Never Again?

<p>Lessons learned on the 8th anniversary of Columbine.

<i>-- Diane Edbril and Daniel Loeb</i>

Yet another American gun massacre, and though the scale is more horrific, it is not surprising. The Virginia Tech massacre is not unlike the Amish schoolhouse shooting in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, late last year. Both of these, while unbearably sad, are hardly unexpected in this country. Our weak gun laws make it a certainty that the United States will continue to suffer recurrences of such preventable tragedies. There is a crying need for Americans to understand - It&#39;s about the guns!

Phil Goldsmith, President of CeaseFire PA, said "Since the Columbine shooting tragedy it has become even easier to obtain guns, as well as high capacity ammunition magazines. Many states, including Pennsylvania, have passed pre-emption laws that have undermined the ability of local governments to enact stricter gun laws. (Pennsylvania has preempted local regulation of firearms for over a decade.) Concealed carry laws have multiplied. In addition, for the last six years, the US Department of Justice has required the destruction of gun purchase background check records after just 24 hours, a measure that has prevented a comprehensive review of those who may have acquired guns despite falling into a prohibited category."

Currently:</p>
<p><ul id="obj"><li>Most of our states do not require gun owners to be licensed and for guns to be registered.</li><li>Most of our states have not closed the gun show loophole, so thousands of guns are purchased without background checks.</li><li>Most states impose no limits on the number of firearms one individual can acquire, making it easy for illegal gun traffickers to supply the criminal element.</li><li>Many of our states do not update criminal history databases in a timely manner, making it easy for criminals to obtain firearms.</li></ul></p><p>Imagine how much worse this tragedy could have been if Cho Seung-hui had been in possession of a military assault weapon as is his "right" now that Congress has allowed the Assault Weapons Ban to expire.

Cho Seung-hui was able to obtain firearms despite his psychological record since the burden of proof is on the government to prove that he was a danger to himself and those around him. However, when I get a driver&#39;s license, the burden of proof is on me to prove that my eyesight is adequate and that I understand the rules of the road. When I send my children to school or to summer camp, the burden of proof is on me to show that my children have been immunized and are not carrying any communicable diseases. Why not shift the burden of proof and require a recent attestation of sanity from a psychiatrist or psychologist before anyone can handle a firearm?

Will the American people stand up to the gun lobby and demand change, or will the administration simply blame the media for not concentrating their coverage on the majority of universities which do not have gun violence at any given moment?

As Phil Goldsmith observed: "Congress called for a Moment of Silence in response to this massacre. Indeed, a moment of silence is appropriate for such a devastating tragedy with such pain for families and students. But we also need loud, uncompromising noise, particularly in Pennsylvania, where too many of our citizens are being shot and killed in urban areas. The majority of Pennsylvanians favor sensible handgun laws, including Governor Ed Rendell. It is time for the majority&#39;s voices to be heard loud and clear."

<i>For information about the Stop Gun Violence Through Peace, Action & Education - A Community-Based Interfaith&#39;s Conference on May 20 and the weekly vigils. See last month&#39;s article on <a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/v22/22007guns.aspx">Interfaith Initiative Against Guns</a>.</i>

<b>Liviu Librescu Links:</b></p>
<p><ul id="obj"><li><a href="http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/virginiatech.shootings/victims/profiles/liviu.librescu.html">CNN Tribute Page</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liviu_Librescu">Wikipedia</a></li><li><a href="http://www.esm.vt.edu/~llibresc/RESUME%20L.%20Librescu.pdf">61 page resume</a></li><li><a href="http://www.chabad.edu/templates/articlecco.html?AID=504498">Family Condolence Page</a></li></ul></p><p>--

© 2007. Permission is hereby granted to redistribute this issue of The Philadelphia Jewish Voice or (unless specified otherwise) any of the articles therein in their full original form provided these same rights are conveyed to the reader and subscription information to The Philadelphia Jewish Voice is provided. Subscribers should be directed to <a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/Subscribe.htm">http://www.pjvoice.com/Subscribe.htm</a>.

Original Source: <a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/v23/23001vatech.aspx">http://www.pjvoice.com/v23/23001vatech.aspx</a></p>

Diane Edbril and Daniel Loeb / The Philadelphia Jewish Voice

2007-07-01

Adriana Seagle

Daniel Loeb (daniel.loeb@verizon.net)

eng

Holocaust Survivor Slaughtered On Yom Hashoah

The Jewish community mourns with Virginia Tech.

<i>-- Daniel Loeb</i>

The deadliest campus shooting in the history of the US occurred on Monday, April 16 at Virginia Tech. The tragic shootings at Virginia Tech happened on the day Jews all over the world observe Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and which is marked in Israel with two minutes of silence, prayer and reflection.

The United States Congress has called for a minute of silence on Friday, April 20 at noon, to remember Monday&#39;s victims, as well as the millions of other men and women around the world who have died at the hands of armed madmen and criminals.

Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people and injured 29 more before taking his own life.

Ironically, one of the Virginia Tech victims, aeronautics professor Liviu Librescu, was a survivor of the Holocaust. He died while barricading his classroom against the gunman, saving the lives of several of his students through his sacrifice on Yom Hashoah.

Librescu, born in 1930 in Ploiesti, Romania, survived the Holocaust in the ghetto of Focsani while his father was interned in the Transnistria labor camp. After the war, he studied Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and Fluid Mechanics at the Academia de Stiinte din Romania.

He distinguished himself as a researcher at the Institute of Applied Mechanics, Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerospace Constructions of Academy of Science of Romania. However, then Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu did not allow him to emigrate to Israel, however, until Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin personally intervened on Prof. Librescu&#39;s behalf in 1978.

After making aliyah, Librescu served as a Professor of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering at Tel-Aviv University. In 1985, he joined the faculty at Virginia Tech where he distinguished himself as the Virginia Tech professor with the greatest number of publications.

