Topic: Video of elderly bus monitor getting bullied by middle schoolers goes viral

[K-man]

Internet raises over $125,000 dollars for her.

http://www.indiegogo.com/loveforkarenhklein?c=home

[Xessive]

Oh yeah! Middle-schoolers are douchebags in this day and age. The video has also prompted an investigation.

Secondly, the Internet proves that good still trumps evil, as there's been a vacation fund setup at Indiegogo.com. The initial goal was to raise $5,000 so that Klein could take some well deserved time off and go on "a vacation of a lifetime!," and with 30 days remaining, it has already raised a whopping $154,000.

It's raised even more now!

[scottws]

It's over $500,000 at this point.

[Xessive]

At this rate she's getting a summer vacation and a summer home! haha

[PyroMenace]

From what I hear, she's not accepting the money.

Edit: Here's the article I looked at earlier, which I don't really agree with.

[scottws]

What the hell is wrong with that author? It is almost as if he is attacking the lady himself, and even though she is turning down the money. The asshole bullies get a few off handed comments and that is it.

[idolminds]

Wow that article is terrible.

[Xessive]

The money was raised in her name, what she does with it is her decision. If she really wants to spit in the eye of douchebag authors like that she can take the money and donate a good chunk of it to a charity of her choice. Despite what Adrien Chen (the author of that article) might think, she is entitled.

This is her prerogative, of course. But in taking the money she's inviting an obnoxious level of scrutiny for the rest of what will surely be a very dull life.

And who are you to presume what her life is or will be, Mr. Chen? I don't like to throw around terms like "fascist" loosely but it's it's hard not to think of it when he's basically telling her how to live her life.

That said, I do understand his scrutiny of internet celebrities and their often short-lived stardom. He does raise interesting points but the fact remains that it's her life and the funds were raised for her.

Hmm, how much money would I accept to have a bunch of shitty teenagers cuss at me? A lot less than a half a million dollars! haha

[angrykeebler]

This just in: Gawker is the worst and uses nerd baiting tactics for hits

[gpw11]

This just in: Gawker is the worst and uses nerd baiting tactics for hits

I agree with this completely.

[Pugnate]

I read the article last night before bed... and I kinda sorta liked what the author said on some level. Not completely, but at some level I can see his point of view.

*runs*

[K-man]

I have no problem with her taking the money.  But I think we've long passed the point to where any more money is needed.  At this point donations would be used elsewhere.

[gpw11]

I just typed the longest reply about how Adrian Chen sucks balls, but deleted it before posting.  Honestly, I believe that people donate the money, she should take it.  They choose what they want to do with their money, and they wanted her to have it.  Did she "deserve it"?  No more than any other person who receives donations purely on the basis that they've undergone some hardship and people want to help counter that or believe in the power of turning a negative situation into a positive one, but that's kind of an asshole point to make.  Especially for an internet blogger who does nothing but write Op Ed pieces on issues that don't really matter.  Oh, and sometimes pretend they have terminal cancer and call it "Investigative Journalism".  Fuck that guy, and fuck his greasy hair.

I read the article last night before bed... and I kinda sorta liked what the author said on some level. Not completely, but at some level I can see his point of view.

*runs*

There probably is some merit to his argument, but he's certainly not the guy to get the point across.  And his last paragraph makes no fucking sense when you break it down.

That no matter how senselessly you suffer, no matter how public your humiliation, there is always some dollar amount that can make up for it. It gets better, for a price.

Yeah, that's why the majority of people work jobs that they think are shitty or that they somewhat dislike, jackass.

[Xessive]

I can't wait until the feminists jump on this. They always find a way of making things even more personal

If it was an old guy, do you think the response would have been the same or at least as significant?

[Cobra951]

I'd agree with the article, if the author could prove to me that all corporate bigwigs and all sports stars truly earn their compensation.  In this society, it's not about what you deserve, but about what you can get for yourself.  If it was a meritocracy, scientists would earn a hell of a lot more than rappers.