Aggie Honor Corps Group Suspended for Patriotic Remarks that Irritated Anti-War Prote

Doglips · 02-14-2003, 03:29 PM

This is Totaly unacceptable!!!!!!!!!!!! anti war speach is protected...Patriotic remarks are not.

http://www.texaminer.com/article.php...thread&order=0

Aggie Honor Corps Group Suspended for Patriotic Remarks that Irritated Anti-War Protestors

By: Shannon Dubberly

Free Speech and Military Organization Under Siege at Texas A&M: Aggie Honor
Corps Group Suspended for Patriotic Remarks that Irritated Anti-War Protestors

By: Shannon Dubberly
Word Count: 1,198

Shannon Dubberly, a Texas A&M student, writes for The Examiner
(www.texaminer.com) and The Austin Review (www.austinreview.com). He can be
reached at s_dubberly@hotmail.com.

Texas A&M University has suspended the prestigious Ross Volunteer Honor Corps
association, a select honored division of the Texas A&M Corps, for allegedly
harassing anti-war protestors at a candlelight vigil on February 3. The vigil
held in the center of campus by 30 professors, community activists, and
members of the Aggie Democrats was organized to protest the war against
Saddam Hussein.

This vigil followed a protest that was held on the campus earlier that day by
many of the same activists, which featured signs such as "Bush is a baby
killer" and "Death for Oil." The "vigil" itself resembled the protest, as
signs present included "No Children for Oil."

Without even holding a hearing, the administration of Texas A&M swiftly
imposed a temporary suspension on the Corps group, which serves as the honor
guard for the Governor of Texas. A&M administrators are now conducting an
investigation. However, in the interim, the cadets will be unable to hold
activities.

Anti-war activists at the vigil accused Corps members of pointing their guns,
which are demilitarized, at the group and singing, "Some say freedom is free,
but we know Aggies who paid the price." The Corps' refer to their singing as
"jodying," which they use for motivation and rhythm when jogging.

The Corps, which is composed of about 2,000 of Texas A&M's 46,000 students,
trains each day by jogging around campus. This special division of the Corps
called the Ross Volunteers meets every Monday and Wednesday at the statue of
Sul Ross, to train and remember their namesake. Ross was a venerated 19th
century Texas soldier, governor, educator, and humanitarian. In these
training runs, the cadets their demilitarized rifles and yell chants show
their pride and sustain their morale.

An eyewitness, Matt Maddox, Chairman of the Texas A&M Chapter of the Young
Conservatives of Texas, said the approximately 100 Corps members ran their
normal drills through the center of campus without coming in contact with any
of the protestors and did nothing to intimidate them. Maddox said that,
while the cadets did sing "Some say freedom is free, but we know Aggies who
paid the price," they did not point their guns at the protestors or threaten
them in any way. Maddox notes the cadets did nothing different from what they
do every week on their designated days to train at the Ross statue and in the
free speech area.

However, after several complaints from students and members of the community
that attended the vigil were placed, the Office of the Commandant and
Division of Student Affairs immediately placed this group under suspension.
The members were then notified via e-mail.

According to the Texas A&M Battalion
(http://www.thebatt.com/vnews/display.../3e420c0fd8a6a), the
official school newspaper, Hugh Stearns, an anti-war protestor who attended
the vigil griped, "Some of the cadets glared (at us)." Another protestor,
Rev. Danita Noland of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in College
Station filed a complaint against the Corps with the administration because,
"We had to stop talking quite often. It was so loud, with the jogging and the
commands being called out and answered to and the drills being carried out.
We could not be heard."

Noland further alleged that after the drills, two cadet leaders stood on
benches and made remarks about "the people over there" and "our military
duties." Apparently, Noland cannot stand the thought of these cadets
discussing their commitment to defending this country and, even more, she
wants the A&M administration to shut them down.

Members of this military organization are being suspended for allegedly
"menacing" the anti-war protestors, not harming or attacking them. Indeed,
no one disputes that there was no physical contact. Instead, at issue is the
Corps' patriotic comments, so-called "glaring," and the fact that their
normal routine results in some noise which allegedly disturbed the peacenik
vigil.