At age 76, Professor Librescu held the door of his classroom shut so that Cho Seung-hui could not enter before his students escaped through the windows. Cho shot Liviu Librescu through the door mortally wounding this Professor considered a hero by his students.

Professor Librescu was <a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/v23/23001vatech.aspx">commended posthumously</a> by the President of Romania with the Star of Romania Order in the grade of Great Cross, "as a token of high appreciation for the entire scientific and universitarian activity, as well as for his heroic acts during the tragic events of April 16th 2007 in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus, when professor Librescu saved his students&#39; lives at the cost of his own".

Rabbi Yossel Kranz announced that the new Chabad House at Virginia Tech will be named for Professor Liviu Librescu. "Professor Librescu&#39;s final act of heroism will be eternally memorialized in the life-affirming activities of the new center," said Rabbi Kranz. The professor&#39;s widow Mrs. Marilena Librescu and their sons Ari and Joe shared with Rabbi Kranz their wishes that Librescu House serve as a home of healing, joy and spiritual fulfillment to Virginia Tech&#39;s Jewish students.

--

© 2007. Permission is hereby granted to redistribute this issue of The Philadelphia Jewish Voice or (unless specified otherwise) any of the articles therein in their full original form provided these same rights are conveyed to the reader and subscription information to The Philadelphia Jewish Voice is provided. Subscribers should be directed to <a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/Subscribe.htm">http://www.pjvoice.com/Subscribe.htm</a>.

Original Source: The Philadelphia Jewish Voice
<a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/v23/23001vatech.aspx">http://www.pjvoice.com/v23/23001vatech.aspx</a>

Daniel E. Loeb / The Philadelphia Jewish Voice

2007-07-01

Adriana Seagle

Daniel E.Loeb (daniel.loeb@verizon.net)

eng

Liviu Librescu

This photo captured Liviu Librescu&#39;s hokie stone.

Photo Courtesy of Garry Thompson

Garry Thompson

2007-06-28

Chad Newswander

Permission:
Garry Thompson
sthomp2813@aol.com

eng

S-a sacrificat pentru studentii americani!

17 Aprilie 2007
<a href="http://www.evz.ro/article.php?artid=300908">Cristina Botezatu</a>

<b>Liviu Librescu, profesor de aeronautica la Universitatea Tehnica din Virginia, a murit dupa ce l-a infruntat pe atacatorul care a produs cel mai mare masacru din istoria scolilor americane.</b>

Tragedia, produsa ieri, s-a soldat cu cel putin 33 de morti si 29 raniti.

Conform ultimelor date oferite de politie, numarul victimelor se ridica la 33, inclusiv autorul atacului care s-a sinucis inainte de a fi prins de politie.

Din primele date, atacatorul era un student chinez, de 24 de ani, care venise in SUA cu o bursa, in august 2006, din Shanghai. Unul dintre motivele vehiculate este prietena sa, pe care o banuia ca il insala. Cei doi s-au certat, o alta persoana intervenind pentru a stinge conflictul. Atacatorul i-a impuscat pe amandoi si a parasit caminul.

La scurt timp a avut loc atacul in cladirea Noriss Hall, unde se tin cursurile Universitatii Tehnice. Politia nu a stabilit inca daca cele doua incidente au avut acelasi autor.

"Avea ca 1,80 metri, infatisare asiatica, era imbracat ciudat, aproape ca un cercetas", a povestit pentru CNN Erin Sheehan studenta in primul an la inginerie mecanica.

Politia federala Americana (FBI) a anuntat ca nu exista indicii care sa sugereze ca atacul ar fi un act terorist, dar ancheta nu exclude pentru moment nicio pista.

Conform Star Tribune, unul din lectorii din sala de cursuri in care s-a dechis focul era roman: Liviu Librescu, profesor de aeronautica si specialist in mecanica fluidelor, numit Doctor Honoris Causa de catre Institutul Politehnic din Bucuresti in anul 2000.

Romanul a murit incercand sa blocheze usa pe care a intrat agresorul, conform unor surse apropiate familiei. <b>(Stefan Oprea)</b>

Un individ inarmat a facut cel putin 33 de morti intr-un campus universitar din Virginia, apoi a fost impuscat si el. Printre studentii si profesorii universitatii se numara si romani

Un macel de proportii fara precedent s-a produs ieri la Universitatea Tehnica Virginia, din Blacksburg (estul Statelor Unite), cel putin 33 de tineri pierzandu-si viata impuscati, potrivit primelor indicii, de un agresor care a fost doborat in cele din urma de politie, a anuntat canalul de televiziune Fox News, citand surse federale.

Spitalele din zona universitatii au declarat un total de cel putin 21 de raniti, din care o persoana in stare critica. „Astazi, universitatea a fost lovita de catre o tragedie pe care noi o consideram a fi de proportii monumentale", a declarat rectorul universitatii, Charles Steiger.

„Avem cel putin 20 de morti", s-a rezumat sa spuna Wendell Flinchum, seful politiei campusului, adaugand ca o mare parte a victimelor au fost ucise intr-o singura sala de curs si ca ucigasul se numara printre morti, desi inca nu se cunoaste identitatea acestuia.
"Deocamdata nu stim daca tragatorul era unul dintre studenti sau nu", a declarat Flinchum.

<b>Macel in doua episoade</b>

Cele dintai focuri de arma au fost semnalate la primele ore ale diminetii, cand un student a fost ucis si alti cativa raniti in caminul universitar West Ambler Johnston Hall, care gazduieste 895 de studenti. In urma focurilor de arma, in camin s-a declansat un haos general, au relatat reporterii ziarului universitatii. „O gramada de studenti alergau de colo-colo, ingroziti, in vreme ce politia incerca sa convinga pe toata lumea sa se culce la pamant, pentru a tine situatia sub control", au relatat reporterii citati de CNN.

