I'm sure that some of you will concentrate on whether or not SB had met the legalities for burning in Brazos Country.

I see another recurring theme here: The quote from the Robertson County judge who is worried about alcohol consumption to the extent that he is almost guaranteeing arrests for underage drinking and public intoxication.

Here's a hint for dealing with him. Don't post replies saying: "Judge ____ is an idiot!" That’s typical Texags.com parlance and serves as an indicator of immaturity.

Instead, affirm your determination to make this an alcohol-free event and stick to it. Take the high road.

http://www.theeagle.com/stories/110106/am_20061101007.php

This article makes SB look pretty bad, no matter which way you spin the thing. I guess a good Burn this year might turn things around, words and promises only take ya so far. Here's to a helluva successful burn.

Let's put the whole quote up here.

quote:

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Robertson County Judge Fred Elliott said he is not against the student bonfire but has concerns.

"My concerns are always about safety," Elliott said. "Young people don't always make good decisions. I just hope it can work."

Most of Elliott's concerns about the event deal with alcohol consumption, but Shallock said there would be no alcohol allowed at the event.

"Alcohol is strictly prohibited," he said.

Elliott said the sheriff's department will increase patrols on the night of the bonfire and he hopes the event will be successful and safe.

"There's going to be underage drinking, and there will be drunks," he said. "But I hope I'm wrong in what it will be. There will be some arrests made, I guarantee that. I just pray everyone will come out alive and safe."

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Last year there was a zero-tolerance for alcohol at Burn site. I watched them destroy any and all alcohol at the gates. They didn't turn it away; they didn't confiscate it. They DESTROYED it.

I don't forsee there being any drinking of any sort at this year's Burn, as the same policy is in place.

Now, let's Build the Hell Outta Bonfire, Ags!


Remember '99.
OC Hogs Build Bonfire!

Every time I read Texags and come across some of you snivelling, tradition hating ladies, I lose a little more hope for A&M. Some of you candy-asses clearly got lost on the way to Austin, Lubbock or Waco. Please buy a map and leave. - Buck Turgidson

And despite all of that, concern remains in the community with regard to alcohol at Bonfire.

You guys are doing a good job, but you've got a lot of baggage to carry, most of which predated your tenure. Many years local residents heard about "Don't Spoil the Tradition" and other well-publicized anti-alcohol campaigns, only to be treated to the sight of drunks wandering into the neighborhoods after burn and 18-year-old students puking their guts out while being hauled away by the police.

The community is skeptical about alcohol. It is skeptical about safety. It is skeptical about the commitment to follow the law.

Now, go out there and show them, but don't expect public opinion to turn on a dime.

Good point by both of ya and great move by Bonfire. However, no alcohol at Burn doesn't mean no drinking before or after either. Large groups of people will always bring these sorts of issues. I can see why the community would have concern, like was said above, but I think it's great on behalf of SB to be taking steps to try and counter this opinion.

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However, no alcohol at Burn doesn't mean no drinking before or after either.

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if they come drunk, it is a PI...if they get drunk after...it is out of Student Bonfire's hands.

quote:

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The quote from the Robertson County judge who is worried about alcohol consumption to the extent that he is almost guaranteeing arrests for underage drinking and public intoxication.

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Does anybody have a problem with this? If somebody is blantantly breaking the law I would expect them to be arrested. It would also help turn the community's view of the association with alcohol and Bonfire...maybe not on a dime...but seeing PI's & MIP's getting handed out would be good PR, in my opinon.

Are you an clueless? You sure are convincing me. Have you ever been drunk...in public before? Were you given a PI? Can you look sober when you need to? Just because you're drunk doesn't mean you get a PI for it. How frustrating.

And no, people getting PIs and MIPs is not a good thing, and it would not look good. You think that's gonna want to make people come out next year? Or do you think reading in the paper the next morning that XX citations were handed out? How could you possibly think that anything of the sort would be considered good PR?

Also, you said that people getting drunk is out of Bonfire's control, but it sure is a result of Bonfire. This is a bit of an extreme example, but look how the people in Houston are pissed off because of those "relocated" due to Katrina are now causing mayhem there. How would you feel if a bunch of college students were transported into your little town one night?

[This message has been edited by SquareOne07 (edited 11/1/2006 11:49a).]

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You think that's gonna want to make people come out next year?

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actually...yes...how many people do you think dont come because they don't want to be surrounded by minors drinking, and drunks stumbling? as DualAG said, this is still how the community remembers (and sees) Bonfire. If tickets are issued, and the number of tickets is low, or if the number of tickets decreases over the next few years, it will give backing to SB's no alcohol claim.

I am also of the mindset that you're not guilty of anything until you get proven guilty. I never said that somebody couldn't make it through the gates with a BAC of .08 or higher, but if they are perfectly capable of being sober for all outward appearances...there really is no fair way to catch them. Chances are their BAC would be more like .24, and there would be no chance they could hide it.

