way more useful and informative and better written than the "real" newspapers.

A few weeks ago here in SF, something similar happened -- a crazy homeless guy stabbed a young woman. This sounds like exactly the same thing.

Arguably, the woman in SF provoked the attack by attempting to befriend the crazy guy -- a kind act, but obviously dangerous, especially since it was late at night when she approached him. I wonder if Shannon made the same mistake; she sounds like the sort person who might try to help a person in need.

1. All I remember about her was that she was fairly quiet.

2. Just because someone gets attacked by someone doesn't mean the guy is homeless - that's just your American paranoia speaking out.

3. There is no such thing as safety. It's all pretty much an illusion. No, I'm quite serious about that, they just want you to live in Fear, and doing so won't make you safer, it will probably make you less safe.

Everyone in the building is shocked and saddened, of course. It's still difficult to believe.

lisa a

1. Her attacker knew her or thought he knew her.

2. No one will be surprised by whom they catch when they catch the guy. You will not hear "he was the nicest fellow. We're completely shocked he did this."

3. He is under-employed / unable to hold a steady job. He is not very well educated. He does not have a steady living environment and has rarely maintained steady relationships.

4. He has committed violent crimes before. He has most likely been in either jail or prison before.

5. The police have a ton of physical evidence. They probably already know or have a very good idea of who killed her.

6. Those of you who knew her well have probably also encountered him before.

If I were looking for him, I would start by looking at the people she's encountered while in some form of authority. Did she volunteer recently during the holidays? Does her job place her in contact with volunteers or low-waged employees?

Television news says she trained volunteers. I'll bet a former volunteer knows exactly who killed her.

There are no more reasons to be scared now than there were the day before.

But, I'm not sure about many of the rest.

On a related note, when I called Home Alive to sign up for the self defense course (206-323-HOME), they said that for the first time ever, they are having to open up more sections. I've heard great things about this group's classes and am looking forward to it. At least it will give me another set of skills to go with what I already do and use for self protection.

It really sucks that a woman has to think about this stuff so often, but since we do and since they asked me to put the word out about their classes, I thought I'd mention them here.

My deepest condolences and prayers to Shannon Harps' family and friends.