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.
Comment posted by the Grit
at 4/24/2007 1:02:06 PM
Hi w,
I always thought Larry was the smart one.
the Grit
Comment posted by theobromophile
at 4/23/2007 4:26:08 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. 
Comment posted by wytammic
at 4/23/2007 4:01:23 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.
Comment posted by the Grit
at 4/23/2007 3:01:39 PM
Hi w,
That sort of thing is Cornell’s trademark. They do it to attract the spawn of rich liberals.
the Grit
Comment posted by wytammic
at 4/23/2007 12:28:39 PM
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
Comment posted by lunawolf
at 4/23/2007 12:18:44 PM
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!
Comment posted by wytammic
at 4/23/2007 6:50:04 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.
Comment posted by wytammic
at 4/23/2007 6:42:14 AM
Good morning Stevereenie,
My thoughts exactly.
Comment posted by lunawolf
at 4/23/2007 3:09:54 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.
Comment posted by stevereenie
at 4/23/2007 12:07:16 AM
“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
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