5/17/07
My final message.
I'll see you around. If I survive this weekend.
Go ahead, start asking. Will I be back? What is going on here? Everybody panic?
Not telling... nope.
5/15/07
Ever have one of those moments?
I've been having a lot of them lately, as I deal in various ways with the city.
I said a few months back to someone that this next election is going to change things - and that the current city council has absolutely no idea how badly it is shooting itself in the foot.
Between the budget, the sudden change of the Star back to RWB after allegedly it was turned white for Virginia Tech (not the 125th which would make sense.. leave it white all year for the entire celebration), the introduction of a fee for parking on the formerly free nights and weekends.
It's a train wreck of epic proportions, and it's on going.
The 125th Celebration, aside from being the least reported public screwing and betrayal going, is lackluster at best. The next event is in June, and has to do with emerging artists at the Main Library.
This is the best the city can do? Maybe they spent so much time on the logo for the 125th they ran out of ideas and capitol for the rest of the year.
I am at a loss folks.
And now, on top of all this - comes word that the big Roanoke sell-off might not be limited to Station 1 (in the future), but could encompass Buena Vista in Jackson Park, Old Fire station #6 in Southeast, and several other key structures the city wishes to divest itself from.
I think it's time to examine whats going on here, start asking the hard questions and looking deep for the answers.
Who is running our city, and how? And to what end?
Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Voters of all ages- you thought Victory Stadium was bad? Wait till you see the next election cycle.
The Sentinel is watching, and waiting.
I said a few months back to someone that this next election is going to change things - and that the current city council has absolutely no idea how badly it is shooting itself in the foot.
Between the budget, the sudden change of the Star back to RWB after allegedly it was turned white for Virginia Tech (not the 125th which would make sense.. leave it white all year for the entire celebration), the introduction of a fee for parking on the formerly free nights and weekends.
It's a train wreck of epic proportions, and it's on going.
The 125th Celebration, aside from being the least reported public screwing and betrayal going, is lackluster at best. The next event is in June, and has to do with emerging artists at the Main Library.
This is the best the city can do? Maybe they spent so much time on the logo for the 125th they ran out of ideas and capitol for the rest of the year.
I am at a loss folks.
And now, on top of all this - comes word that the big Roanoke sell-off might not be limited to Station 1 (in the future), but could encompass Buena Vista in Jackson Park, Old Fire station #6 in Southeast, and several other key structures the city wishes to divest itself from.
I think it's time to examine whats going on here, start asking the hard questions and looking deep for the answers.
Who is running our city, and how? And to what end?
Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Voters of all ages- you thought Victory Stadium was bad? Wait till you see the next election cycle.
The Sentinel is watching, and waiting.
5/12/07
For Southeast Roanoke...
Today, between 1:30 and 3:30pm at the Police Substation (old firestation #6) at 1015 Jamison Ave SE.
The Southeast Action Forum will be holding a free Ice Cream Social..
Games for kids, Sno-Cones and Ice Cream for all, and a great way to come meet the New Forum.
Come on down, especially if you are a resident of Southeast. Come meet your neighbors.
The Southeast Action Forum will be holding a free Ice Cream Social..
Games for kids, Sno-Cones and Ice Cream for all, and a great way to come meet the New Forum.
Come on down, especially if you are a resident of Southeast. Come meet your neighbors.
5/11/07
The shortest one yet.. which makes it unnerving..
ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 14, 2007
2:OO P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
AGENDA
Call to Order - Roll Call.
The Invocation will be delivered by Council Member Alfred T. Dowe, Jr.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America will
be led by Mayor C. Nelson Harris.
NOTICE:
Meetings of Roanoke City Council are televised live on RVTV Channel 3.
Today’s Council meeting will be replayed on Channel 3 on Thursday,
May 17, 2007, at 7:OO p.m., and Saturday, May 19, 2007, at 4:OO p.m. Council
meetings are offered with closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE NOW PROVIDES THE MqJORITY OF THE CITY
COUNCIL AGENDA ON THE INTERNET FOR VIEWING AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
TO ACCESS AGENDA MATERIAL, GO TO THE CITY’S HOMEPAGE AT
WWW.ROANOKEGOV.COM, CLICK ON THE ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL ICON,
CLICK ON MEETINGS AND AGENDAS, AND DOWNLOAD THE ADOBE ACROBAT
SOFTWARE TO ACCESS THE AGENDA.
Statement of Purpose. Mayor Harris.
Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions:
A Certificate of the Director of Finance advising that funds required for the
2007-2008 General Fund, Civic Facilities Fund, Parking Fund, Market Building
Fund, Department of Technology Fund, Fleet Management Fund, Risk
Management Fund, School Fund, School Food Services Fund, and Grant Fund
budgets will be available for appropriation.
assessment of the Admissions Tax, effective July 1, 2007.
3. Amendment of the City Code to eliminate the motor vehicle decals and
City’s motor vehicle license tax structure, effective January 1, 2008.
4. Amendments of the City Code to establish a program for special
taxation of certain energy-efficient buildings and to set a special tax
rate for such buildings, effective July 1, 2007.
5. Adoption of the Annual General, Civic Facilities, Parking, Market
Building, Department of Technology, Fleet Management, Risk
Management, School, School Food Services, and Grant Funds
6. Appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending
June 30, 2008.
7. Adoption and establishment of a Pay Plan for officers and employees of
the City, effective July 1, 2007, and providing for certain salary
adjustments and merit increases; authorizing annual salary increments
for certain officers and employees; continuation of various programs;
payment of a monthly stipend to certain board and commission
members; salary of the City’s General Registrar; salaries of the City’s
Constitutional Officers; and salaries of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and
Members of Council. Approval of certain supplemental benefits under the City of Roanoke Pension Plan, effective July 1 , 2007.
8. Endorsement of an update to the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal
year 2008-201 2; and appropriation of funds.
9. Appropriation of funds for the YMCA Aquatic Center, in the amount of
$200,000.00; and Greenway Development Projects, in the amount of
$200,000.00.
10. Appropriation of $335,000.00 in connection with local incentives for
Enterprise Zone Projects.
11. Approval of the 2007-2008 Annual Update to the 2005-2010
Consolidated Plan and authorization to submit the complete Annual
Update to the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for review and approval.
12. Adjournment.
By the by - you can view the entire budget yourself, online here. (.pdf)
have fun with the "lack of information society."
MAY 14, 2007
2:OO P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
AGENDA
Call to Order - Roll Call.
The Invocation will be delivered by Council Member Alfred T. Dowe, Jr.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America will
be led by Mayor C. Nelson Harris.
NOTICE:
Meetings of Roanoke City Council are televised live on RVTV Channel 3.
Today’s Council meeting will be replayed on Channel 3 on Thursday,
May 17, 2007, at 7:OO p.m., and Saturday, May 19, 2007, at 4:OO p.m. Council
meetings are offered with closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE NOW PROVIDES THE MqJORITY OF THE CITY
COUNCIL AGENDA ON THE INTERNET FOR VIEWING AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
TO ACCESS AGENDA MATERIAL, GO TO THE CITY’S HOMEPAGE AT
WWW.ROANOKEGOV.COM, CLICK ON THE ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL ICON,
CLICK ON MEETINGS AND AGENDAS, AND DOWNLOAD THE ADOBE ACROBAT
SOFTWARE TO ACCESS THE AGENDA.
Statement of Purpose. Mayor Harris.
Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions:
A Certificate of the Director of Finance advising that funds required for the
2007-2008 General Fund, Civic Facilities Fund, Parking Fund, Market Building
Fund, Department of Technology Fund, Fleet Management Fund, Risk
Management Fund, School Fund, School Food Services Fund, and Grant Fund
budgets will be available for appropriation.
- Amendment of the City’s Fee Schedule (Compendium) in connection with certain fees for training at the Police Academy, Fire/EMS inspections, parking rates, and Civic Center rental, effective July 1, 2007.
assessment of the Admissions Tax, effective July 1, 2007.
3. Amendment of the City Code to eliminate the motor vehicle decals and
City’s motor vehicle license tax structure, effective January 1, 2008.
4. Amendments of the City Code to establish a program for special
taxation of certain energy-efficient buildings and to set a special tax
rate for such buildings, effective July 1, 2007.
5. Adoption of the Annual General, Civic Facilities, Parking, Market
Building, Department of Technology, Fleet Management, Risk
Management, School, School Food Services, and Grant Funds
6. Appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending
June 30, 2008.
7. Adoption and establishment of a Pay Plan for officers and employees of
the City, effective July 1, 2007, and providing for certain salary
adjustments and merit increases; authorizing annual salary increments
for certain officers and employees; continuation of various programs;
payment of a monthly stipend to certain board and commission
members; salary of the City’s General Registrar; salaries of the City’s
Constitutional Officers; and salaries of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and
Members of Council. Approval of certain supplemental benefits under the City of Roanoke Pension Plan, effective July 1 , 2007.
