The massacre in VT is a horrible tragedy. Why don't people feel the same saddness when American troops die

Question

What happened yesterday is a terrible tragedy. 33 lives were lost. As horrible and sad as it is, why aren't people as upset about the Americans who have died in Iraq? I understand they are military, they signed up for it, etc. Considering that it's not unusual to have 33 Americans die in one week, doesn't it seem like more people would have the same empathy for the families of our troops? Families of this tragedy and the tragedy in Iraq will never be the same.

Answer 1

I feel just as sad for the troops as I do for VA tech, one thing that makes a difference is that George Bush will not allow the media to show flag coverd coffins or any dead bodies...we don't get to see the reality of the war. With VA tech we saw the police carrying out the wounded and heard the gun shots from a video phone of a student who was actually there ... the difference is that the American government doesn't want us to feel the same so they try to hide reality!!

Answer 2

First of all I do feel bad when American troops are wounded and killed. They are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. We as a country can never do enough for them and their families. There most definitely is sadness, but with that there is also gratitude for what they are doing and pride for in which the manner they are doing it.

That being said our troops are in a war zone and there is an inherent risk that they are in danger. While the students were in a class room learning, a place where a person can expect to be safe and not in danger of losing their life. Sadly some sick S O B took that away from them and I hope he burns in hell

Answer 3

Very likely the reaction has to do with the utter pointlessness and randomness of it all. Our troops are there for a REASON. We might agree with that reason or not agree with it, but the combat in Iraq HAS a point whether it's good or bad. It's not random. It's not the pointless act of someone who went berserk.
I think ALL of the deaths at VT AND Iraq have a kind of pointlessness to them, but I'm trying to explain why the public reaction is so different. People EXPECT soldiers to get killed, but we don't expect students to die like this.

Answer 4

Good point well things that happen on our home turf is a bigger deal it seems then something happening across the globe like in Iraq. I think it's weird but troops in battle are less important then people that get killed at home. I guess it's the way we express someone in combat and someone that is a public bystander.

Answer 5

People felt just as sad during the final stages of Vietnam when the media graphically started covering the war. The Bush adm. does not allow coverage of the Iraq war not even returning coffins at Dover.

Answer 6

People join the army with the expectation that they might be sent to a place of violent conflict, where death is a possiblity based on the job performed. People attend university to learn, and do not expect to be shot at. Totally different scenarios. But thank you for taking a national tragedy and using it to further your political beliefs. (sarcasm)

Answer 7

Im sure the families of those troops would disagree that they dont feel as sad when thier loved ones die. The difference is obvious though, our troops join the military knowing full well they may but placed in harms way and they recive training to increase thier chances of survival. The students killed yesterday were not actively engaged in combat against the person who killed them. You could call it "sadder" because it is so senseless. It is sad when anyone is killed, but I personally would prefer to die fighting for my country than to be sensesly murdered.

Answer 8

I agree with your feelings about the loss of American Troops and I find the loss of even one of them hateful.

I also have to wonder where the sympathy lies for the 88 men, women and children, all Americans, who died at the hands of Bill Clinton and his Attorney General, Sasquatch, on one day in Waco, Texas, all because they didn't have the proper building permits to erect a residence. I wonder why it was necessary to declare war on a group of people who weren't harming anyone. They may have been a bit offbeat but then, look at the cast of the View and tell me who's worse.

Answer 9

Because a soldier heading to war is expected to face danger. Their death is a tragedy but not unexpected.

A student going to class is supposed to be in a safe environment. A violent death at a school (at any level) is an unexpected shock which heightens the emotions.

Answer 10

We've been in this war over 4 years now so everyone that signed up for our volunteer military has signed up during a time of war and know the risks involved with war.