VT Tragedy-Lessons to Learn

“You just don’t get it!” How often have you heard someone say this or perhaps have even said this to someone else yourself? From my most recent experience with tragedy, all coming from the core tragedy of what happened at Virginia Tech on 04-16-07, this line is still ringing in my mind. In my last Blog, I noted the problem with only one-way communication, along with the need for us to consider The ONE particular Way GOD has personally communicated with us. I mentioned the sad fact that I had to spend 14 days of my life (and it could have easily been as long as 90 days :-o ) in jail here in my own area for something I did not even do down in North Carolina. As a condition for release in this Blacksburg area, I had to turn myself in to the Eastern North Carolina authorities, where the false charge was alleged. I ended up spending an additional 4 days of my life locked up there (and again, it could have been longer). My initial defense was again not heard, despite reference to specifics, including naming the police who had stopped me back in December and let me go. The Judge there, who since 2008 has ruled in ways that have kept my family separated, again condescendingly said to me: “You just don’t get it!”

As we each reflect back on 2009 and look forward into 2010, it is quite appropriate to think further about communication. Who did you communicate with in 2009 or who reached out to communicate with you? To whom should you reach out and try to communicate with this coming year? Many still send out cards or information letters, especially around Christmas time or toward the end of the year. We each would do well to more fully consider GOD’s communication to us, as specially celebrated this time of year. In fact, you may wish to review my 07-06-08 Blog article entitled “KEY Communication” for more thoughts there. I wish to take this article in a slightly different direction and here talk more about “ONE WAY Communication.”

My life experience (particularly in the past 32 months, since 04-16-07) should be enough to help anyone at least question The SYSTEM. What am I talking about? I’ve addressed it in many articles on this Website. Is there a system we can look to and possibly even trust? Many are recognizing the problems in the government; can we trust those politicians who are putting us all into such massive, shackling debt that it will cripple us for years to come? Maybe we should look to the educational system? Then again, there are all of those failures in the standards of learning and testing, along with all of the increasing violence and even shootings in our schools. Perhaps we can trust the medical system? The health care debate is certainly bringing out many issues and problems there. I know… the answer must be to trust the religious system! Yet, there are obvious problems there too and this is the very thing that creates resentment and even wars and turns many from GOD. As noted in my recent "Radical CHRISTianity" Blog, many burnt by the religious system turn to radical secularism or a more violent religion, such as radical Islam. Surely we can claim our human rights and trust the legal and Justice System of this great United States or perhaps even that global body at the United Nations!? Yet, my forced and unjust experiences (even again this past Monday) illustrate many serious problems in the legal system. Are you trusting The SYSTEM? If so, which aspect and why?

Events over the past few days lead me to discuss a very important subject in this article. No doubt, most of you are familiar with the concept of a holograph or even the holodeck on the Star Trek shows. These programs portray a virtual world that appears just as true as the real world. Likely, you have seen some 3-D movie, such as the recent edition movie release of “A Christmas Carol” or possibly you have even been to an I-MAX theatre. These theatres make you feel as though you are a part of the show. Most of us are at least familiar with or even regularly experience stereo sound and even the effects of a surround sound stereo system. Virginia Tech does cutting-edge research in an area they call The CAVE, where images and sounds are projected to simulate something like the Star Trek holodeck. With all of the games, audio and video images around us, we each are increasingly involved in what are called virtual experiences. The sensory perception of a simulated atmosphere mimics what a real atmosphere might be like. Why I am writing about this today? There is a real world and there are many virtual worlds. I wonder, dear reader, if perhaps you could be falling victim to a VIRTUAL Reality?

I suspect that many of you have rarely, if ever, heard of a perspective quite like what this article will discuss. If so, I wouldn’t need to be talking about it today. ;-) Following up on my last article—“Doubting Darwin”—I wish to pursue this idea of doubting a bit further. Have you ever personally noticed that you often second guess yourself or some action or position you have taken? That is not always a bad thing. In fact, what I’m writing about here runs opposite from the typical psychological approach that drives most people’s thinking and behavior. Does this at least mentally challenge you to read further? When you think about it, SELF DOUBT is actually a great gift from GOD!

Yesterday was a very important day in the minds of many around the world. I heard of celebrations of it on the radio and saw examples of celebrations on television. Thousands of people in academic circles around the world, including scientists and leaders at Virginia Tech promoted this special day. What was this day? Why did it garner the attention of so many worldwide? November 24, 1859 (150 years ago) was when…

Being PARALYZED is a terrible thing. I have several friends who have lost limbs or are living with the limitations of paralyzation. Likely, you know someone who is restricted this way. Interestingly, GOD often is better able to spiritually use people who are physically paralyzed. Consider how HE has used people such as Joni Eareckson Tada, who is a quadriplegic after a diving accident over 40 years ago and depends upon daily help from others, yet is being used of GOD in a global outreach to the disability community and many others. Each of us lives with our own set of challenges and we often fail to even thank GOD for basic things, such as the use of the various parts of our physical body! This Thanksgiving Holiday time of year (often neglected in our day, or diminished to a half-hearted time with some family or friends, called: “Turkey Day”) is a great time to specially reflect on all we should be thankful for—EVERY DAY that we live (see my “Think To Thank” poem tabbed above). So far as being limited by PARALYZATION, I wish to take that thought and apply it to the non-physical. It is s SERIOUS PROBLEM in our society and the reason why my own personal tragedy has continued. The question for you, dear reader, is: “How might you be PARALYZED”?!?

I trust this article will help you who are reading to think with me about a very important subject all tied to Virginia Tech. Tragedy has brought me to the point of sharing this more publicly and we all can learn if we seriously think about what I am explaining here. Having observed much of the tragic circumstances surrounding the Fort Hood Massacre and as we have learned more about the shooter, Nadal Malik Hasan, I am compelled to write this particular article today. There are three philosophies of life that can be seen reflected in the lives of three figures, all tied to Virginia Tech and related to events over the past 31 months: 1. Radical Islam, which kills; 2. Radical Secularism, which feels; and 3. Radical Christianity, which heals.

The recent shooting massacre at Fort Hood in Texas provides us with yet another opportunity to learn and grow and change. 13 more lives have been extinguished (14, when you count the developing baby killed along with the pregnant woman) and another 30 physically wounded. With the shooter still alive, the coming days and weeks will provide us with a somewhat unique opportunity to better understand his thinking and that from his own testimony. There are many aspects to this story which relate to areas of my own personal tragedy and even the greater Virginia Tech community. Even if this proves to be more of a religious outburst of violence or terrorism (“radical Islam”), there are psychological questions raised given this man’s job status and even questions related to his background and education. The fact that he turns out to be a Virginia Tech graduate, no doubt brings back memories of the awful 04-16-07 shooting massacre here in Blacksburg. This area still needs to learn and do more to heal from that horrific day on the Virginia Tech campus and no doubt those in the Fort Hood and military communities have a long road of recovery ahead. No matter how you look at this, what we really need is greater Mental Health!