PURDUE RIOTS
Alright...on April 01, 2001 there was
the fourth riot in 3 years at Purdue. Personally I find these
disturbing when the students do this simply to destroy property.
This is a little unusual for a rant because I will take you on
a chronological history of some of my posts to Purdueonline. I'm really not going to get into any new topics...I'll
just let you read what I have to say. I think that if you read
my posts that you'll get a good idea where I stand. If your "really"
know me in real life you will already know where I stand and it
shouldn't be news to you. I take pride in my school and I guess
that some students just don't understand how life operates. Now
sit back, open a can of coke and enjoy...I just cut and pasted
the posts I have made into M$ Word...set it at normal margins...12pt
font and double spaced. A nice 11 pages. So sit back and read
;)
One innocent thread and I began my dialogue:
POST #1- Someone
wrote in complaining about how bad tear gas hurts...here is my
reply:
I've felt that shit...in the military
in we have what is called NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) training.
There is a little 'ol cinder block building we stand in...the
drill sgts lite up a crap load of tear gas grenades and one by
one we remove our gas masks. We are then asked question by the
drills. So we are standing in this gas filled room from 15 seconds
to minutes w/no gas mask on. Tell you what... you'll never forget
your social security number after they ask you it in the gas chamber.
Also, in ftx (Field training exercise) you can expect to get tear
gas 1-4 times. Tear gas is used to simulate a NBC attack. Also,
you freshman...all you had to do was ask a junior about the riots,
we've seen the big one after the women's championship in '99,
and the little ones in '00. We knew you were going to get gassed
if you did anything, the police aren't putting up with crap anymore.
I don't think the administration wants the negative publicity
(ie Michigan State).
POST #2 - This
was just a new thread all by itself...Brent and Sean has yet to
put up pictures...wonder if I had anything to do with it:
Hey you guys. I have some links for you:
http://www.pub.um
ich.edu/daily/1999/apr/04-14-99/news/news12.html
http://www.uwire.com/content/top
news040700002.html
http://www.detnews.com/2000/
metro/0003/05/a01-9929.htm
I was laughing out loud after reading
some of these. Brent and Sean, you guys could get called into
court for the ip's, real names, and e-mails of those people posting
about their riot experience this year. Hell, if in Michigan someone
that roasts a hotdog on the bonfire can get prosecuted then I'm
sure someone saying "I for one enjoyed the rioting tonight,"
is as likely to get prosecuted as the hot dog roaster!
The absolute funniest thing in any of
these articles is the "Hall of Shame". The MSU Police
made a website with pictures of the riots, and rewards if you
could identify the people in it. More than 500 people called in
and more than $20,000 was given out.
Now some highlights of the articles:
"The city rewarded 85 people for information that led
to the arrest and conviction of rioters in 1999. The reward money
totaled $16,950"
"I never thought I'd be here,"
said Quitmeyer, sentenced to a week in jail for lifting her shirt
for less than a second. "It's changed my whole life."
"Of the 113 people convicted,
94 went to jail. That 83 percent incarceration rate is higher
than the 70 percent of first-time offender rapists and 55 percent
of first-time offender robbers put behind bars, according to Bureau
of Justice statistics. Only 22 percent of those convicted of public
order crimes, which would include rioting and alcohol offenses,
went to jail nationally. Rioters who didn't go to jail generally
were convicted only of underage drinking or hosting a loud party"
"Anthony Pastor got the message
early in the morning of April 7, when the Western Michigan University
student awoke to find a SWAT team surrounding his Kalamazoo apartment.
A warrant had been issued for his arrest for possession of an
explosive devise, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
His offense: He allegedly carried a small plastic bottle one-quarter
full of rubbing alcohol at the riot"
Two female MSU students were sentenced
to seven days in jail and $2,384 in restitution for dancing on
the roof of a Jeep. A Michigan State football player was sentenced
to 21 days in jail for cheering near a bonfire."
"I don't think they could have
hit me any harder," said David Jirikovic, who spent two weeks
in jail and was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution for standing
atop an overturned car. "I am not a bad person. The costs
of my five seconds of stupidity are far overboard."
