I hope this is not taken out of context. I am sure everyone is appalled and saddened by the Virginia Tech tragedy. These were our future leaders, doctors, scientists, teachers etc. All were so young and bright. All had promising futures. Who knows what contributions to mankind were lost? I cried on 911 a few times. I shed a tear every time I read this forum, some happy, some sad. I get choked up when they show these kids pictures and give insight into who they were and their aspirations. I even feel for the culprit

Thank you for that post about Virginia Tech. My kids both know kids at VT. I work with a woman whose daughter attends VT, all of them are fine but what a nightmare. I don't think your post was inapproprate, but it is not up to me to decide. Those stats on oral cancer deaths are so, so sad....early detection is right under our noses, but,there are so many being diagnosed in the late stages, oh my...it makes me really sad. I know in my particular case, I practically begged for help with the sore on my tongue that would not go away. My prior dentist said they had never had a patient with oc before, I was only 44 and did not smoke, etc, etc....still, no excuse. In his defense, he sent me for a biopsy which came back negative for oc, finally a month and 1/2 later I was sent to my oral surgeon, who took one look at it and knew exactly what it was, Sorry to ramble...Carol

I think the VT Poetry Prof summed it up very well. He basically said " No one who is the recipient of tragedy seeks that end, or deserves that end, but tragedy is part of the human condition and hopefully, those stricken can find a way to prevail". That is applicable to all of us at one point or another in our lifetime. Amy in the OZarks

That is beautifully said Amy (both the quote and your words about it). I've been a full time college professor for over 12 years now (and if you count the teaching I did as grad student, over 18 years total), and this really hit close to home for me. I don't teach at a Virginia Tech, I don't usually teach the best and the brightest--at least those aren't mainly the students I see because I teach at a community college. Still, it doesn't matter how much drive and talent has shown itself at a young age, the loss of a life that young is just tragic.

It is all so tragic , and scary cus when I was growin up i dont remember all this nonsense. really dont . I am not sure what this world is coming to but I feel for our children and now will be our childrens children. AMy you always have the best way of putting things.

The Va. Tech trajedy is very close to home for us. My older kids have tons of friends there and 4 of my cheerleaders were accepted to that school for the fall. They have all been at my house this week discussing their choices. Tomorrow is "Virginia Tech" day for our area, we spent all day and evening making up Tshirts and ribbons. There are over 1200 students from Hampton Roads at VT and some of the victims were from here. There were hour long lines of people at the stores trying to buy a VT Hokie flag to fly for tomorrow. The mood everywhere we go is very somber. It's almost to much for the mind to process, isn't it?

Condolences to you all. I believe this tragedy has shocked the world. Young lives so full of promise. Who knows - one of them may have found the key to preventing cancer. Thinking of you down under, Helen

I too have wondered how many of the people on these boards have been affected by the terrible tradgedy which has been the main topic of news in the uk this week.I wasnt sure if it was appropriate to mention it here but as you have started it i will take this opportunity to send my sincere condolences to everyone in the usa and in particular people in this forum who have been touched by this madness.
liz inthe uk

The cause of death on each one of the deceased's certificates should be listed as 'failure to shoot back'. Had at least ONE of the victims or bystanders been armed, there may have been a very different outcome. But this was a 'gun free zone' wasn't it? Didn't work too well, did it?

Riley,

You nailed that one!

Bill D.