FIRST PERSON

‘This Can’t Be Real’

After Northern Illinois University student Harold Ng was wounded by a shooter on campus this week, fellow student Jeff Merkel came to his aid. These are their stories.

Newsweek Web Exclusive
Feb 16, 2008 | Updated: 11:48  a.m. ET Feb 16, 2008

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  • Posted By: Collie1228 @ 02/22/2008 8:02:39 AM

    American heroes seem to show up when you need them. We should all be proud of Jeff, as he represents thousands of former servicement around us who help when needed. I'm personally proud of you Jeff and hope you recover well from this horrific event.

  • Posted By: fmfdoc30 @ 02/22/2008 6:56:57 AM

    Jeff,
    Another 2/8 Corpsman makes a national magazine. Awesome job man. I haven't seen you in a few years but if you get the chance drop me a line. fmfdoc30@yahoo.com
    Marc Fernandes

  • Posted By: fmfdoc30 @ 02/22/2008 6:55:34 AM

    Jeff!
    Good Job Man. I haven't seen you since we got back from Afghanistan. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw your picture online. Drop me a line if you read this. fmfdoc30@yahoo.com

  • Posted By: unforgetable357 @ 02/20/2008 11:02:27 PM

    REJOICE IN THE LORD HE IS OUR KEEPER. THE DEVILS ALWAYS TRYING TO BEAT HIM BUT HE NEVER WILL OUR LOVED ONES WAS CALLED TO HEAVEN THAT DAY THEY GLORY IN GODS KINGDOM. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU THAT MADE IT

  • Posted By: mehan @ 02/16/2008 2:00:45 PM

    Govenor Rod Blagojevich stated that if there was a way to prevent such events we will find the solution. Similar shootings taking place all over our world at this very moment, as well as what took place at Virginia Tech prove that things haven't really changed that much.

    There is a solution but it takes dismantling the most Sadred of Taboos - Of looking at the part victims play in their victimization. This blind spot in our mental processes compels us to keep the focus on criminality and not victimality,even at the cost of all the lives it takes.

    Instead of focusing on the potential problem mental patients, we can prepare to abort any and all crime encounters that come our way.
    Thus we as individuals become potential survivors and healers instead of potential victims. When we have our finger pointing at "the other" we must beccome aware of the three fingers pointing back at ourselves.

    We are the ones who need to be prepared to reflect a positive self-image to these crazy people when their actions threaten, bruise and or puncture our conscious egos due to fear and danger.

    One can make a conscious choice to adopt a (blue) survivor/healer mentality to replace our (yellow) victim mentality in responding to any (red) criminality that comes our way. In this way, we not only survive the evil, we can help heal to a degree the evil doer. Once again, it takes two to tango.

    Motivation, meditation and mediation are the three requirements to achieve this solution.

    Motivation, would be a desire to be safe and secure under any and all conditions.

    Meditation, would be any of the mind sciences that enable us to positively (blue) alter consciousness (one could even use the process of devout prayer.)

    Mediation, (blue) alpha-wave producing thought processes such as the following:

    We share one universal mind, one humanity and one planet. Therefore, what we do to another we in turn do to ourselves. And what we do to ourselves we in turn do to others (this also aids in preventing suicide).

    Had our circumstances in life been reversed, then our positions now too, would be reversed.

    Let us have only love, understanding and compassion for one another, for we are all a part of each other.

    Couple these (blue) alpha-wave thought processes with the triggering mechanism of our (yellow) conscious ego being threatened, bruised and/or punctured due to (yellow) fear and/or impending (red) danger. This coupling is to be done during a (blue) positively altered state of consciousness.

    You now have the three requirements to change the world starting with yourself.

    I've just presented you with the blueprint on how to create this (blue) survivor/healer mentality and save one life - your own.

    "When you save one life, you save the world" comes from an ancient Jewish writing.

    • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/16/2008 4:54:34 PM

      Save the color code bull crap, most people today are barely capable of possessing the ability to feed or clothe themselves without seeking help from a therapist, much less using cunning defenses in defeating a criminal attack.

      The government needs to get everyone on zoloft so that they will be in such a stupor they don't know when they have been victimized and then the world will be a safer and better place.

