CHICAGO : A 14-year-old gunman opened fire at an Ohio high school on Wednesday, wounding at least four people before killing himself in the latest school shooting to rock the United States.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said two students and two adults were wounded in the shooting at SuccessTechAcademy.
"The shooter is a 14-year-old student from the school. He has committed suicide," Jackson said at a press conference.
A 17-year-old student who was shot in the elbow was expected to be released from hospital in the evening while a 14-year-old who was shot in the side will likely be held overnight for observation, he said. The two adults are in stable condition.
Local media reported the student, who was described as a loner, was frustrated after being suspended from school for getting into a fight on Tuesday.
He came to school early Wednesday and roamed through the hallways with a gun in each hand and shots were heard on two different floors.
Screams and panic filled the building, witnesses said. Some students and teachers rushed outside at the sound of gunfire while others hid in closets and under desks while police searched the multilevel building for the shooter.
"I know that dude was crazy. We just knew it. You know when people are crazy, come on, man," one student who fled at the sound of gunshots told CNN.
"He was in my class ... He always wore a trench coat."
The boy was described by other students as a loner and devil worshipper who had made jokes about shooting other students in front of teachers.
"I didn't think he meant it," another unidentified student told news station WKYC. "I thought he just said it because he wanted to be popular."
Frantic parents rushed to the school to get news of their children and many were told to wait until police had finished interviewing them. Several complained the school had recently denied requests to hire a security guard.
Cleveland school district head Eugene Sanders said counsellors were on hand to help students and administrators were working to reunite students with their parents. A decision had not yet been made on when classes would resume.
It was just the latest in a spate of shootings over the past weeks.
In September, two 17-year-old students were wounded when they were shot by a gunman at DelawareStateUniversity.
On Tuesday, two people were killed and two others injured in a shooting at a workshop in Simi Valley, California, police said.
That shooting took place at a tyre assembly shop in the city of 120,000 some 50 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles often listed among the country's safest communities.
And on Sunday, a gun-toting sheriff's deputy went on a rampage, killing his ex-girlfriend and five other youths at a house party in a small town in Wisconsin, authorities said.
The 20-year-old deputy and all those shot were all part of a close-knit group of friends, sources said.
Wednesday's incident recalled the horrors eight years ago of the Columbine high school shooting in Colorado and a similar bloodbath at Virginia Tech earlier this year.
During the massacre at ColumbineHigh School massacre in April 1999, two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a shooting rampage, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 24 others, before committing suicide.
That shooting led to a period of introspection across the United States as the country briefly contemplated the downside of its celebrated "gun culture" but in the end, failed to pass laws or make other changes that would have made firearms less available.
A similar reaction followed the shooting in April of this year of 32 people by mentally disturbed student Cho Seung-Hui at VirginiaTechUniversity.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported last month that more than 1.4 million murders, rapes, robberies and assaults were committed around the United States last year, or a violent crime every 22 seconds.
The number of victims of violent crime in the United States last year was the equivalent of the entire population of European Union member Estonia or the African state of Gabon falling victim to murder, rape, robbery or assault.
The rate of violent crime was up by 1.9 percent compared with 2005, with murders climbing by 1.8 percent to nearly 15,000 cases last year. - AFP/de
I am very worry that our children who addicted to game online may want to try it someday in a real situation. All parents, please look after your children and always be the good advisors for them.
ahhhhhh! the wonderfull american model, dream of american way of life....
I often dream of mixing all the good things of my country (France) and the good things of Laos, and put the bad points of the 2 countries/cultures in the rubbish bin, to get the "perfect life" (our countries are so complementary and in many ways "compliant") and i'm upset because it's not really possible...
But when i see what happen in some other countries (even some countries considerend as "models") , i feel that finaly, my life/country is not so bad.... and would not be bad too if one day i move to Laos... even if i can get only half of this "perfect dream of life"
ahhhhhh! the wonderfull american model, dream of american way of life....
I often dream of mixing all the good things of my country (France) and the good things of Laos, and put the bad points of the 2 countries/cultures in the rubbish bin, to get the "perfect life" (our countries are so complementary and in many ways "compliant") and i'm upset because it's not really possible...
