Nationals wear Virginia Tech hats

[slapshot]

I'm going to come right out and say it. You people that decry this as pandering and a bad idea (whether it be aesthetically unpleasing due to mismatching, or you think it could have been done better) are a bunch of idiots. The Nationals did the right thing by trying to honor the victims of a heinous crime in the vicinity of the majority of their fan base. I applaud their effort and their willingness to scramble to do the right thing. The Nats showed some class, which is more than I can say for you.

Couldn't have set it better myself. Such a touching gesture for those mourning a horrific event.

[huggermugger]

America is getting real boring with all of the "tributes". 9/11, Katrina, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and so on.

rather than a baseball team wearing tribute hats or American idol announcing that their hearts go out to Virginia, how about America does something about these problems. Not from a Republican or Democrat point of view, just a solution.

All these tributes are just P.R. so that organizations can look like they care about issues without fixing anything.

Also 20 times as many people will be shot IN D.C. this year. Why aren't they wearing tribute caps for that EVERY night then.

Oh right because they don't know how to fix it. It's just pandering.

[footballfiji]

America is getting real boring with all of the "tributes". 9/11, Katrina, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and so on.

rather than a baseball team wearing tribute hats or American idol announcing that their hearts go out to Virginia, how about America does something about these problems. Not from a Republican or Democrat point of view, just a solution.

All these tributes are just P.R. so that organizations can look like they care about issues without fixing anything.

Also 20 times as many people will be shot IN D.C. this year. Why aren't they wearing tribute caps for that EVERY night then.

Oh right because they don't know how to fix it. It's just pandering.

I think someone needs a hug.

[powersurge]

America is getting real boring with all of the "tributes". 9/11, Katrina, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and so on.

rather than a baseball team wearing tribute hats or American idol announcing that their hearts go out to Virginia, how about America does something about these problems. Not from a Republican or Democrat point of view, just a solution.

All these tributes are just P.R. so that organizations can look like they care about issues without fixing anything.

Also 20 times as many people will be shot IN D.C. this year. Why aren't they wearing tribute caps for that EVERY night then.

Oh right because they don't know how to fix it. It's just pandering.

I agree somewhat with what you wrote here, although I don't know if I would have worded it that way (especially the whole P.R thing) Solutions are needed in all of these situations.

That being said, what most people are forgetting here is that the Nationals hat tribute was spur of the moment (the evidence was the non matching caps) and orchestrated primarily by the players and not the ball club front office or MLB. Therefore it came across as genuine and heartfelt.

Yah, it didn't SOLVE anything, but it showed that the players were thinking about the students and families. You can't expect ballplayers to go out and save the world, you can't even expect them to really care about anything other than themselves. In this case these guys actually took the extra step to show us that atleast the latter wasn't true...and in this day and age of pompous over paid athletes that is enough in my book.

[hecticbro]

America is getting real boring with all of the "tributes". 9/11, Katrina, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and so on.

rather than a baseball team wearing tribute hats or American idol announcing that their hearts go out to Virginia, how about America does something about these problems. Not from a Republican or Democrat point of view, just a solution.

All these tributes are just P.R. so that organizations can look like they care about issues without fixing anything.

Also 20 times as many people will be shot IN D.C. this year. Why aren't they wearing tribute caps for that EVERY night then.

Oh right because they don't know how to fix it. It's just pandering.

Well said. I don't really like this kind of stuff either. But then again, I don't get over-emotional about "tragedies". The world goes on. Plenty of things happen to everyone everyday. You just have to deal with it and not care.

[meetthemets]

America is getting real boring with all of the "tributes". 9/11, Katrina, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and so on.

rather than a baseball team wearing tribute hats or American idol announcing that their hearts go out to Virginia, how about America does something about these problems. Not from a Republican or Democrat point of view, just a solution.

All these tributes are just P.R. so that organizations can look like they care about issues without fixing anything.

Also 20 times as many people will be shot IN D.C. this year. Why aren't they wearing tribute caps for that EVERY night then.

Oh right because they don't know how to fix it. It's just pandering.

So should Livan Hernandex been working security in Blacksburg that day? I don't understand what the Washington Nationals are supposed to do to fix this problem. It's a baseball team not a government subcommittee. They wore the hats for one night as a tribute. They won't be wearing them all year. Get over it.

And I love when people sit back and say "we just need a solution" yet offer no suggestions.

[huggermugger]

Ok since you asked here are your solutions

A. There are far too many guns in America today. At some point we are going to have to pass serious gun control laws.

B. America is seriously over medicated. Every time someone has a problem, a normal human emotion, they say here's ten medications. The meds not only fail to fix the problem but they sometimes aggrivate the negative emotions.

C. The media needs to stop with all of the non-stop coverage of these incidents. They blame video games or music but in reality the media is the one glorifying traggic events. They keep mentioning how it was a record breaking rampage, and showing exactly how and when he planned the attack. Media need to stop getting ratings over tragedy.

D American need to stop holding vigils, and tributes, and coomemorations and memorials and start realizing that enough is enough. Stop being reactive and start being proactive and not afraid to make rules that may offend some people.

If you need more I can go on.

