I hope I'm not boring you with my rantings and ravings over the neglect of responsibility in the state of Virginia. Yes, I said Virginia.

I was talking to my mom on my cell phone while shopping in the grocery store, which I often do, and, of course, she asked me if I'd been keeping up with all the news on Virginia Tech. I said, some of it, and that I was upset over Virginia. Then she started to say something else, but realized what I had said, and backed up.

"Virginia?! Why would you be upset with Virginia?"

1- The state legislature passed the no-gun-zone law that allowed a killer to walk onto Virginia Tech's campus armed to the teeth and be totally unopposed.

2- The Virginia Tech administrators knew the assailant had a history of anti-social behaviors, as reported by several of his teachers, and did nothing about it.

3- The Blacksburg police department knew the assailant had a history of crimial behavior, as reported in several police records, and did nothing about it.

4- The Virgiania state psychiatric board knew the assailant had a history of emotional and mentally disturbing behaviors, as reported by several psychologists and psychiatrists, and did nothing about it.

5- Apparently, the Virginia Tech teachers and students did nothing to try and stop the assailant, except for one 70-year-old professor, who was an ex-prisoner-of-war.

6- The Virginia Tech administration held a Commemorative Service on Tuesday following the shootings, in which they acknowledged and asked for the help of both Allah and Buddha, but did nothing to acknowledge or ask the help of Jesus Christ.

Etc., etc.

Why would I be upset with Virginia, whose state motto is "Virginia is for lovers?" Because Virginia is NOT for lovers, at least not lovers of what is right. It is for do-nothing liberal politicians and college administrators, do-nothing police departments, do-nothing criminally neglegent psychologists and psychiatrists, do-nothing passivist students - everyone EXCEPT lovers. Lovers are doers - but not Virginians! Virginia - the home of great statesmen, like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe; great warriors, like George Washington, Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee; and great jurists, like John Marshall - is today a disgrace to the names of all those noble souls - men who were doers. Virginia, you have forgotten your heritage of noble deeds, and have become, instead, a state of do-nothings.

I am ashamed for you, Virginia. And, yes, there is a God, and His name is not Allah or Buddha - it is Jesus Christ. If you had known that, perhaps most of those 32 people who died on your college campus would still be here today.

Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." He was talking to you, Virginia - and to me.



Text and photo © 2007 Waitsel Smith. All Rights Reserved.