      • Posted By: serenity33 @ 02/19/2008 9:12:05 PM

        Instead of basking in your own "infinite wisdom," Richard Smokes, why don't you do something constructive in the physical realm and get involved in helping your community rather than sit on your rear end flaming people online. That little bit of exercise and endorphin rush could do wonders for your diverticulitis. Just a suggestion - because I care.

    • Posted By: stocktonturner @ 02/16/2008 4:51:33 PM

      you are a freak.

  • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/16/2008 4:41:56 PM

    "MAY GOD BLESS ALL THE STUDENTS THAT ARE THE OTHERSIDE OF THE CURTAIN THE ONES THAT ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AND ALL OF THEIR FAMILIES NOW AND FOREVER AS I AM SURE HE WILL NOW AND FOREVER!!!"

    If god wanted to bless anybody, he would have directed the killer to shoot up a crack house, or a prostitution house or childmolesters from the Sexual Offender Registry. But god didn't bless us with this killing because according to the bible, god does not interfere with free will...so if you're going to use mythology to explain the game, at least read the rules before playing.

    • Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 02/19/2008 7:05:09 PM

      Richard Smokes,

      Blessings do not necessarily mean good things happen to everyone. A blessing may be having something bad happen to people to help others. A blessing may be having a hard life so you learn lesson that will help you.

      God may not interfere with free will, but He knows what's going to happen. He can stack the cards right to make people be in a certain place at a certain time for things to happen.

      Anyways, I really couldn't care less if you believe in God or not. You've been given the opportunity to believe, but choose to remain ignorant.

      If you are going to harp on free will versus blessings and predestination, at least open your mind up a bit and think about the whole picture. Your cut and dry thoughts about how God works are not accurate.

  • Posted By: jdoll123 @ 02/18/2008 12:46:29 AM

    We share one universal mind, one humanity and one planet. Therefore, what we do to another we in turn do to ourselves. And what we do to ourselves we in turn do to others (this also aids in preventing suicide).
    ------------
    my name is jdoll, a beautiful 40+ woman from us.. internet is a good place to meet friends or even more, right? I just want to find a mature gentleman for fun time here... i also uploaded my hot or even n**ked photos under the name jdoll123 on SeniorWoo.com..maybe you want to check them out.

  • Posted By: kota286 @ 02/16/2008 7:25:33 PM

    when do we start holding the media responsible if they wouldnt mention these killers names or show their faces would this keep happening i couldnt tell u 1 persons name who was killed nor what they look like but i sure could tell u the killers name and what he looks like i dont want to know his name or what he looks like the only people i care about is who he did this to

    • Posted By: bubbawheat @ 02/16/2008 7:30:39 PM

      I agree 100%. It seems that most of these people want their 15 minutes. What happens if we deny them that?

      • Posted By: OPINIONIST @ 02/17/2008 5:04:44 PM

        I TOO AGREE 100% WELL PUT KOTA

  • Posted By: tootieflootie @ 02/16/2008 8:44:58 PM

    I am effectively bugged by reading more than one article regarding the NIU shooting suggesting that more could be done to prevent such events on a college campus. Does no one else see the more obvious problem here? This university shooting, and the last, which happened at Virginia Tech in April of 2007, both involved the legal sale of arms to individuals with diagnosed mental/emotional issues. Jan. 5, 2008, saw the passing of a marginally stronger measure regarding this issue in gun control, but obviously this measure doesn't go far enough. Perhaps its time to stop selling handguns to the mentally unstable? Duh?

    • Posted By: OPINIONIST @ 02/17/2008 4:59:54 PM

      TOOTIEFLOOTIE: YOUR SUGGESTION WOULD WORK WELL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND HAVE BEEN ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED

      WHAT ABOUT THE MILLIONS WHO AVOID HEALTH CARE (MENTAL OR PHYSICAL) ARE UNDOCUMENTED AND HERE IN THE US, THOSE WHO KNOW THEY ARE MENTALLY ILL AND MANIPULATE THE MENTAL ACCESSMENT...YES IT IS NOT SO CUT AN DRYTHER ARE SOME COUNTRIIES TAHT HAVE MADE IT MANDATORY TO BE ARMEDAND THESE COUNTIES DO NOT HAVE THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE ..SOMETIMES I BELIVE OUR FREEDOMS HAVE CAUSED US TO NOT BE UNITED FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF ALL

  • Posted By: docjdub @ 02/17/2008 4:42:35 PM

    Jeff Merkel is a "Navy" Hospital Corpsman having served with a Marine Corps unit in Iraq, not a former Marine, which by the way doesn't exist. Once a Marine always a Marine!

