Professional discussion of coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings

The Fiesta Bowl was an amazing adrenaline rush, and there were no dead kids.

 

See, I'm the opposite. When these stories break, I get tempted to seek an exit from sports and into news. Different strokes.

 

In the scramble to the first shooting site, I can see where he'd be able to slip into another building and bide his time. Judging from the snow falling in the video, he could have easily tucked the pistols into his coat pockets (or backpack) and blended in.

 

17 have been admitted to Montgomery Regional Hospital, 4 in surgery. Sadly, the number of deaths could increase.

 

MSNBC now saying gunman did kill himself.

 

That's unfortunate.

 

It doesn't matter. Nothing would bring anybody back. There's no satisfying closure here.

 

Agree, but that's not my point, which is that he got off way too easy. Most of these crazy fuckers do. Very unfortunate.

 

I agree. News isn't for everyone. I've been doing it for years and there's just nothing like being in that situation where you're simultaneously dealing with the unknown, tragedy, deadlines and competition. It's a balancing act. As for crying, there's plenty of time to do that when it's over.

 

I guess what I'm saying is I couldn't care less what happens to the person, so long as he can't do any more damage. Retribution carries little satisfaction for me. Just a way for humans to impose order on a chaotic world.

 

We have several students for our area attending Va. Tech. We had a few parents call us to sat their kids at at the school and safe,
We've had reporters on the phone (cell and land lines) with them most of the afternoon.

I found a listing of kids from our area at Tech through their Dean's List. Took about an hour and half to scroll through 66 pages.
Then I typed the names in the Va. Tech search engine and got phone numbers .. both campus and parent numbers.

We have two kids who are freshman engineering students at Va. Tech. None of the reporters will pull the trigger and call them or their parents to find out what their status.

 

Why won't they call?

Or, better yet, why are they being allowed not to call.