The Virginia Tech Massacre (if you can even call it one. . . If this is considered a massacre then what about the millions that die daily from sexual exploitation, poverty and the thousands that died from the war in Iraq)  "The horror might have happened anyway. But gun control might have made it less easy" Amid the ubiquitous reports offering a psycho analysis on the kid, and mourning the tragic loss, The Economist points out something else regarding this incident that others are afraid to speak about - or simply too ignorant 2realize-: gun control. Yes, Cho Seung-hui is the culprit, but let's not forget about his partner in crime: a Glock 9mm and a Walther P22. Without his trusty pistols he might not have been able to cause such a stir. The truth is, America's tragedy is not the Virginia Tech "massacre",especially since school shootings take place frequently in the U.S.; just last year there were 6 high profile shootings. The real tragedy is how ridiculously easy it is for one to acquire ammunition in this country. So now that The Economist has shed some light on a different perspective /issue of this school shooting, hopefully you guys have time to read what this magazine has to offer: http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9040170 Now moving on the to the Korean Tragedy How is it that a mere school shooting can develop into some racial issue. . . Why are the Koreans and the rest of the Asian race apologizing for the crime that one individual committed? And why are we making the fact that the criminal is Asian such a big deal? He's Korean, so what? And why is it that it is only the Koreans and Asians who are ashamed and apologetic? There are reports on South Korean leaders officially apologizing to the families and the U.S. for what happened. Was it really necessary? I can't see how this one incident involves the whole South Korean nation. When Caucasians or African Americans committed school shootings I didn see any governors, mayors or any U.S. leaders apologize. If anyone should feel ashamed and sorry it should be the U.S. government and gun lobbyists. What's worse is, is that us Asians are feeling sorry for the wrong reasons. Are we really sorry that this shooting took place or are we sorry that from now on our reputation is tarnished and that our chances in getting into some prestigious American university are lower. . . For some, their empathy is genuine and for others their sympathy and apologies only serve the use as a defense mechanism. What happened was tragic and instead of apologizing we should help the families of the victims cope with this tragic loss. They want nothing but to be able to move on with their lives. And the media and general public just won't let them hear the end of it. As for Cho Seung Hui family, they are equally if not more deserving of our compassion. Not only have they lost their son, but they have to live with the fact that their beloved has taken the lives of other people's children; yet now the media vulchers are hovering above them, waiting to snatch a piece of whatever is left of them. We should feel sorry that it was so incredibly easy for Cho Seung-hui to acquire the guns. We should also feel sorry that our fellow Korean had to suffer the kind of fury, alienation and loneliness he felt throughout his life in the U.S. And most importantly, we should feel sorry for the bigots and rednecks that will hold this against the entire Asian race. Like the Muslims and Middle Eastern people who suffered discrimination after 911, some of us will be subjected to the same bigotry. But instead of apologizing, hiding or running away, we should keep our heads up and be strong. To the Koreans in Virginia Tech who left school for their own "safety", I'm sorry that you didn't think you could stand up for yourself and your people. Honestly I'd like to think that people aren as bad as we think they are and that the discrimination were subjected to are only imposed on ourselves. | 
