Would it be acceptable if the resignation from the LCA program took place via email and by design was copied to a large portion of the airline and the truth was misrepresented about the firings of the two pilots and pubically impugned the integrity of several superiors? Would not any offer of leniency be considered above and beyond?

If you took a poll, it is likely that a large majority would consider it an extreme act of benevolence to afford one the ability to stay at any company after such an action. Being allowed to stay conditional on a subsquent public act of contrition is more than fair and more than one would expect. An offer which was considered fair by standards of peers which more than one stated. It is fair to say that a similar act at a previous employer would have brought immediate termination and no offer of leniancy would have been given or expected. It's doubtful there is a carrier legacy or non that would not treat that behavior with the utmost seriousness. Since continued employment was conditional on being responsible for one's own actions and the offer not accepted, I would consider it leaving by choice. It is sad that anyone with invested effort is not a long for the entire ride but sometimes and by one's own choices it is unavoidable.