[IceCap]

Ok since you asked here are your solutions

A. There are far too many guns in America today. At some point we are going to have to pass serious gun control laws.

B. America is seriously over medicated. Every time someone has a problem, a normal human emotion, they say here's ten medications. The meds not only fail to fix the problem but they sometimes aggrivate the negative emotions.

C. The media needs to stop with all of the non-stop coverage of these incidents. They blame video games or music but in reality the media is the one glorifying traggic events. They keep mentioning how it was a record breaking rampage, and showing exactly how and when he planned the attack. Media need to stop getting ratings over tragedy.

D American need to stop holding vigils, and tributes, and coomemorations and memorials and start realizing that enough is enough. Stop being reactive and start being proactive and not afraid to make rules that may offend some people.

If you need more I can go on.

A. You're right, gun-control laws are needed.

B. It's a case by case thing. Believe me, sometimes medication is needed. You are right though, it seems doctors rely on them a little to much.

C. While I agree 24 hour news networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) have sensationalized news, I don't think ignoring things like what happened at VT is the answer. It was a tragedy, it should be reported on.

The solution is to shut down the 24 hour news networks. Go back to when you only had news in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and cut into regular programming if something really big comes up.

D. I disagree. We need to remember the past, even the un-pretty parts of it. We shouldn't be consumed by it, but we need to remember it so we can stop it from happening again.

[huggermugger]

My point is basic. I don't think the Nationals are responsible for solving this problem.

I think it's phony to "commemorate" an event where 32 people died 200 miles away when 48 people have already been murdered in DC itself this year

http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1239,q,...mpdcNav,%7C.asp

[BB61]

My point is basic. I don't think the Nationals are responsible for solving this problem.

I think it's phony to "commemorate" an event where 32 people died 200 miles away when 48 people have already been murdered in DC itself this yearhttp://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1239,q,...mpdcNav,%7C.asp

And I think your point sucks.

You do have a valid statement. If you have an opinion about it, express it to them. Shoot, I'll even go ahead and e-mail the Phillies and ask them to do the same for the nearly 700 people that have been murdered in Philadelphia in the last two-and-a-half years.

But 32 people dying in 2.5 hours has a farther reaching scale of devistation than 48 in 4.5 months, especially when you consider the fact that the event took place in what one would think was a "secure" setting, and not a major city.

And you know what? If they want to honor them by wearing those caps, let 'em do what they can. It's for one game. Show some class and leave it alone.

[TBGKon]

Now I don't know if this has been published somewhere, but on the radio this morning they had said that it was recommended that on Friday April 20th, all sports teams and fans of those teams should wear VA Tech colors in some way.

If anyone can find documented proof of this, that would be great, as I would like to bring the idea up to managers at the baseball stadium.

[cappital92]

Honestly the maroon VT hats actually don't look too out of place coupled with the Nationals' jersey. If they wore something really different like say Wake Forest's black and gold or Tulane green then it would look ugly, but this is a nice gesture that was nicely executed and didn't look too awful.

I know it's a message board and that everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but anybody that criticizes this move is heartless. The baseball cap is a cultural phenomenon, an article of clothing that can be purchased with just about any team on it regardless of sport. Wearing VT's baseball caps is a unique, touching and brilliant way to honour the victims of this horrible massacre.

Call me heartless, but I think it's the worse idea the Nats ever had.

D American need to stop holding vigils, and tributes, and coomemorations and memorials and start realizing that enough is enough. Stop being reactive and start being proactive and not afraid to make rules that may offend some people.

Couldn't agree more.

Now I don't know if this has been published somewhere, but on the radio this morning they had said that it was recommended that on Friday April 20th, all sports teams and fans of those teams should wear VA Tech colors in some way.

If anyone can find documented proof of this, that would be great, as I would like to bring the idea up to managers at the baseball stadium.

No,they're telling EVERYONE to wear Maroon and Orange on Friday. A very stupid idea, if you ask me.

[Jimmy!]

That said, the hats do seem a little overboard. A patch, or at least matching VT hats would have been nice.

Overboard would have been if they'd change the Nats uniform colors to match VT's...but any show of support is a good show regardless of how campy it may seem.

[meetthemets]

No,they're telling EVERYONE to wear Maroon and Orange on Friday. A very stupid idea, if you ask me.

I was wondering why anyone would think this way, then it hit me, you're not even old enough to :censored:ing drive. I hope that if (god forbid) your parents go to work one day and are brutally murdered for no reason that people have more compassion for them than you do for others. Hopefully if that happens you'll be able to "suck it up." Douche.

[powersurge]

Ok since you asked here are your solutions

A. There are far too many guns in America today. At some point we are going to have to pass serious gun control laws.

B. America is seriously over medicated. Every time someone has a problem, a normal human emotion, they say here's ten medications. The meds not only fail to fix the problem but they sometimes aggrivate the negative emotions.

C. The media needs to stop with all of the non-stop coverage of these incidents. They blame video games or music but in reality the media is the one glorifying traggic events. They keep mentioning how it was a record breaking rampage, and showing exactly how and when he planned the attack. Media need to stop getting ratings over tragedy.