8. Endorsement of an update to the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal
year 2008-201 2; and appropriation of funds.
9. Appropriation of funds for the YMCA Aquatic Center, in the amount of
$200,000.00; and Greenway Development Projects, in the amount of
$200,000.00.
10. Appropriation of $335,000.00 in connection with local incentives for
Enterprise Zone Projects.
11. Approval of the 2007-2008 Annual Update to the 2005-2010
Consolidated Plan and authorization to submit the complete Annual
Update to the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for review and approval.
12. Adjournment.
By the by - you can view the entire budget yourself, online here. (.pdf)
have fun with the "lack of information society."
New Roanoke 5 - Part 2
Somewhere in this 42 square mile city, someone sits.. gnashing teeth and grumbling about the City council, the "piss-poor" jobs in Roanoke, the general misery of being here - now.
That someone sits in an apartment, or a house left to them by a long dead relative. The lawn has not been mowed in months or years, the apartment not cleaned in ages.
Why bother? No one else cares. Not my problem, let the landlord deal with it.
And they leave to go to work - with the same miserable attitude, apathetic outlook, and free from responsibility - they amble through the work day, putting in a half-assed effort. Not stressing about work except to find a way to get out of it.
Where is the drive? The motivation? Is it any wonder why we are represented by who we are represented by? I'd be willing to peg it at 65% of Roanokers have absolutely no interest in anything the city does, with the exception of grumbling about it.
Wonder why a substantial majority of our City Council members come from certain sections of the city? Because they are the only ones who bother organizing.
If Roanoke were a nation, it would out-do France in "We Surrender" jokes..
For lack of a better concept - it's as if the city and it's citizens were neutered.
Well, somewhat anyway. More than happy to play Brutus, or even Bluto..
I know you cannot change society, but you can ask them a simple question..
Why the complete and utter lack of drive?
Where is the cities cohones?
Ambition? Anyone?
This is the only New Roanoke post that does not offer solutions, because that's not why I wrote this one. This is something to take back and think about, think about the kids who are born and raised to people like this, think about the loss of the "brains" of Roanoke and realize perhaps that this is why.
Is it a liability to have a sense of determination and drive in Roanoke?
Answer that.. thats the challenge of New Roanoke.
Sometimes the answers are fine, it's the questions that are ugly.
That someone sits in an apartment, or a house left to them by a long dead relative. The lawn has not been mowed in months or years, the apartment not cleaned in ages.
Why bother? No one else cares. Not my problem, let the landlord deal with it.
And they leave to go to work - with the same miserable attitude, apathetic outlook, and free from responsibility - they amble through the work day, putting in a half-assed effort. Not stressing about work except to find a way to get out of it.
Where is the drive? The motivation? Is it any wonder why we are represented by who we are represented by? I'd be willing to peg it at 65% of Roanokers have absolutely no interest in anything the city does, with the exception of grumbling about it.
Wonder why a substantial majority of our City Council members come from certain sections of the city? Because they are the only ones who bother organizing.
If Roanoke were a nation, it would out-do France in "We Surrender" jokes..
For lack of a better concept - it's as if the city and it's citizens were neutered.
Well, somewhat anyway. More than happy to play Brutus, or even Bluto..
I know you cannot change society, but you can ask them a simple question..
Why the complete and utter lack of drive?
Where is the cities cohones?
Ambition? Anyone?
This is the only New Roanoke post that does not offer solutions, because that's not why I wrote this one. This is something to take back and think about, think about the kids who are born and raised to people like this, think about the loss of the "brains" of Roanoke and realize perhaps that this is why.
Is it a liability to have a sense of determination and drive in Roanoke?
Answer that.. thats the challenge of New Roanoke.
Sometimes the answers are fine, it's the questions that are ugly.
5/10/07
NewRoanoke #5 - Part 1
You all know the song.. this is just a newer version of it I happen to like.
I said the next NewRoanoke would be about class - and I meant it.
When you don't work to better yourself, show a little ambition, and make something of yourself - you lose. And in that regard, there's a good number of low-class citizens in this town. Symptomatic to the civic problem is the civil one. Even our leaders have shown a penchant for being guttersnipes and engaging in beyond-political back-stabbing.
It's easy to see too. Trinkle lost his Roanoke-Political virginity rather quickly - when he soon found that he was one man, standing alone.
But thats the easy side of the equation.. the much harder side will come tomorrow.
When we get down to street level.
And this is how it begins...
Back room dealings and shaded motions.