But when i see what happen in some other countries (even some countries considerend as "models") , i feel that finaly, my life/country is not so bad.... and would not be bad too if one day i move to Laos... even if i can get only half of this "perfect dream of life"
-- Edited by paris_vientiane at 14:31, 2007-10-11
France is not much better.
7 hours work day, 3 monts pay vacations and 2 hours sleep in the afternoon? I want that too.
Stay away from Laos. I am still pissed off that you guys gave over half of Laos to Siam.
Much has to do with the availability of guns. Anyone, can buy a gun anywhere. They sell them like they sell mobile phones in Laos.
The bad part is that when people get angry they shoot someone, usually thier wife/husband/son/daughter/girlfreind and so on. Most murderers are men. Same all around the world.
Lao people in America murder, as do French people. It's just a question of having access to guns, not video games or movies. Drunk people murder too.
The good part is whenever you want to kill someone you can just shoot their sorry ass.
Me and My Uncle Me and my uncle went ridin' down, South Colorado, West Texas bound. We stopped over in Santa Fe, That bein' the point just about half way, And you know it was the hottest part of the day. I took the horses up to the stall, Went to the barroom, ordered drinks for all. Three days in the saddle, you know my body hurt, It bein' summer, I took off my shirt, And I tried to wash off some of that dusty dirt. When Texas cowboys, they's all around, With liquor and money, they loaded down. So soon after payday, know it seemed a shame; You know my uncle, he starts a friendly game, High-low jack and the winner take the hand. My uncle starts winnin'; cowboys got sore. One of them called him, and then two more, Accused him of cheatin'; Oh no, it couldn't be. I know my uncle, he's as honest as me, And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be. One of them cowboys, he starts to draw, And I shot him down, Lord he never saw. Well I grabbed a bottle, cracked him in the jaw, Shot me another, oh damn he won't grow old. In the confusion, my uncle grabbed the gold, And we high-tailed it down to Mexico. I love those cowboys, I love their gold, I loved my uncle, God rest his soul, Taught me good, Lord, Taught me all I know Taught me so well, I grabbed that gold And I left his dead ass there by the side of the road.
Oh my God! It seems to me that living in democratic society like in USA is too dangerous. I think we Lao people really don't need to be the society where people can kill each other like the case in this topic.
In addition, Lao people definitely don't want the society where their wives can go with boyfriends and the husbands stay with children at home. And let their wives sleep with other men. They have such right, that is democracy. If I were them I would die better than do that. We Lao people really don't like such kind of democracy.
Guns: Why is it that when someone shoots lots of people with a high-powered gun that people in America try to blame everything else apart from the fact that a young teenage boy was able to obtain a high-powered gun? There are things about America I agree with and things I do not agree with but I have to say that this American idea that people should have free access to guns IS REALLY REALLY STUPID. It is not terrorists that will destroy America, it is the country's own under-educated, confused and dim-witted population drunk and cancerous on fastfood, searching for something better to do that consume their own crap - Americans will destroy themselves - such is the fate of empires.
7 hours work day, 3 monts pay vacations and 2 hours sleep in the afternoon? I want that too.
Stay away from Laos. I am still pissed off that you guys gave over half of Laos to Siam.
1) did you travel (or better, lived) in both France, USA, and Laos to judge which place is the best?
2) poor guy! you should read some history books.... seems you don't know
a lot about your country history. French were certainly not very good administrators for Laos when then were there (so it's a good thing to have now an independant Laos), but without them, ALL Laos would certainly now have become a part of Thailand, that's why Lao King of Luang Prabang and lao people asked french to stay in Laos and protect them, what they did! And french administration was far much better than the former thai (siamese) influence and chinese invadors who were there just before french.
7 hours work day, 3 monts pay vacations and 2 hours sleep in the afternoon? I want that too.
Stay away from Laos. I am still pissed off that you guys gave over half of Laos to Siam.
1) did you travel (or better, lived) in both France, USA, and Laos to judge which place is the best?
