing to be our best for those we truly love.

In an understanding community we would assist others the way we would want to be assisted. We would not be afraid to let our true feelings be known because we would know that others do not judge us, others would accept us, failings and all. We would trust others.

In an understanding community we would feel part of the whole, we would not feel left out for long.

In an undrstanding community we would raise children to feel cared about, it would be the experiance of the children to trust that others care, hence those with problems would be in the position of knowing that it is ok to ask for and recieve the love that surrounds them. They would know that the love is there.

In an understanding community, we would not allow anyone to bully another, we would keep the bullied safe and we would help those that bully to see the error of thier ways in a loving, understanding way.



Creating a community of understanding helps prevent tradedies because the people in it understand those that live in it.

Answer 266

If we had a community understanding that serial killers would be immediately shot, that would help prevent tragedies like this one.



If we had a community understanding that the a substantial proportion of citizens who passed training and background checks were to be armed, then that would prevent tragedies like this one. Nobody ever shot 31 people in Dodge City.

Answer 267

I really do not believe it would help to prevent such tragedies. Those who are mentally ill as Cho would not take part even if reached out to. I think the answer may be taking action when warning signs are imminent. Confidentiality and political corectness enabled the VT tragedy to be carried out. Following through with notification of family and authorities, involuntary mental health hospitalization, and legal action may have hindered Cho's actions. Understanding will help many but not people like Cho and the warning signs were neon flashing lights. God love all those who have been affected by his actions.

Answer 268

This makes me almost sad yet humorous at the fumbling attempt by alot of the answers I see... To solve this problem would not be hard, simply have a much more involved and socially caring America... That of course with help from all the local and national anti-war anti-God, do-it-yourself, don't do something- just stand there kind of attitude is effecting real people aside from the ratings and public opinions. People nowadays are taught inadvertently to mow others who are in their way and not like them, down. This event was just the consequence of the society that we live in, sound caring, look nice, appear great, then jump when you get the chance. The uncaring people of this nation are being called to by the scores of people they don't care about which yearn for that. Mental Illnesses are caused sometimes from these type of situations. Just as stress can cause ulcers. To cure this would mean a cultural revolution (not easily brought about, but not altogether impossible either.)

Answer 269

Facts are facts kids are mean and there is always the 'odd' student who gets more than his or her fair share of the comments. I can remember at least 2 students in my own graduating class who were quiet, not quiet fitting in with the crowd and who may have ended up drawing attention to them that was not wanted. We often joked about these guys being the next serial killers (and we graduated 3 years before Columbine so that had no effect). One student was routinely complained about due to his poor personal hygine the other only spoke to his close friends and wore the same style and color clothes everyday. I could only hope that the fear of other's reactions to your own change (a fear I have) was the only thing holding these guys back and when they went on to college or the workforce after graduation they would be able to break out of the shell of high school and finally change for the better. I wonder what ever happened to those guys, I have not seen their names involved with any crimes so I can still hope they are functional memebers of society and be thankful that they took the attention away from my own odd social behaviors.

Answer 270

It can't and won't nothing can be created to remove violence from society.



It will only get worse.



There are too many people with nothing to lose and they don't care what they possibly have to gain. There are crazy people in this world and they will continue to perpetrate these crimes against humanity until there is either open battle across the globe or those of us who are peaceful convince them and bring them into our fold. there is not enough acceptance and compassion for that though. People will always be secluded and feel negated by some other person. There will always be conflict. And their will always be someone willing to pull the trigger, or swing the sword, or raise their club in order to slay someone that opposes their views, beliefs, and life.



Also with a religion in this world based on spreading their faith by the sword we will always have senseless violence.



Just being realistic here... There is no solution to this.



Nothing could have prevented this.

Except if everyone was already carrying a gun then they could have returned fire and taken him out.



So if you are scared then arm yourselves. If you have the right to carry a gun go get a concealed carry permit and legally purchase a weapon for defense of yourself and others.



Ban guns?

Yeah... like you ban drugs....

how many cities in the US can you get drugs in?

I haven't heard of one where you can not.



You can kill a person with anything if you want to.



The problem is the will to kill

not the tools and strategies used to kill

an urge

an impulse

a disease.

Answer 271

To allow psychiatrists and law enforcement to exchange important information about the mental/criminal status of citizens.



To keep anyone who has EVER been diagnosed with depression from being allowed to buy a handgun.



None of the above would actually be possible, or even legal, which means that the only thing that can be done is to have security guards and gun detectors in every school entrance.



Our community has become more sensitive since 911, and that hasn't stopped any sick individuals from getting into schools with handguns.



Understanding has nothing to do with what happened. Security is the only solution.



It looks as if the media has only made it clear that "quiet loners" are the ones society should be afraid of.....that is a sadly inaccurate and untrue generalization made by our society.

Answer 272

A community of understanding? How would you create it? There is no understanding. The world unfortunately is filled with people WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND. There is hatred for what we don't understand. The question is how can creating a community of no hatred help prevent tragedies like VA Tech. Look at the existance of mankind, when has there not been hatred, lack of understanding? Please, lets be realistic about our solutions to the problem.

Answer 273

Providing a MANDATORY general course in "Campus Awareness" that touches on signs to look for~reaching out to those fellow students who may be experiencing "internal turmoil" or exhibiting strange behavior.



There are many signs that an individual will exhibit when in a deteriorating mental state. While although many people will often say "there were no signs" that is simply because they are unaware of what to look for. Human behavior dictates underlying emotional intent.



There should be "Codes" and procedures that are in place on campus that allow students alert the appropriate staff. There has to be a way to address these issues before the become tragic.



This is essential component that has to be implemented on college campuses across the nation~ As well as background checks and mandatory mental assessments.

Answer 274

People need to be more understanding and not so quick to judge, also, people need to listen and be aware of there surrounding. When there is an ill person, whether is be mentally or whatever, people need to stop being so harsh and snobbish, money is evil and evil has taken over this world, everything eventually starts at home with the parents and the upbringing up to a certain point. Instead of wasting money on other countries because of war or other needs, the government should concentrate on helping our own people, especially with medical and monetary help. People can not afford medical attention and are turned away from society, and treated indifferent because of their financial status. If, we all paid more attention to our own people and helped our own people, maybe things like this would not occur as often.

Answer 275

I think the administration, and the support workers and the agencies that are set up to help people who have mental illnesses need to start listening to Teachers.



The teachers work everyday with students and can see problems starting long before any of those agencies start getting involved.



There was a teacher who identified this person while he was in University however, nothing was done. I am sure that this guy did not start writing and thinking the way he did while he was at University. There were probably signs back when he was in High School just nothing was done about it.

Answer 276

simple. it can't.



people are the product of their upbringing, with the family by far being the dominant force underlying the individual's behavior, both as a kid and as an adult. a community of understanding might help deal with tragedy, but it cannot stop it. if a person has made the decision to do a heinous act such at the murders at VT, the issue boils down to that one person. the community is incapable of swaying that behavior, as it has been entrenched from childhood. having the community of understanding does nothing if the person who needs it most never approaches it. i fear that one cost of having the many freedoms our society covets is that prevention of such horrid crimes will be nearly impossible. a re-focus on the importance of the family seems to be a good start.

Answer 277

I was picked on as a kid and young adult. Certain people bully those they perceive as weak or defenseless. I've heard it said that it's up to the parents to teach their children right and wrong, but unfortunately, some peoples version of right and wrong is different than others. Bullies, teach their children to be bullies, by their attitudes and actions. The child grows, and if he's lucky, he will be subjected to other views and he can make his own choice on how he wants to live.

As far as depression goes, I know lot's of folks who suffer from it, and not one of them has killed a single person.

You suggest a community of understanding? How about individual accountability? How about personal responsibility?

The kid had problems, bless his heart. I would imagine that he's caused a lot more problems and hurt than he had EVER experienced.



You want to make sure this doesn't happen again? Then let's understand as a community that there is NO excuse for this type of behavior.

Answer 278

I know some of universities who expelled medicined depression students out of compuses because those students are emotionally unstable and may have violetive actions unexpectedly.

Also, gun control is another good idea. There are a lot of arguments about this issue. I believe there is no a good reason people can buy guns. For fun? for protection? No many in such cases.

Furthermore, another action can prevent such tragety by behavior monitoring. The Korean boy had violent behavors several times before the the tragety. Such as he set fire in the dorm and sticked to some women. If the universities finds out such un-normal behavior, they should act right away...

Answer 279

Probably it's easier to do this on a college or boarding school campus than in public schools or communities in general. We have a lot of problems with our culture that need to get fixed. People are fascinated with or glorify violence and brute force, materialism, gangsters, celebrity gossip and other empty negative phenomena. It's almost like it's grossly uncool and boring to be nice,decent, hard working or patient. The tide has to turn the other way now and the best thing we can do to start that is to develop a caring and respectful life in the family. Ultimately, we create our own world. It should be more true and powerful than the artificial world of our anti-culture. We need to extend our short attention spans for people.

Answer 280

There are so many theories of why one becomes a criminal, it seems most of them blend together to show us how it all begins, but does little to stop the outcome. There is no possible way of predicting who will or will not have this type of mental breakdown. There are however warning signs that someone needs help. I think all we can do is pay attention to those signs and let those who are in a position to help know what is going on. In the case of students, I think that once there is a mental problem diagnosed, or once they are sent to a mental hospital, maybe they should be restricted to limited class room exposure, maybe on-line classes or some such thing to keep them as far away from the other students as possible. This answer may not be seen as "fair" to some as there are conditions that are 'fixable' and those with conditions that do not make them dangerous. Yet we must do something to protect the law abiding students.

Answer 281

I don't think it can. The truth of the matter is that with 6 billion people in the world if only a minute percentage of us are crazy and determined enough to take human lives in a final blaze of stupidity, that's still quite a lot of people. And at some point you'd have to either take away their civil rights (along with those of many others) in order to prevent stuff like this... a step I don't think we're willing to take (I'm not).



While senseless violence is heartbreaking and scary, I think it's important for us to take a step back and understand just how thankfully rare this is. Many more people died in car accidents yesterday in the US then who died at Virginia Tech on Monday, and many more will die today, tomorrow, and so on. People get so scared and caught up in stuff like school shootings, shark attacks, avian flu, flying, and so on, and don't seem to mind the far greater risks associated with heart disease, dog attacks, regular flu, and driving, stuff that doesn't normally make the news.

Answer 282

Well, it depends on what's the "community of understanding" that you mean all about. The incident was not just solely about suicidal rampage, it a sign of what's happening around the school.It goes the same to any other instituition in the country. As far as i'm concerned in western country, racial descrimination is very critical.Once you are different, they'll look at you like a beast. It's true, many of my lecturers went to the western country to further their education.They claimed the same.It's very hard to live when people around you being extremely prejudice and make you feel awkward all the time.It's a the matter of respect and honour. I think it's very important to learn to respect each other and accept people as the way the are. Compared to asian country, the principle one of respecting others and to be nice to everyone has been the ultimate undamental that has been developed since they were very young.We rarely see the same incident happen in this region.

Answer 283

There was a community of understanding in place. Unfortunately the trained professionals who were tasked with listening to the community, declined to act. If it isn't politically or financially expediant to help those tortured souls who are on the edge of doing themselves or others harm, then little to nothing will be done. This is the reality that we live in. There is a way to change that reality, but the cost to society is apparently more than we want to pay at this moment. If you were to ask an insurance analyst to do an actuarial table on the cost benifit analysis, he or she might actually say that we were doing the right thing! This though horrifys me, but it is also the reality we live in. Perhaps our spiritual leaders can give those analysts better numbers to plug in to the coloums that measure human suffering, the torture of an unhealthy soul, and the real cost to society when we allow that soul to fester.

Answer 284

As I'm not American, it's easy to say what should be done. But of course that's not going to actually get anything done because Americans have to take care of themselves.



However, as a Canadian, I can say that I miss my childhood connection with the U.S., post-Vietnam, pre-Kuwait, when Americans seemed much more friendly, happy, and abundant. I remember crossing the border at White Rock, B.C./Blaine, Washington and seeing the Peace Arch, a large white arch in a park on the border with the inscriptions, "Children of a common mother", and "Brethren dwelling together in unity." I used to think that was very apt.



Since then of course I've learnt about how the U.S. is constantly killing people, whether it be part of a publicly known "war", or if it's just a political matter with little information widespread to the public. When I was a kid, I never knew that Americans allowed themselves to buy guns so easily. The U.S. is now more like a blind powerful brother that I would rather just let kill himself off. The typical American superior stance towards Canada makes most Canadians unable to assist them in helping themselves.

Answer 285

We need less of an "understanding" community and more of a proactive community. When there are signs of a sick individual, that person needs to be locked away in a mental institution. Although I don't believe there is help for the completely disturbed like this, I know they should not be roaming the streets.



We also need the police to be able to take charge and do everything necessary to protect and serve the innocent people in their area. That alone would have prevented 31 of the murders on Monday.



Last, we need to teach people that it is okay to fight evil people in order to save your own and other people's lives. If more people were taught that courage and honor are important parts of being human, then there would not have been so many who sat idly by and watched their fellow man die, just to die themselves. It is good to be a hero. We should all honor and praise the teacher who was the holocost survivor who was a real hero. I haven't heard enough about him.



We need to learn to be fighters again. Our once great country has fallen lax and people are slovenly and soft. It is time to realize that being strong in the mind and body and caring for one another is the same.

Answer 286

Dr Chopra , I am honoured to talk to you and I am thankful to Yahoo for giving me the opportunity . I do believe creating a community of understanding will help prevent such tragedies because

1. People will then be more aware of themselves as well as the others, as a result there will be more respect among human beings

2.In such a community where everyone is living in peace and harmony, no one will feel neglected,ignored or abandoned. There wont be room for any hatred.Simply because everyone would feel loved and accepted .



May peace prevail

Good luck to you in your journey

Answer 287

Diff ppl diff approach unresolved things. Some silent and walk away while some try confront it. The worst thing is, if someone keep on silence and swallow until to the stage that mentally couldn't handle it, will explore. The VT killer probably have been the one took those mental abused all his lives and nowhere to express it, then snap.

I think parent shouldn't ignore their children problem, and school should take bully in school more seriously. I also found, in many US school approach their pupils either as if they are little soldiers, or just ignore their problems as long as the student able to pass the exams. To prevent tragedy happen again, I think we ought to pay some attention more on kids problem then simply academic alone.

Answer 288

Problems have to be tackled a t a grass-root level, not on a national level. Remember we r handling people not robots that operate on command. There has to be DIALOG in everyday life Dialog from the heart it has to be on one to one. There r no problematic children but problematic parents. the unit of family is fast disintegrating AND social changes r happening by leaps n bound these r the byproducts. The IQ is on the rise but what abt the EQ (emotional quotient) Are parents teachers and other spiritual gurus doing their bit. u can buy anything and everything over the counter Even spirituality is marketed.

We r not imbibing the Qualities that our great saints have taught us . A simple virtue like Tolerance is just not prevalent.

We have to be closely knit the Internet and other communications have no doubt brought the world closer but our hearts r still not connected.

Answer 289

What i think is missing, are questions like yours.

What people and the media has been focusing on is this guy who was supposedly "evil" and the release of the video.

IMHO, the videos release will not cause anyone else to do anything, i see of no harm the relase can do.

That said, i see absolutely no reason to watch it or air it, and no, i didnt bother watching.

What i am worried about is free speech.



As far as helping prevent it, i th9ink we should focus on why someone like that didnt have his screams for help heard.

\I also think this is such a large diverse society, that this type of thing may happen from time to time, and theres not much we can do about it.



Maybe from the relase of the videeo, we can get some insight as to what peoples behavior is BEFORE they do something like this again, and be able to see and stop it in the furute.

I dont think enough information abot this case exists

)to the public) to be able to determine much though.

What was his family situation ? was he constantly fighting with them ?

Answer 290

People should pay more attention to others instead of writing them off as "crazy" or "weird". I also think that the media could help by keeping more of aspects of certain tragedies private. People like the murderer at Virginia Tech thrive on recognition and it can make others repeat the same actions.

Answer 291

No, no matter what we do if someone really want to do it they can always do it. And trying to find everyone who could be a potential threat is moot as some warning signs are not always clear. Like they say the things he was writing were "disturbing" but i don't think Stephen King has ever gone spree-shooting and his works are indeed...disturbing.



All we can really do is have a plan to responde, when there is trouble just have a system so even if theyre is shootings, the number does not get as high.



But in general, madmen will be mad and some can keep it hidden so you might never know until it is time to act

Answer 292

I think that when somebody goes on a killling rampage because they felt that they are victims of society, the blame should not be put solely on the gunman. This individual did not go bezerk for no reason. Perhaps this individual was a victim of humiliation or bullying over a long period of time and finally he couldn't stand it anymore. My sympathy is out for the victims and the guman.



The question that we should answer is what about our current society and the economic devide that is creating emotionall issues for people?



I grew up in a poor family and when I was going to school, I didn't have all the fancy "In-Style" clothings that other kids wore. I wore hand me down clothings and cheap stuff from wallmart. Rather than being left alone, I was being poked fun at by other kids for being a poor kid whos parrents worked like dogs to keep up with the rent. Having a rusty car to drive around and clothe on my back was all that they can give me. There was nothing I can do or say about it. Being made fun of was humiliating and I can honestly say that I was very mad at the kids who were making my school life misserable. In a sense, it did affected my self esteem. Some people can handle this better than others, and some people can't.



In other areas of society like employment ethics and legal issues, people get stomped left and right just because corporations refuse to do business the fair way. My dad got fired within 2 hours of a new job without explanation. In his previous job doing the same kind of work, he recieved very good performance appraisals. He can't even find a lawyer willing to take his case to court, does that sound fair to you? Credit card companies will charge an arm and a legg for people who pays bills late, and if you belong in the poor category, you are prety much screwed over if you borrow money for rents and stuff like that.



So to stop stuff like this, we have to educate society to be sensitive to people who have hardships. Start with the youngs and teach them the importance of self respect and respect for others. Kids are very vicious at attacking self esteem because they dont' understand what it is.

Answer 293

Our society has become so politically correct, you can't say anything about anyone that resembles an opinion and might hurt someone's feelings.



Kids today do not understand what having a thick skin is. A whole new generation has grown up with their parents giving timeouts instead of spanking them, not being able to say anything negative because it could traumatize them, not encouraging competition because it could be emotionally devastating to actually lose a game, so "we just won't keep score and everybody wins."



There have been bullies in school as long as there has been school. In my generation and the ones before, kids didn't go to counseling because they were bullied, teased or made fun of. You either fought back then and there or you fought back by succeeding later in life. That was your revenge.



Just my 2 cents.

Answer 294

It will eliminate alienating teens. Kids have the idea that ridiculing the less fortunate or ridiculing the unique is cool. Even some teachers don't understand that when shaping young minds, "anything goes" shouldn't occur. You can't expect everyone's self confidence to be sky high therefore a community where understanding is its main focus would benefit all parties involved. A lot of times these teens don't have anyone to talk to about the serious problems going on in their heads, and no one except that person can determine when enough is enough and they want to do something about it. No one talks down to someone who they understand or about something they understand. Although we can't welcome everyone with open arms, we don't have to criticize every single thing. The effects could be fatal, and it's about time that parents come down a little harder on kids about that.

Answer 295

I don't think that it will help. As a person who had similar thoughts as the shooter, I do not think that a community of understand would be of any help. Short term yes, but long term no. Unless a person wants to get help like I did, and through the use of prescription drugs, counseling, hospitalization, and great doctors, I am able to work through it. (plus guns scare me) But the person with these thoughts must reach out to others. If a person does not, most of the time they commit suicide, but sometimes (rarely) they go off the deep end like he did. We need to be there for them, but we cannot read peoples minds and that is what is so hard about helping someone like him. I got help because I wanted it. He had a chance but did not take it, and because of the society and freedoms we live with, we cannot force someone to make those changes until they do something wrong. And then it is sometimes to late.

Answer 296

I don't think it can. "Understanding" can only go so far. If we "understood" the reasons this disturbed man did this terrible thing, could we have prevented it? If measures were taken to alleviate his pain, maybe, I still doubt that it could have though. Many times these people can not, or do not express their pain adequately enough for anyone to take action to stop them from hurting themselves or others. The signs were there, the reclusiveness and the disturbing writing. One teacher had made some intial queries into getting this man help. He snapped before that help could arrive. Understanding could not have helped this man, nor prevented the tragedy.

Answer 297

The counseling should begin at home. Because of the Information Superhighway, digital era, and modern conveniences that are abused, some families do not take the time to communicate with their children on psychological problems and relationship issues. Their children get the information from their peers and absorb feedback like a sponge. Some of the feedback that they receive are insincere and rather harsh.



What is missing from America is community and respect to our fellow man. Which is why this country is named, the United States.

Answer 298

First of all, gun control isn't the answer. Whatever happened to our Mental Health Care System? People who had violent tendencies in the past and those considered mentally ill were not allowed to run the streets like so many do today, along with our homeless population.



There are few mental health facilities today that are adequate in their treatment of patients and little care is given to those who truly need it. Doctors hand out pills and tell the mentally ill to go home and take their medication. Admittedly, State Hospitals were horrendous places where our criminally insane were housed but there must be better Mental Health Care Facilities where families and patients can go who need help and get better care than what is provided them today. The only people who see psychiatrists or psychoanalysts today are celebrities, it's tragic!

Answer 299

Creating a community of understanding seems an odd way of asking this question. It seems the biggest problem with these kids is their are too many communities and they don't feel like they belong to any of them. Maybe things have changed enough that every kid should be made to take a special class that forces the authority figures to see what they don't want to. We are creating communities of outcasts because our children have become disconnected with humanity. these kids are the children of the me generation. They need to see that without an us there is no me. We are societal and the breaking up of communities making kids live without ever having a chance to bond with anyone creates this environment for disconnect. How sad for these poor kids who just want one little popular snob to be kind to them. There should be classes where these kids are helped or discovered but there should be places for the innocent to go and it be easier to pick up these kids and get them in an institutionalized place where they can be helped psychologically and other kids can be safe. We will see more of this if we don't encourage community in more of our kids lives.

Answer 300

This problem is not one that can be fixed over night. It is a problem that cannot be solved through legislation or more programs. This is not a question of gun-control, bullying, or any of the usual issues thrown in the mix by the media.



The problem is a culture decay in our society. People have been told for the past 30+ years to do "what they feel is right." This sort of crap has led to a state of moral-relativism; where people like Cho believe it is okay to be a evil-loner and for everyone else to ignore it and sweep it under the rug.



The solution to this is strong moral values. Absolute rights and wrongs. The PC attitude of "everyone does their own thing so long as it doesn't bother me" MUST go. All this begins with family, self-respect, and respect of others; but not to the extent where it trumps absolute moral values.



I'm sure many people reading this will immediately question the absolute morals. The first question pops up, "who's morals?" The mere fact that question is even asked now-a-days only shows how low this nation fallen since World War II. Absolute morals are written into our souls and they should not be questioned or watered down.



Unfortunately, we are told we cannot teach these crazy morals to people because religious people believe in them. Crazy things like: do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal. Religious or not, these are inherent in all of us, yet because they have religious overtones, we are told not to force people to abide by them.

Answer 301

I think people are scared by situations like the one at Virginia Tech, and want to think that someone capable of doing something so horrible must be so very different from the rest of society. I've heard him referred to as "evil" in the media many times in the recent days, but I think that is just a cop out and an oversimplification of a very complicated situation.



The person who committed this horrible act was just that - a person, and one who obviously felt an incurable sense of loneliness, alienation and contempt for those around him. Why he reacted the way he did we may never know. I think it would take a major change in the way our society is socialized and interacts with one another to keep things like this from happening, because the problem is obviously very deeply rooted and difficult to detect.

Answer 302

I really don't think we can prevent these things from happening in communities so many people need mental health help and it is not free or for that fact socially acceptable lots of people feel that no one cares for them or that they are not important and that when they finally come to a point in there mind that they need to be heard they, SNAP so to speak and depending on where they are at the time others are going to be hurt. just goes to show that how you treat others has an effectual out come on your environment. I don't think we can totally change these situations we can only be aware of our surroundings and ask for guidance and safety of our loved ones when they are away from us doing their daily activities. creating a community of understanding would be the sum total of trying to change people minds about racism they just wont do it, it depends on how they were raised if they were brought up to feel that their race was superior its going to be hard to convince them of the truth that they are simply as human as the next person no less no better. the only changes that a community can make are changing laws creating a better health care system ,sad to say this but better security of public buildings etc. The world is just so big and the problem so big .we can not do it .WE NEED HELP.

Answer 303

There are people out there that are degranged and unstable. You can create all the programs you want, but these people will not seek them out because they dont think there is anything wrong with them. Someone might call the authorities to have them put into these programs, but they will not want to stay and unless they are forced (which is illegal) to stay, you can't keep them there.



There are messed up people in the world that will cause tragedies, you are not going to be able to find each and every one of these people and force them to a program to get help and there is no way the real problem people will go volunterarly.

Answer 304

of course having a community of understanding will not always prevent these tragedies. but it can prevent SOME. and it definitely won't hurt. who doesn't want a community of understanding? i know i do. people, especially teens, need to stop judging and labelling each other and start understanding that everybody is a human and deserves exactly the same respect regardless of their talents, looks, or background.



of course, i think in this case, this person was mentally ill and needed serious help, but who knows. fo all we know, having a more understanding community COULD HAVE helped. and we all DO know that it CAN'T hurt.

Answer 305

The shooter was angry and mad- whether it was justified or not doesn't matter. we live in a cultural that values social status and in order to have status there must be someone on the bottom. that kind of hierarchy breaks down the communal understanding.

although racism wasn't a nessacarily a factor it has or soon will become one. some have already pointed out that he was not born here and have brought up old anti-asian feelings our country has had in the past.



if we all took the time to empathize. to not avoid people like this man because they were quiet or reclusive or gave some indication that they weren't 'normal', maybe things would have been better.

maybe if we should value our relationships but not to the point of murder and suicide. people shouldn't feel that killing themselves or others isthe best option due to social inadequacy.

Answer 306

What happened was the act of a mentally ill person.

We are being pushed to accept everyone as they are. This person was not acceptable long before he went off the deep end.

No to, "a community of understanding", if meaning being nicer or more acceptable of persons, not "bullying. This guy was nuts from the get go. It was not caused by the actions of others.



This touchy, feely, attitude that is being advocated in the schools; no one fails, no one looses; perpetuates and creates problems for the kids subjected to this philosophy.

Life is full of ups and downs, wins and losses. These kids are going to be jumping out windows when they don't get the job, or whatever.

Answer 307

Creating a community of understanding would help ensure that people like the gunman would be listened too and the problems addressed before its too late. However despite our best efforts there is always a risk that something shocking like this would happen.



Parodoxically the less often these events happen, the more shocking they become.



In the event of a similar event a community of understanding would help as a support mechanism and reduce the risk of racism or sectarianism raising its ugly head.

Answer 308

First of all we have to get enough people involved who really and truly care to make it better. The first thing out of congress' mouth after this tragedy at Va Tech was "Well, I hope people don't start calling for gun control." We are a nation who tries to tell other countries how to live when we can't get along with ourselves.



We live in a very violent nation. It's truly sad what human beings do to one another in this country. Greed and Power are our worst enemies. It makes me wonder why people of other countries would want to cross our borders when they hear of such a violent lifestyle we live in. What could possibly make it so bad in their own country?



We have news agencies who continually show us the battered and bloody bodies of kids who die in a school shooting. News agencies who continually showed jet planes flying into the World Trade Center over and over again. The more gore the better.



We need leadership by people who will stop and listen to what the earth is trying to tell us. We need to go back to the 'For the people and By the people'. For years now, these people have been making their own rules as they go along, and all anyone can do is go along with it.



The poor and the middle class live on Social Security, while our congress gets paid the same salary after they retire until the day they die. When our leaders wake up and start treating the private citizens who've put their trust in them, who have continually put them in office -- fairly, then we have a chance to make it a better world. Many people think we live in a democracy. We don't. We live in an oligarchy, which means ruled by a few. Right now all we can do is try to continue to survive.



I love my country and would never dream of going anyplace else, but enough is enough. Remember this: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.



Good Luck!

Answer 309

The shooter was psychotic! It doesn't matter how understanding and caring a community is to a psychotic person. They are incapable of responding to anyone in a rational manner!



In fact, it seems that this shooter interpreted any attempt at reaching out to him in the total opposite manner, that these people were out to get him and put him down.



This has nothing to do with how tolerant the community is towards different kinds of people!



The best thing the community could have done is to get this person throughly evaluated by a psychiatrist and hopefully put into an mental hospital.

Answer 310

The understanding necessary would be the understanding of mental illness and not the mocking of people with it. For whatever reason, depressed people sometimes explode in this way.



If our society was more understanding of the signs of mental illness and being aware of it in the same way a first aid class teaches people to look for signs of shock, or a heart-attack, we might have a shot.



There should also be a more readiness to go to mental therapy in the same way people go to a chiropractor or physical therapy. This would include verbal counseling or medication as well. Some people get sick physically and need medicine - the brain is a part of the body and most often needs a similar treatment.



Someone breaks a leg, what do you say? That sucks, now go to the doctor. Someone is depressed, what should you say? That sucks, now go to the doctor.



Neither should be fodder for jokes, or both should be.

Answer 311

I live in Virginia and when I heard about the event I was shocked. Everyone needs to get together and talk about how they feel about the situation. Sure talking is going to bring emotion but it also helps victims heal from the tragic events they either witnessed or endured. Hopefully nothing like this will ever happen again but the society we live in suggests otherwise. All we can do is pray for the families of the victims and hope those injured recover quickly.

Answer 312

I believe it all starts at home. Parents cannot and should not rely on teachers to "raise" their children. It's not easy of course, but if you have made the choice to have them the you should take the responsibility to make sure they are stable. Now that this has happened, every parent wants to point the finger. My thing is, point the finger in the mirror. That's where it all starts. I have three children. 7-9-17, I have room to talk. I always make sure I know what my kids are doing. But in retrospect I understand not all parents are like me. I'm a stay at home mom, I have an advantage. Trust me, it's not always easy.

I pray for the famalies, and hope everything will be ok. I can only imagine what they are going thru.

GOD bless the parents that lost their babies. That was horrible.

My love to all parents,

Audrey

Answer 313

I think that it is the responsibility of every human being to take a moment out of his/her day and either reflect on the people around you or lend a listening ear.

It's more than just being a member of a global community, it's understand that some people aren't comfortable coming forward on their own. Disturbed individuals may not see themselves as needing help, and sometimes it takes that one little favor, that one hello, that one "I care about you" gesture that will make that will hopefully make that person wonder...well, if there is at least one nice person in this world, maybe I could talk to someone and they won't think I'm just another "loony".

No, one 'hello' isn't going to do it, but a whole community of people who are willing to respect and care about one another can thrive and reduce the likelihood of these sorts of tragedies.

Answer 314

I believe it is the responsibility of the individual, but that the community should do all it can to prevent future tragedies. I think what we should do set up mandatory classes in high school that promote respect and cooperation toward other people, teaches teens how to deal with stress and and how to cope with anger, and teaches kids that they are responsible for their own actions, and their own future. Something that teaches kids not to blame others for something bad that happens, and have them learn to overcome obstacles.



We're living in different times than we were in the 50s. People are much more competetive, and a lot less helpful. We watch Reality TV hoping for some real life drama, because we are entertained by other people's misery. We laugh at the losers, and praise the winners. We also view the rich lifestyle on TV shows, and we want to achieve that lifestyle. It causes much more stress on people today, who just can't be happy living a normal life. Everybody wants to show off their latest bling bling, and those who can't afford to are rarely praised. And the amount of violence in the media is amazing...



We need to send out more positive messages i nthe media. We don't have to encourage censorship to do with. We just need encourage people to respect each other.



And parents play a huge part in the development of their children! So people who are pregnant should have to take classes on how to raise a child. How to spend time with their kids. How to talk to their kids, and tell them they love them. How to moniter their kids, and make sure they're not getting into trouble. And this service should be FREE, for everyone to learn! After they complete the class, they should be encouraged to stay in some sort of a program that helps with parents in the future as their child grows. And maybe even offer something like a one year free subscription to some sort of parenting magazine....

Answer 315

im not sure if thats even going to make a significant difference. Because when you think about our world today, you realize that many people go through day to day stress. To make matters worse, the current children, teens, and young adults have much more stress than they used to back in the past. people have really put colleges up into a very hard place to reach, which makes kids try incredibly hard to reach for them.



for example, at my school almost everyone has the same dream. that dream is called the Asian American dream. At my school most everyone dreams to take all AP classes, even the ones they dont like, and then get A's in everyone of them. then they want to get close to perfect on the SAT's. So then they can go off to the best college(stanford, harvard, princeton) and get a high-end job and be supposedly happiness is subtituted with financial freedom.



However, most of these students have no idea what they want to be in their lives other than what their parents are or take the hottest, most money making job.



So i think the reason you cant really do anything about it is because kids are slowly becoming crazy. The amount of competition and stress are overcoming the few, making them crazy like the Virginia Tech person.



Now what makes him crazy and not misunderstood is that he wanted to be a loner, then blames other people for making him so. When people asked him his name, he held up a ? mark. When the teacher told him to introduce himself, he didnt say anything. Obviously the kid had mental problems and should have went to a mental hospital.



and yes i've seen kids like him. This one kid at school was in his honors science class and he had to turn in his research paper, but he didnt do much and he was going to get an F and then he got all stressed out because he didnt finish, so he ripped his paper in half.

Answer 316

Let's get real for a change! A mentally ill person will do what this fellow did no matter what kind of "community of understanding" you might invent. All this feel-good namby-pamby crap does not negate the fact that the guy couldn't have caused the horror he did without guns - which are too G o d D a m n e d easy to obtain. It's the lack of meaningful GUN CONTROL; can't people get that through their thick friggin' skulls?

Jesus! Two and a half thousand die on 9/11 and the whole country changes; thirty thousand fellow Americans die EVERY YEAR from gun violence and not a f u c k i n g thing changes! What's wrong with this picture?

Answer 317

YOur question is way to vague to answer therefore i believe this is not deepak Chopra possibly a spokesperson to promote you>?



PUT UP A FLIPPIN PA SYSTEM EVERYWHERE

so people don't get a phone call saying there was a shooting and then 2 seconds later a guy pops open the door and starts shooting



Does anybody remember 9/11? ummmm like 2000 innocent people died and now suddenly 33 people are super extremely we have to change the US important









These killings were very miniscule if you put it into perspective these were a series of quick and painless death but people in china, India, Africa, middle east are DYING A VERY SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH OF FLIPPIN STARVATION



Mass amounts of people are starving please

this is called suffering suffering hurts more than getting shot and dying



To answer your question i say Absolutely nothing



YOu see people live and die it is the cycle of life whether you're an atheist christian mormon scientologist etc. go on to a better place or reincarnated or into the dirt, life comes and goes and maybe it was Gods will or nature's will to take these people into a better place







Or we could just get a better counseling system where people derranged and mentally retarded can get help whether they want it or not.





What about the people in the middle east ? Honestly if you think about it more than a lot of men and women and children have died partially as a result of our doings. INNOCENT PEOPLE



Even though it's the largest attack on our schools it is such a miniscule number that it does not really matter compared to the number of innocent people that have died in Iraq



Also another way to stop community disturbances is to stop airing this stuff on the news. How did this kind of violence begin to escalate IT was being spread by the media although you get a lot of reviews and money for something like this your media station has also attracted potential killers into beating the 33 death count or just killing people at school.



The media is a terrible terrible thing I feel bad that you work in it.



I watched you on TV and you were talking about random stuff like how to treat a patient if he/she is about to die........who the helllllllll cares.



CNN is so stupid

Not trying to be pessimistic but CNN is really stupid as all the news networks



its like wrestling it's all fake and trickery

Answer 318

It is a lovely thought, a "community of understanding". I think there are many benefits to all of us in reaching out to those who are different, and embracing or at least accepting them. But what we are looking at here is severe mental illness, and that is a whole different ball game. I have felt like a misfit and misunderstood at many times throughout my life, but I have NEVER had any inclination to bring harm upon anyone. This type of severe hatred comes from severe mental illness.

And even if the school had heeded the warning signs that this person presented, it may have proved useless. If they would have kicked him out of the school, this may have happened even sooner. We live in a world where some people are flat out crazy, and it is a crap shoot as to whether or not we come in their path. Let those of us in the community of sane and caring people remember the families of the Virginia Tech students in our thoughts and prayers.

Answer 319

In my opinion the best thing to do is just teach our children that to be respectful and understanding of each other is the only way to live a good life.



Many other options such as outreach programs may sound good, but I believe that these programs may inadvertently hurt the people they are meant to help by identifying their patrons as people who need help, and not as people.



The fact is that there will always be those who believe that they do not belong in society and that they have been victims their whole lives. Though we may try to do our best to help those who most need it, tragedies like Virginia Tech and Columbine will continue to happen as long as humans walk the earth.

Answer 320

I am confused by the word "understanding". Does it mean increase our knowledge about mental illness? I think the problem lies with guns being too easy to purchase. I also think that when others saw problems they weren't followed up. If there was a procedure in place to help these students when something not normal is perceived there is only a remote chance that this kind of thing can be prevented. Can anyone truly understand the thought process of someone so disturbed?

Answer 321

First of all, there are too many rules regarding his privacy and all of that. The University should have contacted his parents when they realized that there was a problem, second of all when he got charged with stalking the other two girls and was found suicidal, he should have been kicked out of the University and committed to a mental institution. When someone feels threatened by another person, action should be taken, especially if that person is a psycho, who cares about their privacy, lock them in a padded room and throw away the key. Our society is too worried about stepping on other peoples toes and hurting other peoples feelings.



No community of understanding is going to prevent something like this, realizing that there are crazy, psycho people out there that have access to weapons, because our gun laws are so lenient and doing something about it is the only way to prevent things like this happening.

Answer 322

I don't beleive you can prevent tragedies like V Tech. Your dealing with untreated mental illness, and irrational minds. There is no "community of understanding" that will save anyone or anything from these sicko's. Sorry dude.

Answer 323

Your "community of understanding" is the problem.



Everyone was so "understanding", and chicken to do anything about it, that despite a great deal of direct knowledge that Cho was a dangerous nut case, nobody did anything.



Let's cut to the chase. It is a lot easier to put on a smiley face, be "understanding", ask thoughtful nicely worded questions, talk some psycho-babble ... and walk away.



And be sure to blame it on handguns.



Don't assign any blame to all the understanding professors, police, doctors, judges, parents, schools, etc.





If I were a parent who lost a child at Virginia Tech, I would file a lawsuit against every single "understanding" responsible adult who had direct knowledge of Cho's behavior over the years and decided it was better not to rock the boat. Every last one of them.



I think this would do far more to prevent a future tragedy than any amount of "community understanding".

Answer 324

A community of understanding is probably what one individual called his "communitarian network." I think his name is Amitai Etzioni. He approached human problems on a sociological basis. Examining the personal tragedy of Virginia Tech several things stand out. The killer was under- socialized and distressed by what he thought he saw in the students at VT. He appeared to have a very unreaslistic idealism which was not fulfilled in what he saw in others and perhaps in himself. I believe that this disaster could have been averted had he had a wider circle of friends among Christians and other who would reinforce his self-worth and that fact that God loves him and all humanity, however wretched they might be. He could have been healed by reading a book entitled, "What Works When Life Doesn't," by Stuart Briscoe; and then advancing to the Bible and the Psalms.

Answer 325

It is not understanding here, it is outright banning of guns that will prevent tragedy like this, and this is not an isolated case. Has not America learnt anything from the past few school shootings even before this? Why must a minority gun-owners weild such power over the whole nation?

Answer 326

do just that,create a community of understanding, where one does not exist, how is that to be done, good luck, at this point in time, it might not be what people want, people like what happened, and do not want to let go, people will be disappointed when cures for fatal diseases are found, cancer i a great outlet for many people, huh, duh,??? are you reading this right??? duh? that is right, people do not want to understand, it obligates them, they are then forced to love and care and have to go out of their way and sacrifice, and as much as they talk about doing such things, they cry and moan, and do not mind at all crying and moaning (you are a doctor??) in your internships, have you not seen this demonstrated time and again, just put a few people in a room with a television and what are their reactions, when something terrible is going on, this is a a higher form of gossip,and people do not want to give up gossip, there are people who do and will,but for topic at hand, people like to gossip,and talk about others, the bible says, "we like gossip, it goes down into our inward parts" yes, this is scripture , and people like gossip, do you think people draw a line here, it is delicious for them to talk about the survivors and the relatives and how they must be suffering and what all, that is society and culture to me it is not a negative outlook, but truth, i am not standing in the way of such communities being evolved, where have they been, this is, or and was founded on christian principles????? where have these communities been ???? thes communites do not exist for conveinence sake , people such as doctors and lawyers and police, how do they make their livings, they really do not wish it would all go away tomorrow, and they encourage crime, and illness, i think very little honor is left anymore., do you really believe the doctors have patient/s well being at heart?? why the back log in the Veteran,s hosps? do those doctors "fatten Up" people and conditions, delaying a present complaint waiting for some other condition to develope???? i think so, i believe the back log is security and certainly what would doctors and health care pros do if everyone was well, as some lady said the other day, "it would be pretty boring if everyone walked around being nice all the time" whether that is true or not, what would people do from bordom, create a situation, in closing,is it really evil and i use the word evil, to be creative, huh, duh??? what perspective is this??? who says the automobile or and the post office were great inventions, or the cures for tb and other diseases that are reemerging anyway? what is so can i say ungodly about being creative????

Answer 327

I believe the "community of understanding" and reach out has tried and failed the school system. Children need structure and discipline, both of which help promote self[-esteem. If children were not allowed to so "freely" express their disdain for other children and taught old school manners - the incidence of violent repercussion would be the exception on not the rule. Rather than dealing with the more complicated issues of respect and manners, the schools would rather deal with the purchase of protective equipment. Children should be EXPECTED to behave in classrooms, teachers should be allowed to teach, and children with repeated behavioral problems should be denied the right to attend campuses and forced into home schooling until better behavior can be demonstrated. We are so concerned with "freedom of expression" that we have morphed into an environment of "freedom of bad behavior". Bring uniforms back to primary schools, bring the "board of education back", and you will bring back the teachers that quit because they couldn't tolerate the current system. CHILDREN are running the school system and the administration is teaching children how to pass the benchmarks and policing - that is all they have time for these days.

Answer 328

Given the magnitude of the disaster, it may sound very inappropriate at this juncture for me to take the side of the Virginia Tech killer but as I shall pronounce it, the problem starts at that end.



Cho was a victim of "isolation" - a product of being shunned by his own peers and probably suffered some racism in silence; for a growing adolescent - unwillingness of any girl to date him must have been a very crucial factor in leading up to THIS stage. This is not to argue that all those who are lonely in their lives, or choose to be lonely should become the killer that Cho has become. But, it's a valid statement that many people suffer from trying to "fit in with the mainstream syndrome" but due to a variety of reasons: financial inadequacy, poor appearance, racial origin, etc. don't fit in successfully with the mainstream - even if there is a best intention to become friendly - it cannot be enforced.



For those who're not able to fit into the mainstream, what do we do with them - we ":sympathise" with their condition - we invite them over for a class picnic or a company party and think that we've done our duty in making the person feel one among us.



But is it really so?



"Empathy" and not "sympathy" is the answer to such a problem - unfortunately, very few among us have the time or the inclination to empathize with a stranger.



And when a person is forced to continue like this for years, there's a point at which he breaks down - he loses all respect for humanity around him, he feels victimized all the often. Just a case in point - Cho was sent to a rehabilitation clinic - the very act may have made him feel so weird and ashamed in the presence of whatever friends may have remained for him that he lost it completely.



Cho was an immature person and society didn't encourage him to become a better person. He lacked positive mentors in his life: as long as we don't evolve beyond this "sympathy" - "empathy" dichotomy, more incidents like the Virginia Tech shooting are bound to happen.



The same can be said to be of several suicide victims.

Answer 329

A community with all the understanding in the world cannot avoid the crazy insane person allowed to walk around on a college campus when he should be institutionalized. The guy was a time bomb.



It is the Administration's Bad. The Law's Bad. The Parents of the shooter's Bad and the fellow student's Bad for not pressing charges when the guy harassed the two girls on campus.



Everything I have seen or read indicates people tried to involve the guy in things and were nice to him; Insanity is serious problem in today's society and insane people are allowed to walk around amongst us without a thought as to what sort of menace they may be to society.



He needed to be locked into and institution and given help with his mental problems and forced to take medication to try to help him.

Answer 330

It can't in all instances, when you have someone who is so disturbed as to do something like the V.T. tragedy or Columbine or all the other ones you need to identify them and take action, and I don't mean the half measures that were taken with Mr. Hui I believe it was 2 years ago by a judge who classified him as a danger then puts him in outpatient status with no follow up, and just leaves it to the individual to take their meds and do the right thing, this is just asking for trouble. I believe one thing we can do is crack down on bullies, this is a very big problem that has been virtually ignored and is just now starting to get the attention it deserves.

Answer 331

This young man was so angry, felt so wronged, in his mind the only "solution" to his problems was to do this despicable thing.



Creating a "community of understanding" is so far down the line of the steps that need to happen first. For me the first thing is to find a way to help these individuals that feel so alone, and so isolated, and so much hatred, and to get them help. I wish I had a good solution. But I don't



It can't be a government solution, and it won't be a school solution. The only way I can thing we can even begin to help these people is for evey single one of us to reach out to someone we know is isolated, and to offer friendship, to offer a helping hand. We ignore the problems we see because we don't want to be bothered, or we feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do about it. But every single one of us can do something, and if every single one of us did, instead of fobbing it off to the "authorities", we would then create a better and safer community, country and world.

Answer 332

I don't think creating a 'community of understanding' would make one iota of difference. Such superficial liberal niceties only frustrate those who find themselves backed into a corner.



Before anyone tries to deal with the end result of many years of a displaced individuals problems with a society you really need to try to understand why that individual holds these discordant sentiments.

For a teenager, in his or her most formative years, to be removed from one society and dumped in a second poses numerous problems regarding values and identity.

For the new society to be so different from the original will certainly make the problem far worse.



American society is probably at its meanest in the schools, much as it is for any nation throughout the world, it is afterall where we find the insensitive young things, some with egos and insecurities and missions to prove their superiority at whatever cost.

Such people thrive on the perils of the 'outsider', and they are an easy prey.



I doubt if the individual male/female who is on the receiving end of this indifference has a support network in their adopted country outside of school. But they are aware that the only way to get beyound the pointlessness of their current situation is to get a good education.... and they probably ask themselves if it is right that they should be persecuted by those, who by birth alone, are 'superior'.



Fear of isolation and failure because of undue pressure wrought on them because they are different will, like any threatened individual, result in one of two actions. Submission or action.



Unfortunately for American society, they offer a fairly unique option. I understand it is one of their rights that in order to protect their freedom they are allowed to carry loaded guns.....



Regrettably the individuals parents must feel responsible in the first instance.

We cannot blame American society for being what it is, however distasteful we might regard it.

It is very unfortunate that this society offered, and will continue to offer, guns to those they persecute.



As you can see, to try to offer nice words at the end of all that the individual has endured is far too late. Such individuals offering kind words will be regarded as weak, and will probably only serve to fuel the delusional belief of the persecuted of having some 'power' and therefore, that an action will prove a point.



It's all a sorry mess really...

Answer 333

I think that there needs to be a community of understanding that teaches about things starting from when ur little. People can help stop people from going off. Tell ur children its not nice to make fun off anyone. to reach out to those who are alone in this world for whatever reason. Maybe if everyone felt loved and had a friend to lean on from the start then things wouldnt end up so bad.

Answer 334

Ultimately, no matter how much we think we know or understand someone, we never really know. Since we cannot force people to do something against their will, there is really no way we can reach out to everyone.



In every society, there are people that love to interact with other people, and there are people how would refer to stay to themselves.



I am currently attending a public college and the dymaic holds true here as well as anywhere else. There are just some people who are always out, meeting others, feeling happy and being "normal". However, there are also those who are totally introverted. Their minds may be filled with deep, dark thoughts.

Answer 335

adults have this idea that if they "understand" young adults, and children they can solve all the worlds problems. Truth be told, i personally have not many adults willing to know the inner workings of the younger generation, instead theyre much busier making laws tougher to get a license, or making it more difficult for us to graduate high school, as if our stress levels werent high enough with hormones, and puberty. Where it should all truely start in order for things such as at virginia tech and other such shootings from happening is to have parents pay more attention to their child/children and stop worrying so much about our responsibilities, and their jobs, thats just a start.

Answer 336

Don't tried to push someone into the corner . Treat everyone equally and fairly . I believed these cause the Virginia Tech Tragedy .

Answer 337

Don't we have the answers here? All the big brains in Washington and our universities don't have an answer?

If that is so we should look to other countries for advice.



People here in the US live in insular societies. Many suffer of isolation. People generally "don't have the time" to get involved, talk, listen. Our daily activities are not conducive. And of course there is a lot of fear for ones own safety.

However, schools and employers could be more involved.

Medical and mental health is not on any-ones agenda . We are the only industrialized nation to have no medical insurance...never mind mental health. We need to socialize medicine. Perhaps not exactly like Canada, but something similar to suit our needs.



Most of those in prisons are not getting the help they need. All we do is keep building and filling prisons, and juvenile detention centers. We need to create a society where there's no stigma is attached to being ill, medically or mentally. We need to socialize medicine and make it available to everyone..free of charge. Yes I know taxes taxes taxes. Where is our tax dollar going now? Down the same drain. Useless spending on building prisons, creating more mental health issues.



As you can see no one is at all hopeful in this message board. The answer is simple...socialize medicine...make it available to all. Yes include immigrants.



Creating a community of understanding is putting the cart before the horse.

Answer 338

Call me a cynic but I don't think a community of understanding necessarily could have prevented it at all. I think people have to want help and want to be understood and if they want it, they seek it out. What can you do? "Understand" that the guy needed help? You can't force someone into a community if they choose not to be in normal society...He made a choice to do what he did and I believe the good people at Virginia Tech have a "community of 'understanding,'" yet he didn't choose to live within the realm of it.

Answer 339

Well, there is a limit to what a community of understanding can do. First of all, if there is a guy who is truly pshycopathic/sociopathic, no amount of communal "understanding" will stop him from acting violently when triggered. Now, it is possible that such a community can recognize the signs of such a violent individual and interced to stop him, but I wouldn't put much stock into such an idea actually preventing the tragedy in and of itself.

Answer 340

It can't - and you should know that. But, maybe your 'modalities' aren't that hot.



The main things the media will miss and gloss over while gun 'control' becomes an issue is :

#1 Whatever counseling Cho had was ineffective.

# 2 Likewise with the medicine and the mental health system he was in in 2005.

#3 Lack of effective disciplinary action by V-Tech.



This guy should not have been allowed to be walking the streets.

But then, we live in a bleeding heart liberalist country.



Sure wish Yahoo! would stop letting people like you 'advertise' on here.

Answer 341

The sad part about this case is that many people - professors and students - were aware this individual was disturbed, but our system prevented anyone from taking steps to prevent the tragedy. The professors were concerned about his mental health and referred him counseling, others who were stalked or harassed by him filed reports with police and the school's disciplinary system. But since he had not committed a crime or threatened to, little could be done. And, he rebuffed many students attempts to be friendly to him, including his roommates.



It seems Virginia Tech had a community of understanding and it didn't matter. Unless we get better at identifying those mentally ill people who are a threat to others and compel them to get treatment, little can be done to prevent these tragedies. This may mean limiting people's autonomy and freedom, and this is something we as a society are hesitant to do.

Answer 342

Prevention is only necessary for neglect First understand from indiviuals in confidence their needs and that will probably cover 35 percent of the things you don't even know you are neglecting. Then you have to concider the fact that some individuals dare to be different so bad that there is nothing you can do to please them because they don't want to belong to a group. In short prevention is a sub power to spontanious. As success is to try; and that my man is the answer to how you can start trying. Success will change as many time as how you try. Things don't always work to how we plan or even imagine them. Sometimes it take things to happen in the worst of fashion to let the world see and it becomes its own success I think we just try to claim credit for a job OUR FATHER is already doing.

Answer 343

Society needs to be educated and understand that mental illness is common and that people with this medical condition need support, understanding and acceptance. It needs to be brought out of the "FREAK" catagory and suffers need to know that they will be accepted by work collegues, peers and soceity. Support networks need to be set up for early intervention, continued support and friends & family support.



While the right to arms is a treasured beleif of US soceity maybe this needs to be reconsidered as to who has that right. I totally agree Guns don't kill people... People kill people by using guns. I'm sure if you ask anyone they will be able to name at least one person they know that they would not want to have a gun.



Mental health is the silent illness, nobody wants to admit they have it, but you can't ignore it, it won't go away. Educating todays youth about mental illness, how to recognise it, where to get help, that they are still OK, what to do etc. will help dispell some of the myths surrounding mental health.



No one is responsible for what happened other than the Gunman. The store that sold the gun, the ebayer who sold the bullets, his parents/family, the police, old school collegues etc none of them are responsible for this tragedy.

Answer 344

A "community of understanding" is a vague term, but whatever its supposed to mean it cannot prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. The guy did not care, or posses the capacity to care with any sort of community around him. He was just a random dis-functional anomaly that got himself some guns. All the "understanding" in the world would not have fixed this guy. He was attacking some distorted world vision that existed only in his mind.



Some people are unreachable....and he was one of them.



I know everyone wants answers and explanations about this event. But there are none to be had. That is what makes it all the more difficult to witness.

Answer 345

I heard about a program in Canada run by volunteers of the Unitarian church aimed at reducing repeat crimes.



Parolees were contacted by a volunteers who befriended them, and assisted them to find community services so that they could succeed in society. They also reported those who were acting in away that made them a continuing threat to society, so that a probation officer could intercede. The program worked and provided a safer community.



More programs of this type would help us all and could be extended to those struggling with mental illness. I think a help first and alert officials to intervene if necessary would go along way in preventing violence. This is change from the current norm of just "hating" and fearing those who have a "bad" track record. Creating a system of personal responsibility and community responsibility can be done.



In America's declaration of independence it says..."Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". In Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms it says "rights and freedoms .....justified in a free and democratic society." the Canadian statement create's more of a community responsibility while the United States' is more about individualism. it is time to learn from our northern neighbors.

Answer 346

This is a little 'off' the subject, but I think it is important to consider.



When I was in school, we had 'fire drills'. This was to prepare us for the possibility to have to move quickly, be prepared for tragedy.



We are at a crucial point in our society...we have to have a "Columbine Drill". Students have to know how and what to do when 'shooters' start on a rampage of killing! Our schools must adopt these procedures! Even if it saves one life...I have a feeling it could save a lot more.



Now, to address your question a bit...



The only way we will change our human condition, the violence, hate crimes, etc. is through better parenting. This is almost totally ignored by all. 100% of hate crimes are committed by neglected, abused, bullied individuals who have had little support at home. Our prisons, mental institutions, streets are full of these people...many of them barely hanging on!



We have math, Engliish, geography, science, etc. in our grade schools...why can't we contribute some time to emotional growth and parenting? Even chilldren from horrible home situations could at least hear that there is another way! I know that his is would take a generation or two to fully impact our world, but when are we going to wise up. We are emotionally retarded! Ye who have ears, listen up!



The movie industry...violence, etc. needs to be at least toned down...this is so very obvious. We all know this, but turn our heads hoping it will go away. What a shame.



Laziness is a huge problem and so few strong, wise leaders...

Answer 347

Get the media involved in deflecting airing the names of the gunmen. They wanted the fame and to go down in a blaze of glory. Stop calling this a massacre. The words wound the survivor's and leave a scar that associates the school with that title forever.

People like yourself asking questions. Thank you. I had a childhood friend killed in SFO in the law office he just left Hawaii to work at. He was protecting his wife. Until guns affect you personnally, most will fight to bear arms. To me it's the divisions in this country that make healing ten tines more difficult. Especially with the Iraq war and people bashing the President. Is there no respect left anymore?

Gun monitoring, no ban. The word control frightens people. But if nothing is done to take away the common threads in this it will happen again. 15 minutes of Fame added on to it.

Pray and show the love as much as we can. Find the spirit and encourage the light and colors in their lives. Forgiveness too.

Thank you very much!!!

[e-mail]

Kimberly Fraser

Answer 348

For the Virginia Tech tradegy, a community of understanding is not the major issue because the killer was so mentally ill. The legal system needs to be improved in order to protect mentally ill people from harming others. However, in many of the similar tragedies, the killers who were relatively sane were often belittled by others and therefore they turned there anger towards killing others. We need to stop people from bullying and making fun of others. We need to become a kinder nation.

Answer 349

Peace, love, and "can't we all just get along?" didn't work in previous generations and won't work now. It's actually a form of avoidance and denial.



There are many people, with many cultures, with many and varying beliefs. World governments are pushing the one world ideology and we are seeing that our differences many times do not mesh. There will be more and more of these types of occurances because of the pressures of trying to get along with a single minded society. We are not single minded and never will be as long as some promote love and some promote death and some promote indifference.



I don't expect everyone else to think the same as I do or believe all of the same things as I do. And, likewise I don't want to be forced to think and believe like some others that I find offensive. Who's right and who's wrong?



A politically correct, liberal attitude that anything goes or "can't we all just get along?" is diluting some very strong and ethical belief systems. The one world philosophy is creating tolerance for some pretty hideous and immoral acts.



This person obviously did not belong in that environment and should have taken himself out of the situation. But, unfortunately he was sick and could not make that decision for himself. We cannot force a uniform belief or lifestyle and expect it to work for everyone. There are as many different ways to live and believe as there are people.

Answer 350

That's a great question!! We need to come together as one not be diverse on activities, communications, and especially if in a school setting the cafeteria/student lounge. If you see someone no matter what race/culture that person is and he/she is sitting alone, talk to that person. Make sure that person knows that he/she is accepted in that environment. Don't let a child be left alone without any interaction among peers. We got to many kids coming from abusive homes, mental illness with depression, and feeling neglected in school settings among peers. We need to keep an eye out on who is being ignored among their peers. I hope you understand what I am saying.

We need to get all staff, parents, and the community as a whole to interact with students. The number one thing the schools should be doing in this country is that they need to have more law-enforcement officials walking in and around the schools to check things out before classes begin in the morning and around the parking lots. Need the federal government to fund for more law-enforcement in the communities and need to take action of the mentally ill. Don't ignore children/college students that are sitting by themselves. They might not feel like they are accepted in that environment. Don't just think, "Oh, they are just studying." They might be feeling something different that you and I don't know. We never know what background/childhood that child had.

Answer 351

This young man's rage simmered and boiled for years before it erupted and consumed the lives of those unsuspecting victims at Virginia Tech. He obviously tweeked more than a few "strange" buttons along the way as evidenced by the State of Virginia's order to commit him back in December.



Sly and insidious; this creature slid through the cracks of the various systems that we, as a society have in place, to identify, handle, and if necessary, incarcerate, such dangerous persons. His ability to stay under the radar is not a statement of our failure to identify and neutralize him; conversly, it is a statement of the cunning deceit to which everyone who delt with him fell victim.



It has been commented upon that the one person who acted against this maniac, was a holocaust survivor. He, amazingly, was able to recognize the raging evil at the door and take action to help others escape, at the expense of his own life. He was not frozen in sick facination by the events transpiring around him. He had seen this insanity before in the concentration camp.



What could have prevented this tragedy? Information, identification, and action, are the answers. This man was truely evil and I believe it is vital for all of us to create a community of understanding that addresses the nature of evil and how we can overcome it. Evil is real and it has the power to twist and corrupt absolutely.



Everyone is chattering wildly about this tragedy, but blithely puts on blinders when the news networks tell of yet ANOTHER bombing in Iraq that KILLS MORE THAN 160 people.



Evil is as evil does; whether it is a single raging gunman run amok at a college, or a group of insane men intent on committing genocide on THEIR OWN PEOPLE. It is incumbent upon us to recognize, name, and confront this insanity wherever we encounter it. It is further incumbent upon us to teach our blessed children that there IS such ugliness and insanity in the world, that there is no shame in naming it, and countless lives can be saved by confronting and handling it.

Answer 352

How do you create a community of understanding?



The operative word here is "Community" . Community exists, where both freedom and security exist as well. The community then takes on a life of its own, as people become free enough to share and secure enough to get along.



So we need freedom and security to have a Community. With freedom and security comes understanding.



How do we create a community based on freedom security and understanding? Remove all things that work against these three principles, war, poverty, hunger, prejudices etc etc. and do more that enriches the community, health, welfare, education, ensure no one is leaft behind or needing.



These issues that should rank high on the agenda of concern for human welfare and rights. But there are a few choices that seem unavoidable, because they bear so directly on the prospects for decent survival. Among them are at least these three: nuclear war, environmental disaster and the fact that the governments of the world’s leading powers are acting in ways that increase the likelihood of these catastrophes.



It is important to stress the "government," because the population, not surprisingly, does not agree. That brings up a fourth issue that should deeply concern the world: the sharp divide between public opinion and public policy, for both America and Australia, one of the reasons for the fear, which cannot casually be put aside, that "the system’ as a whole is in real trouble — that it is heading in a direction that spells the end of its historic values of equality, liberty and meaningful democracy.



The US is very much like other powerful states. It pursues the strategic and economic interests of dominant sectors of the domestic population, to the accompaniment of impressive rhetorical flourishes about its exceptional dedication to the highest values. That is practically a historical universal, and the reason why sensible people pay scant attention to declarations of noble intent by leaders, or accolades by their followers.



One commonly hears that carping critics complain about what is wrong, but do not present solutions. There is an accurate translation for that charge: They present solutions, but the powers don’t like them."

Here are a few simple suggestions:

1. Accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court and the World Court;

2. Sign and carry forward the Kyoto protocols;

3. Let the UN take the lead in international crises; stop marginalizing it and give it back its power.

4. Rely on diplomatic and economic measures rather than military ones in confronting the grave threats of terror;

5. Keep to the traditional interpretation of the UN Charter: The use of force is legitimate only when ordered by the Security Council or when the country is under imminent threat of attack.

6. Give up the Security Council veto, and have "a decent respect for the opinion of mankind," as the Declaration of Independence advises, even if power centres disagree;

7. Cut back sharply on military spending and sharply increase social spending: health, education, renewable energy and so on.

8. Promote freedom of speech and ensure media is responsible and held accountable.

For people who believe in democracy, these are very conservative suggestions: They appear to be the opinions of the majority of the population, in most cases the overwhelming majority. They are in radical opposition to current public policy.

Another conservative and useful suggestion is that facts, logic and elementary moral principles should matter. Those who take the trouble to adhere to that suggestion will soon be led to abandon a good part of familiar doctrine, though it is surely much easier to repeat self-serving mantras.

And there are other simple truths. They do not answer every problem by any means. But they do carry us some distance toward developing more specific and detailed answers, as is constantly done. More important, they open the way to implement them, opportunities that are readily within our grasp if we can free ourselves from the shackles of doctrine and imposed illusion. Though it is natural for doctrinal systems to seek to induce pessimism, hopelessness and despair, reality is different. There has been substantial progress in the unending question for justice and freedom in recent years, leaving a legacy that can easily be carried forward from a higher plane than before.

Answer 353

People need to stop saying these sort of things are random acts by madmen. In fact all these events seem to have been well signalled in advance. Kids are abused over and over until they snap, and then some poor bystanders cop the punishment. We need to have systems in place for people to go and express their rage and not bottle it up until it destroys themselves and others. Psychiatrists would have us believe that people have weird brain chemicals that make them crazy! Perhaps there is a change in brain chemistry but I believe that IF there is it is caused by people suppressing their emotions until there is a physical change. Of course some people get very peculiar in their behaviour, but surely that is because they have managed to suppress so much for so long that the tension builds up to the extent that eventually there has to be warping of what is holding all these emotions tightly in; in this case a human being.

Why is America a place where people are SO critical of each other? Is there a national inferiority complex as there is here in Australia? This is what makes people feel the need to point out other peoples faults (of which we all have many, and they are not helped by criticism. Praise can make people change for the better, not attacks. Surely some politician can take the initiative and instigate some grass roots therapeutic action to help people out of their misery.

Answer 354

Well first of all by catching those with potential problems and getting them the help they need. They would have to be court ordered. Also catching it when young helps too. There are so many things in this that prevented him from being counceled, and with the law and rights that was the other. The police not communicating with each other when this boy's writings were shown to them was a bad thing. This boy was just a ticking timebomb and it's too bad that we in society have to be at mercy to others who are like this.