Doua ore mai tarziu, macelul a fost reluat la Norris Hall, una din cladirile complexului care adaposteste catedrele de inginerie mecanica. Mai multi dintre martorii intervievati de posturile de televiziune americane au declarat ca au auzit „zeci de focuri" trase in incinta campusului si ca au vazut personal manifestari de panica in cladirile adiacente. Unii dintre studentii raniti spun ca au scapat cu viata numai sarind pe geam de la etaj, dar ca nu au vazut cum arata atacatorul.

<b>Panica in masa</b>

Matt Waldron, unul dintre studentii aflati in cladire, descrie scena de panica izbucnita dupa ce cursantii au vazut afara politisti adapostindu-se dupa copaci. „Ne-au spus sa iesim afara si sa traversam campul din fata cladirii, cat de repede posibil. (....) Au urmat scene de cosmar. Era infricosator. Doua colege si-au pierdut controlul din cauza panicii si au sarit de la fereastra salii aflate la etaj. Una din ele si-a rupt glezna, iar cealalta a ramas intinsa la pamant", a povestit Waldron.

Universitatea Virginia Tech, situata la 400 de kilometri sud-vest de Washington, gazduieste nu mai putin de 25.000 de studenti. Acestia au fost sfatuiti ieri sa ramana in cladiri si sa nu se apropie de ferestre pana la identificarea eventualilor alti agresori.

In zilele de 2 si 13 aprilie, campusul a fost evacuat din cauza a doua alerte cu bomba, ambele dovedite false, administratorii promitand o recompensa de 5.000 de dolari pentru deconspirarea farsorilor.

<b>Masacre in scolile americane</b>

Atacul de ieri este cel mai grav de acest gen produs intr-o institutie educationala din SUA.

1. August 1966: Charles Joseph Whitman, un fost puscas marin de 25 de ani, a ucis 13 persoane la Universitatea Texas, inainte de a fi impuscat de politisti.
2. Martie 1998: Doi baieti, de 11 si 13 ani, impusca mortal patru fetite si un profesor in Arkansas.

3. Aprilie 1999: Doi adolescenti ucid 12 elevi si un profesor de la Scoala din Columbine, Colorado, inainte de a se sinucide.

4. Martie 2005: Un elev al unei scoli din Minnesota isi impusca mortal noua colegi si se sinucide.

5. Octombrie 2006: Un individ de 32 de ani ucide 5 fete la o scoala amish din Pennsylvania si isi pune capat zilelor.

<b>MARTURII</b>

<b>Un film de groaza trait pe viu</b>

Inainte de terminarea oficiala a tragediei, mai multi studenti de la Virginia Tech si-au facut publice impresiile pe miniforumul BBC alocat „macelului din Virginia". Intre ei, primul pe lista, romanul Mihai Alexe:
„Sunt student la Virginia Tech si, din fericire, m-am hotarat sa nu ma duc in campus in dimineata aceasta. Am fost instiintati foarte rapid de primul incident, fiind sfatuiti sa stam in camere si sa fim extrem de atenti. Una dintre prietenele mele era la un curs in Norris Hall, unde s-a produs cel de-al doilea incident. Mi-a trimis un e-mail si un mesaj spunandu-mi ca s-a intalnit din intamplare cu faptasul si ca era sa fie impuscata din greseala. A reusit in cele din urma sa se refugieze cu alti studenti intr-una dintre sali si, din cate stiu pana acum, este in siguranta". <b>Mihai Alexe</b>

„Scena de aici este suprarealista. Te uiti la TV si pe internet si stii ca toate astea se intampla la tine in campus. Dar, mai ales ca student, nu-ti dai seama de asta, nu pe de-a-ntregul. Am avut un prieten in salile in care s-a tras, iar scenele pe care le descria el erau de cosmar. Semanau cu scenele din filmele de groaza, ceva la care te uiti, dar nu te-ai astepta vreodata sa ti se intample chiar tie". <b>Brandon</b>
„Suntem inca in soc total, departe de a ne fi revenit. Faptul ca 20 de oameni au fost impuscati in campusul meu mi se pare de neconceput si incredibil. Parca e ceva dintr-un film, numai ca real. Este o tragedie ingrozitoare, una care va avea un impact asupra acestei universitati in anii ce vor veni". <b>Timothy Owen</b>

„E oribil, realmente oribil. In clipa de fata stau chiar in fata campusului. Atat de multi dintre prietenii mei sunt inauntru, fara sa stie ca e oribil. Inca nu-mi vine sa cred ca peste 20 dintre noi au murit...". <b>Richard Allnutt</b>

Cititi si <a href="http://www.evz.ro/article.php?artid=300927"> "Profesorul-erou, inventator si reputat om de stiinta"</a>


--
Sursa Originala: <a href="http://www.evz.ro/article.php?artid=300908">http://www.evz.ro/article.php?artid=300908</a>

Cristina Botezatu

2007-06-21

Adriana Seagle

Calin Hera (calin.hera@evz.ro)

ron

Eroul Americii indoliate

18 Aprilie 2007
<a href="http://www.expres.ro/article.php?artid=301055">Livia Cimpoeru, Eugenia Mihalcea</a>

<b>Masacrul produs luni la Universitatea americana Virginia Tech din Blacksburg ar fi putut avea un bilant si mai tragic daca nu ar fi existat oameni ca Liviu Librescu.</b>

America retraieste in aceste zile cosmarul masacrelor lipsite de orice ratiune. Pe harta ororilor s-a adaugat luni universitatea tehnica din orasul Blacksburg, unde un tanar student a omorat 32 de persoane, inainte de a-si pune capat zilelor.

Printre personajele centrale ale tragediei de la Virginia Tech se numara si un profesor de origine romana care a reusit, cu pretul vietii, sa salveze o parte dintre studenti.

In dimineata fatidica, in sala 207 a cladirii Norris Hall, se desfasura un curs de germana. Cateva incaperi mai departe, profesorul Liviu Librescu, un reputat om de stiinta nascut in Romania, le preda studentilor. „Era o atmosfera cat se poate de normala", povesteste Richard Mallalieu, student al profesorului Librescu.

