A concert to help the university community move forward in the aftermath of the April tragedy at Virginia Tech is scheduled for 6 Sept at Lane Stadium.

The University's decision to have a New York rapper, Nas, known for his violent lyrics shows a blatant lack of respect for the people killed in the April 16 shooting rampage.  Nas, who in one 1999 track chants, "Shoot 'em up, just shoot 'em up, what?" followed by whispers of "Kill, kill, kill, murder, murder, murder."

The lyrics are indicative of the moral decay in our society that contributes to acts of violence.  For a university official,  Chris Clough (jcclough@vt.edu), to condone it or to be clueless of what this person's track record is, it's unconscionable beyond belief.

Alicia Farrell, whose brother, Jarrett Lane, was one of the students killed by gunman Seung Hui Cho, said she believes there is a time and place for such music -- but not at a concert meant to commemorate the victims and comfort the survivors of the worst shooting in U.S. history. Cho, a senior from Fairfax County, killed 32 students and faculty members and himself.

The decision by the University reflects an insensitivity that has been endemic in the state's and the university's treatment of the victims' families.

The time is now for the students, alumni and VT friends and family to step up and let the University administrators know that this is not the time nor place for the rapper Nas to unite the HOKIES.  Let your voice be heard and GO HOKIES!!

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The events at Virginia Tech have weighed  so heavily on my heart.  This song and video, "Cry Softly", is a song I have written to allow us to feel.  Those of us with children and all of us who have been children, know the loss of innocence and joy when something as tragic as last week's experiences happens.  Our prayers are how we reach out.  It is in our tears we release the pain and move on.  We must take the time to feel, to grieve, before we let go.  God's blessing on each and every one of you.  If you would like to view the video, just click this link.

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=29adb03a086ee4f6dcb09c&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm _medium=text_url

If it doesn't 'click', you can copy and paste it in the address line.

It's also available for viewing at www.myspace.com/kimmclean and on youtube.

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It was very tragic, what happened at Virginia Tech on Monday, so to try and raise hope, I wrot this poem, in memory of what happened to all the victims, survivors, families, and everyone else who was related to Virginia Tech. May all the lost ones rest in peace. Here's the poem.
____________
VT
Written by Al Shoemaker
In memory of those who died at Virginia Tech, May they always be with us
-------------

This poem is dedicated to all that were lost,
Because someone wanted power and lives were the cost

For all the ones that sat there in fear,
For all the ones that shed many tears,
And for the ones who lost their loved ones, so kind and dear

We give a salute to all of them that tried to protect,
From a foolish madman that had a defect

Admiration should be given to all those that went to a better place,
Because their bravery shined, that moment they looked death in the face

For all the ones that suffered grief,
We hope very much that their pain will only be brief

Many sat there in caution, petrified like stone,
As that bad man took many lives, before he took his own

This is for all the ones who managed to stay so strong,
During that horrible moment, that felt so very long

They had to be so brave, to be so filled with hope,
And we wish good for the families, who are now trying to cope

Now is the time to spread peace and love,
In remembrance of the ones that now float above

No one knows why this era has already become such a sad time,
But now we must stand up, to prevent such similar crimes

We must stop other things from going on now,
How this became such a scary world, no one really knows how

We need to stop murders, racism, gang violence and gay bashing,
And we need to stop theft, violence, and window smashing

So let's help all the victims, families, and survivors and show that we all care,
Help them on their feet and help them recover from this scare,
And clean this death and sorrow out of our air,

So now we want to give love, to those whose dreams were wrecked,
And everyone else, who was there at Virginia Tech
______________

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For those who want to know what was wrong with this very scary young man, I wish I had a sample of Cho-Seung Hui's handwriting. Does anyone have a note he may have written?

A scanned copy is all I need to get started.

I am a handwriting analyst. The handwriting reveals clues to the workings of the mind of the subject.

I once analyzed the handwriting of Jeffrey Dahmer. I discerned that he was unable to make intimate connections with people so he killed his victims so that they wouldn't leave. He just wanted company.

I know this cannot change what has happened, but it helps us to know why people do these things.

It is only by understanding their motivation that we can find some form of compassion or forgiveness so that we can move on, so that we no longer have to wonder why and be so frustrated and feel so powerless.

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 hi none of you folks no me but i am a concerned college student from wyoming and just wanted  to reach out and let you know that i send my prayers and thought to all. hang in there. i wish there was something more i could say or do to help  ease the pain or take away the fear although i know there is nothing anyone can do. so to all Virginia Tech students,parents and teachers may god be with you during your time of need.

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My heart bleeds for you it truly does.

When will the NRA lose their power.

When will the Govt. realise that America kills more of its own citizens with guns then any other nation.

Including the (Barbarian) nations of Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Kosovo.

The 2nd Amendmant is a civil war carry over.

Arming your citizens is a form of population control and it did absolutely NOTHING to help on Sept 11th 2001

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LETTER FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family, some things I would like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I`m writing this letter from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there`s no more tears of sadness. Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I`m out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and he said, " I welcome you

It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.

I need you here badly, your part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night, the days chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, all those loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned,
If I were to tell you, you would not understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I am closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb,
But together we can do it by taking one step at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I`de like it for you too,
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who`s in sorrow and pain,
Then you can say to God at night......" My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented.... that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go.

When you`re walking down the street and you`ve got me on your mind,
I`m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it`s time for you to go... from that body to be free.
Remember you`re not going.... you`re coming here to me.

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As a UVA Fan I would like to extend my heart felt sadness to everybody at VT. I know the VT family is in pain as we are here at UVA. I wish everybody well, and hopefully in time the healing process will take place. Nobody will ever forget the horrible event that occurred yesterday. The rivalry between UVA and VT is long standing but I think right now we all grieve for your family.

Deepest warmth
UVA Fan

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This was originally posted in the Diaries section in the right hand column of the main page.

THAT'S NOT MY SCHOOL

I sit in shock, and feel waves of sadness as I listen to the news
Of the tragedy that came today
To my school
I fight the tears and feel for the parents, friends and lovers
Of those lost today
At my school
I get angry at the news hounds trying to place blame and make sense
Out of the madness that happened
At my school

And I want to scream out "That's not my school!"
That's not the place of absolute beauty in a fall day
Of Hokiestone buildings, mountain settings, students and of course
Football, basketball and all the social events
That we remember so well

I will remember the loss, the hurt and pain, forever
I will hope for a memorial, different but hauntingly beautiful
Like the War Memorial
So we can remember those lost and wounded both physically and mentally

I will not forget to cherish the life we have to live
To hold my children dear in this world of no safe place
But I will not let this un-comprehensible disaster ruin what I hold on to

THAT'S NOT MY SCHOOL!
My school is a place of hope, acceptance, sharing and learning
My school is a place of honor, dignity, fairness and reward for hard work
My school is a place where `doing it right' is more important that `win at all costs'
My school is a place where we will remember our past,
And have high hopes for tomorrow
My school is a place to see the future in the faces and people that walk the campus

My school is Virginia Tech

And I am proud to say `THAT'S MY SCHOOL!'

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Readers:

Let me take the time to offer each of you out there a very special Hokie-Hi, and on top of that, welcome you to the Blacksburg Beacon Diary feature, which as corny as it sounds, actually is a neat feature by SBN that will anyone out there to bring up and share their own opinions and stories on any topic, as opposed to being merely restricted to commenting on the lame material I post.

So go ahead, feel free to toss out anything amongst the site. Help a kid out -- make it look like I actually get some traffic here. ; )

Until then...
LET'S --  GO ... HO -- KIES !

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