Posthumous degrees for VT students?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Posthumous degrees for VT students? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 4/19/2007 6:58:06 PM EDT

I was listening to Mark Davis on the way to the store and he was finishing up with a caller who either had a question or an idea:

Are there any plans to award posthumous degrees to the victims of the VT killings? Should there be?

Sounds like a damn fine idea to me, although Davis was right, watching the family member or whomever goes up to the podium to receive the diploma would be pretty damn tough to watch.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:01:11 PM EDT

[#1]

Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:03:02 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:03:18 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

+1

Worthless.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:04:02 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:04:42 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Then what ARE you saying?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:04:48 PM EDT

[#6]

They should have issued them guns. Now it doesn't matter what they do for them.

Why can the families of those who were killed not sue the hell out of the school for denying them the right of protection? The school made it so that students could not defend themselves, at that moment should not the school be 100% responsible for the safety of its students?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:09:54 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Well, since there's abso-fucking-lutely nothing that they can do for the kids who died, describing one good and decent thing they can do for their families to indicate that their children won't be forgotten as "useless feel-goodism" pretty much indicates that nothing should be done. Unless Mr. Sunshine up there has better ideas that he's just hanging on to for the moment.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:10:08 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Then what ARE you saying?

Probably that honorary degrees don't have much use to the deceased (or the living for that matter).

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:11:48 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Giving them things they did not earn is DISRESPECTFUL to THEM, it implies their accomplishments before they died were insufficient. That is truly offensive.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:12:37 PM EDT

[#10]

Come on you guys, have a little sympathy for the dead. It's part of the grieving process. There is a lots of people telling themselve, I could've been one of the 32 people that died.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:12:56 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Then what ARE you saying?

They feel the need to make themselves feel better by "doing something" for the slain people.

So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:14:39 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

I'm sure the degree that those dead kids lucked into by getting murdered is really going to cheapen yours.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:14:59 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Well, since there's abso-fucking-lutely nothing that they can do for the kids who died, describing one good and decent thing they can do for their families to indicate that their children won't be forgotten as "useless feel-goodism" pretty much indicates that nothing should be done. Unless Mr. Sunshine up there has better ideas that he's just hanging on to for the moment.

I sincerely doubt that their children are going to be forgotten if they didnt have a degree from the school.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:16:06 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

I'm sure the degree that those dead kids lucked into by getting murdered is really going to cheapen yours.

Zooooom

Look, there was the point of my post going right over your head.

They were murdered. How does that entitle them to a degree?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:16:37 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Giving them things they did not earn is DISRESPECTFUL to THEM, it implies their accomplishments before they died were insufficient. That is truly offensive.

I dont think they're going to understand Rene...

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:18:51 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Then what ARE you saying?

They feel the need to make themselves feel better by "doing something" for the slain people.

So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Is their degree going to make yours any less valuable?

No?

Then why give a damn?

Its a nice gesture from a grieving school, especially for the parents. They sent their kids off to college expecting them to be safe, and they were gunned down by a lunatic. Regardless of what the school did to exacerbate the situation, this strikes me as a pretty good idea for both these parents and students to grieve.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:21:14 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Zooooom

Look, there was the point of my post going right over your head.

They were murdered. How does that entitle them to a degree?

No, the gist of your problem is that theyre getting something for free that you've had to work for.

These kids arent going to be competing against you for jobs!

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:21:35 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Giving them things they did not earn is DISRESPECTFUL to THEM, it implies their accomplishments before they died were insufficient. That is truly offensive.

I dont think they're going to understand Rene...

Nope, nothing more offensive than disrespecting the victims to help your own selfish need to feel better about yourself. I find it truly disgusting.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:21:46 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

I'm sure the degree that those dead kids lucked into by getting murdered is really going to cheapen yours.

Zooooom

Look, there was the point of my post going right over your head.

They were murdered. How does that entitle them to a degree?

They're dead, they're not "entitled" to anything but a decent burial. It's got nothing to do with entitlement.

For fuck's sake, if you have such a problem with the gesture of giving degrees to those kids, you're so far gone there's no point debating it.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:22:09 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Then what ARE you saying?

They feel the need to make themselves feel better by "doing something" for the slain people.

So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Is their degree going to make yours any less valuable?

No?

Then why give a damn?

Its a nice gesture from a grieving school, especially for the parents. They sent their kids off to college expecting them to be safe, and they were gunned down by a lunatic. Regardless of what the school did to exacerbate the situation, this strikes me as a pretty good idea for both these parents and students to grieve.

Of course, we are pro-gun here so if it were one of my children getting a degree I'd tell them to promptly shove it up their ass for not giving my child even the *chance* of fighting back.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:22:58 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Giving them things they did not earn is DISRESPECTFUL to THEM, it implies their accomplishments before they died were insufficient. That is truly offensive.

I dont think they're going to understand Rene...

Nope, nothing more offensive than disrespecting the victims to help your own selfish need to feel better about yourself. I find it truly disgusting.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:23:33 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Make other people feel better? In the end, it's a selfish motive.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:23:52 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

+1

Worthless.

