<p>Virginia Tech Families to Be Offered Up to $180,000</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/AR2007081501240.html[/url]”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/AR2007081501240.html</a></p>
<p>I understand the point of compensation like this, but to me there is something a little weird about it too. As in “Your child died. Sorry about that. We can’t give you your kid back, but how about some money instead?” </p>
<p>Of course, these families have had funeral expenses, possible lost wages due to grief, and could probably use a good vacation. But still… if it were me, I’d feel odd about taking money when what I really wanted was my family member.</p>
<p>I think that the September 11th comparison is an unnecessary and clumsy one. The vast majority of those who were killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks were sole or partial breadwinners for their families not dependents.</p>
<p>Also government money was metted out because a) government agencies were at fault as far as intelligence and secuirty failures and b) to prevent families from suing airlines.</p>
<p>If we look at other school shootings, Columbine for example, no state money was used to to compensate families, at least not in the large scale that VA Tech families seem to be demanding.</p>
<p>Will the money offered by VA Tech replace or lessen the loss of a child? Of course not. But the money offered is substantially more than funeral costs.</p>