And listening to hundreds of bullfrogs in the concrete-lined creek, I marvel at the wonders you miss when you pass by so quickly in your sound-dampening car....

and I round the corner and note the flags in front of the McDonald's are at half-mast. First thought: Who died? Second thought, no, don't tell me you lowered the flag for the students.

I understand it's a tragic day in Virginia. I empathize with family and friends of the innocent who lost their lives. I agree with those who suggest we should never again speak or write the name of the whacko who did this. I'm incredulous that a local newspaper columnist warns there may be a backlash against Asians because of this sick, twisted soul.

But did you lower the flags for the 60 killed in the market bomb blast in Baghdad? The latest 33 soldiers to die in Iraq on either side? The hundreds of Palestinians killed by missile attacks? The 22 lost in the latest tsunami (Solomon Islands)?

No. And it cheapens the symbology to do it for these 33 folks.

You might as well leave the flags down all the time. Someone is always dying tragically, unexpectedly, at the hands of others. Odds are good there will be another group dying soon, somewhere. Mourn them too.