In remembrance of the innocent faculty, staff, and students who were killed or maimed by the mad gunman at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, on April 16, 2007.

A fellow AD author asks whether offering the people of Virginia Tech our thoughts and prayers is an empty gesture. I say it depends on how they are offered. In most cases, I suspect they are meant quite sincerely.

Let us be careful not to misdirect our anger, our hurt, our heartache, and our disappointment over the tragedy. The fault lies with one person: the gunman. It is not Administration's fault, for they knew little more about what was happening than the faculty, staff, and students did. It is not Congress' fault for allowing guns to remain legal. As Robert McNamara said in the 1960s, a gun is either an offensive or defensive weapon, depending on which end of it one stands. The fault lies in the gunman's use of it against the innocent - no more and no less.

Now, I will offer my thoughts and prayers to the people who were attacked, their families, their friends, and their school. Yes, my sentiments are offered sincerely. May the Lord protect and guide you all.