The Rotunda Volume 81, Number 1
Waiting for Peace on Earth Since 1920
September 13,2001
Community Reacts to National Tragedy Prayer Vigil Held on Wheeler Mall MEGWOOLDRIDGE Guest Writer
Students gather Tuesday afternoon to join in prayer. Photo by George Lanum
Hampden Sydney College Hosts Terrorism Lecture ALLYSON BLAKE Staff Writer On the day of our nation's tragedy, a talk on terrorism was held at Hampden Sydney Collefe in Johns Audiiorium. A former president of the college, General Sam Wilson, led the talk on terrorism. The talk began with a recap of the day's events by two students at the college. General Wilson then reiterated the day's events and put in his own thoughts about it. He described the event as a "thunderbolt out of a clear blue sky." After wrapping up the day's events, General Wilson talked about other terrorist attacks in our history, the most notable being the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. "These terrorists knew what they were doing," he said when discussing how a van was parked in front of the building with explosives and the person in the van walked away like he was any other person in the area. General Wilson then discussed the dilemma we are facing with this latest terrorist attack. "The dilemmas we have faced are all in the news. There
is a rising curve in terrorism and is definitely a cause of concen." He then went on to explain what terrorism means in his own words. "Terrorism is blackmail. It's the use of the threat of violence to cause a favored behavioral response." In order to explain terrorism further, General Wilson talked about what goes into a terrorist attack. He said that first there is a grievance or problem that someone has with, for example, the United States. This person or group then finds agents that are committed to the cause and are willing to do whatever is needed A vulnerable target is chosen next that will cause fear for the most people. Once this target is decided, access is sought out and established. Once all of this is in place, a terrorist attack can occur. General Wilson then took the subject in a different direction and started talking about the beginnings of terrorism. 'Terrorism was practiced more by governments than the people who were ruled by the governments. It was a way to keep people in line and obedient to the ruler."
He then gave several examples of terrorism in its beginnings before focusing on Joseph Stalin in which he called Stalin's reign a "classic case of terrorist methods." The next topic that was brought up was the "increasing trends of terrorism." These trends are widespread newspaper headlines, abundance of available methods, transnational mobility, and modern communication. His biggest concern of the four trends was modern communication. "TV journalism functions to aid and abet terrorism. Terrorists can get information from broadcasts, which serves to get more people killed and hinder rescue efforts." General Wilson then talked about the innate power of the
Tuesday September 11th will be a day that all Americans, including the faculty, staff and students of Longwood College, will never forget. The terrorist act upon the buildings in New York City and Washington, DC deeply affected everyone on Longwood's campus. Tuesday night, Longwood President Patricia Cormier, Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Pierson. and the Executive Management Team held a memorial service on Wheeler Mall for students who were interested. Although held during time which class is still being held, the turn out for the service was numerous. "I was really surprised at how many students came out," said Lisa Bornholdt, senior. First to speak was President Cormier, who insisted once again that America would rise from the ashes. It was only less than five months ago when President Cormier gave a speech with similar predictions and hopes when the April 23rd fire burned
Grainger Hall and the historical Rotunda building. "After what we went through, I didn't think I'd have to stand up here again for another tragedy," said Cormier. "America will rally. The American spirit, our spirit, will prevail.." She stated that there was desperate need for blood donation and that MCV in Richmond had shipped almost its entire blood supply to help the hospitals of Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Cormier also encouraged students not to leave campus and on-campus counselors were ready in haitnV. ihf. sijihV.ofs' owvls and concerns. She reminded students to check their e-mails, as that is the main way to keep students informed of upcoming decisions made by the college. "All of us at the college feel this pain," said Cormier. "Those people were part of our family." Following Cormier's speech, Tim Pierson spoke of the shared "common bond of concern for our citizens." He also spoke of the Citizen Leader Day, that was planned
See PRAYER p. 8
See TALK p. 6
-See page 9 for student reactions to attack on U.S. soil.
Donors abound outside Wal-Mart Tuesday afternoon. Photo by George Lanum