Bottom line, if somebody is acting drunk or showing signs, there should be no reason that Bonfire leadership or the officers on patrol should turn a blind eye...If they make a bad decision, breaking the law, and get caught, they should be treated like they were at any other event. Just don't drink and attend Bonfire, it's simple.

since square is now editing his posts instead of double posting...

quote:

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How would you feel if a bunch of college students were transported into your little town one night?

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well...for starters, the only town it is necessary to travel through to get to and from stack is Bryan and Benchley...I don't know what the point of the question is.

Not only is the Katrina example extreme, it's not even a good one...would the college students take refuge in your town for years? Try less than 12 hours.

but, if they bring business...it would be a good thing.

It might even be possible that the Judge in Robertson county is allowing Bonfire in order to get some revenue for the county...maybe he's counting on giving out those MIPs and PIs...

...just a thought.

[This message has been edited by TexasRebel (edited 11/1/2006 12:07p).]

No, the judge said he was concerned, I'm fairly certain he isn't giddy with excitement and eagerly anticipating the event. You're optimistic, and I admire that in you, but sometimes I think you're foolishly optimistic and let your adoration for Bonfire shield you from the truth or facts.

Like was said sometime back, if you think handing out tickets and a strong police presence are going to HELP get people out there for Bonfire, let the attendence show. If there's one thing college students hate more than anything, it's gotta be drunk people!

I don't want this to get off topic, so I'm leaving it at that.

[This message has been edited by SquareOne07 (edited 11/1/2006 12:39p).]

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If there's one thing college students hate more than anything, it's gotta be drunk people!

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I'm sure there is sarcasm in this quote so...

It's not the college students that I was talking about...most of the time they will endure just about anything *cough*Chilifest*cough*

It is those that want to bring their children out, or those that no longer have the disire to have the most flamable blood out of all of their friends, and just want to come to the best and most exciting Yell practice that happens all year...even if it is unofficial.

I'm glad you caught the sarcasm.

Unfortunately, I don't know how many little ones are going to be out there this year because of the timing of it all, but that's water under the bridge.

Have a good day, whoever you are :-)

children might have the easiest time with the schedule. Most school districts give at least Wednesday off if not the whole week as some do.

Yeah but mom and dad might have work the next day.

Look guys, all I wanted to do was to give you the perspective of somebody a bit older than most of you--the thoughts of one who lives in the community and interacts with ordinary residents who have certain opinions of Bonfire based on its history.

Good luck. My family and I will be out there on Nov. 21, as we were last year. I'm sure you'll stage a good show worthy of the great Bonfire tradition.

If you have the opportunity, try to take some of Keegan99's advice. He's pretty sharp about what needs to be done from a programming and crowd movement standpoint.

BTW, as a registered voter and constituent of Judge Sims, I sent a scathing email his way regarding his conduct in this issue. As somebody who majored in journalism as an undergraduate, I also passed along my thoughts to the author of today’s Eagle story, with a copy to the Eagle’s publisher.

Quite frankly, I don’t expect a response from either of them.

[This message has been edited by DualAG (edited 11/2/2006 2:28p).]

Talk about a marked lack of journalistic integrity on he part of the eagle. In legitamacy, I could come up with a page and a half letter for them JUST on the misquoted, misrepresented, and downright falsified information they give in that article.


Im going to keep my outh shut from there....

I will say that this judge is the worst type, someone i would deem a public enemy, much less immoral.

____________________________________________________________
Proudest member of the Fightin Texas Aggie class of 08 Beat the h*** outa tu A-A-A Whoop!!!. May bonfire forever burn in our hearts.....and may the Twelfth Man ever burn it in memory and in hope for the future.

Dual..

Although I doubt you'll get a response I'd like to hear it if you do.

I'm trying not be quick to make judgement on the judge cause I know how quick the media is to put a spin on the story, at the same time however I know how quick older folks (not old ppl just out of college ppl) are to make judgment about ALL college students being drunks.

ASB needs to reach out to Judge Elliot and do their best to have an ASB delegate accompany him on burn night if he's going to be on site.

This delegate should be passive, in that he/she would observe the judge and help the judge by answering questions if asked.

After what should be a successful event with few, if any, alcohol related problems, Judge Elliot should be asked to give his report on the event to the media.

great ideas Keegan.

I hope that I was not the only one that caught Randy Sims's "It's somebody else's problem now," quote.

I'm sorry but the guy really has no idea what he's talking about as far as alcohol. I worked on the Bonfire from 02-04 & never once saw a drop of alcohol on site.

Even in 02 when we did torch run there was absolutely no alcohol...and you old Walton guys know how big of a change that is!

I think it is funny local leaders worry about drunks at Student Bonfire but not at Chilifest.

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There will be some arrests made, I guarantee that

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Sounds like a pretty positive guy to me.

And a jerk.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.