I clearly remember just months ago hearing that Station 1 (the historic one) was NOT going to close..
And of course, this act defies ALL logic considering the concentration of businesses (in high buildings) that are downtown. You have now removed the main ladder truck from the immediate area.
Yea, sure it's not that far out.. but hey - it's not where it was.
Anyway.. once again - this relates directly to that NewRoanoke post on class. Where it would be classy for the City Council to stand up and be honest, tell the FF's exactly what they were planning on doing - and the rest of the free world.
But no.. sadly you need to read it here.
Station #1, the longest-active fire house in Virginia, will eventually be sold. It's part of the City's effort to divest itself of properties, a kick certain contract employees seem to be on as of late.
Anyway - everyone check out RoanokeFire.com as I am sure there will be much to say about these things.
I've got a very long day today - so I make no promises.
I clearly remember just months ago hearing that Station 1 (the historic one) was NOT going to close..
And of course, this act defies ALL logic considering the concentration of businesses (in high buildings) that are downtown. You have now removed the main ladder truck from the immediate area.
Yea, sure it's not that far out.. but hey - it's not where it was.
Anyway.. once again - this relates directly to that NewRoanoke post on class. Where it would be classy for the City Council to stand up and be honest, tell the FF's exactly what they were planning on doing - and the rest of the free world.
But no.. sadly you need to read it here.
Station #1, the longest-active fire house in Virginia, will eventually be sold. It's part of the City's effort to divest itself of properties, a kick certain contract employees seem to be on as of late.
Anyway - everyone check out RoanokeFire.com as I am sure there will be much to say about these things.
I've got a very long day today - so I make no promises.
5/8/07
I know I've been quiet
There is due reason behind it though. Things going on behind the scenes, a project long due coming soon (but only for residents of SE - HA!), and other general depravity.
As I said, the Sentinel is watching. Roanoke is turning.
The stalled New Roanoke post has direct bearing on the latest news.
It's about class, outside of school that is. Self-respect and the flailing municipal self-esteem.
But that's coming soon. I promise it.
And for those of you who were able to read the psychic post, thanks for your comments. Glad to see I'm not alone in this world.
As I said, the Sentinel is watching. Roanoke is turning.
The stalled New Roanoke post has direct bearing on the latest news.
It's about class, outside of school that is. Self-respect and the flailing municipal self-esteem.
But that's coming soon. I promise it.
And for those of you who were able to read the psychic post, thanks for your comments. Glad to see I'm not alone in this world.
5/2/07
The future is now
I'm putting off the New Roanoke post another 24 hours as I want to give you all the chance to check out this new website.
OurValley.org
This is the future of news folks, the community-driven media you have heard so much about.
The site is in it's infancy, so give it time. But register now, and start sending in those news tips.
Well - I should say this is one of the futures.
The other one I will not go into much detail about, except to say that yours truly will be very much involved.
The Sentinel is watching already.
The first stab at the heart will strike harder than expected, and will come faster than you realize.
And before you know it, the great all-destroying whale will be humbled. And unable to react.
Did you feel that? The wind just shifted directions...
OurValley.org
This is the future of news folks, the community-driven media you have heard so much about.
The site is in it's infancy, so give it time. But register now, and start sending in those news tips.
Well - I should say this is one of the futures.
The other one I will not go into much detail about, except to say that yours truly will be very much involved.
The Sentinel is watching already.
The first stab at the heart will strike harder than expected, and will come faster than you realize.
And before you know it, the great all-destroying whale will be humbled. And unable to react.
Did you feel that? The wind just shifted directions...
4/30/07
Careful now
listen
These words may mean something...
"I just hung up the phone and cried, nothings ever going to change down there"...
How many times has this been said?
New Roanoke #5 is on the way. 48 hours, as usual.
These words may mean something...
"I just hung up the phone and cried, nothings ever going to change down there"...
How many times has this been said?
New Roanoke #5 is on the way. 48 hours, as usual.
4/26/07
New Roanoke 4
Did you see the Star?
White again. Brilliant white.
The star lit in red, white, and blue was nice - but white is defining.
White Stars can have bad reputations, however. The White Star Line was mother to some of the grandest, and yet most ill-fated ships in history. Roanoke's own White Star has always been a beacon, of sorts - and yet now - there is question as to weather it is a beacon lamp, or warning lamp of an iceberg ahead.
As Roanoke, and the rest of the nation, struggles with misplaced identities from the past - we wrap ourselves in retail - franchise, the safe route.
Roanoke has been bubble-wrapped and sanitized for your protection, but the system is falling apart.