Unfortunately, the Texas A&M administration, hell-bent on political
correctness, is bending over backwards to cater to the anti-war protestors'
attempt to sully one of A&M's finest traditions. Noland heaped praise on A&M
administrators' actions, saying "everyone I have spoken to has been extremely
responsive, and there is a real commitment from the administration to see
this thing through."

In a posting to the group's email list, Aggie Democrats President Jonathan
Steed stated, "We are glad that the University is taking action and
investigating this matter following their [Ross Volunteers] harassment of us
at our vigil on Monday night." Steed's screed goes on to add, "I came across
a great website the other day. It has cool cartoons of Bush and his dumb
thoughts and policies. Feel free to check it out at:
www.toostupidtobepresident.com."

Maddox urges A&M alumni and concerned citizens to contact A&M administrators
and express their views. Maddox says, "The Corps has been revered as a great
Aggie tradition since 1876. Now, on the flimsiest of allegations by shrinking
violet anti-war activists, Texas A&M has decided to suspend them with no due
process whatsoever." Texas A&M President Robert Gates can be reached at
RGates@tamu.edu and Director of Student Affairs Jesse Southerland at
malons@tamu.edu.

Texas A&M, traditionally known as a conservative campus, now appears to be
going out of its way to promote liberal causes. In October 2001, following
the massacres at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Texas A&M prohibited
students from hanging American flags from their dormitory windows. After an
article in The Austin Review on the subject, the decision was reversed.

Gates recently created a new "vice president for institutional diversity."
The A&M Regents are considering a plan to prefer applicants from
mostly-minority high schools by admitting the top 20% of their graduating
classes automatically while taking only the top 10% from all other high
schools.

Campuses throughout the country say they want diversity, but their kind of
diversity is not of ideals, but only of race and ethnicity. The suspension of
the Corps members casts a pall over a campus that was once thought of as a
safe haven for conservatism. Contrary to the First Amendment, even peaceful
disagreement with liberal causes will not be tolerated at A&M. A&M
administrators appear so determined to rid the campus of its conservative
label that they are willing to make innocent students pay the price, even
members of the highly respected Corps honor guard.

However, the legacy of A&M and the Corps should be embraced, not defiled.
Founded in 1898, the Texas A&M Ross Volunteer Honor Corps perform at every
Muster and Silver Taps, which are considered by many to be the best of A&M's
traditions. In addition to anchoring A&M ceremonies, they regularly perform
at events with governor. To get accepted into this high brotherhood, one
must excel in his or her Corps duties and be an exemplary leader.

The Ross Volunteers are part of a larger Corps, whose 2,000 members represent
the nation's largest uniformed student body outside of the service academies.
Prior to 1965, all A&M students were required to join the Corps. The Corps'
mission is "training leaders of character and competence for service to
nation and state"

The Corps commissions more officers in all branches of military than any
school apart from service academies. More than 225 former cadets have
achieved rank of general or admiral in the U.S. military and seven Aggies
have received the medal of honor

Stopper · 02-14-2003, 03:42 PM

Mamsy-pamsy, punk arss, jackrabbit, SOB's. Wa, wa, wa they can't violate my rights but I can violate thiers, thats thier left wing democrap, pinko, socialist, commy BS yanking good people around.

When will it end!! ARRRRGGGGGHHHH!

02-14-2003, 04:39 PM

That's not justice, thats BS! We should organize an anti-pansy protest. Lock & Load!

PAPA G · 02-14-2003, 07:15 PM

when are colleages going to teach commonsense, and Rights covers everyone and not the privelaged.

jerry · 02-14-2003, 07:22 PM

Joke 'em if they can't take a F*%#

Dennis · 02-14-2003, 09:05 PM

Dang This is Bad
The corp is a big deal
God Help them

oneastrix · 02-14-2003, 09:12 PM

Stopper, what does "Pinko" mean. I have heard that before but never understood it?

Oxford · 02-15-2003, 12:42 AM

Oneastrix: FYI...pink is slang for homosexual. PINKO. Pinko is American slang for someone with liberal or left-wing political leanings.