As controversial as the heavy-handed
riot prosecutions have been, they seem so far to have accomplished
their main goal: preventing another drunken rampage. Even convicted
rioters who remain bitter about their treatment say they would
avoid future melees.
"I would probably stay inside if there were a riot again,"
said Erik Hill, who was kicked out of MSU and spent 35 days in
jail for his involvement in the riot. "I wouldn't want to
be there."
POST #3-
Someone said that there was 20,000 cops at the riot.
Actually it was 200 cops.
POST #4- Someone
said that they rioted to celebrate the woman's basketball season...here
is my answer to that.
Here is a little quiz...its titled "Right
to Riot".
1. Did you attend any Purdue Women's
basketball games this season?
a. Yes
b. No
3. How many regular season games?
a. Every one!
b. Missed less than 3
c. Went to half
d. A couple
e. None
4. Did you go to the Final Four games
in St. Louis?
a. Yes
b. No
5. If you didn't go to the Final Four
games did you try desperately to get a ticket?
a. Yes
b. No
6. Did you watch the championship game?
Every minute!
a. Yes
b. No
7. Was the championship game the first
women's basketball game you watched all season?
a. No
b. Yes
Ok...time for the scoring. Score one
point for ever "A" answer. Score 0 points for ever answer
other than "A". Tally your points
6-7 Points: You are a Lady Boilers fan.
You have the "Right to Riot" but you would never use
that right because you know that it's stupid celebrating a loss
by destroying property which you will just absorb next year in
tuition. Not to mention the bad publicity can't be good for receiving
tax dollars from the state. They are hardly giving the university
enough this year and you wouldn't want to jeopardize millions
of dollars for the chance to light a couple dumpsters on fire.
3-5 Points: You are a fan of the team,
but you take a casual attitude towards every game. You will support
the team only when they are winning. You refer to the women's
basketball teams as "us" in reference to a win and "them"
after a loss.
1-2 Points: You like the Lady Boilers,
but you could care one way or another. All that matters is that
you have bragging rights over your buddy that goes to another
school in the Big 10.
0 Points: What can I say...you were out
rioting after the loss. The riots will be your only memory of
the season this year. You were no where to be found on any of
the other losses. Next season maybe go to a couple games and show
a little support as they EARN their spot in the NCAA tourney.
Showing your support for the team after the season is over is
totally pointless, all the teams need our support during the season,
not just after it's over.
POST #5- Someone posted that rioters are pieces of shit
and someone flamed him and told him to "Get some balls",
here is my reply:
"Get some balls little boy."
Need I say it takes more balls to post a message (like Phaedo
did) with an account with your name, e-mail, webpage than to cower
beneath the cover of Anonymous Coward. I suggest that you look
down below your belt and check out your own balls before you start
talking about someone else's.
POST #6- Someone
once again flamed me, this time following my "Right to Riot"
quiz. He told me that the reason they rioted was to see fire,
destruction, and flashers. He also said it had nothing to do with
the Woman's Basketball Team!:
Well, I would respond with a nice big
response since that's my style. But since you are posting anonymously
I'll skip that and give in to "precedent". As I speak
I'm calling about 300 people in preparations for the next Purdue
Chess Team meet (no offense chess team...couldn't think of anything
else). After the meet (win or lose) we will destroy campus because
that is the precedent we want. We don't need a precedent like
sold out basketball games MEN AND WOMEN(heck the boys had trouble
selling tickets to NIT games). I'm sure it will be nice weather
and the campus will crowded. Not to mention I just love walking
to class and seeing boarded up windows on the buildings on campus.
It just makes me so damn proud to go to Purdue.
As for those that like to go rioting to See fire, destruction,
and flashers need I suggest the Middle East where you constantly
have riots. There not only do you get to see cars explode, but
if you are the ones rioting you get bullets (rubber and real)
shot at you! Don't hesitate, operators are standing by! For only
the low price of $19.99 you can get a passport to start a new
life in the riot paradise of the world! Act now!