<b>Ultima ora a profesorului Librescu</b>

Brusc, in jurul orei 9.00, atacatorul intra in sala 207 inarmat cu doua pistoale si-l impusca pe profesorul Christopher Bishop in cap. Apoi incepe sa traga inspre cei circa 25 de studenti aflati in clasa.

„Cel putin 30 de focuri", isi aminteste studentul Trey Perkins. Doar trei-patru studenti au supravietuit. Criminalul a iesit pe hol, unde a dat peste un ingrijitor care incerca sa ajute o fata ce zacea intr-o balta de sange. A tras de cinci ori asupra ingrijitorului si s-a intors spre 207, insa supravietuitorii blocasera usa.

Atunci s-a indreptat spre sala 204, unde studentii urmareau o expunere de imagini a profesorului Librescu. Auzind focurile de arma din incaperea alaturata, studentii au intrat in panica. Profesorul Librescu s-a repezit la usa, incercand sa o blocheze. Curajul sau a salvat probabil mai multe vieti, caci, in timp ce el tinea usa, o parte dintre studenti au sarit pe ferestre.

<b>Vieti salvate cu pretul vietii</b>

Alec Calhoun, un alt tanar care participa la cursul de ieri al profesorului Librescu, isi aminteste cum, intr-o ultima secunda, inainte de a sari pe geamul salii de curs pentru a-si salva viata, a privit inapoi catre dascalul care tinea usa blocata cu propriul trup. Cu doar o ora inainte, sotia profesorului il adusese pe Librescu la universitate cu masina si il lasase in siguranta in campus, dupa cum noteaza publicatia israeliana „Ynetnews".

Liviu Librescu locuia in SUA impreuna cu sotia sa, Marilena. Profesorul evreu de origine romana va fi ingropat in Israel, dupa cum a declarat pentru „Ynetnews" nora lui Liviu Librescu, Ayala. Aceasta a precizat ca sotia dascalului, Marilena, si fii Arieh si Joe, care traiesc in Israel, fac deja pregatirile pentru inmormantare.

Ziarele israeliene au scris despre tragedia din Virginia, avand in prim-plan imaginea eroului evreu Liviu Librescu, care si-a pierdut viata chiar in ziua comemorarii Holocaustului. Si in Romania, profesorul nascut la Ploiesti este perceput ca un erou.

<b>UN PRIBEAG IMPLINIT</b>

<b>Indragostit de scoala la care preda</b>

Profesorul evreu de origine romana Liviu Librescu a absolvit Facultatea de Inginerie Aerospatiala in cadrul Universitatii Politehnica din Bucuresti (UPB), in 1952. Si-a terminat studiile doctorale la aceeasi institutie de invatamant superior, iar apoi a lucrat pe functia de cercetator la Institutul de Mecanica a Fluidelor din cadrul Academiei de Stiinte.

„In 1969 si-a sustinut teza de doctorat sub conducerea academicianului Carafoli. A facut calculele de rezistenta si de aeroelasticitate pentru proiectarea avioanelor IAR 93", explica prodecanul Serban Tomescu, fost coleg al romanului ucis in masacrul de la universitatea americana.

Serban Tomescu spune ca a incercat inca de luni seara sa afle ce s-a intamplat cu prietenul sau din tinerete. Din pacate, nu i-a raspuns nimeni la telefon in Statele Unite. Ieri, dupa aflarea tristei vesti, ultimele fotografii facute impreuna cu Liviu Librescu si o scrisoare primita de la acesta in anul 2000 il fac sa depene amintiri. Imaginile sunt din acelasi an, 2000, atunci cand Universitatea Politehnica i-a acordat dascalului roman titlul Doctor Honoris Causa.

„Mi-a cerut dupa eveniment sa merg cu el la mormantul parintilor sai din Ploiesti, dar pana la urma a spus ca merge singur", povesteste profesorul Tomescu.

<b>Tara de suflet si cea de adoptie</b>

Liviu Librescu a parasit Romania in 1978, desi Nicolae Ceausescu nu voia sa piarda un cercetator valoros. Supravietuitor al Holocaustului, profesorul de origine romana a reusit pana la urma sa ajunga in tara sa de suflet, Israel, cu ajutorul premierului israelian de la acea vreme, Menachem Begin.

Librescu a fost profesor in cadrul Universitatii Tel-Aviv din Israel pana in 1984, cand a emigrat in tara tuturor posibilitatilor, America. Aici si-a implinit visul de a preda la una dintre cele mai prestigioase universitati din lume in domeniul ingineriei, Virginia Tech.

Unul dintre fii sai, Joe, rezident in Statele Unite, povesteste pentru publicatia israeliana „Ynetnews" ca parintii sai duceau o viata simpla si fericita in vestul Virginiei, intr-o zona situata intre dealuri si munti.

Fara sa caute castiguri materiale imense, profesorul Librescu era indragostit de scoala la care preda si ceea ce ii placea cel mai mult era sa-si invete studentii stiinte mecanice si aeronautica, spune fiul sau.

„Profesorul Librescu s-a comportat intr-un mod exemplar in fata dezastrului. A tinut usa sa nu patrunda criminalul in clasa si a fost ucis prin aceasta de rafala de gloante", spune rectorul UPB, Ecaterina Andronescu. Universitatea Politehnica din Capitala si Universitatea Virginia Tech sunt, de ieri, in doliu. <b>(Eugenia Mihalcea)</b>

<b>Timisoara</b>

<b>„Incerca sa faca o presiune stiintifica"</b>

Liviu Librescu a colaborat ani intregi cu profesori de la Facultatea de Mecanica din Timisoara, care sunt socati de veste. „Imediat ce am vazut stirile din Virginia, i-am trimis un e-mail in care il rugam sa-mi transmita noutati despre dumnealui. Nu stiam ca e unul dintre decedati. Nu puteam sa-mi imaginez ca putea sa se intample asa ceva acolo. Era o atmosfera deosebita, oamenii nici nu-si incuiau usile la case, toti se cunosteau intre ei, toti se salutau", spune profesorul Pantele Chelu de la Facultatea de Mecanica din Timisoara.