02-14-2003, 03:29 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,089	Aggie Honor Corps Group Suspended for Patriotic Remarks that Irritated Anti-War Prote This is Totaly unacceptable!!!!!!!!!!!! anti war speach is protected...Patriotic remarks are not. http://www.texaminer.com/article.php...thread&order=0 Aggie Honor Corps Group Suspended for Patriotic Remarks that Irritated Anti-War Protestors By: Shannon Dubberly Free Speech and Military Organization Under Siege at Texas A&M: Aggie Honor Corps Group Suspended for Patriotic Remarks that Irritated Anti-War Protestors By: Shannon Dubberly Word Count: 1,198 Shannon Dubberly, a Texas A&M student, writes for The Examiner (www.texaminer.com) and The Austin Review (www.austinreview.com). He can be reached at s_dubberly@hotmail.com. Texas A&M University has suspended the prestigious Ross Volunteer Honor Corps association, a select honored division of the Texas A&M Corps, for allegedly harassing anti-war protestors at a candlelight vigil on February 3. The vigil held in the center of campus by 30 professors, community activists, and members of the Aggie Democrats was organized to protest the war against Saddam Hussein. This vigil followed a protest that was held on the campus earlier that day by many of the same activists, which featured signs such as "Bush is a baby killer" and "Death for Oil." The "vigil" itself resembled the protest, as signs present included "No Children for Oil." Without even holding a hearing, the administration of Texas A&M swiftly imposed a temporary suspension on the Corps group, which serves as the honor guard for the Governor of Texas. A&M administrators are now conducting an investigation. However, in the interim, the cadets will be unable to hold activities. Anti-war activists at the vigil accused Corps members of pointing their guns, which are demilitarized, at the group and singing, "Some say freedom is free, but we know Aggies who paid the price." The Corps' refer to their singing as "jodying," which they use for motivation and rhythm when jogging. The Corps, which is composed of about 2,000 of Texas A&M's 46,000 students, trains each day by jogging around campus. This special division of the Corps called the Ross Volunteers meets every Monday and Wednesday at the statue of Sul Ross, to train and remember their namesake. Ross was a venerated 19th century Texas soldier, governor, educator, and humanitarian. In these training runs, the cadets their demilitarized rifles and yell chants show their pride and sustain their morale. An eyewitness, Matt Maddox, Chairman of the Texas A&M Chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas, said the approximately 100 Corps members ran their normal drills through the center of campus without coming in contact with any of the protestors and did nothing to intimidate them. Maddox said that, while the cadets did sing "Some say freedom is free, but we know Aggies who paid the price," they did not point their guns at the protestors or threaten them in any way. Maddox notes the cadets did nothing different from what they do every week on their designated days to train at the Ross statue and in the free speech area. However, after several complaints from students and members of the community that attended the vigil were placed, the Office of the Commandant and Division of Student Affairs immediately placed this group under suspension. The members were then notified via e-mail. According to the Texas A&M Battalion (http://www.thebatt.com/vnews/display.../3e420c0fd8a6a), the official school newspaper, Hugh Stearns, an anti-war protestor who attended the vigil griped, "Some of the cadets glared (at us)." Another protestor, Rev. Danita Noland of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in College Station filed a complaint against the Corps with the administration because, "We had to stop talking quite often. It was so loud, with the jogging and the commands being called out and answered to and the drills being carried out. We could not be heard." Noland further alleged that after the drills, two cadet leaders stood on benches and made remarks about "the people over there" and "our military duties." Apparently, Noland cannot stand the thought of these cadets discussing their commitment to defending this country and, even more, she wants the A&M administration to shut them down. Members of this military organization are being suspended for allegedly "menacing" the anti-war protestors, not harming or attacking them. Indeed, no one disputes that there was no physical contact. Instead, at issue is the Corps' patriotic comments, so-called "glaring," and the fact that their normal routine results in some noise which allegedly disturbed the peacenik vigil. Unfortunately, the Texas A&M administration, hell-bent on political correctness, is bending over backwards to cater to the anti-war protestors' attempt to sully one of A&M's finest traditions. Noland heaped praise on A&M administrators' actions, saying "everyone I have spoken to has been extremely responsive, and there is a real commitment from the administration to see this thing through." In a posting to the group's email list, Aggie Democrats President Jonathan Steed stated, "We are glad that the University is taking action and investigating this matter following their [Ross Volunteers] harassment of us at our vigil on Monday night." Steed's screed goes on to add, "I came across a great website the other day. It has cool cartoons of Bush and his dumb thoughts and policies. Feel free to check it out at: www.toostupidtobepresident.com." Maddox urges A&M alumni and concerned citizens to contact A&M administrators and express their views. Maddox says, "The Corps has been revered as a great Aggie tradition since 1876. Now, on the flimsiest of allegations by shrinking violet anti-war activists, Texas A&M has decided to suspend them with no due process whatsoever." Texas A&M President Robert Gates can be reached at RGates@tamu.edu and Director of Student Affairs Jesse Southerland at malons@tamu.edu. Texas A&M, traditionally known as a conservative campus, now appears to be going out of its way to promote liberal causes. In October 2001, following the massacres at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Texas A&M prohibited students from hanging American flags from their dormitory windows. After an article in The Austin Review on the subject, the decision was reversed. Gates recently created a new "vice president for institutional diversity." The A&M Regents are considering a plan to prefer applicants from mostly-minority high schools by admitting the top 20% of their graduating classes automatically while taking only the top 10% from all other high schools. Campuses throughout the country say they want diversity, but their kind of diversity is not of ideals, but only of race and ethnicity. The suspension of the Corps members casts a pall over a campus that was once thought of as a safe haven for conservatism. Contrary to the First Amendment, even peaceful disagreement with liberal causes will not be tolerated at A&M. A&M administrators appear so determined to rid the campus of its conservative label that they are willing to make innocent students pay the price, even members of the highly respected Corps honor guard. However, the legacy of A&M and the Corps should be embraced, not defiled. Founded in 1898, the Texas A&M Ross Volunteer Honor Corps perform at every Muster and Silver Taps, which are considered by many to be the best of A&M's traditions. In addition to anchoring A&M ceremonies, they regularly perform at events with governor. To get accepted into this high brotherhood, one must excel in his or her Corps duties and be an exemplary leader. The Ross Volunteers are part of a larger Corps, whose 2,000 members represent the nation's largest uniformed student body outside of the service academies. Prior to 1965, all A&M students were required to join the Corps. The Corps' mission is "training leaders of character and competence for service to nation and state" The Corps commissions more officers in all branches of military than any school apart from service academies. More than 225 former cadets have achieved rank of general or admiral in the U.S. military and seven Aggies have received the medal of honor