POST #7-
Some guy had a photo album on his page with him wearing a gas
mask. He blamed retaliation against the cops and stress as a reason
to riot. And my reply is:
Hey I checked out your photo album from
the riots. Help me if I'm wrong, but having a gas mask on you
will probably get you for inciting a riot, even if you are just
standing around. If you read CMetzger's post below anyone knowingly
or intentionally engages in the acts. I think having a gas mask
on you classify's as you knowing what was going to happen. I have
no doubt that the Purdue Police and administration is reading
this thread...and they might find it interesting. Oh, and by the
way, your 5th Amendment (self-incrimination) goes away when you
open up your mouth and talk...and boy did you ever. I've been
fairly quiet the last couple days, but as I see more and more
pictures begin to show (including the nice long range shots from
the police!) up online I get more and more frustrated. Now, ask
yourselves what are the symbols of this University? The Bell Tower,
Memorial Mall, University Hall, Slayter Hill. I look at these
objects walking around campus (prior to April FOOLS day and feel
a sense of pride that I've came here. Now, I see these pictures
of a dumpster on fire in front of the bell tower, a tree attempting
to be burned on Slayter, groups of people illuminated by spotlights
in the Memorial Mall. I feel very little pride anymore. Is this
what the University has to begin to include on Day on Campus day,
tours of campus, or the handbook for incoming freshman? Is it
really that important? Do the tour guides have to point to a broken
window on ENAD and say "This was where in '01 a brick was
thrown by a student." Then they walk past the bell tower
"As you see the burn marks, the bell tower was unsuccessfully
burned down". I don't know about you be the day that that
happens is the day I leave this University.
As for the excuses that the riots was
only a way for you to relieve stress. Give me a break! If you
can't take the stress of living in a dorm, having your food cooked
for you, your bathrooms cleaned, your sheets washed, doing a little
bit of homework, and going to class you all have a hard smack
in the face coming! Those of you that live in apartments or have
to pay for everything yourself...I understand a little stress...but
enough to destroy campus....come on! Hmm...let's think of stress
relievers. Last time I was in the COREC there wasn't a line for
the punching bags. The sky diving club is always looking for more
members. If you are able body enough to run from the police and
tear gas, throw bottles, and climb trees then you obviously could
go for a nice little run around campus and appreciate the beauty
of it. If you really have to destroy stuff to relieve your stress,
may I suggest you and your friends go to your hometown and try
to start a riot. Destroy the things that the people in your town,
has worked hard to buy and make. I call West Lafayette/Lafayette
home for the 4 or so odd years that I am here. This is my home
of record...I vote here...I pay this county's tax...and for once
I'm on the side of the community. I can't think of another topic
that I've agree with the Purdue Alumni/people that live in the
community when the write in the Exponent. I laugh at alumni when
the talk about our behavior at football games and I dismiss people
that live in Chauncey and complain about parties. But on this,
I am standing with them. I think you all are probably luckier
than you think. If you paid any attention to the LA riots or others
like it...you will realize that people have a right to defend
their business and property from common hodlums. I don't think
any of you would be too happy if you threw a brick through a liquor
store and the owner shot you in the chest with a shotgun. In LA
business owners would stand outside their buildings waiting for
the looters (the line between looter/rioter is very thin...once
you steal something you are a looter). I'd hate to think that
business owners and home owners have to defend their personal
property every spring because some of the students have to relieve
stress.
I've also looked into what else the police
can do in the case of a riot. Here are some solutions...how about
instead of CS (tear gas) they use some sternutators. Haven't heard
of that one have you? Know what that does? I'll let the Federation
of Scintists tell you about it 727. Signs and Symptoms. a.
The onset of symptoms may be delayed for several minutes after
initial exposure (especially with DM); effective exposure may,
therefore, occur before the presence of the smoke is suspected.
If the mask is put on then, symptoms will increase for several
minutes despite adequate protection. As a consequence, the casualties
may believe their mask is ineffective and by removing it expose
themselves further. b. Inhalation is followed by a burning sensation
in the nose and throat, hypersalivation, rhinorrhea, coughing,
sneezing, nausea and vomiting. Mental depression may occur during
the progression of symptoms. The paranasal sinuses are irritated
and fill with secretions and severe frontal headache results.
Prolonged exposure may cause retrosternal pain, dyspnoea and asthma-like
symptoms. Symptoms reach their climax after 5 to 10 minutes and
disappear 1 to 2 hours after cessation of exposure. Effects on
the eyes are slight and are restricted to a burning sensation
and lachrymation. Exposure of the skin to high concentrations
will cause erythema and itching, proceeding to a burning sensation
and vesicle formation. On the battlefield, high concentrations
are not likely to occur so that affection of the eyes and skin
is unlikely. Ingestion of food and water contaminated by sternutators
may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloodstained)
and weakness and dizziness have been reported. Now isn't that
pleasant :) Makes it nice and easy for the police to arrest you
when you are withering on the ground in a pile of puke. How about
rubber bullets, soft shotgun pellets, nets, riot projectile launchers.
The list goes on and on. Not to mention the good 'ol fashioned
billy club to the head. You better hope that before your next
"stress relief" the police don't arm themselves with
better technology.
Probably 15+ times per week I hear someone
say that they choose this University because of it's national
reputation. The ability for them to get a good job or make lots
of money. It doesn't take a genius to know that negative attention
does no good, only harm. When CNN broadcast's a clip of 1000 Purdue
students rioting, the general public does not see 1000 students
out of nearly 40,000. They see ALL Purdue students taking part.
Now, chances are good that a person sitting down to have their
morning coffee Monday morning watched the segment of Purdue rioting...and
that segment was then followed by Notre Dame singing the ND Fight
Song and cheering as the ND Girls came home. That same guy that
watched the news may be across from you in an interview someday...when
he looks at your resume and sees that brand spanking new bachelor's
degree from Purdue he will associate you with the behavior of
the rioters...and I don't know about you but I wouldn't hire someone
that does not care about other's property. What is going to stop
this guy from stealing stuff, giving away company secrets, etc.
You won't get the job and he'll hire someone from ND, simply because
he/she had more class.
I've mentioned this before in another
post, but I'm going to mention it again. Purdue is barely receiving
enough money from the state to keep our tuition increases at or
below the level of inflation. Next year when the state legislators
decide what state colleges get what do you want less funding?
The thought that IU might get money that we should get is very
disturbing! $60,000 of damage in theory will only raise my tuition
$2 or so a year. But if the state cuts off tens of millions of
dollars of funding, I think tuition will go up a little more than
two bucks. I hope all of you realize that the implications of
one nights actions are more widespread and far reaching than just
a night of "stress relief". It could impact you and
your fellow students far into the future.
I love Purdue, but I don't love what
happened Sunday. It disgraced the campus, the girls basketball
team, and the students. I'm a student here and the simple fact
that you disgraced me and possibly my degree is enough for me
to be pretty upset.
Post #8-
For now this is my last one...this is discussing whether or not
Purdue will succeed in it's attempting at getting information
garnered from the stills on the Purdue Police's Webpage.
Michigan State had no problem prosecuting
over 100 people and paying out over $20,000 from the pictures
that they posted on the web.
Post #9- Someone
wrote in with a totally stupid post. They seemed to think that
people's rights were violated when the police videotaped the rioters.
Hello? My post includes a quote (the italics) from their post.
The Guy said: "Now I turn to
the police handling of Sunday night's riots. First of all the
local police agencies are violating public constitutional rights
when they videotape these events. What is their legal base for
such actions? "
Was the bank robber's right violated when he went into the bank,
held it up, was videotaped and then his image shown on TV. A viewer
recognized him and then called in. Criminal was arrested. End
of story.
Students riot, light fires, destroy personal
property, fail to vacate area's when told. Police videotape, people
take pictures, pictures are shown. People recognize, criminal(s)
go to jail. End of story.
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