Too much sympathy?

rice_farmer · Jun 29, 2012

As we all heard 68 year old Karen Klein was subjected to bullying from three or four seventh grade boys about a week ago in Greece, NewYork. The video of the whole harassment was featured on YouTube almost instantly recieving empathy from all it's viewers. Soon after she has received multiple on air television interviews and appearances and cash rewards for being put through though torment. Although, my question is; is Karen Klein receiving too much publicity? Or in other words, is this being blown way out of proportion? Since the video, a fundraiser has been set up to "Give Karen Klein a vacation", in less than 10 days the funds raised was just shy of 660k (more then Karen would make in 45+ years!). Additionally she had already been promised multiple expense free vactations by various news casters. I for one have seen the video am and disgusted by the actions taking place but dont exactly know how to feel about the aftermath. No one person deserves the treatment these kids have shown towards Karen but we have to remember that much worse things happen to people like Karen that is not captured on video. What really struck me is that Karen's profit which is continuing to rise has made more funds than typical cancer fundraiser for a child. What do you guys think about this?

DodgeFB · Jun 30, 2012

rice_farmer said:
As we all heard 68 year old Karen Klein was subjected to bullying from three or four seventh grade boys about a week ago in Greece, NewYork. The video of the whole harassment was featured on YouTube almost instantly recieving empathy from all it's viewers. Soon after she has received multiple on air television interviews and appearances and cash rewards for being put through though torment. Although, my question is; is Karen Klein receiving too much publicity? Or in other words, is this being blown way out of proportion? Since the video, a fundraiser has been set up to "Give Karen Klein a vacation", in less than 10 days the funds raised was just shy of 660k (more then Karen would make in 45+ years!). Additionally she had already been promised multiple expense free vactations by various news casters. I for one have seen the video am and disgusted by the actions taking place but dont exactly know how to feel about the aftermath. No one person deserves the treatment these kids have shown towards Karen but we have to remember that much worse things happen to people like Karen that is not captured on video. What really struck me is that Karen's profit which is continuing to rise has made more funds than typical cancer fundraiser for a child. What do you guys think about this?

I see your point. Had I received the help this lady did each time someone treated me wrong I would have felt much more forgiving than I am today.

David · Jun 30, 2012

rice_farmer said:
As we all heard 68 year old Karen Klein was subjected to bullying from three or four seventh grade boys about a week ago in Greece, NewYork. The video of the whole harassment was featured on YouTube almost instantly recieving empathy from all it's viewers. Soon after she has received multiple on air television interviews and appearances and cash rewards for being put through though torment. Although, my question is; is Karen Klein receiving too much publicity? Or in other words, is this being blown way out of proportion? Since the video, a fundraiser has been set up to "Give Karen Klein a vacation", in less than 10 days the funds raised was just shy of 660k (more then Karen would make in 45+ years!). Additionally she had already been promised multiple expense free vactations by various news casters. I for one have seen the video am and disgusted by the actions taking place but dont exactly know how to feel about the aftermath. No one person deserves the treatment these kids have shown towards Karen but we have to remember that much worse things happen to people like Karen that is not captured on video. What really struck me is that Karen's profit which is continuing to rise has made more funds than typical cancer fundraiser for a child. What do you guys think about this?

Humans are extremely selfish animals. We do this kind of thing to get an emotional high, the thousands of others in the same situation be damned. Same thing when we demonize a murderer or child molester and give them show trials as if they were the only criminals.

Drugs are cheaper people! No need to spend millions to smother and/or humiliate a single person just so a gland in your brain will produce the right hormone to make you happy. $20 bucks for some weed and you'll get the same thing without messing up anyone else's life.

DodgeFB · Jul 1, 2012

David said:
Drugs are cheaper people! No need to spend millions to smother and/or humiliate a single person just so a gland in your brain will produce the right hormone to make you happy. $20 bucks for some weed and you'll get the same thing without messing up anyone else's life.

I don't think any drug will fix all our problems. And sure would not recommend "smoking" anything.

David · Jul 1, 2012

DodgeFB said:
I don't think any drug will fix all our problems. And sure would not recommend "smoking" anything.

Worse then having a media circus and spending millions in taxpayer dollars? I'm not advocating drug use, I'm just pointing out how stupid things like the Terri Schiavo case and the like really are.

Cerise · Jul 1, 2012

rice_farmer said:
As we all heard 68 year old Karen Klein was subjected to bullying from three or four seventh grade boys about a week ago in Greece, NewYork. The video of the whole harassment was featured on YouTube almost instantly recieving empathy from all it's viewers. Soon after she has received multiple on air television interviews and appearances and cash rewards for being put through though torment. Although, my question is; is Karen Klein receiving too much publicity? Or in other words, is this being blown way out of proportion? Since the video, a fundraiser has been set up to "Give Karen Klein a vacation", in less than 10 days the funds raised was just shy of 660k (more then Karen would make in 45+ years!). Additionally she had already been promised multiple expense free vactations by various news casters. I for one have seen the video am and disgusted by the actions taking place but dont exactly know how to feel about the aftermath. No one person deserves the treatment these kids have shown towards Karen but we have to remember that much worse things happen to people like Karen that is not captured on video. What really struck me is that Karen's profit which is continuing to rise has made more funds than typical cancer fundraiser for a child. What do you guys think about this?

Perhaps she will give some of the money to a worthy cause?

DodgeFB · Jul 2, 2012

David said:
Worse then having a media circus and spending millions in taxpayer dollars? I'm not advocating drug use, I'm just pointing out how stupid things like the Terri Schiavo case and the like really are.

