My heart aches for those who die under tragic circumstances and their survivors. However, I'm troubled by a new trend that has developed in recent years -- the notion that the victims of such tragedies (or their families) are entitled to compensation from the government.

Virginia Tech will offer the families of the 32 students and faculty members slain by Seung Hui Cho a one-time payment of $180,000 from a fund created to receive private donations in the weeks after the April 16 massacre, the administrator of the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund said Wednesday.

The administrator, Kenneth R. Feinberg of Bethesda, said the university plans to distribute the entire $7.1 million fund to the families of those killed and to the 27 people wounded in Norris Hall.

Those who were wounded will receive $40,000 to $90,000 apiece, depending on the severity of their injuries, as well as free tuition at Virginia Tech.

"We are hopeful this effort can continue the healing process for those most grievously touched by the April 16 tragedy," said Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger.

Some slain students' relatives, who plan to meet this weekend, appeared unimpressed by Feinberg's decision on distribution of the fund.

"It was expected. We've got to take a look at it and decide if there is going to be a response or not," said Joseph Samaha of Centreville, whose daughter Reema was killed in Norris Hall.

Now the charitable response to this tragedy was touching, and the desire of so many folks to help was admirable. But the families involved want more. And that is a response that troubles me deeply.

Why, exactly, does the state of Virginia owe the victims anything? Can the state of Virginia really be said to be responsible for the acts of a madman? I simply do not believe that it is. And the mere fact that the state has deep pockets is not a sufficient cause to demand compensation.

Posted by: Greg at 02:00 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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