I agree.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:23:52 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Zooooom

Look, there was the point of my post going right over your head.

They were murdered. How does that entitle them to a degree?

No, the gist of your problem is that theyre getting something for free that you've had to work for.

These kids arent going to be competing against you for jobs!

Its a nice gesture on paper but in practice it cheapens the whole thing for everyone.

I dont give a flying fuck that the kids arent going to be competing against me for jobs, thats completely not the point.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:24:33 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Make other people feel better? In the end, it's a selfish motive.

Exactly, which is what I'm arguing. Badfish and the other guy dont understand.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:24:41 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Its to honor those who have passed and to give a level of comfort to their families.

These people were in class, murdered on campus, the right thing to do is award them degrees.

Even though we all agree that if CCW was allowed on school grounds, things could have very well turned out to be different.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:25:17 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yes they are going to award posthumous degrees.

Just more useless feel-goodism.

You're right, they shouldn't do it. They should just pretend they never existed.

Yes, because thats sooo what we're saying by not awarding them degrees.

Then what ARE you saying?

They feel the need to make themselves feel better by "doing something" for the slain people.

So someone who was a first year Freshmen is now going to get a degree. No offense but I havent worked my butt off for 2+ years to work towards my degree just to see someone who was in school be murdered because of some bumbling buffoons that let them be killed. Then because of those people, they now feel guilty that students underneath them died and they want to make themselves feel happy inside.

What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Is their degree going to make yours any less valuable?

No?

Then why give a damn?

Its a nice gesture from a grieving school, especially for the parents. They sent their kids off to college expecting them to be safe, and they were gunned down by a lunatic. Regardless of what the school did to exacerbate the situation, this strikes me as a pretty good idea for both these parents and students to grieve.

Of course, we are pro-gun here so if it were one of my children getting a degree I'd tell them to promptly shove it up their ass for not giving my child even the *chance* of fighting back.

Well, see, there would be one actual good thing that could happen.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:25:45 PM EDT

[#28]

Did all the kids killed at Columbine get a Diploma?

What about all the people killed in car accidents, what should they get?

The people who died of cancer, where is their reward?

These people were murdered by a total fucking nutjob. Their souls should be prayed for, and their families supported emotionally. Awarding them some bullshit token diploma is stupid feel good bullshit.

Send your prayers for their families and be sure that you have done all you can to protect you and yours from this type of tragedy.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:26:24 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:27:22 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Zooooom

Look, there was the point of my post going right over your head.

They were murdered. How does that entitle them to a degree?

No, the gist of your problem is that theyre getting something for free that you've had to work for.

These kids arent going to be competing against you for jobs!

Its a nice gesture on paper but in practice it cheapens the whole thing for everyone.

I dont give a flying fuck that the kids arent going to be competing against me for jobs, thats completely not the point.

Thats entirely the point.

Degrees arent there to look good on the wall, theyre there to get you into doors you couldnt get through without them

These kids arent doing that.

Their parents are never going to see them graduate. Dont you think theyre entitled to something, anything, from this process? Something from the school that shows that theyre sorry for their loss?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:27:47 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

100% Correct!

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:29:01 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids ~~gave their lives~~ died trying to earn?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:29:26 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

100% Correct!

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:29:49 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What good is a degree going to posthumously do?

Make other people feel better? In the end, it's a selfish motive.

Exactly, which is what I'm arguing. Badfish and the other guy dont understand.

Ah, I get it.

Lets just forget about this and pretend it didn't happen. We shouldn't be doing anything to make ourselves and the families feel better because its selfish.

Right.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:30:05 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:

These people were in class, murdered on campus, the right thing to do is award them degrees.

How is it the right thing to do? Did they go through 4 yrs of classes and earn their degree?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:30:11 PM EDT

[#36]

I think it is a way of honoring the dead.

Had their lives not been interrupted they would have (probably) achieved their goal of obtaining their degrees.

Lets be real. They give a lot of "Honorary Degrees" to people that are living that damn sure don't deserve them.

Click for the 1st one
Here is the 2nd one...

I have no problem with VT's choice. If you do then maybe there are bigger problems in your life.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:30:23 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids gave their lives trying to earn?

See my previous posts about selfishness in order to feel good.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:30:37 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Zooooom

Look, there was the point of my post going right over your head.

They were murdered. How does that entitle them to a degree?

No, the gist of your problem is that theyre getting something for free that you've had to work for.

These kids arent going to be competing against you for jobs!

Its a nice gesture on paper but in practice it cheapens the whole thing for everyone.

I dont give a flying fuck that the kids arent going to be competing against me for jobs, thats completely not the point.

Thats entirely the point.

Degrees arent there to look good on the wall, theyre there to get you into doors you couldnt get through without them

These kids arent doing that.

Their parents are never going to see them graduate. Dont you think theyre entitled to something, anything, from this process? Something from the school that shows that theyre sorry for their loss?

