SOCIETY NEEDS TO DO MORE

Over the past week, I've gone and added my two sense into this tragedy at Virginia Tech. And as such, I've sought to shine the spotlight on society's ignorance and incapable decision-process when it comes to dealing with people who have either mental incapacities, or are emotionally troubled.

The Herald...how I love this paper! Too many times in the past, have I seen it display people's outright ignorance of basic current events or have shown people living in their own comfort zones--too oblivious to the reality in which we live.

I know one writer suggested of this tragedy that we should act proactively by locking up those people who present themselves such a danger--and therefore eliminating it--and another has suggested more councilors for troubled teenagers early on in school.

Throwing people in the loony bin or throwing more money at the issue, isn't going to make what Cho or any other person who committed school violence in the past--go away.

What is needed is more social awareness and interaction by people like you and me. As a community, we need to reach out to these troubled folks. We need to tell them that they aren't alone in their personal struggles against their demons.

And though many of us lack the resources, we can still embrace these individuals and give them hope. Offer them a friendly face, a giant ear, a smile. But if we keep regulating them to state services and mental institutions, we're just inviting more school shootings in the future.

I know one person tried to reach out to Cho, but it was much too late. That kind of example is the kind we should all follow. Not just one of us, but all of us.

Schuyler Thorpe

xxxth Street xx #X001

Everett, WA 98204

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