    HM1

  • Posted By: YESHUAZ GIRL @ 02/16/2008 9:45:13 PM

    if it is against the law to shoot people then why do they sell them to people. dont give me this hunting stuff either. you should be studied for years before you are able to purchase such a weapon anyway. i mean truly studied and YET, all it takes is one spark to set someone off/ you can be the nicest person and then BAM! one minute the enemy(satan) puts that in your brain and look out. It all depends on ig you belong to the LORD or not..
    i am well pleased to hear the he thanks the Lord God Almighty for his life. It is because he knows God , is why he is still hear. god has plans for him.

    • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/17/2008 12:16:33 PM

      The lord alrighty has deemed me financially, mentally and physically capable of controlling my own darned machine guns, but thanks for the offer of government assistance anyway.

      • Posted By: OPINIONIST @ 02/17/2008 4:41:11 PM

        YESHUAZ GIRL THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR GUN OWNERSHIP REGULATION IS IT ONLY APPLIES TO LAW ABIDING CITIZENS.

        DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR REGULATING GUN OWNERSHIP FOR CRIMINALS, MENTALLY INSANE AND THOSE WHO BUY GUNS ON THE BLACK-MARKET?

  • Posted By: OPINIONIST @ 02/17/2008 4:31:04 PM

    WE SHOULD MANDATE THAT PHOTOS OF THOSE WHOE MASACRE INNOCENT AMERICANS SHOULD NEVER BE PUBLISH. MOREOVER THOSE WHO PUBLISH THE PHOTOS SHOULD BE FINED.
    TO PACIFY THOSE WHO WILL SCREAM FOR FIRST ADDEMENDMENT RIGHTSTO VIEW THE PHOTOS OF THOSE WHO MASSACRE PEOPLE...A SIZABLE FEE SHOULD BE CHARGED TO ACCESS THE KILLERS PHOTO AND THE PROCEEDS SENT TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS

  • Posted By: OPINIONIST @ 02/17/2008 4:22:13 PM

    LET'S MAKE IT A MANDATE THAT THE PHOTOS OF THOSE WHO MASSACRE FELLOW AMERICANS ARE NEVER PUBLISHED. MOREOVER, THOSE WHO PUBLISH THE PHOTO'S OF HEINOUS KILLERS SHOULD BE SEVERELY FINED.
    SINCE POSTING THE PICTURES OF THESE KILLERS DOES LITTLE FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND EVERYTHING TO PROMOTE THE KILLERS UNBRIDLED EFFORTS FOR NOTORIETY.



    LET

    SINCE

  • Posted By: psychmajor @ 02/17/2008 1:07:47 AM

    The government needs to get everyone on zoloft so that they will be in such a stupor they don't know when they have been victimized and then the world will be a safer and better place.
    Zoloft is a SSRI that really doesn't put anyone in a stupor. Get real.

    • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/17/2008 1:12:08 PM

      Keep pushing the pills. Columbine should have been enough of a wake up call that "drug washing" kids minds is not the answer.

  • Posted By: bubbawheat @ 02/16/2008 6:31:03 PM

    The complete lack of writing skills by these college students, absolutely, amazes me! Maybe they should put the ipods down and focus on their education a little more.

    • Posted By: Witcha231 @ 02/16/2008 6:51:22 PM

      As for your comment, that so called student, was also saving your ass in Iraq. And I am sure that with all the help he gave that day there are many of those students who are deeply grateful. As for what he has to deal with physiologically from being in Iraq and now this, know what he is going thru first!!!!! I see it every day.. Kids coming back from Iraq that need all the support we can give them. So before you make a statement like that, know what your talking about first.!!!!!

