[if(is_geek)…]

This week we are all reeling in the face of the terrible tragedy which occured at Virginia Tech. Such a horrific event has really made me think, and has made a lot of people scared, nervous and, in some cases, holier-than-thou (more on that later). As someone who spent six years on a University campus in pursuit of my degree and especially as someone who has a pregnant wife writing final exams on campus, the whole thing just seems far too real. Unfortunately, some people just feel the need to use such events to further their own objectives.

I’m sure that most people who would find themselves reading this blog are already familiar with the tired rantings of village idiot Jack Thompson and, of course, he was blaming these shootings on video games before we even knew the killer’s identity. This time, however, he is joined in his lunatic crusade by television non-doctor Dr. Phil, who also blamed the shootings on violent video games and movies before the identity was known. In an even more surprising turn of events, Rush Limbaugh (via kotaku) and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews were quick to point out just how foolish this idea is. How bad have things gotten in the US when perennial nutjobs like Limbaugh and Matthews become the voices of reason?

Closer to home, the head of security and safety at the University of Saskatchewan said this week that University security staff need pepper spray or tasers to do their jobs properly. Of course this had to be brought to light in the wake of the events at Virginia Tech. A lone gunman goes crazy at a campus in the States so, on the count of three, everyone go crazy! This has very little to do with the events of this week, I suspsect. If I recall correctly, during my time as a U of S student, the university security staff were actually made Special Constables (or some other “special” title) in the Saskatoon Police force. Until, that is, they chased a suspect for some trivial offence off campus, smashed in his door and dragged him into custody. In the aftermath of this gross ovestepping of their authority they had said authority severly reduced. Ever since they have been trying to claw back the power which they so promptly abused when it was given to them. In my opinion, this is just another attempt to do just that.

Finally, one ignorant asshole named Dinesh D’Souza, saw this terrible event as the perfect opportunity to climb on a soapbox and attack his enemy of choice: atheists. His basic attack is that, without a god or religion to invoke during times of tragedy, atheists have no resort (or tact, apparently) but to tell victims that the universe is a harsh place and that they should get over it. In response to this attack, a professor from Virginia Tech, an atheist himself, has posted what I believe might just be the most elegantly written description of what it means to be an atheist. His heartfelt and emotional response to the ignorant posturing of D’Souza would be a stirring affirmation of one man’s belief in humanity even if it were not written in the wake of such a tragedy. I won’t even attempt to do it justice by summarizing or paraphrasing it here, I encourage you to read it for yourself. I’ll finish this post with the line that meant the most to me.

“You see Mr D’Souza, I am an atheist professor at Virginia Tech and a man of great faith. Not faith in your god. Faith in my people.”