Tragedies

A gunman shoots a woman dead in a Montreal college and injures many more. The TV has shots of people running away, being guided by police to safety. I'm quite amazed as I watch the pictures. Not because they're filming a tradegy - which they are of course, but news reporters do do that! No, I'm amazed because one woman is STILL talking on her mobile phone as she runs away! Its slowing her down. What is she thinking?
While looking for this link I was shocked that it also happened in 1989. Here's the NY Times article.

Steve Irwin died in a random accident, its very sad but I imagine its probably the way he'd like to have gone - just not so soon. I do not normally mention celebrity, but an angry young woman (please forgive the language!) and a discussion at work has prompted some thoughts. Steve was a charismatic celebrity, sometimes controversial, always enthusiastic. He means a lot to some people. Some of a particular age, old enough to be aware of what's happening, but young enough not to have experienced the sudden death of a celebrity will be particularly affected. That explains the reaction, somehow there's an expectation that those in the public eye are invulnerable, when it is proved not to be true - there is shock and grieving. That also explains to some degree the black humour - tasteless jokes about Steve and the unfortunate circumstances of his death. Let our thoughts and prayers be with his family & friends - the ones who ARE seriously affected by his death.