      • Posted By: bubbawheat @ 02/16/2008 7:08:26 PM

        I am sorry that these young men and women were FORCED to go fight a war that shouldn't be, but last time I checked, my ass didn't need saving in Iraq. It's way past time to bring them home! It's the conservatives, like you, that have this country in the complete disarray that it's in now.

        • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/17/2008 1:10:05 PM

          The "conservatives" do not have this country in "disarray". However, Southern Baptist Christians that have invaded the Republican party, like President Bush, have placed our country in jeopardy through negligence and bad execution of government and national treasure.

          When you're thinking of 9/11, pause for a moment and think about why it was that EL-AL had secure cockpit doors and armed marshals on every flight since the 1960's and we were to late to discover how our lame cockpit security on airliners was to blame for enabling terrorists to use Stanley knives to kill thousands of Americans.

  • Posted By: doctordee @ 02/16/2008 6:07:23 PM

    What in the world is wrong with everyone? What is the point of flaming a student who survived a senseless, vicious attack. This site should screen comments and not allow any two-watt with a keyboard and an internet connection to spew random hatred.

    • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/17/2008 1:05:46 PM

      You're a Dr.? A medical Dr.? Why don't you enlighten us on why doctors and hospitals kill 300,000 American's a year? For anybody reading this, you can research that subject on Dr. Joseph Mercola's website, found by doing a simple google search.

  • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/16/2008 4:36:36 PM

    Ng says;

    "I kept thinking, 'This can't be real.'"

    "I give thanks to God that I survived. I feel lucky, blessed."

    Ok, so the Ng victim is unable to believe in reality, real life as it happens right in front of his very own eyes. Then the Ng victim says that some mythological metaphysical being guided the shooter in killing Ng's classmates instead of him for some sort of blessing? In otherwords, Ng was spared by a god that sent a killer to kill his classmates? I don't get it.

    Even a christian knows that the bible says that god doesn't interfere with free will, otherwise he'd make all us go to church and there wouldn't be a bank robbers or child molesters.

    • Posted By: Whitestone @ 02/16/2008 6:16:42 PM

      Christians DO know that God interferes with free will. At least those Christians who understand the sovereignty of God. You obviously have not read the Bible with that question in mind.

      • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/17/2008 1:01:39 PM

        Based on your statement and respecting her infinite wisdom, god could have had good cause for directing a killer to shoot up that classroom. I'll buy that.

    • Posted By: stocktonturner @ 02/16/2008 4:49:16 PM

      who the hell are you to criticize someone's reaction to an obviously terrible and I'm sure terrifying experience. You have a lot of nerve.

  • Posted By: Witcha231 @ 02/16/2008 6:41:44 PM

    I would like to know what is happening to this world!?!? Kids are killing kids!!! Wars are going on everywhere. I have a chlid that is 16 yrs old. It is a terrifing notion knowing that this can happen where you live also. You send your chlid to school one day and a classmate that is either upset or had their feeling hurt goes into the school and starts shooting radomly at everyone, and then kills themself. Why not just kill themself, why do they have to kill someone else?
    For all the parents, and relatives and friends that lost a child my heart goes out to them. Their pain is great. Losing a child is one of the greatest pains that you should not have to endure. I don't know what I would do if I lost my child. They are your life, and you want them happy, to achive, and make this world a better place.

    • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/17/2008 12:25:22 PM

      "I would like to know what is happening to this world!?!? Kids are killing kids!!! Wars are going on everywhere. I have a chlid that is 16 yrs old."

      Ha, in two years, your child will be old enough to fight to keep our home heating oil costs down and the gas prices economical. Other than that, there is nothing wrong with "this world". Violent crime rates have decreased since the mid 1990's, that goes for juvinile and minority juvinile crime rates as well.

      Keep putting kids on Prozac and Zoloft, that will make it all better...

