troerk1

I was really surprised that it was an Asian that did this. Isn't it usually some mixed-up redneck white-dude that does this sort of thing in U.S.??? All the warning signs were there yet the FBI and local police could not touch him or question him until a violent act had been commited or a fully qualified threat had been written down. Suggestive writings are not enough to warrant questioning or acting upon a potentially distrubing act suich as this. The shooter shielded himself behind the 1st Amendment. What did the victims have to shield themselves with? Our Constitution is to blame and yet not also. We all have it in us to do crazy things or 'snap', but generally people have enough rational thought to not do such crazy things. On the other hand........this guy was clearly displaying anti-social behavior and the masses that had their lives at risk.................they should have put him down like a sick dog. Lynch-mob justice???? Maybe, but the judicial system prevents people from taking their security into their own hands even when the FBI and local Police had their chances to intervene before an incident occured. I am a man of peace and liek to avoid violence, but I also know how to defend myself and my family if needed. It is like the military in peace time> "While we are not at war, we must alway train as if we are at war.".....................this sounds pretty darn sensible to me. The story could have been: "South Korean-born student missing and presumed dead. Students at V.T. suspected. Case left as unsolved." I could live with that story as opposed to this one. What can we do as people to help change gun laws and other laws that could have helped prevent this from happening? Keep in mind tht people kill people, not guns. Keep inmind that even without a gun, thi guy had documentation an dmaterials used to make IED's. If it was going to happen, it was going to happen one way or another. Eyes are much wider open today on this. Keep safe everyone!

To set the record straight> I would say, without a doubt, that the USA has the best recruiting standards in the world. A few 'bad apples' do not ruin the entire basket. Recruiters have a very hard job and have to put up with a lot of snide questions from a lot of already very skepticle familes that know very little about military life and/or do not have a family history of serving thier country. The military sells itself in many many ways. All it takes is a visit to a local recruiter or to an airshow or Bay Fest to be convinced. If you want to see the world and be able to talk about it as an experiencd participant, then go military. There is no better feeling than being a part of something that is bigger than your home town. Your buddy should opt for a Reserve career or National Guard. So, if you want to run with the 'big dogs', you have to get off the porch. :thumbsup:

That is too bad for The Marines. Marine recruiters are held in such higher esteem than other recruiters, so I am not sure how this happened. I come from a career USMC family and was in the airwing Navy myself, so I know how all it takes is one small mix-up to ruin one's carrer or future. I would tell your friend to not expect an apology from the DOD, they do not do that. They play 'the blame game' and 'pass the buck'. Best of luck to your friend. Good things.

Do not ask to get information about the service from a recruiter. Get it from somebody that has already served...........get good and bad from multiple sources. I knew some as personal friends and they confirmed that they are taught to deceive to get recruits any way they can. The person that was screwed over does have rights and should pursue damages, because, #1, the conduct of those recruiters is generally classified or considered as being 'conduct unbecoming' and being of 'dereliction of duty' and does have consequences.