Goldendale Sentinel Editorial
Tragedy defies ‘whys’
A column by Rachel Cavanaugh
News Editor
The breadth of the tragedy that took the life of a White Salmon exchange student Saturday night is beyond anybody’s ability to grasp.
For most, the feeling of incomprehension is overwhelming and neither tears, shudders nor gasps seem to shake it.
It is simply unbelievable.
In part it is the randomness that is so disturbing. Even more tragic is how familiar the story has become, from schools to workplaces to shopping malls: Columbine; Covina; Virginia Tech.
And now The Zone nightclub in Portland, Ore.
Like any death or tragedy, there are simply no answers.
Although culprits like video games, parental negligence, bullying and peer alienation often turn somersaults through the media, the truth is more complicated.
There is no doubt something amiss with society today. Perhaps it is the effect of television or computers or maybe it is the mere loneliness of the digital age. The ailment certainly seems to be unique to our era and our country.
Yet all theories fall short of explaining the scope of these kinds of horrors. Beyond that, they seem irrelevant at this time.
Personally, I think many people are too saddened and shocked right now to debate why something so senseless has happened to our community. For me, I believe the best thing we can all do is instead turn inward and send out the best energy we can muster, be it in the form of prayers, good energy, or caring thoughts.
Beyond that, let’s try to use this time to come together as a community - to appreciate what we have around us and the loved ones who fill that space. In the name of honoring those teens, let’s spend extra time with our kids, have a longer dinner, or stay up late with our spouses.
And to the family, friends, and loved ones of Martha Paz de Noboa, known simply as “Tika,” let’s extend our deepest thoughts and condolences. As a county, as a country, and as friends.
May you find some form of peace.
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