02-14-2003, 03:42 PM	#2
Stopper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansass Posts: 2,211 Images: 1	Mamsy-pamsy, punk arss, jackrabbit, SOB's. Wa, wa, wa they can't violate my rights but I can violate thiers, thats thier left wing democrap, pinko, socialist, commy BS yanking good people around. When will it end!! ARRRRGGGGGHHHH! __________________ They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"

02-14-2003, 07:15 PM	#4
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12	WHAT A CROCK..................... when are colleages going to teach commonsense, and Rights covers everyone and not the privelaged.

02-14-2003, 07:22 PM	#5
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,870 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Joke 'em if they can't take a F*%# __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

02-14-2003, 09:05 PM	#6
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,877	Dang This is Bad The corp is a big deal God Help them __________________ Submitted with respect to all

02-14-2003, 04:39 PM	#3
Lenny2 Guest Posts: n/a	That's not justice, thats BS! We should organize an anti-pansy protest. Lock & Load!

02-14-2003, 09:12 PM	#7
oneastrix Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 5,213	Stopper, what does "Pinko" mean. I have heard that before but never understood it? __________________ There's no one more thankful to sit at the table, than the one who best remembers hunger's pain.

02-15-2003, 12:42 AM	#8
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,021 Blog Entries: 4	Oneastrix: FYI...pink is slang for homosexual. PINKO. Pinko is American slang for someone with liberal or left-wing political leanings. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".