2) poor guy! you should read some history books.... seems you don't know
a lot about your country history. French were certainly not very good administrators for Laos when then were there (so it's a good thing to have now an independant Laos), but without them, ALL Laos would certainly now have become a part of Thailand, that's why Lao King of Luang Prabang and lao people asked french to stay in Laos and protect them, what they did! And french administration was far much better than the former thai (siamese) influence and chinese invadors who were there just before french.
-- Edited by paris_vientiane at 08:53, 2007-10-12
One does not need to climb a mountain to know it is there.
People are people. They are the same every where. No one group is better than the other.
As far as Laos history goes. Let me see.....
Siam need more land and slaves. France need a buffer zone between their beloved Vietnam and the English in Burma (and to some extend Thailand). Make Thai happy by annexing over half of Laos to Siam.
I am no expert on Laos history but I know Laos was stuck between 2 evils. France was just lesser evil. You guys ever won any war or conflict on your own? That rememing me about French army new salute. They raise both of their arm in the air.
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"Because I criticized Laos government and it policies, it does not mean I want Laos to remain poor nor do I think Lao people are lazy or uneducated."
Saffron wrote: Siam need more land and slaves. France need a buffer zone between their beloved Vietnam and the English in Burma (and to some extend Thailand). Make Thai happy by annexing over half of Laos to Siam.
I am no expert on Laos history but I know Laos was stuck between 2 evils. France was just lesser evil.
Sabaidee Saffron.... i prefer to speak with someone identified rather than "anonymous" You're right about history...In fact Laos was stuck between 3 evils : don't forget chinese invadors... probably the worst of the 3... In fact, Laos was stuck between 2 evils : siam kingdom and chinese thieves... then a third arrive: France... much much less evil than the 2 others, but who did want to take control of Laos as the 2 other. So of course, Laos, at this time too weak to have any hope of independance, decided to support this third country and accept it.
France couldn't get all Laos... because they arrived too late... the power of SIAM under some parts of Laos was too strong. So France had to accept to loose a part of the historical Laos...and turn mekong river into a natural border (not so stupid). This did not made siamese happy because they loosed a lot (at this time, they had soldier up to Luangprabang). Siamese were forced to accept what French proposed.... but french couldn't ask for more.... ask for more would have mean more war, deads, blood, misery... noone did want that at this time. But the good point is that France could get the current Laos and bring peace, safety, and stability to this land for about 50 years! And France could do this without any war...
As you can see, French influence was certainly not bad at all for Laos at the begining. After this, that's true, little by little, French show their poor administration capabilities in a so far country: French didn't invest in Laos as much as in Viet Nam because they didn't consider the economic potential of Laos was high enough (this made lao people angry), they did some mistakes as bring some vietnamese to administrate Laos, but no Lao people cound have any responsability... At the same time, France had to face WWII, and exit very weak from the war (everything destroy including economy, war won mostly thanks to american)...it was the right time for Laos to retreive it's independance... and Laos could get it with peace and no war once again.
So the history between our 2 countries is nothing wrong or bad (and even if so.... the past is the past.... only present and future are important) There is no reason to angry about anything about the past : France and Laos joined friendly and separated friendly : at each step, what was made was the best solution/decision for our 2 countries.
I prefer to forget your insults about french army... seems you still live in 1939!It's sad to see such behaviour and lack of respect... What do you get at insulting other? We can discuss, think, disagree, try to convice each other (and fail), because our experience, vallues, knowledge, culture are different (a board is made for that: exchange news, ideas and knowledge to enrich each other).... but why insult others?
please webmaster/samakomlao, can you edit the message "Me and My Uncle Me and my uncle ...." and add some carriage returns???? this long line make this topic unreadable!!!!
paris_vientiane wrote: I prefer to forget your insults about french army... seems you still live in 1939!It's sad to see such behaviour and lack of respect... What do you get at insulting other? We can discuss, think, disagree, try to convice each other (and fail), because our experience, vallues, knowledge, culture are different (a board is made for that: exchange news, ideas and knowledge to enrich each other).... but why insult others?