„Era un om deosebit, politicos, incerca sa faca o presiune stintifica, dar intr-un mod extraordinar de politicos",
adauga profesorul.

„Stia sa puna intotdeauna intr-un mod deosebit problemele din mecanica vibratiilor, dar si probleme de impact al vehiculelor cosmice cu alte corpuri,", spune si Liviu Beledeu, profesor la aceeasi facultate. <b>(Nicoleta Chiru)</b>

<b>SOLIDARITATE</b>

<b>„Romanii din Virginia, mai uniti dupa masacru"</b>

Romanii din Blacksburg, Virginia, au ramas uimiti de ceea ce s-a intamplat. Chiar daca nu l-au cunoscut pe profesorul Liviu Librescu, unii dintre ei au inceput sa intre in contact dupa evenimente, socati de tragedie.

Alexandru Papoiu locuieste la 90 de minute de mers cu masina de Blacksburg. El a inceput sa-i caute pe romanii din zona prin internet, dupa ce a aflat ce s-a intamplat. „Sunt consternat! Sunt afectat ca un profesor de origine romana a cazut intr-un asemenea incident. Pe strada am aflat ce se petrece, pentru ca autoritatile sunt foarte precaute la ce informatii dau. Ce sa va mai spun, oamenii sunt siderati", povesteste Alexandru.

Marius Popescu, doctorand la universitate, se indrepta spre campus in momentul atacului. „Eu am ajuns cu masina pe langa campus la ora 12.30. De fapt, nici nu am putut sa intru, ca strazile erau blocate. Nu stiam ce se petrece. Abia apoi am aflat. Toata lumea de aici e in soc si nimeni nu intelege cum de s-a putut intampla asa ceva", spune el.

<b>„Anul asta scolar a fost foarte ciudat"</b>

Acum, universitatea este inchisa, campusul este gol. „Lucrul este atat de surprinzator. Orasul asta e foarte mic si linistit. Majoritatea oamenilor de aici lucreaza la universitate", arata Marius Popescu. Pana la momentul tragediei, unul dintre atuurile Universitatii din Virginia era tocmai linistea ce domnea aici. Oficialii institutiei foloseau asta ca sa atraga candidati.

„Numai ca anul asta scolar a fost foarte ciudat. Au fost mai multe atacuri prin tara. Nu sunt eu foarte familiar cu metodele de consiliere in universitatile americane, dar stiu ca ei se preocupa cu asta, au un centru pentru cei cu probleme si care au nevoie de sfaturi", arata Marius Popescu.

Romanca Denisa O. se afla in campus in momentul atacului, intr-un corp opus celor in care s-a tras. A apucat sa vada cum vin ambulantele si politia. Spune ca va participa la marsul ce va avea loc in amintirea celor care si-au pierdut viata. „Eu nu cunosc pe nimeni din comunitatea romaneasca de aici. Dar faptul ca un profesor roman si-a pierdut viata este cu atat mai socant", spune ea. <b>(Andrei Udisteanu)</b>

<b>Marturii</b>

<b>Cosmar trait cu ochii deschisi</b>

Sub efectul socului si al durerii de a-si fi vazut colegii omorati cu sange rece sub ochii lor, unii supravietuitori au mai avut puterea sa relateze presei cosmarul prin care au trecut. <b>(Livia Cimpoeru)</b>

„Toti s-au aruncat la podea cand a inceput sa traga. Atacatorul era foarte serios si avea o mina calma." <b>(Richard Mallalieu)</b>
„A avansat un metru si a inceput sa traga. Avea un aer foarte hotarat si a reusit sa-i impuste aproape pe toti. Eu am scapat pre-facandu-ma ca sunt moarta. Am vazut gloantele cum intra in trupuri. Era sange peste tot. Unii lesinasera, probabil din cauza socului sau de durere. Am fost una dintre cei doar patru care au scapat." <b>(Erin Sheehan)</b>

„In prima instanta, nu ne-am dat seama ce se intampla, se auzeau ca zgomotele de la lucrarile de constructii. Apoi am auzit o succesiune de focuri, probabil vreo 50 in total. La un moment dat am auzit tipetele celor care fugeau si ni s-a facut frica, intrebandu-ne ce se intampla. Am asteptat infricosati, cu gandul ca o sa ajunga si la noi." <b>(Tiffany Ottey)</b>

<b>Filmul evenimentelor</b>

<b>Studentii, coordonati prin e-mail</b>

ora 7.15, ora locala: politia este chemata la West Ambler Johnston Hall, un camin din campusul de la Virginia Tech. Un barbat si o femeie fusesera impuscati mortal

ora 7.30: doi raniti sunt transportati la Spitalul regional Montgomery

ora 8.00: ora de incepere a cursurilor. Crezand ca atacatorul a parasit campusul, politia decide sa trateze evenimentul ca pe un incident izolat

ora 9.26: administratia anunta studentii prin e-mail ca in incinta institutiei s-au tras focuri de arma si ii avertizeaza sa fie prudenti

ora 9.30: studenti prezenti in cladirea Noris Hall suna la politie, anuntand ca s-a tras din nou.
Un necunoscut intra din clasa in clasa, ucigand 30 de persoane, dupa care se sinucide

ora 10.16: administratia trimite un e-mail prin care anunta ca toate cursurile au fost suspendate si cere studentilor din campus sa se incuie in camere

ora 12.15: rectorul universitatii, Charles Steger, anunta intr-o conferinta de presa ca bilantul depaseste 20 de morti. Ulterior, numarul creste la 33 de morti, inclusiv atacatorul.

<b>Ancheta</b>

<b>Autorul macelului, un student coreean</b>

Politia Universitatii Virginia Tech a anuntat, ieri, ca barbatul care a comis masacrul era un student sud-coreean, in varsta de 23 de ani, pe nume Cho Seung-Hui. Acesta avea statut de rezident permanent pe teritoriul american si era student in ultimul an la Facultatea de Limba si Literatura Engleza.

