You can only remotely imag ine what it is like at Virginia Tech. In the hours after the shoot ing deaths of 33 people, signs of that college’s community spirit were displayed on our television screens Monday and Tuesday.

Concern for the high unemployment rate is a concern felt mostly by the unemployed and their families. Actual empathy outside that demographic is a myth perpetrated by politicians in an effort to attract that vote. In reality, corporate America and the politicians they support have no problem with high unemployment. It means a larger available labor pool, lower payroll costs, less benefits and tighter control over existing employees living in fear of losing their jobs. Easier union busting is an additional bonus.

Paragon Science Academy in Chandler is launching the Haiku 4 Haiti program.

Tempe Union High School District’s No Parent Left Behind University, in conjunction with GLSEN Phoenix, will present “Safe Space Training: How to Create Safer More Inclusive Schools for All.” During the training, participants will explore the different identities that exist within schools and community, reflect on feelings of exclusion, and build empathy towards youth who might identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

BOUQUET to federal judge Marsha Pechman for sentencing Jeffrey Lee Parson, 19, to 1 1/2 years in prison for unleasing a destructive Internet worm that crippled 48,000 computers.

Be Kind to Animals Week is May 6 to 12, and it’s the perfect time to encourage the children in your life to treat all beings with compassion. Teaching kids to have empathy for animals not only helps prevent cruelty, it also helps kids grow into responsible, caring citizens.

Students at Sanborn Elementary School in Chandler are learning to control their anger.

Have any of you dealt with an addict? If you have you will recognize some striking similarities between their struggles and what is happening with our government today.

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's search to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter should extend beyond the current roster of federal judges, senators from both political parties said Sunday.

Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School past and present staff and students celebrated the school’s 20th year anniversary on Friday night. For one of the speakers, it was a time to acknowledge her life had come full-circle.

So the university police chiefs all stand shoulder to shoulder proclaiming that allowing people to carry a gun anywhere on university grounds is going to cause police in a shootout to shoot innocent gun owners most of whom under pressure would behave like heroic idiots.

Many parents want to know if their child has Asperger syndrome?

Many parents want to know if their child has Asperger syndrome?

A smoke screen is defined as anything said or done to conceal or mislead. Our Arizona lawmakers are using a smoke screen to deflect their inability to address and solve the real problems of our state, i.e. the budget, education, health care, jobs, prisons, roads, tourism, transplants, etc.

Regarding Sunday’s Tribune editorial (“Keep DREAM Act alive”): While I have empathy for illegal minors brought here by illegal means, I have much less tolerance for those same “minors” who turn 18 and yet seem willing to cheat their way into a four-year scholarship to which they are not entitled. How is this any different to an 18-year-old committing a felony and expecting no charges from it, because their parents brought them into the USA illegally as a kid? If this is not amnesty, then please tell me what is?

LOS ANGELES - Elizabeth Taylor returned to the stage Saturday night, after persuading striking TV and film writers to briefly put down their picket signs.

The legacy of Cosmo, Gilbert’s famed first police K-9, has begun to draw major canine events to the town and its new dog park.

As the holidays approach and military families and friends face further separation, Dave Maiden would like to cheer up soldiers serving in the Middle East and at bases around the country by sending them a gift: A greeting from their loved ones.

Michael Weinstein, guest commentary

I was driving through the magnificent wilderness of our country's Southwestern desert. Those vast spaces are a radio wasteland, as well, monopolized mostly by a Limbaugh/Beck/Hannity nexus of complaint and protest so caustic that Dr. Laura Schlessinger's radio show, broadcast from a remote station somewhere in Arizona, felt, by comparison, almost like a relief.

Q. I’ve been doing training in communications for two years. I’m noticing most of my co-workers think communication is where one person complains, the other person offers sympathy, and then they switch roles.

“Republicans: Trillions could be cut from budget if we eliminate empathy.”

“Republicans: Trillions could be cut from budget if we eliminate empathy.”