The urgent need at Virginia Tech

Instant communication in a crisis breeds expectation of fast response. That doesn't always happen.

from the April 18, 2007 edition

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In an electronic blizzard, students text messaged, instant messaged, and used popular websites such as Facebook to send the basic safety dispatch to friends and family, "I'm OK," or to send warnings not to go out.

The electronic world has also captured intense debate, frustration, and sadness over university alerts that could not keep up with or anticipate events. Despite the passage of two hours between the pair of shootings, classes were not canceled, and law enforcement was not able to head off the second, far more deadly episode.

Here is where another kind of urgency is needed. On campus and off, people must be patient – now. Not all the facts are in. It's easy to second-guess law enforcement and tempting to place blame, especially when the gunman is dead and so many people have been killed.

Those in Blacksburg and elsewhere, however, can still take prompt action. They can:

• Examine their own circle of compassion and make sure they don't leave out loners or outcasts who may feel society has failed them (this is a common characteristic of mass-shooting perpetrators).

• Continue to pray for the recovery of the wounded, victims' families, and everyone in Blacksburg. And why stop there? Every neighborhood, town, and country can benefit from the prayer and individual living that puts peace over violence, love over hate, and forgiveness over retribution. •

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