Penn State Student Defends Costume

School shootings now insignificant?

Wow... So, correct me if I'm wrong, but are they really trying to say that just because the Virginia Tech massacre wasn't the first of its kind that it is somehow less significant? This kind of thing isn't something we should get used to hearing about. Just because it has happened before doesn't mean it should happen again. This is just my opinion, but I don't think that the international publication of this event is not blowing it way out of proportion. Students and the rest of us should learn that a little discretion and respect should be excercised and that turning such an awful event into a Halloween gag is indecent and should not be simply accepted.

Penn State Students need more than a college education...how about common sense? You can't teach that.

They need to be expelled! As a representation of a "repected" College, there needs to be reprecusions for their actions. How about this, "in the real world" there are actions for your own consequences. Good Luck in working in the real world with that kind or moral and inability to think before you act. Good Luck in finding an employer who would tolerate such ignorance and selfishness.

Insensitivity Is Unbelievable!

I am truly saddened that these students have no sense of decorum and decided to show no respect for their fellow human beings when they decided to dress the way they did for Halloween. As this student said in the article, "there is a lot worse going on in the world right now" ....He's right, he and his friend have shown the world that they have no self-respect, sensitivity, or caring for others. This massacre that happened at Virginia Tech could have just as easily happened at Penn State or any other campus for that matter. Take a look again into the eyes of that small group of friends that you reserved this "costume" for and be glad that they are alive to laugh with you and talk with you. For some Virginia Tech students that's not possible any more.

VT/Penn State

I think the actions of these kids, and their unapologetic attitude is a sad statement for our youth. Any tragedy like the one at VT is just that, a tragedy. Whether it is the first, second, worst, or most minimal, with youth with this type attitude, it probably won't be the last. Making light of any suffering in our world is a travesty. As a parent of a VT student, I am proud of all of the VT students and their perseverence, I hope that the parents of these students are extremely disappointed and will use this opportunity to try to teach a little compassion and community resoponsibility. My 6 year old saw this on the news and was angry that someone was making fun of the sadness that occurred at his sister's school. I would hope that the majority of our youth are outraged at the behavior of these students!

As a Penn State graduate, I am beyond disgusted at what these students did. In the aftermath of the VT tragedy, and it was and remains a tragedy, PSU tried to do everything it could to help out VT students. Now, because of two "shockers", the whole university will be looked down upon. I want people to know, that those are two students, not the Penn State community. I believe we are just as outraged as many others. I think some action needs to be taken against these students, because not knowing the difference between right and wrong is the first step to becoming a sociopath.

If any student at my college did a stunt like this, they would be expelled. I have lost all respect for Penn State after they decided to take no action against these brainless losers. These cowards that can post their pictures online then refuse to be named, should apologize to the whole nation for thier stupidity. I would like to know who they are, so I won't hire them when (and if) they graduate.

"Whining and crying??" This young man will likely do the same when he is unable to get a job after graduation because any potential employer will likely be able to search his name/ school and find these pictures.

He may pay in the cruel "real world."

And for the record, people should consider that Nathan Jones said the reason he and Jessica Maroclo dressed up as bloody VT students was for "shock value" ... trying to outdo last year's costume of murdered Amish school children.

Would you hire him? Would you even want to be in the same room with him? They are seriously disturbed.

VY halloween shirts``

Students do stupid things. Adults also do stupid things and say stupid things and then cringe with hidden embarassment each time the memories surface. So, also, will these two relive this time for the rest of their lives.

PSU/VT

I am a VT student and I knew several of the people that were murdered. The photographs of these PSU students really angered me when I first saw them. His comments during the interview illustrates his ignorance. Most of the VT community get over the pictures quickly after the initial shock. What gets "us" are the comments and the attitude of this guy. That is what is sustaining this story.

The bottom line is..... nobody here at VT looks down on PSU. We have the up most respect for this fine school. They supported us in a great way over the last few months. Nobody should look down on PSU because of a couple of students.

Penn State student comments

"He says he will 'never ever ever' apologize. 'I will die before I do.'"

As a member of the Virginia Tech community, this somehow disturbs me above all else. He's defending his decision on a national level, fine, people say stupid things when they're under pressure. But being unwilling to apologize on any level and not showing any semblance of humanity? That says a great deal about his character, which is already pretty wanting, in my opinion. (Not to mention that the "never ever ever" reeks of a 10-year-old's defiance.)

Still, I hope that the Penn State community knows that Virginia Tech will always remember and appreciate the way that you reached out to us after April 16 and that we (as much as I can speak for a community) don't hold you liable for the actions of these two people.

In the same token, I am upset to read that some people here are making threats toward these students. Many of us are still quite emotional about the tragedy but I don't think that threatening violence is an appropriate response. At the very least, it does no credit to the memories of those whom we lost that day. As has been pointed out elsewhere, we rose above the far crueler actions of one individual, we should be able to do the same now. Criticize, express, and condemn all you like. But let us not resort to violence. We already know far too well how that feels.