Whistle Stop, I have seen honorary degrees such as you have described, and I agree they are more window dressing (for the recipient) and public relations (for the institution) than anything else. However, I have also seen them along the lines Bonnie referred to, where they have clearly been earned (in the school of "hard knocks") and are fitting recognition of significant acclomplishment. As to which are more prevalent, I don't know. We usually hear about the celebrities, but probably don't hear about the "ordinary Joes" who get--and deserve--one.