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Citadel responds to University Band fracas
Published: Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
As the altercation between Princeton University Band (PUB) members and cadets at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., last Saturday has drawn heated debate, The Citadel administration and individual cadets reacted to the erupting controversy Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. John Rosa ...
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"Cadet John Bethmann said in an e-mail that the cadets were acting in self-defense. 'When they started running around OUR parade deck and on the stairs of OUR church...'" Yep, there was clearly a real and imminent threat to both life and limb when they neared the church. HEAVEN FORBID THE HEATHEN SWINE APPROACH THE HOUSE OF GOD. Man, I for one, am damn proud to be represented by these guys in Iraq; there's no doubt in my mind now that all of the Iraqi civilians that have been killed clearly posed imminent threats! Worst of all, they think Princeton is North Jersey! Shows what they know...
The police love that "self-defense" line too.
Sounds like a goodwill visit to the heartland by the "Southern Ivy" backfired!
Alright AC that Church is more than just a church and the Avenue of Remembrance is more than Just a street. Graduates that we know that have been killed in Action that is where their monument is. Even though the Monument is temporary because names are still being added, that whole area is really sacred. The freshman have to walk in the gutter for a year before they are allowed to walk on the street. So when cadets see people disgracing that area its extremely personal because we all know someone that was killed in action.
It is clear that many of the Cadets feel the Avenue of Remembrance is an important and sacred monument to honor the service and sacrifice of graduates of the Citadel. PriorService, and other Cadets who have posted on the Prince's website, have expressed that.
But what I take issue with is the assumption that the Band purposefully desecrated this area. They were given a pre-approved march route for their time on campus and did their typical goofy bashing of the opposing school. Their intentions were not to desecrate the Avenue of Remembrance or disrespect the sacrifices of those who the monuments honor. I would argue the Band had absolutely no idea of the significance of these areas and the Cadets, although they may have felt personally offended, should have been cool-headed enough to realize the band was ignorant of its effect on them and ignorant of the particular taboos surrounding the area.
Only five (now six) comments so far? Is it possible this controversy is finally dying and we've all moved on to better things? I can only hope.
every one of the princeton students showed himself to be a coward. where we come from, if somebody pushes you, or calls you out, or BREAKS YOUR DAMN INSTRUMENT, thats a fight.
You were not approved. Please get the facts.
OK P'07 I've stayed out of the other blog just because it was the same thing being said over and over again. One side bashing the other. If you agree both sides were at fault then I will agree that both sides were at fault. Then maybe next year when we play at your home field there won't be anything stupid.
I was not there nor, from the article, do I have a clear sense of what occurred, but this is certainly not the first time I, as a Princeton alumnus, have been embarrassed by the school's marching band and, unfortunately, I doubt it will be the last. I think the time has come to seriously reconsider whether we, as an institution, would like to continue to have these clowns represent us. They disrespect the athletes who have trained so hard to compete in the sporting events they desecrate, they disrespect the schools which host many of these events, and they disrespect the students who make Princeton the glorious place that it is. In short, they don't deserve to wear the orange and black. Here's hoping that I never have to hear or see the Princeton Marching Band ever again.