In years past - Roanoke has had the opportunity on numerous occasions to set itself apart from the pack of cities it is normally held to as comparison.
Still to this day, it misses those opportunities.
Now the Lake will have an amphitheater, while Roanoke - which has had a location for one for years now, does not. And yet still Roanoke investigates the option of an amphitheater.
Unless ours will be larger than the one at the Lake - there is no reason for building one. We missed that boat. Perhaps we should look into building something larger - maybe a stadium - football style, which could house both concerts AND sporting events.
And yes, I know we had Victory - but in all fairness, for what Roanoke really needs Victory Stadium could not provide.
Right now, on Reserve Avenue - there is a hotel being built. A $10 Million dollar hotel, complete with meeting space, restaurants, and the like. It will exist, in part, for Carilion's new Biomedical Park. But what of the people who come to stay there. Will they stay local to the hotel and Carilion? Or will they wish to venture out and discover Roanoke?
And if they should, travel Jefferson rather than Franklin into Downtown - what will they see?
Where will they go, aside from the single destination of "Downtown" or the Star. Shopping is decidedly not a destination, so that rules out Valley View and Tanglewood. Explore Park would be great if they could find it. And really, other than a nice stroll - whats to do there? (this from an avowed fan of historical recreations)
Tourist dollar plays directly with the non-tourist dollar. If the locals can't find something to do, the tourists will have a hard time finding it. And I'm thinking the average Roanoker would more appreciate a lazy river and a fishing hole rather than a kayak park...
But we paid good money to a specialist to tell us we need these things. I guess it's easier to dismiss something you pay for as opposed to ignoring the will of the people. Maybe it's just me.
If we expect to advance, to grow and prosper as a city - we need to realize that the population is in decline. At the rate of 200 per year, we are losing people. Even the city schools are losing, as enrollment rates are dropping.
We need to drop the safety net, and get dangerous. Engage in some deep thought, activate the communities and get into some serious change. And no paid study is going to do that.
It comes down to two things, the city council and the citizens. Both need to demand more of each other, and work together more.
The White Star shines again, but does it shine for the bright promise of tomorrow, or the warning of whats ahead?
White again. Brilliant white.
The star lit in red, white, and blue was nice - but white is defining.
White Stars can have bad reputations, however. The White Star Line was mother to some of the grandest, and yet most ill-fated ships in history. Roanoke's own White Star has always been a beacon, of sorts - and yet now - there is question as to weather it is a beacon lamp, or warning lamp of an iceberg ahead.
As Roanoke, and the rest of the nation, struggles with misplaced identities from the past - we wrap ourselves in retail - franchise, the safe route.
Roanoke has been bubble-wrapped and sanitized for your protection, but the system is falling apart.
In years past - Roanoke has had the opportunity on numerous occasions to set itself apart from the pack of cities it is normally held to as comparison.
Still to this day, it misses those opportunities.
Now the Lake will have an amphitheater, while Roanoke - which has had a location for one for years now, does not. And yet still Roanoke investigates the option of an amphitheater.
Unless ours will be larger than the one at the Lake - there is no reason for building one. We missed that boat. Perhaps we should look into building something larger - maybe a stadium - football style, which could house both concerts AND sporting events.
And yes, I know we had Victory - but in all fairness, for what Roanoke really needs Victory Stadium could not provide.
Right now, on Reserve Avenue - there is a hotel being built. A $10 Million dollar hotel, complete with meeting space, restaurants, and the like. It will exist, in part, for Carilion's new Biomedical Park. But what of the people who come to stay there. Will they stay local to the hotel and Carilion? Or will they wish to venture out and discover Roanoke?
And if they should, travel Jefferson rather than Franklin into Downtown - what will they see?
Where will they go, aside from the single destination of "Downtown" or the Star. Shopping is decidedly not a destination, so that rules out Valley View and Tanglewood. Explore Park would be great if they could find it. And really, other than a nice stroll - whats to do there? (this from an avowed fan of historical recreations)
Tourist dollar plays directly with the non-tourist dollar. If the locals can't find something to do, the tourists will have a hard time finding it. And I'm thinking the average Roanoker would more appreciate a lazy river and a fishing hole rather than a kayak park...
But we paid good money to a specialist to tell us we need these things. I guess it's easier to dismiss something you pay for as opposed to ignoring the will of the people. Maybe it's just me.
If we expect to advance, to grow and prosper as a city - we need to realize that the population is in decline. At the rate of 200 per year, we are losing people. Even the city schools are losing, as enrollment rates are dropping.