The "Terri Schiavo" case almost made me leave the Republican party. (I still might.) I am real strong on not keeping anyone hanging on. I would take right to die even before right to life.

That is why my living will states if I can not speak no one can even give me fluids. That way I should be left hanging no longer than a few days.

David · Jul 2, 2012

DodgeFB said:
The "Terri Schiavo" case almost made me leave the Republican party. (I still might.) I am real strong on not keeping anyone hanging on. I would take right to die even before right to life.

That is why my living will states if I can not speak no one can even give me fluids. That way I should be left hanging no longer than a few days.

I know a few people who came back, none are happy , seems death was a fun experience.

The GMan · Jul 2, 2012

The reason we're seeing more and more of this is that the kids wanted to be the next Youtube sensation. The kids revealed you they are truthfully and if I was their parents I would be completely embarresed in them and of myself. To know that the world saw my spawn acting in this way and is now open to the attacks and general disdain of the world. The kids are going to learn that what they did to the old lady is childs play when the world comes at them and will make their lives absolute hell.

ThirdTerm · Jul 2, 2012

Verbal abuse and bullying on public transport may be incredibly common these days and there was another YouTube video which went viral last year and an arrest was made based on the content of the video. Ms Klein received more than $600,000 in donations so far because so many people who have gone through similar experiences in the past sympathised with her plight and the media took up this case to raise awareness on the issue. Those kids incriminated themselves by posting the footage on YouTube and got suspended for a year but most victims of bullying are hesitant to come out.

DodgeFB · Jul 2, 2012

David said:
I know a few people who came back, none are happy , seems death was a fun experience.

Everyone has to die. But I think once should be enough. I have had family brought back again and again. Not to live a good life, but to suffer for days and years with no hope of regaining their health.

David · Jul 2, 2012

DodgeFB said:
Everyone has to die. But I think once should be enough. I have had family brought back again and again. Not to live a good life, but to suffer for days and years with no hope of regaining their health.

Well the folks I know are quite healthy all things considered. Not that getting dragged away kicking and screaming from the Purlly Gates has done much for their disposition.

rice_farmer · Jul 3, 2012

The GMan said:
The reason we're seeing more and more of this is that the kids wanted to be the next Youtube sensation. The kids revealed you they are truthfully and if I was their parents I would be completely embarresed in them and of myself. To know that the world saw my spawn acting in this way and is now open to the attacks and general disdain of the world. The kids are going to learn that what they did to the old lady is childs play when the world comes at them and will make their lives absolute hell.

But do those 7th graders deserve "absolute hell". I'm sure all of them know that what they have done is wrong, but the world once again shows it's unforgiving attitude. Those 4 7th grade boys and their families are now receiving various death threats and require police protection. Surely the over publicity of Karen's incident is partly to blame for this.

The GMan · Jul 3, 2012

rice_farmer said:
But do those 7th graders deserve "absolute hell". I'm sure all of them know that what they have done is wrong, but the world once again shows it's unforgiving attitude. Those 4 7th grade boys and their families are now receiving various death threats and require police protection. Surely the over publicity of Karen's incident is partly to blame for this.

That's the thing, they knew what they were doing when they uploaded to Youtube, but they didn't think what they did was wrong only in their minds it was funny and "cool". Now the media and the general public will make these kids as an example to others that what you put up online will effect you for a very long time.

rice_farmer · Jul 3, 2012

The GMan said:
That's the thing, they knew what they were doing when they uploaded to Youtube, but they didn't think what they did was wrong only in their minds it was funny and "cool". Now the media and the general public will make these kids as an example to others that what you put up online will effect you for a very long time.

Point taken, but do 7th graders really need to be put through this? I believe this far extends past the line of what's acceptable.

eunice · Jul 10, 2012

rice_farmer said:
Point taken, but do 7th graders really need to be put through this? I believe this far extends past the line of what's acceptable.

:spin::spin:

clax · Jul 19, 2012

I have worked with kids this age on a professionAl level and a volunteer level. You can not show them weakness, they will walk right over you. I don't think its to be mean spirited but to see how far they can push you. She needs to find a new job if she can't take it. What could a 13 year old say that could make a grown person cry?

scun10 · Oct 23, 2012

I agree that this is a lavish response, which is disproportionate to the crime, but I think it says something good about how people feel about the everyday aggressiveness that has become commonplace in society.

rice_farmer said:
As we all heard 68 year old Karen Klein was subjected to bullying from three or four seventh grade boys about a week ago in Greece, NewYork. The video of the whole harassment was featured on YouTube almost instantly recieving empathy from all it's viewers. Soon after she has received multiple on air television interviews and appearances and cash rewards for being put through though torment. Although, my question is; is Karen Klein receiving too much publicity? Or in other words, is this being blown way out of proportion? Since the video, a fundraiser has been set up to "Give Karen Klein a vacation", in less than 10 days the funds raised was just shy of 660k (more then Karen would make in 45+ years!). Additionally she had already been promised multiple expense free vactations by various news casters. I for one have seen the video am and disgusted by the actions taking place but dont exactly know how to feel about the aftermath. No one person deserves the treatment these kids have shown towards Karen but we have to remember that much worse things happen to people like Karen that is not captured on video. What really struck me is that Karen's profit which is continuing to rise has made more funds than typical cancer fundraiser for a child. What do you guys think about this?

tecoyah · Nov 1, 2012

I lived in Greece, NY...pretty much Mafia owned and preppy.

White boy punks everywhere...the malls were not safe because of them.

Good to see someone doing something....anything.

Too much sympathy?

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