Answer 355

Can't prevent RAGE. Nope, not gonna happen. Might mitigate it's consequences by either providing another outlet or equipping the populace to summarilly deal with it in an extremely prejudicial manner. Probably need both mechanisms, as channeling doesn't seem to be 100%. If he can't work it out by shooting the sheep provided, let him try it with the ARMED students. Stupidest move EVER making the students INTO the sheep. I have a right to be armed for my own defense, and as a consequence of that right would never attend an institution that tried to curtail my capabilities and did nothing to even the playing field with those who refused to abide by their policies. Just ONE good shot with a .357 would have stopped that idiot at one kill, or two, or eighteen. Hell, he could have probably done the same thing in the cafeteria with a chainsaw or on the commons with a semi tractor. Self defense is a responsibility. They failed. They required their students to relinquish their right to bear arms, and this is only a FORESEEABLE consequence of their decision. Have you ever heard the story of the Doctor in Lubbock? She had a .38 revolver in the glove compartment of her car, legal and licensed, as she watched the gunman kill her father with a headshot. She should have had it in her purse, she might have a father today.

Answer 356

I believe that we live in a world of understanding and compassion. Unfortunatly it is divided and scattered. What would it take to find practical answers to avoid the tragedies like in Blacksburg, Columbine or Texas? More education would help but could we reach everyone? Would more controls over educators and parents detect those most likely to crack under the pressures of culture or mental illness? Is humanity capable of coming together under one banner to solve the ills of our world?

Hopefully, what will evolve out of this tragedy will be a greater awareness and understanding by law enforcement, mental health professionals and school adminstrations for those of us that may be headed for trouble. They seem to be the ones on the front lines in dealing with these types of issues. As for the rest of us it is never a bad idea to accept those around us for who they are. To act otherwise is arrogance.

Answer 357

I don't know exactly what could have helped in this particular situation. The VT killer was mentally ill, yes, but there are many mentally ill people in this world--- just one example, Mike Wallace of CBS news struggles with depression. But we should all keep in mind that not all mentally ill people are violent, and we shouldn't be afraid of them.



Perhaps more importantly--- parents should teach their children empathy. Maybe empathy is something we learn, and not something we're born with. As people in our society become more and more disconnected from one another (i.e. the television as babysitter/parent), then where do we learn about empathy? How do we learn that our neighbors are people like us, that the person sitting in class next to us is a person like us, that the cashier at the grocery store is a person with feelings like us?



So I suggest parents teaching empathy as one way to possibly prevent such tragedies.

Answer 358

A community of understanding is a community of liberals.

Don't you understand that in 2005 this guy was deemed a threat to society until some psychiatrist decided that he was only a threat to himself?



We don't need a community of understanding, we need a government that will round up these criminals with green cards (and illegal aliens) and deport them, we need to keep the mentally insane locked up, create more mental intuitions.



How can you ask the parents and loved ones of those that have been slaughtered to be in a community of understanding, they and we should be outraged that our system let them down once again.

Answer 359

All school environments, mostly Pre-school to Jr. high suffer a digusting amount of bullying and pyschological torture for kids who are considered different. School is supposed to be a safe haven for all, and I believe all the anger and bitter hatred for others were incited because expiriences at a young and vulnerable age. Every school regardless of what area its in or how rich, suffer from bullying and ostracizing. I know that there are other factors and reasons for one to start a schoolshooting spree, but if one can feel safe and appreciated in his or school they would lessen the chances of hating their fellow man. Incidents of getting picked on or being treated heinously while only 6 or 15 can really traumitize someone to the point of snapping. We are human, and its our nature to discriminate anything labled as different. To lessen the chances of another Virginia Tech incident, we must realize and fully commit to preventing bullying and hate in schools. Whether it is a reaching out program, or counciling, time and dedication is needed to stop the bullying epidemic.

After watching the shooters video, he seemed so angry at the world and people in general. It seemed as if he felt nothing in life except being ignored and hated by his peers. I believe that his various school enviorment is to blame for creating an insane and vulnerable man who could have been an asset to our human race.

Answer 360

A community of understanding that could prevent tragedies like this would have to be one in which each person, no matter how poor or what race they belong to, feels connected to their community and respected. This can only be accomplished if a majority of human beings radically redefine their values. At this point the majority of human values are ego-centered and are largely lacking any deep sense of genuine compassion. To a great extent, the current majority values are fueled by a market-driven media that thrives by hyping an ego-centered and object-loving atmosphere. The current market economy (especially American) is driven to create and satisfy demand without any regard for the REAL VALUE of the items demanded. The bottom line for our economy is that "what works" is totally out of synch with "what's right" from the stand point of human morality or long-term cultural and environmental sustainability.



How can this ever change? Assuming that Americans wish to keep their individual liberties, the only practical option is to find some way to let genuine human compassion find its way into our culture. How can we do this? One major factor would be to make sure that children are raised in loving, nurturing environments. Somehow we need to make children an ACTUAL national priority, and not just a politically effective sound-bite. The majority of criminals and sociopaths are bred in toxic home and community environments of abuse, neglect, poor nutrition, insufficient health care, and inadequate education.



I’m certainly open to suggestions on how we can go about changing the majority human values, but at the moment my suggestion would be this: We need an atmosphere of national commitment comparable to the 1960's space program. Money can't buy everything, but a sizable portion of the national budget would need to be committed to making sure that EVERY parent receives training in how to be a good parent, EVERY child has mentors, advocates, and tutors who can help watch out for their welfare, EVERY child has access to community-bases programs (sports, music, art, adventure clubs, etc.), EVERY person should have adequate access to education and health care (including "alternative" forms of health care, as well as emotional and spiritual guidance) no matter how poor they are. This sort of national commitment would be incredibly expensive, but we have the resources to do it. It is mostly a matter of political will-power and leadership.



The theme of this national program should involve helping EVERYONE learn to think more deeply about their lives, find their "calling" (explore their natural interests and abilities) and learn to live more compassionately. The full force of the tangible results would probably take a generation or two, but it can be done, and it would be worth the effort.

Answer 361

You can teach your children well and they can grow up fine , sure part starts at home but people become adults and you can not stop them. As for a situation such as this one VT, I believe there were plenty of warning signs that were given as a matter of fact, he should have been expelled from school from teh stalkings alone and just because women did not press charges there should have been one in effect anyway without the women say they did or did not want to press charges, I am not anti-gun because it is people who pull triggers not the gun, it does not pull its own trigger and act foolish and murderous. As for how one can get a Gun, law should change I believe now they should have some kind of mental background which means there should be a system set up ( almost like a national regestry for sex offenders) where IF one has been admitted or seen for such mental issues , while doing a background check the persons name and social security number is in the system so they know its the right person, does not have to say why they are seen but just that they can not get one, sure one can get a gun somehow but then whatever happens and it takes a life the person who gave the gun should be responsible, how to understand something of this kind of tragedy is hard for even one who was not there to understand or cope with, we believe things like this should not happen, we pray that they do not, but they do, this is no different than what Timothy McVey did in Oaklahoma City which killed allot of inoccent people he was an American Citizen as was Cho even if he had a Visa he was still living here legally....I feel for his parents I feel people will hate them and I think people need to gather together and help his family as well, it was their son who did this , they did not, they also need to be protected because I am afraid with they way our world has become there will be hate crime upon them. Oh what a horrible thing this is. I pray for them all and thir families

Answer 362

Our society needs to be kinder, no two individuals are the same and we all have our own quirks.



People need to learn not to tease others that are not in the same mental capacity as they feel they are.



This is a cruel world and alot of people enjoy teasing and taunting the less fortunate. If we became a kinder nation, things like this probably would not happen.



What this boy did was totally devasting, and I do not take up for him for his actions.

Answer 363

A community of understanding comes from the people in the community wanting to understand.And you along with the people has to be diligent in the effort of putting the pieces of the puzzle together.and let be known you wanna bring a whole community together for discussions based on how to maintain a status quot that you so proudly seek out of your initiation to organize such a profound leadership role.I believe you can do it.Have motivation and determination.

Answer 364

Education is the only way to eradicate ignorance, and promote understanding, and the ultimate would be to have respect for each and every one. If that Utopian ideal were in full practice, there wouldn't be so much need less suffering, and people feeling alienated to the point where they take out their frustrations on other people. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children how to be decent citizens and how to be civilized, in addition to all the other things. People are selfish, lazy, insensitive and those who are trying to take advantage of the race factor of the gunman are why behavior like this continues.

Answer 365

The way I understand you question is...how can we make people not disagree or if they do, choose not to act in such a manner...or how to refashion the community to do the above. The word "understanding" is a loaded term which means something only to the hearer...therefore it is useless in communication. But, to answer I don't think you can...because human psychology operates on relations, not positions. If a society could be established where goals were espoused by a central authority and redirections were often...then maybe "we" could control...though maybe "control" isn't the right loaded term...how about the same "loving commonality and shared peaceful goals"...candy canes and lolly pops!!!

Answer 366

Not to say that being picked on is an excuse for killing someone let alone 32 people and not to say that he didn't possibly have a mental health issue, but being picked on can really mess a person up.



When I read about some of the stuff former classmates say about things that happened to him in MS & HS, Nothing like that ever happened in my MS or HS. Even when I was in MS and HS, I thought 'who laughs at a kid because of how he reads?!' That's just mean. I don't think enough people think that. People are right when they say this generation is all about themselves. It doesn't take but a minute to reach out to someone.



I feel people are becoming less and less aware of how to treat others. You don't have to be best friends with someone you don't "click" with, but you DO treat everyone with respect. People also put this negative connotation on being shy. Not everyone is an outgoing person who will talk to everyone and that's okay, sometimes you have to put forth a little more effort with a shy person. People say Cho never spoke to anyone, but I don't really get the impression that anyone tried talking to him either.



Once again, this is no excuse, but "everyone just wants to be fed."

Answer 367

hi, im ten! I think creatin a community of understandin would help prevent tragedies like at Virginia Tech because it gets the ones around us closer to us. i was really scared last night while watchin the video of the gunman.. i think he's gunna come back and do somethin else but.. i dont know.

BY the way i sware to god im ten and im turnin eleven in may

Answer 368

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.



Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.



But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Answer 369

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.



Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.



But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Answer 370

I think it would help everybody within the comunity to be aware of things going wrong around them, because if a member of a comunity has something wrong, and I mean by that any kind of problem and not only a mental issue, the comunity itself wouldn't work. I think one important thing to do is to be awake and willing to see things that are there, even if we don't like what we see. In this case, the guy had had a record of little things, and all of a sudden the big thing came up, but people sourinding him wouldn't talk to him, they would instead try to make someone "expert" talk to him... I don't know all the facts about that process, but that's how the media makes me percieve it, and then when one is close to the problem, the problem is not appreciated as a general.

Another thing that could be different, if it weren't for the morbid spirit of all us humans, would be a media coverage focusing on victims, and not on the killer and his message. That was a friends' idea, and it is starting to make sense, he thinks that that kind of information only makes someone out there wanting the attention now for him/her, and what is true is that this things tend to get worse.

Answer 371

It can't.



I don't think a "community of understanding" will ever be able to prevent a deeply disturbed, isolative individual from commiting henious deeds if that's his/her intent.



A community of understanding should be created after such an incident. One that not only has compassion and kindness for the pain and shock the families of the victims are going through, but that Cho's family must be going through, as well -- who are also a family who experienced an extremely painful, profound loss.

Answer 372

well... I agree with the other answers.. You can't really avoid such tragedies... If it's meant to happen, then it will happen. We can't really control the minds of others...It's up to each individual on how they can control and react with their thoughts and emotions.... But that doesn't mean that you can't take precautions that can affect matters in big ways you could never imagine and expect... well... A community of understanding is one example of a good precaution... If we live in a community that understands the need and concern of the people in it, then it would be a great help and it would ease their burden with their daily problems...If we live in this kind of community, we would be much conscious on the people around us... By doing this we can lessen their hatred for other people (I'm sure every one has some kind of hatred for someone) they can learn to trust other people and they can learn from you that they also have to think not only for themselves but also for the people around them...Also by having a community of understanding we can build a good image of the society we are in right now.... This may help in realizing that although we are inperfect creation of God, we also have our positive side... If we live in such community we can express our thoughts more freely, truthfully and without fear ( this may help in easing their emotions such as anger that later on will result with awful tragedies..)

Answer 373

I am sorry to say it, but it wouldn't help at all. The man was extremely isolated. He refused to do anything that would have been interaction with people. In an instance like this, no kind of community understanding would have been benificial. There are circumstances where community understanding would help, such as racial/religious tension, but in this particular instance of a dilusional person that would not have accepted help, there is nothing that could have been done by us to prevent him from losing control.



I wish that my answer was not correct, I really wish there was something that we could do to prevent such things from happening, but there is nothing that can be done for such situations.

Answer 374

Each day I look around and see the world that we have all created. I think about all the people in my life I wish so badly I could help from my 16 year old drug addicted little brother to my 44 year old drug dealing father and I realize there is nothing that I, myself can do to help them. There is nothing that any one of us can do. I believe the power lies with god, but first we all need to accept the fact that with him we can do anything and be anything. The evil that lies here on earth today has overtaken so many people becauseof our culture, whether they are taught by their parents or fall into someone elses trap they are overtaken by evil. Without god in your life it is so easy to be influenced by the bad and be deceived.

I can see this perfect world, a world I will be in someday and I can't wait to get there. There is no sadness and no crime, just a world filled with love and warmth, a place called heaven.

But for now here we all are on earth where there are all of these terrible things happening each and everyday. I believe that the only thing that each one of us can do at this point is love eachother and help eachother. Feeling like your unwanted, unloved or like you don't belong is the worst feeling in the world. So I ask that whoever reads this tries their hardest to be kind and loving to one another and eventually you will receive a great blessing for the kindness and love you give.

Answer 375

Although its the problem with understanding, yet 'smoke comes only if there is fire', the sources need to be closed first of all. In American even a born baby is exposed to arms and ammunication in his home and violent films. The easy access to arms lead to these problems, even a slightest problems ends up in firing. The license to use of guns must be accomplished strictly, and this crazy system of guns and revolvers in every homes must be curbed. Even small children are playing with dangerous toys like airguns, and they play by shooting each other too. There is no wonder that as the grow up they use guns to fight each other.

Counselling Classes must be made compulsary in every educational institutions. Of course when an advice is said a hundred times, one would think about that atleast once. Also they must be made aware of the cost of a life.

Answer 376

No matter whats going to happen there is always going to be the black sheep the lost soul in the school. Through no fault of their own. I feel for everybody involved all 33 people that are dead but I can definitely understand how his hatred escalated.

Because of the groups jocks, preps, etc....that are the majority in the school at an early age learn to shape how your role is in school. They pick on the ones that they don't understand their values their beliefs, religion, etc..... And that goes on through out the years until its etched in their minds this is how they are going to be treated. They feel alone that they don't have anyone to talk to and no one understands them and maybe they don't even speak with their parents or they don't have anyone who will support them.

Being made fun of, picked on teased, bullied, etc...... changes you it makes you questioned peoples motives so maybe later on in life when an attractive female gives attention they don't know how to act around them or if they do they act out in ways that may not be acceptable which leads to the stalking cases,domestic violence, murder, etc.... Which the hate escalates in their mind that they're not good enough they'll never be good enough and instead you get what happened. We need a more understanding more diverse school system starting from an early early age. Otherwise the hate is still going to keep on escalating and w'ere going to keep having the same problem.

Answer 377

I am very pleased to read your profile. You are actually using Yahoo answers as it should be used. I have seen many celebrities and/or politicians on recently. They have their handlers get them on Yahoo answers, post their little question, and get more instant fame based on nothing more than their celebrity status.



You are posting an interesting question that, as I am sure you are aware, has no single answer. It has no course of correctness. There are so many possibilities and variables that it is impossible to diagnose the future. Also keep in mind that the facts are still coming in. The video that he sent NBC came in around the time of your post.....it shows a deliberate bent toward destruction. That is more than an act of desperation or one out of the moment. The questions are not all asked at this point so looking for the answers is premature at best.



I hope you are not using this little feel good question to promote yourself. I'm sure you have helped many, many people and are a very intelligent person. You already know the answer to your question would be an oversimplification of a many faceted, multi-level, cross-cultural, financial status conglomeration of issues that congealed into a single act of violence that, because of circumstances, became the deadliest campus attack since Texas in 1966.

Answer 378

a community of understanding is like the most needed in a society to prevent tragedies of some sort. people who can understand each other may be able to help them in times of needs and that is what we need, right? the cooperation of everyone so that a common goal may be achieved. if there is no understanding within the people of a community, there would come a time that even in times of danger people become selfish and not help those who need their hand. understanding help people become open-minded, a virtue that is most degraded nowadays, people seem to easily judge others when all they see is just 1% of who really is the person they judge. it is so frustrating that people dont understand that the key to progress is a community who help and not who destroy.

Answer 379

Universities and colleges often have strict admission policies. Once a student is admitted they should be held accountable and expelled for inappropriate behavior. The Virginia Tech murderer (I refuse to use his name - he's nothing more than an evil coward) should have been expelled over 18 months ago. This country also needs to support mental health care institutions again. It's a shame that we closed down so many insititutions when so many people need help.

Answer 380

Prevent? I do not care what we do to prevent these type of tragedies! As long as we are a free society and I am all for that, there will always be very troubled people among us! The only way to secure a huge institution is to step all over the freedoms of each person who steps on that property. I do not think we can prevent this type of violence; however, I do think we can better be prepared when something like this does happen!

Answer 381

I really hope you are not trying to suggest that it was the communitie's lack of understanding that drove Cho to do what he did.



Why am I reading posts where people are feeling sorry for Cho's plight as a supposed victim in American society?



I don't care how he "f-e-l-t!" Perhaps I would have cared if he had chosen instead to write a book about his life here in America, his perspective as he wrestled with depression and even antagonizing classmates. But.... He didn't write a book, did he? He massacred 32 people instead!



He had choices to make and he made the choices of a demon, not a human being.



I am shocked that any would fall prey to his guilt tripping, self-justifying, look at me, I have risen from the grave to have the last word video!

Answer 382

I'm not sure that it is possible to prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech, yet I pray that it is. I think the best place to begin is with our children. We should be teaching tolerance and acceptance, as well as challenging society to embrace diversity.

Answer 383

Unfortunately, it's not so simple...



People put on "masks" so that we cannot see they are hurting....and to be able to see past the masks, we would have to know the person well enough to do so.



Problem is that almost ALL school systems, whether of children or adults, are so understaffed and schools so over populated that this is never going to happen.



In order for a community of understanding to work, it has to start at the home level, then, evolve through TIME to where it can actually be effective.

Answer 384

This so-called "doctor" is a quack who likes to use technobable and new-age BS to sell his anti-aging nonsense. He has had a article he wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association withdrawn due to a lack of ethics (he had a monetary interest in the products he was promoting in the article). Then he used the race/religion card to sue the AMA on account of his ideas being tied to Hindu mysticism. Now he's on Yahoo! Answers, feigning concern about the events at VA Tech. But don't be fooled. He's really here to garner attention to himself. This guy thinks he's the Oprah Winfrey or Martha Stewart of medicine and humanitarianism. And he's done a good job, making a fortune off stupid, impressionable people. What a great way to increase your book sales, Mr. Chopra! Go back to India, you phony, self-absorbed charlatan.

Answer 385

The feeling of love and sense of belongingness is the most important motivating factor in daily life.

The leaders in every field has a very important role to play in avoiding such tragedies.By organizing events which has a greater particaipation from all the students and exclusively keeping aside some time for personally interacting with students helps alot.And giving off compliments even at the smallest achievement of students is a great confidence booster for such students

Answer 386

Whats there to not understand? Some nutjob went bezerk and 32 people died.



Fact is you cannot prevent these kinds of things 100% Hey lets just make more and more laws, maybe that will prevent it. No it wont, because murder was illegal and it still happens. Hey maybe lets turn our school campuses into prison like facilities. No, that wont work either because you can get drugs in prison and murder happens all the time in prisons.



Sometimes you just have to wake up to reality and not succumb to the "we have to do something" disease. Things happen that we most likely cannot and will not be able to prevent. And no I am not saying don't do anything. But we need to look at things rationally instead of using emotion to guide us. Making a bunch of feel good laws that result in nothing, like the Brady Bill and the AWB, only punish the law abiding people. I we can figure out away that will actually work and not punish the law abiding, then I'm all for it, but feel good, do nothing laws are a waste of time.

Answer 387

I dont know about behaviors and stuff like that... but I'll express my opinion anyway...



I think that the teachers should be more concerned if the student behaves strangely (like overly quiet and doesn't have or at least try to make friends), maybe if the person with a problem realizes that at least someone cares for him or her they might not make such a decision as having a killing spree with their heart full of hate.



teachers are not on the same level with students but if the teacher realizes that a student is depressed, maybe they should try to ask whats wrong, I think that it may help lighten the anxiety and depression felt by the person. they should also give the student words of advice and give them more confidence to face the problems that are troubling the student. the student might refuse the help though... just talk to the student at the same level, not an authority figure, which means that when the teacher feels annoyed they should show it to the student. I think that that way the student sees that he is talking with someone human, not a person who is trying to help just because of pity or money or fear of what the student might do. Just say it like it is! dont wear masks!



A person is more comfortable talking with someone who speaks the same language...

I think that we can communicate better if people stop thinking that they are more powerful than others.

Answer 388

A Community of Understanding is not going to do a darn thing about unfortunate tragedies like the incident in Virginia Tech.



Don't get me wrong, my heart and sympathies go out to all the victims families.



My problem is when we have horrible incidents like this we tend to look for quick fixes such as creating a "Community of Understanding." Many psychologist and therapists will make the talk show circuit talking about solutions like this so called "Community of Understanding" yet we will not be any closer to preventing incidents like this.



Cho was a loaner and quite a bit of that as I understand it was by choice. You cannot befriend a person who doesn't want to have friends. The school did their best to address the issue, removing him from a class where he was not participating. His professor tried to get him him involved in a constructive way, he chose not to.



The Police took a look at him and as he did not make any threats and did not appear to be a danger to himself, so they could not intervene.



This incident is a horrible tragedy, again my heart goes out to the victims and their families. That being said it's an isolated incident and over reacting is not going to solve a thing.

Answer 389

It is time for people as a society to break down the barriers that hold us back. Children learn by example so we as adults need to watch our actions and words. Instead of looking down on someone because of their background, we should learn more about their beliefs and culture. Insight gives us more understanding. Young children are so receiving that on a playground, they will play with any child, no matter what color or background they are. As we progress we tend to look away from those friends and choose ones that we feel we fit in with, never realizing how much pain we can cause one person. High school and college students may not realize the anguish another person is experiencing because of a busier lifestyle. It only takes one person to stop and say hello. Exchange pleasantries, invite a new person to study or have coffee with your group. Some people make friends easily while others aren't as outgoing. And when you notice changes in a person's mood or attitude, talk to them about it.

Answer 390

A tragedy is a tragedy. How to prevent it? a difficult question.

but we must endeavor to prevent it.Ask ourselves what is happening\? Youngsters doing this? Don't they have time to spend with others?Have we given gender markings so much credit that youngsters are losing their focus. they get paranoid and become schizophrenic and do things they don't understand or are they doing it and thinking they can get away with it? Before we can create a community of understanding we must understand why this is happening or the under currents creating it. NOT BEING POLITICALLY correct or Socially CORRECT.A lot of questions is being asked. How to get ans. without questions.

Answer 391

I believe in open communication from day one. A person should feel comfortable talking to someone anyone about their feelings without judgement. I did not follow this story to the fullest, but i can guess that Cho felt he could not reach out to his parents or anyone....I'm also guessing that when he did reach out he was dismissed and left to his own devices.



Creating a community of understanding...is necessary to avoid tragedies like this one. It takes a village to raise a child is an old saying but is relevant in today's society.......

Answer 392

Lets try to understand where the soul comes from before our realm. Did he come from a reality where this behavior is normal, and he was doing his duty by recreating his archetype by enacting a killing spree? In this sense all of us here have a responsibility or duty to recreate our archetypal impulses here on earth. This would acccount for the wild mosaics of human souls that pass through here through the ages. Each group creating here on earth what they think is a norm no matter how extreme. This reinforces the ancient axiom as above, so below. If you want to change or prevent

this expression, then you have to go to the source, and the source is not from our earth. Who has gone into these terrible states of despair and suffering as a guide to a way out? Souls like Buddha, Jesus, Lao Tzu to name a few.

Answer 393

This may be off the exact topic but I think the real problem lies in the rampant availiability of weapons.

Yes it may be in the constitution, but how old is this law? Should this law be modified to better suit the extremely violent nature of life these days?

Should EVERYONE be allowed the right to buy weapons because they please to?

By allowing the purchase of guns whether legally or illegally on the black market (both of either options are quite easy to perform) you open up society to the dangers of weapons and the potential of serious crime and harm.

Whether the person has mental problems, wants revenge, or feels he needs to defend himself, it seems like the use of guns is too often involved in American life.

This is also manifested in the force that the police use since they are so threatened or even just sick of the violence that results from so many armed people in the public.

Remember Sean Bell in NY who was riddled with bullets on his wedding day? I do not think that the police force in other democratic countries would have even considered that kind of force an option.

On TV you see police officers justly approaching each confrontational situation with a hand ready to unleash their weapon.

I guess what I am trying to say is that this tragedy WAS horrific yet NOT surprising.

In a gun-crazed culture you have to be braced for gunpoint violence, and gunpoint confrontation from authorities.

All of which can and will time and again result in unnecessary killings and lives that would not be ended if there simply were fewer guns.

You cannot drink until you are 21, but you buy a rifle???

CNN loves to blindly ask "What can we do to prevent this from happening again?"

I think the real answer to this real problem may be one that people are perhaps not willing to accept.

Fewer guns = fewer deaths!

Fewer guns = a diminishing need to use guns!

Fewer guns = less need for gun related force from the police!

Fewer guns = a society that will see less crime!

Fewer guns = less fear!

Fewer guns = a diminished need to buy a gun yourself!



Fewer guns may also promote a better people who do not have an immediate violent answer or means to retaliate. Fewer guns may encourage more dialogue, and a peaceful way to live your life.

Now I do like guns. I think they are alot of fun to shoot as a form of recreation. However I would be willing to give up that right if it meant that tens of thousands of people annually did not get shot injustly.



Peace

Answer 394

A community of understanding might help in some cases, but the issues of the Columbine and Virgina Tech. shooters are much more complex.



It truly amazes me that the news media have jumped on this story in an effort to put a blame on anyone that they can, such as campus security, the college dean, the police dept., and mental health personnel. The finger is being pointed at everyone but themselves, when in fact they are just as much at fault as any of the ones they are scrambling to blame.



This very morning I heard the words of the VA Tech shooter speaking in a pre-taped video addressing the issues and reasons that he gave for his horrible actions. Yet the media avoided the obvious intentions and causes, making the statement that the authorities were still trying to find a motive for the killings. He made it very clear from his statements that in his mind at least, it was for being treated by fellow students and school/college faculty, as a lesser or unequal person. He viewed himself to be a victim of a society that gives an unfair advantage to people based on material wealth. He stated that "the Mercedes was not enough" that "your gold chains are not enough". He obviously viewed American capitalism as something greedy or evil, and himself as a warrior fighting injustice by killing others to send a "message". He didn't expect to live after he completed his plans. He thought of himself as a martyr.



To the shooter the issue was one of class struggle. The have-nots striking a blow against the haves. His comments of "never enough" speak volumes about his motives. It would appear that he did this in a desperate attempt to draw attention the the plight of the underprivileged vs. the privileged, and at the same time get some sort of hero recognition from people who are kindred to these same types of feelings. He appeared to know that many would hate him for what he did, but even a small bit of praise from someone who may be a kindred spirit so to speak was better than no body paying attention to him.



The shame in this is that people will not address the issue of wealth vs. poverty and its effects on education and social acceptance. Instead people will be trying to place blames on individuals or regulations. It would be bad for business to attack the firearms industry, the NRA, or the "trickle down" economics that has spawned home foreclosures, and a ever widening gap between the wealthy and the working poor. The real shame is that after all the finger pointing and debates are over, the solution to this problem will be akin to applying a band-aid to a severed arm. We can expect more of the same in the future until people are treated and judged as equals. That is the sad fact of the matter.



In our society it is easier to get recognition for being infamous than for doing something good for humanity. So in the end, it appears that he achieved what he intended. He has the worlds attention.

Answer 395

With my due respect, you can't create a community of understanding with today's US culture the way it is. I would place more emphasis on accurately identifying the warning signals and addressing them before they occur. This individual did not fit into the mold which is today's American society, and allowed it to enrage him so much, that he killed people and himself. How though, would anyone have an understanding for another's hatred toward the way many people act on college campuses and in public? They are usually labeled something undesirable for that. Many young people think it's cool and normal to abuse alcohol, get tattooed up, act promiscuously, squander your parents' money on whatever you want, and be disrespectful toward others. How might one propose to change those elements or tell someone to adapt to that if it's not in their beliefs? I absolutely don't believe killing people was the answer to solving this, but unfortunately that is what it seems he believed. To understand what caused this specific tragedy would mean taking a look at his history, his beliefs, and his environment at the school. To honestly prevent something like this from happening again would mean increasing communication among people (students, teachers/professors, counselors, authorities, etc.) , changing the environment and culture, and accurately identifying (and somehow helping) someone who is unstable before they act out in a violent manner. Thank you.

Answer 396

How can we expect to curtail everyone that threatens us?



We can't.



The shooting at any school is the exception. VT is just another one.



How can we avoid this in the future? The same way we did in the past. We can't.



There is an excellent example of blame. Look at the congressional hearings on Pearl Harbor. Or 911.



No one thought a student would kill 32 students. No one. So how do expect us to curtail something that we are not looking for.



Answer: Stop searching for answers where there are no answers.

Answer 397

Children instinctively shun other children who have terrible problems without cognitively knowing why. This occurs in the very young.



They say that having one or two good friends in the course of growing up is enough to acquire social skills and feel a part of society at large.



Meaningful interventions need to occur early on with parental input as key.



This is not a school problem but a social one. We let these outcasts live anon lives in all parts of our society. Sad but true.



That said, it is amazing that no one seems to have had a clear view of all the red flags.



We like to think that we have control in our lives, work... But in truth, most of the world is random. Life is fragile. No amount of understanding will change that.

Answer 398

No.



Certain people will always choose to be on the outside of whatever group you set up. No matter how attractive or logical or desirable it might seem to you, your world view is shallow and narrow and unenlightened if you think everyone sees things just the way you do.



These contrary individuals simply function differently than you do for numerous, sometimes selfish, sometimes tragic reasons. And no amount of group hugging and pleas for kindness affects them.



There is no common explanation or motivation for these acts, and there is no preventing them in a completely free society. Either remove freedoms or free will to obtain the type of compliance you seek. Even trying to impose facist rule on people can't coerce some of them to comply.



What are you, nine?

Answer 399

Someone at the University should have notified the parents of the student’s misconduct/behavior problems regardless of his age. Maybe something could have been prevented in the case at VA Tech.



Discipline starts at home. Most of the time parents are absent during the important time of children's lives. People are so caught up with work and daily activities and they neglect their teens. Teenagers need constant guidance and encouragement.



Kids also need to be kind to one another, and not bullying each other. Words can hurt; and unkind words can turn some kids to killers (like at Columbine).



Violence on TV/movie and song lyrics can also influence this type of ideas.



Put God back in school. We need to pray for change and pray for peace.

Answer 400

The gunman at VA Tech was offered previous help, he spent some time in a psych ward, and was also on anti-depressants. As to whether he was beyond being helped will remain unknown since he is now dead.



The administrators at VA Tech as well as other college campuses need to remain pro-active. They can't be afraid to remove someone as dangerous as Cho from the campus. There were signs of Cho's erratic behavior and writings that should have caused his professors to go to the administrators and say "Look, this is the evidence we have bout a certain student who may pose a serious danger to himself and other students."



Next, persons who have spent time in psych wards should not be allowed to purchase guns. The laws need to be changed regarding this.



Lastly, Cho's parents need to come forward and provide some information on the background of their son's history of mental problems. Cho's letters describe a certain jealousy of the wealthy and religious (even though his parents owned 2 dry cleaning businesses and lived in a townhouse) so he did not exactly come from a poor background. Until they do so, there is going to be a lot of suspicion surrounding Cho's family.

Answer 401

To create a community of understanding, it needs to start in the home. Too many families are broken anymore. Not enough parental guidance. Many families are forced to have both parents working, single parents working, and just not enough supervision at home. Many single parent homes have no male role model to help enforce discipline. Too many men are not taking responsibility to the kids that they father (watch even "one" episode of Maury and you'll see that). Too many parents are trying to be their kids' friend instead of their parent. There's a lot a family can do to help with this, and they're not. They either don't care, are not taking the time with their kids (or can't), or just are not creating enough structure and consistency in the home. Parents are not laying a sound foundation for their kids. Days of video games, Internet and reality t.v shows have become today's kids' babysitter. Also, in a world of the need to be politically correct and not being able to discipline your child in the manner that was intended hasn't helped a whole lot either. Bullying in the school system (even back at elementary level) also has to be taken more seriously. All too often administrators and school staff members are not adhering to the schools' anti-bully policy. Either they don't want to deal with it, or the people/person being reported is considered of high popular stature (mostly due to the wealthy parents or those of business owners, or in this case (maybe) those whose parents help fund the university). It's these kinds of kids that keep getting away with harassing, bullying and taunting aimed at race, religion, physical appearance and such. I think that fellow students that were aware of this kid's secluded behavior should have alerted a councilor to let them know about this so that someone could have taken the time to talk with him before his destructive behavior progressed. People need to stop with all this "I'm not getting involved crap" and start helping those that need it. I think maybe there should be laws prohibiting ownership of a gun while still a student at a college or university. I am not for complete gun control, cuz I too own a gun for hunting and protection for my family. But as I stated, maybe as long as you are a student and have it actually printed on the driver's license or legal id (or student visa), it may "help". Not saying it would stop it cuz too many kids/adults can gain a gun illegally. In that case have stiffer penalties for those caught with one in their possession. And ultimately, prayer needs to brought back into the family and the school if things are going to change. If that doesn't happen, then things are only going to increasingly get worse.





My heart and prayers goes out to the victim's and their families of VT. God Bless you and keep you strong.

Answer 402

I hate to lay yet another problem out for teachers and faculty but they see these students everyday and see how they are interacting or not interacting with their peers. There should be "red flags" that they notice. Every time something like this happens people have noticed that the students are loners or depressed. There should be some kind of an outreach program that is made up of not only teachers but students also. Sometimes all it takes is one kind word to change a person's outlook on life. A lot of kids feel like outcasts and need some kind of human affection, something to give them hope and to find that the world is not such a hopeless place. This would be an excellent student program overseen by teachers on our campuses. To target the "red flag" symptoms and to reach out to that person in need. I really think that if students who are feeling rejected and lonely just seen that someone cares for them and how they feel we would see less violence in our society and on our campuses.

Answer 403

What it need is not a community of understanding. USA and UK is all going down the wrong direction in managing a country especially as regard to their youth related crime. What USA need is a strict clear law to ban all gun possession which follow by strict sentencing like death or life sentencing. UK outlaw the gun sales however without strict penalty or enforcement, black gang shooting occured nearly every week in London. Take a look at Singapore, gun was being outlaw and usage will be dealt with harsh penalty including death. The gun crime in that country was less than anywhere in the world with few years occurring once. Children, woman, old folks can leave their house and go anywhere in the night knowing they are safe and sound.

Answer 404

;-D Perhaps by some better policing !?! Meaning; Or say for instance; It's my understanding that I guess certain fire stations might have a police squad !?! & or police car which is'nt a bad idea !!See`' back in the 1980's I lived right off of a main Ave. & right at the corner if you cross over to the other side of that main street or Ave. was a fire-station that was also equipped with a police car! Now I'm un`sure of how many other fire-stations have police!?! I assume a police unit may be placed strategically within city limits !?! that may be key in better handling possibly troubled areas !?! I'm not sure'but more or other ideas might be helpful !?!-[4/19/07]`'R"r`r,r'r.r`r.'r.=>

Answer 405

Hi,



Creating a community of understanding can do a lot of good, but if a person is so isolated and they are allowed to continue to isolate themselves to the point that they get lost in their minds, it will only do the opposite.



You can't prevent acts of violence from taking place, it is human nature, but also this country was founded on violence and when the nation falls it will be to violence. Violence is part of the American fabric.



With that being said guns would have helped this situation. I can recall two school shooting were the police were not really involved but brave individuals that were not scared to act. One, was in Texas where a sniper was shooting down people and some students grabbed their guns ran through the gunfire up a tower stairs and shot the gunman. Another was just last year when that Law School student went crazy and some students went and got their legal guns and took the gunman down before he could kill more people and the number of people shot were limited. I can't beleive we still live in a era, even after Katrina people still think that government is going to help you....



THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN ARMOR THERE HIDING BEHIND TREES AND CARS WHEN THOSE SHOTS WERE RANGING OUT. AFTER COLUMBINE NEW STEPS WERE TAKEN THAT IN SCHOOL AND HOSTAGE STYLE SITUATIONS THREE MAN TEAMS WOULD ENTER WILL FULL BODY ARMOR AND IF YOU GET SHOT THAT IS PART OF THE JOB, BUT THOSE WERE THE STEPS THAT WERE TAKEN AFTER COLUMBINE.



WHAT HAPPENED TO AMERICA, PEOPLE USED TO BE BRAVE AND TAKE ACTION, NOT PEOPLE JUST WORRY ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND DON'T ACT OR DO ANYTHING. ITS LIKE THAT EXPERIMENT ON TV THEY DID WITH A GIRL BEING KIDNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND NO ONE WOULD STOP AND HELP, NO ONE. FINALLY TO AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES STOPPED AND RAN DOWN THE KIDNAPPERS AFTER HUNDREDS OF TRIALS OF PEOPLE JUST WALKING BY AND LOOKING!



pEACE

Answer 406

Sad to hear about VT tragedy. Killing for fun and killing for pupose is the different damage thought. both are wrong must be avoid even thinking to try it. Basically when someone got to much depression, stress to much or did not make any contact with others such talking or hang out with friends, they feel loneliness and fill empty wherever they stand on. When it happen to someone, any bad habit thinking or influence with killing games, horror movie, action movie that contain a killing action they will think what will happen and what they fells when killing people. All the informations in this world such movies, games, radio, songs, theather, and even news will be effects the person that feels depression, stress in feelings. they will feels like to blow up the overload steam engine (kaboom)..

When they can't face the reality of life maybe two thinks will happen in my mind, suicide personally or suicie with bringing some people with him along together to the death life.



Parents is important to make sure their child get the comfort zones in their home, avoid problem in front of them, it's influence them to get stress and depression. Hangout with wrong person, friends and even someone specials near them.



Create a succesfull community is not easy as saying that, What will happen to the community if a good community or even national community but person in the community didn't think as a group and helping each others, firstly for someone in depress or stress. Counselling community need help person like that. Remember the sentence "all for one, and one for all". help people in trouble, get help from others if had a problems, Avoid hurting people and get new social life to makesure that the VT tragedy will be history and not to be an idea to the future. Heart feel sorry to what happen in VT.

Answer 407

In a true humanistic community of understanding, each and every idea is as good as every other idea, and just as "right". This kid in Virginia was just expressing himself and has every right to do so in a truly "tolerant" and "understanding" community.



Personally, I think it's time for a whole lot less "tolerance" and "understanding" of this sort of behavior and the copy cats that are now polishing their guns around the nation. Arm the professors and students so they at least have a chance to defend themselves and aren't a bunch of defenseless sheep in a pen.



Imagine, a screwball looking down a bunch of gun barrels instead of siting in on a bunch of unarmed scholars.

Answer 408

I imagine that Cho's problems didn't suddenly appear when he arrived at Virginia Tech. No one has talked about any clues from high school or before.



Many people at VT were seriously concerned about him, including a number of students, Nikki Giovanni and the head of the English Department, based on his writings and classroom behavior. They actually did refer him for counseling and reported his behavior to campus police. This was clearly not doing enough. Everyone assumed they had no right to "force" him into counseling. Everyone basically waited for the inevitable explosion.



There should be some kind of interim procedures available. Once a student starts scaring his fellow students away from attending class, there should be some type of compulsory intervention. VT is a private university. They could make his continued attendance and graduation contingent on talking with counselors. If he wouldn't go to them, they should be able to go to him, maybe with police backup nearby if his threats were violent.



In elementary school we have student study teams. Principals, counselors and teachers can request evaluation of any student who is having academic or disciplinary problems. Maybe something similar would work at the university level, including the forwarding of concerns from a student's high school, observations of dormmates, classmates and teachers, and coordination with police involvement, if any (I know there wasn't any in this case.) No one would have to refer a student for "acting weird" or "being a loner." In this case there were written threats, profanity, etc.



I interpret your phrase "community of understanding" as referring to a coordination of different elements of community life which do not now collaborate. They could, and they should. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.



Are you volunteering to work with communities to help them organize such coordinated systems? I hope so. Our society is too fragmented, and people like Cho fall between the cracks, to the detriment of us all.

Answer 409

We can start by building more tolerance, and I believe that starts at home with our parents. People who are parents need to start watching their actions and their attitudes, particularly when it comes to interacting or how they react to other people. You can preach to your child not to judge people based on appearance or such all you want, if your child sees you treating someone lower because they make less money or overhears you making a joke about lower class people it won't do no good. Children do as they see and hear, not as they are told.



For children who don't have good role models at home early intervention by others would be helpful in fostering understanding in these children. Hopefully other people can succeed where these parents fail.



Also for troubled kids, outreach is needed. Most troubled kids aren't going to come right out and say that there is something wrong. If you see a child who is depressed, who is lonely, who seems to be getting picked on a lot, go to them. Talk to them, or at least offer to keep them company. And for the love of the Gods don't ignore bullying. Bullying is not a normal part of childhood.



I think this might help to cut down on tragedies like VA Tech somewhat but sadly I don't think it'll stamp them out completely.

Answer 410

This is such a tough question. A community of understanding denotes a community that is aware of all of its members. In the USA, society values individualism and privacy. When someone withdraws, a majority of us will chalk it up to an individual choice. It is difficult to insert oneself into the person's choice and ask, "Could this person be depressed? Is this an act of attention getting?" This problem get compounded because most of the folks who end up committing acts like these are marginalized t the point of having hardly any attention on them. When are we supposed to notice that they are acting even more isolated than normal? It is sad. There is beauty in every individual. We should all be striving to find it. Sometimes it takes more energy than any of us want to expend. Perhaps we should all take a look at the cost when we choose to save our energy.

Answer 411

From what information I have gleened from the news reports, it sounds like there was so little information available no one could predict such an atrocious outcome. If you are able to forsee the outcome of every disturbed individuals rath, there would never be a chance for an altercation of any kind to occur, let alone a bloodbath like this one was. For one thing, it is so easy for our society to become complacent about everyday things till we become vulnerable to outrageous results like these and then scratch our heads wondering what we could do to prevent it.

Answer 412

I'm not sure what you mean. Understanding for whom? The students/faculty at Virginia Tech, bereaved and surviving this have every thinking, caring person's sympathy and empathy, I think. I think the outpouring of this and support from friends, family, and other campuses world-wide surely convey the desire to comfort and to help them to heal. Understanding for the student who commited the attack? Well, after-the-fact is not very helpful...maybe it might help the living; it will not help him. His family certainly deserves and undoubtedly can use all the understanding and sympathy and support they can get. They too are bereft. And I feel sure they are also trying to understand. The thing is, for most of us, sympathy is possible. I'm not sure genuine understanding is possible. Trying to forgive will be a major effort. (I was so impressed and heart-broken for the sister of the first to die...she was on-camera, explaining that she knew her sister was forgiving his man as she died, and she wanted to be able to forgive also...it was as tragic a sight as I hope ever to witness. If you mean how do we recognize, head off, and prevent future similar disasters-I don't know... It's clear we (society) can't go anywhere but up from this absymal failure. All not directly involved with this man before the fact are aghast at the opportunities missed. One thing is certain; we need to fix the breakdown. We knew that, if not before (I think we did) certainly AFTER Columbine. Yet, here we are-again- so many years later. Same-type tragedy; different day/school. I am willing to do whatever informed people decide we SHOULD do. Noone seems to know what that is. It is certainly not MY area of expertise. I will follow an informed lead. (The young man whose sister died at Columbine, and their father, are now touring the country, talking to campuses all over, and have among many other selfless and helpful things, actually helped to avert a couple of other assination/massacres-in-the-making. I am very impresed with these men. God bless them for their ability to see the way to healing, for themselves and hopefully for many others.)

Answer 413

We need better counselors. I feel that if I have a problem and I go to a "counselor" they won't really understand. And in my case, it's kind of a racial thing. I think there need to be more variety of counselors, so that you can find someone that you really identify with. I have tried to go to counseling once, and I just knew, the second I walked in, that this person was not "on my side" at all, and I just didn't trust her. I never went back. fortunately, I suppose I've been able to work out my problems sufficiently enough on my own, and I have the benefit of parents who support me. but even then, it's tough. i can easily see how if circumstances were different for me, I would be a different person, and unable to cope. because I have a hard time coping myself, it is a challenge for me, I can only imagine how it might be for others who have even fewer resources.

Answer 414

Unfortunately, there has been violence in every society throughout recorded history. This is much, much too a complex problem to solve. If there were a "community of understanding," not only in America, but throughout the world, then situations such as Dafur or the whole Serbia/Bosnia fiasco might never happen. Understanding your fellow man is a very nice sentiment, but on planet Earth this will never happen... not as long as there are so many ignorant and/or self-serving individuals trodding on it. I agree, this I-Got-Me-Mine attitude has got to go! But how do we do that without American politicians invading soveriegn territories to impose our (somewhat flawed) "democratic process" on people who have never experienced democracy in the first place???

Answer 415

Firstly, as I answer this question that deals with the shooter at Virginia Tech, I begin by expressing my deepest sympathies to his parents and family and to all the victims who are sure to be sorely missed by family and friends.



To Answer the question:



Communities begin with individuals. If each individual began practicing kindness, good manners and good citizenship toward every person they encounter it would be more than beneficial it would be HEALING.



Electing quality Leadership with intelligence and vision who are willing to invest in peaceful non violent solutions.



Change our attitude about treating, monitoring mental health issues. Get creative....

Perhaps a mandated check in program combined with social workers, volunteers would be very helpful in preventing someone like this from totally loosing it.

Maybe even a locator's bracelet to see if these people in questionable state of mind are in the area of gun shops.

Answer 416

Bound's hubby here:



I have been in public education for over 25 years. In the course of that time the most striking characteristic of my professional colleagues, is that they are so consumed in trying to save students and build self-esteem among the students that they have become blind to the obvious and have failed to act in the best interests of the afflicted students.



How do we build a community of understanding to avert these tragedies ... we have and that is what has caused these tragedies. Over the course of time, our better judgement has been vailed by trying to rationalize and understand the behavior of students with mental illness. As a society, because we "understand" we fail to act in the best interest of the afflicted student and society by giving the afflicted student and indefinite number of second chances. In many instances, as a society, we fail to do the right thing.



Case in point ... Mr. Cho had numerous transgressions that made his illness known to authority figures. According to news releases, he had stalked at least two women. Because of our understanding society, he was not duly prosecuted. This would have disqualified him from gun purchases. It is alleged that he set his dorm room on fire. Had our understanding society prosecuted him, he would have been ineligible to buy a handgun. It was stated Virginia Tech had Mr. Cho hospitalized for mental illness. Again, another instance of a caring society failing to serve the best interests of both Mr. Cho and society.



It is time that our "caring society" come to the realization that people are responsible for their own actions and hold the individual accountable for their actions. Too many times our current "caring society" has mistaken deviant behavior or signs of mental illness as individualism in the quest to either build or preserve an individual's self-esteem.



We do not need a "community of understanding" to prevent these problems. We already have an understanding community and Columbine, Virginia Tech and all the others tragedies at safe havens are the result of a "community of understanding". It is time to act on the actual transgressions and not longer persue a protective air that deflects responsibility from the transgressor.



Thank you.

Answer 417

1. Universities should be more aware of who is entering their institutions as students.

2. Universities should pay more attention to professors when they alert officials to potentially dangerous students.

3. Young people don't want to make waves in college so they ignore odd behavior of others -- maybe they should be made to feel at ease with RA's and such so they can talk over unusual situations they encounter in a dorm or classroom situation.

4. Professional counselors really do not have much education in cross-cultural matters and they should get some before starting out on their professional careers.

5. College administrators are not known for their ability to "stick their necks out" and often don't want to risk getting in trouble with parents over a student like this. If we could give each of them a backbone that would really help. Perhaps we need to encourage truly courageous people to become administrators and not just those who cannot teach but are stuck in the university system for life. (And I am not trying to be facetious here.)

6. Realize that college counseling services often do not have personnel on staff to handle persons with extremely serious mental disorders.

7. From Day One, let students know that they are part of the student community but remind them that there is life after college. The impending loss of the routine of college life to an unstable individual can be a trigger to the kind of rampage we saw this week.

8. Most, if not all problems encountered in college begin in adolescence (in middle school or high school). If a young person does not develop coping mechanisms early on, he will bring the inability to cope with everyday stressors to the college environment.

9. Related to (8): end bullying in middle school and high school.

10. Also related to (8): encourage socialization in middle school and high school for every student, not just the kids of influencial people or those students gifted in athletics.

Answer 418

This guy is one of the greatest charlatans ever. He's rolling in large piles of cash and laughing. He could care less about Virginia Tech unless there's a buck to be made. C'mon - the emperor has no clothes. "Community of understanding" - what a load of crap. Take a vow of poverty and maybe I'll hop on the bandwagon.

Answer 419

A community of understanding already existed in this community. Unfortunately, one individual who was known to be mentally disabled, crazy, everyone just mistook for being a "weirdo". Too bad. Did anyone ever contact his parents?



I'm for community building. But, we must be smarter than the crazy people. Let's create a hot-line. Let us have someone on campus who can really protect these wonderful faculty and students. We, you, cannot talk insane people out of what they are set on. This young man could have been helped. Since he wasn't, I wish their would have been someone on campus armed to take him out and save so many innocent lives. Understanding doesn't resonate with insane people.



The community of understanding exists. Let's figure out how to protect ourselves.



One other gun in the possession of one of those professors would have made a difference. I'm sure of it. Obviously, blocking doors was not sufficient. He should have been taken out.



We have a right as Americans to protect ourselves.



Communities of understanding already exist. Evil, unfortunately exists..



Plan better. Plan for the impossible.



Thanks for listening.



MMurphy

Answer 420

Dr. Drew was on MSNBC tonight and said it first, so I can't take credit for it. We live in a society where we are supposed to let everyone have free speech and believe and say whatever they want- but sometimes people say things that show that they aren't stable like most of the people in the room.

We need to learn the subtle line between valuing each other's opinions and rights to free speech, and when how to determine when that wierd, dark poem the quiet kid wrote is a sign of a dark, twisted mind.

Sometimes people are bad- sometimes they are disturbed, sometimes they don't have the ability to determine between fantasy and reality and don't have the same rights as competent members of society. We can't just "live and let live" any more-

Intervention from all of us in the future will keep this from happening in the future.

Answer 421

I'm not sure it can. Can we have a group of people that "understand" the mind of someone that is mentally ill and has the potential to do something that is highly erratic and unpredictable?



I think the problem is that we want to attribute this fellow's violent reaction to something that happened to him because people aren't understanding enough. I do not agree with this. I have had many, many, terrible things happen to me. Some of these things were done TO me by other people and some were just bad things that occur from time to time. Never, however, have I raised a gun to my fellow man and ended their life because of these events.



I guess what I'm trying to say is that the concept of a group of people being able to prevent what happened seems like a statement that other people didn't do enough to stop this tragedy instead of the tragedy occurring because of a mentally ill person doing something highly irregular and unpredictable.

Answer 422

I am pessimistic on this and this kind of tragedy repeating in another place and time will occur.It is very difficult to predict and prevent as the variables are infinite.Parents play an important role in that we must get involved more in our childrens activities in a positive way to better understand them.Condolences to the families of those deceased and speedy recovery to those injured.Godbless.

Answer 423

Dr. Chopra,

Sometimes I wonder how God can open his eyes these days (figuratively). The people who were murdered should not have died in vain because we need to educate people about mental illness. We don't know alot about mental illness and just see someone who is mentally ill as a loner, a bully, a weirdo, etc.. Yet these people need help and usually from a very young age. We should begin by educating our teachers to recognize the signs of mental illness and then give them the avenue to take a form of action without the fear of being sued. Parents as well can be educated through the school system through child welfare meetings and seminars. No parent wants to view their child as possibly having a mental illness and the stigma and fear of this condition can be eliminated by not turning our heads the other way but embracing the needs of these people who can be helped.

Answer 424

Honestly, I do not see how a society can prevent tragedies such as this without being willing to be more inclined towards what some might call a police state.



The signs that this emotionally unbalanced young man might commit some form of violence were there, but due to the fear of being sued or labeled as intrusive, no one did anything. I for one would not object to more aggressive mental health legislation if it would get someone help before they lost the ability to reason.



My compassion stops when the lives of innocent people is ended by someone who could have been stopped.



"But for want of a nail..."

Answer 425

The information that's coming out about this young man shows that he was ridiculed by his peers all through middle and high school (justified by one of his classmates by saying "It was middle school; everyone made fun of everyone") and ignored by his teachers because he didn't respond to their halfhearted attempts to involve him in the classes. Where were the people who would reach out to Mr. Cho before he internalized all the rejection he received in school?



The people who say we have to institute ethics/morality classes in schools are missing a very important point: if our kids can barely pass math, who in the school is qualified to teach them how to be a decent person? THAT kind of training starts with Mom and Dad; it always has. If Mom and Dad are teaching tolerance, understanding, and ethical behavior, by the time the kids get to school, their interactions are much less likely to turn into the kind that helps to foster a Mr. Cho.



There are so many different levels of responsibility for "creating a community of understanding" that it will take a very long time to do it; and THAT'S only if you can get everyone to accept their responsibility and not pass the buck (like people often do.)

Answer 426

The truth of the matter is that it is not possible to change the way our communities thinks. There is a sickness of condemnation inbred into our society and until our government actually takes a leading role in public education it is not possible to change it.



Do you think this young man who did this atrocious act is the only guilty party in this crime? No, the blame belongs also on a society that failed him. Until we are willing to accept that we had a part in this also then we will always be a society that blames and will remain unable to see the solution to the problem.



The best way I see to foster a community of understanding is to increase public education on these matters through mass media. Don't you think that public education on road rage and why it happens would lessen its occurrence? Same thing as educating the general public as to why you don't ridicule people who are different then the status quo. People have feelings regardless of how different they are, and it is wrong to not express empathy in everything we do and in every decision we make.

Answer 427

No offense intended but that just sounds a little ridiculous after all that has happened. "Give peace a chance,all the world needs now is love sweet love." My answer is prayer and plenty of it but no one wants to hear that. No one wants to hear that video games,movies,our own actions might be a big part of the problem. We set own own examples and now we go on experiencing terrible things that just did not have to happen. This is a horrible heart breaking time my heart goes out to the community and families, even in small towns bad things happen to good people. For the life of me I can't understand why anyone is surprised.

Answer 428

Perhaps if someone had made an attempt to understand the isolation Cho was feeling, or what was behind his "odd" and solitary behavior, if even one person had reached out in a positive manner, or less judgemental, instead of writing him off as "weird", he might've felt less like an outsider, or just less on the outside looking in, less displaced... would it have prevented what happened Monday? Who knows? But maybe by trying, we can prevent or at the very least reduce, the number of such attacks.

Answer 429

There is a layer of cynicism among the current generation, a lack of belief in anything... justice, religion, government, people, medicine, psychology... This lack of faith, and I don't mean just in God, although that is certainly part of it, permeates through out our culture. To say that we could never prevent tragedies like this due to human nature is supports this idea.



We're in desperate need of a paradigm shift, a real movement away, and I have no idea how something like that is accomplished.



People certainly noticed Cho and his behavior prior to VT. And yet, he still managed to slip through. Teachers reported him for disturbing behavior; police reports were filed; Cho was even hospitalized. But, and I know this will not be received well, Cho seemed to have the magnified mindset of many people in this generation--taken to the extreme. Whatever he was so angry about, he didn't believe that anyone could or would help him. What's worse, this was preventable but appropriate actions were never taken.

Answer 430

I am sad to say it can't. The bottom line is that sometimes people are wired wrong and they just snap. This kind of event can never be avoided. I don't know that they could even be understood. For years we have tried to understand what make these people tick. Multiple theories have surfaced still we are no closer to avoiding this kind of tragedy. We can blame everything from parents to the media. Still nothing will change.

Answer 431

The main problem is our society where families are loosing the bonding, you are competing with your friends, dont have any one to share your thoughts. The lonliness is creating distress among the new generation. Stress in the work area is killing.



Now the question is how can we heal that. The long and better way is to go back to our social way of lifestyle. Let the kids grow up with parents, grand parents. But is there time for elders to give quality time? Big question???



Social networking can help but for the seriuosly ill its of no use. One to one counselling is the only solution. So its better to seek help to the specialized people in person.

Answer 432

It can't, and it would be foolish to think that such a thing could work.



A communtiy of understanding based on WHOSE definithion of "understanding"? Your version of what understanding means may differ from the next person's.



What needs to be increased is the seriousness of a person who has been declared not only mentally ill, but a potential danger to himself and others.



The answer doesn NOT lie in "community." If anything, it lies in "communication." Share info with those who would benefit from knowing the info. Too many privacy laws are protecting the raving lunatics in society.

Answer 433

What the community needs to understand is that we co-exist with individuals who live in the absence of empathy. Living in the absence of empathy is not a crime. As long as these individuals (psychopaths) live within the bounds of the law their basic freedoms in these United States is guaranteed. The Virginia Tech incident was played out by an individual completely devoid of empathy. Unless or until they inappropriately behave at the level of criminality we have no right to hinder their existence. However, some of their behavioral cues indicate absence of empathy that will assist you in avoiding contact with them. Until such time that a psychopath crosses the line into criminality the safest position for all is to keep them out of your presence. They are incredibly destructive to a life in the presence of empathy!

Answer 434

I think that we all need to try & reach out to people who seem isolated from the rest of a community, whatever that community may be: college campus, neighborhood, church, etc. It always seems that the people that committ these horrible acts have one thing in common; that they feel isolated from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, I think that our natural inclination is to steer clear of these individuals because of the fact that they do seem so odd. But, maybe if we all make an effort in the future to be nice to these types of people before they are too far gone, it could prevent some of these terrible things from happening.

Answer 435

Its is sad that such a community does not exists as of today. Such a community can exists when people are less selfish and live a life where there responsibility does not end at their door but extends beyond.



People need to realize that making money is only a means of survival and not the only reason for living. People need to realize that race and borders is nature, just like there are green, red, yellow colored fruits and flowers.



Hope this simple message makes sense to all of us. Its not hard for any of us to realize this.



Good Luck and god bless the victims souls....

Answer 436

Well, I'd like to ask you a question of mine own. What are the chances of creating an understanding community? People are too wrapped up in the media anymore to understand anything about understanding beyond their choosen groups of interest. And those who do care to understand and help don't get the same kind of treatment, so they keep silent. Even if they are dieing to help, they won't because people are heartless anymore.

Answer 437

Are you kidding me? A "community of understanding?"

He was judged to be mentally ill and posed an eminent danger to himself and others. Here is what I understand, he should have been put in a hospital and given help. The "community" understanding THAT he should have been committed would have prevented this tragedy!

Answer 438

It's unlikely that we can prevent all tragedies like this one. However, if we begin with education of young children and teens, I believe it is more likely that mental health issues will be addressed before tragic events occur. Education needs to be comprehensive and supportive (rather than the competitive and isolating format we see now). Perhaps it is time to include both mental and physical well-being in the curricula. Traditional PE should change to support these functions.

Answer 439

It matters on individuals to reach out when they know that someone is troubled or having any problems. The only way to create a community of understanding is to try and understand other people. If that person is violent or crazy, then sometimes you can't help them. The world was, is, and always will be filled with people that are not controllable of their actions, so the only way tohelp them is to take them to a mental hospital.

Answer 440

Listen, learn and talk. Nobody has all the answers, some people feel others won't understand and life is just not fair. I know a student who was playing the 'chocking game' till I asked them to look it up and learn about what it really was, he didn't know then but knows now because he took the time to ask and I listened. Another student asked about where to get lighter fluid for a zippo, they didn't have a clue what that was all about. We talked, they gave me the lighter, what's a 12 year old gonna do with a lighter like that anyway? Listen people, there are kids that need you to hear what they have to say and if you don't you won't have anything to say except OH NO!!! You may not have all the answers but you can help them learn and understand. Kids do stupid things, they think peer pressure is someone leaning on them and putting pressure on to smoke a joint. It could be as simple as a suggesting like... 'hey did you hear that...' and the kid just might try it and do something stupid, dangerous or leathel. They want your input, talk to them and be sure to listen to them when they have something to say. You might understand but they have to understand and they don't want to do stupid things. Help them get through difficult situations or find someone who can. When the worst happens it's too late for words and everyone lives with it. Listen, learn and talk about all aspects of life with those who look to you for help!

Answer 441

To create a community of understanding, first WE have to be more understanding. We need to perceive the reason why people do such horrid things. The person who did this obviously had mental issues. People who are suffering from any kind of mental illness, should feel that they can get help. There needs to be more of an open mindedness about seeing a professional. If you see someone who needs help, help them. In general I think we need to be kinder to others and also to ourselves. This tragedy can be learned from. Smile at strangers, help someone stop crying if you see them upset, stick up for others, and just put yourself in the other persons shoes. If the person who did this felt happy and loved, it would have never happened. If you think back to all the other school shootings, they all have similar things in common. The ones who are responsible for these tradedies were very upset and disturbed people. they were reaching out and wanted to be heard.

Answer 442

It seems odd to me that so many children have handguns and have friends that are violent anti-social misfits. Where do parents and families fit into this lifestyle?

I believe the answer is to hold parents accountable for their children's behavior ( up to age 18), besides the children being disciplined, the parents need to also be held accountable for not curbing behaviors.

Does it take a tribe? To help parents with behaviors outside the home, I believe that ALL schools should adopt a "No Bully" regulation with zero tolerance. the children with serious behavior problems or "special education" needs should be separated until the situation is under control in our schools and then add them back together as children become manageable. Some serious work needs to be under way in American homes and schools and it seems everyone is afraid to try to make corrections where needed.

Being violent and disrespectful seems to be the "norm" for today's teens and young adults. R&B music celebrates violence and disrespect. Until violence is no longer acceptable and respect is taught, children will continue to bully and make the children of lesser self esteem feel like they are expendable to society.

Answer 443

A "community of understanding" will not prevent these tragedies. There is no perfect world, no matter who wishes it so.



This is America, folks. We have a Constitution which protects all our rights. We have a responsibility to defend the Constitution, if even at times it seems as though we should take away some rights.



All that could have been done, was done, as far as I could determine from the various news services. The killer didn't go to therapy, and the hands of the police were tied because no crime was committed, etc, etc, etc.



The feeding frenzy of the press and do-gooders is just heating up. Let's all remember that our Contitution is there for all of us!!!!

Answer 444

We cannot prevent tragedies like this from happening, I believe that if each one of us strives to be the best person we can - then that's all we can do. We must treat our fellow man with kindness and sincerity and hopefully that will set a pattern for all mankind. I feel that the news stations should not be airing this guys' video. It's insensitive and cruel for the families of the victims, not to mention his own family and it also plants the seed of violence in others' minds.

Answer 445

Yeah, if maybe somebody had just reached out and hugged the poor little nut job none of this would have happened. I got a better idea, when you meet a freak like this, report him. Then report him again. Then point him out to the media. Get the wacko locked up! This creep apparently had a psycho history, but nobody did anything. His parents ignored it. The neighbors ignored it. His roommates ignored it. When reported, the school and police ignored it. Now there are the families of 32 people that can try to ignore it.

Answer 446

Education and Action = Less Ignorance, Higher understanding, Better tolerance, Less Tragedies.

Answer 447

I think that if people were taught more respect and empathy that we wouldn't have people killing as much as we do now. The reason people flip out is becuase they feel like they don't belong here. They simply don't fit in. They need to understand one another better. The differences in each of us make up who we are. I don't understand why people try to fit in so much. Being who you are and not what other people want you to be is a life worth living.

Answer 448

I don't think it will make any difference. The problem is not the easy availability of guns, or a lack of profiling, or back ground checks on would-be killers. The problem is the deterioration of human wisdom. We have forgotten common sense and have become too dependent on the mechanical aspects of the so-called security measures. We take comfort in this phony process. Instead we need to go back to the old fashioned family ways again and learn to love one another again as neighbors and caring human beings that we once were.

Answer 449

Unfortunately, I don't know if creating a community of understanding can help prevent tragedies like the one at VT. Severely mentally ill people like Cho with very violent tendencies who resist all attempts to reach out to them are beyond help unless they want to receive help. He did not want to be helped. There have been reports of professors intervening and he resisted their efforts to get him the help he desperately needed. Simply put, there was a glitch in his mental programming. He lived in his own community located inside his warped mind, and his community had room for a population of only one. Just like some people are born without limbs, some people are born without the ability to love and empathize. I wish love and empathy worked on everyone but for the people born without the ability to process those feelings, it is like asking someone born without legs to run a marathon on their feet. It just can't be done.

