Preamble

Not enough can be said regarding hijacking a tragedy as a platform for political purposes. There is a fine line in these matters. Likewise there is fine line in questioning the sincerity in a person's expressions of sympathy. Disseminating the lessons from the countries latest tragedy is a balancing act for all of us.

My hope is the shooting at Virginia Tech will expose the lack of access to mental health treatment. This shouldn't be mistaken with reporting other's needs for such treatment, or forcing such treatment on people authorities perceive disturbed. Perhaps a more drastic measure than collecting guns or placing screeners would be deciding mental health is not a commodity to be traded in the open market. It's a line I use all too often but has yet earned due attention. Will universal health care deter all domestic violence? Obviously not but it's one of best deterrents available in a free society.

Living in a country that aims to maximize civil liberties we accept the risk of dangerous ideas as long as reason is left free to combat. The alternative, history proves, is to control thought in the name of security, and this road leads to tyranny.

Hopefully we'll emerge from mourning and realize we can not rush to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility without promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty.