On Why We're Not Aggies
by billyzane on Mar 10, 2008 10:50 AM CDT
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Print--The first in what will likely, given the subject matter, become a periodically recurring feature.--
Sometimes you read something written by someone far smarter and more eloquent than you could ever hope to be that so completely distills your feelings on a certain issue that it doesn’t matter that the intended meaning of what that person wrote had nothing whatsoever to do with what it means to you. I had just such a moment recently.
While reading The Nine, a solid if unspectacular book about the inner workings of the Supreme Court that I wish David Halberstam had written rather than Jeffrey Toobin, I came across a quote from a famous 1943 Supreme Court decision that I had briefly studied but never actually read, West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, which held that public schools could not force students to say the pledge of allegiance against their will. The majority opinion, written by Justice Robert H. Jackson, one of the most eloquent Supreme Court justices in American history, is as stirring a defense of individual freedom as I have ever read. The quote I came across, as written by Justice Jackson:
To believe that patriotism will not flourish if patriotic ceremonies are voluntary and spontaneous, instead of a compulsory routine, is to make an unflattering estimate of the appeal of our institutions to free minds.
Substitute "school spirit" for "patriotism" and this, my friends, is why we are not Aggies. To make school spirit and the deification of traditions compulsory routine is to simultaneously believe that the institutions they represent are not worthy of voluntary and spontaneous celebration by, as Jackson put it, "free minds." And if there’s one thing Aggies love, it’s compulsory conformity to rules and traditions at the expense of individual freedom of expression, which, rather than being celebrated, is usually punished by push-ups.
Now, Aggies will probably tell you that there’s nothing compulsory about it. That there’s something about "The Spirit of Aggieland" that inspires those who enter its mystical mist into doing the exact same thing as every single other person on campus. I’ll believe that, as long as you define that certain "something" as "fear of ostracization and alienation for failing to conform." And no matter how "free" you are to not go to the football games or Yell Practice, to say the Privileged Words, or to walk on the grass, that means nothing if you are excoriated and shunned for doing it. Aggies I’ve known like to mention that they get something like 98% of the student body attending each football game. But what’s telling is that they don’t focus on how impressive that 98% is, but rather they dwell negatively on those 2% who choose to do something else with their Saturday afternoons, as if the University would be a far better place if attendance at a football game were compulsory rather than voluntary.
I don’t mean to make this into something bigger than it is, nor do I mean to denigrate Texas A&M as an institution of learning. It’s a fine University with fine institutions that would undoubtedly appeal to "free minds" if Aggies would just allow students to come to that conclusion themselves rather than making that conclusion compulsory in effect, beginning with "Fish Camp" indoctrination that begins before they even start school. I am merely saying that this, my friends, is why I am proud to be Longhorn rather than an Aggie. All are welcome. Come as you are. And Hook 'Em.
--BZ--
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Best part of "The Nine"
REZ IPSA.
You gotta love that.
(the thing speaks for itself).
Interesting
Wow, BZ, this is almost too deep for a Monday morning (especially a Monday after the time-change)! But at the same time it's stimulating my synapses.
It always seemed to me that the Aggie "yell-leaders" are more like "APPLAUSE" signs than conductors.
Does that make any sense?
re: makes sense
Yep.
It also reminds me of a group of caddies at the Masters.
I'm looking forward
to Beergut posting a lame retort or just calling you racist.
Me too
Hey, Beergut: I just finished reading your posts in goingforthecorner's diary. Let's stir the pot, shall we, and list some of the classless things done in the name of A&M pride:
- Numerous "sacred turf" incidents: 2002,
But wait...
There's more:
- "sacred turf" incidents (cont'd): 1995
- Threatening the Rice MOB. (1973)
There are numerous other things that are truly classless about the Aggies. 54b posted a strong piece about the 12th man in 2006.
addition
- I was at this game. I was on the track following the game, dodging the liquor bottles being thrown by texas fans.
I think the texas fans and students who rushed Kyle that day got what they deserved. When there are ~400 of you, and you rush towards a group of 2000 students, don't cry when you get your ass kicked.
- I believe that happened in the '8o0s, not the '60s. Regardless, the cadet involved was kicked out of the Corps and I believe out of school, too.
- I've read several accounts of the Rice story; have yet to read that says anything actually happened, i.e. the MOB got nervous, but there was no violence, no assault, nothing.
ok, let's look at this
- Sorry, don't see how this was done "in the name of A&M pride". It seems to me that a drunk college student was trying (and failing miserably) at being funny. The student in question was sent home, and not allowed to go to the game.
Given that even the Aggies present at that yell practice gave him hell, I fail to see how you can generalize this as a representation of A&M.
This is just one kid embarassing himself.
- I've heard this was a reaction by a member of the PMC to what he believed were attempts by the texas marching band to spook the horses the Cav ride. Don't know if that is true or not, but it isn't something I've worried myself about.
- I believe I was at that game. Some stupid Husker fan ran onto the field as the game ended, and was chased by UPD security. I talked to one of the officers involved later, and he told me the reason they held up instead of tackling the idiot was b/c they didn't want to miss, and be featured on a bloopers reel on ESPN. The Husker fan in question was arrested for trespassing.
This is the first I'd heard about a CT punching a Husker fan; that's just stupid, but not surprising, given it is a Corps member. They have a fair share of idiots in their membership.
Am I the only one who
feels there is a general "lack of situational awareness" among aggy with these incidents?
Wow, Beergut, the more you try to explain it away, the dorkier it becomes, and that's saying something.
At what point does it become pure irony that your spokespeople continue to exclaim "We apologize, this is not typical Fightin' Texas Aggie behavior"?
yeah, it's always "just one guy"
except the "one guy" just happens to be the whole group.
A&M is groupthink at its finest.
by the other Andrew on Mar 10, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Totally
I don't necessarily want to pile on you, Beergut, but shit man...when you stick up for the Ag's with talking points either defending stupid behavior or deflecting blame onto another beloved member of the 12th man you just sound like a tool of a well orchestrated A&M freshman orientation.
Find me 6 documented moments in UT history where we've exhibited behavior similar to what I've outlined above.
...and when I mean documented, I don't mean: "I believe I was at that game when some stupid Husker fan ran onto the field as the game ended." You mean WHEN THEY BEAT YOU?
HERE'S A BRILLIANT FUCKING IDEA! Ready? Ready for it??
BEAT YOUR OPPONENT AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM RUSHING ONTO YOUR SACRED TURF!! (and, yes...I appreciate the fact that y'all have beaten us the last 2 years)
I left it out
because this was a more or less serious post and it didn't feel like it fit, but i really wanted to make reference to all the various accoutrements that corps members get as they move up by class with a "you know the nazis had pieces of flair they made the jews wear" joke. but alas, it wasn't to be. c'est la vie.
My favorite subject
Excellent post, BZ. It's difficult to explain what "can't be explained", but you did a fine job.
Now, someone please explain this:
(without using privileged words)
Hmmm, looks like
Maybe the cadets have been a little too inspired watching Reveille getting "it" doggy style??
Easy Explanation
It's to make sure that she doesn't bite anyone outside the Corps, as they are not priveleged enough.....well, that and the fact that the lawsuits are just so expensive these days.
the only time I've seen CTs do this
is after football games
Explanation I received was that some Tech fans once tried to rush Revielle once, and since then, they've had this practice of creating a human wall around her when they leave the stadium.
Do they have to do it everywhere...
... even if no one but Tech (notable crazy) has ever done this? This is exactly what BZ is talking about. God forbid someone in that group turn and say "Hey, you know, this isn't really necessary against The Citadel, guys..." Immediate beating.
I don't try to understand why the Corps
does some of the things they do; it saves me a lot of headaches.
Personally, I don't know why anyone would volunteer to be in an outfit who's sole purpose is to take care of a dog (other than the seemingly universal rule that chicks like dogs, so its an easy way to meet women).
I am somewhat perplexed why texas fans, in general, seem to want to define everything about A&M based on what <4% of the student body does. It seems like an incredible generalization from a fanbase that trumpets itself as 'independent thinkers'.</p>
I'm perplexed
As to how easy it is to brainwash 96% of the Aggie student body so that they will never again in their lives capitalize when typing Texas.
Bravo BZ
A most apposite analogy.
Jackson's always been one of my favorites among the former justices and is almost certainly the most gifted writer of the bunch. Particularly love his tripartate analysis of excutive power in Youngstown although that seems to have been somewhat missapplied to some recent controversies.
I've been trying to work through Toobin also but must confess, the great subject matter notwithstanding, its been quite a chore. Try Jan Crawford Greenburg's Supreme Conflict . A very fast and entertaining read.
I'm embarrassed
that i didn't know what "apposite" meant until i just looked it up. now i'm a fan. it's entering the BZ lexicon!
Let me quote a bit
From an article in the Situationist last March.
Watching this year’s tournament, it is difficult not to notice the profoundly passionate (mad?) fan base enjoyed by so many teams. We’re not just talking about the "Go! Go! Rah! Rah! Siss Boom Bah!" of conventional cheering sections. We’re talking about camping overnight (sometimes over two nights) on cold, wet sidewalks to queue up for pricey game tickets. We’re talking about full-on body painting — face, hair, the works — to exhibit team spirit. And, in some cases, we’re talking about taunts and jeers directed at the opposing team and their equally, um, "enthusiastic" supporters. Those familiar with the "Duke Sucks" refrain know what we are talking about. Of course, this is nothing new. And, for the fans of some teams, the devotion lasts all season.
Among "true fans" there seems to be a race to excess — blind faith, unlimited allegiance, and some fluorescent body paint, such is the stuff of deep fandom. Few things feed the fires of madness quite like success. Otherwise ordinary (intoxicated) college students turn into "mobs" following an important team victory. To the left we see a photo of Maryland fans rioting after their team . . . won the NCAA title. "Yay us! I know, let’s burn some furniture to celebrate."
So what is going on? How can teams do this to us? Why would John Q. Freshman and Jane Q. Sophomore go to such extremes, spending so much time, energy, money, even dignity, to root for their school? After-all, most college fans could as easily have gone to another college, even a rival college; and the students at Them University are often indistinguishable from those at Us University, except for their college affiliation and bumper stickers.
Still, to most of us, bumper-sticker distinctions are enough to justify our love for our team and our loathing for theirs. After all, Us U. accepted us, while Them U. accepted them. "It’s Us against Them! Let’s torch the sofa!
...
Sports have long been understood as a powerful means of teaching and learning lessons about life — about winning and losing, hard work, competition, and teamwork. But sports have a lot to teach us about ourselves that we seem to want to ignore and might not want to admit. Sports reflect and exploit tendencies that have both good and bad effects. Why not dwell a little less on the former and focus a bit more on the latter?
Madness for all its fun and irrelevance may be a symptom of a deeper tendency — a madness of sorts — that social psychologists have long seen at the heart of intergroup aggression and conflict. Parents, teachers, coaches, universities and the like should focus on that tendency and the questions it raises such as: How is it that largely random and often insignificant variations can determine who is "us" and who is "them"? Why do we so quickly, easily, unthinkingly fall into line behind the flag of the perceived "us," so ready to attack those who we perceive as "them." Why are we so stingy with our empathy and so generous with our self-righteousness toward out-group members?
I've never heard someone say we get 98% of our
student body to football games.
Given that the student population is 40,000+ and we only have ~20,000 seats for students at Kyle Field, that sounds like a logistical impossibility to me.
The term "2%er" refers to something totally different than just someone who doesn't go to a football game.
As always, it is amusing to hear texas fans comment on how they think A&M "should" be.
I apologize if i mischaracterized 2%er
I will freely admit to not being an aggie. i only know the term from talking to aggie friends of mine from high school. perhaps they were mistaken or perhaps there was just a serious miscommunication issue.
care to enlighten us?
my 2 cents
Have we been beating you guys too much lately. I do not remember so much misplaced anger as what I have been seeing recently.
"Forced" school spirit? Seriously, is that what you guys are resorting to now? A&M has just as many people as any other school who choose not to base their own well-being on the ratio of wins to losses of their school's athletic teams (and personally, we would all be better off if we did the same). And those that do are not harassed for making this choice. Are you guys jealous because a large portion of the student body chooses to take part in rooting for the home team, in an effort to, you know, create a home-field advantage? Does it bother you that an inordinate amount of former students choose to give back to the university once they graduate? Do you have trouble sleeping at night, wondering why so many students choose to participate in local charity events to help out the surrounding community? Do you take time out of your liberal lives to curse the significant number of A&M cadets who pledge the first 2, 4, 6 years out of school, or, gasp, rest of their lives to protecting the freedoms of the country, the same freedoms that you as honorable horns choose at your free will?
Yes, even the finest student body in the land has a few bad apples. No one is denying that. Some stuff gets more run than it should. Other parts of the culture (i.e. accountability within the corps) need to be, or are being, dealt with.
But no matter how arrogantly you try to tell us to be ashamed of our school, it will not work. If you are just pandering to your audience, then congrats, great piece. But to pass yourself off as the expert of all-things A&M is a stretch.
no hate or anger here Wac
Trust me, I worked very hard to ensure that there was minimal vitriol in this post. I respect you in a way I do not certain other Aggie posters on this site, so I feel the need to respond here.
I am not passing myself off as an Aggie expert. I am not condemning the university or its fans. I am in no way condemning any service (public, military or otherwise) that A&M students provide to society. I wouldn't say I'm condemning anything, actually. What I am doing is criticizing the institutional culture of the University. The same culture that your very own former University President (and current Secretary of Defense - hardly leading a "liberal life") sought to change himself during his tenure. If this is what you want from your university culture, then allow me to be the first to say congratulations, you've found it. I'm merely saying that this is but one reason I am not an Aggie.
Regardless, I have nothing but respect for the University as an institution of higher learning and most Aggies on an individual basis. It's the collective institutional culture that I have a problem with, but that's just me. Well, me and Robert Gates.
Good Bull, BZ!
But now you've gone ahead and drug aggy jezus into this thing.
i appreciate the lack of hatred, but
Why are you 'not an Aggie'? Because you as an individual, on your own free will, chose to support your school's football team? Do your guys' back hurt from the perpetual self-back-slapping you seem so adept at? News break guys, almost everyone at A&M who loves A&M, would do so anyways, whether or not A&M has cornered the market on generating school support. We go to the school, we are around fellow students, and witness first hand all of the great qualities that we find admirable. I am not a fan of the corps or their antics, but I cannot deny the great sacrifice that some of them, and so many before, make on my behalf. I see the countless number of fellow students who spend way too much time helping others, for no reason other that the general welfare of the university. Don't want to step out of bounds, but oh well. A&M does a wonderful job of equipping young Christian missionaries for a life dedicated to their Savior. As someone who recently found Christ, I am so thankful for a school as big as A&M, with huge aspirations in athletic and academic fields, that still fosters a community of faith and concern for others. Whether that is your cup of tea is irrelevant. What is, though, is that a school so big still has a personal feel to it, which strikes directly at the heart of your criticisms of A&M as a school of singular thought.
I took a minute to look over Peter's post about, and the opening paragraph of, the infamous Texas Monthly article. No offense, but like a true Longhorn, Peter takes to bashing A&M's focus on all things 'tu' like a fish to water. But the thread as a whole, as well as this one, is just dripping with irony. Why are you so focused on what's wrong with A&M? (leave that to us). You should spend more time railing on the largely apathetic portion of the burnt-orange nation. Why do I never hear anything great coming out of the 40 acres? Where are the crowning achievements that should make us pooooooooor Aggies so jealous? And I'm not talking about victories of the guns-for-hire 'student athletes' that base their choice of school on depth charts and promises of NFL glory. I'm talking about the typical engineering/biz. school/liberal art students that make up 99.9% of the student body. Where are the little-known students who are doing great things in the best interest of others? Where is the desperate pleas to galvanize the student body around something other a Vince Young scramble? Where is the charitable compassion for others, the willingness to use the vast resources for something other than Godzillatron?
You see A&M as a school that forces 'school spirit' upon its students. I see it as a great place that has everything I could hope for in a university. Yes, diversity is an issue. So is some of the group-think that is engrained in the hearts of a portion of the former student community who graduated at a time when the situation at the university was completely different than it is today. But the continual effort to homogenize A&M into Everystate U. could have drawbacks. I do not harbor resentment at some in those in power who, having seen so much more of our country's history than you or I, honestly are acting in the best interest of protecting the core values of this great institution. I can only hope that the school I am proud of has graduated enough people before me who truly know how to take care of the university.
You see UT as a school worthy of being proud of. I see a great school who sadly measures its self-worth in the juxtaposition of its name compared to A&M and OU in the conference standings. You readily admit that A&M, although not quite equal to Texas in the academic field, has more than enough to hang their hat on. So when we take that out of the equation, what is left? Your supposed individuality? Outside of the corps (which makes up barely 5% of the student body), A&M churns out some great minds, but even greater people. Where does that leave us? Oh yes, the win-loss column. Well you got us there. Good job, billyzane (or any poster of your choice), you definitely earned respect with Jamaal Charles dramatic fourth-quarter outburst against Nebraska. I cannot imagine how much you sacrificed so that your athletic department could be so successful. (Not meant to rail against you, but rather the idea that someone is better than another because of the emblem on their cap, much like the article listed above).
