I commented on the HotAir VTech thread over the weekend, and see-dubya thought this story was as obnoxious as I do. Here is part of Cornell’s President Skorton’s speech:
“We are one,” said Cornell President David Skorton. “We are one community, one people, one planet. We are
here today to affirm that oneness … We are here to bear witness to the passing of the 33 members of our family at Virginia Tech University who have met an untimely and terrible fate.”
And, he said, “We are here for all of those who are gone, for all 33. We are here for the 32 who have passed from the immediate to another place, not by their own choice. We are also here for the one who has also passed.”
He added that those present were there to “join with our friends in the Korean and Korean-American communities for we are all one family, most especially today we share the same sorrow and the same need for comfort and reassurance.”
As if honoring a killer isn’t bad enough in your speech. According to the Cornell Daily Sun:
The bells of McGraw tower rang 33 times before the service, once for each of the victims, and the daily afternoon chimes concert began just as people began filing out of Sage Chapel.
What a disgrace.
UPDATE: Tieki Rae elaborates for us. Excellent post at her place.
17 responses so far ↓
Desktopjunk // April 22, 2007 at 8:08 am
Thanks, always good posts on your blog!
theobromophile // April 22, 2007 at 8:23 am
Ya know, Tammi, reading stuff like this in the morning makes me lose my appetite.
Incidentally, when I was on vacation, the news channels carried the story. Most said 32 deaths, and the one said 33 deaths. I had presumed that a person died in the hospital or another body was found, but noooo, apparently, you count as a victim when you shoot up a school and then save the state of Virginia a few million by executing yourself.
(Sorry, this doesn’t make me happy.) Great post.
Scott // April 22, 2007 at 8:54 am
I was going to comment wondering if your daughter was ever so thrilled about this news item, but I see that you have linked to her where she has already spoke her piece. Thanks!
mommyzabs // April 22, 2007 at 12:58 pm
what a great daughter
I liked her post, you must be proud.
I was confused as well on how many died because fox kept saying 32, but out of some outlets i heard 33. Though he does belong in “total death count” he certainly does not in “total victim count” AND NO BELLS should be ringing for him outside that of Hell. Yeah I just said that. I do feel bad for his family, and have prayed for them, as they are victims… but HE, HE is not.
wytammic // April 22, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Thanks MZ. We are proud of that little squirt
I agree with your sentiments on victim versus the criminal. The killer should not be honored in any way, in my opinion.
lunawolf // April 22, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Honestly, I think our society breeds these kinds of people. Look at our homicide rate compared to other countries. America is a so-called civilized country, and look at our redord. Yeah, Cho was a crazy, but he is also dead and has family grieving for him, too. Not that he should be honored, but I do believe that it should be recognized that his death was also a tragedy. I don’t hear the president in your quotes honoring anyone, but simply recognizing that fact.
wytammic // April 22, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Hi lunawolf,
I thought it was utterly ridiculous for the President of Cornell college to include the killer with the 32 real victims. The killer chose when he would die — the others had their lives cut short and were taken from their family and friends. The killer’s death was by no means a tragedy.
stevereenie // April 22, 2007 at 11:07 pm
“The bells of McGraw tower rang 33 times before the service, once for each of the victims” and here for the 33. This is preposterous and the epitome of “political correctness.” Totally Disgusting……………….Next Stop Lauderdale
lunawolf // April 23, 2007 at 2:09 am
When people commit suicide it is because of a severe mental imbalance coupled with an inability to see any other way out. This happens often in America. This man so sick to take others with him. Yes, it was unforgivable, but to me, his life isn’t any less precious than anyone else’s. No doubt what he did was horrible, but it is still some mother’s loss. That, to me, is sad.
wytammic // April 23, 2007 at 5:42 am
Good morning Stevereenie,
My thoughts exactly.
wytammic // April 23, 2007 at 5:50 am
lunawolf,
I’m not talking about mental illness — I’m talking about actually giving honor or memorializing victims who deserve honor for having their lives cut short by a madman.
I’ve also never mentioned the word unforgivable. Each person is accountable to God to forgive those who have wronged us. And in my humble opinion, God forgave us when we were yet sinners. Therefore, I personally choose to never hold a grudge against another.
Having said that, once again, we are talking about honoring victims, not killers — regardless of the reason they murder. To honor, remember, memorialize, etc … the killer in any way along with the victims is completely inappropriate.
We apparently will not agree on this issue. Therefore, no more comments are necessary regarding the circumstances surrounding the murderer.
lunawolf // April 23, 2007 at 11:18 am
I was just saying that we shouldn’t ignore that his was also a life lost. I found this blog under the political tag so I thought maybe open discourse was welcome, as with most political blogs, but I’m sorry I was mistaken. I will leave you alone to not be bothered by perspectives other than your own. No more out of me!
wytammic // April 23, 2007 at 11:28 am
LOL lunawolf. I’m really happy that the killer is dead. This way we do not have to watch a mockery of any trial in our not always so just justice system. You are not a bother — just beating a dead horse as far as I’m concerned
the Grit // April 23, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Hi w,
That sort of thing is Cornell’s trademark. They do it to attract the spawn of rich liberals.
the Grit
wytammic // April 23, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Hi Grit,
Awww, yes … that’s true. Unfortunately, my Tieki has to go to school with the spawn of rich liberals.
The other day I told a state senator here in WY that Cornell was the conservative of the Ivy Leagues. He told me that’s like saying Moe was the smart one of the Three Stooges
Tieki laughed when I told her that.
theobromophile // April 23, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Lunawolf,
The question is not whether his life is precious, but whether or not he should be honoured as a victim of his own violence. Omitting him does not mean that he is any less of a human (although, arguably, his own actions did that); including him, however, degrades the victims who did not perpetrate violence upon their fellow students.
Tammi,
I thought that Dartmouth was supposed to be pretty conservative, too. I think you’re right, though: saying that Cornell is conservative is like saying that Lincoln Chaffee is conservative.
the Grit // April 24, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Hi w,
I always thought Larry was the smart one.
the Grit
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