We need to drop the safety net, and get dangerous. Engage in some deep thought, activate the communities and get into some serious change. And no paid study is going to do that.
It comes down to two things, the city council and the citizens. Both need to demand more of each other, and work together more.
The White Star shines again, but does it shine for the bright promise of tomorrow, or the warning of whats ahead?
4/24/07
Hey ya!
It's been a rough few days, and today should be no different - but I had to share this with you all.
WARNING: Its a German forklift training video, so be warned. They are Germans after all.
New Roanoke post comin' at ya in the next 48 hours.. sorry for the delays.
WARNING: Its a German forklift training video, so be warned. They are Germans after all.
New Roanoke post comin' at ya in the next 48 hours.. sorry for the delays.
4/20/07
4/19/07
Never.
The first thing to realize, in all this calling for security and laws and accountability - is there is no way to stop this.
You will never stop something like this. And you will never understand the root causes.
At best, all you can do is stay ever vigilant and hopeful.
This can happen in any school, anywhere, at any time. Sometimes, if you are really unlucky, lightening can strike twice. But that is also when you realize how lucky you truly are.
"It's just a farm school... community college... elementary school... It's Princeton.."
Does not matter. It can happen.
But what made this time so different was the use of "teh internetz" to communicate during and after-wards. Apparently Mr. Cho-nutz even harassed a woman using Facebook.com. It will be interesting to see when that shows up on the radar fully.
He was most likely severely dissociated from the world that surrounded him. Uncomfortable in his own skin. Over time, this developed itself into an entirely new persona - one public, one private.
So far, I am leaning towards the "Call me Ishmael" angle.
But thats neither here nor there. The United States, Virginia, and people in general received 2 wake-up calls on Monday.
The first was: It can happen anywhere, at any time. Regardless of how small and safe you like to think you are.
But the second, and more important lesson: People want to communicate, the networks (facebook, myspace, ...) would not exist if they did not. The people were just as informed as the news networks.
The Roanoke Times has succeeded in its coverage by emulating the style of blogs.
But I digress..
Remember that "whole new world" everyone talked about after 9/11?
Welcome to it.
You will never stop something like this. And you will never understand the root causes.
At best, all you can do is stay ever vigilant and hopeful.
This can happen in any school, anywhere, at any time. Sometimes, if you are really unlucky, lightening can strike twice. But that is also when you realize how lucky you truly are.
"It's just a farm school... community college... elementary school... It's Princeton.."
Does not matter. It can happen.
But what made this time so different was the use of "teh internetz" to communicate during and after-wards. Apparently Mr. Cho-nutz even harassed a woman using Facebook.com. It will be interesting to see when that shows up on the radar fully.
He was most likely severely dissociated from the world that surrounded him. Uncomfortable in his own skin. Over time, this developed itself into an entirely new persona - one public, one private.
So far, I am leaning towards the "Call me Ishmael" angle.
But thats neither here nor there. The United States, Virginia, and people in general received 2 wake-up calls on Monday.
The first was: It can happen anywhere, at any time. Regardless of how small and safe you like to think you are.
But the second, and more important lesson: People want to communicate, the networks (facebook, myspace, ...) would not exist if they did not. The people were just as informed as the news networks.
The Roanoke Times has succeeded in its coverage by emulating the style of blogs.
But I digress..
Remember that "whole new world" everyone talked about after 9/11?
Welcome to it.
4/16/07
One last post
A good deal of the news coming out now is rehashed and speculative. Sure I have information on the meatball who did this, but it's nothing that has not streamed around the internet a million times already.
Speculative myspace pages, livejournal (people still use that??) pages, theories and more crap than you can poke with a stick.
But I want to give special thanks to one person who has kept a clear line with all this going on, Rob - of Rob's Window.
I had the chance to meet Rob at the WDBJ/Roanoke Biz2Biz blogging conference - and he is a good guy. Nice to see someone rise above the hype and drama and just keep it simple and to the point.
Oh, and Rob - I was that guy you saw. You just happened to have bad timing as I was getting off my shift. Stop by some evening for a cup o joe and say hi.
I will say this much about the whole shooting thing.
After the blackout in 02, 9/11, tornadoes where they should not be, and so much more - I learned one thing. It doesn't matter where you are, it can happen.
Life is funny that way. You just have to learn from every experience, and move on.
Speculative myspace pages, livejournal (people still use that??) pages, theories and more crap than you can poke with a stick.