D American need to stop holding vigils, and tributes, and coomemorations and memorials and start realizing that enough is enough. Stop being reactive and start being proactive and not afraid to make rules that may offend some people.

If you need more I can go on.

At the risk of getting off topic I'll keep this brief...

1. With all due respect, you have to produce concrete evidence or statistics backing 'A' & 'B' before making such claims.

2. 'C' and 'D' offer no actual SOLUTIONS but simply offer up your own OPINIONS, which is okay but still offers no real solutions

[footballfiji]

Honestly the maroon VT hats actually don't look too out of place coupled with the Nationals' jersey. If they wore something really different like say Wake Forest's black and gold or Tulane green then it would look ugly, but this is a nice gesture that was nicely executed and didn't look too awful.

I know it's a message board and that everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but anybody that criticizes this move is heartless. The baseball cap is a cultural phenomenon, an article of clothing that can be purchased with just about any team on it regardless of sport. Wearing VT's baseball caps is a unique, touching and brilliant way to honour the victims of this horrible massacre.

Call me heartless, but I think it's the worse idea the Nats ever had.

D American need to stop holding vigils, and tributes, and coomemorations and memorials and start realizing that enough is enough. Stop being reactive and start being proactive and not afraid to make rules that may offend some people.

Couldn't agree more.

Now I don't know if this has been published somewhere, but on the radio this morning they had said that it was recommended that on Friday April 20th, all sports teams and fans of those teams should wear VA Tech colors in some way.

If anyone can find documented proof of this, that would be great, as I would like to bring the idea up to managers at the baseball stadium.

No,they're telling EVERYONE to wear Maroon and Orange on Friday. A very stupid idea, if you ask me.

Nobody's calling you heartless. They don't need to. That's evident with your slogan "VT and the Media. Suck it Up" under your avatar. Suck it Up? 33 people died. 33 people were shot on a normal day. Think about that exponentially and include all the families that are now affected, all the normal citizens who now have an added fear and don't feel safe anymore. Suck it Up? That's probably the most d*ck thing anyone has ever put on this board.

As for telling everyone to wear Maroon and Orange. So what? How is this really hurting you? and what makes this idea so stupid?

[Audiodrama]

I'm going to come right out and say it. You people that decry this as pandering and a bad idea (whether it be aesthetically unpleasing due to mismatching, or you think it could have been done better) are a bunch of idiots. The Nationals did the right thing by trying to honor the victims of a heinous crime in the vicinity of the majority of their fan base. I applaud their effort and their willingness to scramble to do the right thing. The Nats showed some class, which is more than I can say for you.

Well said. Well :censored:ing said.

[BB61]

You know, it's become quite apparent to me that we have a lot of heartless people here.

A bunch of people died in a senseless act. Not just one person, or two, but 32 people, all at once, on a college campus. A campus that, like many others, was thought of as being a safe place for young people to come and learn and make themselves ready for a rough, real world.

And here we have people nitpicking over the act (not just the manner, but the act itself) of a sports team trying to pray tribute to and show support for the many people who were affected by this tragedy in some way.

Is it campy? Possbily. But you know what? It shows that they care. The wounds are still fresh, and they will be for a long, long time.

What if you lost a loved one, or a friend? How would you feel if someone came along and told you to "suck it up", hmm? Think about it. You wouldn't like it too much.

Will there be a point where we will become tired of hearing the story? Yes. Is it now, just 48 hours after it happened? NO. Let these people mourn, remember, and be supportive. If you don't like it, do your part by keeping your mouths shut.

[FiddySicks]

Well I guess im just more a fan of the quiet tribute. Something that I feel is missing from the world today are acts of kindness without any motivation for personal gain. I mean is asking a for big business to do something for someone quietly really so much? And im not saying that was on the Nats mind either. But it definately sticks out to me as a blatant PR move by a big business, weather subconsciously or not. Cut the school a check, offer use of your facilities, even offer to help reinforce security at the school. And if the school wants to say something publicly than fine. But truth of the matter is wearing the school's hats during your game isnt going to help fix the security gaps at VT, its not going to help the four survivors in that German class cope any better with the horrors of that day, and its not going to help parents of VT students sleep any easier. Its empty. All it does is make a few people say, Awww, how sweet. You can call me an idiot, misguided, heartless, incorrect, an as*hole, whatever you want, but im not impressed. I expected more.

[rams80]

No,they're telling EVERYONE to wear Maroon and Orange on Friday. A very stupid idea, if you ask me.

I was wondering why anyone would think this way, then it hit me, you're not even old enough to :censored:ing drive. I hope that if (god forbid) your parents go to work one day and are brutally murdered for no reason that people have more compassion for them than you do for others. Hopefully if that happens you'll be able to "suck it up." Douche.

Yes I know I'm piling on here, but I feel compelled to add that the biggest concern in your daily life is that your high school is overrun with preppies and you don't like them (at least from your profile). That's your biggest problem and you have the FRACKING GALL to tell those people at Virginia Tech and those affected by the massacre to SUCK IT UP?! Boy are your priorities mixed up.

*internet bitch slaps cappital92*