Answer 450

A community of understanding? Sounds kind of silly to me.



How about parent's actually pay attention to their children and what goes on in their lives. Take them to church regularly. Talk to them. If something is wrong, get help.



I think the better question is what is unique about the American school system that allows such tragedies to happen?

Answer 451

Education begins at home with the parents. In most cases, not necessarily this one, the parents absence from home gives their children an excess of free time to either watch television or play video games or unlimited internet time. In all fairness to most parents, this absence is due to both spouses working to provide a decent home as possible for their children and to give them some of the luxuries in life, such as television and the internet. There is a growing problem of absentee parenthood, however, that further fuels the fire of undisciplined youth.

That said, the issue here will inevitably get to guns and gun controls. While there is a valid argument for gun controls as to who does or does not qualify, there is also a valid argument against infringements on the 2nd Amendment. Gun owners, for the most part, are responsible citizens who teach their children the proper handling of a firearm. There are, sadly, those who do not offer this education at home. In spite of this, though, there will always be a percentage of every population - in every nation - that has a psychological imbalance that leads to violence. This violence will be carried out whether it is with a gun or a bomb.

I believe the issue here is one of providing genuine security to our schools, from elementary to university. Especially at the university level, which usually has the largest numbers of students. In addition, this guy - Cho - had already been diagnosed with mental issues. He should have never been sold a firearm. But, if a teacher or professor recognizes a problem in a student, that student needs to referred to the proper services and removed as a potential threat to others.



Not only has he brought unimaginable grief to the families of his victims, he has brought grief to his own family. The ultimate in selfishness.

Answer 452

Put stricter laws and punishments on gun laws in America. 21 is the drinking limit, yet there are shootings. Social barriers of communication between person living in the state of America is because of misplaced intolerance of people not the crime. it should be the other way round, strong attitudes against the actuality of the crime, yet a understanding of the person behind it. The act is what should not be tolerated, not the human being.

The health system in America had cracks developing which allows persons to fall through them. I think it would a good gesture of will if all persons involved got together to, despite the fear of being blamed and try to conclude why the event happened.

A certain degree of arrogance from either the parents, teachers, doctors, psychologists for this to have happened. The American state brings in laws making access to a fire arms easy, hasn't helped ,lets be honest! This makes it hard for persons involved,restricting what they're able to do.



New laws need bringing in. and shops and premises providing access need to monitored more carefully.



Parents need to search school bags and bedrooms whilst in guardianship if their own children.

Teachers and parents need some form of communication when dealing with a difficult person.

Psychiatric system needs reviewing in to why people fall through the cracks so easily.

Police need to interview certain pupils at the school to make an account of typical behavior from the individual involved.

They need to teachVideos need to be made and pamphlet need handing out to everyone.

teach social awareness to children going to school in America, do this through assemblilies and registration.

Answer 453

We sincerely need to stop bombarding our kids with violent images.



That is all there is to it, there is no defense for it.



Look at those still photos from Virginia Tech, or the gunman.

Straight out of the movies. You can't deny it.



They see that shooting everyone in sight is an acceptable outlet for anger, frustration and disappointment.



They have been bombarded with these images in movies, games, and in print.



It is simply time to stop, there is no justification for this, none at all. If we, as concerned parents, stand up, and refuse to be denied, it has to happen.



It's past time. How many more?

Answer 454

I think it is terrible what is the Country coming too. Our country has a very high crime rate it is ridiculous. I think it is partly do to that parents don't discipline their kids so they think they can get away with anything. Also kids are not being brought up today with morals. 40 years ago you didn't see the problems we have now. I also think that movies, TV, music etc... have a little bit to do with it. There is violence everywhere we are desensitized to it. Kids today are obsessed with violence look at the games they play. In my opinion I think our media has it backwards. They think violence is OK but sex is bad. If i had to choose the lesser of two evils I would rather watch sex than violence whats the worst a kid going to do if they see sex or nudity masturbate? I did a research paper on violence in the media when I was in school and I read a report where a kid found his dad's gun and was playing Cowboys and Indians with his brother and he ended up shooting his brother and killing him. Something really needs to be done in this country we need to be teaching our kids discipline and morals. Great question

Answer 455

By creating a community of self-defense and not allowing the anit-gun rhetoric of people who refuse to recognize the rights of people authorized by carry concealed weapons permits.

The Virginia Tech faculty took away the rights of students who have valid weapons permits and suspended one student who was carrying by his permit on campus. That one student with a legal right to carry concealed could have stopped this tragedy in its tracks.

But this isn't a popular viewpoint, and giving hugs won't stop a homicidal maniac.

Answer 456

Hi,

you don't have to create a community of understanding, just convince your President to change your law of arms. As long as americans are allowed to own and to use guns something like that at Virginia Tech will happen over and over again.



Sorry.

Answer 457

Great question that is good to think about at this very sad time. It tells me that we have some power to help prevent this kind of tragedy.

A community of understanding doesn't look thee other way and pretend that nothing is happening or that nothing can be done. Cho was an outsider with no friends. He seemed to trust no one and must have felt tremendously lonely. I can't imagine that he ever felt good about himself, nor that he ever felt joy about anything. It's hard to imagine feeling that kind of isolation day in and day out.

If he had felt that he was part of a community, a community that cared and valued him, where he felt understood, perhaps he would have reached out and sought treatment for his depression and despair.

Community to me means inclusive, he must have felt completely excluded. He needed someone to understand that he desperately needed help and that they had to figure out how to make that happen. He was part of the university community, yet no one seemed to know how to deal with him, or how to reach out to his parents to get him the help he needed before this tragedy happened.

I understand that many were afraid, but the university staff at all levels should have stepped up. It seems to me that they had a responsibility to get him help or get him out of their environment to ensure the safety of others. They failed him and they failed the students that lost their lives from his rage. And most of all, where were his parents and what were they thinking about his behavior? How tragic. How do they live with themselves for not taking the steps to get him committed in a mental hospital so that he could get help.

Answer 458

I am truly disgusted with the medical community, specifically, mental health professionals. Why is mental health treated differently than any other illness? If you saw someone bleeding would you need so many people to corroborate that the person bleeding needed medical attention? That was a rhetorical question. Of course not. Clearly, this person was bleeding to death. Several people brought it to the attention of too many people. But nothing was done because ignorance and prejudice are acceptable practices when it comes to mental illness. The distinction "mental illness" vs. physical illness is first of all, plain "dumb." Where does the brain exist? It exists in the body. Therefore, mental illness is physical illness. I'm not a doctor but then again doctors saw this man and decided to released him into the community with cold indifference while he was still bleeding. You knew and you know that one cannot mend from mental illness on their own. They need an intense support system. Would you roll a quadriplegic out of the hospital with a pat on the back, a prescription and a good luck wish? Rhetorical question again. The answer is no. A disabled patient would not be discharged until you established a support system. That young man was incapable of taking care of himself. He was disabled and no one made the necessary arrangements for his care. Shame on you!! You disgust me! Doctors have the resources and the power to treat all of the people who suffer from depression, anorexia, paranoia, schizophrenia, and the many borderline and schizo effective diseases of the mind. However, in this society, we choose rather than treat and educate, to wait until something so painful and deadly happen. My heart is breaking for the parents who lost children. When is the medical community going to stop treating mental illness as a crime and treat it as a treatable disease?

Answer 459

creating a community of understanding?

will help to prevent tragedies?



In VT it wasn't nothing related to a community of understanding at all.

So you question doesn't make any sense at all.

Q. What will HELP to prevent tragedies?

A. Community participating interacting and not discrimination from each other like color language race I guess.



But in this case I say the killer was a mentally disturbed person.



The only mistake here was that he already have a record of mental illness and stalking etc.

I say he shouldn't be around regular people in my opinion.

Because a person with mental illness even if they take medication the illness then to scaled.

What medication does? Just keep in control but is not cure for a mental illness...Remember is like putting a volcano to sleep but eventually will explode big time.

All my life I learn that people with that kind disease never get cure and yes control it but NOT CURE...

Answer 460

Cultural diversity should be a mandatory class at all grade levels. We need to accept our differences and embrace them. We all have so much to learn from each other, and feeling different and having others looking down upon the perceived impoverished creates a vacuum of hatred. In a country where diversity our one main stay, there must be more done in the educational systems to negate the boundaries. We all walk on the same earth under the same sky.



We need to embrace our differences and guide our misguided; which essentially is everyone of us.

Answer 461

Understand that by disarming the American people by creating so called gun free zones like Virginia Tech bragged about being, liberals have created places where terrorists can murder Americans without fear of being shot at themselves. Foolish liberals helped the killer at Virginia Tech, only 30 miles from my home. The thing that worries me the most is that these liberals were so delusional that they thought they were helping people when they denied them their constitutional right to protect themselves with the only thing that works when such killers attack. That is one important reason why we have the constitutional right to keep and bear arms in The United States of America, and why it is evil when our rights are denied to us by the government whose job it is to protect our rights. This simple fact is our community must understand this or more innocent Americans will be murdered because well-meaning liberals have destroyed our right to protect our lives from the evil people who dwell among us and want to murder as many of us as they can.

Answer 462

It seems that this guy's problems started at home. It's worth looking into. On the other hand, I believe strongly that students generally couldn't care less about those who don't immediately fit in, which causes those already "on the edge" to go over it. And some sort of education about this would most likely be of great help.

Answer 463

If everyone understands everyone else there won't be tragedies like what has happened at VT. If people can get close together and communicate nobody will feel left out. Things keep getting worse but If we all can get together hopefuly all this sadness will end and people will love one another and the violence will stop.

Answer 464

Creating a community of understanding to me means

1) Destigmatizing mental illness and its treatment

2) Teaching awareness of suicidal indicative behaviors much like CPR is taught

3) Promote active listening

4) Pass mental health parity laws



Among many many things that can be done to help prevent tragedies, and promote mental health among all.

Answer 465

There is no understanding of out of control insanity. What I have heard on the news regarding the killers past mental history and how he was treated can only be described as bizarre. Back in 2005, he was only held in a psych ward for only 2 days while under "evaluation and observation". A court found him to be mentally ill as an eminent danger to himself and others. While being interviewed by the shrink he was asked about his very disturbing writings, video clips and photos of himself depicting shooting himself in the head ....etc. He (the shooter) replied, "thats only meant as satire". The shrink was stupid enough to buy that crappola. Obviously, this was a sure sign of a very sick mind and this young man needed immediate help. Instead, he was released without supervision on the condition he keeps his medical appointments and promises to take his medications. Is there anyone out there who honestly believes this maniac took his medications? All he had to do is say he would and pretend to be sincere when he told his doctors he will keep his promise. Two of his fellow classmates filed formal complaints against him along with one professor who wanted him thrown out of her classroom for creating a disturbance and bullying other students as well as the professor herself.

I am sorry, but this is just another case of an imcompetent shrink who screwed up BIG TIME. Modern day psychiatry has a long history of MAJOR screwups such as this and it is time to create new laws that would require a judge to ok a mental patients release after "treatment". About 20 years ago in NYC, a shrink made the same mistake regarding a dangerous patient and it cost a young 23 yr old college student at FIT her life. The patient had a long history of NOT taking his medications in the past but promised to this time if he was let out of the hospital. He told his doctor he would "beat up on his bedroom furniture instead" if he felt the urge to beat up some woman on the street for no apparent reason. The patients name was Andrew Goldstein and he is now in prison for the rest of his life. The shrink was only "reassigned" to doing just research and allegedly is no longer treating patients. If you ask me the shrink should have been put in prison for total incompetence!!!!

Answer 466

Well, we cannot force people to get help. And we cannot force people to help someone who is emotionally disturbed. In the case with the Virginia Tech killer, I think that many people totally underestimated the severity of his problem. I think the best we can do is learn more about psychology and be ready to respond anytime someone is behaving suspiciously. As in: They seem to always be referring to voilence or there behavior is irratic and totally out of the ordinary. This could at least constitute mandatory psyciatric evaluations and treatment. We simply cannot take chances and ignore the signs any more!

Answer 467

I think VA tech was example enough to start enforcing some kind of system against bullying. I know one or moe exist but I don't think it's being properly enforced.

He said that the kids he was ticked off about were the rich snobby kids who were constantly arrogent and knew they could get away with anything. I really beleive that we need to start teaching kids that bullying has severe affects of the victims, we also need to make sure that the "rich kids", the jocks, the over all "beautiful people" aren't allowed to act like they own the world. It's not fair and it really screws with peoples heads.

Answer 468

Sadly, it can't. There will always be someone, somewhere, some place, who feels slighted over the smallest of things. Clearly this student at VT had major issues. He felt ostracized, but how much of it was his own doing? Based on what I read, he made zero attempts to interact with anyone. There's no need for one to "blend in", but there is a need to communicate. He isolated himself with his own dark thought - and took the victim role. Everyone was against him. And in that mindset, there's nothing anyone can do until he breaks free.



So instead of "understanding" what we really need is (1) a system that doesn't let mentally disturbed people roam free (this person was admitted to mental hospitals and then released with minimal treatment), (2) have stricter gun control laws. There is ZERO need for the average citizen to have guns. Unless one can prove there is a need (proper collections with proper security, police, security, etc.) more than one gun with multiple bullets is not needed. So instead of "understanding" and "community" we need to focus on proper treatment of mentally ill people and gun laws that actually mean something.

Answer 469

Mr. Chopra--Greetings!

I, as I am sure you are, am hopeful for humanity...there are many coming into understanding of truths...they are in high seek mode now, as we converse here. A slow process in our time, but it has been long that we have allowed the dissentions & separatisms to exist & remain powerful.



Once balance has returned to governing rules, once religious rights are benigned & spiritualism is seen as a more positive focus...these will mark "the end of times", yes?



And in the face of "tragedy" let us not resort to judging the agenda of the main character(s), nor the event...although it is yet another example of how we, as a world species, reap the consequences of each other's actions...it also underlines our need for change--we both know that the fear of change has kept it slow to advance...we should see these confrontations as a growing breakdown of that fear for the sake of survival of the Whole.



All in Hope & Love...how many went home this day & held their loved ones much closer?

Answer 470

I think one way in a college atmosphere would be to set up an R.A. or Physcology Major/Counsilor to every 10 students regardless if they live on or off Campus. Have meetings at least once a week with each student just to talk and see how things are going. Building a trust system with small groups and helping each other with problems can help with stress and frustrations of everyday life.

Answer 471

I see no way to prevent such occurrences. There have been sick, evil people since the dawn of man. There is no way to plug a person into a machine and find out if they are a danger to others, and if they are, debug them like you would a computer. Unfortunately, living in a free society you cannot be incarcerated for what you may do later. I would not want it any other way.

Answer 472

Normally I would have said something like, more recognition. But in the recent events at VT his actions were recognized and nothing was done, due to laws, and rules governing his actions nothing could be done. I think that when there are extreme cases that perhaps someone should be alerted, perhaps this will stop the actions, or at least slow it down some.

Actions like this are really hard to prevent, as humans by nature are not always predictable.

Answer 473

Sadly there is nothing we can do. All the tolerance in the world isn't going to change an ill mind. People must adapt, accept and move on. That's all anyone can do in a society full of so many cultures and attitudes.



Nothing could have prevented what happened, except for the assassin getting help for his mental illness.

Answer 474

Oh, your eloquent qords may help a lot in understanding but let us now look at facts. He was a **** (s'cuse the French because I know not what his nationality is except for being an "UNnoticed student in need of serious guidance or a possible expellation so as to avoid this type of tragedy."



He was a bomb ready to go off. It should make folks open their eyes as to when a fellow student is suffering and wallowing in their own unshed tears and maybe looking depressed. They should institute a Collegekid Protection Service because it seems that a lot more kids are dying on college and high school campuses and that nobody pays attention to crap that should be paid attention to. Believe it or not, he too, was also a victim. When not a soul realized through his writings that he had a serious emotional/mental problem, it makes me wonder, well...just how smart are all of the folks wandering a campus any given time of day or night? I am talking about students as well as teachers.



I once wrote stories on a site called Writtenbyme. You could write fiction and a man who called himself 'The White Cloth' kept submitting stories about using chloroform to knock women out, rape and kill them. The scene and setting was always in a trailer park and if they refused his advances, he would smother them with this cloth and rape and kill them. I was on my keyboard like a bat out of hell, letting the owners of the site know that I thought it was strange and I never saw him post again. I for one will always stand up if I see anything strange or out of the ordinary. I don't know what this Cho asshole's total problem was but I wish I had been on campus for a few years with him. I bet I could have dissuaded him if only I acted like a friend to him and made him feel he was not alone. His family abused him somehow, someway and/or he was just downright goofy and ugly with a small penis and just couldn't hang.



I am not making fun of those who died. I just say phuc cho...ho...and when he returns here again (Hell) to do it all over, next time...he will be the one tortured and maimed and killed....



The understanding part is the fact that there are not enough quality teachers who truly care about their students. It's just like Child Protective Services workers who are only looking to get a degree and not willing to do the footwork to make sure they know what they are truly doing before they jump in feet first into a world they know nothing about. If I were a psych student, I would have been following him around campus like a hawk..his writings caused concern amongst his English professors ,.but then again, our institutions teach all those who have no business being in the line of work they plan to be in that there are those who truly need compassion on a professional level, not some green little psych grad who can tear any family's lives apart upon a whim!



NOBODY CARES OR IS PAYING ATTENTION ANYMORE! UNLESS WE ELECT A NEW GOVERNMENT HERE IN THE USA, ...forget it... :(

Answer 475

Questions like this are like preaching to the choir. Creating a community of understanding to prevent tragedies like this? That implies effort on the part of the person who would perpetrate a crime like this and it seems fairly apparent that Cho Seung-Hui had no intention or desire to be part of any community. Each of us makes decisions and judgements every day that impact our future. It is up to each of us to make decisions about how we are going to approach life and to associate with people who will support us in the things we strive to do to improve ourselves and reach the goals we have set. We should all avoid associations with people who do not support us in our efforts to become a better person.

Answer 476

Create campus watch programs, self defense strategies, Question authority, don't go along with the public opinion, be able to think for yourself, we cannot give up our freedom for security. We cannot live in fear, we must be prepared for the next person that falls victim to the damage that drugs can do. In all of these shooting cases, Columbine, for example, drugs were involved. Drugs are chemicals that are not always the answer to underlying mental problems. Yet people are led to believe that a pill will solve the problem. Buddy up, stay in small groups, unite, stay active.

Answer 477

Mental illness is still a hush hush disease, the public needs to understand that this is a true life altering, sometimes life threatening disease. You cant tell by looking at someone that there is a problem going on.



How can this prevented, knowledgeable professionals on campus and trained counselors in high school would be a good start.

Answer 478

Understanding? What's to understand? Our "great system" failed us AGAIN. We Americans beat our chest and crow about what a great country we have, then we sit back and allow incidents like V Tech and Columbine happen because we are so afraid we might tread on someones civil rights. When are we going to wake up and realize that the needs and safety of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one. (Ok, I know I'm paraphrasing Spock)



The signs were there to for all to see, but our wonderful legal system is reactive, not proactive. God forbid we should violate his rights, better we allow him to kill 32 people. I'm all for peoples civil rights, but as long as we continue to subscribe to this outdated and unrealistic belief that "it is better to let 100 criminals go free than it is to imprison 1 Innocent person" we will continue to live in fear as we keep putting criminals back out on the street. Beside the fact that there are still a large number of innocent people in jail anyway.



Many cities now have in place a system where when domestic violence is called din they automatically have to arrest someone. Why are they not concerned about civil rights in this case? Why? Because history has shown that ignoring it often leads to injury or death to one or both parties involved. We need to act similarly in this type of case. Otherwise we will continue to have these type of massacres.



I know where you are going with this question, but I'm sorry, I don't subscribe to the "touchy - feely" thing.

Answer 479

I look at people like Cho and it makes me sad, that he found that killing dozens of innocents and then himself to escape the loneliness that he felt. I read in a article yesterday that some of the students joked that they were waiting for him to "go columbine" on everybody, but none expected it to really happen. Cho strikes me as someone who fell into a social crack. He fell so deep that by the time he did what he did there was no way that he could be pulled out of it.

There is no way that people can prevent tragedies like this from happening. There are hundreds of people like Cho who have such an intense hatred of themselves and others; they are like ticking time-bombs. And without effective intervention measures(counselors, friends, family, psychiatric intervention, etc.) something like this can and will happen again. =|

Answer 480

There are thousands of people just like the South Korean shooter in my state alone. America has come to the point where everyone is too busy pointing fingers or patronizing another's ideas. Its to the point were force will be the only means of release and inner resolve for many AMERCANS. The worse has yet to come. There are THOUSANDS of Columbine or Virgina Tech shooters growing up.. right.. now. The sad truth of our crumbling society, the lack of unity is rearing its ugly consequences with more and more fervor.

Answer 481

The problem isn't just with Virginia Tech. It is with how society views and exploits people. You are treated like dirt if you do not conform to societal norms in grade school, high school, college, and the working world. Until people have more tolerance for the choices of others, then no program at any school or work place will work.



This means not attacking people who are gay, conservative, liberal, white, black, goth, or whatever makes people different from you. But, unless people recognize the problems and want to change, there will be no change. And, instances like the one at VT will continue to occur.

Answer 482

I think that all of the people around the man that did this all dropped the ball. They noticed his odd behavior and did nothing. They noticed his thoughts in essays and did nothing about it. They knew that he should have gone into the hospital when he was in court and did nothing about it. His parents avoided him, and I have no idea what happened with them, and they did nothing about it. The list goes on and on. I am sure that at some point(s) he even knew something was wrong and did nothing about it. This is probably because of the stigma attached to mental health. It eventually took him over and destroyed him and everyone else.

Answer 483

What could be done to prevent at least some of these types of things is for the media not to talk about nothing else for 6 months after it happens and actually give these people publicity for doing this crap.

Answer 484

Well because you are making more easy and accessible for people to find the help they need and at the same way preventing tragedies that this people could make but did not because they got the help the needed on time....................

Answer 485

We could create a world like the one depicted in "The Giver" but then that would be an Utopia and everyone would rebel against it.



I don't think it is possible that we can creat a community of understanding. If we ever do, I think it would be great because people would understand one another.

Answer 486

It's more than creating a community of understanding.. it's about creating a community of equality.



This guy burst out because he felt disenfranchised. He was an outcast minority surrounded by wealthy white kids with everything they wanted. How many times had Cho been rejected, unaccepted, or deminished? He felt like he did not belong, that he was surrounded by people who had more than he did and looked down upon him because of it. His writings and goodbye videos tell us why he did what he did.



True, he was mentally unstable, but promoting "understanding" would not have helped him. Our society has to do more to not create social outcasts, to make everyone feel accepted, and not to create the disparities of wealth that can create people like Cho.



How many like him are out there? How many would have already acted out if they had access to guns as he did? We can only hope people are not encouraged by what he did..

Answer 487

If a class in stress management was required for starting students in their freshman year, and for those transferring to the school in their first year there

(if the class had not yet been taken) it might better help to serve the students,

in spotting trouble way before anything so tragic happened, and help them deal not only the stresses of college, but the stresses in life. I do not believe

that just "understanding the tragic event" will help prevent anything. This might help to prevent suicides as well.

Answer 488

Unfortunately, Dr.,...there has been SOO much 'acceptance' of everything and anything, based on the threat of a law suit, if someone says something that is perceived as 'rude'..that we have become callused in our judgments of others sometimes...Not to say we SHOULD go around judging others, but we should not have to accept every freaky type of behavior as 'well, he / she is just different...sometimes, we need to go out of our ways with kindness...to try to find out what is bothering others...I can't help but wonder, if someone had stood up for this young man, or if someone had been there to truly find out what made him so angry, (which i by the way, put a lot of blame on his parents). things might have ended differently, or never happened at all.....I feel by his writings, that someone molested him, abused him, and tortured him as a child, and he did not have the wisdom, or the caring of someone else to deal with it. If he had a mental illness also,( which I personally question.)..this would aggravate the whole situation...He sounds like if he DID have a mental problem, it was a result of the abuse he endured as a child..I would be very surprised if I was wrong on this...As a Christian, we have to forgive him, as heinous as the crime was...and pray for him as well as the victims....Bottom line, we need to stop being so self absorbed, and perhaps, start trying to help each other instead of making fun of them.

Answer 489

Some tragedies may never ever be totally prevented, as there may be some sort of transcendental meaning behind their occurrence that is not up to us to grasp. Not yet. Maybe never in our present level of development.



But a community of communicative networks listening to and sharing warm feeling with "people who look like loners" and who "might have problems", and who seem to miss or to have lost the healthy glow of sane and appreciated life in their faces and in their eyes might be a good remedy against the eruption of some nasty bloody signs of alienation and death in some such people against their surroundings.



Any person appearing within a community, in this particular case within a demanding center of education, would have the intimate wish of a varmly recognized interactive participation and so of acceptance, cooperation and further support, otherwise he or she probably would stay away from there. And such a wish should be taken into serious and warm account, especially more when it would seem to show some signs of anomalous articulation.



Communion, assiduous parental participation, is utmost important as also it is important for us discreetly to wish to know what people around us are doing in their more private and lonely sphere, which healthy things they occupy themselves with that they would love to tell us about, or which unhealthy things they perhaps morbidly occupy themselves with and may have an unconfessed need for help to get rid of.



People should be frankly warmly asked what they intend to do, what they would like to do, what are their dreams, and to a more intimate level what are their reveries, and which things they would like us to help them with.



But most of all they should in some way be made to feel that they are entitled to and have a future together with us, and of not being hopelessly kept away from us.





Many societies were never able to give people who lived within their community, especially to some people looking slightly different in the self-same community, the certainty of a basic solidarity, a confident feeling of us-ness instead of a blunt feeling of otherness. Therefore there appeared, and probably again often will appear, some poor deranged souls that did bloody ravage, and that consequently were called "monsters". In fact no one helped them not to become monsters.



So, a community of understanding may help prevent such tragedies as that at Virginia Tech by dedicating some warm effort in bringing about a network of acceptance, of constructive cooperation, of warm dialogue, of feelings of really belonging into that self-same community.



Good luck!

Answer 490

Dear Dr. Chopra...i saw your interview on the Colbert Report...i was moved by what you had to say, and your book, "Life after Death" is on my book list.



I simply wanted to say that your question contains the answer.



Creating a community of understanding and tolerance will prevent tragedies like this one and others (Trench Coat Mafia, Columbine, CO).



Ethnocentrism and ingroup/outgroup bias is very difficult to overcome, my hypothesis is that these are survival characteristics handed down from our prehistoric ancestors. Another issue is the "flight or fight" response...reacting instead of acting.



It was my pleasure to try to answer your question, the funny thing i see here is that i would go to YOU for answers....



Have a wonderful day, sir!

Answer 491

First of all this Nation has forgotten about God. Seems like we have put God on the back burner. We put "In God We Trust" on money, but we can't pray out-loud in public places. We can't read the bible in public places. The Bible tells us in Psalm 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Think about all the tragedies we've had in these last couple of years. This nation was founded on prayers and morals. I remembered as a child when I was in school, before we did anything we took the time to pray, say the pledge, and sing the star bangle banner. Now all we do is the morning announcements for the day. When tragedy comes then everyone wants to gather for memorial and pray, What about before tragedy happens? We can use all the safety precautions lists, but does that stop things from happening?

Answer 492

Dr. Deepak Chopra:-



Please listen to our soul's voice...



What do we say, except that God's ways are, indeed, most inscrutable. Most mysterious, indeed! Apalling!!...Can't question God, anyways, or can we...?



But happiness, surely, is eluding our species (human being), definitely and distinctly, more than in yester-years. Seems sometimes, that the species might not suddenly end ?! Without even a whimper...



Sorry, for such a dismal reply, in such a dismal situation. I am NOT a pessimist. In fact, my attitude is quite contrary to that of a pessimist. Actually, I am dumbfounded ! Totally stuck up for words, and fumbling in this "unbearable darkness!" There's such a pall of gloom all over the world...! Flags should fly half-mast, and a global tragedy declared, my soul yells!



Could happen anywhere in the world, in any country! This seems to be a case of a conspicuous "disparity of facilities / resources," further heightened by inept handling, and lack of alertness by certain complacent institutions, since there were adequate, medical forwarnings. Are we, "conscientious individuals," flying flags at half-mast? At least morally, if NOT physically? Should this be our first step? Lets design a NEW flag of "WORLD SPIRITUAL UNITY," AND DEVELOP ACTIONS AND OPERATING PROCEDURES TO PREVENT SIMILAR AND WORSE RECURRENCES. NATURE IS ONE, THOUGH APPARENTLY, SO DIVERSE! WHY DO WE REST IN PEACE (RIP), ONLY AFTER DEATH?



Dr. Deepak Chopra, could you please personally answer/address this, and prove to our Mother Earth, the worth of your Mother Country's deeply spiritual base & credentials? As did, that monk of yore, Swami Vivekananda!



Regards,



Jay.

Answer 493

One of the biggest problems in today’s society is people fail to read between the lines of those who appear to be troubled. Teachers and various other professional figures don’t always hold it in the best interest of those in need but rather in those who have the green “Money”.



I don’t condone what this kid did in VT nor do I condone any such acts of violence. I have three kids who are in school and I fear for them daily when I send them off to school because of things like this. I believe in our right to bare arms but I do believe in the right to be free and to live with out the fear of some one going into my kids school and shooting it up. I think that all schools as apart of a Federal Law should be required to have security guards and systems in place metal detectors and wands, check in books for guest to the school. At a designated entrance to the building.



Law enforcement officials local and state should crack down on illegal firer arms more and a better system needs to be implemented in the purchasing and owning a firer arm and any resale of firer arms. As gunner owner myself I grow frustrated when things like this happen because one it is horrible yet while the victims are the ones who paid the heaviest price of all the rest of the American people will also suffer and pay the price for the actions of the person responsible by laws being changed and or losing rights.



I hope that school systems local and collage will look into better security for our youth. It may be a head ache to go through various processes but if it is to ensure safety then the head ache should be worth it.

Answer 494

It may sound trite, but if people would follow the counsel in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave it would prevent much of this. You don't necessarily have to be religious in order to appreciate that the precepts laid out will benefit us personally as well a society. Our society is very competitive. It creates cliquishness, and leads to the exclusion of certain members of society. It is also very selfish, which allows ones like Cho to turn inward and feed on a cycle of anger and self pity until they lash out. James 1:14,15 says "But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." Again, you don't have to be religious to recognize the truth of this. It would take a move away from the competitive society and consumer based economy in order to reduce these kinds of incidences.

Answer 495

What I would like to do is reach out to kids in high school. It is in high school when kids set up a personality. Those who get lucky have a great time and those who are quiet are frowned upon. The depressions, the 'loner' attitude of the VT shooter could have set on much furhter in his life, like in high school. What I would like to do is have some scientific research presented to kids in high school, just one class at a time, and encourage unity instead of several different groups or sterotypes. I would like to sit down with a psychologist and discuss the affects of negative treatment, neglect, and unacceptance can have on a person who is already insecure. It would just push them more towards isolation and encourage a 'loner' attitude. Maybe if we make the students aware of such psychological affects, it could encourage more unity and prevent treatment that would alienate certain students.

In high school students usually split up in typical groups and there are strong sterotypes taking place. Preventing this could prevent a student from going down the road of depression.

Answer 496

A community of understanding has to be sincere in nature for people to truly believe in it. People have to be more sensitive to outsiders and those who are different. People have a tendency to not want to be seen with people that do not fit a certain mold. People who do not fit in are sensitive to the energy that others give off. They feel judged and resentment occurs at this point. Sensitivity and empathy should be practiced instead of dirty looks and sneers. I believe that this would help the situation a lot more than the norm.

Answer 497

I have no idea what a "community of understanding" is and I will never understand how an anyone, I don't care who they are, can do something like this. We live in a world of hatred, violence, stress

and low moral values. We are able to arm ourselves with weapons that can kill several people in a matter of seconds....because as Americans, we have the right to bear arms. ah, I don't think these were the kinds of "arms" our forefathers had in mind when they drafted the constitution. Our government, bleeding heart liberals and lawyers have trampled all over the constitution.

Answer 498

Now, I'm a Middle School kid so I don't know much, but I think if everyone was fair, i mean, the kid probably did it for something, maybe these sorts of things wouldn't happen. Other than that I really don't think theres a way to stop it. There's just crazy people in the world. I wish there was a way we could heal whatever we did to cause that and other incidents but there isn't, and i honestly don't think there is a way for the future, either. Maybe, if one of us could go back in time, we could help him before he did this, before so many lives were taken, and so many hearts broken. Hope I could help! <3

Answer 499

Once again this is a "HATE CRIME". This man hated "rich kids". So Dr. Chopra, it's hate crime.

Examples from the past include Roman persecution of Christians and the Nazi “final solution” for the Jews, and more recently, the “ethnic cleansing” in Bosnia and genocide in Rwanda.

Others:

some muslims hate west.

Israelis hate palestinian.

Tamils hate Sinhalese in Lanka.

The hate between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.

In Southern Sudan Arabs hate Black people.

The Japanese hate koreans.

Chinese hate Japanese.

French hate the British.



We need absolute freedom.



Let civil liberties union do the work.

Let social workers have more to say than politicians.

Answer 500

Does this question imply we DON'T have a community??



If we dont have a community now, does this mean we didn't have a community during 9/11???



Men and Women.... We need to take our roles in our gender as Husbands, Wives, Mothers and Fathers. The economy fails to allow parents to give their children the FULL TIME ATTENTION they need to grow up as level-headed and well-rounded people who are loving, kind and hard working.

Families now require 2 or more incomes to meet basic financial needs!!!!



This doesnt extend to the fact that people are giving in to temptations of gluttony, vanity, lust and other sins that break the strength of the family unit... The Family Unit affects us in our Professional Lives a great deal!



Our Commercial Industry appeases everyone into temptation and pulls us away from the things that truly matter in life. We are all being sold a product and a drug and at the same time being told that fullfillment comes from the outside of our own selves as individuals.... It is ALL connected my friends!

Answer 501

I don't think creating a community of understanding is going to help; I think it will be a problem to create that "community" in the first place.



As an immigrant myself, I can see how Cho felt isolated, and perhaps he was a victim of bullying when he was growing up and while he was attending VT; we all know how people are afraid of something or someone that looks different. A lot of people, and myself included, talk about equality and about racial justice, but, I know racism still exists, I've experienced it myself. I'm not justifying his actions, it was evil what he did, and there is absolutely, ABSOLUTELY no excuse for his actions. I think he definitely has some mental instabilities and due the lack of professional assistance, his problems escalated to a point where he decided to take innocent lives and his own as well.



I can't begin to describe how sorry I feel for the victims families, the community, and Cho's family as well.



In my opinion, in order to prevent tragedies like this from happening again, two steps must be taken:



1. Education-we must teach kids, as early as kindergarden, to appreciate people's differences, differences in racial background, sexual orientation, country of origin, political afflication, and religion. It's our differences that makes us human, and no one is better than anyone. We must also teach kids, and us adults as well, that charity starts at home. Doesn't matter how rich one is, one should never flaunt;



2. Gun Control-this is perhaps the most imperative step that needs to be taken by our government. Look at Austrilia, look at the UK, they have outlawed handguns, and have they had as many in-school shootings as we have had in the States? I think not. I know, I know, it's our right to bear arms, but, would you rather to have that right, or would you rather save lives? I'd rather save lives. By outlawing handguns, at least among non-police-military-personnels, not only can we decrease or even eliminate in-school tragedies like this, we will also decrease other handgun-related violence in our homes, on the streets.

Answer 502

It CAN'T!!! The community here DID understand that this young man had problems but the "Psycho Babble Shrinks" did not commit him for long term observation!!! So what good was it??? The HEART of MAN is the PROBLEM and until a person has a Personal Relationship with Christ, it is only capable of EVIL!!! The "Old Sin Nature" is indwelling all through Genitics and Mankind can do NOTHING about it but believe in Christ! John

Answer 503

"Community of understanding" doesn't mean anything Deepak like most of your other mystical nonsense it's just a buzzword you use to sell your mumbo jumbo to the simpering masses.



Do you think you yourself understand this fellow, let alone expecting an entire "community" to identify and "help" such persons? Can you even tell me whether he's a sympathetic bullied Columbine teen getting video game revenge or is he a psycho sexual killer cannibal like Jeffrey Dalmer?



There is no solution for people like this who are already dead inside due to the trauma they've experienced. Whether they face their hurt, overcome their anger, forgive others and themselves, and embrace their passions, rather than decend into guilt and depression, is up to each individual. But these simple truths aren't known, instead we're presented with a psychological system of drugs, abuse and chatting.



What if people who were in pain could look forward to being institutionalized instead of fearing it like the hell worse than prison it likely is? What if people could go somewhere where they knew they could get help from people they could trust implicitly... Is it even possible to pay people enough money to be that helpful?



People have to look out for themselves, seek out answers anywhere and everywhere until they come up with something to build their life on. If they can't find anything honest and true, then rarely things like this will happen.



You silly lies won't help anyone.

Answer 504

Tragedies happen and will always happen no matter what plans professionals come up with...it's the respect for others that should be learned and the notion of freedome within ones own boundaries that should be taught...moral are lacking more and more...family ties too...and this is the problem and there is where the solution should start

Answer 505

Everytime a tragedy happens, we always have long conservations but we forget to prevent the incident from happening again. Less talking, more actions for crime-prevention to make permanent measures. No one should be allowed to carry a gun to threaten others, even if it's registered. Gun should be used only in self-defense and hidden to prevent others from being alarmed. Guns should be used in hunting season, where citizens can clearly see that there's hunting to prevent injuries.

Answer 506

It starts with each of us!!!



We are caught up in a world -fast-paced-blinders-on-...

rush-now-hurry-up-and-do-what-is-in-front-of-us-mode.



There are many people wandering around on this planet who are lonely, depressed, trying to 'call out for help' but many people are so self-centered and 'too busy' to notice.



It takes stepping outside of the box to help.



YES, I agree, it starts with parenting. And people who are too busy to raise kids, shouldn't have them in the first place, as a 'forgotten child' usually ends up a destructive one.



I have friends and neighbors who are teachers - they tell me all the time that the kids in their classes are neglected, lonely, frustrated kids who don't have emotional tools to function socially in school, with other kids and have Attention Deficit Disorder amongst a myriad of these 'new disorders' that the pharmaceutical companies are laughing all the way to the bank with, with prescriptions.



Anyway, sorry to go off on a tangent/rant there, but the world has changed. It is different. Unfortunately, our economy is such that most households are screaming for a two-income family - and those families who do not have that luxury, the single parents of the world, are doing what they can.



What does this leave for emotional and social development and health/attention for children.......? NONE.



It's a juggling act. And if parents themselves are just struggling to put food on the table, not spending time with kids... they, themselves are usually nursing their own stress-levels with alcohol, medication or other 'isms' of old-tape-baggage behavior - (JUST TO WAKE UP EACH DAY TO DEAL) - rather than seeking out confrontational self-awareness, healing, meditative practices.



Life moves fast. People are unwilling to slow down. It is a different world and a different society.



Sooooooo again, it involves all of us. A 'community' where people notice - from neighbors, friends, relatives, professors, co-workers, associates, colleagues, strangers........to STOP, take notice and observe.



Granted we each have within us the ability to change our situations, our own personal development and become strong, healthy, happy people. So the responsibility is to want to become evolved, functional members of society.



But it is very challenging to do without a support network of sorts.... beit one sought out, or one that happens as a means of circumstance.



I don't know that all the tragedies of the world can be 'prevented.' But we can take the time to do some inner work, some outer work - with ourselves, our communities and try to do OUR part at making each day wonderful and this world a better place.



Change doesn't happen overnight, but a conscious decision for each of us to do what we can, certainly would make this world a better place. And if it doesn't start with us - when, and where will it start?



We cannot pass the buck. We must do something, take a stand and become something more.



NAMASTE!

Answer 507

Living in a society which encourages communication, empathy and sacrifice for the greater good (this does NOT define the current situation in the U.S.) would indirectly lead to the identification and correction of grave mental illness, such as the murderer possessed.

Answer 508

Mental illness is impossible to prevent. As nice as the idea may sound, to create a Utopian society, it is, by its very nature, impossible to allow freedom but create uniform thinking without forcing it. It's a sad societal truth.



The problem here lies in identification of a mental illness. This young man was an obvious risk. Perhaps if some of those students who first observed his macabre poetry and other signs of being homocidal had done something, or showed enough care for him (and his eventual victims) to notify authorities of a precence of mental disturbance, intervention could have prevented this type of tragedy.



We owe it to each other to look out for danger, instead of the "every man for himself" side of a capitalist society. We are independent, but together in our independence.

If we all looked out for each other a little more, we'd be happier, in my opinion.

Answer 509

I don't believe a community of understanding would have made much difference in this case. Cho Seung-Hui was clearly mentally ill and a danger to himself and others. The kind of help people that are this ill require is beyond simple understanding. They need serious intervention, counseling and perhaps drugs. The bottom line is that society has the right to protect itself.

Answer 510

First, the responsibility for the murders at VT lies solely with the shooter; with that said and with what we have been told; there were numerous people and opportunities to help this boy before this happened. Several teachers, students, roommates alerted administrators and police to the fact he had issues; the school even went so far as to provide the poetry professor a guard for the class of hers that he was in; all of this fell on deaf ears and no one was willing to take the action necessary to get him help. Not even the mental health hospital that he was made to go to for evaluation. If one person had said, "I don't care about the rules, I'm willing to stand up and break one of them, to get this boy help" this wouldn't have happened.

Answer 511

Simple, neglecting the killer's emotional, social, psychological and moral needs have caused much of this kid's recent and last outrage. He was not supported enough, people tried, some people, but not all and not enough. In a well-healthy community, it is essential to include everybody's shoes in our own fitting. This kid was simply wrought away from the state of being 'human' to a state of cold, dark... stormy and evil.

This applies not only to the ones bullied, but also discriminated and mistrusted and judged wrongfully. Discrimination of races and nations, faith and religion, sex and all sorts of prejudice and bring no good. Negligence and ignorance must not be part of our well civilized lives.

Answer 512

Sometimes I wonder if things like that can be prevented. There had to be something in this man's history that was just crying out to be helped. Perhaps if there was more mental scanning of our youth then we could stop things like this. Truely though, most people would think nothing of his behavior. Maybe universities should haven't such tough privacy laws. Maybe we should take this as a learning experience and use it as a model of what to look for.

Answer 513

the campusgunman is not alone. he was a bit closer to the edge than most, but he is not alone. this behaviour is nothing new. if those of us who have a good life were to reach out more to those who are less fortunate then we would be more of a world community. as far as a community of understanding, i think that we would have to also accept the fact that there are just some people that can not be helped. the campusshooter may have been one of those people. his words, actions, and writing seemed to indicate that he was mentally ill. if so we need to have an understanding that people like him need to be stopped before they act out. first identify, then have them shipped to prison before they commit the crime (wait, that was Minority Report ).... we cant do that, but we have to come as close as we can if we dont want to see this happening more and more often.

Answer 514

I think that this is a question that people ask over and over again, a lot of the time problems people are experiencing

in their private lives contribute to some of the most terrible

crimes out there........But, bearing this in mind you actually

never know when crime is actually going to happen, so

security and Policing are probably the best options, not

being soft, having security monitered areas --- cameras

security and good gun control at all institutions ----------------

not allowing any guns into schools and having monitors and

security that are armed is the best option.................................



Psych screening as well as other tests, not allowing lax gun

control in the homes of the students either, keeping an eye

out for any changes on campus.................................................



Checking on the past records especially of juvenile offenders... or keeping a record of psych therapy and

counselling given to specific students.......................................



But, you could still not get to the bottom of why this happens,

sometimes big brother is the only control mechanism to stop

this type of thing from happening................................................

Answer 515

It won't. Look at the history of it, and like situations. They are usually random, the perp doesn't know his victims in most cases. A community of understanding security, against random acts of violence, sounds a little smarter. The authorities and the school administartion of VT dropped the ball on this one. Luck is preparation meeting oppurtunity, no one was prepared. There were many signs this young man was going to potentially explode, they were ignored, repeatedly. If anything good comes from this situation, it will be people waking up to the fact that we are ill-prepared for random acts of violence across our beautiful country. It exposes our lack of security and preparedness to react to violent situations. I'm not talking about gun control, I'm talking about criminals with equal rights. Ponder that statement when considering gun laws. Even though Cho had no priors, there was an overwhelming list of possibilities, known to others, he could and probably would snap. Debate the lack of "paying attention" of our surroundings.

Answer 516

I can "somewhat" relate to Cho. I was one of the few asians in my school in a small town in SE Texas. There were lots of white rich kids picking on and making fun of me because I was different (Still doesn't mean I need to kill them though!). There was no support for me. I didn't have alot of "real, true" friends. Now that I am in the Bay Area where Asians are with Asians, I feel that there is a greater connection here than when I was in Texas. I don't see Virgina having a large Asian community where he could blend with and have more friends where he had more stuff in common with. I just see him as a goldfish lost in the sea.

Answer 517

You cant. Everytime something like this happens, people ask, "what could we have done? What could we have said? If i was nicer to him, would he still have done that? If someone sat with him at lunch, would he still have killed all those people?"



The answer? I really dont know.



But I do know that things like this are unpredictable. Yes, he wrote about killings in his stories. Yes, Virgina Tech could have had a 'watch' program. But would it have helped? Could anyone read the signs? Could anyone predict that he would have killed 32 people and himself?



No.



No matter how hard we try, how much we watch, how many help programs there are, you cant force someone to get help. Thats the problem about a free country. People can do whatever they want, and if they want to kill people the best we can do is try to lock them up before they suceed.



But whatever we do, kids will always be kids. There will always be that one guy (or girl) sitting by themselves. The best we can do is hope they have someone to love.

Answer 518

Its only in the persons mind a mind of depressing thoughts and actions .Video games are blamed ,music.I think its just a heritary gene.I think alcohol personally has more of an effect on the brain then what has been studies .If there has been a study.Passing on alcholism is stated so why wouldnt passing it on in other forms like diabetes ,Add,scitso,and etc.I would like to see one doctor say drinking this much amount can affect your children and your childrens children.My theory.May sound crazy but their has to be an answer why so many people are just losing it in this generation .Ok maybe its lack of going to church family values etc .. but murder?

Answer 519

There is no way to solve the problem. In fact, I think more crazy like him will target schools rather than other groups which can defend themsleves.



As for this asian guy, he is also a victim. Other victims were happened to be in a place at a wrong time. There should not be sorrow nor anger to them as compare to dead people everyday in the middle east.



If u are more sad for people in VT than those in the war, u are not fair and u are considered a racist. sorry to say that but it is true.

Answer 520

Understanding??? Come on. Nuts aren't going to be helped or influenced by understanding. We act as though EVERY person is worthwhile. That simply isn't true. We have humans that aren't worth a bucket of warm spit. As long as we keep pretending that all people need is support, understanding, and tolerance- We will always be at the mercy of crazies. The freak in Virginia wasn't even a US citizen. As soon as it was realized that he had mental problems, he should have had his visa cancelled, and he should have been forced to return to Korea. But, instead,. he was allowed to stay and kill. Sometimes, a wolf, that is a member of a pack, just doesn't fit in, and won't get with the program. When that happens, the other pack members throw him out. We should do the same, instead of making excuses.

Answer 521

We need to figure out some kind of outward reaching program to help kids in need. They aren't going to come out and say "I have a problem" so maybe have a kind of "campus watch" program.



But unfortunatley, even if a program is created, it probably isn't going to reach the people it needs to. The "Loaners" are going to remain such...



There's always an outpouring of "What can we do to prevent things like this from happening in the future" after a tragedy. The unfortunate thing is, we really can't. We can't prepare for tragedies, all we can do is mourn the loss of the victims and move on.

Answer 522

Creating a community of understanding can be very helpful if the members help to educate others outside of the community rigorously, without proselytizing or brainwashing. In the ideal or Platonic sense of a community of understanding, not only is information access free, other areas of practical advice is also given when the need is seen. "The Symposium" was a similar idea about love and spiritual ideas, but it is too academic, elitist, and simplistic nowadays to be practiced in some form of social conflict-resolution or as a nurturing community for all of society. Intellectual abilities or virtues are refined and acquired through study, respect, tolerance, love, and amicability, but these are more idealistic than practical to apply in an institutional or community of helpers or sharers of knowledge. Pathological problems are not so easily solved until they are first identified before a catastrophe occurs and so much prejudice in so many ways is possible by people who supposedly adhere to high idealisms in the face global problems. Nazis and white supremists are easy examples. Not to sound militaristic, but some form of "intelligence" about hate groups or hating individuals or possible threats to individuals on the border of committing violent acts needs to be fostered in communities of understanding, like universities and colleges, where historically, "the pursuit of knowledge" was understood to be safe. At the same time as this intelligence or surveillance of people is being done, a greater sensitivity to differences, traditions, and cultures also needs to be woven together with that kind of "security" surveillance, so as not to seem prejudiced. Many left-conservatives are tending to feel that race is strongly linked to particular types of violence and this tendency is by no means new to society. One practical goal of a community of understanding should be to dismantle effectively stereotypes that lead to prejudice about races or generalized terms for "types of killers" but at the same time that same community needs to be a haven of protection for those who are working to build community unity.

Answer 523

The sad first step is reaching out in grief to find the support of others who do understand. It is followed by remaining close and practicing communication. There is already the beginnings of understanding and compassion right here at Yahoo. What is needed now is a committee of guidance.

Answer 524

More proactive mental health programs would be a start. Recognizing a person's behavior as being or becoming aberrant is also a start. No more second chances for offenders, for example, this individual demonstrated dangerous behavior and walked away without anyone looking at his mental well being. It is also important we instruct our law makers and law enforcement to do their jobs. More gun control is NOT an answer. Better enforcement of existing laws is the action we need now.

Answer 525

Thank goodness some is asking. Although I suspect that you already have some ideas of your own, America has seemed to have reached an all-time high of meaness and mean spiritedness. As a child (I am now 40), I admired cartoon characters like 'Underdog' on Saturday mornings on network tv, and today's Kids are admiring mass killers in hand-held video games 24/7. Just one example of many things gone awry!

Answer 526

US constitution was created when redcoats and natives marauded: hence right to bear arms. These days there are no Redcoats, so only purpose in having a gun is to kill other human beings. By all means have the right to bear arms. but make it difficult: long application process: endorsement by judge as to your character; exams, yearly registration, etc. Sport clubs can own weapons which they give to members for use on premises: they turn them in when they leave. Guns kill - what other country has these mass killings by deranged individuals on campuses and other public places?? Only the US. The community of understanding you need to create is an anti-gun community of understanding.

Answer 527

There are many ways we can prevent these tragedies, but most of what the younger generation think or say, will never be taken seriously enough by those who have authority to truly follow out the suggestions, or ideas.



To create a community of understanding, it would not just to changes the ideas of others, but the ideas we have created for ourselves. And i am not talking racism or anything, it is everyone. Someone is always going to pick on the quiet kid, and someone is always going to pick on the kid that sticks out, and someone is always going to pick on the person that is over weight. To change this we would honestly have to change our own track of thought and feeling and just learn to accept others. And sadly, it is so much more easier said then done.



I know in my high school, we got spoken to the other day about school shootings, and our gym teacher suggested "If you see anyone who dresses weird, who is quiet and anti social, and who listens to too much music, report them." Things like this bother me because we are placing warning signs on the kids who do not deserve to be intervened on like that. I can name 90 kids who dress in light colors and are as social as ever, and they are the most depressed angry people I have seen. We need to start out reach programs that will not just touch down on one group, but truly look for the warning signs and the feelings of others, not just by the music and clothes they wear.



I hope something like this never happens again, And I hope if someone feels like the person who caused the shooting, they feel comfortable getting the help they need in a society that makes you feel "Sick" if you do need help.



My heart goes out to all the families and victims and friends of the Vtech tragedies.



-Andie Kay

Answer 528

Each and EVERY community in America and the whole WORLD for that matter, where 'mind-altering drugs' are prescribed for treatment of mental illnesses, MUST be made aware of the DANGERS of the use of such mostly untested 'brain chemistry' altering drugs!!!

Now once more, a mass killer has been 'created' like some 'time bomb' frankenstein waiting to be unleased on an unsuspecting populous!!!

I'm of the opinion that these socalled 'reabilitating drugs' should be ALL BANDED!!!

Answer 529

Sorry darling but there is nothing that you can do to stop something like this from hapenning.



When a person has psicological problems that have been negleted for years, they will eventually blow up and do something like this. He is not teh only one or the last one. It seems like everyone forgot about Columbine, Oklahoma, the Unibomber etc.



You cannot stop psicotic people from being born, however, they should be restrictions on those addictive videogames that glorify violence.



Good luck. Thank you for your time, It was a pleasure to being able to address you.

Answer 530

In order to change the world, we need to change ourselves, inside, first.



Human nature is to repulse those around us that are different. We embrace those that are like ourselves. By this theory, people like Cho, once going down what we consider the wrong path, are often guided to find others like themselves. In this case, Cho saw himself like those that caused the Columbine massacre.



The "normal" students on campus do what they can to stay away from people like Cho. Of course, many of the apparently normal others have hidden issues as well, although they are able to control them or their individual "problems" are never taken out on innocent others.



A "community of understanding" cannot prevent this type of situation. Everywhere there are sparks, but only rarely do they become fires. A community of understanding can help ease the pain of those who have lost, but to stop the sparks before they become fires is fighting human nature at best.

Answer 531

Good Morning Dr Chopra:



I have read all your books and a huge fan!!!



1991, Texas massacre at high school, 23 dead,from handguns; Columbine high school-12 dead-semi-automatic handguns-12 dead; now VT college-the worst yet-33 dead.

***********************************

We know how to prevent this kind of murderous rampage--but we have no leadership! When is the political component going to realize that none of these high death tolls would've been as easily accomplished without the ready and easy 5-day waiting period for a handgun.

* There's no psych evaluation, or in depth review, of this person would've been denied based on priors for stalking and his recent referrals for counseling. **

If this had been seen on his background check, he should've been denied a weapon; but he wasn't. Why?

Not because the people don't have the understanding to prevent murder...but because we value the gun industry and the money, and the power behind these bureaucrats who run the gun lobbys.



1. Why not make bullets traceable by bar coding them so we know who bought them?

2. How about making it as along a process to get a handgun (if you can't outlaw handguns) as buying a home, a car, getting a loan, or a PO Box?so that no one can buy one on impulse?

3. How about Requiring firearms training and updated training so we get to see, and photograph handguns owners before they are given gun permits?

4. How about issuing permits with photo IDS? Requiring Insurance incase they shoot someone by accident?



If you really want ot bring about better understaning amongst citizens of USA, the people have to care a lot more than they do. In my newspaper, VT murders didn't even make the front page tow days in a row?I think that's is a tragedy!!

Also, let's make buying murdering video games unavailabe to anyone under 21, like alcohol. The influence of these pretend to kill you videos CREATES a lack of understanding among our youth because they become inurred to violence and have lost their compassion or repect for human life!!!!

Thank you for your interest in a matter than will not be corrected until the American public decides to fix it!

Answer 532

A community of understanding offers open communication in which all people can feel witnessed, heard and seen. It welcomes all people in our society with compassion that may help a disturbed member of the community feel there is another option than violence.



As part of this community of understanding, I see a few particular changes that we might implement as a learning from this event at VT.





First, we could decide to vote for a national guarantee of affordable health care (including mental health) that could keep a person from falling through cracks. This system could work with campus health services to streamline care.



Second, our education system could include requirements for basic non-violent communication, a set of skills that could help to create a platform of common language for processing/understanding emotional distress.



Lastly, gun-purchases could be much more difficult/restricted.



A community of understanding takes a tragic event such as that at VT and accepts that we are in this community/country together. Both the pain of the victims as well as the pain of the disturbed perpetrator and his family are part of our community. It is of utmost importance that we use this opportunity to look closely at our own circles both personal and societal, learn what may be improved and implement that change together.

Answer 533

until every person can look at one another without passing judgement of any kind, until each human being can love anyone and everyone openly and unconditionally, until we can come together as one planet unified as opposed to hundreds of nations divided, survival of the fittest will continue to rule the world. it's the "every man for himself" attitude in this "dog-eat-dog" world that causes us to continue down this beaten path. if it feels like deja vu, considering Columbine and what not, it's because we will continue to make the same mistakes since we don't know how to change our ways. to be blind is to live in a world of darkness. the term "love is blind" means that it knows no boundaries, it has no limitations or expectations in return; to LOVE blindly. personally i would rather be blinded by the light than the darkness. and when the rest of the world is ready to love and be loved equally, THEN we can prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.

Answer 534

I am all for community involvement in helping people, but when you start thinking about getting other people involved in looking for future nut jobs you are taking the chance of creating "The Thought Police"



It would be nice to have teachers, and such that looked for problem people then directed them towards psychological help you either have to at that point put them on a watch list or grab them and force them into going to get help or....



I hate saying that it can't be done, but I do not see where it can without taking people's freedom away and I am willing to pay the price of dying in a mad man's rage to protect my rights to freedom.

Answer 535

The simple fact that one person cares can be the decisive factor over wether a tragedy like this will occur. I shall quote what i believe to be true... "if I can keep one heart from breaking I shall not have lived in vain" enough said.

Answer 536

From what I can read about the killer he spent most of his life either being made fun of because he was different or becoming with drawn to make sure he doesn't get made fun of.



Maybe if in the past people where more understanding to the kid that sounded funny when he talked he wouldn't have been holding it in until he snapped.



look at some of the other school shootings it a big factor is that these where the kids that where made fun of, where picked on, etc.



Maybe if we where in a society that valued life more even if he snapped he wouldn't have thought about killing people.

Answer 537

Part of that community of understanding is inclusion, and respect for the diversity that makes up our country.



Inclusion means being aware of our personal biases and strive to conquer them to create a network of people unlike ourselves.



I dispel the notion of a melting pot, because for many Americans, such as certain ethnic groups, cannot "melt in the pot" because of our physical attributes will not change. I think we should embrace the notion of a salad bowl, that we are all made up of different parts and each part brings goodness to the whole.



Inclusion also means reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves, either emotionally, physically or financially, without judgment to their individual circumstances.

Answer 538

It won't.

Liberals, like yourself, think that if "we just talk to each other, we can solve the problem". That's why we have Nancy Pelosi going to Syria undermining the Executive Branch's authority in foreign affairs.

Nuts, like the VT shooter, will continue to be a nut. No "community of understanding" will help prevent tragedies like this. What could have prevented this tragedy was all these warning signs being acted upon. However, liberals have it in their mind that criminals have more rights than law abiding citizens. The "race card" would have been played as well, I'm sure.

So, let's get over this holding hands approach and do what needs to be done. Get libs, like yourself, out of America.

Answer 539

To encourage the community to accept others who may not be part of their group. Cho Seung-Hui was an outsider, a loner.



Humans need interaction, and we need to feel like we are part of a community. Was Cho Seung-Hui accepted into the community, or rejected.



In addition, I think the medication he was forced to take also played a big role. I don't believe in medicating loved ones as a subsitute for helping them through hard times.



I just think he needed a friend.

Answer 540

What you're asking for is a Utopian society. It's impossible to create a community of "understanding." No matter how many prevention programs you set up or interventions you enact, there will always be somebody somewhere who just isn't quite "right" either mentally or emotionally.

Answer 541

It cant. I know it sucks to say but no amount of community involvement or community action is going to help if people dont start paying attention to every one and every thing around them. There are always going to be people with problems in this world - especially now. We need to start taking notice of the ones who are "loners" and "quiet, by themselves" types. It may not be a personal preference - it may be that this person really needs someone to reach out to them.

No amount of community meetings or gatherings or whatnot is going to help if the people that are having the problems dont feel that they're part of the 'community'.

Answer 542

It is clear that people of all ages & Causes have identified what will make the World pay attention.

It is time for Governments to accept solutions.

The people who have prooved how to predict cause & effect are eminant hypnotherapists. They understand the mind so well that they can make strangers/friends do anything they say. These are the experts in mind control: they know how/why we tighten security to ensure real safety, because they know what makes us act out based on word suggestion.



Ask Derren Brown - top UK psychoillusionist, who trained in Law, as he knows how to walk into a shop, show blank paper & call it $100 & walk out with goods to that value.

He will know exactly how to control students to not go 'Postal'.

We have a humanitarian duty to use people like him who can stop future death. Dont we?



We have the resources - lets solve the problem. If we dont act, it means we want to roll about in the suffering.

Choose.

Answer 543

Yes it would help, but there will also always be someone who defies helping hands. The best way to prevent such tragedies occuring is to limit gun control...(the rest of the world gets guns=trouble.)



Yes a culture of understanding could have prevent this occuring, but there is no such thing as a perfect culture of understanding. Despite our best efforts there will still be people who alienate and are alienated.

Answer 544

When I heard about the tragedy at VA Tech, it totally broke my heart. I lived most of my life in Roanoke, VA, right up the road from Blacksburg. I graduated from UVA and we were rivals but I loved VA Tech. I spent many great times there and the football games were fantastic with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains cradling the town and campus, the air crisp and clear and an atmosphere of fun rivalry and firece Hokie loyalty. I cried and still my heart aches whenever I turn on the TV and more info comes out about the killer.

As it's been said, VA Tech was a city in and of itself with 26,000 full time students. What is sad that in all of the mass of people who called Tech home, their are still people who can feel so isolated. Their isolation just grows because they lack the social skills, due to in this case mental illness, to be able to form friendships and alliances. To them, the more they try, the more they feel rejected. They don't understand why others don't see the world as they see it and to them, it is the true vision of their world.

If they feel constant rejection, the resentment grows and then rage, and then, sadly, it's too late and they act out and it's an explosion. Almost in every case , others describe him as a "loner", " a nice, polite, quiet kid" and "someone who kept to himself." In this case, his mental illness was documented and complaints were filed against him for stalking. But, as is usually the case it seems, they can become very well spoken and present themselves appropriately when needed. And then they are set loose to take out their rage.

Hindsight is always so clear. What should have been done. What couldn't be done because of violation of his human rights. The police are unable to act until the explosion occurs and then it is too late.

I don't know how we can predict when someone will become a monster in an area where a person can hide out in the wide open. Society doesn't mean to be exclusive. People just normally blend in and go with the flow. We can't put a label on someone because we think he might become dangerous and lock him away. We have to wait until it's too late. We can't make people feel a part of the scene. It's just taken for granted that they will blend in and feel welcome.

I don't know what the answer is. In this time of high tech lifestyles, it becomes easier and easier to isolate yourself in a world that you make. In a crowd, you can become invisible. To be noticed takes a dramatic action with tragic consequences.

I don't think we'll ever be able to stop this kind of tragedy without taking away some of the rights we all enjoy. It is so sad. I hope and pray that someone will come along with the answers. Mostly, I pray that we can all find a way to make it so no one feels isolated and have the forsight to get help for those that do so their rage will abate before it's too late.

My heart still hurts and I can only imagine how those who were directly involved are managing. My prayers go out to them. I want the great people in my home state of Virginia to know that the nation and the world feel their pain and only wish we could take it away. The families of those who lost loved ones or had their children senselessly hurt, God is looking down on you and the Angels are with their loved ones guiding them home.

Someday, the pain will start to ease but it will never be forgotten. VA Tech will go on being the great school that it has always been and in 100 years, people will still remember and be grateful that the strength of the people who graced that school have gone on to do great things to make the world a better place for the rest of us.

Virginia has been there from the beinning of this wonderful nation and it has survived and prospered in the face of adversity because of the strength and grace of it's people.

Peace to All. Please remember to be kind to others and to yourselves as well.

Answer 545

No. A community of understanding is only as good as those people who choose to participate in it. The human race has and always will experience certain rogue members who, for whatever reason or motivation, remain on the fringe. It is these people who are sometimes capable of creating tradgedies. These same people will not participate in a "community of understanding." I do not want to discourage anyone from creating a "community of understanding"--whatever that is, but I do not think it will do much good at preventing tradgedies like the one a VaTech. Create away...

Answer 546

Have fun making money and not dealing with real world solutions. Yes in my imaginary world of unicorns and harmony we would all get along.



Its a whole big world out there of people who do not get the basic point......... do not kill others. In years past even in the western world the idea was even if one had a personal issue and could not go on one killed themselves not 30 other people.



America has a culture of violence which the media furthers. TV, movies, games, many of the sports, etc. etc. Address that issue and then work on togetherness.

Answer 547

a community of understanding? that's simple.... if people actually believe in religion in the TRUE sense of religion and not some hyped up/self-understanding of religion.