Declaratia politiei a venit la scurt timp dupa ce rectorul universitatii, Charles Steger, a afirmat ca atacatorul era un student de orgine asiatica si locuia in campusul universitar. Potrivit CNN, Cho era un singuratic si, din acest motiv, autoritatile au gasit cu greu informatii despre el.

Politia a anuntat ca rezultatele de la laborator au aratat ca una dintre cele doua arme gasite la Norris Hall a fost utilizata in ambele atacuri. Potrivit presei, este vorba despre un singur asasin, care dorea sa se razbune din pricina unui esec amoros. El a intrat inarmat in camera fostei sale iubite din caminul West Ambler Johnston Hall, care era in compania noului sau prieten - Ryan Clark, impuscandu-i mortal pe cei doi. <b>(Andreea Romanovschi)</b>

<b>Record trist</b>

<b>Cel mai sangeros masacru din SUA</b>

Masacrul de la Virginia Tech este de departe cel mai sangeros din istoria SUA, plasandu-se pe un infam loc doi la scara mondiala.
In 1996, un dezechilibrat mintal a deschis foc asupra trecatorilor din statiunea turistica Port Arthur, pe insula australiana Tasmania, ucigand 35 de oameni. Alte 34 de persoane au fost ranite.

Cu 10 ani mai devreme, un alt dezechilibrat mintal a impuscat si a injunghiat mortal 29 de oameni, in capitala columbiana Bogota.
In 1991, americanul George Hen-nard a intrat cu camioneta intr-un restaurant din Killeen (Texas), deschizand foc asupra mesenilor cu doua pistoale. A omorat 23 de oameni, dupa care s-a sinucis.

<b>Reactii</b>

<b>Stupoare si revolta</b>

Presedintele american George W. Bush a ordonat, ieri, arborarea drapelelor in berna pana duminica seara. In calitate de reprezentanti ai intregii natiuni americane, seful Casei Albe si sotia sa, Laura, au participat, ieri, la Blacksburg, la comemorarea victimelor carnagiului.
Studentii de la Virginia Tech sunt revoltati si nu pot sa inteleaga cum a putut fi comis un masacru de asemenea proportii.

Unii dintre ei spun ca administratia institutiei scolare ia masuri tardive. Multi s-au plans ca nu au fost avertizati in timp util cu privire la primul incident petrecut in campus, primul e-mail fiind trimis abia la doua ore dupa atac.

<b>Un sud-coreean furios</b>

<b>Biletul ucigasului: „Voi m-ati impins sa fac asta"</b>

Politia Universitatii Virginia Tech a anuntat ieri ca barbatul care a comis masacrul era un tanar sud-coreean, in varsta de 23 de ani, pe nume Cho Seung-Hui.

Acesta avea statut de rezident permanent in SUA si era student in ultimul an la Facultatea de Limba si Literatura Engleza. Cho emigrase in SUA impreuna cu familia pe cand avea 8 ani.

Studentul a lasat in camera sa de camin o lunga scrisoare in care isi exprima mania fata de „copiii de bani gata" si fata de desfraul din societatea americana.

„Voi m-ati impins sa fac asta", mai scrie el. Politia a stabilit ca Cho Seung-Hui a comis primele doua crime din camin, s-a reintors in camera sa, unde a redactat scrisoarea, a reincarcat armele, dupa care s-a indreptat spre salile de curs.

In rucsacul sau a fost gasita chitanta de la achizitionarea, pe 13 aprilie, a unui pistol Glock de 9 mm, alaturi de doua cutite si cutii de cartuse. Celalalt pistol gasit la locul macelului, de calibru 22, a fost cumparat de Cho tot cu cateva zile in urma. <b>(Andreea Romanovschi)</b>


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Sursa Originala:<a href="http://www.expres.ro/article.php?artid=301055">http://www.expres.ro/article.php?artid=301055</a>

Evenimentul Zilei

2007-06-21

Adriana Seagle

Calin Hera (calin.hera@evz.ro)

ron

Bush honors Israeli professor killed in Virginia Tech shooting

<b>&#39;This Holocaust survivor gave his own life so that others may live,&#39; US president says during Shoah memorial service in Washington. On Iran: You who have survived evil know that the only way to defeat it is to look it in the face and not back down</b>

Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 04.18.07, 20:24 / <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3082,00.html">Israel News</a>

<b>WASHINGTON</b> - US President George W. Bush on Wednesday honored Professor Liviu Librescu, an Israeli Holocaust survivor who died trying to keep a gunman from shooting his students in a <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3388734,00.html">killing spree</a> at Virginia Tech University.

Librescu, an aeronautics engineer and teacher at the school for 20 years, saved the lives of several students by using his body to barricade a classroom door before he was gunned down in Monday&#39;s massacre.

"That day we saw horror, but we also saw quiet acts of courage," Bush said at a memorial service held at the US Holocaust Museum to a crowd that included many survivors.

"We saw this courage in a teacher named Liviu Librescu. With the gunman set to enter his class, this brave professor blocked the door with his body while his students fled to safety. On the Day of Remembrance, this Holocaust survivor gave his own life so that others may live. And this morning we honor his memory and we take strength from his example.

<b>&#39;You who have found refuge in a Jewish homeland&#39;</b>

President Bush continued to say that, "This is a place devoted to memory. Inside this building are etched the words of the prophet Isaiah: You are my witness. As part of this witness, these walls show how one of the world&#39;s most advanced nations embraced a policy aimed at the annihilation of the Jewish people."

Turning his attention to the Iranian nuclear threat, the American president said, "You who bear the tattoos of death camps hear the leader of Iran declare that the Holocaust is a myth. You who have found refuge in a Jewish homeland know that tyrants and terrorists have vowed to wipe it from the map. And you who have survived evil know that the only way to defeat it is to look it in the face and not back down."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and newly appointed US ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, were also on hand for the Holocaust memorial service.