So A&M will probably never have a dominant athletic department. Its ok. We don't need to play that card. We wouldn't trade the love of our university for a combination of metal/plastic/glass to stick in a trophy case. (well maybe a BCS champs trophy, i really want one of those).
Typical aggy myth = Bad Bull!
My father, and many of his friends, fought in WWII, Korea AND Vietnam. That's all they knew. Career military officers all and they were all UT grads from the central Texas area. None ever stepped foot in College Station except to watch us kick your ass in one sport or another.
This is perhaps the number one reason I take personal offense when aggy claims we'd "all be speakin' German if it weren't fer aggies!"
I can promise you these longhorn officers had more aggies beneath them than above them. After all, aggies are very good at following directions.
Get over yourselves aggies! Everyone contributed to our military success. Yes, even Rice, Baylor and SMU sent very capable guys off to war. Being a cadet at a pretend military academy at wartime was not a prerequisite to being a true American hero, and for you to insinuate otherwise is a personal attack on my very being, and I'm a civilian.
IT'S NOT ABOUT SPORTS! It's about your constant cultic bullshit, be it military or academic. UT didn't have to be a toy soldier academy to produce heroes in every major 'conflict' and The Cockrell School of Engineering surpasses your fine institution in every discipline we attempt. Don't even get me started on the McCombs School of Business or our many other fine colleges. Yes you kick ass in Poultry Genetics and Military Nukes. Congrats on that, we're forever grateful to you, especially since we chose not to participate in them.
Should you younger aggies take what they teach you at Fish Camp at face value, be prepared for a very rude awakening when reality smacks you upside the head as you enter the real world.
My dad
Went to A&M as a walk-on in the late-sixties when A&M was still male-only. He left a few months later when he discovered how "stupid" the corp was/is. He transferred to UT and never looked back with regret.
Give it a rest, Wac. I absolutely can't stand long narratives replete with poor grammar and spelling. I mean, if you're going take the time to write the preamble to the official Aggie line then at least have the common courtesy to correct sentences like:
Do your guys' back hurt from the perpetual self-back-slapping you seem so adept at?
...and:
As someone who recently found Christ, I am so thankful for a school as big as A&M, with huge aspirations in athletic and academic fields, that still fosters a community of faith and concern for others.
Perhaps you should find a thesaurus instead. Oh...and then, there's THIS gem:
Why do I never hear anything great coming out of the 40 acres? Where are the crowning achievements that should make us pooooooooor Aggies so jealous?
Wait...what?? Are you high "cold fusion" boy? I mean, the last "great" thing you did was clone a sheep - A SHEEP! Want a list of UT accomplishments? Just post back here and I'll give you at least 20!
I'm sorry...I just can't stand Aggies! It's like listening to Sean Hannity all day. I just can't stand it! I wish they'd all form a collective face so I could kick it!
To: Beergut, WacArnolds...
and that other guy whose name is just too correct for me to pile on:
You are Aggies of the first order.
But before you get too offended, look at it this way: At least you're not Sooners.
thanks for the backhanded compliment
why are you so proud to be a longhorn?
(everyone feel free to answer)
Same reason I'm proud to be Texan and American
Firstly, I was born into it. And as I grew and matured, I learned more about it and more reasons to be proud of it.
And I'm sure your answer will be similar.
And yes, I'm probably biased against most anything having to do with A&M for the reasons stated above. But you know what? That's okay. My children don't need the opportunity of attending school in College Station (or heaven forbid, Norman). I sure as heck didn't. Truth be told, one of my favorite memories is watching my dad's reaction when I showed him the A&M literature that came in the mail when I was a high school senior. Two things would have gotten me kicked out of the house at that age: getting an earring (and what my dad thought that entailed) and applying to A&M. I skipped both and have lived a happy and successful life so far.
I imagine you have too, and could ask what right do I have to denigrate your choice? It's the same I right I have to walk on the grass on campus at UT. It's the same right I have to not be reminded of the archaic buffoonery perpetuated in the name of my alma mater on a regular basis (though I will admit that the "Texas, Texas, Yee-haw" yell really grates on my nerves).
Lastly, thanks for recognizing the backhandedness. The worst part about you and Beergut is that you're for the most part logical and well-spoken and every once in a while correct. It goes against my very core to admit that Aggies can be civilized too.