ANY RELIGION!!!



there was once a monastery of monks whose population was getting small because people no longer believed in love, respect, in God, in humility and all the other virtues. the remaining monks were sad and they asked the oldest monk for advise... the old monks said, "Among you is the Savior." but he wouldn't tell them who... so on that day onwards the monks treated each other better.



it made them holier and the villagers noticed.



and more people were drawn to their order because of the respect, humility and love the monks have shown each other.



if people treat people the way they want to be treated...with respect, love and humility then we can create a community of understanding.



i find it amazing that in America where strangers would say Good Morning to you on the street but people are so ignored that you don't know what that guy is doing in his basement...that a country as rich as America with ordinary parents earning a very decent income despite a blue-collar job than the highest paid executive in my country can ignore their children so much...



no other country has had this tragedy.



another writer Jessica Zaffra wrote, when she went to America for days she has not seen her neighbor except when his car leaves in the morning early and when he returns late at night.... the guy says hi but other than that he doesn't bother to ask anything else. privacy and all that jazz!



if that were in our country, if you don't show up even for 2 days out..you'll have all your relatives and neighbors at your doorsetp wondering how you are, bringing you food in case you're sick, they'll be flooding your phone with text messages which isn't even free...just to know you are okay.



that is how you create a community of understanding.



care more than enough to really ask how one is doing.



may the souls of those students and teachers and their families find peace...forgiveness and love.

Answer 548

It can't. This was the act of one mentally ill person. In the state of VA, there are guidelines for how to process a person who is showing a possible threat to himself or others. You can not commit someone for being creepy, or not interacting enough. Likewise, because of HIPPA, it is next to imposible for a university to gain access to a students records. We have so protected the rights of the individual and failed to truely look after those with mental illness that we have created a feeling of "it is ok to be as crazy as you want because it is your right". I can only hope that this tragic event will lead to improvements for mental health services. But bottom line, if he could pull it together to conivnce the judge to release him from care at St Albans, then he knew right from wrong and in the end is the only one responsible for this. Lots of folks feel picked on and don't kill people. I have no sympathy for this person and only hope that we can work on putting steps in place to keep this from happening to another campus.

Answer 549

You can not prevent SICK. Many attempts to outreach this sick kid failed. What we can do to make our world safer is to be more serious about what we do when someone shows the signs of mental illness. He was identified as a problem kid and the school should have stricter policies on dealing with problem kids. A organization like a college should have regular manitory meetings with councilors. Young adults are faced with a lot of changes and challenges, many own their own for the first time.

Answer 550

It can't.



It is a great way to sell more books and conferences. If I was you, I'd definately look at setting up some highly profitable community "understanding" meetings.



But it won't make one bit of difference and deep down you are smart enough to know it.



The problems that lead to people committing mass murder can't be solved by a guru book or a guru "community understanding" conference. You also know this.



One day Deepak, you are going to face yourself in the mirror and have to consider what genuine benefit has your conferences and books given people in a tangible way, beyond fantastic profits...

Answer 551

We are all part of a community and it is important to understand that "WHAT" we do, does influences others in a direct and indirect way. However,we cant avoid HOW others think of us. The message that we got from the killer was his feeling of envious of people that he labelled as 'the brats'. So we must always be aware that our outward behaviour of portraying ourselves could encourage some negative vibes in others like envious, jealous, anger, repression and worst is when we encourage the animal instict in others to surface; thus encouraging them to act without any logic thinking process.

To create a community of understanding I think we should exercise empathy towards others whom are different from us. We should try to be moderate in most areas that could trigger any negative vibes in others. Should kindness, caring, being moderate and knowledge of good behaviour is a value that is practice by all irregardless of ethnic background, maybe we could avoid tragedies like the one at V Tech. May God; keep those who is grieving in his tender love, unite with those whom has gone to see him with open arms and forgiveness.

Answer 552

Whats wrong with you people? This gun-man murdering people, was an american, as am I. Now, the most moronic-americans, the downright idiots living among us, are those who believe in god. So called god, is where rage is born, hate, being sad drips from the dumbest thing a human can do, and that is to put hope, or just the smallest amount of belief, in the existence in a higher power.



You wanna save the damn world, quit thinking like a baby, praying to a joke of a father to all human kind.

Answer 553

I'm afraid the "understanding" would not have worked in this situation. It would probably help others who are not as angry and withdrawn as this young man was. If students, faculty and coworkers will reach out to those who are shy or withdrawn and help to include them as a member of society, perhaps that will be enough for the majority of loners to stop hating the rest of society and thereby prevent situations like what happened at Vtech. Ridiculing people like him only serves to drive them further away and makes it more likely they will become violent. But picking on the odd and the weak seems to be a national pastime and it is catching up with society.



People who tried to reach out to him were rejected or ignored. He didn't LIKE PEOPLE. Unless they were cute young women and then he liked them in an obscene way.



Looking back at the students and faculty who interacted with the alleged gunman the only way it could have been avoided would have been for someone to take upon themselves the difficult, and risky, stance of declaring the young man a hazard so that he could have been committed to an institution. And we all know that would have brought a firestorm of criticism from parents and anyone who thought that was too harsh a treatment for the young man. There might even have been student protests against his committal. Some of the students may even have been amongst his victims.



It is a big step to go from knowing someone has mental problems to having the intestinal fortitude to stand up and say, "Let's get this kid committed before he kills someone."

I read a commentary by the teacher of the class in which Cho caused problems. He was so disruptive she had to ask to have him removed. He took pictures of the women in class with his camera phone and made lude comments. She sensed from his writings he had the ability to be violent but no one took it seriously enough to avoid the shootings.



Several indications of his propensity for violence were missed. But again, someone would have been sticking their necks out and risked being chastised or even fired from their job if they spoke up.



We mustn't go so far as to start locking up all who make offbeat comments but we need to have a process by which teachers and staff, and co-workers can present evidence and testimony concerning those who exhibit the violent tendencies of the shooter at V-Tech, and get them the necessary therapy. That would be the "community of understanding". This young man had been treated for depression but it obviously wasn't enough. We can't allow our system to lock up harmless, innocent citizens but the blood of the dead is crying out to us;



"Please don't let this happen again."

Answer 554

Virginia Tech. I just saw it on the news. It's so sad how some people can be so cruel like that. They should have prevented this a year ago, though, because the gunman's papers were showing anger and hatred. We have to understand that it was God's will that this happened--tragedy though it is--and we have to rely on Him through it.

Answer 555

It would not be easy. We live in a fast technologically, dehumanized and money obsessed society. Humans are acting like automatic robots. While I do not approved what this wacky guy did, I can understand the frustration of some of them. Of course what they did is deplorable and NEVER recommended. Personally I tend to be simple, something we are losing right now. This lack of simplicity causes the creation of deranged and dangerously disturbed individuals and, if not all of them, some may explode into madness of destruction. We are creating very alienated mass crazies in this modern age. And to make it worse: we humans are quite dysfunctionals. Wish all of us luck. We shall need it!

Answer 556

I think that if we actually paid attention to someone who was exhibiting a whole bunch of signs and symptoms of mental illness, then we could avoid tragedy's like this in the future. Through education can we create understanding. Without education there is only ignorance, and in this case, ignorance was deadly. The system is also failing. Instead of people who care and are committed to their jobs, you see a lot of people in the mental health profession who are there for a paycheck. When funding runs out or someone doesn't have insurance, they also turn the mentally ill back on the streets. Do we need understanding? Yes, it would help immensely, but we also need to fix the system by which we care for the mentally ill before it collapses all together.

Answer 557

e things, though there are probably some underlying personal issues beside those. either way, society today is incredibly cut-throat, brutal, and way too fast. there is so much pressure from parents, teachers, and everyone for kids today to always go go go. we're being pushed to fully understand and cope with things that previous generations didn't encounter until graduate school, and it applies to both academics and social issues. My generation is being forced to grow up too fast. and the fast pace of society means that if you start to stumble, u are going to be trampled and left in the dust. Even though so much more is being expected of us, we're not getting the com

Answer 558

Dr. Chopra,



It's not clear to me, nor probably to anyone at this point, whether Cho's problems were innate and execerbated by a hostile environment or whether his environment was part of a series of negative events in his life that contributed toward his actions.



However, I noticed that you said "help". I think that the media ignored the role that bullying played in the negative development of those responsible for the Columbine killings.

Because we do not wish to lay blame on the bullies or excuse the behavior of the killers, we fail to recognize that nonetheless, it has played a role in the calculus of events and decisions leading up to a final breaking point.



I believe that terrorism and other ruthless acts such as this are the tools of the powerless, those who have said "no" to their families, their fellows, humanity, and God. These types of acts are committed by those who no longer have anything to live for, but only something to die for. They see the world as beyond help, even on a small everyday level, but for outrageous acts. They feel that martyrdom is the only way to cause any meaningful change. Most killers such as this premeditate and successfully commit suicide.



We know by now that people who have nothing to live for are the most dangerous kind of all. Nothing frightens or hurts people who have ceased to care, so nothing deters them from doing the things that they so meticulously plan.



Your question begs another question- how do we give people something to live for. How do we prevent and stop the cycle of nihilism that provides fertile ground for these types of thoughts and deeds?



I believe that school administrators value some students over others and shunt off problematic or low-achieving students, overlooking truancy and academic failure so long as those students do not interfere too much.



I noticed a few teachers taking time to approach some of the "bad" kids in school in a very genuine fashion, and express some recognition of their worth, one way or the other. One went out of the way to form broadcasting and creative writing clubs to give some of these kids an outlet and develop their more constructive talents, taking the opportunity to lead them to the lighter side of life and find the humor and irony in things rather than focus always on the darker aspects. I think that this sort of thing can be very important.



I remember one kid in a neighboring city (and this is way before Columbine, in the early 90s) He seemed very charismatic, but after meeting him a few times, I decided that he had a very bad personality and wasn't trustworthy or particularly nice.



He had huge grudges against the athletes in his school who had bullied and humiliated him, girls who had scorned him, and the administration, who he described as his worst tormentors. I took it all with a grain of salt given his chaotic personality.



Though not evident to us at the time, he had all the signs of a school killer. He even had the trench coat, under which he had brought a loaded sawed-off shotgun to school several times, just for thrills. He talked about "heating up his school" with it. Kids were concerned, but scared of him, and figured that he was bluffing. After all, he was, in addition to being a bit psychotic, a compulsive liar. This obscured our better judgment. Whatever combination of feelings there were about this did not result in anyone telling parents or authorities.



A few years after school, I learned that this guy had committed suicide. Suddenly I realized how close we all came to a high school shooting in the early 90s. When Columbine happened years later, things crystalized even more. The similarities were eerie.



I think that since the 1990s, there are more outlets for people and more acceptance for people who are different in various ways. But there is still a lethal formula and pockets within society where all of these ingredients are bubbling away, ready to explode if given the right conditions. We must identify those ingredients and conditions and make sure that they do not combine again.



I wish I had a better answer to this.



Mr. S

Answer 559

As a mental health professional and an active Advocate for those who are mentally ill, I feel that If by "community of understanding" you are speaking about understanding those with mental illness, I don't see how it can be done until we in this country, who, generally speaking, still perceive mental illness as taboo and not discussed, have a change in attitude. This attitude prevails in all walks of life regardless of the level of education or status of the individual.



Our government leaders need to be educated about mental illness and also have the opportunity to spend time with some mentally ill patients, both those institutionalized and those who are considered "functional", and their families, to see the need to increase the funding for the mentally ill.



Medicaid and Medicare, as well as all insurance companies, need to cover (reasonably) more of the drugs to treat mental illness, and they should not be allowed to determine which drugs for mental illness are covered and which are not.



Mental illness needs to be addressed for what it is, an illness, same as cancer or any other illness. Once the "taboo" has been removed, then and only then, can a community of understanding be implemented. Not until.

Answer 560

We have over 60 victims, over 30 fatal from the actions of this killer. They were the victims. They did nothing wrong. There is evil in this world and some people are simply disturbed and cannot handle the burden of everyday life.



Let's not try to present this tragedy as somehow the fault of the people around the killer. He did this.

Answer 561

It can't. We need to learn more about psychopathy and the emotional lack that accompanies it. Dr. Robert Hare has made a great start in that direction and it would pay to read some of his material, especially his book, "Without Conscience." As he points out, you barely scratch the surface of this problem if you concentrate on the few super-violent occurrences. Not only are these people represented more in jails, the ones that aren't criminal enough to go to jail make life hell for those around them. I have to get the book, "Snakes in Suits," because I'm having that problem right now at work.



The greatest mistake is to think these people are like us and need understanding. These people see any such effort as pitiful weakness on our part. I doubt that anything could ever restore empathy to them. They are gods unto themselves. If we could screen them out of society and confine them, we could only benefit.

Answer 562

First I'd like to say I'm reading your book about Buddha.



I believe that at a college, Prof. need to have at least one class to get to know all of the students. And students need to be encouraged to be involved in school clubs. This would help people get to know others a little better I feel.

Answer 563

The tragic heros is a misfits.

He's alienated from his culture.

He has loads of problems.

He has creativity but unfortunately,

he acts out his frustrations through

the tragedy.

Building a community of understanding

in this institution requires time, patience

and love. There basic bonding and understanding

of age and multiculturalism is imperative to

eradicati egoistical pursuits at institute of higher

learnings. There should be a fraternity group to

champion isolated students from lying in their abyess.



www.myvideotalk/jerome

Answer 564

It's going to very hard to create the kind of comunity that you are talking about in the USA. The culture, media and government are very much about sensationalizing killing. Everyday there is something about killing or guns on the news whether its from Iraq or one of your neighbourhoods, the government along with corporations and the NRA appear to support this kind of behaviour. America really needs to change its culture and maybe support a government that is neither Republican or Democrat to change and build a new community. I really don't think that it is going to ever change for the better in the USA.

Answer 565

U can't stop it from happening...there is so much crap in this world, music, tv..etc. Whacko violent movies get oscars. Garbage in , garbage out. We are desentized to it all. Killings happen in Isreal everyday.....and it's newsworthy, but not noteworthy. U can reduce it with security, but at the cost of inconvenance and $$ and privacy. U can't stop a person who is mentally dis-abled, keeping plans secretive and then acting on it. They could get a gun, go out on the street and start firing. Eventually we will become a police state, and all freedoms taken away in the name of security. Everyone will recieve a microchip under their skin, so all people can be monitored, but it still cannot stop anyone obtaining a weapon illegally and blowing people away. You will be required to have the chip to buy or sell, and once u do, u have sealed your soul with the devil, and on your way to hell. Matthew 24 tells about the end times, and not to be alarmed as all these things will happen, before Jesus comes. The tragedies are getting closer and closer together, as the world turns farther away from God. If u think God is evil for doing this, he has given us freewill, and we make the choice to do right or wrong. We are the ones responsible for our own actions. If u rape or kill someone, expect to go to prison.....it's no different. God hates sin and will not put up with it. On one hand I am excited by Jesus's return, yet burdened by what is happening. I would rather accept Jesus and be spared (Psalm 91) then go thru the wrath. Jesus has so much love for mankind, and yet he is still hated by many. I know he loves me. When a soldier dies we honor him/her yet when Jesus gave his life for us many ignore it, betray and deny him. The gift of Salvation is free, my question is what holds people back from the foolish choice of not accepting him. As far as the community of understanding, the families and community need support to overcome these situations.

Answer 566

It's easier to help people that are psychotic, you notice them

they act crazy, but psychopathic people can blend in really well, they may even have over developed social skills(con artists).

The person at VT hated people and was a loner so maybe someone could have reached out, but it's doubt full he would trust anyone, and you cannot force treatment on people(check out the streets of any major city).

If your willing to die and take people with you, that's what is likely to happen.

Answer 567

The answer is quite simple, compicated, and controversial all at the same time. We must as a nation remove any barriers to one-ness. No more ________-American this and that, We must all just be Americans. No special recognition, no special protection. no more separation.

We must get back to God as a nation, and as individuals. Only then can we again be in His good graces and enjoy some of His love and protection.

Until we do this, we will not become the one nation that our founding fathers wanted and planned for.

Answer 568

We can create a community of understanding among the people of our country and the people of respective states.We don`t want such tragic incident would repeate in future.Proper understanding and Mutual co-operation must be maintained in this aspect.Call for a day to raise protest against terrorism

Answer 569

I think you're entirely missing the point. Everywhere Cho went during his 15 years in America, he was surrounded by thriving communities, communities that arbitrarily rejected him simply because he was too different, too strange, too weird, too sullen, or too menacing. It is in the nature of such cooperative communities to shun people who deviate from the norm. By rejecting such deviant personalities, wholesome communities imagine they are protecting their membership, when actually they are exacerbating the problem. The Columbine massacre was also perpetrated by those who were cruelly rejected and mocked by their own larger community. Time and again groups form to bolster the egos of their leading members and, via majority opinion, to reinforce the rejection of those who are marginally unacceptable for inclusion in the group. Self-righteous in-groups are the cause of the problem, not the cure. I believe the solution is for emotionally sensitive people everywhere to reach out and extend genuine friendship to those individuals obviously rejected by the majority of society. It takes a great deal of moral courage for a talented and successful individual to deliberately include a social reject within his circle of friends. Nevertheless, this is the only way to prevent the tragedies so often created by the social marginalization and painful alienation inherent in human group dynamics.

Answer 570

The community is made up of people of mixed races, nationalities, religious affiliations, different family upbringings and backgrounds. In view of this, the community must draw up educational and civic programs whereby members will know that we are all human beings created in the image of God. With this in mind there will be love and care for each other.

Answer 571

Humans, particularly Americans and other post-American developed cultures, always assume that those who are different require professional help to become "normal". When we ostracize, alienate, isolate, dismiss, and exclude due to simple differences, we create animosity, hostility, and hate.



Society does not want to blame itself for its own ills. But many societies simply have unhealthy habits. Respect for one another is even treated with scorn and derision (what does the song "We Are The World" inspire in most people today? Not a feeling of universal brotherhood, but of mockery.)



Culture is more than nationality or heritage, but also in music, region, urban/rural, interests, career, and hobbies. Few people on their own actively seek to hate. Some hate because they are taught to look down on those that are different. Others hate because they are the ones consistently looked down upon.



The answers that self-proclaimed sympathetic people offer for how to prevent "another VT" do not break from the box of cultural supremacism, presupposed "norms", or any real sense of inclusion or true diversity. Their answers are to exclude and contain, in "nicer" ways than social ostracism. Their answer is to put Cho in an institutional box where he can be reprogrammed to be "normal", instead of putting him in a social box where he is an increasingly isolated outcast. This is not a solution, but another way of exclusion that some people feel less guilty about, and one that requires less work on their part and less work on the part of the community or society. Human life -- actual distinctly human life, as in the experience of the human condition -- is not truly valued; it is OK to exclude a person from society because we simply do not have real respect for our fellow man unless they are just like us.



These are our problems. This is our social ill. It is not necessarily a new thing. Many throughout history have hoped that humankind has grown to be inclusive, to recognize the human condition we all share, and to respect fellow humankind and understand that no man or woman is any better or worse than ourselves. But by and large, this simply does not happen on the necessary scale.



Either society can globally realize this problem, can recognize when it is guilty of discrimination, including those forms beyond color or origin, correct this flaw, and gain a true respect for each other... or this is fundamentally an incurable human flaw, and there is simply nothing we can do.

Answer 572

It begins with being kind and loving towards your children and parents, the relatives and neighbors. As you get older the list grows to include your friends and students at school. Love and kindness are contigeous behaviors that must be demonstrated and practiced to be learned., Schools should teach how to care and love others and accept and tolerate those who are different. I live in a different country than my birth and certainly a different culture. What I've learned is that everyone in the world has so much in common and are so much alike--certainly alot more than we are different. Everyone wants basically the same things in life....acceptance, love, health, joy, friends, happy children....the list goes on....We need to individually focus on the things we have in common and celebrate the differences we find in others. Only when we feel good about ourselves can we begin to care about and love others and begin to live in a world of peace. It's not that difficult and doesn't take alot of money to do this. We each have all that we need in our hearts and minds.

Answer 573

Creating a community would be a good start. Living in same proximity does not make a community, it takes communication also. And other things, I'm sure other people know more about how to do it.

Answer 574

By teaching schoolchildren relaxation techniques at an early age, and also anger management techniques, like simply counting backwards from 10 to 1, to interrupt the process of becoming angry. A consistent anti bullying policy, nationwide, would help a great deal as well.

Answer 575

This recent shooting and the one in Columbine both had the same theme. They were tired of the social elements in schools, fitting in, being picked on, not having the friends they would like. What's sad is that these killers spell it out for us, but instead of listening to what they say, we try to blame it on music or video games. Maybe proper etiquette should be brought back to school. Lessons on how to treat people with respect. Obviously parents aren't doing a good enough job on their own.

Answer 576

Can a community of understanding change human nature? probably not... but we can try to help.



Stop turning tragedies like these into a media circus. Not minimizing the importance of the event for victims, but removing public attention from the perpetrator.



Try to prevent future copycats like this one seems to be.



Certainly the victims and their families need our attention, but try to keep the shooter out of the limelight.



Defer public attention to the victims and helping return the lives of their families to normal, if that's possible.



Please, God help us all make it so.

Answer 577

I do not think it is preventable. We spend far to little on mental health. We live in a country with the highest rate of drug use, suicide, and alcoholism. We are not a well society. That sickness transcends all aspects of our lives. Some people just want to go down in flames. It is just another form of suicide. It is interesting to note that all of the promises made by television commercials really do not make us happy. Only we ourselves can make us happy. When the people start down this path, then we will start to see less violence and drug abuse and suicide. Until then we wait for the next shooting and hope our children are not involved. Also, 108 people died today in Iraq for senseless violence. Lets not forget them.

Answer 578

Community of understanding! lmao. thats the biggest load of it since the democrats taking congress. WE CAN BARELY UNDERSTAND WHY THIS GUY DID THIS. There are many problems with our society that could have indirectly influenced his decision. Things in our society really screw up kids like the break down of the family environment. Kids should always have it drilled into their head there is no reason to kill a person except in defense of yourself and others. I think there should be more campus security and that adminstrators make sure they are doing their job.

Answer 579

I believe you have already answered this in your question

Creating a community of understanding will help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.



As dont you think they should introduce the highest learning in the institutes of Higher learning.



As the highest learning is to learn how to love one another.



We cant overcome hate with better security



But hate can be overcome with Love

We need to learn how to love one another !!

Answer 580

Unfortunately, I do not think it is possible to create such a community. Since the beginning of time, people have found reasons to hate each other. I don't think that's going to stop, and a person as mentally troubled as this shooter was is beyond any kind of reason, anyway.

Answer 581

We need to get the community to understand that teachers should be armed if thier willing. It wont stop random events like this but it will help in 2 ways. It offers a deterrance. The student is less likely to do this beacause he doesnt know who is armed. And it will help prevent the loss of life. That one is self explanatory!!

Answer 582

I am not totally clear on the questioner's intent but indeed we all sympathize with the Blackburg Community and across the nation for the great loss of life among this universities best. Our prayers go out to the many families grieving at this time. This is a sad day in America.



I do feel that we have an overabundance of guns and gun violence in this country.Their are over 16,000 violent crimes that occur in this country annually. We have a war at home and we don't seem to be winning this battle.



States need to raise the age limit from 18 to 36 before one can randomly purchase a firearm. More and more young people are committing violent crimes. Statistics bear this out. Guns should be limited to Police, Military and Licensed Hunters. This would definitely improve matters in this country.



We need more community policing on College campuses and Universities. It is difficult for a few campus security guards to protect the lives of thousands of students on a daily basis. Everybody needs to be a police and report any suspicious activity to a call center for further investigation. The law enforcement agencies need to do more by partnering with their community and providing more of a presence and resources to the young adult population.



Schools need to become more proactive in addressing crime at an early age in our schools across america as well as churches to insure safe conduct.



We can also reduce the crime index by eliminating low income housing projects which becomes a feeder for new criminals in our inner cities. We need to create new communities outside of the city for them. We need smaller communities, Schools,Colleges and Universites.

Answer 583

We can not create a community of understanding until everyone in the community agrees and participates in searching within themselves to find "understanding". Also, please define community -- are you asking about the campus community? the family of the killer? the whole country? the religious community? the mental health community?



Ones who have already achieved a level of deep inner personal understanding of our spiritual selves, know that each of us are on an indidual journey on a path back to God the Creator. We are all on different places on that path and each path may look different but they all lead to the same place --- inner peace and understanding.



This all said, this "community of understanding" you refer to does not exist. A tragedy like this cannot be prevented because we all develop our "understanding" at different times and on different levels.. Obviously, one must be willing to seek inner understanding of one self and the killer in this case, and in similar cases before and future ones, have not sought their own path and are very immature spiritual beings.

Answer 584

This question is retarded. What does 'a community of understanding' mean? You might want to add to your question. Give us a clearer definition of what this is. Cho was mentally ill and he snapped. The only understanding this community lacked was ignoring the warning signs of his alienating and erratic behavior. People kept shrugging off these signs and he eventually made his intentions clear. Are we ever going to hear from his family? Not that any of it's their fault necessarily, but getting a better look at his early development may provide some better answers to how he turned out the way he did.

Answer 585

I don't think that for a "community of understanding" would work; the freedom of choice given to us by God would get in the way.. We as humans have already had the chance to have this type of understanding and acceptance, but we chose the right of choice. We always "choose to choose"; who is right who is wrong; what way is best what way is not. I guess I am pessimistic; but I think that even if 98% of us would do the right thing, it would only take 2% to screw it up.

Answer 586

That's what the socialists will say we need. It makes them feel good. "Look at all these laws we've passed. We are improving the country by further restricting the good people. Yay us." Just because 20,000 gun control laws haven't stopped gun violence, it is no need to be discouraged. Maybe we need 40,000 laws. After all, everyone knows that all problems are solved by passing new laws. I think they're going to outlaw cancer soon, so we won't have to worry about that either.

Answer 587

Awareness, acceptance, a feeling of gratitude, and the desire to help others is what this world needs to prevent future tragedies as this one. It has reached biblical proportions, but even biblically, there was always violence.

Answer 588

First of all, put God back into the picture. Second of all, it would be nice if one parent could stay home and see what the kids are doing. Everything has gotten so expensive, having to pay for an idiot's war, the hurricanes taking away homes, it takes 2 ot more to make enough to live on.

Answer 589

Thanks for the question. But what do with the answer? There was presumably, such a community in place at Virginia Tech yet the tragedies still occurred!

Answer 590

By creating an environment of empathy, nurturting, understanding and compassion is the beginning. Lack of knowledge creates an atmosphere of fear where, most times, it's not necessary. Racism is merely fear of the unknown. When we all take the time to get to know the people around us and take a vested interest in things and people outside of our comfort zone, there'd be so much more tolerance and willingness to get along.

Answer 591

Their are all kinds of services out to help people. Some people are just bad and nothing can help them. It makes me ill to watch the news and see how many excuses can be made for these "poor misunderstood" people. And how many times they can be referred for help and still manage to do such horrible things. This guy was referred for a mental evaluation, His teachers were afraid of him, fellow students were stalked by him, The authorities were contacted about the potential danger and what happened...He walked into a gun shop and bought a gun...HELLO....In my opinion he should have never had the right to own a gun. Better gun control might help.....Where I am from if you have been treated with this type of mental issues you are not able to purchase a gun. It is just a fact now days that people with mental issues have all the rights in he world to commit these crimes and have excuses made for them, Don't get me wrong....I have worked for many years with the mentally ill and I believe that have all the human rights as anyone else but there should be a limit to what they can have access to. I read that all this "poor guy" wanted was a better life.....He had the ticket to a better life......He left his homeland of poverty and had came to the land of opportunity and killed 32 innocent people. I am sorry....I don't feel sorry for him.

Answer 592

You will fail because you censure dissent. I was censured on yahoo just a day ago for asking if any believe Jesus was a man, and again for proclaiming my promotion of recreational drug use, tos and tos.

Then how if I and others are censured, tosed, our accounts and words closed off, can we express our dissent and anger?

How do I tell people I personally think about taking a butcher knofe and entering a grade school and doing as many little kids as I possibly can, just to say to the society, to hell with you all, because you dont listen to me, you dont help me, your just abusive and that is why I pray for people like Cho and hope more rise up to slay just like he did and worse, why I hope a nuke gets put in every city world wide and desolates everyone, because your inrtolorances and censorships drive us to sound off in other and more violent manners.

Beast in Hemet CA here.

Answer 593

Dr Chopra,

I think we have a very understanding society,

we are educated,



If you want to prevent tradgedies like this from occurring,

we need to change the laws.



No guns,

Each person SUFFERING from mental illness needs to be cared for, they have rights, but we need to have follow through, if a family, or, group cannot care for a person, then society must, and if it means forcefully placing some one into a program then we must.



we hold criminaly behind bars,



Sick people get treatment and care in quality hospitals, by caring, concerned, knowledgeable doctors who should

LOVE what they do.



Its not realistic to expect everyone in society to recognize illness,or a problem



But teachers, doctors, government officials should all have this training,



And although he could have used anything as a weapon,

guns need to be more difficult to obtain

Answer 594

I think one of the first steps needs to be a requirement upon entering school that you go through a program that teaches you how to 'spot' other students who are not acting normally. Teach children those warning signs. Then, teach children, from their first day of pre-school, that all children are to be treated with the same respect and honor they wish to be treated with. Make mistreating another student a serious offense and offer the mistreated child some kind of counseling and do whatever is within the power of the schools to prevent things like that from happening again. If children are not taught at school - AND AT HOME - that others have to be treated well, everything else will not matter. We have to teach our children, by example, that there are always going to be people who are different from them and people they don't want to associate with, but that being said, we have to teach them to still respect those people! If there is no respect, there will be no peace at our schools.

Answer 595

At the expense of sounding negative, I will say this...There will always be in society, the element that cannot be traced or predicted. People kill, not all of them thank god, but truthfully, that is all that can be said. It isn't my rule of life and I do try to find the good in all people. But, I would not be wrong to say that this guy was a piece of crap that hurt many. All the tolerance in the world wouldn't have made a difference with this loser. He wanted recognition and fame. We should all ignore the results of these small minded people and therefore, deny them their desired effect.

Answer 596

Unless we are realistic in our "understanding", we cannot change anything.



One thing we need to "understand" is that evil exists. Kindness and "understanding" will NOT make it dry up and blow away. Funding will not make evil go away. Pacifism, while a noble undertaking, will not make evil go away.



Evil needs to be named, stood against, fought! No more pussy-footing around, or trying to "calm" a psychotic murderer, or making excuses for a person's mental condition. If a person is showing signs of hatred and violence, then they need to be restrained and removed from society.



The VA campus killer displayed warning signs for over a year. Why nobody had the courage to remove this man from the campus and the country is beyond me!

Answer 597

Institue an AWARENESS OF OTHERS program to encourage tolerance, acceptance, and socialization for people like Cho to feel as if they fit in and belong to a group. The alienation, teasing, hazing, whispers, and taunting of person(s) like Cho only serve as an impetus for further attacks and killings. Cho was short in stature, was not a white American Caucasian, and had an obvious difficulty with self expression. That, coupled with what would be a reasonable expectation that Cho would be outcast because he didn't "meet the mold" or "fit in" was in this case, a deadly combination. People like Cho need to feel like they fit in and are part of a caring community. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen enough on large (and even small) college campuses and schools and people like Cho fall through the cracks. Getting help or counseling is a great suggestion, but it does no more good than putting a bandaid on a gaping wound if someone like Cho doesn't feel connected to his community. Pairing up students (those more social with those less social), instituting programs where socialization takes place in structured activities, and having MANDATORY programs for all university students (or even an introductory course) on TOLERANCE, ACCEPTANCE, and COMPASSION for those unlike yourself... would be a great place to start.

Answer 598

I am sorry to say but you cant prevent what happen at VT from happening again.its called the unknown and you cant predict or control the unknown. as they always say hind sight is always 20/20. as long as the human race has free will to choose what he or she wants to do. no matter how wrong in other eyes it is. they will do it no matter what we think or say. it has happened in our past and will (sad to say)happen again in our future. you can pass all the laws you want but it will never stop what happen at VT from happening again. all you are doing is giving yourselves false security and hope





in the end that guy showed you cant stop any situation from happening. just look at the ones like him in our past. sure we get angry and sad at people that do these hideous acts. but give it a few years and what happened at VT will be a passing memory or people going oh yeah that thing at VT happened on this day. look at Columbine and all the other school shootings. now that years has passed. no one really thinks much about it now. because there will always be some new tragedy happening to take peoples focus off what happened in the past.



the human race is a violent race and you cant change something that has been imprinted on us for thousands of years. its our nature and we can only try to control it but we can never purge it from our being.

Answer 599

In my opinion, the main problem in situations like this is that there are warning signs that are largely ignored. I feel that we should all be paying more attention to our children. There are so many kids and teenagers that run the streets while their parents either do the same or are putting in long hours trying to get the American Dream.



Society as a whole has taught itself to ignore these warning signs; when they are noticed, the child is labeled a "bad seed" and written off as hopeless. I'm not only speaking about school shootings, but also about drug use, teen pregnancy and the other frightening things that face today's youth.



We need to work harder to LISTEN, not just to our kids, but to ourselves and our instincts. It's obvious from the news reports that many of Seung-Hui's acquaintances felt that he was disturbed. It's also noted that he wrote some disturbing material for a class, which the professor flagged. How do these things go unnoticed?



I don't have a solution for this problem, but I hope we can all work toward changing it in the future. Rather than take measures to stop what's already in progress (metal detectors, security, etc.), let's take preventative steps to stop people from wanting to bring guns to school.

Answer 600

Creating a community of understanding sounds wonderful but you cant make certain people feel "happy" no matter what we do there will be people who thrive on badness. whether due to mental illness or due to them just liking evil. All we can do is live in the moment and be kind to others and hope it will rub off on the bad ones.

Answer 601

We all have to reach out to the lonely or disturbed people in our communities. Senseless acts of violence are more apt to happen when one has no support system available, no friendly ear, no compassionate friend.



Often, these gunmen are described as "loners." We need to ask ourselves why they were loners? Did they choose to seclude themselves or were they ostracized? It's funny, but I have several "loner" friends. They are considered "strange" by society's standards. I introduced some to each other and two of them turned around and asked me why I hung around the others, why I have such strange friends. I almost laughed because the ones upset that I was spending time with "strange" guys were strange guys themselves.



I try to be a friend to those that need a friend but, unfortunately, sometimes the people who need friends most are the hardest to be nice to. I'm no saint. I have my own limits. There were some that were too much of a drain of energy. Perhaps if there was some place where such people could be assisted in a non-threatening, minimally intrusive way.

Answer 602

Because if there was a place to report people that you believe are an accident waiting to happen, some kind of network, then maybe something can be done to prevent these kinds of things from happening.

Answer 603

A question I have currently. Maybe, when we want to help Cho, instead of people who drove him crazy.



Should schools have room and board for any child who so desires?



And the reason for their desire found out? A certain agency receives more than a million calls a year from abused children (and that is in South Africa.) Or, should they just be left in a bad situation to cope as best they can as we have always done.

Additional Details



8 minutes ago

Really lame except one. So how does a child apply to the Department of Health and Human Services? Do you know of any orphanages? except at colleges. Yes, I will pay for it; we spend more than enough poisoning our lawns and destroying habitat to pay for it; not to mention our ugly, stupid gas-hogs. Currently, the children are paying for it. I used South Africa because the statistics were at hand. As we are seven times as populous, you may safely assume...........

1 day ago - 2 days left to answer. - 5 answers - Report Abuse

Answer 604

If we had a larger community of understanding, someone might have been able to help that very disturbed person before the tragedy could happen.

Answer 605

The problem is bullying. The source of all shootings from columbine to virgina tech are because kids being bullied and not knowing how to react. Blame the authority figures for it. It would work great if schools took bullying seriously and had no tolerance for it. Schools must enact departments just for it.

Answer 606

I don't think there is much to understand.



We live in a society that is unforgiving to anybody with poor social skills. If you talk in a strange way, shy away from contact or fumble smalltalk you are unlikely to get a job or a girlfriend or anything else people need for support.



Mocking somebody's race is unheard of. Laughing at the fat is passe. For the socially inept it is still hunting season.

Answer 607

That is a very hard question to answer considering there are some that are beyond the normal hand out to another scope of help. I think that in general being open, caring and compassionate with the people that you come into contact with helps. It helps you to feel good about your interactions with other people and attempts to keep the other person in a friendly environment. Some people unfortunately do not want kindness, compassion or the extension of another to them. With people that are outside of that I live by the principle that you have to teach other people how to treat you. By coming from a place of love with the people you come in contact with you are at a good jumping off place.

I understand the woes and abuse that comes from being teased as a child. I also understand that it is easy to become the bully through years of berating remarks and abuse. I poured many years of mistreatment into drugs and alcohol. In actuality it wasn't alcohol or drugs that was the problem. It was me, I needed to find a level of spirituality that allowed me to view myself as a good person so that I could act accordingly. I needed to get in touch with self-validating techniques and with a sense of good self-esteem because once you have it no one can take it away from you!

I think that if people would simply treat people in a manner in which they would like to be treated that many problems would be solved with little upheaval.

This is simply my opinion, based on my experience, of what work in my life.

The first key to shutting out the opinions of the world that get you down is to find a Higher Power of your understanding that is loving and compassionate and fills you with the desire to do good things and to acheive to the best of your ability.

Answer 608

This kid had a mental problem. Shouldn't his folks have

recognized this years ago and got him help and not

wait and expect the general public to come to his

rescue? We will always have deranged people in our

midst, so I don't see how a community can help prevent

tragedies like V.T. Even his roommates and school

friends never ever even thought about him killing anyone

and himself. Some who did recognize it, did report it

but since you can't make anyone enter a mental health

program, what else could be done? It just is a gonna

happen ever so often.

Answer 609

I agree that less media involvement would help reduce the number of copycat incidents when a trajedy like this happens. What better opportunity for a troubled person begging for attention to get national recognition. I guess the other alternative is to train and arm our school teachers, which in turn creates another whole security issue. Allow students to carry weapons if they have a permit. Perhaps the answer is more training in the proper use and care of firearms not to ban them. I know I was taught at an early age how to handle a firearm safely and yea know what it stuck....

Answer 610

I know it's not a popular sentiment but I feel sorry for Cho Seumg-Hui. He was very troubled and instead of help, he was ridiculed throughout his school career. He was so shy that, according to reports, when called upon to read, he was laughed by his classmates at and told "to go back to China." Where was the teacher when that happened? The cruelty and racism is obvious but was there no one who reached out to this troubled soul even back when he was a child? Cho was bullied, belittled, scorned, and hurt to the depth of his being and he reached a snapping point--he broke, and here we have all this horrible carnage. The treatment of the mentally ill in this country is disgraceful--instead of help, society heaps on abuse and dumps the unmedicated and homeless on the street to suffer even more. What happens when a human soul gnaws itself bloody and there's nothing they can do to reach the shores of safety, love, respect? What we need is to understand our common humanity and realize that "there but for the grace of God go I."

Answer 611

io love the angle of your question and i love that there are people who think like you. Creating a community of understanding where people realize that so called "outcasts" are people also who need to be talked to and treated like other normal human beings. I am of the believe that some people get bad starts in life and depending on an individual's temperament, the way they deal with it and manifest it is different. The worst way to deal with it is to put labels on these people, treat them like wierdos and make fun of them. The best way to treat them? Identify with them, treat them like normal people, show them the same love and support you show others who you consider normal. My condolenses to the families of the victims of the virginia tech shooting. I think it is time that we as a society start to reach out to people that we meet everyday. I think that is the way we can prevent such an occurance from repeating itself

Answer 612

I believe we need to get back in touch with our children again. I'm 40 and when I was school age, our parents didn't tolerate behavior like has happened recently. We were afraid to misbehave and it just wasn't accepted. Now, children have learned to be defiant and do what they want when they want. I also think that the media has covered too much of what these "kids" are doing and it is a way for them to be heard. They know that the more horrifying things they do, the more coverage they will get. Goes back to parents (and other adults) being in touch with their kids and LISTENING to them.

Answer 613

Parents,teachers, role models need to teach our kids how to deal with rejection, self-image, failure, basically not being perfect. There is a big difference between feeling rejected and murdering a bunch of innocent people. Why are there exponentially more hand gun murders in America than any other country? Might it have anything to do with the way the media portray people? Everyone is perfect, impossibly perfect. If they are not, they get ridiculed, everything from the wrinkles on the hand of an actress that is well over 40 years old(and should have wrinkles) to over-weight people. No wonder kids are incapable of dealing with their inadequecies. But not all kids are killing, so what IS working? Parenting and spending time with your kids and teaching them at a young age that NOBODY is perfect, even out of photoshop. Deal with your emotions anyway you can other than violence. It is hard to instill these characteristics in a child when you work two jobs and your kid is being raised(or not) by anyone but you.

We don't need DVD players, SUV's, large houses...we need modest lives filled with love, acceptance, and value in what REALLY matters...our future, our children, our family, and life. No wonder everyone is stressed out. Ever notice how being under stress effects how well you can deal with your emotions? America needs its mommy and a vacation.

Answer 614

The real tragedy here is that people like the VT killer are allowed to walk the streets. These kind of people used to be locked up in asylums now they walk the streets while being "treated" (read never cured).



Lock up the nutjobs like we used to do and this type of thing would be far less commonplace.

Answer 615

Ban Games like DOOM and GTA .



























naa , I'm just kiddin' . From what I saw in that Video , the Cho guy looked disturbed and Frustrated and there is no better cure for Frustration and Anger than Love . So we should be more Caring and Loving towards each other . And a Smile always goes a long way .

Answer 616

The whole VT community "understood" this kid was crazy and there were many signs and evidence that this kid should have been expelled and sent to a mental health facility.



It is YOUR "community of understanding" which caused this problem. We are way too politically correct and afraid of "judging" people..."live and let live" has crippled our ability to hold people accountable for their actions and people are afraid of being sued if they say anything about anyone. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it IS a duck.

Answer 617

How does a man in the prime of his life lose it? What pressures were acting upon him? How much responsibilty are we his parents, his early teachers, his community - which includes his gun -seller to take for this horrible act? As long as there is stress on youth ,appearance, on individual achievement and wealth, on conformity, there are going to be 'failures' and misfits. Just like something as big as the global warming connected to the individual, as is this act to the society as we know it now. Cho was not alone when he pulled the trigger on his community, we helped him along.

Answer 618

This man obviously had some serious mental disorders and should have been in a hospital setting taking medications. Our society, in our desire to mainstream the mentally disabled, are not keeping the people in hospital that need to be kept. A man with such severe mental disorders should not have been out on the street, should not have been able to purchase guns and should have had family members that cared enough to see to it that he got the help that he needed. Because of our lax rules, 33 people are dead, including the shooter and the lives of 33 peoples families are never going to be the same, including the shooters.

Answer 619

Until we all realize that we are one, connected in the universe and this is all our own creation of reality we will always have tragedy. But truly, isn't all of this part of the divine order created by our own consciousness? It may just be part of a greater lesson that none of us yet understand. I trust you Deepak, out of all others, to help us all find a way to make sense of it.

Answer 620

Unless people begin to trust each other, and reach out to each other, befriend each other regardless of race or social class, the prospect of a community of understanding will be hard to create.

Christianity erases segregation on all levels, man,female, boss, employee, heads of state, citizens, race, or color did not matter to Jesus Christ. God created everyone and showed equality to a culture where children and women and slaves, and other races were not received because of man's religious rules - not God's. Unfortunately, the human race took this course instead of God's so we have hate wars, annihilation's, crimes against women, children, poor, homeless, widows, mentally and physically disabled, all the ones that are less than perfect.

Teaching children to reach out to the ones who are quiet, shy, needing friends is important. It is also important to recognize emotional needs of a person in a society, unfortunately, we are all too busy just trying to live our lives, that one more person is just too much.

If we focused on people, not on acquiring things - we might have a chance to make the world better. Until the greed element is gone, people will naturally go the direction of selfish, self gratifying, and self centered lives.

There are exceptions, like missionaries, and volunteers, and social workers, and others who give their lives to people, but that is the minority not the majority.

Answer 621

People preach intolerance...while Cho obviously overreacted and there is no excuse for his killings...there is a tremendous possibility his attitude could have been prevented. That is, if people had chosen to treat him as a human and with dignity.

People's irrational treatment of Cho far before the incident, including bullying, social isolation, perhaps pressure to succeed gradewise from parents, lack of a sex life, etc. easily could have planted the thought in his head "my effort doesn't matter, even without bad deeds I'm still known as a "weirdo", so why should I care?!".

I think the main lesson from Cho's case...is, just as there is no excuse to initiate killings, there is also NO EXCUSE TO "CRIMINALIZE" SOMEONE SIMPLY FOR NOT BEING POPULAR. Cho easily could have thought "hey, I'm a criminal no matter what I do, so I might as well get some attention."

Many people who are fat, loners, slow spoken, quiet...get branded by society as weak and not given fair credit. We need to live by the attitude "innocent until proven guilty"...notice how few "pretty looking (esp. white) people" get labelled as criminals?

We need to get out of our media-induced heads and preach tolerance.

Answer 622

I do not believe we can stop these from happening. We can BLAME many inaminate objects. IF we were to learn self-discipline, responsibility and personal accountability we MIGHT decrease some of it.



I feel for the shooters family, especially his parents. Not only did they lose their son but this will haunt them forever and they have nowhere to hide from simple-minded people that will blame them. And if you think because they knew him best how well does your family 'understand' you?

This was an act only the shooter could have stopped......... or a teacher that packed heat against school policy. The shooter was smart, he knew there would be no risk to himself.

Answer 623

If this were really all that simplistic!! Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to second guess every lunatics' next move!! A community of understanding ......I don't even know what that means or how it is relevant to preventing anything. It is always horrific when something like VT happens, but it is very, very rare. Thank god.

Answer 624

A community of understanding that includes all people? Not very realistic now, is it? It would be nice but with all the people, pressures and problems we face today, there will be somone who snaps when it gets to be too much. Sadly, we are way too busy in our own little worlds to reach out that far.

Answer 625

We can all help by being more understanding & having more compassion when someone shows outward signs of being troubled, such as those who tend to be loners. We should all reach out & help those people instead of ignoring them or saying cruel things to them. Don't ignore signs that something isn't quite right, when you see disturbing behavior or hear disturbing talk from someone. Word has it that the shooter at VT, may have discussed his plans with someone, prior to the shootings. This type of thing can not be ignored. Tell someone, anyone, so it can be checked out.

Answer 626

first thing is to set up programs for kids like all of these kids who go on these killing sprees. to prevent them. get into every school and talk to the kids about the dangers in picking on other kids that have less than you. the biggest problem is the schools they turn a deaf ear to the kids complaining about being teased and what not. i know this first hand as i was set on fire in the 8th grade. my principal called me a liar. burned hair wasnt even enough proof. we need to get the racist principals and school teachers out of the schools also. they encourage hatred of those not like you.



as parents we need to teach our children that there is no such thing as different people we are all one race the human race. skin color nor bank account figures shouldnt matter. but sadly it does. and its a shame. i pray that this kind of thing doesnt happen again but it will because people dont teach their kids any better and sadly its the kids doing the teasing that feel the worst, they are hurting down deep because of something. lets work together and save americas youth they are out future and they are dying far to quickly

Answer 627

A 'community of understanding' will not help prevent this. There are some genuinely evil sickos out there...and we can't do anything about them. One individual who was allowed to a carry concealed would have made a difference. If the Holocaust survivor prof had been allowed to carry like he would have been in Israel, could have prevented a lot of deaths. With a few exceptions, he kept his head and blockaded the door...I doubt he would have hesitated to pull a weapon and fire back. Maybe THAT would have stopped it.



We're so busy trying to initiate a 'culture of understanding" and being PC that as a culture and nation we are forgetting that there are some really evil and sick individuals out there and no understanding will ever help.

Answer 628

I resent both this question and the place YAHOO is giving it.

what the hell does a "community of understanding" mean?

It means nothing. Just another example of liberal-speak that sounds good and caring, but is only a shadow of what it perports to be. It is hollow in its entirety. Just as wearing a ribbon in 'support' of aids. Does the ribbon spur research? NO! Does a ribbon help the afflicted? NO!



Somehow this person was allowed to become a monster and all hell broke loose.

The media has much to do with it-gratuitous violence and perversity abound on the big screen, TV, and in music and comics today.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR IT AS IT IS ALL INDECENT!

What is there to understand? and how can 'understanding' help those who now grieve?



What is VERY easy to understand, and the families of the victims should get VERY angry at this, is that the students were not allowed, by school policy, to carry firearms with which they could have successfully defended themselves and others!



People, conditioned to see media exposure as praise and honor, are eager to become famous, even posthumously. This should not happen. the sensational is not news! it is not worthy of the promanence it is given!



I want you, and everyone else to see this point:

Taking away the freedoms, so intelligently prescribed, by our founding fathers, can have ONLY bad outcomes. This person could have killed one or two before being stopped by those who chose, forthemselves, to be armed. Those brave defenders would have been heralded as heros and their just praises would have easily taken center stage instead of the selfish and cowardly criminal, whose name is never going to be worth remembering; thus spurring others to do likewise (whoever gets the press will get the copycats, be it the hero or the criminal).



Thank You,

Arthur Haglund

Candidate for the Presidency of the USA '08

Vote for independents and independence in '08

Vote out incumbants

Vote out liberals

Vote out those who rob us of our freedoms

Answer 629

A complex question doesn't have a simple answer. We need to focus on making people accountable for doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. There were plenty of signs that this individual have emotional/mental problems. Those individuals that knew about it didn't follow through. Proof of that is that his record didn't indicated any unstable personality traits at the time that he purchased the guns.



"Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it".

Henry Thomas Buckle

Answer 630

It can't. Insane, imbalanced, and evil people are not going to be impacted by any dialog between civilized and benevolent people. Criminals thrive on the indulgence of society's understanding. They mock our laws and laugh at our weakness in the face of adversity. One could easily argue that colleges are already designed to be "communities of understanding," dedicated to the spreading of ideas. The killer chose a college campus and not a police station because it is such a soft target.

Answer 631

At freshman orientation, maybe college students need to be told what kinds of behavior to look for in their roommates. This kid had not spoken to or made eye contact with any of his 5 suitemates since August! In the gym, he was alone. They never saw him speak to anyone or even talk on the phone or IM anyone the entire school year. People need to talk, need to have an outlet for their emotions. If he had not spoken to or spent time with ANYONE all year, they should have known that was very abnormal, and they should have been trying to get him help.

Answer 632

The phrase "think globally, act locally" may originally have been about the environment, but we can apply it to how we treat others. If everyone took a concern to the people they knew who were having difficulties, and then took ownership to reach out to those people, there would be fewer people feeling the desperation and isolation that Cho Seung-Hui felt.



Reaching out is not just saying hello; it's being persistent and really trying to get to know people.

Answer 633

What? Get serious, this guy was out of his freaking mind. There's no "community of understanding" that can save a guy like that. He needed to be locked away in a good mental hospital where he could receive intense therapy and medication, not some mushy, feel-good community nonsense.

Answer 634

We don't even need to go as far as understanding. Basic respect would be a huge step forward. People need to realize that actually society can not protect you very well. What happened this week may have been unavoidable but we can learn from it. Life is very fragile. The way we treat people has an impact on them.

Answer 635

I dont believe that what happened at Virgina Tech is related to lack of an atmosphere of understanding. There will always be people with psychological problems (depression, antisocial personality disorder, psychosis... ) and so on it is not something that can be prevented in toto... I agree that some cases of violence can be prevented by an atomsphere of understanding but there is nothing that can be done to have a violence free world it will always be there...

Answer 636

Mindset and perception is at the level of the individual. Ultimately, one makes a choice whether conscious or unconscious.



We know that Cho chose to take lives as well as his own. We can speculate and analyze it but we truly cannot get into the mindset of his being, we are not him. There within lies the real frustration. Fear of lack of control.



There's so many critical points that can be ostracized. I think if we get caught up in that question, we will miss subtle yet valuable lessons in this.



And that lesson is, there is no lesson beyond the act. There is just a choice. A choice, for better or worse, that carried a huge negative impact for Cho, Cho's family and those lives he ultimately affected.



The lesson is the act and it's consequences. There is no true way to mold one being's perception to that of another being. That is why we are here. To perceive, to shape, to mold ourselves to the perception and choices we make for ourselves. To reinvent ourselves over again and again.



There's no fault in choice. Only cause and effect. This choice carried a huge consequence on many planes and dimensions. It's not a judgement. It's a way to measure choice and what choices best define who we perceive ourselves to be.



Teaching and preaching about ethics does not work. As we can see it did very little to detour Cho's fatal acts of hate.



Teaching about cause and effect is the very core of our nature and I suspect that is where the community can be most effective in the youth of our planet.



In the end, we all have the final say in the choices we make. No one else pulled the trigger, just Cho and is perception of life. To mold one's perception into something that is not of one's own will, is to die a million deaths.



Metta to all. To the victims and their families. To Cho's parents and community and to Cho himself. There is no winner no loser. Just the purity of choice.



Take care

Answer 637

I don't think there's much you can do to prevent such incidents. While you can set up programs and try and make sure people pay attention to such details so that if someone acts in such a way, they can help them seek help or confront them, not everyone will allow such signs to show or willingly accept help.



I know people who keep things inside until they burst despite how many times friends have told them they could tell them anything and are willing to listen. Sometimes people don't like spreading their problems, but in the end wind up snapping themselves.



All we can do is try and help those people who give such signs and make sure people are aware as early as possible, because such signs can indicate a forewarning of something serious.

Answer 638

Unfortunately, it seems this tragedy was inevitable. People had tried to reach out to this guy, and he denied them. It's a sad reality, but this type of thing just seems to be getting more and more common. It doesn't help matters when the media publishes the crazy rants. I hope and pray there won't be any copycats.

Answer 639

Deepak,



I am shocked to see you asking this question. After all the work that you do. You know it all starts in the mind. It starts within and with desire. You can't change any one elses desire for them any more than you can change the ebb and flow of the tides. You can't coat the feelings of negativity with a sugary layer of icing and expect that is going to fix it. That's why positive affirmations have never worked and will never work. They are only indicative of our potential, not true medicine. People have to want to heal, they have to question their values, their beliefs. This world has to fall apart before it can get better. Like an alcoholic, it has to bottom out before we are going to be able to see what we've done. We aren't there yet. I wish it weren't true.

Answer 640

Think College Authorities should begin to take more notice of the likes of this recent shooter.

His behavior in the past..........red flags.

Colleges are too PC today....really....I consider myself a liberal and feel fine saying that the colleges are too PC.....

too tolerant of aberrant behavior





To blame the off campus authorities...in any way for this incident ...is unfair.



the town has a population of 10,000

I understand the student body of VIRGINIA TECH is around 21,000

http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/gen

eralinfo.asp?listing=1022823


College Administrators are stupid or what?



I wouldn't unload trucks with a guy like that shooter..

And they let him on campus.

red flags, menacing behavior and all.

So they do nothing.

All in the name of Freedom of Expression.



It's on the College...not the gunstore.

(or the Constitution)

Answer 641

It can't, and you're too much of an idiot to know it, apparently.

This was done by a psychopathic personality that you would have been the last person to know how to help. You and your cohorts would sit there in a circle focusing the love on him while he picked you off one at a time.



What is needed is training people how to form a group defense and group resistance strategy. It's something that has to be explained and then practiced beforehand, just as military people practice assaults.



The group has to go after the shooter as soon as the threat is evident. The odds that someone will be killed or injured will not be eliminated, but certainly greatly reduced from those that apply if people just lie down and play dead.



20 or more people in one classroom just let themselves be shot because they didn't know what else to do to resist a single gunman? Outrageous.



People like you with their mystical beliefs in mythical powers are largely to blame for our misplaced trust in the benevolence of fate in these circumstances.



Fate, luck, karma or whatever fool's lucky charm or talisman you rely on will not protect you or anyone else from whatever forces are directing the gunman's hand to point in your direction. Only a studied defensive reaction will have a chance of saving you.

But you, sir, fool that you are, will have none of this, and the carnage will continue accordingly.

Answer 642

Systems are too back logged to check on people. The VA Tech shooter everyone knew he had a problem: parents, realitives, church, class mates, teachers, the court system. He was ordered to get help and no one checked to see if he got it. People with mental dissorders has to be checked on, you can not rely on them to think for themselves. Who knows what the answer is

Answer 643

Expound upon and expand your ideaology of "a community of understanding"...maybe a full version could begin an answer...the problem is...there are no full versions of understanding for anger and pain, or for frustrations untold (ones only partially revealed within a quizz of a riddled mind reaching out).

Answer 644

The reaction of the community has been truly outstanding. There has been no reaction towards any single group. Everyone understands that this person does not represent a group, but is a mentally disturbed individual. We need to concentrate on healing.

Answer 645

Hi

for creating a community of understanding we need to look into how to create individuals who have understanding and common core values only then we can have a healthy community.

i feel that we really need to critically analyse the impacts of media - in the form of destructive media for children. we need to re invent our education system which gives more importance to facts than values and emotions. The curriculum in schools should be more value based.

other than that there should be continuous evaluation at institutes regarding such mental tendencies.

Answer 646

You cant truely prevent it but it would help a lot if people wouldn't look at depressed loners (such as myself who have some reason for keeping to themselves no matter what the reason may be and pick on them) and make fun of them and make their lives a living hell where they think that they have no place in life and that its the only way out and feel like taking people out who made them feel like they had no place in life just because they was a depressed loner whom didn't want to assoiciate with people.

Answer 647

Creating a community of understanding can help by allowing someone to be able to express themself and what they feel without blame of predjudice...many people have no where or no one to turn to when they have a need to express how they feel..and noone who wants to listen to the story they have to tell..



Then tragedies like this sometimes happen..

Answer 648

You can create a community of understanding unless your seregate every into section

RICH and POOR

RACE

sex

creed

reglion

as long as their are difference in people you will have problem but VT, high school shooting and terror attack have gone too far and everyone has the right no matter where they are in this world to live

Answer 649

I have no idea. The killer was a "collector of injustices." That sent chills through me because my ex was like that. It was an excuse to do what he wanted. The cry of the weak. He left all his family responsibilities and did just that...joined a "community of understanding" in SF. He's still a manipulative sociopath and justifies all the evil he does.

Answer 650

That's a tough question. It's so hard to understand how/why someone would do something like this. How do people get so messed up in their own head? How are we to know that someone is headed down that path so that we can help them? Maybe we just have to remember to be kind to each other; a smile, a hello. Just acknowledge each other as fellow humans. Maybe then people wouldn't feel so isolated.

Answer 651

Mr Chopra I pray your eyes are lifted of blindness. the Bible clearly states there will be no everlasting joy and peace on Earth until Jesus returns. Jesus said things would be in darkness before his return. His light doesn't shine in the non believers through normal sins such as lieing cheating and adultery , fornication and murder so He is clearly allowing the intense tragedies of the world in hopes to wake the asleep up!! I've always admired your teaching until I received the Holy Ghost and his Word became true in my life. I thank our Heavenly Father that you to will be awakened by the one true and living God via His Son Jesus Christ. Please don't judge this note just pray if it is for you , you will get it

lets remember that the word of God says that even the foolishness of God is more wise than the wisdom of men. We can't get through these last days without Him and his wisdom.

Answer 652

I currently attend a private university institution just like Virginia Tech. I've met few students myself who behave like Cho. And I've also met such kids in high school. But how can you really expect to point out students with "loner kid" behavior? There are so many of them...



And since they don't make many friends, it becomes hard to know them in depth. As media brings up these signs of abnormal behavior, I'm sure there were more students just like Cho at Virginia Tech. More things were discovered about Cho because we were forced to look in depth.



Unfortunately, "Cho" types demand a different type of world where inferiority doesn't exist, or at least they aren't inferior themselves. Where people aren't judged depending on how rich they are or how they look. And so on...



As media calls these things Cho's delusions; we have to admit there is some truth in this. I can't say our social structure has to change but it looks like Cho felt that he had to do this in order to make some sort of change for "his" type. He claims to have stood up for defend less people (even comparing himself to Jesus).



If you're going to look at this as his imagination or delusional world; then why not everything be looked upon the same way. For example, a girl getting mad at her boyfriend for cheating and breaking the TV is probably suffering from something similar since she believes that cheating is wrong. But what Cho believed was something different. He felt that people mistreated him and he had to do something about it instead of running away like his "brothers and sisters".



How can a community help Cho when it holds way of life that bothered Cho to begin with?

Answer 653

Well, seeing that the manifesto that Cho left was all about rich snobs riduculing him constantly, Maybe we need to actually inforce some sort of rule against mentally hurting students. At my school, TTheir are soo many mean, cruell, and racist people. But my principal says unless they are phsically mean, There is nothing they can do. Maybe if school weren't so afraid of thse rich snobs trying to defend their kids, and enflicted some punishment on them, Their wouldn't be so many "colombine followers" today. schools are constantly saying that they have an honor code, and students should be nice, but they don't do anything to enforce this!!! cho says he did this to "insipire a generation of weak and defensless people." I Am like that to, and am picked on at my school! (of course, I would never kill anyone, because I understand that they must be mentallly ill to be so ignorant.) so to answer your question simply: We need to pay more attention to making sure school is fair and that all students are kind and not rude b*tches like in high school.

Answer 654

In my opinion Tech IS a community of understanding. My son has made it his home for years & I've visited often, meeting many of the students, teachers & residents there. I'd like to hear your opinion, since you asked the question. Some people are just not going to be reached. What CAN we do?

Answer 655

Recognition of the signs and symptoms needs to be put into the school systems and it needs to be taken seriously and given priority. It's no different than the neighborhood watch that police instituted to deal with crime. When you see something wrong or out of place you need to call the authorities. when you see violent content on the internet..tell someone, when you over-hear someone in the hallway talking about hit lists and shooting someone..tell somebody. When one of your friends talks about suicide take them serious and tell somebody. If you ignore it then nothing good will come of it..only pain,anguish,and death. If you gather together as a community and educate yourself on what to look for and how to tell if someone needs help and take action instead of non-action you can save a life or lives.

Answer 656

Each individual must come to the understanding that everything we do has repercussions. We hold the power to damage and to heal with our words and actions.



Only then can we come together in a community of understanding.

Answer 657

Unfortunately we are living the legacy of the 60's mentality. The killing will keep coming until generations purge the 60's mentality and go back to the basics of raising families. The 60's generation began to raise their children to believe that values are a personal choice. No one can tell you what your's are. This lead to a generation who believe in moral relativism. They began to raise children and taught them that there is no right or wrong, everything is subject to your own personal feelings. They also forced changes in education to protect their children's feelings. A new generation was raised who never knew what it is like to be a poor performer or to fail. Heaven forbid we hurt someone's feelings. We have now reached a point where someone being picked on decides the only answer to the situation is to kill. Why? Because there is no sense of right or wrong. Rather than look internally to see what he could do to improve himself, he decided it wasn't his fault (nothing is anyone's fault with this generation), it had to be everyone else's fault. Consequently innocent people died. There are many more like him out there waiting to do the same.

Answer 658

In today's society,where we are deluged with unspeakable images of Warfare and atrocity's,the entire society is affected by association.We have let it into our living rooms,and by doing so even our dreams become shaded.We as a society of schools,starting at the pre school level,must educate our children with the value of compassion for the other.If we could manage to infuse the principles of the Golden Rule into our children, I do believe all of society would benefit as a whole.We seem to have a society where the individual ego overshadows the need for respect and sympathy for the entire panorama of life on this planet.

Answer 659

It can't.



Wait a few weeks for autopsy results. I guarantee we'll find that this kid had some organic defect like a brain tumor or neurological disorder.



Laws, regulations, community of understanding, and any other touchy-feely nonsense you can come up with have no effect when someone is just wired wrong.

Answer 660

People hurt others out of ignorance. The inability to connect or empathize with other human beings leaves the possibility to lash out at each other. By transcending this ignorance we can create community full of compassion empathy and understanding.

Answer 661

There is a fine line as to how far you can go when getting involved in peoples lives.



Who actually knows what the problem is? I sure don't. And I can bet that no one else knows either.



Is it the fear we are spoonfed on a daily basis? Or possibly the lack of parental supervision?



The first step I would take in solving the social crisis we have is to stop meddling in peoples lives. We are constantly told what we should be wearing, how we should look, where we should be shopping....it's like a neverending string of "if you don't do this your going to be a failure." I understand that it is capitalism at work, but how far can you let it go?



Let people be people and stop holding them to some ridiculous expectation. Society should sto force-feeding it's beliefs down everyone elses throat. Worry about your own life and not someone elses. And listen to someone when they have something to say instead of calling them wierd and shunning them from society.

Answer 662

It's not just America.there seems to be a plague of ruthlessness going on every were even in the UK. but people that destroy other peoples lives must be punished. but our country's are so caught up on political correctness WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG ANY more.?our christian values and teachings are laughed at.At least we were disciplined know they send people how do wrong on out of bounds holiday's.and pat them on the back. people need to be made accountable for there evils..

