My niece goes to Virginia Tech and she's fine

[WestHoustonDem]

But what a scary moment that was for my family. I was at work and didn't hear about it until the death toll was up to 20 and I got a hold of my sister who reassured me that my niece is fine. What an awful thing for those family for whom the news was tragic.

The pundits are all talking up a storm about gun control, but I had another thought.

By conservative estimates, over 650,000 Iraqi's have been killed as a direct result of violence stemming from our invasion of their country. The death toll in Afghanistan is unknown to me. We as a a nation are freaking out over this incredibly tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. But in terms of numbers, we haven't lost as many citizens as an average day in Iraq.

President Bush got on the television today and expressed his shock and offered condolences to the families of those hurt and killed today at my nieces school. Why doesn't he have any compassion for the Iraqi and Afghan citizens who have died? Do we as a people really think it's okay to put a higher value on an American life than we do on the life of a non-citizen? I just can't wrap my head around that.

Cross posted at http://feettofire.com/node/137

[wtmusic]

1. Especially considering Iraqi deaths are his fault.

Period, end of story.

[etherealtruth]

2. Wonderful news

Bush is a dimwit

[babylonsister]

3. I'm very happy she's fine, WHD! And you DO understand:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x667322

[kurth]

4. Yes, keep this in perspective

Countless defenseless good innocent people have been murdered by crazy morons. This is just another incident.

[AZBlue]

5. I'm so glad she's ok!

eom

[Kajsa]

6. It is possible to care about all of them.

I'm glad your niece is OK!

[Elidor]

7. Nashville

To try to put it into some perspective that I can wrap my mind around, the population of Nashville/Davidson County in 2005 was estimated at 607,413. It's as if every man, woman and child in Nashville had died, and a few more besides. The fucking population of Nashville. I can't comprehend that.

[Rex]

8. Some good news!

Glad she is safe.

[DemoTex]

9. I DO NOT KNOW YET ABOUT MY NEIGHBORS' DAUGHTER ..

They are gone. My guess is to Blacksburg. House is dark, and it never is. They are wonderful people. He is a gastroenterologist (MD) and she is a pediatric oral surgeon (DMD). They have three kids. The oldest daughter was down here this weekend from NYC with her new boyfriend. The #2 child, a beautiful young woman, is a senior at Virginia Tech. The #3, Joseph, is a Catholic school junior. He is great, too.

My guess is that they packed up and rolled north when this started developing. They are very protective parents.

Ironically, but not germane, they live in a house once owned by Gloria Vanderbilt. Anderson Cooper's mama.

Mac

[WestHoustonDem]

10. Let us know when you hear something. That's gotta suck, not

knowing

[Kajsa]

11. Yes, please let us know.

Not knowing is awful!

This is a horrible tragedy.

[DemoTex]

12. I will, I will ...

I am sick with worry and grief.

Mac

[Sadie4629]

13. My son has a friend there

She's an engineering student who has been accepted into grad school at MIT. He hasn't heard from her yet. Said he was going to try to get hold of her tonight. I hope she's OK.

[Kajsa]

16. I do, too!

Please let us know.

[rasputin1952]

14. Thank you for posting that good news...

whew...I was half-way thinking you were going to say she was a victim.

My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones in this horror...and may those who came through this OK, but have to live this nightmare for a long time to come.

[underseasurveyor]

15. Very happy to know that your Neice is OK

Whew:-) I can't imagine the waiting:scared:


Demotex my friend, Holding you and your neighbors family in my thoughts and heart, hoping all is well:hug:

[Geoff R. Casavant]

17. I'm relieved for you.

Haven't seen many posts from you lately. How you doin'?

[WestHoustonDem]

18. Hi Geoff - I'm actually doing great, which is why I haven't been posting

much. I just started a great job last week. So it's all good! How've you been?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

19. Doing well on this end too.

Just got hooked up with an attorney-client matching service, so hoping business will boom just a little bit.

And expecting our first child in July, a girl.

[WestHoustonDem]

21. Congrats!

My daughter was born in July. 18 years ago. She's going to college in August.

[bullwinkle428]

20. All that creep can say about the Iraqi people is that

"they owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude"! :grr: :grr: :grr:

Yeah, I'm sure all of those refugees looking for a place go are busy picking out thank-you cards!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

22. She's fine? Or merely intact?

I bet she's a little bit scared, stressed, shocked. Probably could use extra hugs or at least some extra "care packages" (with plenty of chocolate).

As to your question about putting a higher value on an American life? Yeah, we do. 33 dead Iraqis or Afghans would not get this kind of national press, or this kind of reaction on DU. Neither would 33 dead Somalis, or Palestinians, or Sudanese, or Rwandans. 33 dead Scots or Spaniards would get a bit of press and a reaction on DU, because they are European.

It's not right, but it is normal. And it's been that way as long as I can remember. A million dead Vietnamese (or however many it was) means less to me than 55,000 dead US troops. It probably shouldn't be that way, but it is.

[WestHoustonDem]

23. She's the most level headed relative I have - that said

I'm sure there will be emotional scars. I've only gotten updates through her parents so far. I figured she was fielding enough phone calls and emails without having to worry about contacting me. I hope to hear from her today.