Kasia April 19th, 2007
…but for this one, I am making an exception.
To: Virginia TechOn April 16th, 2007, Cho Seung-Hui, a student of Virginia Tech, senselessly murdered 32 students and teachers before taking his own life. His shooting spree lasted over 2 hours, and when it was all over, the fabric of our lives, our families, and the families of our friends, neighbours and fellow students were ripped apart.
We then learned of the heroic acts of Dr. Liviu Librescu, our beloved Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics. When the second shooting began, Dr. Librescu instructed his students to leave the room, and blocked the door with his body. As the last students escaped the room through a second floor window, Cho Seung-Hui shot and killed Dr. Librescu through the very door he was barricading. The greatest irony behind his death is that Librescu, a Holocaust survivor from Romania, died on Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Martyrs Remembrance Day.
Had it not been for the brave and selfless acts of Dr. Librescu, many more families would have been torn apart that day. We should forever remember the heroism of our dear professor, acts that saved the lives of many. There are numerous ways in which we can do this, from bursaries to scholarships, to planting a tree or erecting a statue in his honor.
We, the undersigned, feel that the most fitting way to honor the memory of our dear professor is to rename Norris Hall to Librescu Hall. Norris Hall should not be allowed to remain synonymous with a place of darkness and terror. Renaming the building will begin the healing process and help us remember Dr. Librescu for what he truly was. A friend. A colleague. A hero among the ages.
Sincerely,
[Click here to add your name]
Kasia April 19th, 2007
For the record, I think it’s a horrible idea to release even portions of what that Virginia Tech shooter sent to NBC. I think it gives him a platform he doesn’t deserve, gives other messed-up people ideas of how they can gain notoriety, and douses the victims’ and their survivors’ wounds with salty lemon juice. Just bad all around.
I do have to respond to one thing he said, though, that I heard whilst getting ready for work this morning. Apparently he actually had the audacity to say that he was dying like Jesus Christ.
Excuse me?!?
Where exactly is the similarity?!??!?!?!
I mean, one committed a calculated, premeditated massacre and then committed suicide.
The other One allowed Himself to be arrested, convicted of something He was innocent of, scourged, stripped, nailed to a cross, taunted, and murdered…and as He died, He prayed for God to forgive His taunters and murderers. In fact, when one of His disciples pulled out a sword and struck at the people who were arresting Him, and cut of a man’s ear, Our Lord chastised his disciple and healed the injured man.
Oh yeah. Really similar. I totally see it. /sarcasm
I pray He forgives this kid for thus blaspheming His sacred Name.
Kasia April 18th, 2007
I just got a CNN news alert that the Supreme Court has upheld a ban on partial-birth abortions. No other details yet, except that it was 5-4 (no big shock there).
Further details as I get them, and in the meantime, Deo gratias!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Kasia April 17th, 2007
Who, you may ask, is Liviu Librescu?
He was a lecturer at Virginia Tech. Until yesterday. During the massacre, as the gunman approached, he blocked the door to the classroom with his body and told his students to get out. They went out the windows. He was fatally shot.
He survived the Holocaust and died at 76 to save the lives of his students. And in my book he’s a hero. May God bless him and his family.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Curtsy to The Big Seester, who e-mailed me the story.
