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The two previous commenters are jackasses. Yes, Jason did something incredibly stupid and he ultimately must bear responsibility for his actions. But there is a very good reason why local lawmakers are forcing property owners to "drunk-proof" balconies: they're protecting college students like us from our own self-destructive tendencies. They could have, for example, forced all students to register any party serving alcohol with the police, then have police patrol those parties to make sure there is no underage drinking, but then you idiots would have whined about the police interfering with your fun. Complaining about the city council making rental units safer with the balcony ordinance is akin to complaining about them insisting on exterior locks or fire alarms. Ultimately, the point is to try to keep tenants and their guests as safe as possible. If you want to live somewhere where they don't care about safety, move to Texas.

Also, there's nothing at all wrong with showing a little compassion to the stupid kid's family. Just because Jason acted like an idiot and hurt himself doesn't mean that it's fair to heap abuse on his poor family. Mrs. Gratzl acted like a decent person in writing this thank you letter to the UW community, and the people involved in the fundraiser behaved in a noble manner, like good neighbors, by trying to do something to help Jason, despite his stupidity and not because of it. God forbid that people should be kind and decent!

I'm sure lots of people share the sentiments expressed by the two idiots who commented here first. Well, you have no obligation to help people like Jason, but I pray to God that you never find yourself in a similar situation surrounded by people like yourselves. You'd probably end up drowning in your own vomit.

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Good people have compassion for others, even idiots who fall off of balconies in drunken stupor. Bad people revel in schadenfreude.

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I don't think it's a question of giving money to the idiot. He made his bed, now he should lie in it. But it's pretty damn coldhearted to laugh at him and celebrate his idiocy.

You don't have to help pay Gratzl's medical bills to be a good person. But taking joy in his stupidity suggests to me that you're just a jerk.

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Wow, it is sad to view both the ignorance and the complete lack of respect for human life. We all make mistakes, some worse than others. These reactionary comments are sad to see from someone who went to Madison for both the education and the social aspects of the campus and its city. I can't blame you law abiding citizens but I can act sad to see such egregious displays of selfishness.

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PS: "Good people have compassion for others, even idiots who fall off of balconies in a drunken stupor. Bad people revel in schadenfreude."

That would make a great (XXL) t-shirt slogan, if you don't mind me saying so.

I'm amazed at the warped point of view that some of you have. These were people, and at least one of them, a very good person that meant a lot to his family, friends, and those he worked with. It's easy to think you're being idealistic by calling them lowlifes, but if you didn't know them, it's misguided and downright ignorant to take such an extreme stance. Your compassion is not needed or wanted, but to act like you live such flawless lives. Philip went to school, worked hard, contributed to society, and did virtually nothing to hurt anyone. Given the compassion and impact he had on the lives around him, he will be missed dearly by a lot of people. He made a mistake, but he did not deserve to die for it, nor does his memory or his family and friends deserve the heartless derision you feel obligated to post.

It truly saddens me to see what some of you have written about Jason and Phil. I don't know Jason, but I did know Phil and he was one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Phil was LOVED deeply by his family and friends, and is missed dearly by all who knew him. Think of how your statements are hurting those of us who are mourning his death when we read the horrible words you say about him. Here's something the Badger Herald hasn't written about yet...Phil was a kind, compassionate, caring person who was always there for his family and friends. He had a great sense of humor and was blessed with more talents than one person should ever possess. He was also a person who NONE of you obviously knew, because if you had known him, you would NEVER write such horrible things. Remember, the same thing could happen to your son, brother, or friend and I wonder how you would feel if you read the same words about the death of your loved one.