But I want to give special thanks to one person who has kept a clear line with all this going on, Rob - of Rob's Window.
I had the chance to meet Rob at the WDBJ/Roanoke Biz2Biz blogging conference - and he is a good guy. Nice to see someone rise above the hype and drama and just keep it simple and to the point.
Oh, and Rob - I was that guy you saw. You just happened to have bad timing as I was getting off my shift. Stop by some evening for a cup o joe and say hi.
I will say this much about the whole shooting thing.
After the blackout in 02, 9/11, tornadoes where they should not be, and so much more - I learned one thing. It doesn't matter where you are, it can happen.
Life is funny that way. You just have to learn from every experience, and move on.
Sorry for the delay
Well, I guess between the wind, the shootings, and the fire at 3rd and Highland.. It's just another boring news day.
I had to change a lightbulb. That took an hour. Do not ask.
I have independent confirmation on certain aspects of the tech shooting, which I am waiting for "official" confirmation on. However, the "broken heart" angle, as stupid and juvenile as it may seem - is correct.
To all those who have been affected by this, I am sorry.
Love is love is love, except when it's murder. But you have to be some sort of special knucklehead to make it mass-murder.
/not sure if I'm happy he's dead, or angry.
//ps- dawn jeffries - a little helpful note. When 30+ people die, you do not have 2 shootings. Unless you subscribe to the "magic bullet theory." You're a professional, act like it.
I had to change a lightbulb. That took an hour. Do not ask.
I have independent confirmation on certain aspects of the tech shooting, which I am waiting for "official" confirmation on. However, the "broken heart" angle, as stupid and juvenile as it may seem - is correct.
To all those who have been affected by this, I am sorry.
Love is love is love, except when it's murder. But you have to be some sort of special knucklehead to make it mass-murder.
/not sure if I'm happy he's dead, or angry.
//ps- dawn jeffries - a little helpful note. When 30+ people die, you do not have 2 shootings. Unless you subscribe to the "magic bullet theory." You're a professional, act like it.
Dan Bern - Kid's Prayer
So sad, so sad the news
Come our way this morning
Like a bad bad dream
A dream that you’d never even talk about
In a school, a school
A place where we send our precious children
The only place of innocence the world might ever let them know
And barely aware of the odds against existence in the first place
Of love and fertility and risk of a baby being born
And of clothes and food and fear and maybe relocation
Of sickness, recovery, of music lessons, painting the bedroom
And lingering over eggs and thoughts and sleepy conversations
And plans for the weekend
One last pause to say goodbye
And a glance at the clock
And the grabbing of the sandwich and the notebook
Confident of nothing but the unbroken days that they've been granted
But comes a child
A child so full of anger and hatred
Barely aware of the genesis coursing through his veins
With a gun, a gun
Deaf and blind deliverer of madness
Skilled beyond his own unformulated brain
And with his hand in a fist
And his soul in a knot
And his heart racing
And his mind sick with images
His slim shoulders finally feeling tall
And his fellow creatures
Students and their crushes and their daydreams
Struggling to unwrap the ancient secrets of geometry
He pulls from his coat the instrument to shatter all forevers
In a random blaze of insides and blood and endless now
And noise and flash and more and not even when it's over
Can any so much as summon up the sanity to scream
Then on the floor his classmates blown down and choking
As he lays his weapon on his desk, hardly sure he isn't dreaming
And all the world descends and offers up their condolence
And offers up their theories what went wrong
And who and why and when and how
It's all the killing day and night on television
It's all the movies where violence is as natural as breathing
It's guns and bullets as easily obtainable as candy
It's video games where you kill and begin to think it's real
It's people not having God in their lives anymore
Or it's all of it, or none of it, or some of it, or various combinations
And all those theories sound pretty reasonable, I guess
Though I ain't no scientist
I ain't no figurer of statistics
I ain't no theologist
Or psychologist or biologist
All I can do is offer up a prayer of my own
Talk to your kids
Play with your kids
Tell them your dreams
And your disappointments
Listen with your kids
Listen to your kids
Watch your kids
Let your kids watch you
Tell your kids the truth
Best as you can tell it
No use telling lies
Your kids can always smell it
Cook for your kids
Let your kids cook for you
Sing with your kids
Teach your kids the blues
Learn their games
Teach them yours
Touch your kids
Find out what they know
Be sad with your kids
Be stupid with your kids
Learn with your kids
Cry with you kids
Be yourself with your kids
Be real with your kids
Embarrass your kids
Let them embarrass you
Be strong with your kids
