Fans, show some respect
I am a 1987 OU graduate and a United States Air Force veteran. I earned my Commission in 1987 through OU’s Air Force ROTC program. My wife also attended OU, as did my daughter, who now attends the OU Health Sciences Center.
I am also a 15-year football season ticket holder. I live in Norman and think it is one of the greatest places on earth. Crimson and Cream runs deep in my family, and I am very proud of my association with OU.
But there is one aspect of the university I am not particularly proud of, and I am asking for help to solve this problem. Before each football game, we sing the national anthem, which is absolutely appropriate.
However, many of the fans have taken it upon themselves to substitute the last word of this great song — “Brave” — with “Sooners!”
This has always offended me, but I have chosen to sit by and let it happen. But as we approach a new football season, I cannot sit by any longer must try to do something about it.
I am offended when people do not show respect to our national anthem, our country and the men and women who have fought and died to keep our nation free.
Please do whatever it takes to stop the disrespect toward the great symbols of our country. Before each game, we politely ask fans to show respect to the opposing team. Why can’t we do the same for our national anthem?
I ask that a campaign be brought about to spread the word that the university does not condone this behavior.
I ask that we do whatever it takes: flyers, e-mails, letters written to students and all other fans to let them know that the university desires and expects our fans to be respectful. I feel it is our duty to stop this practice at our sporting events.
— Brian Emery
Smoking column asinine
The Oklahoma Daily’s journalistic integrity has sunk to an even greater level.
Cassie Little’s defense of smoking as “sexy” in Thursday’s paper is the most asinine, irresponsible and poorly thought-out piece I have ever read in this newspaper.
Her ignorance of the nature of nicotine addiction is horrid and staggering. That the editors ever allowed the piece to run must be an indication of how little talent there is on staff.
Her urge to smoke on the basis of its appearance on fashion runways is deeply shallow and narcissistic and is the kind of thought that belongs on a teenager’s blog, not a university newspaper.
Her admiration of sexy smokers — without a basis she can truly explain — is nothing more than a childish. All the cool people do it (“in moderation”), so you should too. The picture accompanying the article means someone must have given this the green light.
Is this the kind of talent our fine school of journalism turns out?
— Joesph Janowiak
Too much alcohol in The Daily
I‘m appalled by the number of articles in the Aug. 28 issue of The Oklahoma Daily about alcohol.
There was Matt Felty’s reference to partying, purchasing fake IDs and an attack on President Boren’s stand on the Amethyst Initiative.
There was the feature about specialty beer brewing in Norman. Next to it was Jackie Clews’ “Gameday guzzlin’” article.
There was a co-authored piece over Beer Pong v. Flip Cup and the editorial board’s slam on Boren’s stance on the Amethyst Initiative earlier this week.
In the fall 2007, there were 18,876 undergraduates at OU’s Norman campus, according to the Department of Institutional Research. Of those, 13,840 were 21 and younger.
These are The Daily’s target, and the paper is flooded with glamorization of alcohol. The editors should be ashamed. One piece a day would be tolerable.
But to flood the newspaper with several is irresponsible.
The University has a strong anti-alcohol policy, and to publish so many articles in the face of Boren’s Amethyst position is a public, intentional insult.
— Matthew Baker, English Literature junior
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JosephTSchmidt 3 years, 8 months ago
To Matthew Baker, and in regard to the drinking articles.
I also couldn't understand how blatant the writers figured they could be in regard to alcohol. I'm a freshmen, who came in understanding the strict drinking policy. If others do it, that's all fine and good. To each their own, even (and perhaps especially) the freshmen under 21; it apparently just happens. It's not my place to say what they should or shouldn't do.
But to see that kind of writing in the newspaper! I understand the whole aspect of free speech and whatnot. Fine. But I wonder what impression they're trying to make. I'm not one to press the idea of ethics and standards on folks, as I fail in that regard in many ways. But I'd hoped that the Journalism department would at least consider the consequence and image of what they've posted. I realize that much more often than not, the media of OU is great and that I'm sure this is an isolated event.
The Journalism program here is amazing- its advisors, teeachers, and students are among the best, I believe. I am sure the authors of the articles are also very good at what they do. This line of events was just a little discerning. I plan on attending the Gaylord College of Journalism. I see already changes I hope will be made. I respect that college, and this university. I don't want their reputation to be soiled because some writers don't consider maturity or standards. There are other major universities people can go to if they want their main focus to be about drinking. I prefer OU to be known for its academics, its spirit and its direction.
Thanks again for posting what you did, if this is the same Matt. Otherwise, I think I'm going to post this as a comment. I wonder whether it will even be accepted. I'm hoping it won't affect my place in the Journalism school.
Boomer,
-Joseph Schmidt, University College Freshman