  • Posted By: fremanworld @ 02/16/2008 4:05:37 PM

    BECAUSE PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE THE BIGGEST BLUNDER OF OUR SOCIETY, SOME KIND OF NEWER SHAMAN ALONG WITH BIG PHARMA SELLING THEIR MAGIC TALISMANS. BY PUTTING A NAME ON A KID???S PERSONALITY THEY SELL YOU THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL ON THE FICTITIOUS DISEASE. UNFORTUNATELY THEY DON???T HAVE A CURE JUST AN ILLUSORY TREATMENT FOR THE SYMPTOM, A LEGAL DRUG. SINCE WHAT IS SICK IS THE MIND AND THEY DON???T KNOW HOW IT WORKS, THE ILLNESS JUST KEEPS GROWING. IF THEY KNEW THE MIND IT WOULDN???T TAKE TO LONG FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND MAKE YOU A SLAVE, TO MAKE HUMANS SLAVES IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE MIND ONLY CAN BE ACCESSED VOLUNTARILY AND THAT DOESN???T COST MUCH, ONLY FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE (MOM, DAD, TRUE FRIENDS) CAN APPROACH THE MIND AND DICIPLINE IS ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS TO HAVE A FUTURE HEALTY MIND. THE MATERIAL WORLD IS NOT FOR FREE, (CAUSALITY), NOW YOU CAN SEE THE CONSEQUENCES.

    • Posted By: Richard Smokes @ 02/16/2008 4:49:46 PM

      Yes, pharmaceutical companies probably "drug washed" this guy just like they did the Columbine shooters and others. You hit the nail right on the head.

      Did you see the lady in the post above you talkin bout, "he didn't take his 'medicine'" hahahaha, I just about threw up when I read that crap.

      How is it that natural humans are so mentally screwed up in the head that they would need drugs to make them more "natural" again to the point where the so called problem is large enough for pharmaceutical compaines to make money off it.

      Think about what I am saying...I'm not knocking the pharmaceutical companies directly, what I am asking is how is it that so many natural humans are so defective? How does that number of defective people occur? Additionaly, as person who receives acupuncture for diverticulitis, why the hell is drug treatment being pursued, when there are so many other alternative avenues that are healthier?

      "he wasn't taking his 'medicine'" hahahahaha.

      • Posted By: psychmajor @ 02/17/2008 1:02:36 AM

        Would you knock a diabetic for not taking their medicine? Like you said, "How is it that natural humans are so totally screwed up in the pancreas that they would need drugs to make them more "natural" again...what I am asking is how is it that so many natural human beings are so defective? How does that number of defective people occur?" You have diverticulitis; are you defective? Or unnatural? What the gunman did is absolutely unacceptable, and there is no excuse. He was doing very well until he stopped his medications. One of the very serious instructions given on psychotropic drugs is to NEVER abruptly discontinue use, and do not discontinue without being monitored by a doctor. The shooter knew that, it was his poor decision to do so, and there is no one to blame but him. Back to defective persons, substitute insulin for serotonin and you have unipolar depression. The only difference is that these two chemicals are produced in different organs of the body. I am a straight A college student who takes medication for bipolar disorder, I have no criminal record and I hate guns. I would be dead if not for my medication, thanks to rhetoric like yours I was so scared to see a doctor I got to the point of being catatonic before I had to concede to treatment or die. Let me ask you this; what is crazy: knowing you are sick and not seeking treatment or seeking treatment for your illness?

      • Posted By: optrix @ 02/16/2008 5:57:22 PM

        Its kind of ironic that before these drugs were ever designed, the kind that supposedly "keep people from doing such things," that this kind of event was not commonplace at all. Think back fifty, a hundred years, and how many historical examples of a kid walking into school and killing as many people as they could really happened? Nowadays,the ink's not even dry on the newspaper before the next massacre occurs. How sad.

  • Posted By: tootieflootie @ 02/16/2008 8:44:14 PM

    I am effectively bugged by reading more than one article regarding the NIU shooting suggesting that more could be done to prevent such events on a college campus. Does no one else see the more obvious problem here? This university shooting, and the last, which happened at Virginia Tech in April of 2007, both involved the legal sale of arms to individuals with diagnosed mental/emotional issues. Jan. 5, 2008, saw the passing of a marginally stronger measure regarding this issue in gun control, but obviously this measure doesn't go far enough. Perhaps its time to stop selling handguns to the mentally unstable? Duh?

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