What actually happened in 2007

[Bob]

To go along with the prediction thread, and so we have our own collection at the end of the year.

I'm not thinking of any big moments from earlier this year.  Are there any?


April 16, 2007 -- Shootings at Virginia Tech.

[kony]

but that's not really significant in any sense. it's not going to have any major effects on the rest of society.

[imbetter]

i agree

[lichristine]

death of Kurt Vonnegut.

And I think the shooting is important; why did someone shoot, what, 45 people? I heard there's at least 33 dead, and 15 in critical care.

[prometheus]

A total apolitical shooting in a total vacuum that kills 34 people in a string of many, how is that relevant?

[lichristine]

Because it's sad. Because it's something wrong with someone, and people were affected. Deeply affected. Not everyone, but a mass murder is not just another day.

[prometheus]

Actually it is. What about the

Bombings in Algiers, just a few days ago, 33 deaths. Carried out by 'Al Qaeda'. War on terror anyone?

2007 Bagram Air Base bombing, 23 killed while Cheney was there.

2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, 68 dead

2007 Zahedan bombings, 18 dead Al Qaeda-allied

Iraq:
2007 Al Hillah bombings 120 dead
2007 Tal Afar bombings and massacre 152 dead
2007 Baghdad Mustansiriya University bombing 70 dead
18 February 2007 Baghdad bombings 63 dead
12 February 2007 Baghdad bombings 76 dead
3 February 2007 Baghdad market bombing 135 dead
22 January 2007 Baghdad bombings 88 dead

The ice storms in the US in January and February killed a total of 122 people.
Tornadoes of 2007 killed 51 people in the US.

The Kyrill storm in Europe killed 44 people in 24 different countries, something very unusual for Europe.

Flood in Mozambique, 90,000 people evacuated, 39 deaths and a quarter of a million people in need of help.

Adam Air Flight 574 crashed, 102 deaths
Garuda Indonesia Flight 200 crashed, 22 deaths
2007 Transaviaexport Cargo Airline Ilyushin Il-76 airplane crash, 11 deaths

War in Somalia, a total of almost 1000 deaths.

Chechnya, not enough data, but a lot.

Darfur 2007, who knows...

[Bob]

I think it's significant in the sense that it was the largest shooting scenario in recent U.S. history and an extension of the school shootings in the past -- out from the high schools, now into the colleges.  I imagine there will be some effort to step up security at colleges all over.  Probably won't be the last one either.

[prometheus]

The reason it gets so much media attention is because of two reasons: because it cannot be prevented and because it is totally arbitrary who gets killed.

That's the reason it has such a high shock-effect.


Of course it will happen again. But no need to step up security. Instead, have a progressive/constructive prevention system. And then when it happens make sure the police react in an adequate way.


Also, all those fat cops, it's hard not to laugh even when such terrible news is presented and you see all those fat cops carrying guns trying to run. I think it is inappropriate and it is sad.

[mikey6]

Why is is all bad news? and while trying to come up with some good news, I'm at a loss!

[prometheus]

No news; good news.

[rc]

The reason it gets so much media attention is because of two reasons: because it cannot be prevented and because it is totally arbitrary who gets killed.

That's no different from war or natural disaster.  War still gets plenty of media attention, over time people have become desensitized to it.

School shootings are more rare, though they're becoming familiar, this one stands out for setting a record death toll.  It's mainly the scarcity that puts it in the spotlight.

[Bob]

Maybe the NASA shooting since it's unusual.

I would lump all the Iraq events together, "numerous attacks," something like that, since they're related.

[lichristine]

what happened in 2007?

i turned 17 today.

[Bob]

Everyone will age another year this year.  Unless you pull a Yeltsin.

April 23, 2007 Death of Boris Yeltsin.  Because he was the leader of a former superpower.  I know lots of other leaders will die, but they won't be as significant probably.

[wotgoplunk]

The reason it gets so much media attention is because of two reasons: because it cannot be prevented and because it is totally arbitrary who gets killed.

That and it's American. Living in Canada, every other story has been completely relegated to the other pages. If something big happens in America, even those that in no way affect us, then it takes precedence over any local news. Everyone knows about the American shootings, as they're in everyone's news. Was there any mention of the Dunblane massacre, or the Dawson College shootings in the U.S.?

[imbetter]

Everyone will age another year this year.  Unless you pull a Yeltsin.

April 23, 2007 Death of Boris Yeltsin.  Because he was the leader of a former superpower.  I know lots of other leaders will die, but they won't be as significant probably.

april 23rd=my birthday 

[pianowolfi]

m1469 has taken a shower.

[Bob]

It's good to shower at least once per year, whether you need it or not.



April 27, 2007 -- Russian cellist Rostropovich dies.  (I think that's the right date.)

[ahinton]

It's good to shower at least once per year, whether you need it or not.



April 27, 2007 -- Russian cellist Rostropovich dies.  (I think that's the right date.)

No, it's the wrong date - at least in the sense that, although it's the correct date, he had no business to do that at all.

To describe Rostropovich merely as a cellist is abit like saying that Mozart was a viola player; true, undoubtedly, but...(although I'm sure that you'll understand that my remark is well cognisant of the fact that Rostropovich was one of the greatest - indeed, arguably THE great - cellist since Casals).

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

m1469 has taken a shower.

It's good to shower at least once per year, whether you need it or not.

[Bob]

(insert date here)  _____ meets m1469, and makes darn sure to stand upwind.

[m1469]

(insert date here)  _____ meets m1469, and makes darn sure to stand upwind.

Oh, yes.  That's probably quite wise, Bob  .  I mean, I may be a girl and all, but I actually can be a pretty gross human being