Death Toll Mounts in Russian School Catastrophe
Published on September 4, 2004 By Larry Kuperman In Current Events
If you have not followed the hostage taking and subsequent murders in Russia, I must urge to do so. Unpleasant as it is, as a member of humanity, you must bear witness to this. 322 dead. At least 155 of those killed were children. CHILDREN!

The terrorists had taken over 1,000 people hostages. First reports indicated that most of the deaths occured when Russian security forces blew holes in the building to storm it. But as details emerge, we find that many of the dead were shot in the back, presumably while trying to flee. The terrorists had herded the children and staff into the gymnasium and planted mines filled with metal bolts. Eyewitnesses said that at least one suicide bomber blew herself up in the gym.

The children were deprived of food and water. It was so hot, that many were forced to disrobe. Boys drank their own urine, because they were so thirsty.

The attackers were "protesting" the election of a pro-Moscow candidate in Chechnya. Chechen rebels have been believed to be affiliated with Al Queda. But this time, the links were undeniable. At least 10 of the hostage takers were from Arab countries.

I cannot begin to express my outrage and the sorrow that I feel. I chatted with someone on line, who began to equate the terrorists with soldiers. It doesn't work. The terrorists deliberately targeted a school full of children. It was not accidental, they prepared for weeks. Their goal was terror. If you are parent (as I am, my daughter is the same age as some of the kids that were shot while fleeing) you know how I feel.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said so eloquently "It is hard to express my revulsion at the inhumanity of terrorists prepared to put children and their parents through such suffering."

President Bush said "This is yet another grim reminder of the lengths to which terrorists will go to threaten the civilized world."

Vladimir Putin said "Even alongside the most cruel attacks of the past, this terrorist act occupies a special place because it was aimed at children."

The monsters that did this must be punished.

Comments
on Sep 04, 2004
Thanks, kupe. I posted a similar, though far less thorough article before I saw yours.

I have been following the situation, and, yes, I am appalled at those who would call terrorists soldiers. Soldiers attack soldiers on the battlefield, they don't attack children in schools, nor innocent men and women in a skyscraper.
on Sep 04, 2004
Regardless of what i have said in the past that could be taken as justification for what is now commonly refered to as "terrorism", this is a crime that chills me beyond all measure.

There will never be reason enough, loss enough, pain enough, subjugation enough, humiliation enough, to justify the slaughtering of children.

That some were shot in the back can add not one iota more to my revulsion or hatred for an act that could only be the result of thoughtless, heartless evil. To say that they were inhuman would not do their condition justice. Lucifer in his fall did not commit a crime so repellent.

Today i hope, atheist or not, for a hell.

Marco

on Sep 04, 2004
I'd kill the bastards myself. Though I wouldn't mind a bit of torture beforehand. I was meaning to post an article on the subject, but couldn't write anything that did not include a lot of offensive language.
on Sep 04, 2004
Larry,
I am horrified with this act....and I really can hardly form my words as those images are impressed upon my mind......
I am a lucky person....my son is lucky....my family is lucky...circumstance was holding a guiding light to my family and led us to a life of humbleness happiness and contentment at the very beginning......we are of more fortunate circumstances.......and nothing .....anywhere near what has happened in Russia would touch my life or my sons.....As I said I am lucky...But that is Now......Things will change and I may be part of a group enduring unfortunate circumstances....You could be......because we are doing nothing.... and one day we may feel the eyes of detatchment upon our sorrow, loss and heartache and feel as if we dont exist in the scale of life...
I feel a responsible part of how the world unravels....We all are....though we do not, as individuals, do enough to make the world safe, loving and peaceful for Our Children.
But....What can we do? What can be said to terrorists that feel there is nothing more to live for than to sacrifice their life and the lives of innocent children.... for what...? How have we gotten to this stage...? How do we move on to a brighter world for all...?

Somebody please speak your words of wisdom.....give me hope for the future.....give me some faith in my fellow man.....