A Reality Check
We need more mind to mind communication with each other as humans, not mind to mind with high-tech gadgets.
Once more, we humans see and hear yet another tragic event in a school setting, Mondays campus massacre of 32 persons at Virginia Tech.
Our Own Sanctuary
If something should happen in our own sanctuary, are we ready here in my hometown?
Some of my neighbors and friends in Culver City are saturated with high-tech internet gadgets. They wanted to see who could receive the most information as events unfolded at Virginia Tech.
Drawing a Distinction
We seem to be ready to access information as quickly as possible. But we seem not to be ready for present as well as future tragedies. Tragedies do not need to be on as large of a scale as Virginia Techs for us to be alert and prepared.
Once in awhile, we, ourselves, as individuals, can come across our own small tragedy and experience first-hand the state of mind of awful resentment in another individual.
My Personal Tragedy in the Park
For the many years since my childhood, Lindberg Park has been my own public sanctuary.
Early on the morning of July 6, 2002, this sanctuary was violated.
I had taken a nice walk to the park. I was in a state of calmness at the basketball court.
Standing by, Innocently
I was admiring the scene of a father teaching his young 13-year-old daughter how to properly shoot a basketball into the hoop when my stepdaughter, her little brother and her mother drove up.
My stepdaughter got out of the car and walked directly toward me.
I was explaining to her that I had decided not to go shopping with them. Instead, I had come to Lindberg Park to meditate.
Striking a Shocking Blow
Walking away to begin my meditation, I felt a tremendous blow on the right side of my face.
It took me a few seconds to realize what had happened.
My own stepdaughter had struck me, closed-fisted, with all her might. For a 27-year-old, she had quite a punch. She tried to run away in her car.
But she was stopped by Park Patrol. I had no choice but to have her placed under arrest for assault and battery.
Her Statements Were Bizarre
How do young people suddenly try to justify unexplainable acts of violence?
I am talking about acts in public places, be it a small community park where little children play or in schools where young people go to make a better future in life.
Take the shooter at Virginia Tech. His acts were so bizarre and without justification.
Shifting the Blame
As she was being arrested, my stepdaughter gave Officer Davis of the Culver City Police Dept. her statement.
For a long time, she said, I always wanted to hit him. He caused me to do this.
The officer had no choice but to write down what she said.
