Minimizing The Chances Of Seeing Future Campus Massacres
CONTACT: Dan Herren, 864-230-5334 or Cell: 864-230-5334, danherren@hotmail.com or Bob Andrews: (678) 618-1392, bob@cox2008.com
Minimizing The Chances Of Seeing Future Campus Massacres
News Conf. Set for Fri. April 20 Clemson Univ./ 1:15 pm ET Furman Univ., SC
Republican Presidential Candidate John Cox is conducting a News Conference to Comment on the Virginia Tech shooting massacre and discuss measures that should be taken to prevent similar massacres from happening again.
Date: Friday April 20th 2007
Place/Time:
11:15am Clemson University (Clemson, SC), at the Harcombe Dining Hall (outside main entrance of the building)
1:15pm Furman University (Greenville, SC), at the University Center (outside the 2nd floor entrance of the building, across from the Library).
Statement by John Cox:
The bodies weren't even cold from the most horrific massacre in US history and there was a congressman on television calling for more gun control. The next day the New York Times and other liberal editorial pages chimed in with the same call. Almost as sad and tragic as the murders themselves, the rush to enact more policies that won't work is exactly what we don't need right now
What we need to in the wake of this tragedy is to take a step back and look at REAL solutions that have a chance at working and making ours and our children's lives more safe and secure. Yes, it may be early to be discussing this - the families of the victims are still in mourning and should be able to bury their loved ones in peace.
Unfortunately, the media machine grinds on and today we are seeing this madman's last wish being fulfilled. A package of video, photos and pictures glorifying his rambling rage has been plastered all over the media. This is a package he had the coolness to mail to NBC news in between segments of his rampage, almost like a TV timeout.
As long as the issues are out there and we are focused on this horrible tragedy, we ought to do what we can to direct the debate away from overheated rhetoric to the steps we can take to prevent such events in the future.
Here are some positive ideas:
- We know from experience that more gun controls do not work. What does work is giving people the power to defend themselves. Virginians know this truth all too well. In 2002, a gunman was stopped and more deaths were prevented by a student who retrieved his legal weapon from his car after a madman opened fire. Cho didn't care that the University had a no guns on campus policy. All their policy did was disarm those who could have helped.
- Judges and officials need to be more diligent and attentive to the possibility of violence by potential madmen. Cho had set fire to his room; he had threatened and stalked other students; he was twice brought before a judge on issues of a mental health commitment. I am all for constitutional rights but the Constitution is not a suicide pact. Our laws rightfully bar people with mental illness from purchase a weapon. Cho should have been flagged as a potential problem long ago.
- We need to re-examine our culture and the media must take responsibility for what they distribute. Free speech is a foundation of our society but it also assumes a responsible as well as a free press. Publicizing that Cho sent video of himself and displaying pictures posing with his weaponry is one thing. Plastering it all over the place on all channels sensationalizes what he did and encourages others to follow in his footsteps and make themselves famous. Cho knew what he wanted; he wanted to be famous like the Columbine shooters - we didn't have to be so accommodative to his desires.
- We need to be more sensitive about the excessive amounts of blame shifting that goes on in our society. Our legal system; our politics; our daily discourse is often characterized by blaming others for what befalls us. It is time to encourage taking responsibility for ourselves and our communities. Cho blamed others for any troubles he encountered. His writings and video statements demonized the 'rich kids' with their 'Mercedes'.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton demonize Don Imus and blame him for harsh race relations. But where is their apology to the Duke LaCrosse players for nearly sending them to prison for 20 years? Don't hold your breath.
John Edwards runs a whole Presidential campaign demonizing the successful and blaming them for the problems of the poor. What we need to do in our society and our political system is to start to build bridges; find where we can work together to solve problems. Inflammatory rhetoric isn't going to bring back the Virginia Tech victims; it isn't going to bring black and white people together Such rhetoric may make news; it may sell books; it may bring speaking fees from publicity and fame. What it won't do is solve our problems.
My campaign for President is all about results, all about building bridges to get from where we are as a nation to where we ought to be. The 2008 campaign ought to be about the ability to deal with our challenges, not about failed policies of the past and certainly not about celebrity and money.
ABOUT JOHN COX
John Cox is the author of "Politic$, Inc., Principle, not profit: why we need statesmen, not career politicians" and "Campaign for Prosperity and Renewal."
A Chicago resident investment advisor, John attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating with honors and a degree in Accounting and Political Science. He also has a law degree from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating with high honors in 1980.
The father of four daughters, Cox opened his first business--a law and accounting firm--in 1981. An investment advisory firm, real estate management company and a venture capital firm soon followed. During the 1990's, Cox led the investment group that purchased Jays Potato Chips, a major regional food manufacturer and saved over 600 jobs in the Chicago area.
John has been a member of the Club for Growth since its inception, ran for Congress in 2000 and U.S. Senate in 2002. He was also the President of the Chicago Cook County Republican Organization in 2004 and is active in national politics, serving on the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
John serves as the co-Chairman of the Illinois Branch for the Coalition for Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security System and as Chairman of the Midwest coalition for Tax Reform and Economic Growth.