Answer 663

I feel we have come a long way in creating a community of understanding and are much more sensitive to the fact that there are those that do have alot of problems. We all want to make better councelling available to everyone who might be in trouble or have problems in dealing with alot of negative feelings in their life. Hopefully

we can better our community issues to represent all cases that might show hostilities. bettyk

Answer 664

I think for the most part we have a community of understanding. "Understanding" won't change the mind of someone who is mentally ill and/or refused treatment or doesn't think he needs treatment. No community of any type will ever be able to stop all of the acts like the VT massacre. Evil exists, and that's not going to change.

Answer 665

By creating a community of understanding we can help prevent tragedies if people are aware of the warning signs and know what to do before the person loses control and snaps. We need to understand the Cho was mentally insane and he did not just snap. This was building for years and the signs were there. We need to have stricter laws that would allow making a mental unbalance person be comitted for help against their will. He was a sick person crying out for help, some have tried others failed. There are alot of people like him in this world and we need to open up our eyes and see the warning signs. We need to understand and learn from this tradegy to avoid another one. Parents need to be taught the signs to know when there child is in need of mental health and where to go to get their child help. We also need to understand this was not his family's fauclt and they are grieving and in pain like the rest of us. They have not only lost a child and brother but he caused the worst massacre in the history of the U.S. and they need our prayers and compassion also. We need to come together as a nation, reach out to those who we deem as different, aloof and teach out children to respect others and try to help them instead of making fun of them. We need to examine all these school shootings and instead of asking why they happen ask how can we stop them from happening again and again. What can we do as a whole to prevent these tradegies. Reach out to those who have gone through these tradegies including Cho's family show peace for one another, pledge to help those in need, voice concerns until someone listens. We also need to understand what he did and others that killed in other school massacres are not crazy or just did this for the fun of it but mentally unstable and this is a sickness. The writing was on the wall its time to have plans of action, work together. The VA students have shown forgiveness by placing a stone for cho with stones for the victims he killed in a memorial held for the victims this shows compassion and we can all say what we want about him but we can learn from the warning signs and what he did. Also, the news needs to stop showing his videos they are destructive and can give some other person who is mentally unstable the push they need to be a copy cat and lose control.

Answer 666

It is not a community of understanding that would prevent these things. What would help (I don't know that we can ever stop it now) is for parents to be truly involved with their children. For us to stop glorifying violence and truly promote respect for people and life. It might also help if we truly kept our laws and made punishment swift and sure instead of letting killers lose or paying them to live in prison for 30, 40 or 50 years.

Answer 667

this question only beckons more questions and is too broad for a specific answer.

Understanding how to detect crazy potential killers could be improved, but how to handle them once they are detected is what clearly failed. Can all angry loners be segregated? No.



If some folks had reached out and tried to be nice to this maniac would things have been different? possibly, but it is not human nature to be nice to folks who express such hatred toward humanity.



Preventing tragedies like this would require trade-offs in the personal freedoms which this country was founded on.



More people would be prevented from having weapons. More people would be forced to undergo more extensive psychological evaluations and would be essentailly incarcerated prior to any illegal actions on their part. I am OK with some trade-offs but drawing the line is difficult.

Answer 668

Living in the now, respecting yourself and others, drawing people in pain out of their sorrow by compassion and seeing them as Love in Action - even the grizzley parts of Love. Love in action is not always pretty, but its there and needs to be blessed.



Everybody says it, but few really understand that life really is short. Even if you live to be 101, its not enough time. We have been given a gift like no other humans in history. We live in an super-advanced civilization, where Spiritual knowledge, capitalism and technology offer us the means and opportunity to live like royalty.



We owe it to all the poor still slogging through medieval Third World backwaters to live the best life we can here. We can carve out our own little fortunate world of our choosing. No one assigned us the life we have right now. We stumbled into it, made choices, maybe allowed other people to steer us along, maybe cruised along like water going downhill.



Bette Davis said it best: "The world is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving." Turn off your TV's now. Hug your children, your grandchildren, your families and friends. Invite a single person (old or young) who is alone, out for lunch. Look around and see how blessed we are. Share your pain and where you are coming from with someone else and let them share theirs. Give it light, give it air - let it dissipate!



All we have is now. There is not "always plenty of time". Live now, love now and show others how to live and love now too.



Cho was a teacher for all of us. Are we "getting the lesson"?

Answer 669

It will not happen...small block community with people knowing each other over the years may help each other out but there has been too much apathy and trying to earn the large money amounts where they dont have to help anyone out.

Guidelines need established because the mental health sick people are mainstreamed from institutions to general public and expect to cope when they cannot and there are no "signs" on them that come with I am mentally sick and not on meds...

I site experience dealing with mentally sick daughters bf in denial with dysfunctional in family and job...

Answer 670

It's a wonderful idea to believe that man can be harmonious. History has shown that man is hardwired for power, greed, etc. Also, there have always been fringe individuals or groups intent on destruction. I hope that, someday, minds more powerful and insightful than mine can discover the way of achieving a better world.

Answer 671

Being non-judgemental and showing concern and compassion for our fellow human beings is an ideal that we should all strive for. But it is unrealistic, because there are those who are so anti-social and downright unlikable that it is just impossible to do so, no matter how much we try. The sad thing is, no amount of understanding seems to help someone who is a loose cannon just waiting to go off.

Answer 672

Say hi to the kid in the corner, you yourself said 'everyone you see, offer them a gift.' be it acknowledgement, a smile, or a minute of your time to listen.



Did anyone ever ask how he was doing and wait for an answer? Did anyone try to see his point of view before this happened?



What are people outraged about? What can we do to change it? How do you end a blood feud, or offer an open door into a brighter world?

Answer 673

I think students need periodic mental health checking and taking appropriate measurement on that.Virginia tech killer had reported but couldn't do any action due to lack of sufficient factor to do harm others.But the authority could take different measure to handle this sophisticated issue.In a sentence i would like to say our community need to hear from the 'people' who are in need(in any spectrum like economical,social,mental...etc)with more heartily.

Answer 674

It's unfortunate really. As twisted as this may sound, I think humanity needs to go extinct, we're such a horrible species I swear. We take over animal's homes for our own benefit and are the cause of tragic events such as WWI/II 9/11 and now this, since it's obviously not going to stop, I hope someone invents a nuke that can wipe us off the face of earth for good.

Answer 675

It won't. It'll help cut down on some, perhaps. But, it's human nature to cause damage, one way or another.

This is intensified by mental illness as in the VA Tech incident. A "community of understanding" can't prevent mental illness or change human nature.

But, perhaps it can help the victims and their loved ones after such incidents.

Answer 676

Didn't they try to understand him when they gave him a one-on-one ? I worked at an alternative school where the policy was based on a Native American Philosophy of Reclaiming Youth, through a human wellness code of Belonging, Mastery, Independance and Generosity. Acceptance came to them as they walked in the door, no matter what their background was. We tried to reframe their broken lives so they could reclaim themselves. One of my students killed someone just after he left our program. (He left the program on his own, due to his age) So with all the understanding and support we offered, this tragedy happened anyway. I hate to sound cynical, Dr. Chopra, but some people are not fixable. I believe that is what happened in the case of Cho Seung-Hui.

Answer 677

To prevent tragedies like the one at Verginia Tech is almost impossible.

But creating a community were people learn to value others and express positive thoughts to each other may help alot.

Sadly to say, many societies ridicule others who are diferents because of Sexual orientation, color, race, age, appearence, and soo many other reasons just to boost their alto-ego of being better then another.

No race is superior to another, what makes a better person is tolerance and understanding to one another.

Also I believe Cho tried to let someone know something was wrong with himself and the thoughts he had about what he was going to do.

Its just no one realy cared enough to understand what was going to happen.

He knew it was wrong, but he did it anyways.

We as a society and people most learn to deal with problems of all sorts in a non-violent way.

Sadly to say, the next mass murderer in probably going to try to kill even more people, just to go down in history as the one who killed the most.

Answer 678

There are a lot of communities that exist, and many more that could be created and help lots of different people in different ways, but tragedies happen despite our efforts. I don't know if we can ever prevent tragedies like this, unless we go as far as to be totally monitored by a hopefully uncorrupt government, and then that would be a tragedy in itself.

Answer 679

If we all remember that we are not in this life alone, and try to be empathetic toward others, we could reduce each other's stress and a whole host of other medical or emotional problems. It's good to take time to talk to other people, even if it's just in passing like at the store or the nail salon, and help make someone's day. We all need each other.

Answer 680

As a disabled adult, it has been my experience that people have a tendency to feel they can insult me, follow me about, make ignorant remarks and stare without fear of retaliation. I'm talking about ADULTS here. yes, it makes me angry however, I am not violent. I have studied the teachings of Dr. King and other leaders espousing peace as I try to make my way in this, American society.

Although I was born and raised here in America, I am troubled by her constantly rating people by their looks or carriage.

I am an educated person despite my difficulties and I wish that people who are considered normal would be more MATURE when encountering people who are considered different.

Although I am deeply upset regarding Cho's actions on Monday, if what he says is true, he had reached his boiling point a long time ago when he was treated unfairly in American society.

Living in this society can be very difficult when there are odds working against you for no other reason than GENETICS and caste.

Here's some things i would recommend, if your friend is laughing at someone's appearance or disability, you do NOT have to laugh along with that person. It takes more courage to be friendly toward the person.

Don't stare! What the hell are you looking at?If a person has a physical disability, why are you staring? What are you looking for. Unless, you are trying to figure out how to be helpful, don't stare, please. Disabled people or foreign people are not circus freaks.

Don't speak down to me, raise your voice to help someone understand what you're explaining unless they have indicated a hearing issue or ignore a person because their companion is easier to talk to. Instead, make the effort to talk to someone respectfully.

Those of us who are differently abled must contend with our disabilities day in and day out; the last thing we need as we deal with the difficulties is ridicule, ignorance or insult.

I tempted to make a t-shirt that reads, I may be disabled but you're a frigging idiot!

I wish people who do this nation would grow the hell up. Cho and those other victims didn't have to die.

People need help, not humiliation.

(note to self, this will probably fall on deaf ears)

Answer 681

I think now that the worm can has been opened, though it stinks there will always be kids who just want to be like they are and when the volume is turned up too loud do something extreme like murder strangers in a closed heavily populated area.



There has always been some creepy person around who is quiet never talks to anyone has weird views, whatever. They just never used to go to these extremes in school.

Answer 682

Kids like this one are treated for most of their life as outcasts.

If you really want to do something about this event you have to start at the beginning where this starts. With the kids who teased and bullied this kid or just made him feel like he didn't belong. You have to start at a young age to teach kids tollerance of others. But instead parents are often too lazy to do this and just play it off a "kids will be kids" or "oh they will work it out, they need to learn those skills for themselves".



I want to be very carefull with what I am about to say. I do NOT in anyway agree with this kids actions and do NOT in anyway think they were appropriate. But now having said that, I understand this kids state of mind. Everyone takes things differently. Some people get teased and they just blow it off. Other kids get teased and they go punch the other kid in the face. But some kids just want to fit in and want to be accepted and want to be liked and when for no good reason they are treated with anger and hate they can internalize this. And if you continue that kind of treatment over many many years it can warp your thinking. Usually it's only two or three kids who are really abusive but the indiference of the others of the group just adds to the pain that no one is willing to step up and help. Now throw in a firm belief in God and an expectation that prayers should be heard and answered and now it can seem that even God doesn't care about you because He appears to let this go on even though you pray day and night for Him to step in and soften the hearts of those who torment you.



I say these things because I lived through it barely myself. I moved when I was in third grade and starting from thrid grade through high school was tormented by other kids. If you ever were to confront anyone no one would ever say that anyone ever did anything. But as a point of example on my last day of school in 8th grade I had the three worst offenders come up to me and they informed me that they had, had a bet between themselves to see which one could drive me to a nervious break down and they were surprized that none of them were able to.



So if you really want to do something to stop these occurences you need to change the attitudes of the supposedly stable well adjusted kids who do the teasing and harrassement.

Answer 683

It has been reported earlier that the person who shot in the Virginia Tech had mental disturbances or mentally ill. I do not understand why they let him free, because actually that person should be under psychiatry supervision and got medicine. He was mentally ill (as I can see from TV). He was dangerous.

Answer 684

I don't think that a community will help, I think it all comes from education, it's the only foundation of our society, if we educate with tolerance and humbleness, if we teach our children to appreciate other cultures and ways of living, they'll understand that every mind is a whole different Universe, and that even if we are teaching them to be individuals and independent, they won't forget that they are a part of something bigger, they belong somewhere.

Answer 685

First thing which should be done all over the United States is to change the laws about weapons. Me as a German I will never understand why each adult American is able to buy a weapon.



In Germany you only have the right to carry arms with a special license. And it is not as easy to get this license as in the States. I think this would avoid many crimes, crimes which happen so often in the USA, right?

Answer 686

Kids NEED to know how to relate to one another with empathy and compassion and GOOD MANNERS.



They also know they should TALK to a parent and a teacher about ANY bullying they are subjected to in school



And of course, they should be BROUGHT UP in a kind and compassionate family where they realize not only THEIR worth but the intrinsic and SACRED worth of every other living being on this earth.



We reach out to one another with kindness and we let our guard down -- in times of TRAGEDY-- WHY can't we do this BEFORE anything tragic occurs? THAT would help PREVENT much tragedy in the future!!!!

Answer 687

Create a community of understanding?! That killer did not want to be understood! From the first hand accounts I have read, students and professors reached out to him, and he ignored them! I'm confident that Virginia Tech has always had a helpful and understanding community, and it is evident that people made an effort to uncover whatever his problem was, but it is up to the individual to acknowledge the change and want to change. Clearly, this sicko liked being being a creep.

Answer 688

The best thing you can do to reduce the risks of shootouts is to reduce the number of firearms in the society. If there is firearms aviable in everyones houses then youngers can use them if they are angry about something. You have a number of shootings in america where youngster have byed or get a weopon from home. If there was less weopon aviable less people would die due to shootings. If you own a gun you are mentaly prepered to use it and if the parents are prepered to use it then theyre children are if they can get a hand on a gun and in america its much more easier to get a gun than in sweden for example. In sweden youngster cant just bye or borrow a gun if theyre angry at someone and that helps to reduce the number of killings in our society. Reduce the number of private weopon and youre reducing the number of murders. Its that simple. Johan

Answer 689

This puts me on my favorite soapbox. Mental health interventions have a stigma of "crazy" n the United States, but in the same way we need to monitor our physical health, we need to monitor our mental health. Also, the growing prevalence of an "us v them" mentality in the US has changed the complexion of American society. I have returned to graduate school after teaching high school for 10+ years. When I was in college before, there was a prevailing air of friendship and shared adventure. Now, its all business and very little interaction. To me this is a great loss. The United States has had periodic waves of nationalism, racism and other bigotry. In today's pluralistic society it cannot be allowed to flourish. There are just too many varieties of us' and them's. I beleve we should educate our children to value all human beings and "mind their minds" to foster health and love in society. Love & peace from an old bleeding heart liberal!

Answer 690

There WAS a "community of understanding" available to this murderer, and look what happened. Help was made available to him and he chose not to take advantage of it. He was mentally ill, suicidal and wanted to take as many innocent people down with him as he could.



Stuff like this doesn't happen because there's no "community of understanding" in place. Stuff like this happens because people are able to get firearms whenever and however they want. This person was classified as "Mentally Ill" and a threat to himself/others, and he was STILL able to walk into a gun shop and purchase a weapon with absolutely no problem. I've had more difficulty than that trying to cancel my AOL service. It's ridiculous and inexcusable.



I don't care what the Second Amendment says - this country as a whole needs to take a step back and question why in the hell we should make guns available to nearly anyone who wants one. Every Tom, Dick and Harry doesn't need to have a gun. The purpose of a gun is to KILL. People wouldn't need guns for "protection" if the people commiting murder with the guns don't have access to them in the first place.



A "community of understanding" isn't going to work. This lovey-dovey baloney, politically correct isn't solving anything - action needs to be taken. Owning a weapon isn't a right - it's a privledge, and far too many people take advantage of that provledge. I don't want to be executed just because Joe Blow decides to go out and buy a gun and end his life, along with anyone else's he feels like.

Answer 691

I believe that peace in the world starts with peace within our own minds. And Peace of mind starts at home within our own four walls. Communication and making peace with our friends, our parents, our children, our brothers and sisters within the immediate family is the key. Learn to solve the problems there first! The lessons learned from that will give you the knowledge to go out and save the world. Everyone prays for world peace, and yet fights with their own loved ones?



Do a search on Mother Teresa Quotes on this topic and you will find similar quotes:



"It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start."



Mother Teresa.





Arnold Hugo Stolting.

Stoltingmediagroup.com

Answer 692

Start with parents loving their children and affirming their worth and taking an interest in their lives.



Having a strong foundation in the family will go a long way towards building a community.

Answer 693

And the community did this? I thought it was a flipped

out of his mind idiot here on a green card and jealous

of rich people....(of course, he didn't have money, that's

why he was in a cheap institution of learning called

college).



Sorry, but there is only one way to deal with this type

of thing happening and that is to clean up afterward...

Crazy people happen along every once in a while,

that's just the way it is.

Answer 694

In many ways.



Just like the recently, regularly, repeated incident, Columbine, this was a LONELY, troubled person.

A community of understanding, where people TRY to understand each other, (rather than alienate, and control each other) would prevent such an event in two (specific) ways.



1. People would have paid him more attention. (Which, seems to be one of his motives)



2. He would understand OTHER people, and would have considered them, and their families more.





However, I must admit... there's no safety from someone who truly wants to kill.

Answer 695

Obviously being nice to people helps. That is a given. We all need to be nicer to our fellow co-workers, students, neighbors, family, and friends. We do need to be more understanding of others. That would help prevent wars and acts of violence.



We also need better secuirty. More campus police, much more. Most schools are under protected. I hardly ever saw a campus police officer. This incident was a discrace to VT - how could one person do so much damage over such a long period of time. VT needs to be blamed for poor secuirty.

Answer 696

We need devotions back in our school system like the good ol' days. When you get to school, sing some religious songs, say some Bible verses and then a prayer before classes start.

U never heard of this kind of behavior 30 yrs ago when there was devotions in public schools.

This is a wakeup call to bring God back in schools and rid

the evil devil out of schools.

Evil is lurkin and stealing our youths minds.

Answer 697

Hummm.. We are not doctors, but it is to my understanding that the general public going to the college did report him to the proper people whom should of caught the illness.. Given that it is one that could of been treated..



This is the understanding that doctors in the field of mental health need to deal with amoung each other.. Understanding him just hid him until he lashed out at his demons.. And after watching the video, I wouldn't be surprised if a priest would of done a better job of helping him.. But unfortunately our system doesn't allow for that kind of belief anymore.

Answer 698

About 30 years ago, educators stopped creating a safe environment for all children through the end of high school in the US.



Bullying, teasing and pranks have become a normal part of the school day, and the staff pretends not to notice--thereby giving tacit permission for this behavior.



Children repeatedly brutalized in this manner become depressed, unstable teens and young adults.



School shootings and other violence is the result of this trend. We need to bring back management of the student body, not just test scores and subject training.

Answer 699

Universal health care...right to work...

Government that seeks peace and duologue with other nations...stop acting that you have God's approval to be the worlds leader...believing in our superiority will eventually destroy us.

Disarm our own nuclear machine...

Government "elected" by the people not through money of the big business.

Few social adjustments like equal rights for all citizens...

There are solutions but the business greed has acquired our government and there is no body or branch of government that listens and cares for people.

Answer 700

I believe that firearms themselves can prevent these tragedies. Although it would be better if they didn't exist, the weapons are out there, and look at all the gun-related tragedies lately: mostly in places where guns aren't legal. When's the last time a gun show was robbed? If people could protect themselves, then would-be assaulters would be less willing to risk an attack.

Answer 701

more needs to be done to asses what is worth takeing into consideration when trying to get someone help. untill the exact second that man stared fireing, he had not commited a crime in his life. the one time he did, no one pressed charges so nothing was done. there are cases where whether or not there is actuall physical proof, that something needs to be done, even if someone has to tie the person to something and forcibly CARRY the person to get help. everyone is now saying the signs were there....but no one ever did anything...why not? large numbers of students and teachers said they were uncomfortable in his presance...but nothing was actually DONE. cops were called, but they never actually took him anywhere and got him help. if people recognized and were aware of what is a red flag, they might be better equiped to stop these things from happening

Answer 702

Well doc, I don't mean to sound so gloomy, but in a society such as ours I don't think it is possible. Creating a community of understanding could work but it will never happen.

Answer 703

People need to pay more attention and not just blow things off. This guy was a loner, had no friends or contacts, and apparently had stalked people before. A few people weakly suggested that he get counseling, and that was it. Liberal, feelgood touchy feely "solutions" such as "creating a community of understanding" (whatever the h--- that means) won't help solve things like this.



I'm disappointed in the way the media has handled this. They are going about it in typical media fashion, giving this guy a lot of posthumous airtime. IMO we don't need to see all of that - the guy was nuts, end of story. I really don't care why he says he did it. Giving these types this sort of coverage just encourages more people to do it to acheive fame and noteriety.

Answer 704

Not sure we can do that. We live in a society with far too many cultures and different ways of thinking and to eliminate these kinds of things would require divine intervention by God. People who want to learn how to be more understanding will and those who don't want to won't. But we must all continue to move forward and strive to better understand ourselves in order to better understand our fellow man and that requires a willingness to look at our own innerselves.

Answer 705

I think a "community of understanding" was created around this man. His teachers tried to help. Students said they would try to be friendly only to be rebuffed. The man set up his own environment. He chose to not seek help and chose to alienate himself. I'm not saying he didn't have a mental illness, because most likely he did. But, I don't think "creating a community of understanding" is the right response to this situation. Anger and frustration, as well as sorrow and grief are the correct responses. It's OK to be mad at this man for what he did. He MURDERED people. Do you think the solution to preventing other murders is "creating a community of understanding?" I don't know how far society is supposed to go to make sure everyone feels included and everyone grows up and lives their lives with warm fuzzies all the time. Life's hard. No one ever said it was fair. We make choices in our lives and must accept them .

I don't think society needs to mend its ways to make other people feel better about themselves because one lunatic murdered 32 people. In my opinion, everyone did what they could for that man. Nothing could have stopped him.

Answer 706

It allows any and all aspiring artists to put there stuff online for cheap and gives people a chance to comment on what's good and not. It's also great for people to connect with their compadres in their particular art field to get new and better ideas for how to make their own stuff even better!

Answer 707

Such tragedies would probably not happen if we all had love for one another. Sadly it is not the case. I'm sure it is good to go out and reach these lonely people who crave for love and friendship. If these people feel rejected they will build in themselves different forms of revenge.

They just simply tilt ! God gave us the command to love our neighbours as ourselves.

When we stray away from his teachings we head for trouble. Our society is full of it.

Just look at history...when societies have wandered they have ended up failing.

Even religions can pull us away from God.

Let's just get back to what the Bible teaches and then watch how God will bless us. We will then see less and less of the VT type of incidents.

Answer 708

Just a personal opinion. My thought with Cho, is, MANY people tried to get inside his "shield" to be his friend. He REFUSED everyones attempts, because he MIGHT have been TEASED so much, he didn't think ANYONE would be REAL to him, in effect making an attempt to protect himself, but, instead, doing more harm.



I grew up having missed a lot of school because of a lot of illness, and FELT MYSELF too different to be able to make MYSELF "a part." Then one day, some guys were tossing M&M's at me in the smoking section of a new school I left home to attend my senior year . I got a stick, put a yellow jacket on it, and I DETERMINED THAT I WAS GONNA WHOOP ALL THREE of the guys! While running bull headed straight for them, someone else got in it, and tripped me! I went flying into a pole holding the canopy in the walkway. When I got to my feet, and checked my eye? Next thing I knew, I was getting 4 stitches in my eye, because I didn't understand childhood, and that was how guys made you their buddy!



How do you get the people to UNDERSTAND who DON'T understand? It takes a LOT of PATIENCE, FORGIVENESS, and love is all I can think of. Getting the person to see Jesus in you somehow.



That's how Teen Challenge got started in New York City.

Answer 709

It may help some but it seems there are many that go underneath the radar. The biggest problem is that you can help some of the people some of the time but not help all of the people all of the time. Honestly I don't think it could ever be possible to help everyone because everyone does not want help to begin with.

Answer 710

a community of understanding does nothing. allowing those responsible enough to carry a concealed weapon will prevent tragedies like thises. how could this happen in a 'gun free zone'. the killer knew right where to go where he wouldnt have to worry about any resistance. how about a community of understanding that when you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.

Answer 711

The environment plays a vital role in the development of the person. If the person is living in a supportive and warm environment, the person will most likely grow as a good individual (that is if he opt to welcome the support he's given). But of course, it shouldn't be based only on the present environment, his family upbringing and the convictions he has chosen to develop were also a great factor.

Answer 712

honestly due to religious beliefs, poloticial beliefs, and different points of vewis on many subjects its impossible to prevent tragedies, only more or less subdue them, one way to HELP prevent them would be to put everyone to work, such as we do on our farm, we work hard, dont have time to fight, and we love what we do. if working doesnt work for the lazies out there (you know who you are) then we could just stop with the "my wasy is best" attitude, and start listening to others but not force issues onto them, if someone thinks their way is right then they can believe it, and also....put all the crazies in the insane asylums >_>

Answer 713

Start in middle school. Make kids be held accountable for picking on other kids. The norm has been for teachers to just let kids get picked on since "life's not fair and kids need to learn that." But, this (along with Columbine and many other school shootings over the years) shows that teachers need to step in and stop it.



I strongly believe that if the middle school teachers had rebuked the other kids for picking on Cho, this entire situation could've been avoided.



"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is NOT TRUE! Words hurt more and longer.

Answer 714

YOU CAN NOT Period. That is like you trying to prevent me from seeing. All the love and goodie goodie feelings in the world will never stop hate or anger. Just look at all the failed programs world wide to curb domestic violence.Nothing works.

The only way to stop future violence is to become more violent in your reaction to it. some one hits by law you beat the hell out of them .in so doing you instill a fear that prevents future violent behavior in the subject. This works damn well in country's where caneing is allowed. the have the lowest crime and violence rate of any country in the world.

Of course one must over look the violence preventing the violence. sort of ironic is it not !!!!

Answer 715

i personally think it boils down to a straightforward attitude of caring for others.



in this world, we are so self centered, that we forget about other people.



i live in south africa, and when i saw the pictures of the boy who commited the crime, i could not help but see the pain in his eyes.



depression, loneliness and a feeling of disconnection from society is one of the worst feelings ever.



my answer here is simple. let's each make a personal promise to make one stranger a day smile, and feel wanted or needed.



that one little action could change a life, or as it seems to be a major problem in america, even sav many lives.

Answer 716

Creating a community of condemning will better prevent tragedies. We need to be harsher on crime, not more lenient and understanding.

Answer 717

What's to understand... The guy was a nut... What we need to do is train and arm the professors in the use of firearms.



Making college campuses weapon free and calling them safe zones didn't work out to well didn't it....



You can blow up all the sunshine you want up everybody's butt until you're all hugging and singing kumbaya. The fact remains that there are some really messed up folks out there and the police can't be everywhere at every moment.

Answer 718

this is so typical of the blame game that follows senseless violence. "How could we have prevented this..." blah blah blah. The shooting was done by a seriously mentally ill man. What earthly good would a "community of understanding" have done to prevent this? Not a damn thing. And not that I think you are going to read all these answers. What a waste of time and energy, mine and everyone else who takes time to voice their opinions and thoughts. Take a really good look at the stuff he sent to NBC and then you tell US how you think a "community of understanding" would have prevented this!

Answer 719

Create a community of understanding? That is a key problem here. It is always about understanding some crazed individual/s and their particular plight and trying to figure out how to cater to their needs. How about this for a change? Make it university policy that people such as this be escorted from the campus and expelled, if their hate filled minds become public knowledge. This is the type if intolerance that might actually get through to some. People knew of things he said verbally and in writings. They should have booted his you know what out of there. Forget understanding. Put the rules in place and enforce them. Understanding criminals and a criminal mindset is the job of law enforcement, not the general public. We should have paramenters to follow and should accept these parameters with open arms if we are to partake in such privileges as attending fine universities. Those who cannot conform to these parameters should not be extended such privileges. KISS

Answer 720

I think it's a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed in schools and in the homes. Children are simply not taught the important practical skills like dealing with emotions, expressing emotions, dealing with disappointment etc. Especially boys in America are taught to just be tough - it's sets up a pattern of suppression that erupts under the right (or wrong, I guess) conditions.



I am hoping that homeschooling will help in many ways. I think it takes some pressure off the over crowded school system and it has kids seeing their parents handle a wide variety of issues and see the consequences before it is their turn to be adults. These days kids are taught to be quiet, suck it up and follow the rules - and that is what they do until they just can't stand it anymore.



Peace!

Answer 721

I don't think community outreach is going to be able to do anything for people who want to be like this guy. His neighbors tried to say hi to him and he never said anything. Some people have personality issues, some people are just weird and some people are crazy enough to hurt others. Profiling will not help because normal people write bizaare things sometimes.



Now the schools we can do something about. Anytime there is a shooting on any campus, an announcement needs to be made and classes should be on lockdown. If something happens before school you can also close the campus. Sure it hurts the flow of the day, but it would have saved the college being closed for a week instead of a day and 30 innocent lives could have been saved if this guy hadn't had a covered opportunity to continue with his shooting spree.

Colleges need to take reports from students more seriously and treat crimes as if they are crimes instead of something to be covered up. Colleges should lose funding if they do not follow through with investigating crimes on campus just as if they were a city police. If they can't afford to do so then they need to ask the city police for help. These kinds of attacks (stalking, rape, violence) are happening way too often.

Answer 722

creating an understanding is something of a complex nature in a globilised society where being an individual is something of a necessity or so we are told it is. this is an age old question which needs to be reviewed by all the fellows of knowledge and understanding.



to posses an ego is to submit to iniquities of life. the ego trangresses the faults which challenges humans to feel as though they have a choice or some sort of deified right to challange and exert their knowledge, kin and culture upon those who are viewed as less fortunate. to remove the ego - fashion culture, musical culture, religious culture, visual media culture, socio-economic culture would all assist in bringing a healthy respect for fellow humans that have a unified outlook to their existence...an existence of respect.



without the nuturing of the indiviual beliefs and finding the axiom of harmony between the vast gaps of our entire cultural scape then humans, irrespective of their political or philosophical tendancies, still decree to pass judgement on others - thus promoting the ideal of 'betterness'. you are able to notice these notions by following political trends and the opppertunistic manipulation by politcal parties, mega-corporations, lobbyists, fashion houses/designers, musicians, autuers of all the arts, etc.



in order to challange and revise the nature of existing we must engage in the education of equality - total equality as an endeavour to change our detatched judgemental nature. maybe there is something in the notion of global peace as espoused by gene roddenbery or ghandi. veiws and models exist but the rebith of a world may initially be difficult though fruitful - eventually.

Answer 723

i think the reaction of the Virginia police is very slow .According to what i learned from the news ,the police came up before the Norice building two hours after the first shot in the dormitary .,IF the police had reacted more quickly,perhaps there wouldnt have be so many death from this tragedy.THUS i think the police should take some responsabilities. we should reinforce our security reaction.

Answer 724

It's really difficult to stop this from happening all over the world.i mean things like this happen everyday all over africa and a lota asia too but its just not shown on the news or hyped up as much. it is really tragic and it is not enough to help people in just one community. i think we really need to look beyond borders and help people everywhere to understand that violence isn't the answer. maybe then mad ppl will realise that the world is a good place and stop shooting innocent ppl.

Answer 725

No matter how people are friendly towards each other, there will still be some form of resentment deep within their hearts. It is in human nature to start a grudge or hatred towards somebody or a group, which grows into something despicable if there is no consul. Anger is the seed of murder.

Answer 726

First, the governmernt has to put a weapon detector in all schools. This will minimize the problem. But they rather do other crap than prevent something like this. Also, I don't want to blame anyone, I don't want to excuse the killer for what's he done, he's a mother----***--, le that deserved his fatal destiny, but if you think about, these loners are mostly bullied and mistreated by those "cool people", rich kids. I know everyone has felt that way at some point in their life, but some of these psychos like Cho take it to the next level until causing this and killing ppl. But anyway, that wasn;t excuse for that piece of sht to kill ppl. I deeply feel sorry for those families, and I hope crap like this stop happening especially in our schools.

Answer 727

I sincerely hope that because of this incident, we will be more likely to reach out to those around us who seem "disturbed" and angry and antisocial. As unpopular as it is, I feel for this kid. He must have been hurting so bad and feeling so lonely and empty to do something like this. I know some teachers and other students tried to reach out to him. Maybe in his case, nobody could have helped him. But maybe we can make a difference in other people's lives who are feeling just as angry and lonely and empty, and prevent another tragedy like this from happening in another place.

Answer 728

I believe we need a new mental health solution...placing mentally unstable people in jail, or in the judicial system is not treating them...it tends to make the situation worse. Also I believe people need to reach out, and get to know the people with the problems...don't alinate people who reach out for help.

Answer 729

Honestly, I feel hemp is the answer. It would mellow everyone out. We could have a big BBQ instead of all this senseless violence. BTW in my opinion I think the VT shooter just had a bad case of rejection from someone he wanted to be with. But what he did went too far.

Answer 730

I respond with a question, 1 person in 400,000,000 to snap like this in ten years time... when we ask if we can controll something like this from happeneing, I ask aren't te odds just going to work out that yes this will happen no matter how hard we try to prevent it? So isn't the real solution preparing ourselves for when it will happen again?

Answer 731

Hi Deepak,

The problem is that america is not the melting pot it used to be cause no one wants to melt anymore. This is the same for the south korean community and also the indian community. Everyone is envious of each other and does not hesitate to kill each other. Imprisonment or deportation is the answer.

Answer 732

The problem is more likely creating time for the family to be a family. Most of the "shooters' come from well to do homes where they lack for nothing but physical love. Hugs, smiles, time to share and care and be cared for etc. because today our interest is not in "Family" it is in attaining money, power and celibrity. We feel that by gaining these things we can better provide for our family. But we have all seen the tests of monkey's deprived of Mother, touch and loving. they become violent and/or retarded.



The families of the "shooters" of late, all love their children and provide for them as they have been taught in our society to do. But most families are very busy creating the money, power and cleibrity and the child may not receive the type of love he or she needs for as long as he or she needs it. This is a growing problem in our industrialized money-centered and culture that glorifies violence in movies, books, TV, games and real life (Iraq for instance). But you see many people downsizing their careers today in favor of having more family time. This is a good thing. If more people could afford this time to build strong emotional, love in the family whihc only comes through experience which needs time to counter-act our violent money culture - they would take it and I believe, we would see fewer of these shootings.

Answer 733

We need a legal system that allows (and even requires) all schools, colleges and univeisities to set up and use metal detectors, just like the ones used in federal buildings and the IRS/Government building in SF. A ssystem that requires mental insitutions to follow a new set of laws and rules, and requires them and all education systems to communicate, about students, ect. instead of with holding information. A system, which requires all schools, colleges and universities to prohibit and keep all weapons from campus and buildings. I often wonder why no such legal system has existed, yet.

Answer 734

assuming we all agree on what a "community of understanding " is {?????},still ,as i understand the law, it is not possible to force someone with severe mental illness to accept treatment unless and until they are diagnosed as a danger either to themselves and /or society.



what can we do now to alleviate the grief of all those suffering from this and other ,seemingly daily ,worldwide tragedies might be more to the point ?

Answer 735

I don't know what a community of understanding is??? People who are sympathetic to one another?? You cannot force people to get mental health treatment. I know I was also disturbed by the parents who were angry that they had not been informed sooner that their loved ones had been killed. People were trying to get bodies to the hospital as fast as possible. They were not trying to ID them first and they didn't have their names and addresses tattooed to their bodies. I also don't think the President of the University should resign because of this. What did we expect of him. Was he going to put a superman cape on and save the day??? I really think a community of understanding would have all kinds of issues with violating someone's rights by trying to get them help they don't want. Plus, not to mention, violation of confidentiality.

Answer 736

I know my answer may not be popular, but I think that the focus should be on stoping shootings while they are going on. I think that pearl miss set the standerd for haulting a school shooting. Someone close by should be armed and able to respond as did the principal at pearl. As a result, the shooting was interupted and lives were saved.



I think the usual suspects get blamed for these sort of things "The media made him do it, or the gun made him do it." This is nonsense. Some people are just evil.

Answer 737

The only thing to be done along the lines of community of understanding is to make a talk or class or discussion mandatory at orientation in colleges. Have it focus on including people, stepping outside your circle of friends, not teasing(some still haven't learned this even at the college level). You could keep it upbeat and positive or link not doing these things with school tragedies which would be less upbeat, but more in line with reality.



Generally, colleges have certain clubs that have been in existence for some time. Maybe more effort can be made each year by university staff to see what this years students are into and provide opportunites for clubs to be created or announce community and nearby events that would interest them. Loners though probably wouldn't respond to this, so I don't know if that would really help.



Strengthen the advisor/counsellor role. I had to meet with my advisor maybe twice in my 4 years to talk about my classes and make sure I had all my credits to graduate. Perhaps students could be required to meet more times individually or as small groups with an advisor to talk about concerns and ways to improve the university life in addition to the standard scant class and credit meetings.



Probably more effective than creating a community of understanding where all are included and no one is teased (cause let's face it, that's just not gonna happen) is to rethink law enforcement and the way authorities and mental health pofessionals deal with these things. At VA Tech, the university officials had identified the individual as a threat, a teacher threatened to resign if he was not removed from class, he was admitted to a hospital for mental heathcare or evaluation, and I believe the police were also aware of his being a threat. The mental health professionals deemed him a threat to himself (apparently not others) and was allowed to go, so the university had to real means of kicking him out or taking other actions as far as I know.



Possible solutions:

Universities need to be given more power to deal with these types of threats that they see through their students writings and other things.



Separating them and wroking with them one on one seems like a solution, but it seems that would alienate them further and make them the subject of more jokes and teasing.



Mental health professionals need to re-evaluate how they handle students with profiles like the shooters'. His teachers were able to see a threat. Why not doctors? Possibly have them work together or more closely in these situations.



Maybe there can be a program to help these individuals in the university that works with mental health professionals so they can still attend school and not be banished to an institution. But maybe singling them out at the university would increase their anxiety and desire to kill. Maybe it would work with students who only show some signs but more decisive action should be taken with individuals like the shooter, who many teachers and officials knew was unstable.



A federal air marshal thing comes to mind, but that is impractical. Not enough manpower and it is not really common enough to warrant a fed per class at each uni. Maybe something could be worked out if a threat is identified. Undercover, though.

Answer 738

Imposable to know whats in someones mind, god gave every one free will to do as they wish, and this is one of those sad cases where someone blew a cork, and its just a sad thing all around , I don't think people that do these type of crimes realize how many people that they really affect good question but I have no good answer, take care

Answer 739

Because then nobody would ever feel so alone, or like such an outcast with nowhere to turn, that they would never get to such a breaking point. Theyre anger and pain would never build up so much because they would always feel they had a place in this world, they would feel like they belong. It is so sad that people get to the point where they feel that any life, including their own, is so invaluable...

Answer 740

It's not that. it's the stress levels built into universities and colleges. If less classes were graded on cumulative final exams, then suicides and such would go down. They don't make the news, but a lot of people crack under the pressure. That pressure is the problem, not counseling and such. people are not likely to go in for any of that anyway if they are stressed and such. Most people internalize until then snap. and by then, it's too late.

Answer 741

I don't believe anyone can prevent tragedies like this one, because there have always existed people with mental problems, that are going to be a danger to the common people.

There is an important work to do in order to really improve the tolerance, the listenning and understanding between diferent people to make our human relations better in general.

That migth help to this kind of persons to be a lot less provoqued, but they will still exists.

Answer 742

A "community of understanding" can only do so by preventing inclusion of pschopathic, sociopathic people through identification and exclusion. Thus, those who are in the community will be alert to threat and deal with it before it deals with them.

Answer 743

Take bullying very seriously in schools especially at the jr. high level, e.g., suspend kids that bully and make them have counseling when they return, investigate their home life for abuse, suspend or fire teachers that don't report bullying or participate in it.



Make stalking a serious crime, with real penalties. Put more resources into tracking people who put violent images and writings on the Internet.



Make sure crazy, violent people don't buy guns and track people better who have guns - fingerprinting, psychological testing, interview friends/neighbors, background checks etc. Should be more similar to getting a security clearance than buying a pack of cigarettes.



Better security in schools at all levels, e.g., armed security or undercover "students" and drills for survival skills in such situations (these drills are done at the elementary school already in my state).

Answer 744

Maybe if we chose compassion and kindness as our most sacred values, we could start to be as wonderful as we already believe we are. In my experience as an American, born and raised, I see we love our violence and we love our guns, and our money and revenge. These things are so sacred here, as opposed to other western societies, so there is always going to be a price to pay for these. I care very much about maintaining a "free" society. Maybe concealed weapons carried by students would have reduced this one tragedy, but we would be plain idiotic to not realize it would create so many more!!

Answer 745

By getting rid of guns, educating parents and teachers, getting tough on bullying and making our society more equal. But that is far too much to ask and things still won`t be perfect. I guess we will just have to learn to live with the violence until someone comes up with a better solution.

Answer 746

A community of understanding needs to address its own values. Is coming to America and making a living, educating kids for this Korean family has lost its real values?

What is the world look up to ? Hollywood actors and actresses or political leaders or rich and famous people or normal hard working individuals with good values?

Peace with your own self should come first before you work to achieve your dreams.

One should know thyself and thy limits not to over drive un realistic goals.

His parents failed to give him love and peace.

The failure of the immigrant parents who are living in a false dream resulted in making their son an evil monster.

Answer 747

I don't think we can, there are many programs out there to help "Loners", but no one can force them to do anything. It is the freedom everyone has. Colleges and Universities need to watch out for signs of the depress students.



Now a day many students under stress due to financial trouble, pressure from parents, school works, and their jobs. It is hard for a student just focus on their study, not to mention poor students have much worries than those who can afforded to have a nice living. College tuition is rising 10%+ annually, gasoline price rocket high, book expenses cost thousands, thanks to our government for all these supports.



I just want to say today a typical student have lot more stresses than anyone else, our community need to aware that, otherwise, such tragedies will repeat.

Answer 748

Students should understand that teasing and making fun of other students is harmful. Teachers should watch out for this. Also, the students being teased should not harbor all of theri feelings inside and try to let it roll off their back, if possible. Allowing fellow college students to arm themselves, once of age and legally, is an important option in my opinion.

Answer 749

My husband committed suicide last year. There is not info about suicide for the general public. They can't see the signs.

The deppresion, hurt, and dislikeing themselves.

They are suffering inside and many can hide it very well.

You hear about AIDS and eveerything else, but not suicide.

It should be made available to understand in the schools.

Also a trained experienced person to help with those seeking someone to listen to them about their feelings.

Answer 750

Unfortunately tragedies like this cannot be prevented because satan is busy. However the Bible says that if we train up a child in the way he should go, then when he is old he will not depart!

Answer 751

These mass killings can only be mitigated by armed police everywhere on school campuses as well as trained, rapid response swat teams Like armed pilots on planes, teachers who are willing to do it and be trained in use of firearms could be effective. Other answers like banning firearms in the US and finding troubled children before they can act will never be done because a consensus to do it could never be developed.

Answer 752

The only understanding worth knowing is that America will ban such weapons forthwith, and damn the gun lobby. You can't stop someone who is mentally ill from harming others but you can take away the legal means for him to harm so many at a time.

Answer 753

We should all learn to understand eachother. When one meets a new person, they should take time to get to know them and understand them. The key is to be nice to everyone. If someone bothers you, cast them aside. Don't bother with them. Do not fight. Make everyone feel happy of themselves. Never let depression come into the minds of others. Be nice, and make others feel welcomed, as you would like them to be to you. Most importantly, be optimistic, and considerate of others and your surroundings. These tragedies occur because of bullying, bad language, etc. It is good to be nice to others you meet, and treat them well. If everyone in the world were nice to eachother, never would such bad thoughts come in the mind of a individual. Also, if someone looks like they are having problems, talk to them. Make them feel good about themselves. Never be ignorant of those around you!



Bye!



-Sanam.

Answer 754

If we are understanding and accepting of others, we wouldn't feel the need to hurt others. The guy who shot all those people was laughed at and humiliated many times for his apprearance and his difficulties as a foreigner with the English language. If we as people wouldn't make fun of others, others wouldn't feel that things are hopeless. Therefore, he wouldn't have felt the need to commit such a horrible crime.

Answer 755

In small communities, it seems if you can connect on ANY level (even in creating small talk), it seems that even the smallest form of "belonging" and "acceptance" tend to help prevent that type of abuse from getting out of hand. Not that it will "never happen".....some forms of emotional trauma cannot accept kindness....but as an external force, it is all we, as individuals, can do.

Answer 756

The love and tolerance which would be necessary for people to get along has its root in the spiritual oneness of all that is.

Ultimately, I believe that only a conscious alignment with this awareness will bring about peace and the avoidance of these tragedies: examples of humans senselessly hurting and murdering each other for imaginary differences' sake.

Sadly, the 'shepherds' of spiritual alignment, the ministers and preachers of our 'Western' churches disseminate doctrines that rather encourage separationism and judgment.

As long as ANY human being - regardless of religioous persuasion - is considered as NOT belonging to God's flock, the separateness will continue and therewith the fear- and anger-based wars; either on a 'small' scale or on a big one.

As many people base their life's values on the doctrines of their religion, however, how can this happen?

I believe it must begin with the smallest cell: the human individual. Then it may spread within the personal environment of family, then to friends, and eventually into a community.

Parents must ask themselves some serious questions: is it worth the consequences to have my child indoctrinated into a religion of hatred and separationism?

Church leaders must ask themselves: am I servicing my flock in the true Spirit of Christ?

Young people must ask themselves: am I honoring myself and others by belonging to just one clique and rejecting all others who do not look like me?

Media executives must ask themselves: does my presentation channel potentiality or poison?

Law makers must ask themselves: am I putting the law over the people it is supposed to protect?

Political leaders must ask themselves: Which is more important: the health of the planet and the people on it or my upcoming election results?

Nobody can be forced to ask or answer these questions. It is and always has been a matter of individual choice.

Let those who make the peaceful choices find each other and thus build peaceful energy in small clusters. May these clusters expand and fill the earth.

It begins with ONE person, ONE child - who is given the opportunity to learn about him/herself, to embrace their divinity and that within others.

A non-religious spirituality program SHOULD be part of every school curriculum, beginning with kindergarten. Meditation and relaxation, being so necessary for human function, should be taught to children along with emotional management.

Sadly, religions war about doctrine while people are starving for spiritual food.

The US embraces a separation of church and state, which is good. Unfortunately, the spiritual baby has been thrown out with the religious bath water, and children now have only their nervous parents and a devious media to model.

Online communities would be a good idea to promote understanding, as well as local groups who agree to focus on this endeavor.

How about a Deepak Choprah website, sort of like Yahoo Answers, focused not on general questions but rather those of spiritual, emotional or mental nature?

Perhaps it could be organized in two sections: peer-to-peer (moderated) and advisor-to-asker (moderated).

A tremendous task, I'm sure, but it could be the beginning of global influence...

Answer 757

you can not, some people are just not right



and I do not want people just running up to weird people, who have done nothing but think diffent then other people, and be called dangerios



it was a terrable thing that happen, but if something like this happens every 10 years, 31 people die, it sucks really bad, but the world will not end, and you can not stop something where the % of it happening is so small



I wish it never happen, and I hope that it doen't happen again

Answer 758

How could a decent psychiatric evaluation and treatment in 2005 have prevented this. It was a simple paperwork glitch. one box not checked that released him and no bother to follow up a court order that allowed him to be untreated and for his record not to show. A small paperwork problem that allowed him to buy guns and ammo, that prevented requests from students and teachers from getting him looked at again.

Answer 759

Sorry, but the warm and fuzzy approach will fail, and did fail. Support groups were out there, and already in place before this happened. Hugs and sharing your experiences wont stop a charging elephant, only a gun will. People in this state of mind dont want help, they want revenge. I have noticed on other posts that people are attacking guns in general about this, did the the police and SWAT teams show up with hugs and understanding? no, they showed up with heavy artillery. Im sorry everyone, but the truth is, that security will not be achieved unless it is done with a gun. Until there is a public outcry for armed individuals in places of large gatherings. We can not, and will not be able to consider ourselves safe. The police cant, and are not responsible for our safety (supreme court ruling). We must be allowed to protect ourselves, or have a professional standing by at all times with the appropriate equipment. America is no longer a "Green Zone", we must accept that.

Answer 760

You can't prevent a tragedy like this, Doctor. You should know better. There are - what - 5 billion+ people on the planet, and most have an axe to grind.

Answer 761

I'll have to admit that before starting my answer, I thought the same things that almost everybody else said. You can't stop the problem. It's human nature. There's always going to be a wacko, sicko, or mentally unstable person out there.



Almost everybody in this discussion is right.



Outlawing guns is definately not the answer though. Outlawing guns would only mean than outlaws would be the only ones with guns. Bad people will always find a way to get a gun, make a bomb, or use a weapon to kill, maim, destroy, and hurt people. It is the sad reality of the world we live in.



I honestly believe that the ONLY way that the problem can be put under better control is to educate people to notice the signs of people that are mentally unstable. The problem with that is that when somebody is identified, and than approached, people start crying about their civil liberties being violated.

Answer 762

You shouldn't be looking at how to prevent something like this from happeneing. Because people are "crazy" and there will always be killings, etc. You need to look at this and figure out how we can get the police there faster. How we can do something so less people would have been injured.

Answer 763

In creating a community of understanding, people will be less angry. But the killer was mentally unstable obviously, I think that makes it impossible to blame this on the community.

Answer 764

What does a "Community of understanding" mean? I think it should mean several things:

- Understand you are ultimately responsible for your own defense

- Understand that some people are derranged and should be reported

- Understand that teachers who read student papers that always focus on extreme violence have a responsibility to their students and community to escalate the situation, not to rationalize it

- Understand that not everyone can be helped; and that for society's benefit, some people must be removed from it

- Know that as the world grows more populated and more and more people are squeezed together, tensions will mount and opportunities to wreak havoc increase



Be prepared

Answer 765

Realize that massacre at Virginia Tech can happen any where at any time. We need to upgrade campus security in every university and college to prevent this from happening again.

Answer 766

I would hope it would cause us to see that when we harm others, we are also harming ourselves. Also, I hope such understanding would help us to find non-violent solutions to problems both private and public. Furthermore, I think this kind of community would be so compassionate that violence itself would be transformed from a raging dog to a gentle pup--without any force whatsoever. Such compassion would have to be utterly fearless, capable of looking even the most heinous acts of violence in the eye, unwavering yet full of kindness and forgiveness. This kind of courage disempowers violence in all of its manifestations. There is no place for violence to grab hold.



Where there is no fear, there is no violence.

Answer 767

I think there is enough general understanding and tolerance for people out there and all you can really do is be more alert to the signs and patterns of danger that someone makes and concentrate on helping them or isolating them from others if they refuse help and want to continue on a path of destruction.

Answer 768

How can we create a community of understanding?.Only in Utopia can a community of understanding exist. Its a nice thought, more like a dream, dont You see everything is out of control?, The only thing that we can possibly do to prevent something like this, is probably better police depts, better trained to handle the violence out there today,

more like a POLICE STATE, but who even cares anymore?. The police were standing out there, and did absolutely nothing,until the shooting stopped.

I really like to know where You live, cause Id like to live there too, do you see whats going on around you?

Do you really see?, I give you credit for wanting a better community, who doesnt?, but you just dont create something like a better community, It will not get any better than it is...

It will get alot worse.. probably like in the movie, Mad Max,

or the movie about getting out of La.

Im sorry!, am I spoiling anybody elses dream?

Read most of the questions, in any category and try to understand most of these questions, really try, maybe You will find the way to create this community,

I really feel so terrible about all this,honestly, I do!, to lose all these young people, at one time , just because somebody

went out of control.??//!..

So many people!, But how many people get killed everyday, mostly young people, killing each other in the name of their colors, or control of their hood, control of their hood!???///.

We dont cry about them because we dont even hear about them, because even though theres more people killed every day, they are not killed in a school, all of them together...

You dont hear about them in the news, You may see their gym shoes hanging on some electrcal wires...or by word.

How many Mothers cry for their children, husbands, or loved ones every day???

How many times has it happened in the past?

Nice to dream but nothing changes, keep on though...

Answer 769

There is only one teaching in this world can achieve the goal. Those people of the community have to be taught to get enlightened. Enlighten is the term from Buddhism which means awaken, awaken from the dream. Selfness and ego is not really exist, it's by cause and condition only. Further study may be found from Diamond Sutra, Heart Sutra or teachings of Zen.

Answer 770

What has happened is an accident created by a psychopath .It is to be condemned and yet not to be alarmed.



Of course in all such groups - educational, working etc.-arranging periodical social get- together would give better understanding.

Answer 771

Understanding? What is to understand? I think most already understand.



He planned it. People do not want to admit that it's wicked behavior. Too many are looking for excuses.



It's a fact the community ignores people when they come forward with violent or terroristic behavior of another anyways. Government/MH make excuses - say that people have to get their own help and advise US to move.





.

Answer 772

All the programs in the world will not help if the person who needs it will not seek help.



Human nature is not inherently peaceful. Human nature tends toward greed and self-aggrandizement. The best we can do is be a source of solace for the survivors.

Answer 773

In America, we glorify violence. Not just in the movies or video games, but in real life. We think guys who run around waving their guns are macho and cool, and we call them patriots. America prides itself on its civility, yet the nation is becoming more desensitized to violence every day.



Youth should be educated in global studies and conflict resolution. These courses open your eyes to the diversity of the human experience, and foster compassion and creative solutions to contemporary issues. People need to learn to question and care.



By creating this community of understanding, we create people who reach out to each other and help others who are in pain. Perhaps we can abate some of the anger that comes with feeling misunderstood. Maybe, by learning other ways of solving problems, we can help people who are in need reach out, and help them to see that violence only creates more grief. Every person needs to learn how to feel sympathy for others, and understand how precious every life is.



Rest in peace, fellow Virginia students.

Answer 774

It can't.



In fact, it's my feeling that touchy-feelly BS like that is actually part of what drives alienated 'loners' to desperate acts of extreme violence. Some people just can't connect to others. The VAtech gunman had a family, he had classmates, he had instructors and councilors who were concerned about him in the obligatory PC way they learned in psychology school - none of that helped, none of it could help. All it could do was drive home to him how impossibly different and alone he was. The harder, and more publicly, the effort to bring in such a person is, the more it drives home to him how hopelessly defective, how completely without a place in the world he is.

Answer 775

This kind of touchy-feely, emotional goo is not what solves these problems. Every time something like this happens, all the sensitive folks come out of the woodwork to try to get us in touch with our feelings. What is a "community of understanding" anyway? Are we to try to connect with this sick individual and understand his pain? What real pain did he actually experience? He's lived in American since his adolescent years, and was a student at a respected institution. From the accounts rendered so far, he was a socially awkward, quiet, reserved, loner who didn't open up to the people around him. You don't build connections with those type of people, and we don't need the country segregating people from their peers just because they are quiet. If the professors and police really felt this kid was a danger to himself and/or others, then they had a responsibility to act in his (ond everyone else's) best interests and remove him from the student population for treatment. What I'm having a hard time understanding is ... why is anyone disgusted by the sick plays and creative writing pieces he left behind? How are they any different than your average Quentin Tarrantino film? How are they any less disturbed than any of the dozens of crappy horror films that are released every year? The writing is no worse, and the imagery is no different. Yet we think he showed obvious signs of trouble. Why don't we probe into the mental accuity and stability of the people mentioned above? We don't because we think they are just telling stories, as many probably thought Cho was doing. Sure, they were sick stories, but how different were they really from the tripe metted out in popular culture (movies, TV, music, even the evening news are all outlets for this kind of imagery).



With all due respect to Mr. Chopra, the term "community of understanding" is a hollow and undefined notion. Is the real question here asking that if we all try to "understand" each other better, we may be able to prevent these kinds of occurences? How could it? This is a huge society, with nearly 300 million members. Not everyone is nice, and they don't have to be. That may not be a popular notion, but it's true. As much as I have the right to worship the God I choose in the way I choose, and to live a life defined by the morality of my beliefs, others have the right to live lives completely different than mine. Unless we are willing to subjugate our individual rights and define a strict social code of morality and responsibility for each and every member of this society (a la Thomas More's Utopia), then this kind of thinking gets us nowhere.



Here's the simple truth, some people are sick. Some people have delusionary realities that sane people can't understand. These people are sometimes driven to violent exercise of their paranoia or delusion. Can we stop it from happening? Sometimes, if the warning signs are significant enough to trigger an intervention. Other times, people who seem weird but harmless (e.g., Columbine, UT Austin, Virginia Tech) plan and execute acts of unimaginable violence. Will "understanding" prevent all future shootings? Obviously not. It may help us to take the warning signs a little more seriously, but it won't prevent people from developing these kinds of social delusions.



The next obvious (and emerging debate) issue, would stricter gun control prevent this from happening. I think it definitely would have helped if the gun shops (as we know so far, both handguns were purchased legally within months of the shooting) and pawn shops were somehow made aware of the mental illness that had already been identified in Cho (via the police involvement and subsequent treatment in 2005), he may not have been able to legally purchase the handguns he used. However, would that have prevented him from purchasing handguns completely? Obviously not. There are myriad ways to procure weapons illegally, and gun control legislation does not impede them. I think a better use of the communication tools we have at our disposal may have at least slowed Cho down, and if the shops he purchased the guns from had been informed to do so, they could have reported his attempts (successful or otherwise) to the local police, possibly triggering a more acute observation of his behavior. These are all easy to identify in hindsight. Maybe this type of legislation would be useful ... not gun control, but communication. The proper use of information in this case may have helped to prevent the outburst that has shaken this country once again.



I don't mean any disrespect to Mr. Chopra, but please, a "community of understanding?" This kid's room-mates tried to understand him. They tried to introduce him to their friends. They tried to respect his aparent fragility and quirkiness. Understanding did not stop his mental illness from facilitating the deaths of 32 students. Here's a controversial consideration (just for the sake of argument): what if the RAs were licensed to carry a concealed weapon? This event may have taken a completely different course. Obviously, it also may have been even worse, but we have to consider the option if we're going to be fair to the argument.

Answer 776

Unfortunately, all of the understanding in the world can't always stop events such as this. It seems that the shooter was determined to do such a terrible act that nothing would have stopped him.



Even if we could have known what the shooter was planning and were able to stop him, we could have tried to offer him understanding, but he was so far gone that he would have viewed any offerings of help as a threat.

Answer 777

You cant stop it. People can flip overnight and there we are again. Only way to reduce the killings is to install some kind of defence system in the public places. Hope to overpower the person before too many got hurted.

Answer 778

Deepak you don't have to introduce yourself to me I have been reading your books for years. If only these kids of today would listen long enough to get some kind of understanding of life. They are running through life looking for the most expensive material things they can put their hands on. Listening to the birds or being at peace with themselves probably will not happen. They have been spoiled to the point of destruction! Discipline is almost unheard of these days our younger generation is running wild!

Answer 779

Where were the security cameras that could of monitored this guys movement. We can not stop crazies from doing crazy things if they have set their minds on causing mass destruction.

Did this guy know that there would be no cameras watching him, and tracing his moves. We have them at airports, in banks, and most hotels. Cameras are everywhere that crowds will gather. They are in many of our streets today to let people know that they are being watched. I think if there would of been cameras wii might not of gotten as far as he did in his deadly game.

If we learn anything from this. It is that our schools and colleges must have cameras to protect our children from a mind that is capable of doing harm in this magnitude. We will find it close to impossible to stop a mind bent on causing great harm in big numbers,but I think we can prepare so as to stop it in it's tracks to prevent further harm.

Answer 780

In order to create a community of understanding, first we would need to evaluate those people who are in the community, because i feel most people in general are careing but most people are not passionate, and do not concentrate on the problems of today society, we as a nation, tend to look outside of our selfs for the answers but this is a contradictory, because the answers are within each and everyone of us, they were in the person who brought on these tragedies and in every human being,





the real questions is what is each one of us willing to sacrifice, in order to heal our nation: we are a feel look & taste good society with closed eyes and ears most are so far from reality we believe the dumb dumb, most people do not believe that a person is spiritual sick, first we take them straight to mental health proffesions and in turn they say they can't treat person against there will, I have heard a many person say there is nothing wrong with that person, just lock them up and throw away the key, untill they are fit to return in society, that person is not sick well I say denial denial denial! I don't say a person should not serve their time for the crime they commit, I am saying there is a need for rehab and maybe for a decade for some or more, because once a person commits certain crimes there is no rehabalitation service ever available, and once a person is released most of the time they need counseling because of being in prison, that's one of the reason for career criminals and I know I went off the subject some, but this is leading the way of more to come.



Many times in our society we have unrealistic expectation of others, I have wrote this same statement yesterday but this how strong I feel on this subject, in today's society their is a lot expected of us and sometimes we don't or can't feel those shoes some of us are not equiped for a cirumstances to make a stand in our lives in certain area's, and we most certainly can not make a stand in other lives, for what ever reason they are,



but there are those who are equipped to deal with life and it's ever increasing change. therefore I will say those who are ill equiped for life those with this defect are carrying a gene of spirtual lacking now this not mean that this particular gene can not be arrested, or unable to manifest into the spirtual being that GOD intended them to be, however until society as a whole recognizes, everyone can not be the dad, the man, the mother, some of us need help and as a people we don't want to believe it, we want to think that this person is full of GOLD, and they can't even see the silver in them selves so we set these expectations, and don't guide with the love of GOD, in fact some of us become harsh and callous because we can live by the standards the world sets, and we forget about hope understanding apathy care, because we are selves are not learning about GOD, we are not dealing with our own selves with saying no, and then we expect miracles from those with deep emotional problems and scars and we turn our backs and tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech happen.



even in this forum a person may ask a serious question and get smog reply! answer, so what is need for a community is a evaluation of those who are heading the community, by a standard of spirtual principles, and not some you or I made up but spiritual princples that have had a proven working knowledge for many people, we must start at spirit of a man of a woman, in order for healing to begin I am not against mental health proffessionals, some people need both but let's be real, this country is going down because of a lack of and most of us don't even see it, we point fingers rather than working within. So again the people whom are on the panel need to be evaulted quartley themselves and how they are dealing with their own lives, and they need to be evuated based on situations they have over come and how haved they overcome, the panel should be evaluted by the same people who have overcame, because what comes from the heart goes to the heart and the truth is within the heart of man. thanks for the question I am a believer in Jesus Christ and a follower of his teachings I hoped I helped

Answer 781

Awareness makes things happen! Our society generally encourages our children to focus on themselves and immediate family. The solution is to deal with problems as if they are life and death. This could very likely have been avoided. Medications DO NOT solve the problem, they only assist. Also, resentment breeds contempt. This boy had alot more going on than instability. He needed peers, and wasnt provided them.

He should have been kept away from the college, he was clearly a violent personality (Id say borderline personality disorder). Responsibility falls on those who decided to keep him in school.

Clearly, his needs, nor the safety of the other students, were cared for properly.

Answer 782

I don't think we can understand the depth of the mental illness that this shooter has. The only way we will be able to prevent tragedies like this one in the future is to educate people on how to fight back against terriorests like this.

Answer 783

It can't.



Everyone is going to have to understand that occasionally - things like this will happen.



Of course it's horrible. Of course we are going to look for ways to prevent this in the future, but we can't possibly be expected to get inside everyone's mind and know intuitively when they are going to 'snap'.



Weep for the loss of life and hope that it never happens again... but until we can read minds - we'll just never know.

Answer 784

has nothing to do with creating understanding. To many people tried to understand this psycho maniac. He needed proffessional treatment for as long as he needed it behind closed doors. This was not made available to him and a lot of innocent people had to die. When someones mind is totally deranged all the books that you wrote will not help. The books that you write are for normal people who like to enhance their life style in their free time. This man was crazy. And needed medical care behind closed doors maybe for lthe rest of his life.To keep this paranoid psycho with young playful , carefree adolescent was deadly.

Answer 785

the best we can do is encourage all our peers and family members to be good, decent, tolerant and accepting of others, to show genuine compassion without trying to meddle in others lives. Lead by example. Maybe the next would-be shooter can find a true friend to lean on before he/she resorts to violence.

Answer 786

That is a very good question. I wish I really knew that but I really don't think that is possible. It is almost like if everyone in this world could actually pull together then we wouldn't have all of this fighting going on overseas and even here (the terrorrists).

Answer 787

Get those students to read the Bible and have a Bible course in each class.Let those students have an idea of the Bible.I think that the way this tragedie could have been prevented.

Answer 788

there is no way to prevent a tragedy like this one. there are tragedies like this happening all over the world. there is no way to understand what will make people tick.

Answer 789

See.......the one who kill 32 peeps in that tragedy is actually some1 who has been treated like a neglected person, certainly he won't have the filling of fitting in that campus. If only he have someone who cares 4 him instead of avoiding him for his queer attitude, he won't have done that bcoz he will be given advises, and he won't have that kind of bad feelings and thought in his live.



In fact, from the video he sent to NBC, we may see that he has that feeling of "THROWN AWAY" , neglected, not fit in, ill- treated by others and therefore decided to somelike doing a "REVENGE" ..........



And if only there is someone to understand peeps like him........giving him more attention, this might not happen

Answer 790

perhaps the answer you are seeking, cannot be found by the question that you asked...trying to understand is a reactive position, I for one think that we need a proactive position... it is human nature to want to belong, to be loved, and to be a friend. Therefore we need to take every opportunity to smile, love, and try to make a connection with all who we meet. from what i have read the gunman was alone in an area with thousands. how many people missed an opportunity to befriend this man. what he did was wrong, but it appears that we as a culture, helped to make him what he was...........

Answer 791

I think it is more a matter of gun control. This country has come to accept it a normal to own a gun or even several guns. There have been thousands of senseless deaths due to guns being in the wrong hands. If this killer could not get the guns that he had, this would never have happened.

Answer 792

Being able to detect mentally ill people with violent tendancies and get them off the street would help.



But, the government decided to ignor mentally ill people and kick them to the curb. Some of these people are so mentally impaired they can't function without help and end up walking the streets.

Answer 793

Creating a community of understanding would definitely help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech, if many things were implemented. 1. A network consisting of professors who would IMMEDIATELY notify each other if one of their students displayed anti social or unreasonable displays of anger, towards other students, or in the case of Cho, the content of the plays he composed for his English professor. His English professor should have taken both plays he composed for her course, and taken them to be seen by the Dean, and a mental health professional. If *I* had been Cho's English professor, and had read these brutal and very odd plays, I would have immediately gone to the Dean-and go on from there. She mentioned that the other students in her course were *afraid* to make unsavory comments about Cho's two plays because they were afraid of him. I know we have freedom of speech, but if so many of the professors noticed this behavior from Cho, and actually DID something about this, maybe this would not have happened. I think there should, within the community of the campus, be aware of students who display an attitude of serious anti social behavior (I'm not talking about just preferring to keep to oneself) I'm talking about students with actual obviously strange and potentially dangerous characteristics. I believe in creating this community of understanding should involve a network of students- students who are empathetic and welcoming, but are also alert to unsuitable behavior such as Cho was displaying (stalking girls, sending text messages to girls he'd never formally met, etc.) At the first sign of such behavior, the student in question should be questioned, and sequestered, and then the women who were stalked could feel free to tell the campus police about the situation without fear of reprisal. None of these girls wanted to press charges because they were afraid of Cho. This is not acceptable. Universities are supposed to be places of knowledge and learning, not a community of fear. I believe all of the professors should all meet and have a serious discussion about implementing strict rules when a female student is being stalked, and is afraid to report the stalking for fear of reprisal, and also if a student turns in disturbing coursework. To me, this should be as thorough as possible, to prevent future tragedies. NO one should experience FEAR when they are in a place of learning and knowledge. I realize that there is a fine line between freedom of speech and disturbing coursework- but now we cannot be too careful. That first English professor should have taken those plays and shown them to the Dean or a mental health professional. I am not blaming her totally, but since the whole class was fearful of making unfavorable comments about Cho's plays because of fear of reprisal, obviously something should have been done. The mental health community totally dropped the ball, and let Cho go free after a suicidal episode- I believe the law is you can only hold someone in a mental institution if they are in danger of harming themselves or others for 72 hours. Before Cho was let out, a psychiatrist should have really checked him out. Basically, I think a strong network of professors, students, and mental health professionals should be in place at ALL times from now on. ANY suspicious behavior should be reported immediately before something like this could ever happen again. Any woman who is too afraid to testify against some student who is displaying unwelcome attention should be able to feel SAFE and FREE to report them and testify against the stalker, without fear. The university should protect them more. If everyone was unified for the same cause, maybe this would deter another VT. I pray this will happen soon.

Answer 794

By not putting these tragedies to press 24-7.

Answer 795

Stop the culture of bullying that exists in this school. Schools talk a good game, but rarely do enough to stop the bullying that can get so bad that it causes kids to snap.



We have known this since Columbine and still kids suffer through bullying that could be stopped if schools actually adhered to their policies.

Answer 796

There is no cure...you are americans and all of your thoughts and actions will be imposed upon you for the rest of your life by the growingly influential media that you have in your country. Im sorry, but these kinds of shootings don't happen anywhere else in the world except the USA.



Open your eyes. Its your government and your press that is causing this. And until you are resistant to this form of conformation, this will only continue.

Answer 797

I believe the first thing we need to focus on is not the violent acts of a single mentally unstable individual, but the countless acts of bravery, kindness and love that were the response from the students, faculty, families and the world.



We need to see the good that people have and show everyday. And we need to show our good everyday.

Answer 798

We can never say it someones fault or parenting or whatever its the person who has depression and very easy to notice it as those roommates of that person was telling their observation about him but never report or tell to those teachers atleast he will be monitored but it's too late now . We must be aware and give some training for the students how to save themselves in times like this.

Well , my condolences for those got murdered.

From UAE. Peace

Answer 799

Wishful thinking Doc. Someone that is clearly not well isn't going to suddenly join in your community of understanding. People like the shooter think that no one understands them. That won't change just because people say they care.

This nation has become too sympathetic and in the process we are losing our fundamentals. Kids don't respect their elders, or each other. People have free reign to hide behind freedom of speech and all that other nonsense.

Answer 800

In my opinion I think it was ever thing that happened to Cho that pushed him in this direction. The complaints about the two woman, and the decision place him in a mental institution what was set him off, so I would try to get more communities involved in participation to make new friends and that would even help Residents that our looking for relationships as Cho was.

Answer 801

A community of understanding sounds kind of idyllic. Even if such a thing could or does exist, you would really only be able to help those people in the actual community. Maybe that killer was in a community of some kind at some point earlier in his life but he certainly was not in one when he went on this rampage. Of course, we don't know all the details but I would suspect that he harbored resentment from all kinds of experiences in his life that built up and he was mentally unable to cope or reach out for help. As a parent, I see how children react to what they deem to be unfairness, whether it be in academics or social life or money or whatever. Life lessons are often difficult lessons and how our children are able to process these lessons helps determine who they will be. I guess that's off topic. From what I have heard, there were people who recognized that trouble was brewing and I suppose they were his distant community of understanding but still were unable to help him or stop what was to come.

Answer 802

Getting families back to honoring and praising God. This country is trying to take God out of everything, and then ask why??? This world was created by God and we need to give Him the Praise and the Worship He so deserves!

Answer 803

for starters we need to gain control of our children again-- you cant even so much as to yell at your kid with out CPS on your butt. We also need to teach our children that it isnt ok to be mean to other people. im not saying that it is ok for the person being picked on to go out and kill people- but maybe just maybe if ppl were a lil more nicer to everyone we wouldnt have these problems

Answer 804

By focusing on understanding the impact of loneliness, Mental illness, bullying & just how lonely Geeks can be. By reaching out to those one might otherwise be ignored or vilified.



People need to practice random acts of kindness & senseless beauty.

Answer 805

frist loose the pc world we live in next find a way to give vent to anger in controled inviroment.i know i'm going to get told off but shooting clubs, boxing clubs mite help.bottling people up the way we do inside themself if they want to vent this way helps these tragedies to grow. this was the second largest killing in a school an we don't any more

Answer 806

IT CANNOT!



The PROBLEM runs much deeper! WHAT did anyone learn from Columbine about 8-years ago?



WITH the exposure to THE VIOLENCE from Videos, TV and Electronic GAMES...... IT WAS NOT A LEAP OF LOGIC.... That this would HAPPEN AGAIN!



Desensitizing and the lack of Respect for Human Life has led to this!



Thanks RR

Answer 807

We need to understand the good and bad effects of forming church and other social groups. Unless some day we can take a perfect "member" and clone it, then we can assume that if a person is a well known church member, he or she can not do any bad or evil acts. But for now,we should count how many "Church Members" there are in our jails,serving time.

But unfortunately, in our society,we tend to ignore evil acts if a criminal person says, "hey,I belong to xyz church, so I am better than you,if you want to be as good as I am, you must join my hurch, or you will be destroyed by God's will ( you see I am authorized to speak for God) .

Probably the attitude and mental illness of this vicious killer did not formed overnight. It more likely started when he was a young freshman at high school and grew like cancer. People start making fun of him,until he felt he does not belong to this society. If someone at that time,would put his arm around him and defend him, without asking him to change something about himself or join any group, perhaps,in Virginia Tech, he would have a group of friends he can go and talk to, who supported him, not because he belonged to some group, but just because he was a human being.

I have seen many good families who are so blindly loyal to their group, they teach their children to act like they are better than other "non-member"kids, and not allowing them to play and mingle with all other otherwise good kids.

We must learn and act accordingly, that spreading hatred with or without realizing, is a criminal act.

If a friend of you asks you to hate anyone or any group of people with no particular valid reason you can verify for yourself,he should be prosucuted as a criminal who use "hatred" as a dirty weapon. And if he reads you the"Bible or other" religious book to justify his hatred, he is a "terrorist"

who abuses your religion to destroy your soul.

He should not be allowed to be a member of your group.

I think if we adopt this philosophy in our communities, we can considerably reduce the number of such horrible incidents.



Learner

Answer 808

Mental health issues are still a taboo subject for many people in our society. I believe that it is still viewed as a weakness and that the disease somehow makes you less valuable. It seems that many people who should seek treatment do not because it not accepted to have mental health problems. We need to treat individuals equally. We need to truly understand differences amongst up and look to the strengths of those differences.

Answer 809

It can't.

There's always going to be a lunatic fringe.

This young man probably needed help before he got out of elementary school.

Like most of the problems with these 'school shooter' kids, it all goes back to irresponsibilty on the part of the parents.

Answer 810

It can't prevent this type of tragedy. Listen to the shooter's message. It's a question of the have's and the have not's. Until the distribution of wealth is altered, more and more of those pushed aside and marginalized by the rich will act out in ways such as this student.



Look out rich people... they're going to get you.

Answer 811

Just my opinion:



Nowadays, teachers dont even bother with thier students. They tend to ignore about thier students except for their homeworks.



At old days, even if the students not come to school, the teachers will come to visit, take note of what happened to them. What is their problems, or anything that the teachers can do to help them.



But, sometimes teachers also not the one to be blame, friends also must take care about their friends too. If you see your friens become moody, sorrow, numb, or feeling distress, you should ask them if you can give any help.



As I read in the news, they (teachers / freinds) for the person who make the riot already notice something from the way he wrote about killing, rage but NOBODY TAKE IT SERIOUS. And now, after that already happened, then they realise it.



Please guys, please concern about your family and friends.

Answer 812

answering this question is like pondering the theory of communism...it is a nice thought but its implementation deals with a creature whose habits are as sporadic and unpredictable as teh next snowflake shape that may fall in new york city...humans are unpredictable. why is it that a person who has it all commits suicide and those who have nothing struggle day in day out to make it another day on one thing called hope...I dont know why people snap i will bet you they dont know why either...i know that i am a part of this human condition and me just like any other is capable of this same insanity...how to prevent it is like asking everyone to come together on one certain idea...the thought that we could come to a conclusion is a perfect ideal though achieving it is probably impossible.

Answer 813

What does that mean? Community of understanding.

What is there to understand, the guy was a lunatic.

Bad things happen in a bad world.

We are on the cusp of world chaos. Way to much materialism.

It is all but over.

Answer 814

I'm not sure there is anything we can do to prevent this type of violence. The most idyllic place has tragedies unfold in its midst. People are flawed sometimes, and unreachable.

Answer 815

Sorry to say it would not. People like the shooter at VT who would benefit from this would not join. People that would join a community like this would be made up of people who want to work together peacefully for better life, and not prone to the mindless violence like the VT shooter.

Answer 816

Doc I think it goes deeper than that...this country has seen FAR too many school incidents since the Bath Elementary school massacre in 1927 up through yesterday we have had DOZENS of people pass away unnecessarily and yet they keep happening...we need to find a way to end it..

Answer 817

Community of Understanding? Is this some kind of study group for mental healthy or another kind of belief, religion or something? That is no explanation for crazy people!! We try to find a reason for everything, but we don`t try to make good or just say hello to somebody.

It`s not going to stop ever.. Hello!! Since before, uhh ..way before i was born, people kill people and we keep trying to find something that can explain that.. Life is being treated like something so useless that it happens all the time , in the whole word.. People don`t take care of their own bodies, using drugs, having sex with whoever without protection, even commiting suicide and much more. It`s not too far from anyone to do something like this. I believe when we are with GOD in our minds, we are less easy targets for horrible thoughts like that. GOD teach us to love and not to kill. Why people still don`t get it ? Why people worry so much about stuff if when we die, it`s gonna remain right here on earth, and we are going 6 feet under?

look i`m not trying to make people believe in what i believe, but, gimme a break here guys, some people believe in Hate from all kinds, they have groups to teach hate for everyone. Why not use all this energy to listen to something that means no harm to anybody?



I`ve tried to translate this, i think i got it right!!!



"it is necessary to love people as that was no tomorrow because if you stop to think about the truth, you`ll see that it doesn`t exist" (Renato Russo).

Answer 818

By teaching others to love and care about every individual. Of coarse we will all disagree on things, but people need to be kinder to one another. With the computer and such high tech gadgets people are learning to "desensitize" from other human beings as if we are not real. It's easier to be cruel to someone when you aren't looking at their face. I see it all the time on Yahoo answers.

Answer 819

At the end of the day, if someone is mad in the head, and wants to kill someone they will. No amout of making suppot groups for ppl with problems or what ever will stop that. We live in a sick world, we cant stop that. The only thing that might stop ppl killing is bringing back the death penality

Answer 820

I dont think its possible,We've tried doing the opposite from the Columbine tragedy(the perps were made fun of)so we instituted the morals of political correctness,lnot to make fun of anyone.While the act of making fun of someone is demeaning in character for the person doing it,it seems we have made ourselves weak.What the Community(your word not mine) is responsible for seeing the signs,there really is nothing you can do(Legally)you can try to reach out,and sometimes this works,but most times it empowers the person with the problem,to take advantage,My answer to this really is God and humility,and to accept ones station in life,and change what he can,and accept what he can't.Unfortunatly God is left out of the world today and so the morals of the media driven "gotta be rich or die tryin'" attitude fills the void,creating and fueling the evil monsters that pick up these messages at an early age

Answer 821

Every time a tragedy like this happens people talk about how they could tell the person was in trouble or they were depressed, disturbed, or whatnot.

People need to pay attention to those around them and when someone seems out of place DO something. Call a teacher, counselor, talk to the person - do SOMETHING. Maybe one person trying to help could stop tragedies like this.

Answer 822

it not a Mather of starting at home or your lover or understanding someone. it all start at the heart and hearing someone who needs help. If everyone looks back in time and all the ones that killed one or many everyone was calling out for help and know one really sit down and just was there. or offered help. just like the one last week at Vir tech., told many he needed help and no one was there or step foreword

Answer 823

keep people from bullying or making fun of other kids. I almost dropped out of high school many times in 1993 dealing with this issue because classmates, teachers, neighbors would not help me or stand up for me instead they helped ag it on in fear of being picked on themselves so these "monsters" as people call them develope a thick skin and a lot of inner hate that soon or later will manifest in dangerous ways like all these school shootings.

Answer 824

First Make all schools like airports check you for any weapons like the very first part of the movie fast and furious Tokyo drift were the security checks them before they let them in, then have like once a week Assembly about violence, understanding problems and issues thats going around, and how to understand that violence isn't the answer

Answer 825

Well, you would need a whole reform of morals because, people fomented his hatred, the "rich snobs" he mentions may have had a hand in making him even more hateful than he already was. So as long as people pick on others who are different, you will always have school shooters.

Answer 826

A very sad situation for sure.... But it just shows you that our legal system allows people to fall thru the cracks and flourish...



This unfortunate tragedy should of never happened.

Answer 827

Understanding won't solve this. BY all understand this was the result of a insane individual. You can never reason with them.



This is the fault of the psychiatrists who released him and the cops who didn't shut down the school sooner.

Answer 828

Having a better communication with the family, simply looking for help to people that looks appart from the society, baing more altruists with foreign people.

Answer 829

By creating a place where one can talk about what upsets them. Society makes generalizations about what is deemed 'acceptable' all this picking on, labelling, or just plain outcasting causes bitterness and more hatred. The keyword you've used here is crucial, and that word is, 'UNDERSTANDING.'

Answer 830

I truly think that much of what is "needed" for communities of understanding already exists.



What we really need is a way to reach those who need the help that Cho obviously needed, and get them to accept that help. Coerced help is probably worse than no help at all, and at least is not any better than no help.

Answer 831

By all means, EMPATHY sits high on the list of benefits of understanding.

When we as a community actively empathise with an issue, much can be shared on the emotional level which will solve most of a community's and global-wide ills.

Answer 832

It cant. You people will never get it. You will NEVER stop mass killings-random shootings at schools or elsewhere. Evil exists in mankind. Cho was pure evil...the same as Tim McVeigh, Eric Harris-Dylan Kliebold, Jeffery Dahmer, Adolf Hitler and the rest. No regard for human life.

Community or society is not the cause of these madmens actions-only they themselves are to blame.

Answer 833

Gun control is the issue here and till people in the United states take it seriously and demand it as their right we will be plagued with incidents such as this, Columbine and others every so often. Gun control has to be adopted for this madness to stop otherwise it has happened before and it will happen again!

Answer 834

I work in a community education centre in Australia. I coach culturally and linguistically diverse clients. One client said to me today that she likes it there, the atmosphere, the people, etc.



When you have people who are empathetic and compassionate, people feel like they are part of the community and want to contribute to the health of others and the community.



Insted of blame, hate and isolation we need to find what brings us together. Find commonalities rather than differences. We find usually that we are more alike than not.



The way of the future is community.

Answer 835

Community of understanding ? You must be kidding...I mean, look at this world and its inhabitants; all that holds things together and all that makes world go round is money...Do you think this can be changed ?! Do you expect everyone to be decent, to do his job properly and with chastity ?! That's an illusion for sure ! We're monkeys and we don't give a dime on

anything beyond our personal interest and eventually interest of our families !

Answer 836

according to my personal opinion, this is a result from 'bullying', 'bullying' at educational institutes(schools, colleges, universities,etc).



Though 'bullying' problems has never been highlighted as an important matter, i believe 'bullying' creates a whole new personality, a dangerous personality. People being constantly bullied creates internal frustration, anger, depression which triggers mentle problems in future which may lead to retaliation. Some people just cannot cope up wth bullying. Kids in school become gangsters just to get the protection and feel the power, if we see, we realise tht 90% of school gangs are created with kids who were once 'bullied', to fight this bully problems they enter gangs to get protection, to get respect from people, to make people fear them.



Bullying is a great problem here in America. Some are bullyed based on religion, race, language, looks, and weakness....I believe, the government shld take a huge step in fighting 'bullying' problems. Bullying shld be prevented, there shldnt be problems in school.Bullying also comes in connection with racism and harrasment!!!



Fight 'bullying' is the step to prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.



EXAMPLE;

I was sitting near a lake in Orange County, when i saw some kids picking on a Asian Arbian girl calling her TERRORIST, KILLER, WITCH. I was suprised when their parents just smiled and said "common kids, dont pick on tht Asian". The Asian girl was crying with tears all over her face, but she cried silently. When her parents came to take her home, they too were devastated and shaking. I asked myself, Are we breeding new form of terorists? ARE WE CREATING NEW FORM OF PSYCHOS? That girl must have been facing same problems in school each and everyday, and whts her fault?



Another incident was when i was at a Wine lounge in Perth- Australia, a drunk guy picked an Asian Arab looking guy and was telling him the "run man, run, we all are going to burn all you ARABIES ALIVE, Fxxxing Muslim". That Asian guy turned out to be an Indian Student. The only thing i could do to save our face and image was to punch tht drunk bloke.



Do you think Hell is breaking loose? i personally believe yes, hell is breaking loose...esp. after 9/11



When i was in Schooldays, i have never seen things like i m seeing now. Have we lost our minds?

Tears flow, blood flow....where has love gone?



When i grew up, my friends were all multicultural, we played together, there was no hatred, there was no bullying problems....Now i see kids being seperated.



Whats going on?

Answer 837

impossible. The same people saying, "something should be done..." are the same ones who'll say, "...you have no right to dictate..." By law, our society errs on the side of freedom and subsequent punishment versus prior restraint. Good Lord--our criminal system couldn't handle OJ Simpson after the terror-filled 911 calls AND the murders! I watched stunned as people celebrated his not-guilty verdict.

Answer 838

Community of Understanding? This sounds like it ought to be in the feminine hygiene section. What What give me a break there's nothing to understand here fix political correctness and may be these freaks will be treated properly.

Answer 839

History of this planet has bee wrriten by HOLIER THAN THAU syndrome. Be it religion or culture- time had seen people killing people in name of GOD...and count of heads is in billions of billions.



Now a KOREAN STUDENT had developed hate for liberal culture of USA - where he sees and experience which 'he' thinks is wrong and he took the gun and killed 'them'.



WE CAN NOT CREATE COMMUNITY OF UNDERSTANDING: Civilization has given nothing positive to human race. Technologies are tools in hands of rich, cunning and cruel people. Can you imagine what will happen if biological weapons, nuclear weapons came in possession of terrorist groups? How many Viriginia we will be having daily ?

How can we INJECT love and harmony into people who feels they should rule this planet.

There are lot of innicents killings being done in cluntry like INDIA which is putting up a face of modern country to the world. We only knows about those people when news comes in media....many goes unreported.

Answer 840

A court determined this young man was dangerous to others in 2005 and yet he was allowed to go his merry way with no supervision or follow up. Let me say that another way, the court new he was dangerous!



I don't know how a "community of understanding" can make a difference when we allow known psychopaths to wander among us unsupervised.

Answer 841

Nobody knew this guy was about to explode. The police can't take action until he does something. A sense of security has been lost. Lessons to be learned. I don't know if he could have been detected or reached.

Answer 842

we cant! we can only lower the numbers by reaching out to kids aggressively , more intense interest in kids have a div. in the police . Notice that VT guy gave signs all over, this is what happens when no one listens. THERE U GO.



sick people need help and love

Answer 843

The problem gets worst because of easy availability of guns, automatic weapons. If there are really very tough norms to buy a gun in US then these type of massacre will never happen. In India we have more than one Billion people, but it is really difficult for an ordinary citizen to get a gun license. Have you ever heard that there was a shoot out at any campus in India??

Answer 844

Creating an intentional community to cultivate compassion and respect for the unity , equality and sanctity of humanity is most laudable. It is essential for the survival and advancement of humanity.



What affects one touches all. Our neighborhood is earth and humanity is one large family. When a violent act causes profound loss; it is a shared loss.

We are a diverse people who in collective isolation weave the rich tapestry of our community. Each loss has the capacity to unravel our community . To repair we need to reunite.

Intention is a powerful spiritual force. United with the intention to heal ourselves, we are empowered to co create an intentional, cooperative, and interdependent community.



Acknowledging our interdependence will require a paradigm shift from the model of "survival of the fittest" that has increased our sense of isolation and fear.



Gandhi said "Be the change You wish to see in the world."

There is power in intention and will.

The power of one plus one plus one...is infinite.

This unity with the intention of creating a better world for all requires self examination to determine what each of us may do to reflect the change we wish to " be" and therefore "see" in our world .

I am a therapist who is trained in conflict resolution. I teach conflict resolution and the mindfulness practice of compassion for I see the human family as one family.

This moment in our family's evolution is in all our hands, hearts and prayers.

Answer 845

Some may not agree with me, but one area that needs to be addressed in terms of understanding this extreme violence, is the games that are on the market today. Age restrictions are in place for these games, but we all have or know someone with children that have access to these games. We all act shocked to witness events like this brutal killing, and ask why or how can this happen. I strongly believe that people in general, not just children have, to varying degrees, become immune to violence. These games have turned killing into a fun sport, infact, for successfully killing a specified number, you reach higher levels in the game. It is something that is difficult for me to comprehend, to believe that killing is something for which to strive! I know that some may feel this to be a "rant" or "melodramatic" but I seriously don't care if someone feels their rights have been violated by NOT allowing these games to be sold. By stopping these games from being sold, it may be a beginning to healing our damaged sensitivities. :)

Answer 846

Shouldnt we already be a community of understanding. However it is impossible to be kind to people who are not even sane and want to be loners hermits whatever. You cant stop someone from snapping in the brain.

Answer 847

i think people should be in tune with one another;such as when the professors felt uneasy with student who did the shooting, they should have been able to reach out and helped him in some way. contacting his family and mental health authorities may have helped; but we wont know that now. my prayers are with the students, faulty and family members of Virginia tech

Answer 848

Ohh, it's not understanding we need, its more police and less liberalism!

Stricter laws abroad and closure of the border.

Expelling the illegals and barring new foreign entries.

To prevent a tragedy, we need to instill our morality, decayed over decades by liberalistic laws that are now going against us all! (See ACLU and most atty's)

Answer 849

Hear me out. We must look to the cause of the young student's apparently unanimous hatred toward his fellow students. We cannot simply assume the problem lies within allowing firearms to be purchased by legal immigrants. The young student despised his fellow classmates for their "debauchery" as "deceitful charlatans." He referred to them as "brats" and "rich kids." Therefore, we can reason that he despised them partially because he was so clearly aware of the "haves" and even more aware that he was a "have not." Counfounded with this is the fact that he was socially segregated partially on account of the torment of his fellow students. This combined with a potential for mental instability inevitably lead to his pre-meditated breakdown. We hear from many sources that students did try to make conversations with him, but that he refused to participate. This was likely caused by his unabated torment throughout the course of his early life as an underpriviledged english-as-a-second-language status. Therefore, we need to make sure that our teachers and parents encourage compassion, cooperation, and happines at young ages and strongly discourage any alienation or excessive mockery. Stress the importantance of respecting one another as contributing parts of humanity; not in terms of seperate origins and differing tongues. Part of this problem is racism which is inevitably going to take time and effort to extinguish. Please encourage positive attitudes towards our fellow people.

Answer 850

in an understanding community people would not be treated w/ predjudice and might actually feel cared for, therefore stopping the source of insanity in every school shooter in history. they seriously believe they are the victim, and it is extremely frustrating to see our fearful and bigoted society pushing them toward this insanity. the human brain can only take so much torment.

Answer 851

the V Tech community failed Cho and failed itself. They allowed one of their own to come to this by ignoring him. Had V Tech been more of a functional community that cares about all its members, this would not have occurred.



V Tech is not alone. It is the same everywhere in this country. We have gone to far into our isolated individual selves and away from our natural community.

Answer 852

What kind of nonsencial new-age phrase is "a community of understanding?" The "truth" of the matter is that nothing short of competent, early intervention on the shooter's behalf could've perhaps prevented this tragedy.



Shame on you for exploiting this tragedy.

Answer 853

The question tries to answer itself. The honest truth is that nothing will prevent a nut case from causing mayhem.

Answer 854

well let us give some more respect to each other, k!



I experienced the same feeling like "da killer" felt



in my junior highschool my teacher accusing me for stealing my fren watch , which I never do!

all the teacher and student was blaming me for a thing that I DON'T DO!

I felt like I want to commit suicide or get rid of that damn ppl at that time!

Luckily I dont have enough "Power" to fight the injustice at that time.

and thanks god i got a wonderful time at senior HS and my college. so i can be a normal person again!



But again i will hate the teacher who accusing me forever!!

and i believe the "killer" have the same feeling like i had before. LOL

Answer 855

Creating a community of understanding can't and won't help the people who are genetically programmed to crack. You can only help the ones who want to be helped. Nothing is going to stop the deranged ones.



The really sick thing here is that signs of cho's demented state were observed and noted, however, nothing short of locking him away could of stopped him.

Answer 856

I don't know what could be done for Angry people.They are like a ticking time bomb ready to go off.there are a lot of those kinds of people that we are not paying attention to.You are always going to get warnings signs,but we don't pay attention to how they are acting until after something bad happen,than it's to late.And another thing,I don't see how you can live with somebody and not noticed something strange is going on with them?

Answer 857

nothing can prevent a tragedy like that from happening expect to how arm guards at all schools

Answer 858

I think the better ways to prevent this kind of tragedies are:



1. To forbid the sale of guns to people younger than 30, specially if they take depression medications.

2. Install metal detectors in schools, nobody needs a gun at school.

3. Improve counseling services at schools.

4. Decrease the number of killings in TV .

5. Increase the regulations for killings in video games.

Answer 859

i don't think there is a true way of preventing tragedies like the one at Virgina Tech. From his writings (Richard Mcbeef) Sheung was already a very twisted but our we couldn't do anything about it. The society today is just all scrambled up...just today when i picked up the news paper the head lines was "face of death" (Toronto sun) and it was referring to Sheung. Was Sheung the real face of death? nothing would've told us about his actions. ( some crap on the IE is going to lead up like 9/11 some retard is going to say he saw it was going to happen) we should be really changing how our world really works.

Answer 860

A community of understanding would be a commmunity that was loving and compassionate towards others.



The young man at Va Tech was a person that was in dire need of balance in his life.



We are a nation that is for the most part, living in fear - and that fear is becoming detrimental to our ability to help others.



An understanding of what a mental illness can do to an individual is something that is not considered - it is the lack of attention to the problem that keeps us from understanding.

Answer 861

The state of California did a study on friends. They discovered that friends help us when we are in trouble, stabilize us when we are unstable, help us with common sense, and send us for help when we need it. They are our friends.

Considering the behavior of the young man in Virginia, perhaps having a community that accepts us, and makes us feel understood, it might help point the way to professional help. It might also help parents to recognize the warning signs of instability or poor mental health.

Answer 862

Umm. I Dont know if this was aready said, but I notcied theres a lot of answers and I didnt read much.

But I think by just doing little things like talking to someone who doesnt have much friends or listening to someones problems coul dhelp.

Im sure if we took time out of our busy schedual and just listened to someone we cared abouts problems and maybe talked to them and showed you cared about them you could make a difference.

Answer 863

What we need as a society is to accept people for who they are...not label them or judge them for their outward appearance. I know that in our modern "go-go" society it's very difficult to take time out of our days to reach out - but even just a smile will help. You might just make someone's day...

Answer 864

Oh brother, you have a mega million $ business teaching this junk and you come here to ask? Why don't you just get to the point and say, "Buy all my books". YOU ARE SUCH A CON ARTIST.

Answer 865

We should first address the problem of bullying. It seems that one common factor that we see time and time again in these senseless killings, is that the perpetrator(s) were bullied. Maybe it's time to look at this whole issue of bullying, especially at the gradeschool and highschool levels, and to deal with bullies harshly. Punishment for habitual bullies should include expulsion and/or criminal assault charges.



Not every kid can defend against bullies, especially if they gang up on him or her.

Answer 866

I agree with one poster, that we can try and have tried, and that is what makes life worth living.. However it can only be said by looking at human nature that these occurrences are absolutely unavoidable, as sad as that may be. What we can do, is make changes to our own lives on a personal level. Just tell someone you love them. And mean it.

Answer 867

i think your entire premise points to how this kind of thing happens; that we need a community of understanding to stop these kinds of senseless tragedies. I could not disagree more with that premise. We need to go back to the time in this country where if you were pushed down or made fun of at school your dad told you; stick up for yourself, you won't get anywhere in life by feeling sorry for yourself. Doing what you suggest is what causes society to generate these lost souls that think they are victims because they've been told their whole life that life is fair (or should be)...well it isn't, deal with it. Get a back bone and do the best you can, and be proud of your very best.

Answer 868

Look, its never going to happen. These things have been happening since the begining of time. There have always been bad people in the world and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Yes, it is horrible and an unspeakable unparellel tragedy, but there is no cure for it.

Answer 869

"Community of understanding" is a squishy term without a definable endpoint.



Let's call this what it is... Essentially, this was one extremely disturbed human being who went on a rampage. To say that this could be prevented by us trying harder somehow is to focus the blame away from its true target. That lack of personal responsibility is part of the problem.



Blame the guy with the gun.



Don't blame the gun shop owner, or his mother, or Virginia Tech, or his mean ol' classmates, or my "community of understanding".

Answer 870

Understanding what???



People tried to reach out to this boy, and befriend him; but he refused to connect with people. He had already been referred to counselors, who apparently were unable to reach him.



He was determined to be a loner, despite efforts by various people to reach out to him.



He made a self determination that he would be against all of society, and acted accordingly.



Not even a community of the deepest understanding will be able to connect with every single individual.. on deep enough a personal level to meet every single need of those individuals.



It is up to every individual, however, to make important personal choices that affect the outcome of his/her life and the lives of others.



This selfish person chose to disconnect from society and to destroy lives.



He, alone, bears the responsibility for that.. not the community.



I also have plenty to say about the role of parenting in these types of situations, but I will not elaborate due to the sensitivity of this issue at this particular time.

Answer 871

I'd like to respond by saying...what?



There is no way to prevent tragedies like this because crazy people don't respond to hugs and affirmation. They respond to heavy doses of thorazine and multiple shock treatments.



Seriously, come on. Do you really think every problem can be solved with love?

Answer 872

Undrestanding is the key to peace and harmony.Everyone should respect cultural differences.When there is respect there is acceptance and when there is acceptance there is harmony.Thus, we can prevent such tragedies and even human extinction.

Answer 873

Well Im sure that would involve a program of mass indoctrination of each successive generation via some sort of "public education system," to inculcate whatever values are decided on by whoever manages to be appointed to do so.



Sounds pretty far fetched to me. Maybe you should just shoot people you don't like instead.

Answer 874

Individuals should treat others the way they want to be treated. The Golden Rule. Obviously ,the killer was hurt from other students by some harsh comments which resulted in his actions.

Answer 875

"He was mentally ill."



How dare anyone say that. Who is anyone to decide what is mentally ill? Just because he reacted to his suffering in a different way than you would've? Wake up, that's the same mentality that creates people like Cho.



Even the most docile and affectionate animal becomes violent when put in a cage and tortured. Humans are not a damn bit different.



I will say it again and again. Don't judge someone until you have walked in their shoes because who are you to condemn someone when you yourself might have done the same thing in their situation?

Answer 876

It can't. There will always be a certain percentage of people in the world who are mentally disturbed. As the population increases, it follows that the number of disturbed people will increase at that percentage rate. Therefore, the frequency of incidents such as Columbine and VT will increase. There is no escaping it.

Answer 877

I don't think anything can be done to prevent what happened. We can do things to reduce the number of instances of events like this. If the young man was a sociopath, helping someone recover from that is nearly impossible.

Answer 878

I think it begins at home with what you teach your kids.



Hate and intolerance look the same no matter on what side of the fence we think we are standing.



Kids minds are as sponges and they will absorb not only our words but our attitudes and prejudices. After watching a documentary like "Jesus Camp" I can see how even the best of intentions can be twisted when we add our own prejudice to the mix .



Teach your kids to be kind to others, no matter how weird they look or how different their beliefs are. Teach them NOT to fear, fear equals hate.

Answer 879

I think that severe emotional problems are treatable with everything from medications to simple community support. Perhaps if people with irrational anger levels would feel supported and safe, and not escalate to these awful levels. Can you imagine the personal hell he must have been in leading up to this?

Answer 880

It seems the most heinous of individual acts are committed by people who feel they are a nobody. As horrible as these 33 senseless deaths were, it happens every day in Iraq, Sudan, Dufar, etc. today 233 people were killed by bombs in Iraq. Where is the 24 hour TV coverage concerning this. Where is the President making a "horrific" comment about this? Especially since he is personally responsible for its cause. When an American kills men,woman, and children in Iraq he is given a medal and called a hero. It seems the world has gone mad in killings and in the weather. I believe there is no solution as the momentum of these events is too great. It is almost as if a flood-like event is needed for a fresh start for the world.

Answer 881

Issuing license of gun ownership should go through an instense scrutiny. Mentally ill applicanst should not pe permitted to carry guns.

Answer 882

The worst thing that could possibly happen anyone is to become totally understood and if one can connect to this reality one then begins to connect to the source of what creates great misunderstanding.

Answer 883

Just use a psychologist to screen letters and perhaps interview applicants to VT, which might reduce the risk of having tragic incidents at the school.

Answer 884

Maybe this is a result of decline in quality of the mental health care system? Remember government funding for mental health has been decreased lots over the years.

Answer 885

You can't be serious, sir. There will always be barbarians in our midst, and we must do our best to recognize the symptoms that this unfortunate shooter was demonstrating. The community of understanding?, inept security, law enforcement, college administration, and parents-- so unaware. So unprepared. I grieve for the parents of the dead students. Namaste.

Answer 886

Parents,faculity, students,Alums and campus presidents must address this in a real sensitivie manner. The most important understanding is the one of minorities and others who feel left out of campus life.

Answer 887

No the problem with that person is He was taught to hate the american people.I did not realize just how bad the american people were hated untill all the killings started and it was the foriegn people doing it. Why do they hate us so much. They come to america and get a better living and free education. And we let them come to america. to get a free education while our kids have to pay for their education. If they come to america they should have to learn to speak and read english not for me our my kids to have to learn spanish to talk with them. They are coming to my COUNTRY if I was in their country that would be a different matter.

Answer 888

the tragedy would have been averted if a counselor had tended to Cho-Seung-hui's problems. he was mentally-ill at the time of these killings, and was very depressed. he was isolated from his classmates, did not participate in classroom discussions, and was removed from class occassionally due to his poor temper. this had caused him to carry out the killings, which was a major shock due to his introverted nature.

Answer 889

You can create a community telling people how dangerous guns are. You can lobby the Senate to do something about the crazy gun laws.

Answer 890

A community of understanding? the guy was antisocial so he wouldn't have talked with anyone in that "community".



theres a rather humongous line between being a depressed loser that has no friends and being a murderer.

Answer 891

Your name, my esteemed doctor, is well-known by myself.



It is quite against most "moral" natures to use a tragedy to call impressionable/vulnerable people to your cause. It is a form of brainwashing.



If you were truly as venerable and compassionate as you portend to be, you would never have asked such as question at such a time.

Answer 892

Alienation, exclusion, social molding, self-disturbance, self-awareness, self-esteem, ...

All issues that confuse youth about who they are supposed to be.

Society pushes their values upon confused minds (starting at gradeschool).

Who you are and who you want to be is not important to society (?)

Understanding...accepting...praising...thanking...listening...

If these values would be used by 70% of any given community prevention would not be a question anymore, the question would be WHEN.

Answer 893

maybe those in position of authority should start listening to what the others have to say. some people are in tune with what is happening in the world and around them. alot of people don't understand or listen to those that come forth with their concerns or discernment and as a result many people suffer at the hands of others. some dismiss what you say, some call you whatever!!! and then there are some who simply don't believe. when someone comes to you with a concern take it seriously, they are coming to you for a reason not out of fun........there are some people like myself who went through hardship in life, I being fortunate enough turned it around to assist with me in life, I did not go through those experiences to keep bottled up and not to share with those that need it. I used those experiences to gain better understanding and use those experiences to help others. That is one of the purposes of my life....and believe me, I went through alot that others cannot believe I'm still alive to talk about it. My book when finished will be a best seller, it speaks of courage, humility, faith, forgiveness, inner healing, sadness, truth, justice and the most important for me....LOVE, even after everything i ever encountered in life at the hands of others or even myself........lots of love to all, kat

Answer 894

Hi Dr. Chopra,



Fostering an atmosphere of acceptance is probably a good idea to prevent or seriously limit the violence that is similar to the VT or Columbine type of violence.

Answer 895

Building communities is something America would benefit tremendously from. Being a member of an inclusive community that is guided by agreements of mutual respect, dignity, and diversity can help a person feel loved, purposeful, and energized by life!



The young man who committed these atrocities obviously felt separated from society; like he had no one to talk to about his feelings-- no one to empathize with him, and tell him that it's okay to feel angry sometimes, but what helps us grow as an individual is how we choose to cope with those emotions.



How can we build these communities? We can begin in schools. By implementing character curriculum at the elementary level that emphasizes respect, inclusiveness, and understanding, we can begin helping young people build friendships in small, heterogeneous groups that they can maintain from 1st grade, all the way through high school, and perhaps even college. In the old days, they called it, "The Buddy System." Perhaps church leaders could start an initiative that creates peer groups that are taught to talk to, and look out for one another.



These horrific events could help our country turn an emotional corner. Our country has been dealing with negativity for so long that it seems like the only way many of us know how to cope with anger and hate is to return anger and hate. Perhaps we need to meet anger and hate with love and kindness. I believe that if someone had been kind to the young man who killed those poor people in Virginia, and if he knew how to accept kindness, perhaps he would have turned a corner and made a different decision. By being a member of a community that emphasizes inclusiveness and understanding, people learn to channel their negative feelings and cope with them with dignity and maturity.

Answer 896

After every tragedy--- schools become more aware of things---



making threats is no joke, etc, but it fades after the news fades.



I think that any threats, acts or writings should be taken seriously. If you think something is up with someone, open your mouth!!!

Answer 897

As a parent, I am well aware of the seeds we plant in our youth. I know I have a lifetime that will be invested in my child of these seeds and I hope they will utlimately make a positive difference.

Answer 898

If we give our children lots of love at home, listen to them and help them to deal with many of the situations that occur in life, they will be better prepared to handle these situations when they are faced with them. Show them, as a parent how you help others, volunteer, give money to causes you feel are important. Live as a good example. Show them how to open their hearts to others. I believe that children are always paying attention to their parent(s). At young ages they need our guidance. If situations arise at school talk with your kids about it, if you need to, go to the school and talk with teachers. Make sure that your children are being treated fairly by others. They will pass all that they learn to everyone else and the goodness will continue to grow. Brighten your world and it will spiral outward.

Answer 899

I can tell you how NOT to build a community of understanding: have 98% of the people saying that it's not possible.

Answer 900

trying to get students together in classrooms can help, you'll be surprised at how people will notice a shy person, but will ignore them or laugh at them an call them weird, w/o ever trying to speak to them or be their friend



more friendly people may help, less bullies may help, younger counselers or atleast once with a younger edge might help



making sure teachers make every student speak in class



i know i will never speak in class unless a professor absolutly makes me for a grade...people don't understand how impossibly hard it is to break shyness that you've had all your like



that may help, but not all shy people are demented,



so maybe if every student is mandated to speak to a counselor just once, as part of a school policy, maybe that will help, it sure can't hurt



students go to counsilors about grades, but rarely about personal problems unless it involve grades, i think having someone to talk to and listen may help in someone not turning completly crazy





just suggestions

Answer 901

It can't. People refuse to listen, and I think the best that can be done is to find the people who would do something like the VT shooting and keep them away from people they can ahrm and attempt to treat them. A 'Community of Understanding' sounds like some liberal hippie jargon to me, we don't need to understand these people, just keep them away.

Answer 902

Something to stop kids or some kind punishment for catching kids harrassing others that will stop them from doing it again. When my friends get 'after school dentention' for an hour my other best friend and I just go with him, so he basically learns nothing from his 'mistake' of cheating in this case.

Answer 903

I believe the only way is to teach (or in some cases; re-teach) respect for others. A lot of today's society is so self absorbed that one forgets how to be human let alone humane.

Answer 904

My answer is probably going to go against the grain of what most people here are probably saying, but I think that someone needs to say it anyway: the burden lies not just on society to be more sensitive, but also on the individual to cope with the occasional insensitivity of others without taking it too personally. People will never be as perfectly sensitive as you would want them to be, and people need to learn to be forgiving and turn the other cheek whenever other people are occasional rude to you.



It is true that Cho Seung-Hui was teased and picked on, according to people who knew him -- and that was wrong -- but it is also true that some people tried to reach out to him, and he actually ignored the people who tried to help him, also according to people who knew him. It appears that there is more than enough blame to go around here.



You are never going to get a perfectly "understanding" community. There will always be some insecure people running around trying to insult other people and put them down. Trying to teach other people to be more sensitive of the feelings of others is commendable, but you also need to teach overly sensitive people how to mentally & emotionally cope with the fact that you simply cannot get along with everyone that you meet.



True, some insensitive people need to be taught how to be more polite to others (by focusing on old fashioned values like "common courtesy", "manners" and "respect" -- values that we seem to have lost), but we also need to teach the overly sensitive people how to be mentally "tough" enough to deal with the fact that some people are just going to be rude to you no matter what you do (without taking the rudeness of others to heart).

Answer 905

to be honest, I don't know if it can.... there will always be people that cannot be helped; they will not accept your help, hell they probably don't even know that they need help. and no matter how hard we try to come together, there will always be people who wish to tear us apart, violently if necessary. all that we can do is try to reach out and be as open with as many people as possible... we might not be able to completely prevent something like that from happening, but at least we can reduce the chance

Answer 906

If you pick on a kid long enough, he'll lash out. If he has guns, he'll create a massacre.



Every college should have a mandatory "basic social skills" class, and teach people to be more mature. I'm sure if that kid never got picked on, this would have never happened

Answer 907

It isn't easy to understand a closed book. If more people would smile and greet those they pass each day. Maybe some of the closed books of this world would open up.

Answer 908

Unfortunately pure evil exists. In a nation of over 300 million souls, we do remarkably well. This guy sounds like a Columbine "copycat". You can't "understand" this, it's insanity.

Answer 909

He was a bad guy!!! There will always BE bad guys!!! Dont you people understand that!!! Absolutely nothing can be done to prevent VT or ANY crowd type of shooting by a sicko who wants to kill a bunch of people. "Community of understanding".....oh brother give me a break.

Answer 910

Understanding breeds caring. When we have caring we won't have so many tragedies.



Understanding comes from education. School education is only a small part of it. Education is everywhere for the taking. Parents, family, friends, books, art, music, travel, eating, foreign languages, the Internet, and so on and so on.



Our problem is that we now have so many uneducated people breeding new uneducated people who in turn breed new uneducated people that we've reached a point when we're going down so fast that unless we soon make drastic changes to our society we're going to implode the way the USSR did.



Western European countries are very similar to us, yet they don't have anywhere near the number of murders we do. Shouldn't that tell us that they're doing something better then we are? Maybe we should all go over there and try and figure it out. Gun control? Sure. It's a lot harder to kill someone with a knife, you have to get up close and personal. And there's plenty of guns in Europe. Hunting guns, guns that were hidden after the war and are now being passed down to the next generation, black market guns... there's just nowhere near the number we have here because in Europe you just can't buy a gun like we can here.

But gun control is only one factor in the equation.

Happiness is another one. So is stress. So is being tired all the time. So is health. So is pollution and a million other things.



HAPPINESS. If you're happy, are you going to go kill someone? Very doubtful. And stress, tiredness, health, pollution and a million other things are all related to our happiness.



STRESS. Hey man, I'm totally stressed today (this week, this month. Pick one or make up your own). I just spent 1/2 a day arguing with a phone company about a $600 bill because they screwed up. I had to get (my state) regulatory commission to step in and... sometimes I feel like I need to spend my entire life protecting my family and myself from legal predators. Stress doesn't usually bring a whole lot of happiness.



TIREDNESS. God, I'm so tired. I work two full time jobs, my stupid kids won't stop yelling their heads off, the five dogs my husband/wife wanted are making one mess after another, my husband/wife/kids can't wash a single plate/glass/spoon and leave their dirty clothes/mud prints/messes everywhere, I'm just beat. I feel like shooting something or someon...



Do you think Tiredness and Stress are related? How about Tiredness, Stress and Happiness? You're right, it's bad but don't go away yet. There's more.



HEALTH. I need a knee operation but I just changed jobs and my insurance doesn't start for 60 days. When the insurance starts, the company needs you to fill out 5 lbs worth of paperwork to make sure you don't have a pre-existing that they don't have to pay for for another 6 months and of course they screw it up so you have to pay the entire price for that Doctor's visit you thought would be handled by you're insurance. No worry, you' ll get reimbursed. Yeah right. In another three months and 3 lbs of paperwork... in the meantime your kids each lost 3 lbs because there isn't enough food on the table. HEY, that's a joke! In this country, being poor actually makes you fat because you can't afford decent, healthy food.



Fast forward to a year later. You've had you're operation but your knee still hurts because the insurance company would only pay for 10 physical therapy sessions and you needed 20. So you're still no healthy, you're totally stressed from trying to figure out how to pay for that $2000.00 deductible, you're tired from dealing with all this on top of your normal day tiredness and you just feel like... shooting someone.

POLLUTION. By now your brain is polluted by stress, health problems, tiredness and unhappiness. OK, that's mental pollution. Does that make any difference? Plus it's on top of the "regular" pollution, you know, the smog, the acid rain, global warning, etc., etc. What do I do now? I guess I'll go home and try hard not to shoot someone. Well, you've got a problem right here because the inside of your house is even more polluted than the outside. Bad chemical being released into your "protected" environment by your furniture, carpet, paint (just to name a few) and your brain is frying some more...guess I'll shoot me a neighbor!



I am NOT usually a violent person but, are there days when i feel like shooting someone? you bet! Today, the a**hole who had to have a dog even though he is never home and the poor animal barks his head off 24/7 at the end of the chain that strangles him. Tomorrow, the b**ch across the street who lets her dogs run all over the neighborhood, even though she has an enclosed back yard, because this way she doesn't have to clean up after them. Yesterday, I shot the N***er next door. Hey, he's dark and scary...



WAKE UP!



It is high time for changes and if we don't make those happen, we'll have more of those shootings. Period.

Answer 911

It hit home and the scariest part of it was that it was one of their own. He blended in with the crowd and students. The community of understanding is to show how all of us students are in this together to stop violence in that way from occuring again.

Answer 912

I think we need to unplug the electronics, and get back to life. People do not take time for themselves, or others. Spending time with people, in person, caring seems to be long gone. Alienation is truly the curse of our age.

Answer 913

it all starts at home..we as parents need to try to identify the initial warning or dangerous signs that our kids show of them becoming a threat to society..we need to show love..caring..appreciation of nature and mostly human life.. its all taught by example.. if the case is such that is a mental health issue like a diagnosed condition then also parents or close family members should take the responsibility to seek help at an early age... i am a parent myself and at times i have seen my kids withdraw and they try to isolate themselves from every one but i cannot let them.. kids go thru a lot more these times then in our ages.. more peer pressure....drugs..fashion...bullies....too much for them to cope alone...we need to be there for our kids and if our intervention is not enough then seek professional help asap!!

Answer 914

Provide counseling programs for those needing assistance, and be pro-active in reaching troubled students. However, I think it's time we start making people responsible, and held accountable for their actions. We have become so complacent in our quest to be "politically correct", that no one is held accountable for their actions now and the problems have gone from bad to worse.

Answer 915

right to carry concealed gun .there well always be weird-Os's trying to harm us that is the reason for the second amendment .police can not protect you .the government won't protect you and if everyone has no why to protect them selves then even you and i can not protect ourselves and friends and family .i don't want people with guns strap-ped to there paint leg hanging out for everyone to see what a bad *** the person is .there is need for regulation but we all need to no if we pull a gun on anyone we are died because everyone in the room has a right to carry a concealed gun .

Answer 916

We need to quit treating mentally ill people as a protected class, When a person is mentally ill and suicidal and a stalker they should not be going to a university they should be in a hospital

Answer 917

one way would be to teach our children that even those that appear different than we perceive ourselves,are not that different and we as a society should try to befriend those who seem aloof or alone,you never know how a kind word can change a persons day .When my grandaughter started attending a new school last year,not one african american person tried to befriend her because she appeared different,because she dyed her hair blue,the caucasian kids not only spoke but some even befriended her and offered her to sit with them at lunch.That hurt my feelings for her although I have taught her to be herself regardless of how others see her,The fact that the colored girls treated her badly hurt me deeply.

Answer 918

Silly question. Some people do not WANT to be helped, some people are just genuinely disturbed. 'A community of understanding' will do little to nothing except possibly aggravate people further.

Answer 919

We can make a start by restoring moral values to our society, by considering any media that encourages and desensitizes people to violence, by getting rid of loopholes in the laws to benefit criminals, by politicians coming together instead of seeking votes and power through demeaning anyone or anything they don't agree with, by recognizing those with problems and instead of worrying about their 'civil rights' getting them help or removing from society.

Answer 920

we need to do 2 things.



1.) get a better screening system so that ppl with physilogical problems (this guy was diagnosed with these types of problems) so that we can stop ppl from going crazy like dat.



2.) that wont work fully, nothing can. so we shud give everybody at tha university better dorm security and provide all tha students with teflons.

Answer 921

I think the media has alot to do with adding to tragedies. It gives others ideals. Less media, would be a start.

Answer 922

u cant prevent tragedies like that, but u can reduce the amount of times they may happen

Answer 923

I think creating a community of understanding promotes a shared sense of purpose and pain. It make us learn and understand that we are all interconnected and when one of us hurts we all hurt. We must learn to become responsible for one another and let go of the fear of opening ourselves up and sharing our fears and pain. Regardless of our circumstances and situations, we all have our demons and burdens to bear. "Every man thinks his burden is the heaviest..." Bob Marley Peace and blessings 2 all!

Answer 924

How can I rehash spiritual principles in multiple volumes to make tons of money in publishing and self-help while taking profitable advantage of insecure wealthy people by charging $5000.00 per week for mediocre food and boring seminars?

Answer 925

By providing venues for dialogues & community projects, a system of monitoring & reporting and timely professional evaluation & action.

Answer 926

well you see a community of understanding is really acommunity that understands then .and there will be ponies and clowns and cotton candy and the world will feel better and stuff.or we could allow people to carry guns and defend themselves.

Answer 927

Every one that likes to hunt and can handle a gun should

carry one. That way chances are that fool would not have

made it very fare past the forth or fifth student. Until we

wake up. the only thing we can do is jump out the window or

or call 911 and perhaps die before they get there. what

kind of cents dose that make?

Good question.

Answer 928

Your question is poorly phrased, because it asks "how" creating a community of understanding can prevent such tragedies rather than "whether" it can. It can't. There are crazy people in this world, and your community can't stop them from acting out on their craziness. Having now listened to many stories involving interviews with people who interacted directly with the shooter prior to the shooting, it was clear that many people tried to reach out to him, to communicate with him and, yes, to try to understand him. He rejected them all. As badly as you wish it to, understanding does not equal prevention.

Answer 929

I think that the problem is not in the community of understanding. It's our life, unfortunately. There are enough mad people making their crazy nonhuman things everywhere&always. Just beware.

Answer 930

i do not know exactly. you tell me.

i suggest we start from stopping the media repeating and repeating stories about murders and killers to sell their products. amazingly, these things happens only when there is nothing else for the media to cover. it seems like there is hidden hands behind every events.

this terror act is counted as hundreds of millions for newspapers and TV canal. most owned by Jews.

Answer 931

Be enlightened as to your true nature as a child of God. Once you see that and know yourself, you will see that all are children of God. When you see that, you will see the value of life, and there will be no more war or hatred. I became enlightened through my saviour Jesus Christ and baptised by the Holy Spirit, others are enlightened by kundalini, nirvana, etc. It's all the same thing. Enlightenment to God is love and light.

Answer 932

learn how to splice genes and get rid of all the mental illness before more nuts are born, i had a son in law like that, im so glad my daughter got out of that relationship alive. they threw people out of insane assylums to save money, now they are on the streets as our homeless or hiding among our schools waiting to blow someones head off. these things are not treatable, however if you get busy with the genetic work you could splice genes before these kids are born, they used to warehouse people like that and prevent births, now they are running about in drug dens having sex with anything and spitting out more and more mental defectives.

Answer 933

The first step should be with parents of children with emotional issues. They need to be given the resources and understanding to help their children. Many are afraid to ask for help, for fear that they will be blamed for their child's condition. So they try to hide it or deal with it on their own.

Answer 934

you cannot, unless you take a hardline like mandatory commitment to a mental institution, but the ACLU will argue that point, I am all for mandated commitments of anti social person deemed potentially dangerous to life and liberty, much like those prisoners at Guantanamo Bay

Answer 935

I think if we can all somehow get together and talk to one another and form groups to teach people in the community how to relate to each other and turn to one another in times of stress!

Answer 936

I think that older children should be spoken to about school shootings at school and teachers should be aware and alert authorities if a child seems like he is or might become a dangerous loner.

Answer 937

3 things.

First, the world is truly out to get us.

Second, we are animals at heart.

Third, emotion does not dictate logic.



The world is truly out to get us. We have to realize that.

If you think you are immune, then it will be a tragedy when your life is ripped apart by a natural, man-made, or social disaster. Hopefully, it is not a combination of all 3 of them.



We are animals at heart and give in to animal tendencies.

We eat too much, drink too much, lay around too much, etc.

Then, we become thus like the animal.

We teach children to behave, but don't give a reason why.



We accept what we are told about ourselves. Our grades tell us, Our actions tell us, Our teachers tell us, people tell us, friends and family tell us.



Imus made a comment recently, that the girls did not accept. There are comments that people just accept to be true and final.



When I hear the comments about the guy, they call him a Maniac, psychotic, etc. Is it no wonder that he did exactly what he was supposed to do. He accepted that the world told him just exactly who he was and who he will forever be.

He accepted the name and played the game.



We are emotional creatures and are apt to become highly emotional. Our emotions are built up by our actions and we become subject to our emotions. When something happens, we become over emotional.



If we realize that we are truly animals at heart and the world is out to get us, then perhaps we can rise above the world and our animal instincts.

Answer 938

sounds to me like the kid didnt really seem to want to be part of the community, he wanted to destroy it. his motive appears to be jealousy of people with money. i dont think "a community of understanding" would have prevented it all, the problem was he was just flat out crazy, and he was the one that wasnt understanding.

Answer 939

I think collectively we should strive to, if we're so inclined, halt any bullying or aggressive insulting behavior toward those who may not be that socially adept. There are some people who have really wrought emotional damage to others as kids growing up; some to this day continue to do so in the workplace. And not everyone is resilient in their psyches (could be due to some missing chromosone or what have you) and unfortunately could one day explode.



An extra step would be to also (if one can take time to do so) become acquainted with people at school or at work who are not in the "in group". You don't necessarily have to be their buddies, but feel free to greet them or make small chat. They may appreciate your interaction and have their inner anger quelled. Perhaps, thanks to you, they may decide to seek counseling because they don't like feeling the way they do.



The above, if applied, could possibly help in lessening the numbers of horrible outbreaks of violence in the U.S. by people who "snap". I'm not a pyschologist, just for the record.

This was my layman' analysis and prescription to stave off this horrific phenomena, which has struck our country, and as witnessed this week, is not just relegated to young Caucasian Americans.

Answer 940

It might have made it worse. He might have come back on campus and done worse damage than he did, unless he was put into a secure facility for the mentally disturbed.

Answer 941

Schools with too many students can never give individualized attention the way schools with limited enrollment can.

Answer 942

I am probably being negative when I answer, "we can't". Simply as that!



We can't legislate it away.



We can't medicate it away.



We can't use religious Theosophy to will it away.



Offering hope to the hopeless is all we have. Free counseling, availability of medicines, live sustaining surroundings that may include care facilities available WHEN they are needed, not AFTER WARDS.

Answer 943

Personally I think he should have not been admitted back to VA Tech after being declared incompetent and a danger to himself and others. If he was just institutionalized in the first place we wouldn't be having this issue.



My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and students.

Answer 944

I think we as human beings need to be kind to everyone. Even to people who "seem or look different" or don't have alot of money. It all starts in the home on how we are raised with morals and values.

Answer 945

Sad to say...there's No chance



Americans...mind you I am talking about Americans here.. Hate each other.

Men hate women

Women hate men

Conservatives hate liberals.

Liberals hate conservatives

White people hate Black Latino and minorities.

Minorities hate them back.

There is no chance they can arrive at a peaceful community of understanding.

Americans want privacy and independence. they are not community-inclined.

Drivers hate each other.

Co-workers hate each other and their bosses.

Rich hate the poor

Poor hate the rich.

Students hate their teachers.

Kids hate their parents.

Half the people hate themselves for heaven's sake.



The American culture of self and mutual hatred runs deep...very deep.

Answer 946

Actually many think that happened because of kid with ill-mentality. But what the real issue is, why dont many people think about the society that's creating such people???



with da economic system here in USA, the society is binded together mostly with money, wealth,!!! but not really on any social values, may it be family-wise, college, university colleague-wise.... NO!!! No one cares about his/her family member, friend.... so with people always goin after money, workin hard..( no other country has this much of energy-drinks sales, which people here really needs to keep up with da pace...) there's so much stress*** thats the point when ppl starts to hate rich, people starts to hate others who have those things that they dont.



yeah it can be seen in other countries too. but the society looks after such people, their frnds and family are there to help them, which can rarely be seen in USA.



For an example, Mother theresa called poor poeple in india as *Happy poor* whreas poor in USA was called *Angry Poor* those two words tells you the difference........!!!



so,

look after your family....

look after your friend,

look after your neighbor...

LOOK AFTER YOUR SOCIETY!!!

Answer 947

While reading a lot of these answers, I see a lot of "it's human nature". I don't think it's human nature to kill. Especially innocent people. And a lot of people disagree with me because of history, but you don't just kill people because it's natural instinct. People need to really take into consideration their treatment of others, because when something like this happens, it's obviously because of the treatment they've received from others. I just always try to remember the golden rule "do unto others as you'd like others to do unto you". If everyone thought like that, we'd live in peace, no doubt.

Answer 948

sometime things like the VA shooting happen cause like the shooter want their 15 min.fame no matter what the out come is.& they blam us for something we have no thought of.the best to help someone like that or you believe that person is under a lot of stress, talk to them,even if they are strainger,sometime a little talk can help

Answer 949

Its imposible. the person has to want to change. As documented by the media, this young man had many people and agancies reach out to him, but he simply didnt want their help.



I think there are people like this in every socioty, but I feel that we create more by becoming som involved in our electronics, rather than the actual people around us.

Answer 950

Well if you hear of bad things relating to a student you should act on it. The gunman was said to have stalked girls, and other crazy stuff and the school should have acted on it but didn't. Awareness is what schools should improve.

Answer 951

Authorize the professors to have guns , at least they could have had chance to defend themselves & their classes`. Have steel doors installed in all classrooms, etc. with only the professors & campus security knowing the auto:unlock code to reopen doors after classes have begun.

Answer 952

We must ask ours selves what we want in our society and then materialize an idea that everyone is a part of. We must become one entity instead of a confused one. We have the answers if we listen to the consensus of the understanding with us all. When a weak link is discovered within the unit of the community it can be rectified before a tragedy manifests due to our shared conscientiousness.

Answer 953

Maybe this country can begin making sound and serious policy decisions for the benefit of her citizens, instead of political necessity.

Answer 954

Until God is allowed back in school and society, we can plan on seeing many more of these tragedies.

Answer 955

they could have prevented this from happening all the signs were there like in the pictures he took the way he wrote about stuff like him killing people and himself they could have made him go see a counselor but no because they didn't make him 33 innocent people lost their lives .,

Answer 956

America is a great country. Things like this are unavoidable in the short run. In the long run parents need to learn to bring up their kids in a positive way. i personally put 90% of the blame on his parents; but whats done is done.

Answer 957

Take your new-age, feel-good crap back to India. This kid was laughed at in grade school and never learned how to handle it. If he had, this tragedy wouldn't have happened.



What are you going to do? Change 10-year-olds?



This tragedy (and many other school shootings) happened because kids never learn how to handle teasing when they are in grade school.



You want to stop these shootings from happening? Put competitive games back into grade-school curriculums. Games with winners and losers. Stop coddling them with "esteem-building exercises"! Self esteem that is created by someone always telling you how good you are, and only playing games that have no winners and no losers, is not Self Esteem at all, but is Narcissism.



Real Self Esteem comes from being knocked down and getting back up, again. Real Self Esteem comes from accepting that you did not win, and coming back to try again. Real Self Esteem comes from learning not to give up and not to give in to teasing and not to let life beat you down.



So, pack up your new-age feel-good crap and get out of here!

Answer 958

First, what I write in no way exonerates Cho for his maniacal and brutal violence against innocent victims. These young people with bright futures were cut down in the prime of their lives and Cho is solely responsible. Now, let me respond to the question.



Clearly mental illness is highly misunderstood by most Americans. Many fail to see it as a legitimate illness that needs immediate and regular treatment. Cho showed clear signs of being delusional and intelligent. This is a dangerous combination because it gave him the maniacal motivation to act along with the skill to pull it off. As a country and society, we need to accept the treatment of mental illness like we accept the treatment of cancer. That is, mental illness is life-threatening and treatable, and Mental illness is best treated early in its trajectory.



Next, we need to ask ourselves why we live in such a violent culture. Violence is portrayed in cartoon-like ways in films, magazines, books, television, video games and just about every kind of media that is easily accessed by Americans. This violence demeans us all by making us simultaneous perpetrators and victims. Let's just clear this up for the millionth time, violence begets violence and does not solve problems.