MY EYES! MY EYES!
Man, I checked out that Wikipedia article on the Aggie traditions...
...now, I know many Aggies, and, while not an expert on the species, I do know they are pretty twisted. I have even been to a midnight yell practice thing, or whatever they call that mass ritual. And lived to tell about it. Nuff said.
However.
That is some weird and fouled up stuff. There is, on Wikipedia, a Glossary of Aggie Terms.
I'm not going to link to it, that would just be wrong.
by MBAHick on Mar 10, 2008 7:28 PM CDT reply actions
Holy crap
This thread is out of control. Fun read all around.
Lawyer is that Kettle Black?
Is not the law a method in which all person are forced to conform to a particular set of norms?
So which is worse a educational program that is coercive in enforcing a it's world view or a whole society?
And best of all who runs the second of this all encompassing tyrannical system, Lawyers?
So one could equate lawyers with Aggies.
Ouch Lawyers=Aggies.
Wait. What?
In the hell are you talking about??
More importantly, what the hell is this?
I think read
the writer is a Lawyer (correct?). I was pointing out that it might be slightly absurd for a Lawyer to complain about Compulsory conformity when the the "Law" is the grand daddy of compulsory conformity. And in fact the "Law" or the legal system will enforced it's standards in a way that we are forced conform our behavior to it's standards on the pain of losing our freedom or even death, which is far more extreme than any Aggie punishment for non compliance.
This pretty much puts lawyers in the same position as the Aggie's being complained about.
You misunderstand what lawyers do
We don't create laws, legislatures do. We don't enforce laws, aptly-named "law enforcement agencies" do. We instead act as an intermediary between non-lawyers and the law, which can often be extremely complicated to understand for someone who has not studied it (for instance, prosecutors act as the intermediary between the law enforcement agencies and the law). It's not the same thing.
And we could get into an esoteric argument about the meaning of the law and social order, but I don't really want to, do you?
Actually
I don't think the legal system compels one to conform. I think the law provides the foundation for civility. I think the Aggies (Corp) are simply frat boys conforming to the letter of a "tradition" that is better followed in spirit.
I also think that if I drink one more beer my wife is going to kill me. So I better get to bed!
Hamburger was Indicted?
Maybe it was a ham sandwich, I don't remember.
Of course the law makes you conform. In the 1920's there would no beer for you. The law would force you to abstain unless you wished to break the law and risk punishment. If you have Cancer and have Chemo-therapy you can't smoke Marijuana to alleviate the nausea because the FDA say contrary to quite a bit of science that it has no medical benefits. How much casual sports betting is actually against the law?
The city of Austin has an Ordinance that prohibits you from parking your car on your lawn. You can get a ticket if you don't mow your lawn. We conform in tens of thousands of way each day so many of them are so routine you don't notice them till you visit some other country. Many sub-developments won't let you paint your house bold colors that differ from the neighbor hood.
District attorneys are Lawyers and they make the decisions on who is indicted, prosecuted and what crimes a person is prosecuted for.
Laws are almost exclusively written by lawyers who may be congressmen, their staff and assistants, or even lobbyist for special interests who write laws and give them to their congressmen and their senators for introduction. Even staff lawyers for the President write legislation and then get a sympathetic congressman or senator to introduce them.
Governmental regulation and executive orders all almost always written by staff lawyers for every big government department.
The system of judges in this country is almost all lawyers so any interpretation of the legality of new legislation, regulations or other governmental rules is done by them also. I would have to say that Lawyers are the backbone of the legal system with out them it would impossible to have even a rudimentary legal system.
From my perspective as a rural resident I find street lights and lawns mowers and the power the city uses to force city dwellers to use them no matter how expensive and wasteful it might be no-less silly as the corps and all the childish goings on by the faithfull in Aggie land. All of us are blind (I included myself) much of the time to the huge extent we are nothing more than conforming machines and it is important to look up every once an awhile and see we are not much different than that which we condemn.
Great quote I keep reading it every day this week.
What the hell happened for 20-30 years no enforcement, no complaints. We were forced to say the pledge for decades after that decision was handed down. I always assumed my school mates were good Americans with no need to prove or affirm it publicly I guess the school didn't.
Not a chance
My rule for choice of president would first be anyone who wants the job is automatically eliminated based on on an idea that any person craving that level of personal power is mentally unstable to start with.
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