<b>Associated Press contributed to the report</b>

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Original Source:
<a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3389555,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3389555,00.html</a>

Ynetnews

2007-06-20

Adriana Seagle

Efrat Yaari,Marketing Manager,Ynetnews (Efrat-ya@y-i.co.il)

eng

Cartier Liviu Librescu

Evenimentul Zilei Nr. 4846

7 Iunie 2007
<a href="mailto:silvia.vrinceanu@evz.ro">Silvia Vrinceanu</a>

Focsaniul va avea, de luna viitoare, un nou cartier, "Erou prof. dr. Liviu Librescu", situat chiar in centrul orasului, in jurul templului evreiesc, construit in 1896.

Consiliul Local Focsani a decis, saptamana trecuta, sa atribuie fostului cartier evreiesc numele profesorului in semn de omagiu pentru ca si-a aparat cu viata studentii in timpul masacrului din 16 aprilie de la Universitatea Virginia Tech din SUA.

Propunerea se afla acum la avizare la Comisia Judeteana de Atribuire de Denumiri de pe langa Institutia Prefectului, urmand sa fie aprobata in cateva zile.

Decizia municipalitatii focsanene a fost salutata si de fostii studenti ai profesorului evreu de origine romana. Tinerii au facut o baza de date digitala cu toate materiale publicate in lume despre masacrul din 16 aprilie. Baza de date, care cuprinde peste 350 de documente, poate fi accesata pe site-ul www.april16archive.org. Profesorul Liviu Librescu a stat la Focsani pana la varsta de 14 ani.

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Sursa Originala:
<a href="http://www.expres.ro/article.php?artid=308428">http://www.expres.ro/article.php?artid=308428</a>

Silvia Vrinceanu

2007-06-20

Adriana Seagle

Silvia Vrinceanu-Nichita (silvia@ziaruldevrancea.ro)

ron

Profesorul-erou LIVIU LIBRESCU a fost ploiestean

Vineri, 20 Aprilie 2007

<b>De ieri, el este Cetatean de Onoare - post mortem, al municipiului</b>
Cea mai oribila crima savarsita vreodata intr-un campus universitar din SUA - dupa cum a fost caracterizat atacul armat de la Universitatea Virginia Tech, in urma caruia au fost asasinate 32 de persoane - a adus in prim-planul atentiei opiniei publice mondiale un erou. Numele sau - Liviu Librescu, profesorul care si-a aparat studentii, blocand cu propriul corp, usa de acces criminalului. Strapuns de gloante, ultima lui lectie urma sa fie aceea a curajului, a sacrificiului, a apararii studentilor sai cu propria-i viata. S-a spus despre profesorul erou ca este de origine romana. Cu fireasca emotie aveam sa aflam insa, ca profesorul Librescu este ploiestean. Aici s-a nascut, in 1930, aici a locuit si si-a facut studiile liceale. In memoria si pentru cinstirea jertfei sale, ieri, la Sinagoga din Ploiesti, a avut loc o manifestare omagiala. Aceasta a constat intr-o rugaciune traditionala spusa in limba ebraica si a fost oficiata de Gilu Iuftariu, vicepresedintele comunitatii evreiesti din municipiu, organizatie ce aduna in prezent, aproximativ 100 de membri. "Liviu Librescu s-a nascut la Ploiesti acum 77 de ani dintr-o familie de evrei, a facut studiile la Liceul "Sfintii Petru si Pavel" si a absolvit Institutul Politehnic din Bucuresti in 1953. Profesorul erou era considerat, in lumea academica, drept o somitate; a fost recunoscut ca fondatorul teoriei aplicatiilor in domeniul petrochimiei si, de asemenea, foarte apreciat datorita muncii sale de cercetare in domeniul aerospatial. Din nefericire, profesorul Librescu a fost ucis in incercarea sa de a-si salva studentii de ploaia de gloante", cu aceste cuvinte si-a inceput discursul vicepresedintele comunitatii evreiesti. De asemenea, acesta a mai precizat: "L-am cunoscut pe profesorul Librescu, cu multi ani in urma si chiar am mentinut legatura prin intermediul corespondentei. Intotdeauna a demonstrat un grad de cultura si de bunatate deosebit, nu a uitat niciodata de unde a plecat, drept pentru care a revenit in tara acum cativa ani cu urna cu cenusa a tatalui sau, pentru a-l inhuma in cimitirul din Ploiesti. Gestul sau de sacrificiu demonstreaza o marinimie sufleteasca deosebita, acesta oferindu-ne o ultima lectie de viata".
Printre cei prezenti la manifestare s-au mai numarat reprezentanti ai Primariei Municipiului Ploiesti, ai Muzeului de Istorie si Arheologie Prahova, ai Muzeului de Arta Ploiesti etc.
***
Ieri, consilierii locali i-au acordat prof.univ.dr. Liviu Librescu, Titlul de Cetatean de Onoare al municipiului Ploiesti, post-mortem.
Ana-Maria DRAGOMIR

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Sursa Originala:
<a href="http://www.ziarulprahova.ro/articol~categorie-cultura~stire-21252~profesorul-erou-liviu-librescu-a-fost-ploiestean~perioada-aprilie-2007.html">http://www.ziarulprahova.ro/articol~categorie-cultura~stire-21252~profesorul-erou-liviu-librescu-a-fost-ploiestean~perioada-aprilie-2007.html</a>

Ziarul de Prahova

2007-06-20

Adriana Seagle

Dumitru Carstea, Director al Editurii Prahova (edprahova@asesoft.ro)

ron

Israeli killed in Virginia massacre

<b>One of victims in Virginia Tech shooting rampage Monday is Prof Liviu Librescu, senior researcher at university. Librescu was killed after he stayed behind his class to block door and protect students. Massacre claimed lives of 32 people</b>

Yitzhak Benhorin
Latest Update: 04.17.07, 17:04 / <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3082,00.html">Israel News</a>

<b>WASHINGTON</b> - Prof Liviu Librescu, a <a href="http://www.esm.vt.edu/php/person.php?id=10023">senior researcher and lecturer</a> at Virginia Tech, is among the 32 people who were killed during a <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3388734,00.html">shooting rampage</a> at the university Monday.

