The shootings today in the US should highlight the need to stop guns from getting into the hands of the general public here in Australia. So many young lives lost. How do families recover from something like this?

Americans are adament about their civil rights and the ability to carry firearms, but what about the rights of the kids who just wanted to go to Uni and study, safely.

Does Australia really need a Shooters Party? If there are no guns then no one can get hurt. Please, someone show some common sense!
Della

I am a student from America currently getting work experience here at the Pink Directory in Australia. I was going about my usual tasks this morning when a friend alerted me to the Virginia Tech shootings that occurred earlier today. To say I was horrified is an understatement. In a matter of hours, 32 students and faculty were killed for no reason. What makes me sick is that many of these deaths could have been prevented! Authorities knew at 7am that a shooter was on the campus grounds. Instead of alerting people immediately to stay in their rooms and away from windows, authorities waited until around 9:30am to send an email telling students to be CAREFUL while making their way around campus that day. Several minutes before this email was sent out, the gunman had opened fire in one of the classroom buildings killing 29 more people before turning the gun on himself. What were they waiting for? If students and faculty had been properly alerted, lives could have been saved today!
There is no way to make sense of this heinous crime. It can only be described as a complete and utter tragedy. Sadly, there will probably be another school shooting one day. I just hope that officials learn from today. Violent acts CAN be prevented. My heart and sympathy goes out to all people involved with the Virginia Tech shootings today.
I’m just at a loss for words. It’s hard to explain one’s feelings so quickly after something so terrible happens. I’m drained emotionally. What do you think about the tragedy that took place today?

David Hicks is guilty - he said so himself, so why are people still worrying about what happened to him. Who cares and who should.

Regardless of the time it took to sentence him the fact remains he took up arms with every intention of hurting innocent people. So what if he is one of us- Australian that is. He is a terrorist and deserves ever ounce of time he spent at "The Bay" and more.

So he thought he would go to another country, denounce his loyalty to Australia, support people who use gullible fools to destroy innocent people and have no price to pay! The only thing he's upset about is he got caught. Nothing would have stoopped him destroying people otherwise. Get real everyone!

This person is not going to sit in a safe little Adelaide prison for nine months and on getting out play loving dad to his kids. I believe he is going to try and do something terrible. He is no innocent fool. He may be a fool, but not an innocent one.

Just keep watching because this man's evil thoughts have not changed.

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