So, we need, as a society to come together and not ban violence (censorship is a form of violence to me), but instead quit consuming it. Right now violence is too profitable. Let's remove the profit by reducing the consumption. No more violent video games. No more violent music. No more violent films. Remove the profit and you will greatly reduce the amount of violent media available. So my solution is a boycott of commercial sources of violence. Don't give your hard earned dollars to manufacturers of violence. Start your boycott today and keep it going for the rest of your life.

Answer 959

Creating a community of understanding an help. But it begins with individuals. People need to reach out to others who they think are isolated, depressed, lonely, angry. We need to be inclusive, and to recognize people for their differences, for what they've been through, and for their uniqueness.

Answer 960

It's very easy to prevent tragedy like Virginia Tech, raise your children as Christains and they will not be possessed by demons like the "killer" was.

Answer 961

Imagine if any one student of the community, had stepped forward and tried to understand Cho, the killer at VT, so many lives could have been saved.

Answer 962

we all can agree to stop the blame game and be responsible for our actions and by forgiving ourselves and each other so we can heal the rifts in our lives. it takes work, but it does work . we all can seek the path to higher spiritual energies and leave the crude selfish selves behind. we all are a part of GOD.we just tend to be selfish and think with our ego instead of our heart. we all can say yes to love and no to hate and work it every minute of every day, soon the words "hate","war", "murder" would be just history. and we would fulfill our destiny.PEACE,LOVE,HARMONY fellow life forms........

Answer 963

What good will that do? Mr. Cho wasn't in that community of understanding. What makes you think that the next gun men will be in that same community? We can understand why Mr. Cho did what he did and that's because he was a coward who hated the social aspect of our community. He had mental problems as well as depression problems. So we as a community just need to support the people trying to treat patients with a mental disability.

Answer 964

Most of these "school shooters" were kids who were picked on and made to feel inferior. Of course that doesn't justify what they did, but I do think school administrators and parents need to look more closely at the effects of bullying.

Answer 965

this is just hypocrisy evertime a crazy dog

kill somebody people do the samething;



1 people try to understand why

2 people talk and talk to how prevent a future massacre

3 substantially nobody do nothing

4 few months later everybody forget the all case



one year later



BANG!!! another crazy dog kill more people

and we start all over again 1,2,3,4

Answer 966

I hope we can.We have to look out for those that stand out in some ways.Since this man was deemed Mentally,even after those warning signs,it wasn't taken seriosly enough to send him to be thoroughly evaluated.This should have been stopped before hand.

Answer 967

Look at the history..we will see these type of tragedies all over the world...every day in news we see this things.

Answer 968

Unfortunately you cannot prevent these tragedies. Creating a community of understanding may help those who are grieving loss of a loved one. Perhaps we should educate our youth on mental illness, and teach them to support and not judge these individuals who are clearly suffering. There are always going to be individuals that are suffering from some psychological disorder, and unfortunately take these extreme measures as an outlet, even if they are getting support from a professional. It is sad but very true...

Answer 969

WELL as long as the rich get richer and the poor get pooer , i don't think any community of understanding is going to help very much.

Answer 970

How can creating a Eutopian society prevent unpleasant things?

Answer 971

Everybody in every which way, school, town, county, state and federal is afraid to step forward. Because they know there is a lawyer ready to file charges of discrimination and damages.

Answer 972

The VT murderer was on campus, acting crazy and dangerous for three years. Students, teachers, school administrators and the local police knew all about him. THEY JUST DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, not even after he started shooting, except for one 76 year old man.



Is it un-American to get involved?

Answer 973

What we need are less laws. Not more! If there are less systems in place to control us and we are just allowed to get on with our lives, these things wouldn't happen. it isn't flawless, there will always be occasional problems but people would get along much better if there weren't people wielding power and telling them HOW to to be friends.

Answer 974

It can't; because despite whther you believe it or not, there IS evil in this world (or if you don't believe in 'good and evil', then there ARE bad people) and no amount of community creation, love or reason will stop those bent on destruction.

Answer 975

Trace back the blunders and slip-ups with human errors in the education system in planet of apes.

Those poor children were blindly mastering ghostly and deadly words from the graveyards in planet of apes.

At loss and blurr for not mastering living words from our creator's universal communication system in one new universal language and one speech in planet of apes.

The loss of our creator's universal gifts of life hidden by our creator back in the past was blindly thrown away created the missing link in the generation gap differences between the older and younger generation in planet of apes.

The tragedies expose with time on the blunders that had been created back in the past after independence in planet of apes.

The blunders and slip-ups with human errors is not only affecting back home but all over planet of apes.

Expose by public riots and demonstration all over planet of apes.

The mess with the web-size is growing by the day may soon be out of control if we don't make the changes in finding our way back in worshiping God in planet of apes.

Worshiping God is not to pray but to follow the instruction manual left behind by our creator back in the past for the good of mankind in planet of apes.

Living human kind were at loss and blurr never knew how our creator 's intruction manual looks like in planet of apes.

Were blindly following the blind going in circles in planet of apes.

The mystery of us-911 expose the missing x-files that was lost with time in planet of apes.

Iraq is the living examples of the similar mess being created not only in the East but the West too in planet of apes.

Luke 11.52

Answer 976

By LISTENING. We just don't LISTEN enough & pay attention to what's going on around us. We "wall ourselves in" with our cell phones & idle chatter- all the while unhappy people are silently "crying out" around us. Those people ARE our "problem" ...-Because one way or another, they're going to make themselves "heard"... -even if it means killing themselves and a bunch of US- to do it. We need to allow a "voice" for unhappiness.

Answer 977

What be a community of understanding is the real question here.

Answer 978

Enlightenment



Is seldom found in the dark looking at the screen of a monitor

or video game and certainly not by television.



A "community of understanding" is possible in some settings, many colleges actually seem to have such. They are the exceptions.



The youths that have done such dark, evil deeds all seem to have not even to have been searching for answers as soon as perhaps before "high school", or lets say age 12-13 they were already damaged souls, lost into a world of cyber-reality

and we know there is no such place.



When does hope get lost in a youth? It must be very early

but as all children of adversity do not enter gangs, crime there seems to be other reasons.



The young man who we all think about is no different nor was he more harmful or dangerous than a gang member. His "video game" dance of death was, well, to be expected,

as we saw in Colorado. I live in Colorado.



I am also as my Yahoo name implies "Joe Doc", but I am more importantly a child of WWII, I grew up in such great places across the globe. I have lived in the East and South America as a child, knew many cultures, faiths, but was witness to extreme cruelty and I am not talking my days as a soldier in Vietnam.



I mean the sad, cruel situations of American (add in all western countries with mass killings) peer pressure and ostracism to "different" people.



Can one be a friend to an enemy? Be a friend to someone who is socially unacceptable as in a "nerd", an "ugly" person,

one of a different faith or culture?



Yes.



I experienced many colleges: Loretto Heights, Regis University, University of Denver, Earlham College, Virginia Wesleyan, University of Northern Colorado, University of New Mexico, and more.



Several were "cruel' lonely ventures, two were special as in the now closed Loretto Heights in Denver and Earlham College. One Catholic - one Quaker: both taught, well also experienced "Eastern Faiths": as the faiths of India and such.



I love "people", not governments, armies but people.



We need new "guru's', teachers, I was one I know that most are great but many such as myself left teaching for better paying careers.



I learned as a military medic that one "cannot save everyone", but I guess I fell under what Carl Rogers

-I hope- said about "unconditional love".



I do wish in my fantasy dreams now that I could have had the youth from Virginia in one of my classes or even one of my group sessions. Now at the 'end" of my journey, my regrets are not helping more children, youths, "unconditional love"

is just on my mind.



Oh, I lapsed, failed on occasions, in both war and peace.

But I learned from those events.



Tears are welcome now, but lets us hope that they foster the seeds of change.

Answer 979

understanding a person with a bad mental backround is initself crazy. redflagging & surveilance is the best option.no more fingerpointing,we have the tech. stop with the whiney excuses & lets protect all americans.

Answer 980

It can't.



This was an act of insanity, murder always is. Understanding the insane doesn't stop them from acting out. It only helps us justify what they do.



So understanding that people misbehave and have chemical/physical imballances will never stop them from acting out.



This type of question makes us all 'feel' good, but it doesn't solve anything.

Answer 981

Well first off the media should understand it is not very wise to give the gunman his "15 minutes of fame" like he obviously was after when he sent in the pictures and tapes to be aired all over the TV.Gives others like him to many ideas.

Answer 982

How do you stop people from being lazy?



The signs were all there - if I see another moronic teacher or student talk about how much this guy "scared" them, but didn't do a damn thing to stop them...



These are the people who should be awake at night. The ones who saw it coming and did NOTHING!!

Answer 983

Well if we had a community of understanding then there would be no shootings. It's just really sad. To know that his happened just miles from my front yard. It pains me to know that it could happen to small communities.



Today we are all hokies.....

Answer 984

We need to stop the massive media coverage on things like this. If some psycho is going to do something like this, he knows it will be spread through the world making him immortal which encourages him to go through with it.

Answer 985

I think that no one should be left out, or it would lead to something like this. Bullied kids could also fall victims of doing something horrible. The quiet, or left- out, or 'shady' kid might need some comfort. Make friends with them.

Answer 986

Understanding is always from a particular reference point..... Each individual has a different reference point ...... based on his experiences since his childhood.... including what he learns from others around him...... unless a common reference point can be agreed upon by everyone there will exist only viewpoints and opinions..... hence their will be saints and sinners........

Answer 987

Dr. Chopra,

I discussed this issue with a friend a few hours ago. We've got very different views on most issues, but we agreed that the reasons America is such a violent society are their nutty lax gun laws, religion, especially Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and capitalism. I was brought up in Britain and I was fairly screwed-up, but I came right because of their welfare state. In America I'd have ended up a career criminal. Punitive laws, vengeful religions, lack of psychiatric, education and other social services and big gaps between rich and poor are the reasons why America and Afghanistan are so dangerous to live in.

Answer 988

In preventing this tragedy from happening again, i think one is - dont sell guns to students.

Answer 989

well i have 5 kids and they go to a big school and they lock the doors just before school start and they have a video of who is coming to the doors and they cant get in less they ring a bell . so if something don ,t look right they cant get in our school. i know its not school for kids but they should do something better then what they got going on now at Collage for Student and teacher.....................,

Answer 990

I guess we can start today by stop judging people, bully and all kind negative label that we put in people, we hardly know, that can trigger anger...hmm but again it depend on the person really, if he was born with phsyco brain, no body can help that...its nature...only God knows...

Answer 991

Arm the teachers like I have a teacher who is a former SWAT team member I see no harm in him have a weapon that can be used in a situation like this to help us

Answer 992

no matter how understanding the community, a pscyho path like this will remain unreceptive to it. im sure it was a great comminty for the normal people that went there ( VT )

Answer 993

A community of understanding would be mindful of all of its members, and care for those who are lost and alone.

Answer 994

What we need is a community of people who are willing to act on what they understand instead of waiting for someone else to do it for them. I think you think a community of understanding will somehow immunize us against the bad things people do. While you are busy "understanding", the bad guys will go about there business.

Answer 995

theres nothing anybody can do. tragedies like that are always going to happen. we cant try to prevent them by maybe having some type of groups but its impossible to get every single person who has some type of mental problem and try to fix it.

Answer 996

The main cause is weapons like guns,if there is only knife it take a long time and strength to kill half the amount or may be he get himself killed?Stop the killing ,stop the weapons.May God Bless them Equal.

Answer 997

in my opinion, the classmates that he shot probably were the ones torturing him, making fun of him pushing him around. i believe that this was a strong message to the world, that he was'nt gonna take anymore crap from anyone, and this was the only way of getting his message across. i don't know if he was justified in doing this, but people need to wake up, and until this happens, society will continue to suffer...

Answer 998

All circumstances need to tame the heart of each people

of 6000 millions in this world...

to be filled with loving kindness

Answer 999

community of understanding!,where do you get that,the reason for this mass murders, is that this nation is run by a mass murderer,Bush, who has slaughetered more then 100,000 humans including 3000 plus marines, maybe when the American people get someone in the white house that cares for the lives of others more then for oil , mass murders will stop.

Answer 1000

The first thing we have to understand is that we have a HUGE problem with mental illness in our society -So much that it’s become a public safety issue.



We need to provide an array of mental health options, natural therapies and counseling - not just pharmaceuticals- for anyone who shows a need for them.



Otherwise we'll just keep paying the highest price - innocent lives destroyed by these emotional 'bombs' going off.

Answer 1001

That would take a community of players.

Answer 1002

By understanding that if law abiding citizens can carry guns, guys like the VT killer can't have as many victims.

Answer 1003

i was jst going through the articles bout d massacre ...he was picked on,laughed at ,pushed around ....coz of his shyness n d way he talked.....he had no frnds. he particularly disliked rich kids.......his disturbing n lonely background is d reasaon of his this step....i thnk he had no frnds nobody 2 talk 2 n to worsen d situation ppl made fun of him...........i thnk all these years he was trying 2 control but tht unfaithful day he couldnt.........

community of understanding is very much needed.in dis world ppl hardly communicate.....i thnk it will help ppl 2 jst say wotever they wanna say......n thy can com up wid solution ....n thn ya definately frndship n communication wid ppl help a lot.k tc

Answer 1004

It all starts with the family. I moved around a lot as a kid and as all new kids in school, I got teased just like the rest. My parents taught me how to deal with it.

Answer 1005

HEY STUPID! YEAH YOU!



Virginia Tech ALREADY WAS A COMMUNITY OF UNDERSTANDING!!



By implying that it wasn't and ignoring the real personality and mental problems of Cho is nothing less than BLAMING THE VICTIMS OF VIRGINIA TECH OF THIS TRAGEDY!



What is wrong with you????????????

Answer 1006

" Communities " of understanding are formulated and ' built ' with one bit of dirt turned and stirred. . . foundations poured and built . . .' homes ' and ' communities ' of heart are built.



" Communities " as that are all begun with thought and the first 'brick' being laid. That first brick is built of many grains of sand blended.



Your question is ' one grain of stand ' in that brick that others blend in with and add to.



So . . . how can a ' community ' of that be built ? With shared thoughts and questions as yours for other hearts to read to add to the strength of.



Hope, conversations in the home, encouraging those of valuing heart when heard in the classrooms, on sites as this, more acknowledgment of positive events going on in the world conveyed in the news...not simply the ' bad ' news for the sake of ' shock news '.



I'd be more of the thought to create communities of the heart rather than only at certain places.



My heart goes out to all effected by ill events in life. . . yet my hope is confirmed by questions as yours that brightness does exist and will shine brighter still.



Voices as yours and mine. . . that is what awakens others more to the thoughts of ' communities of understanding '.



Voices of heart have great power...exampled of ' leaders ' of years past that changes have stemmed from



Peace to you.

.



.

Answer 1007

That presupposes that a "community of understanding" (whatever the hell that is) CAN prevent tragedies like that.



Your question makes me sick. Why are you trying to blame society, instead of that psycho, for what happened?

Answer 1008

I don't know, why don't you write a book on it?

That way you can capitalize on it like you do from other forms of suffering and false hope. You can buy yet another mansion, more Jaguars, heck, go on Oprah!!

I'm sure you can find a way to get rich off of this, "doctor."

Answer 1009

It can't as long as the United States of America is in thrall to the social engineers and older Americans with the experience to return us to our senses are treated like crap.

Answer 1010

You can't predict the future, but you can learn from the past.

Answer 1011

No one

dream of a killing like this.

As a group they all will all work

for better set up and how to handle

something like this from

ever happens again.

Answer 1012

The only community there will ever be with perfect understanding and decentcy will be the one in heaven after this country and wolrd is burned.

Answer 1013

in my opinion things like this are bound to happen simply because we are living in the last days and God is soon to come. Things aren't going to get any better what you and everyone else needs to realize is that it's time to pray and get ready for His return because these days are wrapping up!

Answer 1014

There is no way to prevent something like this from happening. We can do all we can to regulate and control and urge students to go to councelling, but ultimately there is no way to prevent this.

Answer 1015

Liberalism lead to this. Look at the question, "understanding". You pshyco what is their to understand a freak got a gun and shot people. Now the libs will blame the gun, a tool, it must have possesed this kid to pull the trigger. Morons. Tragedies like this our prevented by your up bringing. Bottom line its up to the way your parents brought you up. They need discipline and if you notice their are odd you need to get them help and take them to church. Understanding, please!!

Answer 1016

People need to wake up and realize that we all need morals in our life. The Bible is clear on this. One of the Ten Commandments states that we are not to murder people (the sixth commandment).



People also need to realize that we need God/Christ. Without Him, we are helpless individuals, bound for Hell. Humans are sinful in nature which dates back to the days of Adam and Eve. In order to break out of our sinful nature, we need to accept Christ as our Savior for our sins, especially the sacrifice He made on the cross for us.

Answer 1017

What we need to do is send kids like the asian dude who did the killing to learn to socialize and have some purpose in life. I have been reading that this kid was practically a loner and his creative writing teachers knew that he was mentally insane, because he would killed his charaters in unimaginable ways. Their should be a class that requires people to read David DeAngelos, Double your Dating ebook, and teaches people skills to those who needed, because young men ages 18-24 are the lonelinest people walking around.

Answer 1018

There are 6.5 billion people on Earth.One teacher at my school can't even control her class.If they revolted hypothetically then she/he is defenseless.Similarly there are no solutions to these types of problems.As long as man walks the Earth we will carry with us the violence which we started civilization as we know it with.

Answer 1019

I don't believe that would help, Dr. Chopra. "Communities of understanding" are communities of censorship, and censorship would not only fail to prevent violence, but it might also encourage more tension, which could actually increase violence.

Answer 1020

This young man was screaming for help. In a society where 20% of it's members seek mental health services at least once in the course of their lifetime, we find the money to teach physical hygiene, and, sexual education, but, there is no attention to mental health in either our primary or secondary educational system. Neither is there parity in the medical Insurance Industry to diagnose, and treat mental health consumers compared to physical illnesses like diabetes, or, asthma. Perhaps one way we can honor the memory of those who lost their live is by finally choosing to give those who are challenged by mental Illness the attention, and treatment pathways they so desperately need so that we never have to accept our responsibility for denying the challenges exist, or, pretending that by ignoring them, and preserving our ignorance, the "problem". will just "go away". This tragedy will, hopefully serve as final notice that it won't, and we will choose to provide better choices for those who suffer than the "choice" this man thought was his only option.

Answer 1021

Lets start with parenting class. Show parents how to raise children who don't flaunt their richness or treat people who aren't as well off as they are with ridicule. Start with the children and someday we can be a functioning society.

Answer 1022

a real community exists only when the mindset of all individuals is shared and understood. in a day and age of globalization, mindsets and ideas clash due to our human nature and beliefs, we will act respond and act according to our traditions and ideals. for this reason, i believe a community can only be successful when it shares a global vision of our world; one lets us discover, admire and openly share the intricacies of all societies.

Answer 1023

Be nice to loners. Include every individual in clicks. Stop making bad comments in front or behind outcast. Red flag those individuals who show desire to murder or harm others. Pay attention to others emotions.

Answer 1024

I would become a very cold and serious nation and stop all this foriegn crap from entering tthe country if you're not native indian, white,black then put all other's out the united states born here or not. The blacks earned to be here they help build it, the whites fought stole robbed and raped to be here and the indians were here already anything else must go.

Answer 1025

Well we can start by not turning him in to a twisted folk hero by plastering his pose everywhere! this is a million times

more negative than anything don imus might have said

tell me, cnbc is making millions on images of a glorified rebel?

turning a horrifically deplorable event in to shallow hype.

Answer 1026

As stated this begs the question, since you a priori obviously believe that a "community of understanding" is capable of achieving that end, and you are merely looking for validation of this.



You know better than this, and should have posed this as an open ended statement!

Answer 1027

Gandhi bapu taught us that ahinsa parmo dharma. with non-violence philosophy we can avoid those unfortunate incidences. mr. chopra, could you pl. tell me why you are in america ? our country HINDUSTAN needs you the most. are you after money & popularity n easy life. ? second thing is education, that is the foundation upon which one can build his / her own castle. deepakbhai, meri bat mano, our people needs you the most. achhi achhi batto se pet nahi bharata, U KNOW THAT, U ARE A LEARNED MAN OF MONEY. !!!! THANKS, GURU

Answer 1028

The answer to this is complex and complicated. One cannot give a reasonable single answer in a short format.

Answer 1029

You cant really prevent it..there will always be mental cases..and seein as this mental case got so much attention and media after his 'spree'. Who knows how many more are considering how to get thier 15 seconds of fame...even if it lands them in jail..And its really depressing to keep hearing about it.

Answer 1030

It's in human nature to retaliate. It's just a matter of time till one snaps. Look at the qualities of a serial killer, they show no sympathy for what they have done. Putting someone like that in a group for discussion is pointless.

Answer 1031

I don't care about creating a community of understanding. I'm sick of people trying to place blame on society for one demented individuals actions. We should stop accepting excuses for this type of behavior and punish it. If warning signs like those shown by this perverted individual are apparent then they should be treated and locked up until they are fixed. It sickens me that everyone could see that he was about to explode but their hands were tied to prevent it.

Answer 1032

Just what does "a community of understanding help" mean? I guess you should think your question through better, it makes no sense!!??

Answer 1033

I think we shouldn't be afraid to reach out to someone...to befriend someone who seems friendless. I have always, even when I was in grade school, befriended people others make fun of, or ignore. Everyone needs someone, whether they admit it or not. Someone to talk to, to vent about their problems, or just to listen. Having someone listen is really important.

Answer 1034

do u think this will work out? its depends on the individual person and dont count others on this. its an incident which no one expected. of course, when they new the korean is psychic he shd have been treated at the initial stage iself.

Answer 1035

universities like schools should have an active social counselor. strange as it may sound i feel sorry for cho, he must have been a very miserable soul who obviously never found help. real help. this could and should have been prevented.

Answer 1036

i wonder who are the rich kids he was referring to, how did they pick on him to the point where he gives himself the option to kill innocent lives. i think schools have to create a stronger community so that students do not feel left out and are not bullied by their peers

Answer 1037

If mental health issues didn't have such a stigma, people would be able to get help easier. People would rather admit to being a drunk or a drug addict than being bipolar or schizophrenic.

Answer 1038

wont help, people are always going to put other people in a certain class because of the way they look compared to everyone else. the tall white kids get the hot girls, asians are nerds, blacks are thugs etc. thats one of the reasos this happened because of his problems getting girls which i can relate too. basically what im getting out is that you cant change the way people think

Answer 1039

If our President cannot find common ground with those with whom he differs in ideology, why should we?



If our President cannot listen to the voices of those who have different opinions, why should we?



If our President choses to smite his foes with force, why shouldn't we?



After all, the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

Answer 1040

actually ,absolutely no one can prevent tragedies like that, it's the flow of nature.......nature's movement.....the student was depressed he wasn't understood by people around him......so the best way is to gather a group of depressed students and do counseling......if this will not work, nothing would.......it is best to talk to the parents

Answer 1041

Community of understanding?



What a croc.



This kid was demented. Period. He was a wack job.



The only thing that SHOULD have happened is he should have been committed.



The problem there is that Political correctness and liability have gotten so out of control, that everyone is afraid to do the right thing.



So PLEASE, please do not blame "us" for this wack job's actions. He was an evil cuss, and should have been put away when it was noticed before hand.

Answer 1042

Hi Sir,

I completely understand your intention of this query, however, creating a community of understanding is near impossble, or else this would be Heaven, not Earth. Therefore, one just has to learn to deal with issues that are endowed in life. This grossly dependents on the individual and his or her personality.

Answer 1043

I think tragedies like this come from isolationism.

Take all your stupid programs and throw them in the trash.

What our society needs is to get back to Faith. Get back to some type of spitituality. Humans put too much into movies, games, television, internet. We have lost our way as individuals, and have turned to our fellow men for answers. Doesn't matter how much education you have, you can't help people when they are lost (emotionally). But we can help them get on the right path. God is the answer.

Answer 1044

LOL, a community of understanding. What a joke.

Answer 1045

The Heart of Man is Desperatley Wicked,Who can know it<

Answer 1046

Too many guns in the wrong hands.

Rescind the 'right to bear arms' madness !

Only law enforcement personnel should be armed.

Lay down strict laws - to control it.



And keep in mind : Open society has no defense against a madman !



One can only hope.

Answer 1047

It cannot be prevented, only curtailed. And, in reality, it has been a good deal. These occurances are quite rare and we should take solace in that fact.

Answer 1048

It can't. The only people who are going to show up to your love fests are peaceful people. You can help the affected cope. You won't prevent anything. Nice sentiment but completely pointless.

Answer 1049

It can't.



What is a community of understanding supposed to understand? Blank out.



What is a community of understanding? Blank out.



There's no such thing.

Answer 1050

We can't. Sometimes, people need to take responsibility for themselves.

There is nothoing that can happen to a person that would begin to justify such behavior.

There were other avenues available to that individual. It was his choice not to take them.

Answer 1051

What does "community of understanding" mean? When everyone realizes that people are born with evil intent in their hearts, maybe then they can find a "solution."

Answer 1052

It won't. if people weren't selfcentered and selfishly driven then maybe but when the 95% of the world's population are only seeking out what benefits themselves, this lofty idea of united understanding will never happen. There is no security in this world and we all just need to face that fact that no matter how much we try to love other people it's not going to prevent some hopped up criminal shooting you for your wallet, or child abduction, or teen pregancy or drug abuse or anything else that is a cancer to this world

Answer 1053

Creating an environment of love and peace. We have so much violence in the world today that we are attracting it.

Answer 1054

the NEA, is one of the leading causes behind the failed educational system in the United States. Liberals and conservatives alike admit that our students are being dumbed down. On average, adult Americans now read at a third grade level. If a classic such as Pilgrims Progress were put in front of many of today’s college students they would complain about how hard it was to read and comprehend. Even modern classics such as any of the works of C.S. Lewis, Virginia Woolf, Ralph Waldo Emerson, or Robert Frost, are considered too hard or too burdensome by many, besides they can simply wait for the movie to come out, so why bother reading. Much of history has been relegated to the big screen as well and education policy makers are not sure whether math is new or if its fuzzy, yet they are quite sure that it no longer matters if the right answer is given, as long as the students self esteem isn’t damaged in the process. Geography is a forgotten discipline and Civics focuses on what the word “is” is.

The consensus seems to think that if they throw more money down the black hole we call the education system, while simultaneously fostering “tolerance” in the classroom in order to make the environment more education friendly then somehow, magically, our students will suddenly begin scoring higher on their aptitude tests. The answer is more complex than money problems, or perhaps it is simpler, depending on how one looks at it. There is now incontestable evidence that, on average, children who are either home schooled, or who attend private schools fare much better academically than children who attend public schools, and home schooled children even fare better than those who attend private schools. The National Home Education Research Institute notes, “Repeatedly, across the nation, the home educated score better than those in conventional schools.” The National Merit Scholarship Corporation selected more than seventy home-schooled high school students as semifinalists in its 1998 competition. There were 137 home-schooled finalists chosen in 1999 and 150 in 2000. Rebecca Sealfon, a 13-year-old homeschooler from Brooklyn, New York, won the 1997 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. David Beihl, also 13, of Saluda, South Carolina, won the 1999 National Geographic Bee. George Thampy, a 12-year-old homeschooler from Maryland Heights, Missouri, won the National Spelling Bee in 2000. Calvin McCarter, a 10-year-old homeschooler from near Grand Rapids, Michigan, won the 2002 National Geographic Bee and became the youngest competitor to do so. Home schooled students have graduated from such prestigious institutions as Yale University Law School, the United States Naval Academy, Mount Holyoke College, Oxford University, Cornell University, and many others.

And, despite a 1999 statement from the National Education Association that, "home schooling cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience," a study released in 2001 shows home-schooled students are actually more socially and academically advanced than their peers. The study by the Fraser Institute, an independent public policy organization based in Vancouver, Canada, focused on home-schooled students in North America. According to the study's findings, the typical home-schooled child is more mature, friendly, happy, thoughtful, competent, and better socialized than students in public or private schools.

The interesting point one should make, other than higher test scores, better social skills, greater happiness in the students, and the lack of fear from students who attend private or home schools face is, that the majority of home schooled students do not have what most would consider “wealthy” parents. On average the parents make between $25,000 and $50,000 a year. Public schools should then realize that it is not a matter of more money for education, but the quality of education that is being provided.

Regents School of Austin (www.regentsschool.com) a private school which focuses in Classical Education created a stir when its class outscored by 44 points the SAT national average for high school seniors. But the Regents students were not seniors—they were eighth graders. One hundred percent of Regents graduates have gone to college, including Duke, the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Pepperdine, and others. The Class of 2004 had 21 seniors, of whom three were National Merit Finalists and seven were National Merit Commended Students. The SAT average for the class of 2004 was 1318. Cambridge School of Dallas (www.cambridgedallas.org) is a private school founded in 1998. One hundred percent of Cambridge graduates attend college, with 90 percent attending their first-choice college or university. Graduates have been accepted to Vanderbilt, the University of Texas, the London School of Economics, Kenyon College, the University of Virginia, and others. The Class of 2003 had 13 seniors, of whom two were National Merit Finalists and six were National Merit Commended Students. The Class of 2003 received scholarship offers totaling more than $500,000. Over the last four years, the SAT average is 1292. Logos School (www.logosschool.com) of Moscow, Idaho, is yet another private school which focuses in Classical Education. The Class of 2003 had 13 seniors, for which the ACT average was 26 and the SAT average was 1141. The Class of 2002 had 21 seniors, of whom two were National Merit Scholars. The ACT average was 27.7 and the SAT average was 1277. The school won the Knowledge Bowl state championship in several years in a row, and has won the Mock Trial state championship five times.



My point in writing all of this is that we don't need "communities of understanding" when it comes to our educational system (be it elementary or secondary education). We need our children to be educated. We have spent millions upon millions on creating "communities of understanding" and it seems (and can be proven) that we are experiencing more and more violence among our students. Thus in the words of some of my students, "GET A CLUE"

Answer 1055

I am not a English major but you just asked a piss poorly written vague question about a touching subject.



How about asking:

Should we wait until the FBI concludes all the evidence before we began to develop questions?



Should we go ahead and ignore the fact that we have taxpayer dollars at work to answer poor questions?



Should we just ignore that the Local, State and FBI are working together to put all the evidence together?



Should we ignore the governments completely and come up with a better solution online?



Do you think the government will listen to Y! Answer solutions before they even have all the evidence to review, process and close?



With no evidence other than 33 people died on Monday, should we start making conclusions?

Answer 1056

I think the best way is to teach your kids that

there are crazy people in the world

and you will meet some of them.

Trust your instincts and if you think someone is really off you are probably right ...................

get away from them.

don't hang out with them and

for God sake don't date them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1057

I don't think it can, not completely anyways. No matter how I tried to look at this question one constant problem always came up. Perception of reality. I don't know how to break that barrier, do you?

Answer 1058

i think before building a community we should start with the family, a family of love and who have a strong faith in God, if we have a good families we surely have a good community

Answer 1059

There aren't enough attention given to mentally disturbed people, and when attention is given, it's usually the wrong kind of attention. It will be good to find good people who are willing and able to provide that kind of service to help these mentally disturbed people.

Answer 1060

We find that when a PHYSICAL tragedy occurs, we are filled with compassion for the victims... such as those who suffer loss in a tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, trainwreck, etc. We rally like crazy. When something like Columbine or Virginia Tech or a post office shooting happens and the perpetrator has exhibited signs of mental/emotional/psychological distress or challenges, we shun him/her and turn our backs. "He was mean"...."he was very disturbed"..."he was a timebomb waiting to go off". Where oh where is our campassion then? Where was it PRIOR to his rampage? Mental illness is still the GREAT stigma in our country. We'll work to build houses for Habitat For Humanity, work for endless hours filling sandbags in a flood, serve thousands of meals, use Al Roker's (The Today Show) truck to deliver to various charities around the country....but comfort the mentally ill? It's still easier to round them up and to warehouse them so we do not have to deal with THEM...they are the proverbial NIMBY's of our society -- Not In My Back Yard -- meaning we do not want to get involved to help. Filling sandbags, serving meals, building houses do NOT require understanding. Working with the mentally challenged does -- and most would rather not get involved at that level. But until we do...



We also need to learn to treasure our children and to spend good, quality time with them so they do not grow up feeling like outcasts or ostracized. When I was a child nothing was more joyous for me than when both of my parents would don their swimsuits, get off their beach chairs and come into the water to play with us kids...when they would put themselves aside and come down to our level and to enter into our world. Those who could play make-believe with us or play tag with us or run through the amusement park from one ride to the other with us is what has made me the strong woman that I am today. It was always about quality---not quantity. It was about meeting me at my level. Blowing bubbles with me, getting on the toboggan with us kids. Yet they never tried to be our pals....they were very good at establishing limits and firm in enforcing them. Then they would bring me into their grownup world...even in grade 1, I was helping my school teacher mother correct the spelling tests of her 3rd graders and put her files in alphabetical order. But she always did it in such a way that it was always fun...not a drudgery.

Answer 1061

It all starts at home.

Home life needs to have a stronger force.

Less TV

More open family commucation

Answer 1062

They cant. They are spiritually dead. The world, our planet is doomed. Self-centered athiests and religious fanatics without a clue. Sorry.



Dont kill the messenger.

Answer 1063

to allow kids to release their feelings and for others to show their support and reassure unsure kids that there are people out there that care so anger doesn't get bottled up and explode later on down the road

Answer 1064

I think Universities need to identify certain students(ie loners such as the man who killed the students). I think Psychiatrists need to sit on college boards. anyone listening??

Answer 1065

We need to be open minded of others instead of mocking them for who they are. We also need to be aware when someone is reaching that level of emotions and intervene before lives are lost.

Answer 1066

How we are handling the violence with our young people is clearly not working. The responsibility is on our shoulders, so be educated and make informed decisions. Please go to the link for suggestions and recommended reading for our teachers, faculty, and staff.



http://discoveries.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/04/are_school_mass.html

Answer 1067

we need to keep people who are on watch for being suicidal and/or unstable out of gun stores.



people say you can't deny another person's right to owning a gun because it can be "for defense reasons." the thing is, no one needs a machine gun for defense. that's stupid. no one even really needs a handgun, what's wrong with a hunting gun on the tiny chance you even had to use it for defense purposes? gun control needs improvement for sure.

Answer 1068

Add more guidance counselors. Their job is to take care of these students' emotions and personality. We can lessen these acts of violence through the help of these counselors.

Answer 1069

First of all we have to fix our gun-law, I don't care it is our constitutional right or whatever, every person who goes to buy a gun, has to be 1) 35 years or older

2) Certificate from a Psychiatrist that he is competent mentally to carry a gun, no history of mental disorder.

3) Background check.

Answer 1070

There is no way, the choice is a humans own.

Perhaps if there was a common reason such things happened,

we could root it out, but as there are none..



Its a humans choice.

Answer 1071

People must talk about things they don't understand about each other in this world and not rush to shoot or kill some one because you don't agree with them.

Answer 1072

I believe it all starts in whatever type of family one is raised in. Everyone talks about 'self-esteem', I think it should be soul-esteem.

I don't believe that people that are raised being taught "Your right" is the way to have people care. People seem frustrated by not achieving the American Dream---and still feel it's 'their right.' I see alot of people thinking they can control things not in their control, and get angry about it when they can't. You know, like a 'fast food' generation---'Have it your way' etc. There is so much we don't have control of, there is so much we do... We have control of how we react, we don't have to stand in a line a grocery store and complain---we can choose to leave! People are feeling left out at times, becoming 'compartmentalized'. Even today with the kids online gaming--my son goes to school with friends, comes home and then plays on line with them. I email my mom, don't have the need to talk on the phone much, we get it done on line! It seems technology as well as it is 'connecting' people, its also seperating us.

I think people need to retain their human, caring nature. They need to learn at an early age, that it's not all about them! They need to learn to help others, is to help yourself. I thnk this is difficult to teach, since alot of people have grown used to apathetic responses to things we feel we don't have any control over.

Lastly, I think there needs to be a 'hotline' that students can call and annonymously report worrisome behavior. Then again, there needs to be money and people inplace to follow up on these complaints. There is such a hotline at my kids high school.

It seems alot of these people are trully troubled, so there needs to be a high level of pulbic messages changing the way people view mental illness. We all could be educated with signs/symptoms, and confidential screening processes. And the public view of illness needs to change, so people aren't automatically classified as 'crazy' cause they're on medications.

Lastly, I think we need to believe in a higher power, someone who's in control especially when we feel we aren't. For me it's God! I know there's a plan for me, I know He loves me, and I know the rules in the bible are for me too.

Answer 1073

The world needs all people to be caring and understanding people but I don't think that is going to happen. Some people just have a evil personality, however it was formed.

I think the understanding people just need to figure out how to discover the bad people before they harm others. How do we do this?

By the way I like your books!

Answer 1074

First, we must change the existing statutes of Law to include the immediate shutting down of any capus., college, or University involved. Then also immediately alter the Probable Cause iniative so that those repohnsible could be detained, searched, and if need be arrested on the spot where these chrimes occur

Answer 1075

By embracing those people who are troubled and crying out for help--instead of shunning them away, or ignoring them.



Changing the gun laws won't affect anything, and neither will stripping out the violence and sex in what we watch and read about--as some people have called for.



Because that's not going to do anything either.



For better or for worse, we are STUCK in the society that we have created.

Answer 1076

What an idiotic question. The student who commited this crime was certified mentally ill. The attitude of the community around him made no difference at all. He was not in touch with his surroundings. He was not sane and logical. This kind of question tries to make it look like his action were the fault of OTHERs...they were not.

Answer 1077

When someone is declared dangerously insane, that information needs to be in the police database so they can't buy guns!

Answer 1078

I said this before and I'll say it again. Eliminate all gun sales to all public completely and forever! If you think back to the Wild West era in this country, we're not that far off from that behaviour. We must stop selling guns all together otherwise it will easily be accessible to psychos and criminals.

Answer 1079

I think you need a reality check, Humans are the crulest, and most destructive creatures on earth.

Answer 1080

Impossible, you will always have the few who will sacrifice all to be heard/ leave their mark on the world, or however you want to put it, when someone goes crazy, all normal thought patterns are gone anyway, no one can change that, the only thing that I think should be done is to capture the perps as soon as possible and go back to public hangings, let the world see their last mark on it as someone kicking and screaming and urinating and defacating all over themselves as they die

Answer 1081

Make parents responsible for their children. Period. Wouldn't this solve most problems with the world?

Answer 1082

in high school and colleges, we notice the popular people. we need to see the lonely students..the quiet kid. we are to get to know them, help them open up. become their friends. you can change a person's life by not making them feel so lonely at school.

also, do not make fun of their english, when they are speaking. do not make fun of their accent.

Answer 1083

As long as there are haves and have nots, as long as there are oppressed and oppressors, as long as there is cruelty in form of racism and alienation there WILL be no community of understanding.

Answer 1084

By stoping bullies who makefun of people! He said in the video it was ur falt for him shooting everybody because students there made fun of & pushed him around! Don't bully people, or you might be the next to get shot, & DIE!!!!!!

Answer 1085

The most important is to give the proper education to all children...a Christian child has his heart filled with God's love...remember the girls that died in the school...some of those that didn't die immediately said: " we are ready to meet Jesus" or something like that. LOVE is missing in our lives!

We must pray, we must ask God for forgiveness...nothing good can be done without HIM!m Let's not forget!

GOD is missing!

Whatever we'll try without GOD is zero.

Tragedies like that are happening because of our lack of faith!



We are not the human beings we had to be!

We are selfish. Our hearts are filled with pride...let's start to change our lives! Let's start praying for our enemies!

Let's start to care for our neighbors!

Let's start being how God wanted us to be: good, carrying...!

Sorry if you didn't understand my message.

Answer 1086

This is a very silly question....mental illness is likely not preventable among the human population.

Answer 1087

It won't. There are just some people that are pure evil, and not fit to be considered members of the human race. Hitler comes to mind.



I'm a nurse in one of the hospitals that treated some of the victims, and I saw some of the physical damage done. The damage to the psyche? Well, who knows. Extreme, I'm sure.

Answer 1088

the school administrator should hired feng shui consultant to assess the problem inside the school and recommended to avoid it.

Answer 1089

You can't. Men are inherently evil and this sensless depravity is going to continue and get worse because the Bible says so and the Bible is the truth because it is the word of God.



Jesus saves. Please repent and trust in Jesus.

Answer 1090

Easy, everyone can do it, just don't buy anything advertised for NBC and say you'll only start buying when O'riley's off the air.

Answer 1091

Who is going to create it? The liberal communists that have been destroying everything good in American traditions? Get real or get a job.

Answer 1092

Tougher Gun Control enforcement and appropriate help and therapy for those with mental problems. They knew this guy had serious problems, and did nothing. More campus security.

Answer 1093

I truly believe that if we get back to the golden rule - and truly teach it to our children we will be much better off. It would be so much better if we taught our children this and only this - and nothing about superhero gods and dieties.

Answer 1094

when tradegy happens everyone seeks each other and realize

loved ones friends and community is important. everyone gathers that is why religion is important because everything good provides healthy environment and support for each other.

Answer 1095

Just what is it that this community is supposed to be trying to understand?

Answer 1096

Well, we could all contemplate our navels and meditate on our love beads while a lone gunman could pick off people at will, seeing as how we would be blissfully unarmed, but smug in our PCness.

Answer 1097

I believe a majority of the stresses that create violence in the world come from two main sources: 1. the number of people in the world. 2. the type and amount of resources each of these people consume or desire to consume. (in developed countries this is an unsustainable quantity.) If we could convince people of the importance of responsible reproduction and responsible consumption (shifting from fossil fuels to green energy) violence, while probably never being entirely eliminated, would, I think be greatly reduced.

Answer 1098

I think that if tere is a place for people to go to say what they fell and what is troubling them, stuff like that might not happen.



The guy that did the shooting had lots of problems, things on his mind that triggered the thought of doing this.If he had a person to tell about that stuff he might have had a different thought

Answer 1099

A community of understanding would in itself prevent this kind of catastrophy.

A community of understanding would not allow any person to purchase an automatic weapon capable of firing many bullets in a short time.

A community of understanding would be helpful to those who need help and recognize that there are those that have to be sheltered to prevent harm to themselves and to others.

I'm afraid we'll have to work harder to create a community of understanding because as it is right now there are too many differences in our society driven by lobbyists and congressmen and women to protect moneyed interests such as the gun lobby in support of paranoid individuals that feel that everyone would be safer if they were armed with a weapon and believe that they have a constitutional right to 'bear arms'.

Answer 1100

BY LIKE HE COULD HAVE MADE SOME FRIENDS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS THAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH.ALSO THEN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE GOT TO KNOW HIM THE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE ISSUE.

Answer 1101

People would know where to go with their thoughts before they became issues.

Answer 1102

Have medical information regarding "Mental Illness" be part of a background check for



...buying a gun!!

!

Answer 1103

community living teach a lot , most important of all is imbibing respect of each other , level of tolerance , passing of your values from one generation to other , moral education and sense of brotherhood and sacrifice . wHICH is missing from today living.

Answer 1104

We can't do any thing.

Put in a security wall. Some one will get around it.

Still be like sitting ducks.

Answer 1105

It can't. Crazy is crazy and all of the kum bye ya social hugging won't change that fact. I realize you people aren't happy until you've somehow worked it out that this kind of thing is really all your fault, but perhaps that kind of behavior could use some focus as well.

Answer 1106

a business that suffer a bad financial loss (if its a conscientious business) looks at every aspect of what the business does,how it does it,why it does it,for whom does it do it,,etc,,,,,,,,,called zero base budgeting,,,,,,,the company reorganizes by changing its way of doing business,,,,,,the insanity of these murders expresses a failure of medical/mental health care techniqes,,,,,medical care is always,always,,,off the table,,,,,,,thats why these slaughters keep on happening,,,come together for what purpose,,,,,,,you put 10 doctors,10 rabbies,10 immams,10 mental health pros in the same room,tellem they"ve gotta arrive at consensus in 3 months,see what they say,,,,,,,,,,they'll agree about nothing,,,,,nothing,,,,,nothing,,,,,,,,,,,then the next slaughter episode,,,,,,,,more gnashing of teeth,,,,,,,,,,,howed the goof get the weapons,,,,,,,,,who treated him for mental illness,,

Answer 1107

An armed society is a polite society.

Answer 1108

I think we're getting off on the wrong foot. First, this question needs to be asked by a doctor who is not a quack.

Answer 1109

Nice.



Capitalize on a tragedy to promote your books, lectures, tapes and other garbage.



Thanks Chopra.

Thanks Yahoo.

Answer 1110

You are a sad man. Why don't you tell the people how I told you about hypnosis and how someone at a certain school jumped out a window. You are not a man but only a propaganda official.

Answer 1111

They can't help prevent these tragedies. Focus on the mentally disturbed people & you'll get better results.

Answer 1112

It's not the community.....this man was mentally ill...his professers knew it, his classmates knew something was off....seems to me his teacher tried her best to warn the community about this man....I'm very curious about his parents....they lived together...why are we not hearing anything about them..?....Why didn't they try to get their son help?....I guess we as sane individuals will never know why....because even if someone explained it to us, not being that kind of person, we still won't understand.....

Answer 1113

How can huddling like frightened rabbits prevent another attack? It can't, you have to take proactive measures, such as institutionalizing psychopaths instead of respecting their civil rights.

Answer 1114

I am not sure we can...there are alot of people out there with problems and finally just go crazy....may all the innocent people who lost their lives Rest in Peace.....we are praying for you and your families..God be with you all...

Answer 1115

Explain yourself, Depak

Answer 1116

Do the world and yourself a huge favour and STOP watching TV!! Stop watching TV and anykind of mainstream media for atleast 2 months and you'll see what is actually going on. You'll see life in a whole different way, a healthier way. TV not only killed the radiostar but its killing a world. TV and its money grabbing corporate sluts are ruining us.

Answer 1117

It cannot. You cannot prevent all tragedies through kindness alone. The fact remains that some humans are violent, whether or not we treat said humans with kindness or understanding. That is why the police exist, because the world is full of evil people who aren't going to be talked out of their criminal behavior and have to be stopped by force. It is also why gun control is a bad idea, because you simply cannot rely on the police being everywhere at once, you have to have a way to defend yourself in emergencies.

Answer 1118

we can clearly see that the gunman was mentally affected because of bullying (etc.)

such communities could promote proper friendship and understanding.

Answer 1119

Americans should stop being arrogant and stop teaching their people to kill other nations it has promise who shall live by the sward shall die by the sward

Answer 1120

your gun controls are to lax,get the community together and explain or ask does every man and his dog need a gun,no.i realize it is a big political,but one can only try

Answer 1121

let the teachers have guns hidden in their desks so if another school shooter comes out shooting people, the teachers can get their guns out and defend themselves and the students from the shooter.

Answer 1122

More emphasis on less freedom for the demented to hurt themself or others.

Answer 1123

well is hard people are just the way they wanna be unfortunetly we can make chances but ppls have to follow as they wish. so defenitly is hard...i think that colleges should have more eassier class that way students dont have as much problems and frustration with that as well.

Answer 1124

At least Govt. must banned Arms & guns for students

Answer 1125

First get stricter on the gun laws second put more security on campus third put mettle detectors at every door and entrance

Answer 1126

Probably won't happen anytime soon. There is a lot of numbness to violence in society. Maybe we should try to change that first....

Answer 1127

WELL I HOPE IT WOULD HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT ALL S. KOREANS FAULT THAT THIS HAPPENED. IN A PERFECT WORLD THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IF SOME ONE HAS ILL THOUGHTS OF HURTING THEMSELVES OR OTHERS THEN THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN GET THE HELP THEY NEED. IF THEY DON'T WANT HELP THEN THEY WILL DO WHAT EVER IT IS THEY CHOOSE TO DO. I AM FROM UTAH AND WE JUST HAD SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS AT TROLLEY SQUARE IN SALT LAKE CITY. THIS YOUNG MAN WAR FROM RUSSIA. ITS HORRIBLE, BUT WE CANT BLAME THE PARENTS. I THINK AS PARENTS WE CAN ONLY DO OUR BEST AND THEN IT IS UP TO THEM. THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

Answer 1128

I believe education is key to this, we have to break down the walls of racism and ignorance to begin with.

Answer 1129

fix the media and all the teaching that comes out of news and films.whenever you turn the TV all it shows is about killing and sad news.even musics is turning to crime and hate.fix all that then the community would get fix too.

Answer 1130

I'd like to quote what someone said about one of your rants in the Huffington Post - it applies to most of your opinions on any subject, including this one:



"Great! I can hardly wait to read your next essay on this subject wherein you tell us how it is that you know all this stuff...I wasn't aware that you were such a deeply invested biologist [or perhaps psychologist]. Unlike evolutionary biology where scientists use observation and scientific theory, you are able to count angels on pinheads better than anyone. Oh, and I was gonna buy one of your books but decided to send the money to something based on reality. Don't worry you'll hoodwink more people, I mean you'll convince more people...I mean you'll persuade more people during the next pledge drive week, no doubt.

All sarcasm aside, stick to the metaphysical and open yourself to the idea that using science, so sorely lacking in this area for so long dominated by the religious exerts, is what has been missing for so long and why religion consistently fails to "get" why it is that people behave the way they do in the real world...y'know, the world where gods and devils inhabit our delusions, and not our reality."



Your so-called ideas, as someone already said, may do more to perpetuate these tragic results than to either prevent them or defend against them.

Answer 1131

I believe we need to reach out to each other. We seem to be so bent in our views to the way our lives are. Why can't we embrace different cultures, different ways of life and care about humanity. Let's us all reach out!

Answer 1132

A "community of understanding"??? Give me a break! How about we try creating a culture of personal responsibility instead of wringing our hands and blaming society every time some self-centered maniac takes out his or her personal grievances with the rest of the world on innocent people?

Answer 1133

i'm not justifying what seung-hui did, BUT between this and columbine, maybe the cool kids will think twice about picking on the nerds.

Answer 1134

We can impose a 10000% bullet tax.

Answer 1135

I don't think this could've been prevented....there is just no way...security would have to lockdown everything everywhere. IT's not logistically possible.

Answer 1136

You can't, it's not the community that is doing this or is responsible for it. It's the rogue psycho(s), and they will always exist.

Answer 1137

This is a response I typed up for a question posed on MSNBC, and I thought it'd be appropriate for this question.



What worries you most about the recent spate of school shootings? Parents, how safe do you feel sending your kids to school? Are you planning to make any changes? Kids, do you feel safe at school? Selected responses will be published.



The fact that the pursuit of a school shooting or an event similar to the Virginia Tech massacre does not discriminate against many of the factors we often hold responsible, including religion, race, gender, education level, and age, (the extensive and varied combination of which exists within any given community, thus creating diversity and unique cultures) poses a threat to any school or building in any community. Thus, the argument or belief that “this can’t happen to us” is completely absurd. Once people truly realize this, they can no longer continue living their lives in their environment with the belief that they are completely safe from events too often reported on the news, unless in the case that they genuinely don’t care, which I don’t believe is likely or common.



With breaking news stories more often now covering issues specifically with schools, my fear of something similar occurring at my school becomes more probable with this harsh grasp of reality. Unfortunately, the growing epidemic of school shootings is arguably one of the greatest challenges this time period faces. As a freshman in one of New Jersey’s largest high school, I sometimes wonder what the response of the students, teachers, and administrators would be if this were to occur. This has become a more frequent concern because I can no longer believe that this is a tragedy immune to my school, especially because my school prepares for this through practice lockdowns.



I intentionally use the word “challenges” in lieu of “problems” or “issues” because this subtle change in perception results in a significantly different approach – optimism versus pessimism. Anyone who fails to cope with life’s challenges using positive methods – such as talking with others and writing -- will ultimately rouse within themselves overwhelming, negative emotions, including depression, hatred, anger, fear, and eventually numbness. These are the emotions that often serve as motivation and drive for an individual to commit horrendous, frightening, and extreme attacks in order to receive the attention we all desire. At this point in time, the individual fails to decipher between positive and negative attention, and will choose whichever is easiest to achieve.



Ultimately, the most necessary thing that must be done to deal with these rising concerns of the youth is to make ourselves available to everyone. Because it is impossible to determine who is most at risk for violent behavior, the availability of time, effort, guidance, and genuine care is imperative for everyone, as it can play the role needed to prevent these tragedies from occurring.



Unfortunately, those who are pushed to this extreme extent often lack positive support and care. However, the decision to seek advice and guidance can only made by the individual because ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own actions. Everyone encounters challenges that demand energy and time, but the way in which they are dealt with is ALWAYS up to the individual. Excuses of mental disabilities, traumatic childhoods, and lack of support can always be made, but the decision of whether to effectively deal with these challenges or not is never a forced one, regardless of any and all circumstances. In addition to this decision, support and genuine care should always be provided by everyone, specifically teachers and counselors because they are the adults who most often interact on a consistent basis with the youth.



It is my belief that everyone is already well aware of what is absolutely imperative to prevent future tragedies such as this most recent one. As my 8th grade social studies said to me, I say to those who have the power to make the difference so desperately needed (and that includes everyone), “Stop talking about something and either make a change or don’t make a change. Enough. No more. Just do it -- ‘it’ is what you need.”



I end my response with the wise words of this very special teacher, spoken on September 11th, 2001, passed down from one grade to the next, “If you have a challenge, deal with it, learn from it, grow stronger for it, and move on…”





Victims of all kinds are always in my prayers. And remember another quote, from one of my greatest teachers: "Anyone can be negative, that's easy. But it takes effort to be positive."

Answer 1138

Duh! if everybody had a gun it would not have happened, you need to lock up insane people like this guy who shot those unprotected students, he was just plain cookoo. Creating what? This was a gun free area, the ones who died didn't have guns, if they did they would still be alive.

Answer 1139

Every student needs to feel welcomed and loved at a young age. If students knew that they were welcomed and loved and not outcasted they would not feel the need to release anger one others and themselves.

Answer 1140

What the HELL, exactly, is a "community of understanding"? Do you REALLY believe that the rampage slayings that occur occasionally in this country are preventable? If we all sit in a circle, holding hands, singing Kumbaya, no crazies will gun us down? These things are as preventable as F5 tornadoes have proved to be!

Answer 1141

somehow I'm thinking having rules about handguns at colleges might be relevant



I think it would have been a bad fistfight if it happened where and when I grew up

Answer 1142

That would be fighting a lost cause....impossible. There is always going to be that bad apple no matter what you do!

Answer 1143

people are animals and our insincts can have us kill other people. we can make sure weapons are not easy to obtain which will never happen. there will always be an unhappy person in a school just make sure they don't want to kill anyone.

Answer 1144

They can't! That's what makes this an incomprehendable tragedy.

Answer 1145

What on earth is "a community of understanding"?

Answer 1146

We need to understand that there are nuts out there. There are genuinly evil people out there.



Now I hope my community understands the need to arm ourselves to defend ourselves from these monsters. All the attacks seem to happen in places where the perps know there won't be any weapons.

Answer 1147

well first, as being proud of ur heritage, you need to find a way to get rid of all the starving people in india, gov. officials in corruption, and their child prostitution, when that is accomplished then it may seem proper for u to comment on the "issues" in america.

Answer 1148

The only cure is if the one who needs help asks for it. If a kid needs help he should ask his parents,teachers,and neighbors

Answer 1149

I understand that guns are bad, they kill people - that's my addition to the community of understanding.

Answer 1150

know what your child is doing at all times. Remember they come before anyone or any man. Listen to them.

Answer 1151

People keep saying, Oh, he was depressed, we should have reached out to him, or Well, something should have bee done about his mental health before hand....Cho was not one of those loners who was waiting for someone to come have lunch with him. He was angry and sick. He wrote screenplays about pedophilia and murder. He took photographs of classmates knees. He stalked people. He started fires. He made one professor so nervous she and her TA had a code word in case anything went wrong.



And people tried to reach out beforehand; he spent time in institutions, with counselors, on medication, etc. He was clearly beyond help.



Utopia is impossible, because so many people have different ideals, and there are so many mad, mad people. All we can do is hope, and be there for each other.

Answer 1152

first of all all the red flags were there any nobody did anything if their is an unstable person action needs to be taken the teacher told them he had a problem.

Answer 1153

well from my view heres the problem we all have this view of what normal or perfect is but really there is no way we can have one standard of normal. now im not saying that killing a bunch of people is normal, its deffinatly not normal. But is it "normal" to make fun of people who are different, is it normal to exclude someone just becuase of thier sexual preference or becuase they are this short or that tall. is it normal to tease and demean someone because of a physical or mental disability, because they have big feet? or a big nose? or because they come from a poor or singel parent family my answer is NO! but we have let demeaning putting down hurting belitting people children peers ok. We have made making the odd kid out cry ok because they are different they are not normal. It needs to start in the home people need to grow up and realise that people are different and there isn't anything wrong with it. maybe then some of these kids will stop blowing other people up because one day they snapped under the pressure. maybe more kids will stay in school instead of leaving becaus ethey were humiliated. Maybe we can save those kids from hanging themselves jumping off a balacany or gassing themseves to death in there garage. these kids help lines dont do much its just someone to talk to it doesn't solve the problem Bullying is a problem that in todays society has spun out of controll. You can't tell your principal or your parents because then you get it worse. harsher punishments need to be handed out for this kind of behaviour. though some may belive that a little teasing isnt gonna drive anybody enough to kill someone it could. especially when you can't get away. when your pushed that far its almost like you seperate from yourself and whats left of you freaks out protecting whaver good is left. some of these shooting may just be linked to mentally unballanced people but something pushed them there especially whne theres no long term previous displays of violence. i honestly beinve someone hurt these kids who acted out and they just snaped so the next time when all you can do is call someone fatty fat fat and 4 eyes or wealfare kid and so on stop to think about what kind of damage your doing to that person inside. there really needs to be a stop of this whole thing.

Answer 1154

love is only solutions for this.

forget errors,

we have to power of forgive.

we have to power love every body,

we have to power forget color , religion , beauty, and only remember we are from one father which is ADAM

Answer 1155

Ignorance is human nature.

Answer 1156

A lot of people blame society, but you can't change somebody that is tormented and doesn't want to change.

Answer 1157

shrinks need to stop letting nuts loose in our towns. lock them up weld the door shut an we will be safe.

Answer 1158

THERE IS AN UNFORTUNATE IMBALANCE IN "RACE POLITICS" UNDERSTANDING MINDS IS ALWAYS CONTROVERSIAL. MIND IS IN DARWINIAN SENSE MANEABLE, MANAGABLE AND COLLECTIVELY ENCOURAGE FOR POSITIVE THINKING. BUT WHAT I WANT TO ASK HIM IS WHAT CAUSED THE INNATE ALTRUISTIC MIND (IN THEORY) GO AURY? WE NEED TO RECONSIDER THINKING ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE AS CRAZY BUT SOMEONE CRYING OUT LOUD "HELP!"

Answer 1159

this was a huge trgedy,but did anyone here know that today 200 Irakies was killed .aren't they humains to or not,the averrage is100 killed a day isn't a bigger tragedy?????

Answer 1160

I think there are less families going to church.

Kids aren't raised with the same morals that were set with our grand and great grand parents.



I think schools should have monthly evaluation tests, and if a child shows a problem, speak with the parents and try to find some counseling.



Times are changing quickly, especially with the Internet, and with the busy schedules most people have, its very hard for parents to monitor their children's every move. That's why I think that the schools should play a part as well, seeing that kids spend the majority of their days in school.



There should be a "self betterment" class that teaches self respect, self pride, and overcoming insecurity, as well as depression, drugs, safe sex, and peer pressure.



These kids are crying out and no one is listening.

Answer 1161

Nothing

Answer 1162

By refusing to give in to laziness and getting to know your neighbors and helping them if they are in need of it or reprimanding them when they require it.

Answer 1163

people dont need to understand some will never understand

i think it is about listening and equal rights! everyone has to be heard

Answer 1164

what a stupid question.



instead, you should be asking "how can we actually create a community of understanding?"

Answer 1165

you cannot prevent things like that... Anyday..anywhere someoen can do it..there is no way of stopping it. yes its a very bad thing that happend but it doesn thave to be played on the News FOR WEEKS...its over..nothing we can do now

Answer 1166

In time more of the trouble-makers will be gone.

Answer 1167

start from zero with all government. All problems point back to the gov. every time.

Answer 1168

if there was one other person that had a gun in the hall way a law abiding citizen that has one leagally it would not have happened

Answer 1169

This is an absurd question. A community of understanding already exists. The mourning and consoling in Blacksburg, Virginia, and the world demonstrates this brilliantly. Preventing tragedies is contrary to intellectual integrity and human nature itself. Life is forever a mystery to be lived and not a problem to be solved. Theoretical questions like this serve more to prevent understanding than nurture it.

Answer 1170

Why do we need to understand evil? I am sorry to say so but people need to realize this.

Answer 1171

By commiting sensless acts of randon kindness.

Answer 1172

dear dr.,

please.....this young man had serious physiological problems for a long time which where recognized by staff,faculty and fellow students.he was offered voluntary council ling and voluntary commitment.VOLUNTARY????. too "big brother"for you? a violation of his RIGHTS? TOUGH ! make that argument to the grieving families.

Answer 1173

That in itself caused the problem, we are Politically Correct,

so instead of looking at this person and saying, he is a danger to himself and others. They were afraid to offend him, so instead they chose to understand him.

Answer 1174

It didn't sound like this kid wanted to be a part of any community.



People tried to find ways to help him.

Answer 1175

It can't. NOTHING can prevent a lunatic from going nuts. The best way to limit the damage is return fire.

Answer 1176

I really don't think there is too much we can do...Theres always going to be people out there that are going to do what they want no matter what the cost, they'll find a way.

Answer 1177

it won't. unfortunately some people like to react AGAINST the majority. all you can do is beef up security measures.





you can't bargain with a terrorist or a sociopath.



sorry bud.

Answer 1178

It is going to take more than understanding.

Answer 1179

We should stop blaming eachother and try to be there for eachother in these difficult times.

Answer 1180

no program will completely eliminate the unfortunate tragedy of murder.

Answer 1181

How can we get people like you to stop asking stupid questions??



It just seems like all of you 'guest askers' think ur questions have more value.... but they're just as stupid as our questions

Answer 1182

Go back to the days when everyone owned guns. Then the killer would have been dead before he reloaded.

Answer 1183

Nothing, there is the good and the evil this is how life works

Answer 1184

There's like a billion people on this earth, surely God can't make them all perfect. You're gonna have a couple of misfits.

Answer 1185

It can help those in need of understanding/comfort, before they explode.

Answer 1186

Simple give teachers guns , more guns less violence. If the faculty is traied to defend themselves who would dare go on a rampage it wouldnt work would u go on a rampage in a police staion hell no because everybody has guns .think about it

Answer 1187

back to the grass root..As a human bein,we believe in god.Every relegius teaches us to be good to mankind

Answer 1188

according to Jack Thompson, we need to ban video games.

More like we need better parenting. games FTW

Answer 1189

It can't really do it. It depends one what a person was indoctrinated with at youth.

Answer 1190

It will never happen. There will always be people who think they are superior to others,and want to rule over others and own everything. And people who will feel inferior, or don't fit in to society.

Answer 1191

What kind of mindless pap is this?



You want to prevent a tragedy like this? Discipline and expel problem students like Cho. Allow CCW holders to carry their firearm on campus. Prosecute stalkers.



What did Cho need? He didn't need understanding or any of that mamby-pamby feel-good shinola. He needed a good, swift kick in the butt and the message, "Cut this crap out." That's it.



You charlatan psychobabble types are indicative of the problem we have today! BUTCH UP, DEEPAK!

Answer 1192

It is not preventable. It is sad but it is true.

Answer 1193

do you HOW can we create a community of understanding?

to that question, i have no answer

Answer 1194

It starts with just talking...face to face...and having that person or persons open up to one another...and listening not with your ears...but with your heart as well.

Answer 1195

Can't. Takes medication and maybe hospitalization.

Answer 1196

Cartoon David Filo of YAHOO should be fired for his obstruction of freespeech, for taking my comments and questions off yahoo answers to advice him to get a new hair style different than Donald T. this is what is needed-JUSTCE- to stop the shootings like VT and lies wars like IRAQ and Afghanistan.

Answer 1197

well: according to "Managemental Staff they are People or

Staff that needs 1Community help by our groups of Volunteers yes ! like getting some C.P.R Training &also

very important " see http://www.american.redcross.org

Answer 1198

Unfortunately, tragedies like this will always occur....our hope lies in our ability to persevere.

Answer 1199

By holding candlelight vigils, group hugs, making thousands of paper 'peace' cranes, sing alongs, mime & puppet theater, and holding peace marches will all the stresses and strains of soceity be alleviated and acheive a community of understanding to eliminate all the closet sociopaths skulking about in American society.