Be tough with your kids
Be firm with your kids
Say "No" to your kids
Say "Yes" to your kids
Take it easy on your kids
You were a kid
Not so long ago
There are things you know
Your kids will never know
There’s places they live
Where you will never go
So dance with your kids
Paint with your kids
Walk with your kids
Tell stories to your kids
Watch movies with your kids
Eat popcorn with your kids
Tell secrets to your kids
Stop for rainbows with your kids
One day your kids
Won't be kids
And maybe they'll have kids of their own
Let’s hope they talk to their kids
Play with their kids
Tell them their dreams
And their disappointments
Come our way this morning
Like a bad bad dream
A dream that you’d never even talk about
In a school, a school
A place where we send our precious children
The only place of innocence the world might ever let them know
And barely aware of the odds against existence in the first place
Of love and fertility and risk of a baby being born
And of clothes and food and fear and maybe relocation
Of sickness, recovery, of music lessons, painting the bedroom
And lingering over eggs and thoughts and sleepy conversations
And plans for the weekend
One last pause to say goodbye
And a glance at the clock
And the grabbing of the sandwich and the notebook
Confident of nothing but the unbroken days that they've been granted
But comes a child
A child so full of anger and hatred
Barely aware of the genesis coursing through his veins
With a gun, a gun
Deaf and blind deliverer of madness
Skilled beyond his own unformulated brain
And with his hand in a fist
And his soul in a knot
And his heart racing
And his mind sick with images
His slim shoulders finally feeling tall
And his fellow creatures
Students and their crushes and their daydreams
Struggling to unwrap the ancient secrets of geometry
He pulls from his coat the instrument to shatter all forevers
In a random blaze of insides and blood and endless now
And noise and flash and more and not even when it's over
Can any so much as summon up the sanity to scream
Then on the floor his classmates blown down and choking
As he lays his weapon on his desk, hardly sure he isn't dreaming
And all the world descends and offers up their condolence
And offers up their theories what went wrong
And who and why and when and how
It's all the killing day and night on television
It's all the movies where violence is as natural as breathing
It's guns and bullets as easily obtainable as candy
It's video games where you kill and begin to think it's real
It's people not having God in their lives anymore
Or it's all of it, or none of it, or some of it, or various combinations
And all those theories sound pretty reasonable, I guess
Though I ain't no scientist
I ain't no figurer of statistics
I ain't no theologist
Or psychologist or biologist
All I can do is offer up a prayer of my own
Talk to your kids
Play with your kids
Tell them your dreams
And your disappointments
Listen with your kids
Listen to your kids
Watch your kids
Let your kids watch you
Tell your kids the truth
Best as you can tell it
No use telling lies
Your kids can always smell it
Cook for your kids
Let your kids cook for you
Sing with your kids
Teach your kids the blues
Learn their games
Teach them yours
Touch your kids
Find out what they know
Be sad with your kids
Be stupid with your kids
Learn with your kids
Cry with you kids
Be yourself with your kids
Be real with your kids
Embarrass your kids
Let them embarrass you
Be strong with your kids
Be tough with your kids
Be firm with your kids
Say "No" to your kids
Say "Yes" to your kids
Take it easy on your kids
You were a kid
Not so long ago
There are things you know
Your kids will never know
There’s places they live
Where you will never go
So dance with your kids
Paint with your kids
Walk with your kids
Tell stories to your kids
Watch movies with your kids
Eat popcorn with your kids
Tell secrets to your kids
Stop for rainbows with your kids
One day your kids
Won't be kids
And maybe they'll have kids of their own
Let’s hope they talk to their kids
Play with their kids
Tell them their dreams
And their disappointments
Update:
Looks like Roanoke.com is dead again
latest numbers 22 dead, 21 injured, 4 critical, 7 stable.
bad day...
prayers and peace..
you'll be happy to know that the suspect is no longer "with us" from what I'm hearing
latest numbers 22 dead, 21 injured, 4 critical, 7 stable.
bad day...
prayers and peace..
you'll be happy to know that the suspect is no longer "with us" from what I'm hearing
For those of you who need the info
VT is evacuating the entire campus as of noon.
I realize Roanoke.com and VT.edu are both in deep server issues - so I figured I would get that out there.
All staff and students from VT are being tossed off campus, and will not be allowed back at this point.
anything else major comes down, I'll let you know.
I realize Roanoke.com and VT.edu are both in deep server issues - so I figured I would get that out there.
All staff and students from VT are being tossed off campus, and will not be allowed back at this point.
anything else major comes down, I'll let you know.
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