You insult us...ME.... (Lao-American) first by your original comment.
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"Because I criticized Laos government and it policies, it does not mean I want Laos to remain poor nor do I think Lao people are lazy or uneducated."
between siamese occupant and french occupant, no one was better, dont claim for them to Lao people. Lao people were sufferd enough from both two dogs which competed to do oppression on Lao people. siamese, it took every valuable thing, burnt every house and temple, and took Lao people to go woking for it. french, it was not different, it took any natural resources that i could take, but it took very much of gold,silver... it force Lao people as its slave. both of it had not given any development to Laos. That is why Lao people who love their nation, independence, freedom, and culture had fought with those two dogs, dont claim that left handside of Mekong river has independent is because of french, even though two dogs had not seperated Lao Lan Xang as present, Lao people would have fought with whoever occupied their country, and the result Laos would not have been seperated like this. remember no occupations and oppressions like siamese and french did were good.
between siamese occupant and french occupant, no one was better, dont claim for them to Lao people. Lao people were sufferd enough from both two dogs which competed to do oppression on Lao people. siamese, it took every valuable thing, burnt every house and temple, and took Lao people to go woking for it. french, it was not different, it took any natural resources that i could take, but it took very much of gold,silver... it force Lao people as its slave. both of it had not given any development to Laos. That is why Lao people who love their nation, independence, freedom, and culture had fought with those two dogs, dont claim that left handside of Mekong river has independent is because of french, even though two dogs had not seperated Lao Lan Xang as present, Lao people would have fought with whoever occupied their country, and the result Laos would not have been seperated like this. remember no occupations and oppressions like siamese and french did were good.
Yes, you are really right. I agree with you. You are real Lao spirit, but not the fake one.
You insult us...ME.... (Lao-American) first by your original comment.
sorry, my goal was not to insult anyone... i just said that when i see what happen in USA, i'm happy to live in another place.... and just don't understand/friendly laught at people who consider USA as a dream country.
between siamese occupant and french occupant, no one was better, dont claim for them to Lao people. Lao people were sufferd enough from both two dogs which competed to do oppression on Lao people. siamese, it took every valuable thing, burnt every house and temple, and took Lao people to go woking for it. french, it was not different, it took any natural resources that i could take, but it took very much of gold,silver... it force Lao people as its slave. both of it had not given any development to Laos. That is why Lao people who love their nation, independence, freedom, and culture had fought with those two dogs, dont claim that left handside of Mekong river has independent is because of french, even though two dogs had not seperated Lao Lan Xang as present, Lao people would have fought with whoever occupied their country, and the result Laos would not have been seperated like this. remember no occupations and oppressions like siamese and french did were good.
No one can know what would have happpened if french didn't come to Laos and leave the country controled by Siam Kingdom and Chinese thieves..... you can suppose, hope, dream, but never KNOW. The only two main things we know is that - Lao people really welcomed french when they arrived, because french won their confidence, just by diplomacy, listening to their needs, respect them, etc...this is for the very begining of the story. Maybe at this time lao people dreamt of being independant, but the reality is that they were unable to get it, and clearly perfered the french solutions toward other choises they had! - After that, little by little, french clearly disapointed lao people, so, one day, it was time for lao people to get their independance back... And this was not a so bad thing for France because at this time, France was too weak to care about a so far colony... and just justice for lao people.... so our countries could separate friendly with no war (the war came after). So PERSONALY, i consider this story between our two countries is NOT SO BAD.
You can suppose what you want, dream about a better past, you can decide to give importance only about the black face of history, that's your choise. But the reality is that things are never just white or black, but there are good and bad things in every chapter of our history.
Living in hate can be you choise, personaly, i prefer live in love and friendship, focalise about the good points of history, don't forget the bad one, but just accept them, and look at the future, see how we can improve things and don't make in the future the same mistakes we made in the past.
This is the only purpose of history studying : understand the present, benefit from past experience to avoid mistakes and make better future..... certainly not just renew some old hates.