Answer 1200

By learning from the past. Not just posting new laws but actually implementing programs that will help the mentally disturbed. Not cast them off as usual until another tragedy occurs.

Answer 1201

parents need to take care of thier children when the KNOW something is very very wrong with them!!!!!! that would help alot!

Answer 1202

maby it would help a little if they stoped selling guns in the local store,

Answer 1203

What is community of understanding? there is no such thing.

Answer 1204

I think parents should teach their kids how to treat people and the school shooting would go down.

Answer 1205

It can not. Allowing law abiding citizens their Constitutional right of self protection would have ended it quickly!



The murderer was insane, you can not reason with insanity!

Answer 1206

My Space.....Yahoo 360.....



Truly understand the problem.



remember .....Evil always exists...until Jesus Returns.

Answer 1207

Whose to say it wasnt already a community of understanding. It wasnt the COMMUNITY's fault, it was THAT ONE person's fault... No other.

Answer 1208

Community of understanding? LMAO. Where do you eggheads get this stuff?

Answer 1209

I am of a different opinion from the majority in this topic. I find the general population very selfish, materialistic, and generally fake. I venture to say that at least 85% of the people I have met don't truly care for other people, they are fake as can be to be accepted by those around them and they all try to be someone they are not. The materialism is another component of the problem in that if you don't have 'what's in' you can't join the 'social' groups and you are quickly outcast. Someone that is 'different' is always outcast, if that person is normal the thought of killing others is not an outlet, yet for those that have something going on to them it appears it is the only way out.



Compassion in my eyes is something that is severely lacking in this world and is very evident in this country. We are compassionate and understanding to others in our group (when it is not something fake for those of us that feel we are superior to others) but we could step on others without guilt for our own gain. Whether we choose to accept it or not we are a very racist nation and although acceptance of others' race and ethnicity is common we do tend to (for the most part) stay away from others that are not in our in group (social, economic, cultural, etc).



Most folks have never purposely sought out a school to be all inclusive in order to become culturally literate, on the contrary, we gravitate towards the schools and towns where we can fit it where there is a lot of people just like us. Those that are not as socially inept have issues with all of this. No matter how they try they can't justify in their heads why everyone is the way they are. They can't fit in and they don't agree with what they see around them. When their thoughts are extreme they plot and take action the only way they envision as the solution.



When the news report came out that this kid was a loner, etc my first thoughts went to wandering if anyone at the school or even in earlier years took the time to talk to him. People have mental problems, yes, but in many cases the problems are magnified by social influences and also lack of parental influence. This brings me to my other gripe with all of this, in all these shootings, where have the parents been? How come they are not aware of something of this magnitude being a possibility for their children? Are these children sitting down chatting with them and smiling and telling jokes at the dinner table? I don't think so! If the kids are sitting in their rooms watching TV or playing with computer games and the parents don't do much to change it they can't be very aware of what is going on with them, and they most definately can't be of any influence. We are too busy making money as dual income families (because our darned taxes, groceries, and gas are so high and to keep up with social appearences) that we damage what is most valuable in each of our lifetimes, our future.



We all have a genetic makeup and we are all heavily influenced by a social component. One of the most influential things anyone can do for someone like this kid is offer a few words.



I honestly believe that a community of understanding will help prevent tragedies like this. I do believe that due to our upbringing and social aspect most are incapable of accepting others and being open and understanding so people will fall through the cracks. But, if we truly did have a community of understanding it definitely would be a positive.



We do need more positive proactive legal action where gun control is concerned and we also need to have a program in place where signs of behavior like the ones this kid showed can't be ignored, I feel this tragedy could have been prevented if someone stopped to do something about the signs the kid was putting out (when people say the mentally ill don't reach out, they are wrong .... we are the ones not learning to read the signs). I also think that gun control is completely lacking and it is way too easy to purchase weapons.



In reading the responses though it is evident that this is something that most are probably not willing to be very open minded and attempt. We are a very selfish, demanding, and materialist society - we need big time change - but it will take a much bigger tragedy to change us.

Answer 1210

Its impossible to prevent them.

Answer 1211

It can't. Mental institutions are needed where these pre-homicidal maniacs can be locked up.

Answer 1212

I would be very surprised if that could be done in te present day America.

Answer 1213

no we cant stop it. its instinct to some people. and you cant force people to change. even if you do force them, it wouldnt feel right because it wasnt by his/her own will. there is no answer for this problem. all we can do is avoid people who tease and pick on you, they will learn somehow:P

Answer 1214

Unfortunately, the world is not perfect.

Answer 1215

I've been discussing this with friends and feel the connection between the "mental health system" and the law enforcement system needs to come full circle.



In regards to firearms purchases and the Federal Firearms Purchase Form FFL 4473. There are about 10-14 questions a purchaser is required to complete, and a dealer is supposed to call law enforcement for criminal background check and restraining orders.



a. Are you the actual buyer?

b. Are you under indictment?

c. Have to been convicted in any court for a felony for which youv'e been in prison for a year.

d. Are you a fugitive from justice

e. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to illegal drugs.

f. HAVE YOU BEEN ADJUDICATE MENTALLY ILL or COMMITTED TO A MENTAL INSTITUTION?

etc, etc, etc.



as with everyone I am deeply angered by what occured at VT. My sorrow and grief for this nation is going toward the parents and families of those lost in this tragedy. My anger is directed toward the little scuzbag and the liberal society and indoctrination that created him.



I have several points.

a. Cho lied on the FFL form and thus knowingly committed a federal crime.



b. The movement to deinstitutionalize mental health patients began in the 1970s, as the crop of "Impulse Serial Killings" began.



c. Our children are indoctrinated to be victims.



Major Point:

It is my take we need to truly reconsider institutionalizing mentally ill people. Anyone who presents with homocidal or suicidal tendencies should be place in an environment where they can not harm themselves or others. Once presented to such a facility the person's name would be inputed into the NCIC computer to notify the Instant Check system, and thus stopping the potential of lies on the forms to not be caught.



I worked in the mental health field and know full well the impact deinstitutionalization has had on society. We need to revisit the 1940-1950 model of mental health treatment.

The Marxist mentality in our schools, liberal media has been objectifying people for decades. Since the 1970s, gun control has been on the rise and corresponding victims have as well.



While it may not STOP the heinous acts from happening it may reduce them.



2nd Major Point:

I believe we need to stop "Woozifying" of our society. Our kids have been taught to be victims. We need to address this systemic problem, we need to teach our kids our to confront agression not cow toe to it.



FINAL POINT:

I believe reasonable and realistic steps are to encourage CCW on campus. For those who pass criminal background checks and hand gun training.



Personal security begins with self.



IF we sacrifice freedom for security based on government security we have neither security or freedom



Teaching kids to be heros not victims is the key. Liberals so indoctrinate the victim mentality people see the government as the solution, IT IS NOT. Real people are the solution.

We need kids with backbones. not spineless jelly fish.



That said we need to teach communication skills on how to truly connect and engage people without threatening them.



I believe in a simple technique to teach my kids. You see someone at the grocery store, pharmacy, restaurant, barbershop and notice their name tag. each time you see them say hello "Bob". for each action people feel less isolated.



Try it and see if it works. I know many people by name and the names of a few of their kids because I take the time (something many fail to use correctly these days) to get to know ONE damned person.

Self, look at yourself. Who are you? Why are you here? What is your significance other then being worm food in 10-80 years?

Some of the thought's I have after something like this.



We have strong gun laws, and people with intent will find a way to perpetrate. Guns are tools as are fire, knives, pitchforks, ammonium nitrate, jet fuel, gasoline, the problem is NOT the object. The problem is the perpetrator.



I believe many people have become willing to usurp their personal liberty for security they will clamor for a police state before long.



I believe that tragedies such as this ought to give us a reason to pause and look at the causes as to why angry people do atrocious and horrific acts.



I believe the media is culpable. I believe that parents are culpable, I believe liberals are culpable, I believe by removing any semblance of conflict from schools we not given kids healthy outlets for conflict and aggression.

When I was a kid, I carried my 22 rifle and 20 gauge shotgun in the truck of my car so I could go hunting after school, I never once thought when I was getting picked on by a bully to go get the gun and kill him.. I thought differently because I respected myself and those around me. If it came to blows with the bully it would be with fists in the parking lot. a bloody nose generally stopped it.



Guns are not the problem. Ignorance of anything is dangerous and society has become ignorant of firearms. Both of my children have certified in hunter safety and firearm training. They not only know HOW to use firearms but HOW NOT to use them. This is the problem with schools today, we no longer accept firearms as a norm so they've become abnormal AND people clamor for control. This is wrong.

Answer 1216

I must say, that sounds like a hell of a plan.

Answer 1217

It can't, and your use of this tragedy to boost your publicity is reprehensible.

Answer 1218

It's plain and simple you can't prevent it.

Answer 1219

To be honest I am scared and I just don't know. This world is going to hell - with all of the pedophiles, murderers and not this senseless tragedy....I just don't know anymore.

Answer 1220

Help asian parents (I have a set) stop pressuring their kids to have to be the best in everything. I am sure that was why the person (who is asian) who shot all of those people did it.

It's really sad because many asian parents just pressure their kids and they don't know it is ruining them psychologically.

Answer 1221

You New Age Gurus make me SICK! It's only going to get worse.

Answer 1222

first you need to explain what "a community of understanding" is ...

Answer 1223

sweet heart we can never do that.. im sorry to say we can never get rid of people like that we need a deliverer!!(jesus)

Answer 1224

What kind of vapid question is this? How can we prevent some nut case from going crazy? We can't.

Answer 1225

SORRY YOU ARE NOT GOD, AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THINGS,LETS DEAL WITH GLOBAL WARMING AND GAS PRICES AND FIGURE OUT WHY THEY HELL WE ARE AT WAR.

Answer 1226

we are all socio-cultural beings. i think it is important that we are accountable to each and everyone in our community.

Answer 1227

I don't think it is so simple that a solution could be typed in the space provided...........

Answer 1228

There are two questions that ought to be answered before we can find an answer to the larger question:



Question 1: What defines a community of understanding?



And Question 2: Given current American societal norms (referring to American social norms because school shootings and random acts of senseless mass violence in America are more common than in other countries, though you could expand the parameters to include "Western" values in general) and the current socio-political climate, is it even possible to create a community of understanding?



Question 1: What is a community of understanding?

I would define a community of understanding as a group of people with a common interest / goal / objective (such as a school, a workplace, a neighborhood) that agree to a moral code that places compassion, kindness, tolerance, open-mindedness, warmth, thoughtfulness, courtesy, and a non-judgmental approach towards that which is different from themselves at the center of the community's foundation for all interactions with one another, as well as those outside of the community.



Question 2: Given this definition, is it possible to create this kind of a society given current norms and socio-political values?

I'd answer this with a yes… and a no.



It is possible to create this kind of a community within a small group of people - a workplace, perhaps, or a church group, a school, or in some place where one is almost by necessity accountable to a group of individuals. Members all know one another; each member is important to the group as a whole. This is essential for the community's success for several reasons: 1.) Each person will feel valuable (thus reducing the likelihood of anger / resentment / exclusion / ostracism that can lead to violent acts); 2.) Each person knows they will be held accountable to people that (ideally) care about him or her for their actions - there is no anonymity;. 3.) When a member begins to "backslide," other members can intervene quickly to ensure that it doesn't go very far. Even these precautions can't necessarily guarantee that acts of violence won't occur; but they may reduce them.



Is it possible to create this kind of community of understanding the way our society is currently structured: No.

First, there is no moral code as described above that is truly internalized by our population. Sure, people give "compassion" and "kindness" plenty of lip service. I'll bet everyone reading this post believes they are kind - it's everyone else that's so mean, right, and when you're mean (flipping the bird while you're driving, as an example), it's only because they made you do it…



But let's look at the choices that we make as a society: we select commercial media (t.v., music, movies, video games) that glamorize sex and violence - if we didn't, there wouldn't be so much of it. You can't even watch commercials without being assaulted by sexual and violent images that unconsciously teach us to OBJECTIFY other people, instead of valuing them as human beings. And I think that's very critical - as a society (not in terms of individual relationships), we define success based on how someone looks, how much money they have, what they have obtained - not on who they are. Who are the most successful in America? The wealthiest. The most beautiful. And we are surrounded by images of that, encouraging feelings of inadequacy and a desire to try to "keep up" in some way. When we can't… resentment emerges. Moreover, by objectifying human beings, we de-value them. It's easier to kill and make violent choices if people aren't actually perceived as "people."



Moreover, it's almost impossible to ensure accountability for every American family. We Americans pride ourselves on our "freedom" and our "independence." We can do whatever the hell we want in the privacy of our own homes… and therein lies the problem. Two parents can fight as loudly and talk to one another as cruelly as they desire, regardless of children present, so long as the police are not called (and sometimes even if they are). Parents can engage in moderate emotional neglect if they are busy (long hours at the job and too tired to talk; waspish when they do communicate) and overwhelmed, as too many parents are, given the way our society constructs our worklife. And so what if they're overwhelmed? No support network to help you raise your kids? Too bad; figure it out yourself. No money for quality daycare? Too bad, figure it out yourself. Your kid is out of control and you have no money for therapy? Too bad, figure it out yourself.



And how does one person "figure it out themselves" if they have no resources? Is it the government's responsibility to help them? Even if it was, there's no money right now for various "band aid" social programs… we're too busy funding a very expensive war. These collective stresses create a society just bubbling with anger, depression, and despair. Sure, there are moments of joy… and not everyone is unhappy. But our values are very confused, and without a massive restructuring of society, not much is going to change soon.



Why not? Right now money makes things happen… and most of the time, the people with money and the power to make a difference don't really want things to change very much. Or at least, the changes should only be in superficial ways that don't make them feel too uncomfortable. It doesn't by necessity have to be that way - there could be a massive grass roots movement to change everything. But getting that movement started, and keeping it funded (it still takes money), is an overwhelming task. Even our great inspirational leaders weren't able to change the fundamental way our capitalist society is structured; they can't, really, it's built into the system.



So… is there any hope? Possible options might be to create small communities of understanding within schools, the most likely public institution to buy into the theory, and the one that reaches the most people (though it would require a massive family outreach movement, too - you should change the child's whole environment to really make a difference, not just a part). In terms of society at large, I think that before there will be a genuine change to create these kind of communties, we will have to sink much further into the depths of violence and depravity, and make everyone so terribly uncomfortable that there will be no choice but a total overhaul of our social norms.

Answer 1229

by getting rid of liberal geeks like you. start turning this country in men again instead of liberal punks.



if your kids would of learned to be men instead of stoners some one would of probley took the gun from him and stuck it in his ***. but the liberal way is set back and let the goverment do it for you.



**** you, you i am riding this tragidy to get famous.



if you want to get noticed grow a dick and be a man.

Answer 1230

I BELIEVE THAT IF PEOPLE BECOME EDUCATED AND MORE AWARE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PREVENT SITUATIONS LIKE THIS BEFORE IT HAPPENS!

Answer 1231

TEACH THE TRUE MEANING OF JESUS CHRIST!

He needed the truth so badly and thought he had it but did not...

Answer 1232

don't think we will ever get that kind of stuff stopped.

we just have to pull together to stay sane.

Answer 1233

Ban of arms sales to civilians. Tolerance, respect, just society. Moral and spritual values etc. etc.

Answer 1234

I hate to say it but home schooling.

Answer 1235

well i'd say keep everyone informed and really try and connect with the people

Answer 1236

I don't understand how this young man purchased GUNS!..VA..should be looking at their gun laws! EOM!

Answer 1237

They can't. The kid needed lithium, Doc.

Answer 1238

There is little that could have been done to prevent this tragedy, the killer was anti-social, and refused to do things even with his roomates. He was insane, and there is little we can do to stop a lone gunman.

Answer 1239

Oh, Is that what would do it?



What a wonderful air of arrogance you possess.

Answer 1240

Euthanasia is the answer

Answer 1241

I have read one of your wonderful books The Burden of Proof; congratulations for your excellent writing that make us want to be better persons in search of a better life. Unfortunately your books are very difficult to find in Latin America, I must thus wait for someone to travel to the US and buy them for me.



Your question, your thought and intention are very transparent, trustworthy and especially human. Never the less, I have the feeling that a “community of understanding” would not be enough for those lost souls that will not hold a friendly hand to help themselves because they are mentally and spiritually ill. I believe that to avoid future cases like VTech something else must be done, something that will shake the deep roots or foundations of our society, then we can think in a community of understanding as a healing process. I believe in what I will explain herein after.



My personal opinion is that the main issue lies in the homes, in the very early stages of our kid’s upbringing. The parents are away from home working, each two shifts a day, to make ends meet, this because they live in a consumer society that demands high income to support their families.



As said, the parents are not home thus the children are left either alone or with a teenage nanny; the nannies are very young and have no experience on why a child is behaving strangely and what is to be done, I have said they don’t have to know because they are too young and scarcely notice that the children are hyperactive or a loner or perhaps a sad child. There is no authentic control, no one to correct the kids; no one to set the rules of conduct in other words the early formation of the children is absent.



Let us not forget the parents are not home because they are working. Parents do not generally have enough knowledge of the external symptoms, alarm signs, related to mental or conduct disorders thus the kids are not diagnosed at an early stage. Parents know if their kids have a temperature, if they are coughing or if they have an allergy, meaning they know the usual medical problems that are diagnosed by a Pediatrician, the family doctor or a general medicine doctor at the nearest hospital.



Being this the case, the kids continue to be undiagnosed and the disorders continue in their system like “Trojans”, advancing and destroying. The parents, meanwhile, keep working like mad to buy the largest TV set, expensive clothes and generally junk food.



In this manner the kids reach their teen years (puberty), this is a stage of hormone changes, a time when our little girls are becoming young ladies and our little boys are becoming young men. These hormone changes may solve some of their problems but also harm or damage or increase certain larger problems. But the parents, God bless them, do not notice the changes and if they do they will always say “that is what teenagers are about”. We must accept that we as parents have an enormous ignorance or lack of knowledge about mental health disorders.



In this stage, our teens are running wild and we the parents believe it is just a teen thing; this is when the real problems begin. We keep working at full speed and in the schools there is little or no psychological help for the kids. Thus the kids are not diagnosed or attended by counselors or specialists, the kids do not receive written Q&A tests that should later be handed to the specialists so as to detect behavioral problems and then inform the parents for action.



Our teens begin to date, they may join strange groups or sects, they drink without knowing what effect alcohol will have on them, they begin to have sex and at times become promiscuous, they begin their experience with drugs without knowing the physical, mental and personality disorders these drugs cause them. Then they find inappropriate friends that teach those conducts that are not healthy at all. Meanwhile, out of our parental control, are the matters of the country that they hear about, the problems with weapons and that it is part of our culture, curiosity overcomes them and as it is part of the culture they believe there must be nothing wrong with them, “why not, dad has one”. They know what decisions are being made by their government, often they do not agree with them, but there is no one to listen to their claims. Our kids are bullied around by others due to ignorance, racism and cruelty. Some like Cho are called names like loner, Asian, alien, spooky and who knows how many others. All these are misconceptions, but who is there to tell them different? During the teen years most of our kids have existential problems, but they go by unnoticed and undiagnosed due to parent’s lack of knowledge. Who are the obliged ones to notice all this and take action? Yes, we the parents and the school teachers are the obliged ones.



The above mentioned social problems give birth to these horrible and shocking mass murders or killings and rapes. Our memory is short, but remember the shooting at a high school in Texas, remember Columbine, remember the Menendez brothers, remember Timothy McVeigh and so many other cases that my memory now fails to remember.



I will compare this with Latin America, because I now live here and know what goes on in these countries. Many Latin Americans ask, why this in the US, being it a wonderful country with solid laws and a great judicial system?

The reply is truly a simple one. The problem does not lie on how great the country is, how solid the laws or how great the judicial system. The problem lies in the system itself, in what has become the American way of life or the American dream.



In Latin America the families are poor according to the US standards, this as an economical society, but there is control and discipline in the homes, the mothers are first and foremost MOTHERS and the kids abide by rules and discipline. The mom could be a single parent but she will always be there for her children. The dads are present though perhaps divorced, to correct and discipline their kids and to teach them moral values or standards. Both parents are in constant alert with their kid’s behaviour; they worry and meet with the teachers, to find out if there is anything they may have not noticed. If their kids need specialised help they will sell their shirts to get the money to pay for the doctors’ fees. By no means am I saying there are no exceptions, yes there are, but they are so few that are quickly forgotten. If would be fair to say that regardless of their lack of material means they are not ignorant, as it is believed, what works wonders in these parents is their instinct.

There also is the fact the grandma’s and mother in-laws are always there to lend their families a hand in raising the kids even if they are teens, they are given authority and the kids know they must obey and respect them. These parents can live in a shanty town or in a high class neighbourhood, the first act by pure instinct and the second by instinct and then with their rational mind.



We as human beings have lost our instinct because our rational minds have taken over. It is only necessary to watch the animals, according to their species, care for their small ones. I prefer not use zoological terms and use human ones, so please excuse this. Let’s take the example of the lions, first they feed and nurture them while they grow (feeding & caring & growth), then they take them along to watch the hunting so they will learn (teaching), in due time they send the males away so they may have their own groups and families (conservation of the species). They keep the females to help them in hunting and to have a large family (family groups – group working). When the mother is to couple again, she will not allow any of her female members to interfere so she will send them away (hierarchy).



If we could only learn from these animals, something like VTech would have never happened. There has been such negligence and so many omissions that it is truly surprising. Now comes the stage of covering up, to only blame the one that shot so many young and valuable people leaving their families in horrible pain and distress, but it is also to be remembered the Cho’s family must be is the most horrendous shame, due to their culture and background. There have been 33 deaths and the respective families which can easily amount to about 100 innocent victims, some physically killed and others emotionally killed due to negligence and omissions.



Being an intellectual and such a well known person, you perhaps believe that my above thoughts are not worth while, but believe me I have lived and studied and all these learning’s can not just vanish into thin air.



Thank you for your time.

Answer 1242

He should have been deported a long time ago.

Answer 1243

Easy, you yanks need to get a brain and stop selling guns to anyone. Idiots

Answer 1244

Interaction, don't allow any one to be alone

Answer 1245

Its impossible to have a utopia like that were nobody is deranged ...Its just impossible

Answer 1246

human nature

Answer 1247

Mr. Deep,

I think that our schools are failing us. They need to be focusing more on ethics. Not just what is ethical, but also why we should be ethical people. Society supports unethical behaviour by creating violent movies hero characters with no ethics. We as a society need to tell the people who run our schools we want our kids to learn right from wrong and we do not want our kids to be taught that material objects make a person great. Also movie makers could provide entertainment that encourages good ethics instead of poorethics. They could also stop cheapening and demoralizing women. Parents also play a huge role. Parents need to instill in their children early in life the importance of being a good person. Parents need to take the time to be good parents.

Answer 1248

your reall ant help comuunties you can become more aware of your surrounding.. if someone wants to do something they will do it.

Answer 1249

America needs to change it's gun laws. Don't make them so easy to obtain.

Answer 1250

You can't, because that's not where the problem lies.



http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=6409

http://www.propagandamatrix.com/articles/april2007/190407Cho.htm

Answer 1251

Wow Dr., you need to be stripped of your title, honestly.

Answer 1252

Certainly not by giving you more money for your books!

Answer 1253

As soon as a youth starts getting therapy, they are branded by it.



Youths want and need respect and guidance.

Answer 1254

human nature.

Answer 1255

I don't think that it can. I think that we are doomed to keep repeating histories

Answer 1256

show R E S P E C T to others!!!..no matter who you are & where you're from..

Answer 1257

support groups

Answer 1258

We need to teach people that they are ultimately responsible for their own personal safety and well-being. No one owes them anything. When persons take on the personal burden of responsible gun ownership and take charge of their own lives instead of thinking others will protect and foster them then criminals will not be able to run roughshod over them and amass large body-counts. All the "I'm okay, you're okay, Kum-by-yah" touchie-feelie bullcrap in the world will never stop criminals from committing crimes.

Answer 1259

Here's the answer: lock everyone who wants to ban guns into a cage, because they are animals, and accept that some people are insane and they can't be fixed, so you better watch your own back instead of asking the government to wipe your bottom after you go #2.

Answer 1260

CREATION OF A COMMUNITY IS AN ACT OF GOD DUE TO HIS LOVE FOR MAN. MODIFICATION OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HUMAN INTERFERANCE BY MAN THROUGH HIS TALENT BLENDED BY THE FEAR OF GOD AND LOVE FOR FELLOW MAN WILL DEFINITLY PREVENT SUCH TRAGEDIES.

Answer 1261

control what the kids listen to and watch



eg. in rap music where they say i popped someone.





make them understand at a young age its different than what they listen to.

Answer 1262

Stop racial discrimination again Asian.

Give everyone more care.

Answer 1263

umm... get rid of guns and all other forms of deadly weapons.

Answer 1264

Enough with hugging teddy bears and putting ribbons on our cars, a community of undertanding WHAT exactly?? LOOK AT SOCIETY--WHAT SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME, - WAR ZONES-WE TOOK GOD OUT OF SCHOOLS AND NOW WE REAP WHAT WE SOWED.

Answer 1265

drink some kakcly juice

Answer 1266

I thought you were the guy with all the answers.

Answer 1267

Understanding wont help, i f someone is intent on killing others and himself he is too far gone.

Answer 1268

communication

Answer 1269

Perhaps we should have a nationally taught and required college class teaching on the issues of "Self Respect". A commercialized holiday, like Valentines Day, "Respect" day. Lastly, our national leadership needs to model respect, not merely common courtesy due to title of office. Our national discussion is dripping with a partisan lexicon. What examples do we have before us?

Answer 1270

you know, I am so sick of people at my college treating me like I am some sort of psycho after what happened at Virginia Tech. Just because I am quiet, keep pretty much to myself and I also happen to take an interest in writing does NOT mean I am ANYTHING like that guy. I am a very nice person and whenever anyone talks to me I am always nice. I just really don't talk that much unprovoked. But if this keeps up who knows what will happen? I mean no offense and all but I am just so sick of it.

Answer 1271

i don't know dr. phil, lets ask the people, shall we?

Answer 1272

the thing is dr. acceptance just like sensitivity can't be taught you either are or you are'nt yes innacceptance can be stick to a individiual by parent's or peer's but some people are just naturally @$$holes and B*tches

Answer 1273

You can't cure mental illness with 'understanding'!

Answer 1274

Read your book?

Answer 1275

this is done by psycho....

it is very difficult to prevent it and find such psycho...

Answer 1276

I wish that creating a community of understanding could, in fact, help prevent tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech. But, to me, that is only one step, in a myriad of steps and scenarios needed to effect generations of changes. Everything is about perspective and perception, in which we all have various reactions to. One persons loner demeanor & nonconformist attitude, may be percieved, by some, as detrimental to society, and an uncomfortable persona to be around, insighting fear, disdain, or just a weary, "keep away" profile amongst his peers. Yet, others may view someone like this as relatable, or someone who may know more than the rest of us, or simply someone who is painfully shy or uncomfortable in public situations.....Still waters run deep, type of person. All interactions are based on ones perception of others, coupled with their perspectives and experiences in life. People are becoming more and more afraid of embracing those they can't easily understand. Is embracing such people just "feeding the monster", or helping to normalize them into harmony with society? Again, it is predicting the perception of such a person.



The fact is, there WERE those who experienced Cho's writings and persona, with great alarm, and tried seeking help for him. But, they couldn't change the environment surrounding him. Nor could they force help for him that he refused to seek. Who would watch guard every mentally disturbed person in society, to make sure they are taking their meds, and keeping up with the counceling needed? We can feel for them, and understand all we can, but that may not change their behaviour. Sadly, there are too many Cho's all over the world, that will remain fallen through the cracks.



We need to change the gun control laws in this country. There is no need for any regular citizen to own assault weapons, among other things.



We DO need to change attitudes of our children to embrace all walks of life, as we are a rich in culture nation. Maybe fewer children will grow up harboring pain and anger towards those who have always had more, if those more fortunate, lived with more generosity and kindness in their own hearts. We are all products of our upbringings and surroundings. So, it must start there.



Only then could we share a hope of conquering the need for such explosions of human indignities. These were not ignorant surroundings. This was a college campus! Todays students are well informed, but often ill advised. Professional help should have interveened long before this occurred. The bigger question is to why and how this young man fell through the cracks, before devastating so many undeserving lives, with his wrath of injustice. This began long before his college days. What happened in high school, elementary school, within his own family and upbringing?



I firmly believe in a community of understanding. But I do not believe that would have been enough to save this one man from his destructve path. In todays society, that "community of understanding" is what helps toHEAL the effected groups after such tragedies occur . Sadly, it takes much more to prevent them. As our population explodes with those from every walk of life, it would be virtually impossible to understand every disturbed person, and take appropriate action, before they choose to impale their narcisizm, and phsycotics on their chosen social groups.



Just reading through all the responses you have recieved to this question, should let you know how varied and deep opinions run. How would a community of understanding help you to resolve all that you have just read? All you can do is embrace their opinions, in the light of freedom of speech, and except their thoughts in consideration of their sources.



We live in the richest, most liberal, and free society in the world. With that comes great consequences, and incalcullable spawns of thinking. Look at the idols that our young generation looks to, chooses to read about, and watch. Look at how the technically savy society, retreat more and more from the social skills of conversation. Look at all that is out there to immunize our young to violence and self disdain. It will take allot more than understanding to revamp the path we are taking towards our future of self destruction.



Until there is more teaching about what all of our freedoms truly mean, then we will remain on that fuzzy, grey path to becoming lost souls. Everyone here is practicing their freedom of speech. But how many actually FEEL responsibility for their own words? It's simply a vent, or self expression. How many actually think about the effects their own choices will have on those around them? We've become a society of haves and have nots, and our society is quite confused on the difference between NEED and WANT.



Understanding? There is more to that one word than most of us will ever get in our lifetimes. I only hope my own journey will be long enough to decifer a good portion of it.

Answer 1277

to long

Answer 1278

Those are just flowery words and phrases - there are some people who cannot be or will not be helped.

Answer 1279

Respectfully my friend, YOU are begging the question.

Answer 1280

It can't. Get a real job.

Answer 1281

atleast people won't kill students and teachers for no reason

Answer 1282

go back to india you schumck

Answer 1283

We need a higher power in our classrooms, to teach us morals and values!

Answer 1284

First of all, I feel the easy access to guns plays a critical role in these tragic events. Stricter gun control laws would be a significant factor to build the foundation of peace.

Secondly, more stringent measures could be taken in assisting persons with emotional difficulties, particular those at a younger age. I truly feel that a strong support newtork would diminish future tragies such as this one. Thank you for reading my words :)

Answer 1285

It can't. There will still be wackos

Answer 1286

restriction on weapon around school area and put up more security guard

Answer 1287

get rid of the guns, That's the only step that will affect even the mentally disturbed. No guns, no shooting.

Answer 1288

I don't mean to be cynical, but if it could have been done, it would have been done after Columbine. I don't think it can be done, unless PEOPLE themselves change.

Answer 1289

If he was accepted by his piers would he have killed them?

Answer 1290

some people are crazy and this guy is

Answer 1291

Remember Iraq, remember the dead children from american bombing...remember...



and then remember this phrase: as you sow, so you reap !!

Answer 1292

you must be out of your mind. you or anyone can not stop people that are unstable.

Answer 1293

It can't. Sorry to tell you, but some cannot resist evil.

Answer 1294

The only thing that could of prevented the shootings at VA Tech is deporting the mentaly ill people that are in this country on Visas and the deportation of all illegals.

Answer 1295

First of all, has anyone seemed to notice that illegal immigrants cause less problems than legal ones?



Anyway, we need people who KNOW about someone's problem like this to tell someone quickly, so that this won't occur.

Answer 1296

i think as a species, we rely to much on our emotions. when our lives are governed by them, we will always act unrealistic and destructive.

Answer 1297

Oh, I understand alright. One student packing a 9MM and having done some target practice could have stopped this asshole before it got too far. But noooo! we have to walk around unarmed trying to "understand" a piece of human garbage....some losers just need to be offed before they harm innocents....

Answer 1298

We should lock up the crazies!

Answer 1299

people have to learn to really care about one another and be there for each other unconditionally .,

Answer 1300

We can have strikes and we can write letters to the president tellign him that the BOE and other schools need mroe secuirty systems

Answer 1301

First of all, we need tighter gun control.

Answer 1302

it can't , there will always be things like this that happen,.

Answer 1303

" love your neighbor as yourself;- JC

Answer 1304

In Christ alone...he is our only hope.

Answer 1305

IT WON'T!



the only safe communities are armed.



you know what ABSOLUTELY would have stopped that tragedy at 1 or 2 or 3 victims? me, with my gun. or any other able bodied American who has not yet been disarmed by democratic lawmakers.

Answer 1306

First of all, a society must value the concept of community, and view it as a necessary part of life; otherwise, there is no hope!

Answer 1307

A community of understanding...

When I first heard of this tragedy sitting in my living room 1000s of miles away from all the pain and grief, I was not shocked. Senseless killings happen almost daily. And I know the US has its share.



A community of understanding...

Now I have tears in my eyes. And I sympathise for the victims and their families, and for the surviving students, but my heart also goes out to this man. Not to condone or even justify what he's done. But as I read and hear his words on those tapes he left behind, my first thought was that this man was obviously very angry. But there was a hint, an underlying message of his own suffering. From his own words, he blames the rich people around him from whom he felt alienated.



A community of understanding...

I know from the news reports that he was pulled out of class, placed in mental institutions, reprimanded alot for his behaviour which many felt rubbed them the wrong way.

These are all acceptable solutions, but I wonder how these were handled. It's always easy to say, oh yeah he's crazy and institutionalize him, shoving him into someone else's hands.

Was he never offered a kind word or a smile despite his behaviour? Just out of kindness, just because he was a fellow human being?



If we look around us there are many people we know who are quiet, reserved, dont talk much, do odd things like put a "?" as their name on a signup sheet, who approach girls or people awkwardly but because of their shyness and intimidation they come across as wierd. Sometimes due to our own fear and intimidation we fail to see others' and mishandle a situation. It's not to say that this massacre would never have happened if he was "handled" appropriately and with care, but contented people do not go on killing sprees.



It's so easy for us to say he was crazy and that's why this happened because we do not really understand why it happened. We do not understand how a classmate can turn on us. So we put it in that little black hole of the unknown under the psycho killer category. We cannot accept that a tortured soul did this. No matter how hurt he was he didn't have to do this, we say. It is totally right. But our striving in understanding him can not stop there. Because there are many others like him who may never commit massacres or hurt others, but who suffer in much the same way.



I understand he felt alienated at the least. Why? Because he of his foreign origins? Because of his different behaviour that no one understood because they didnt want to try? When he talks about rich brats, he may not only mean those with monetary wealth, but also those with confidence, those who when asked for attention got it, those who had emotional wealth and who he felt failed to notice him because of their more fortunate status.



A community of understanding..

I do not think that if he was better understood he would not have done this. There are too many unknows and clarification is needed on many things. Half the understanding should have come from Cho too. Understanding that it was up to himself to control his emotions and actions, despite how he felt others treated him. That is what he failed to do. The other half comes from us, the people around him.

People need people. We are social beings and we thrive on human contact and relationships. Maybe we fail to just be human with people we do not understand. Despite differences, or our own fear and intimidation, we should try and treat the classmate next to us, the annoying beggar in the street, the raging driver screaming obscenities at us in traffic, treat them as though we never questioned their dignity. Offer the challenging person we meet another more amicable way of talking, rather than reacting and continuing their unreasonable way of dealing with others. When they shout, we continue to be friendly and polite but firm. Offer them a better way of communicating. Be our own temple, staying constant in graceful dealing with others despite how others treat us, but never comprimising ourselves.



Our emotions are a mirror of things around us though it may be from only one angle. And when our emotions dictate our actions, the landscape around us spills out for all to see. Sometimes it is a pretty picture as when people do good, other times it paints a picture of desolation as when people do bad. Cho's "tortured soul" reflects some of that unpleasantness that is in our world. Cho is to blame for his actions. The rest of us bear no shame. But it should open our hearts and mind to the power of small acts of kindness, acceptance and not just tolerance. We do not have to go out of our way to be kind to others. A polite "No, maybe next time" to the beggar in the street is better than ignoring him. It we can overlook our embarrasment and annoyance at this vagrant, and treat him with respect just because he is a fellow human being, he would feel more human and less inclined to hate and resentment.



These soft skills in everyday dealings with others is not the one-stop shop solution to preventing tragedies. Tragedies will always occur because of the "half" that people hold to be accountable for their actions. But we do have our "half" to be caring and add emotional wealth to our own lives and to the lives of others. This creates the landscape, the backdrop in which more hardline solutions, such as instituionalisation and reprimanding, can work.



A community of understanding where everyone understands they hold two halves of that understanding, may help reduce suffering in that community, and possibly prevent tragedies. One half is to be accountable for your own well-being and your actions, the other half to treat others as if you never questioned their dignity and add to their emotional wealth.

Answer 1308

get rid of lawyers that would help

Answer 1309

I'm not entirely sure what a "community of understanding" is...



I will admit, I am not entirely informed about ever facet of the story yet, but one thing that I did read was that the shooter had issues with depression and such. It is extremely hard to say what could prevent the tragedy from happening in that type of case. Was it possibly a 'psychotic break' that caused him to do this? Was there a particular motive behind what he did? Who knows?



I think if it was found that there was a specific motive.. such as that he was treated poorly (such as people being racist, etc), then some sort of "community of understanding" in the sense that it is important to teach the world not to be prejudice, racist, etc.. Would help prevent things like that. HOWEVER, if it was a 'psychotic break' or whatever you want to call it, then it's hard to say what exactly could have been done.



I do think that it is important that people recognize when others have mental health issues (such as depression, etc) and that there be help out there, etc.. There are so many variables, etc.. that make it difficult to know for sure what is up with a person.



I do wish that something like this would never happen again, but I do recognize that there are so many reasons for it that it would be hard to do just one thing to prevent it.

Answer 1310

I do not know.

Answer 1311

It won't. You'll always have crazy mother flockers.

Answer 1312

let people with CCWs carry a pistol

Answer 1313

send them to iraq?

Answer 1314

You can't. Plain and simple.

Answer 1315

would be nice to live in a bubble...like you.

Answer 1316

You're the doctor, you tell me...*yawns*.....

Answer 1317

We can't Doctor;you have not read or learned from history,or you would not ask such a silly thing.

Answer 1318

people who are not understandable can't be reached.

Answer 1319

Ban gun-control laws

Answer 1320

Something has to be done. He was troubled, he had mental problems. He didn't seek help he sought vengence he bought a gun and used against innocent people. A Glock!!! I say thank God it was not a Semi automatic because there would be more lives lost. My prayers to all the families who lost a loved one.

Answer 1321

i think no one can help

Answer 1322

what a maroon!! idiotic question...next.

Answer 1323

Give me a new age break.

Answer 1324

It cannot. If a person is going to kill, they will kill irreguardless.

Answer 1325

It can't and it won't. Lunatics will be lunatic - understood or not.

Answer 1326

we need to single out those who look like they might do something or "joke" about doing something like this and help them b4 something like this happens again.

Answer 1327

**** happens and your only option is to move on

Answer 1328

avoid being a racist

Answer 1329

Change gun laws.

Answer 1330

read your book?

Answer 1331

teach people not to kill



or







teacher needs gun they wont come

Answer 1332

Kaka..., First Benchod, we need to pay attention more to loners and losers in school. They are always the ones to get out of hand and create tragedies. Also we need to watch out for the Kalas and Goras, they are the main reason why these types of things happen in the first place. Namaste Kaka

Answer 1333

u cannot

Answer 1334

Ignoring hucksters like you is a start.

Answer 1335

whateva...there'll always be whackjobs in the world. what do you think you're gonna do?

Answer 1336

women should put out more

Answer 1337

Shut up, stupid.

Answer 1338

As difficult as it may be to see on the surface, the shooter was also a victim. He was a victim of society and a victim of himself. He suffered like everyone else does, and made the unfortunate decision to cause more suffering as a way to get other people to understand how he felt. A major lesson to learn from this is that compassion for everyone can prevent things like this. Everyone desires acceptance and understanding, and everyone suffers as a part of human condition. By creating a community of understanding, we can reach out to the suffering and provide them with one of their most basic needs, and work toward preventing them from taking those needs for themselves through violent acts.



Edit: What saddens me most about this rating my answer has received is the resistance to compassion our society has seemed to develop. Yet we wonder why this tragedy occurred in the first place.

Answer 1339

SHUT UP!

Answer 1340

WHAT A STUPID QUESTION...THE ONLY THING MORE PATHETIC THAN THIS QUESTION ARE THE ANSWERS GIVEN

Answer 1341

FIRST AND FOREMOST , STRICTER GUN LAWS.

Answer 1342

hiya docta dick

Answer 1343

You don´t need a community of understanding....you need Jesus Christ in your heart.

Answer 1344

GUNS DONT KILL, PEOPLE DO

Answer 1345

it cant



ps quit asking these goodie tooshoos type questions

Answer 1346

That's not the right question. The right question is how can you create a community of understanding. Good luck with that, All through out elementary school I remember being taught tolerance. Now 15 years later, I can honestly say there seems to be no lack of hate and seperation within my generation. ****, let's lock everyone away in a cave by themselves for a year, when they come out they'll be so happy to see another person they won't care how rich that person is, or what ethnicity they are. But since that will never happen. Let's just hope **** like this doesn't become a regular occurance.

Answer 1347

If you are talking about an online community, perhaps in that community there can be a link included where people can seek professional help if they are having difficulty coping with life or if they know of someone who is. In addition, a discussion around what to look for as signs of someone who may be in trouble. Include experts who can conduct webinars and lead discussions so that people can have their questions answered. I just think the more knowledge we have surrounding this issue, the better off all of us will be. There could even be a section where people offer prayers pertaining to this issue.

Answer 1348

you can't

Answer 1349

wtf? The guy was a phycho! How about profile training to recognize whackos?

Answer 1350

stfu!!!

understanding the little bastard wouldnt have helped prevent this dumbass!!!

Answer 1351

It can't.

Answer 1352

Such a community of understanding is a hope we all cherish, and the Virginia Tech tragedy makes it all the more important that we keep trying to make this hope a reality.



It is very unfortunate that so many mass slayers (as well as serial killers and assassins of prominent people) fit the profile of loners who reject all advances of friendship from others. Would efforts to bring them back into the human fold before it is too late be guaranteed to stop all future tragedies like this? It is doubtful, and yet our obligation is clear. We cannot change their choices, but we can influence them.



These estranged people often regard themselves as "figures of history" and people with greater insight into human society and history than the masses. But it is misery, not superiority, that separates them from us. Can we try to alleviate their misery before they attack society, in hopes of forestalling violence? I think it is our clear duty.



The difference between mass slayers and such people as Presidential assassins is that the latter have put one individual on trial and condemned him or her to death, but mass slayers have condemned an entire institution or society in general, and, having acted as jury and judge, proceed to act out the role of executioner. From hearts in darkness, they seek to deal out oblivion, to annihilate some part of the world they despise.



Victor Hugo in "Les Miserables", discusses this state of mind in describing the thoughts of convict Jean Valjean, who served 19 years in prison for breaking a pane of glass and stealing a loaf of bread. He said that Valjean admits his offense, and liability for punishment for his offense, but feels that the punishment was disproportionate to the crime."With [his] questions asked and answered, he condemned society and sentenced it.



"He sentenced it to his hatred.



"He made it responsible for his fate, and promised himself that he perhaps would not hesitate someday to call it to account. He gradually came to the conclusion that life is a war and that in that war he was the vanquished. He had no weapon but his hatred. He resolved to sharpen it in the chain gang and take it with him when he left.



"Sad to say, after having tried society, which had caused his misfortunes, he tried Providence, which created society, and he condemned it as well.



"Can human nature be so entirely transformed inside and out? Can man, created good by God, be made wicked by man? Can the soul be completely changed by its destiny, and turn evil when its fate is evil? Can the heart become distorted, construct deformities and incurable infirmities, under the pressure of disproportionate grief, like the spinal column under a low ceiling?



"Is there not in every human soul-- was there not particularly in Jean Valjean's soul-- a primitive spark, a divine element, incorruptible in this world and immortal in the next, which can be developed by goodness, kindled, lit up, and made to radiate, and which evil can never entirely extinguish."





In Valjean's fictitious case, the kindness of the Bishop of Digne caused the convicted felon a change of heart, though Hugo seemed to indicate that, before the encounter with the Bishop, Valjean might have been capable of degenerating further and committing senseless acts of violence and revenge.



Before this happened, as if by divine providence, the good bishop gave the homeless, hungry felon food and shelter. Thus he engendered trust by trusting the embittered ex-convict, and engendered compassion and love by showing compassion, love, and respect for Jean Valjean's remaining spark of humanity, dignity and goodness.



Perhaps there should be a "community of understanding" and action, in which people band together and seek out loners to help relieve their sense of estrangement. I emphasize that this should be aimed at people who have not committed terrible crimes, and should not be a means to mollycoddle people who have.



Such groups, to be effective, would need to abandon proselyting people to any particular doctrine or belief that might be alien to their own culture, and avoid sermonizing or adopting a superior pose.



Let us quietly listen and actively live lives of love and service, that our words not serve as a stumbling block, and our works serve as an example.



Man is a communal being, so that those included in a good thing might do good things just as those included in a community of evil and hatred often learn to do evil alone or in company of "evil companions"..



All, Christian and non-Christian, have heard of the "miracle of the fishes and the loaves", but love and compassion are the "bread and meat" that miraculously multiply when given freely to the unlovely along with the loveable.



It is too late for this to work on the Virginia Tech serial killer, and would be too late even if he had survived, and I am certainly not advocating going easy on serial killers-- I am merely saying that we must redouble our "community of understanding" and action in trying to absorb back into humanity in general all who for whatever reason have become estranged from it and feel that they are either above or below the human community that they despise-- but have not yet engaged in a suicide-murder or any other serious crime. Past that point, it is too late to prevent that one instance of tragedy.



It is too late to undo the Virginia Tech murders, the Oklahoma City bombing, the assassination of Presidents, etc. But is it ever too late to feed a hungry person? Is it too late to clothe a person in rags? Too late to help a hungry, homeless person, even a jail inmate down on his or her luck? I don't think so.



It is never late to offer companionship and love to the lonely, to install a lighthouse on a dark, dangerous and as yet unlighted seacoast. It is never too late to place a light on an as yet unlighted road. The angry, bitter person who has not yet committed violence is on a very dark road, and it is society's peril not to try to bring him light and direction. The darker the condition of some people becomes, the greater obligation we have, we who have not fallen into total darkness.



We desperately need a "community of understanding" . We, each alone and all together, need to intensify the light we hold aloft, not give it up nor snuff it out, never give up hope ourselves, and never, never give up, never stop offering compassion and hope to others in the face of the discouragement we feel in the aftermath of such tragedies as this.



God has no light for the wanderer but our candle, whether the love in our hearts has been lit by our human compassion or His divine fire. Hope for humanity is OUR torch, our flashlight, if you will, that we must constantly hold out.

The lost traveler who passes our way should never stumble owing to our neglect.



If we hold the light of friendship and companionship, of simple shelter, food and charity, for 23 hours, and someone stumbles owing to our collective or individual neglect in the 24th hour, that person certainly is wholly responsible for his or her own crimes and other choices, but, for our failure to show compassion for others, we may eternally share some measure of responsibility for tragedies that occur.

Answer 1353

get rid of every single gun, stupid idiots

Answer 1354

higher security!!!!!!

Answer 1355

get more security

Answer 1356

loving each other

Answer 1357

u can get 2 kno every1

Answer 1358

I am sorry I don't know about this tragedy. Maybe I will know in some days then I will change this answer!

I only want to tell you that I was really very happy to see you here today because you really are one of my favourite people on this planet! I always feel so good and peacefull after reading your books!!! :D My favourite one is "The Path To Love"! I always read it when if I feel unloved some day or when something that make my love to doubt happens! I also always read it when I want to be better for the person I love... I don't know if I can write here but I have also noticed that sometimes when we want to change ourselfs a lot we can't and it is only becomming worse! Well, this wasn't to anything in this question! I am sorry!!! :) Just wanted to tell you that you're my big soul friend!!! :) I have learnt so much from your books!

May all your dreams come true!!!

May you always be happy!!!

With much love,

Maria :)

Okey, I have thought of this! I don't know actually what



is a community of understanding but I think that they



have to stop letting to have guns to all around, I also



think that they have to stop making violent movies. It



has become to much of them! If people didn't see this



every day maybe they wouldn't do such things... Well, I



don't know where the US is going... seems that nowhere



good :(! And yeah, I think they have to develope strong



morality for everyone! Maybe this is what is called



comunity of understanding? I wanted to write that I



don't imagine if this could happen somewhere where for



example Dalai Lama lives and where people listen to what



he tells every day... People have to have strong moral



issues... but from the other hand this can happen



everywhere... you can't insure (if this is the right



word..) yourself of anything like this! I don't know why



everybody just can't be good and love each other! :'(



Thinking of this makes me think this it's impossible no



matter then this is the easiest way!!! Whatever people



think of (invent a new way of society or religion,



anything that changes the way the are into something



better from the first sight) this evaluates and appears



to have huge wholes! Like it was with communism which



seems to me good from the first sight. I think the same



thing is happening to democracy now... they want



everybody to be able to do what they want (in a good



sence) and get instead some people doing really what



they want (in a bad sence!)... :(... no way... I don't



know how to solve this! Nobody know I guess... if



somebody imagines something this may also stop working



someday... well, I think that really people have to



learn to love each other! I don't know how to teach



them... I guess that we have to do the best to love



others ouselves, then maybe others will look and do the



same... a person can't stay bad if it is surrounder with



love... one day the bad around it (the person) will



break and there will be only good left... :)...

Much love again!

I am sorry I write so unclear and can't express my



thoughts well! I just tried to write what came to my



mind when I thought of this!

Have a wonderful life! :)

With love,

Maria :)

Answer 1359

**** all

Answer 1360

duuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhh.....it cant.

Answer 1361

you are dreaming pal

Answer 1362

You cannot always know who is going to snap. The sad fact is there may always be a man with the gun. If I could run the world there would be no guns. They would slowly disappear or wear out or be confiscated or whatnot and in time we would all be a lot better off. Let the `hunters' learn to use bows and arrows or whatever. I don’t make the rules though. As the Bill of Rights currently allows people to own guns, then the problem is how to intelligently control them. The Gun Control Laws we currently have are clearly not working. I chose to not have a gun, however I want there to be some better controls on who has them. It is too easy to get one.

I can choose to drive a car. The government then gives me a number of hoops to jump through to get the car. I have to have a license, which requires a test. I have to have taken classes and shown an instructor I have the skills necessary for getting behind the wheel before they give me the license. I have to have insurance for the car. I cannot go to a car dealer, swear on some form I am competent to drive, wait

while they run a check to see if I have driven over someone and drive out with my car.

Currently to legally own a gun in Illinois, I would first need a

Firearm Owner Identification Card. This requires a criminal

background check as well as answering questions such as: Have I been in a mental institution, am I addicted to narcotics and am I mentally retarded. The really hard to pass question is "have you in the last 5 years been convicted of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offence in which a firearm was used or possessed? " The law does not

forbid me a FOID, had the above crimes been done without a gun. NICE! The dealer then does the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), and 72 hours later I have a gun. No training, no skills required, no check for Prozac, nada. In Illinois there is no state requirement that handgun buyers receive any safety training at all. No quirement that handgun buyers demonstrate any familiarity

with gun laws or knowledge about safe handling/safe storage of handguns.

Anyone who has bypass surgery or cancer is entered in the Insurance Industry's Nation Wide data base….try and get insurance after that HA! Nobody is all over it saying we are violating their right to privacy. The NRA sues the federal government for trying to collect information on who is buying firearms! Illinois state law forbids police from keeping any permanent record of gun sales - all gun sale records must be destroyed within three months. Police are prohibited

from maintaining gun sale records that could be used for gun tracing and criminal investigations. WTF? The Patriot Act allows the government to look into my email and see what I'm purchasing on Amazon.com if they like but my police force can't keep records of who bought a freaking gun???

The NRf*ngckingA should be the biggest advocate for gun controls. They should be part of the solution. Our current gun laws clearly do not work.

Time for bed, this is emotionally draining.

Nicky



Here is what we have to date if you are interested:

1791

The Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment -- "A well

regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,

the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be

infringed." gains final ratification.

1871

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is organized around its primary

goal of improving American civilians' marksmanship in preparation for

war.

1927

Congress passes a law banning the mailing of concealable weapons.

1934

The National Firearms Act of 1934 regulating only fully automatic

firearms like sub-machine guns is approved by Congress.

1938

The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 places the first limitations on

selling ordinary firearms. Persons selling guns are required to

obtain a Federal Firearms License, at an annual cost of $1, and to

maintain records of the name and address of persons to whom firearms

are sold. Gun sales to persons convicted of violent felonies were

prohibited.

1968

The Gun Control Act of 1968 - "...was enacted for the purpose of

keeping firearms out of the hands of those not legally entitled to

possess them because of age, criminal background, or incompetence." --

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms the Act regulates imported

guns, expands the gun-dealer licensing and record keeping

requirements, and places specific limitations on the sale of

handguns. The list of persons banned from buying guns is expanded to

include persons convicted of any non-business related felony, persons

found to be mentally incompetent, and users of illegal drugs.

1972

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is created listing as part

of its mission the control of illegal use and sale of firearms and

the enforcement of Federal firearms laws. ATF issues firearms

licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance

inspections.

1986

The Armed Career Criminal Act (Public Law 99-570) increases penalties

for possession of firearms by persons not qualified to own them under

the Gun Control Act of 1986.



The Firearms Owners Protection Act (Public Law 99-308) relaxes some

restrictions on gun and ammunition sales and establishes mandatory

penalties for use of firearms during the commission of a crime.

The Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (Public Law 99-408) bans

possession of "cop killer" bullets capable of penetrating bulletproof

clothing.

1989

California bans the possession of semiautomatic assault weapons

following the massacre of five children on a Stockton, CA school

playground.

1990

The Crime Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-647) bans manufacturing

and importing semiautomatic assault weapons in the U.S. "Gun-free

school zones" are established carrying specific penalties for

violations.

1994

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Public Law 103-159)

imposes a five-day waiting period on the purchase of a handgun and

requires that local law enforcement agencies conduct background

checks on purchasers of handguns.

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law

103-322) bans all sale, manufacture, importation, or possession of a

number of specific types of assault weapons.

1997

The Supreme Court, in the case of Printz v. United States, declares

the background check requirement of the Brady Handgun Violence

Prevention Act unconstitutional.

1998 - June

A Justice Department report indicates the blocking of some 69,000

handgun sales during 1977 while Brady Bill pre-sale background checks

were required.

1998 - July

An amendment requiring a trigger lock mechanism to be included with

every handgun sold in the U.S. is defeated in the Senate.

But, the Senate approves an amendment requiring gun dealers to have

trigger locks available for sale and creating federal grants for gun

safety and education programs.

1998 - November 30

Permanent provisions of the Brady Act go into effect. Gun dealers are

now required to initiate a pre-sale criminal background check of all

gun buyers through the newly created National Instant Criminal

Background Check (NICS) computer system.

The waiting period provision of the Act expired in 1998 when the NICS

came online. NICS is managed by the FBI. The system runs database

checks on criminal records. State alternatives to the background

check, such as state issued handgun permits or mandatory state or

local checks, may still bypass the NICS check.

1998 - December 1

The NRA files suit in federal court attempting to block the FBI's

collection of information on firearm buyers.

1999 - May 20

By a 51-50 vote, with the tie-breaker vote cast by Vice President

Gore, the Senate passes a bill requiring trigger locks on all newly

manufactured handguns and extending waiting period and background

check requirements to sales of firearms at gun shows.

1999 - August 24

The Los Angeles County, CA Board of Supervisors votes 3 - 2 to ban

the Great Western Gun Show, billed as the "world's largest gun

show" from the Pomona, CA fairgrounds where the show had been held

for the last 30 years.

Acquiring From Dealers

Provided that federal law and the laws of both the dealer's and

purchaser's states and localities are complied with:

An individual 21 years of age or older may acquire a handgun from a

dealer federally licensed to sell firearms in the individual's state

of residence

An individual 18 years of age or older may purchase a rifle or

shotgun from a federally licensed dealer in any state

Sale of a firearm by a federally licensed dealer must be documented

by a federal form 4473, which identifies and includes other

information about the purchaser, and records the make, model, and

serial number of the firearm. Sales to an individual of multiple

handguns within a five-day period require dealer notification to the

Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Violations of dealer

record keeping requirements are punishable by a penalty of up to

$1000 and one year's imprisonment.

A Firearms License (also known as a Gun License) is a license or

permit issued by some Governments (typically by the police) of a

country (or state or municipality thereof), that allows the licensee

to buy, own, possess, and use firearms, often subject to a number of

conditions or restrictions, especially with regards to storage

requirements or the completion of a firearms safety course, as well

as background checks, etc. Firearms licenses are not required in all

jurisdictions.

The permit or license scope varies in what firearm(s) and or activity

(s) they allow the holder to legally do with their firearms. For

example, a license may allow the holder to engage in hunting, target

shooting, and/or collecting, or permit the owner to own firearms for

self defense, carry a concealed firearm, or operate a business (such

as being a gun dealer or a gunsmith). Rifles, Shotguns, and Handguns

may require separate licenses (depending on jurisdiction).

A Firearms Transaction Record, or Federal Form 4473, is a United

States government form that must be filled out when a person buys a

firearm from a Federal Firearm License holder or gun shop.

The Form 4473 contains the name, address, driver's license or

identification number, National Instant Criminal Background Check

System (NICS) background check transaction number, serial number and

model of the firearm, and a short federal affidavit stating that the

purchaser is eligible to purchase firearms under federal law. Lying

on this form is a felony and can be punished by up to five years in

prison in addition to fines, even if the transaction is simply denied

by the NICS.

The dealer must keep the Form 4473 for twenty years and all records

are subject to inspection by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms

and Explosives. The dealer also records all information from the form

4473 into his bound-book. A dealer must keep this log the entire time

he is in business and is required to surrender the log to the ATF

upon retirement from the firearms business. The ATF is allowed to

request a copy of the 4473 from the dealer during the course of a

criminal investigation.

In addition, the sale of two or more handguns to a person in a five

day period must be reported to ATF on Form 3310.4.

These forms are given the same status as a tax return under the

Privacy Act of 1974 and cannot be disclosed to private parties or

government officials without a proper warrant.

Form 4473 is here

Answer 1363

im not saying i'd do it, but im glad it happens.

Answer 1364

it's simple yet difficult...it lays in focusing "our" attention heavily on mental health. And well it seems "we" tend to like to ignore that or put it on the "back burner".



This community of "understanding" you speak of would be nice and excellent but will never happen because i have read and read and i haven't seen anyplace any type of "understanding" towards the mentally ill gunman or his family.

Answer 1365

idk

Answer 1366

Bring the God of the Bible back into our schools... plain and simple.

Answer 1367

educating childdren better not to ostrasize others just because they are diffrent by not having large segreated clicks in the school the popular the geeks and what not influence them to talk to everyone not just one group i know of one college bob jones in nc its a christian academy they have several diffrent sorieties they let the students choose which one they want to be in but they all have to be in a soriorty so no one feels left out and the soriters are not segreated to just one king of people they are verry diversified

Answer 1368

The problem is that if anyone opens up about their problem, they will either be ignored or turned in to the authorities.



I'm a loner, and I'm upset most of the time.

Answer 1369

A "community of understanding" will be of no benefit if someone doesn't want to be a part of it. Self-hatred leads to self-denial, and then self-destruction.



SIDE BAR: And, to quote Chris Rock "people will stop shooting other people when you make the price of bullets $5000 a piece." Ludicrous? Why not?

Answer 1370

I think that people should stop treating others so harshly. If we all learned to love each other as we love ourself, there would be a lot less problems. Some people who lash out, really isn't their fault. Something may have happend to that person in his/her past that have ruined them for life. I am not saying that the person who did this is innocent, not at all. I just think that people need to start treating others better.

Answer 1371

There is no prevention in a free country for a psychopath bent on violence who refuses psychiatric treatment and lies on a gun application.





Of all the celebrity questions I've seen......so far this is the dumbest. Sorry Deepak, try again.

Answer 1372

I have been saying it forever that the family unit has to come back and make it fashionable to get married and have a family and the Moms to only work part time and they must once again teach their children manners and compassion and quit throwing them i n masses of day cARE WHERE THEY DO NOT BOND WITH ANYONE BUT GANGS AND this will take time but then not that much if we began now and the world will be a better place.[Net workings with your fellow human being and the gift of a loving family and a sense of belonging......}

Answer 1373

Do you really think that people's demons are going to make themselves available for treatment to some community of understanding? They never have before.



Virginia Tech is part of an overall disaster in the making, more than an individual tragedy. Humanity is compressed and torn apart at the same time. Everybody has there own God, yet no one to repent to.



I noted with interest that 'renewal' was the subject of one of your recent seminars. And 'renewal' was also the subject of widely advertised meetings by Franklin Graham.



Consider renewal in light of this: In hardly more than one generation, the human population will grow from 6.7 billion to 9.1 billion. While population grows by 35 per cent, problems on all fronts will basically double. (Double is my estimate).



It means we will have one-third more people and a medical service delivery half of what it is today; food delivery half of today; and double the pollution, potential for war, starvation, pandemics and economic disaster.



:Peace, peace where there is no peace and renewal, renewal where there is no renewal.

Answer 1374

Nope,

it's not community, it's the individual person. He should have gotten the help he needed once the teacher saw abnormalities in his behavior. When one stops taking their medications abruptly it has the side-effects of self harm or harm to others.

Answer 1375

An understanding of the danger of firearms would be a good start. Get rid of them all!

Answer 1376

.

Answer 1377

What makes anyone believe that these multicultural get-togethers do anything for anyone? Hire police that run TO the scene instead of FROM it and equip them with GUNS. Yes, GUNS. Guns save more lives than they take. Oh, and hire more competent leadership.



Multicultural gatherings only bring out buffoons like that midget of a woman who went on and on about murdered elephants and starving African children, taking away from the tragedy. Were they mourning the dead, or the starving Africans? The whole Virginia Tech tragedy and the stupidity that allowed it to happen are a direct result of liberalism.

Answer 1378

There is no possible way to prevent this at all because of human nature and when you try to have an understanding of someone who has problems within a community then your community just falls apart.

Answer 1379

1ºStopping to sell guns like candy

2ºBeing more friendly of people like him (isolated,depressive & bullied)

3ºStoping this just egocentric kind of live, caring about other's feelings

4ºStoping bullies of bully

5ºI don't mind

Answer 1380

REALLY ARE YOU SERIOUS??? THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP A LONE GUN MAN ON A SUCIDAL RAMPAGE,

NO AMOUNT OF UNDERSTANDING WOULD STOP THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPENING, IT'S HUMAN NATURE,

BUT...WE AS A SOCIETY HAVE DEEMED THIS SORT OF THING UNACCEPTABLE, THUS WE DONT HAVE 100'S OF THESE PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND, BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THAT ONE BAD EGG NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, I MEAN REALLY ON A PHILOSHOPICAL LEVEL, THIS IS JUST ANOTHER CRIME AND CRIMES IN ANY SOCIETY WILL HAPPEN, EVEN MURDER, NOW IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THIS YOUR AN IDIOT, SIMPLY BECUASE IF YOU DONT SEE THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NEVER BRING THE NUMBER OF THIS SORT OF THING DOWN TO 0, YOUR LIVING IN A DREAM WORLD, NOW IF YOU WANT TO START TALKING ABOUT SEVERITES OF CRIMES AND MURDERS, IT'S AN ISSUE OF WHAT COULD HAVE STOPPED HIM FROM KILLING SO MANY?

WELL RECENT TALK HAS BEEN ABOUT GUN LAWS, I BELIEVE THAT WOULD HAVE EN EFFECT AS THE NUMBER WOULD HAVE BEEN GREATLY REDUCED, BUT THATS OFF TOPIC, NO NO NO EVEN TOTAL EMPATHY AMONG THE WHOLE WORDL AND YOU WOULD STILL HAVE MURDERS AGAIN IT'S HUMAN NATURE, I WOULD GLADLY BACK DOWN FROM THAT POSITION IF YOU CAN SHOW ME EVEN ONE DAY IN HUMAN HISTORY WHERE A MURDER WASNT COMMITED..................

Answer 1381

There are many warning signs in peoples behaviors. People should really be aware of others destructive behavior before a tragedy such as VT occurs.

Answer 1382

I think all starts at home..........parenting programs would help a lot and if they are free provided by the government, would be great but I know I am dreaming because we have way more problems to even consider this at this time!!!

Answer 1383

I dont think we can, its in human nature