:: Event Horizon ::

:: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 ::

2 Slain Profs Feared Flores
It appears that there were plenty of warning signs that were overlooked in this case. Isn't it sad how often the warning signs are only noticed after a school shooting?

:: Joel 1:45 PM [+] ::
...

Four Die in U. of Arizona Shooting
Things are quieting down on campus now after yesterday's bloody shooting rampage. I'm struck by how one isolated incident can have such far reaching repercussions. The shootings took place in one building north of the main campus. The vast majority of the University population saw no disruption to daily routine. And yet, everyone was aware of this incident, and it attracted national media attention. Even those who did not know the professors or students involved felt an emotional connection to the tragic events. This is so like our modern world, where events far removed from our personal daily life can have a profound impact on our emotions and state of mind. Nothing at all had changed for most students and faculty, and yet at the end of the day we all felt a little less safe. I am also amazed that we now seem to have an institutional script for these kinds of things, no matter where they happen, the same words can now be expected from university administrators, words of comfort and concern, inclusive language about how traumatic it has been for the "campus family" and how counselors are standing buy to help people deal with their grief. Special phone lines are set up for concerned family and friends and web pages announce the latest developments. This level of care and concern for victims and survivors stands in stark contrast to the cold bureaucracy demonstrated in Russia in the aftermath of the theater hostage drama, where the survivors were indiscriminantly dumped on city buses whether they were conscious or not, doctors denied vital medical information, and relatives had to wait days to find out if their family members survived. Since we seem to have perfected this tragic script, perhaps someone would be kind enough to forward them a copy.

:: Joel 2:58 PM [+] ::
...

4 Die in Gunfire at U. of Arizona
Well, this is interesting, a major news event taking place right here. It has not touched my side of campus, but I'll let you know if there are any developments.

:: Joel 1:05 PM [+] ::
...