Virginia Tech

Any social commentator alive is required to write about the happenings at Virginia Tech University -- it says so on the social commentator union card. Here's my two cents ...

First, its obvious that the real culprit here is the President of the United States. Preventing a 23-year old with a history of anger and psychosis from going mental clearly falls within the responsibility of George Bush. He has failed us again .... (Don't bet your lunch the Democrats won't find a way to take this approach.)

Now, in all seriousness, shouldn't we be surprised that this doesn't happen more often?

There are thousands of colleges and universities across the country playing host to millions of young men and women between 18-23 years-old. Some of those students fail a test now and again. More than one have a nasty breakup with a boyfriend/girlfriend. A few might not receive the scholarship they hoped for, or the student government seat, or the starting position on the sports team. There is disappointment in life, and it is a plausable theory that some young adults may not have the emotional maturity to handle such defeats.

This is compounded, of course, by the number of young adults who don't have much spiritual maturity, or a belief in absolute truth. Who is to say that murder is wrong? God? OK, but what if you don't believe in God, or any other spiritual value system? In the absence of such belief, doesn't a Lord of the Flies mentality reign -- every person for himself, and throw the consequences to the wind?

It is a tragedy, of course, for the victim's and their families. Those that have personal ties to Virginia Tech are certainly grieving, and soon will be looking for answers. Theories will abound concerning campus security, gun control laws, immigration and the like. For my money, I think its as simple as this:

Youthful immaturity
+ Disappointment with life
+ Lack of spiritual relationship with God
+ Society's growing acceptance of violence
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Pending disasters

Again, my premise -- shouldn't we be surprised that this kind of thing doesn't happen more often?