His wife, Marlina, and two sons, Arieh and Joe, have already begun making arrangements for his burial in Israel.

The Virginia Tech Police Department identified the campus gunman as Cho Seung-Hui, 23, a student and native of South Korea.

An official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry said that it could not rule out that the shooter was from South Korea but said it had not received any such notification from the US Embassy.

One of Prof Librescu&#39;s students, Alec Calhoun, who was with him at the classroom when the shooting started, told AP that at about 9:05 am, he and classmates heard "a thunderous sound from the classroom next door, what sounded like an enormous hammer."

When students realized the sounds were gunshots, Calhoun said, they started flipping over desks for hiding places. Others dashed to the windows of the second-floor classroom, kicking out the screens and jumping from the ledge of the room.

Calhoun said that just before he climbed out the window, he turned to look at the professor (Librescu), who had stayed behind to block the door.

Librescu&#39;s wife drove him to work on Monday, and he was killed about an hour later. His daughter-in-law Ayala, who is married to his son, Joe, told Ynet: "I heard he blocked the door of the classroom he was teaching... he must have realized that the murderer was approaching. He saved his students and was killed by gunshots."

"He has been teaching there for 20 years, and was a senior, world-renowned lecturer. He is the professor with the highest number of publications in the history of Virginia Tech. In the past, he taught at Tel Aviv University and the Technion," she added.

Ayala said that her father-in-law was passionate about his research and a dedicated family man.

<b>A true gentleman</b>

Prof Librescu and his wife are both Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Israel from Romania in 1978.

Librescu was an accomplished scientist in Romania, and the Communist regime had tried to prevent him from making aliyah to Israel. He was allowed to leave the country only after the Israeli prime minister at the time Menachem Begin appealed the matter to President Nicolae Ceausescu.

Several years later, Librescu left for a sabbatical in the United States and has remained there since. His first son, Arieh, lives in Israel, while his other son, Joe, resides in the US.

"I understand from friends that my father was a hero," the son Joe told Ynet. "In fact, by blocking the door with his body he saved all the students who were in the classroom."

Joe said that his parents were very happy in the United States, where they have been living since 1984. "He and my mom led a simple life, at a pastoral place in West Virginia, between hills and mountains, and he loved the school in which he taught."

"He is scientist who did not work for money, but for the pleasure he got from his occupation," he added.

<b>AP contributed to the report</b>

First Published: 04.17.07, 07:17

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Original Source: <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3388753,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3388753,00.html</a>

Ynetnews

2007-06-20

Adriana Seagle

Efrat Yaari,Marketing Manager,Ynetnews (Efrat-ya@y-i.co.il)

eng

Israeli VA Tech massacre victim laid to rest

<b>Hundreds of mourners accompany Prof Librescu to his final resting place. &#39;After surviving the Holocaust and Nicolae Ceausescu&#39;s regime in Romania, he ended up being shot in Virginia,&#39; friend says</b>

Ines Ehrlich
Published: 04.20.07, 12:44 / <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3082,00.html">Israel News</a>

Professor Liviu Librescu, who was murdered in the Virginia Tech shooting this week, was buried Friday morning at the Ra&#39;anana cemetery.

Hundreds of mourners accompanied Librescu to his final resting place.

Among those who came to pay their respects was the head of <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3312653,00.html">Jewish Agency Zeev Bielski</a> who was also the former Mayor of Ra&#39;anana, the Romanian consulate general, friends, relatives and media from all over the world.

Shmulik Moyal, a neighbor and friend of Professor Librescu for twenty years, spoke of how one can never know how life will turn out. "After the professor survived the Holocaust and Nicolae Ceausescu&#39;s regime in Romania, he ended up being shot in Virginia."

"He died in the place he most loved; he stopped the killer with his own body so that students could live," Moyal said.

<b>&#39;Never gave up on his dream&#39;</b>

Choked by tears, the professor&#39;s wife, Marlena, thanked her husband for the two sons he gave her, saying that she hoped he would look after them from above.

The professor&#39;s two sons, Joe and Arieh, eulogized their father in Romanian, English and Hebrew, saying that their father had always taught them to be good people, but he never taught them how to become heroes.

In his eulogy Bielski said that it seems that the way Librescu met his death reflects more than anything his personal life story.

"As a Holocaust survivor he managed to rehabilitate his life, to raise a warm and loving family with his wife Marilena who had also been through the Holocaust," Bielski said.

"He struggled to come to Israel, never giving up his dream of living a meaningful Jewish life; he realized his dream of coming to Israel in 1978 thanks to the personal intervention of Menachem Begin with Romania&#39;s leader at the time Ceausescu; he became part of the academic world in Israel; he taught and made important achievements as a researcher and a scientist at the Technion, the Tel Aviv University and later at Virginia Tech, where he lectured and researched during the past 20 years."

Gheorghe Angelescu, adviser to the president of Romania, presented Marlena Librescu with the Star of Romania - the country&#39;s highest civilian honor, which was previously granted to the prime ministers of France and Italy.

Among the Chabad representatives present was Rabbi Motti Seligson, who told ynetnews how they had taken care of the burial arrangements, and accompanied the family with the coffin on their way back to Israel.

Seligson said that the professor&#39;s wife had asked Chabad to organize the lighting of Shabbat candles at the university campus in memory of her husband, who cherished this tradition

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Original Source: <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3390258,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3390258,00.html</a>

Ynetnews

2007-06-20

Adriana Seagle

Efrat Yaari,Marketing Manager,Ynetnews (Efrat-ya@y-i.co.il)

eng