Mordred had a Point

First a moment of deep condolence and reflection for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. To have one's life at the hands of another's fickle whims is slavery of the worst kind. May they feast in Elysium for all eternity.

It is American tradition to become publicly hysterical whenever an incident of this magnitude occurs. The Powers that Be Bush will undoubtedly make a big splash about something that is basically a side issue. This is because Americans like thier leaders to be decisive first and thoughtful second, unlike the philosopher kings of the Republic. This is a good quality in foreign policy, but a bad one in domestic policy. Goverment needs to be seen as "doing something" regardless of whether it may or may not be the right thing. Government, nor anyone else, can banish the hate from the hearts of men.

Gun control is likely to become the whipping boy for politicians after this, just as it was after other mass shootings. Since the government can't ensure the responsible use of guns, it is easier to deal with the existence of guns. One, however, does not blame the hammer for injury, one blames the person wielding it.

This should remain the purview of the universities. The government is ill-equipped to make sure every one of its citizens is well-adjusted and happy. It can advocate more money to counselling services within institutions of higher learning. This can help lessen the stress that comes with university and life in general. The best thing for the government to do it leave it to the smaller constituent parts of the whole.

I cannot speak to preventative measures for moody homicidal loners, these people are unlikely to ask for help and likely to resent it if it is forced upon them. I will say this: Waiting three hours to call the police for rowdy drunken fratboys is acceptable, even preferable; waiting three hours to call the police for automatic weapons fire is universally stupid.