The only thing the school should be getting is a giant lawsuit for not providing a safe environment for its staff and students after they decided that their staff and students were not entitled to self protection.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:30:51 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
Did all the kids killed at Columbine get a Diploma?

What about all the people killed in car accidents, what should they get?

The people who died of cancer, where is their reward?

These people were murdered by a total fucking nutjob. Their souls should be prayed for, and their families supported emotionally. Awarding them some bullshit token diploma is stupid feel good bullshit.

Send your prayers for their families and be sure that you have done all you can to protect you and yours from this type of tragedy.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:31:31 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Quoted:

These people were in class, murdered on campus, the right thing to do is award them degrees.

How is it the right thing to do? Did they go through 4 yrs of classes and earn their degree?

I'm sure they would've loved to have the opportunity to try.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:32:48 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids gave their lives trying to earn?

See my previous posts about selfishness in order to feel good.

How do you feel about funerals and memorial services? Sure doesn't do the deceased any good, is that more useless feel-goodism?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:32:58 PM EDT

[#42]

How about they issue them concealed weapon permits posthumously?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:35:24 PM EDT

[#43]

You'd think they'd let these poor people be BURIED first before starting this crap.

Oh, should we issue a semester or two's credits to those who were just wounded?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:35:53 PM EDT

[#44]

Wtf? Is it going to get them a better job in heaven?

I think we should award them posthumous Job's too, that whats they always would have wanted when they die.

Can I write in my will that I just want people to put me in the ground and not act like tards about it?

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:36:15 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids ~~gave their lives~~ died trying to earn?

no flaming here. but the same could be said of almost any student that died before graduating.

IMHO, this is not for the dead its for the living. In this case I tend to think it is feelgoodism.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:36:16 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Just like the degree, what's that going to do for the already passed soldier?

NOTHING.

Its given to honor & recognize the soldiers service and to comfort their families.

No different than kids sitting in class, most were not juniors......trying to earn their degree and were shot dead.

I'm also fairly sure the Columbine students killed were awarded their HS diplomas.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:37:41 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids gave their lives trying to earn?

See my previous posts about selfishness in order to feel good.

How do you feel about funerals and memorial services? Sure doesn't do the deceased any good, is that more useless feel-goodism?

*DING* We have a winner on this debate. By a TKO.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:39:46 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids gave their lives trying to earn?

See my previous posts about selfishness in order to feel good.

How do you feel about funerals and memorial services? Sure doesn't do the deceased any good, is that more useless feel-goodism?

No, that is carrying out the wishes of the deceased as spelled out in their will. Maybe you should amend your will to include all of the degrees, honors, titles and accomplishments you have not earned but want to be awrded to you anyway when you die. Or just post them here for all to see. What is on your list? Dr? PhD? Medal of Honor?

I bet if you took a poll of the victims (before killing) and asked them if the wanted to be awarded a degree they did not earn if they died before they had the chance to complete it, you would get 100% NOs, in fact, they would probably be offended you even offered it.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:40:55 PM EDT

[#49]

I love fisking people

Quoted:
Did all the kids killed at Columbine get a Diploma?

Sure did.
www.cnn.com/US/9905/23/school.shooting.graduation.01/

In one of the ceremony's most moving moments, the parents of shooting victim Lauren Townsend were given her graduation robe and a plaque honoring the straight-A student as one of the class of 1999's four valedictorians.

The crowd cheered as her mother held up the blue-and-silver gown and kissed it. Later in the ceremony, her brothers and sister came up to accept her diploma.

What about all the people killed in car accidents, what should they get?

Last I remember, it's pretty common knowledge that when you climb into a car, there is a decent chance of something dangerous occuring.

Are you saying that sitting in a classroom minding your own business is as safe as driving a car?

The people who died of cancer, where is their reward?

They knew they were going to die. They had a chance to take care of things. They even had a chance, in most cases, to try and fight it.

These people were murdered by a total fucking nutjob. Their souls should be prayed for, and their families supported emotionally. Awarding them some bullshit token diploma is stupid feel good bullshit.

Send your prayers for their families and be sure that you have done all you can to protect you and yours from this type of tragedy.

Posted: 4/19/2007 7:41:07 PM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:

Quoted:
No different than a posthumously awarded war medal.

Posthumous war medals are EARNED.

Look at it this way. Those kids never had the CHANCE to EARN their degree. Their opportunity to do that, to accomplish what they were at VT to achieve, was taken away from them. Why not give their families the thing that their kids gave their lives trying to earn?

See my previous posts about selfishness in order to feel good.

How do you feel about funerals and memorial services? Sure doesn't do the deceased any good, is that more useless feel-goodism?

*DING* We have a winner on this debate. By a TKO.

Memorials are for remembering the life of your friend/relative who died. Hence the name memorial, not futorial.

These people want to remember a future that never happened.

And on a side note:
War medals are earned WHILE ALIVE, THE GUY DIED EARNING IT. Did any of these kids complete thier thesis as they were being gunned down? If so, they should get degrees.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Posthumous degrees for VT students? (Page 1 of 2)

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