As example, WWII was what it was, but now Germany and France are very strong and important partners, and people who live in those 2 countries now don't have anything to do with the old war.... It's a very good thing for everyone. Only a few of crazy people still live in the old hates. Would you prefer we start WWIII, with more nuclear weapons this time, not only 2.... (this would be so funnier)?
Or maybe you want to star a new war against Thailand, to get back the lost lands? Are you sure it would be the best decision for Laos future? Of course, it's sad to see that laos is amputee of an important part of its former land (as many countries in the world, because the history of all countries is made of war and gain/lost of territories), but what is the best for Laos : fight to get back those lands and turn its neighbour into an enemy, or live in peace with Thailand, that is now a very important economic and diplomatic partner for Laos? If you don't want to make a war with Thailand, so you have to accept the current situation and borders, originated form a complex history (you can also study why Lao kingdom was so weak at this time, far from it's former zenith).
Moreover, ask the people who live in those "lost land" what they prefer now : be thai or lao? i guess most of them would prefer to stay thai...So, MAYBE you're right : if you look at the CURRENT situation (and not at what Laos can be in the future : if Laos develop well, maybe those people would change their mind), maybe it would have been better if french didn't come... but in this case, seams that the LAO SPIRIT, the LAO CULTURE you defend so strongly would have totaly disapeared... so... who can say what is the best? No one for sure.... especialy considering that no-one know the future and that what seams to be the best one day is not always the best many years after. No country can know the future, but each day, a country have to take decisions to prepare the future, without knowing all the consequences of those choises.... that's the life of every country, the life of the world. What seems good one day can be considered as terrible a few years after, and then not so bad some years after again, etc... but no-one can re-build the past... The only thing we can all do is TRYING to improve the future.
To finish with, you told me "stay away from Laos". How should i understand this? racism? You judge me just because of my nationality? Are you sure this is a clever critera to decide who is welcome in a country or not? About the working hours and holidays, yes, french have a lot.... yes we "work for living" and don't "live for working", that's our culture...approve it or not, i don't care. But don't exaggerate... i'm far to have as much holidays as you wrote.
To person who have the Paris-Vientiane ( sorry if this is not correct) you seem to be confused with my comment as well as confused about between history situation and present situation of Laos.or you are a little bit conservative person In my first commet is about the history, not present. History is history, no one can change it, so what I said before is the fact of the history, to Lao people between Siemese and French accupants, no one was better, they were just like what I said before. That is the fact of the history that you should accept. You talked over, I did not mention any about present. In the present, Lao people including me are not living in the hatre to any countries or nation. we are friend and friendly to every country and every people who is friendly to us. Example, when Siemese and french occupied, and american indvaded our country, we called them enemy, invader, bad dog....,. because they did bad thing to us, that is history. but now we have independence, we respect the international rule as well as we respect every country. we are welcome to see, to invest, even to help us to develop our country. we learnt from history that only peace will give us a real development, but history is history, do not change it when you talk about it. you are in doubt that I want to make war to get back the seperated land. this is the answer: for myself as well as for common of Lao people, we never think of that war, we dont care whatever they think. eventhough one day they may want to back to us, we will not accept them. I think this is very clear.
Admittedly, nothing now we can do with our bad history and we cannot change it either. Although we all Lao people were really suffered from the harsh hostory, we have to accept it and hope we will not face it anymore in the future. The bad history was mainly due to the fact that we had the bad kings. They did not unite. LaneXang kingdom was divided into 3 parts: North- Luanprabang, central- Vientiane and South- Champacack. There were Chao Luangprabang, Chao Vientiane and Chao Champasack. That was why Lao was occupied by Siam so easily. Only Chao Anouvong wanted to gain independent from Siam, others however did not care to do it.
Yes, it was so sad. As we know Laos could get the independent from French was not because of Lao then King, but because of Chao Souphanouvong who led Lao people together with Vietnamese and Cambedian people to fight against French colony ruler. Nowonder, there was 2 December 1975.
The King of Laos did nothing for Lao people. I wonder why someone still wants to the king regime in another topic. I am not sure if they crazy or stupid.
