In the October 3 issue of the Tribune-Star, a reader opinion column by Pat Creasy entitled “Flashpoint: Terre Haute needs an alternative to ISU’s ‘walk’” was published in response to Mark Bennett’s column “As The Walk grows into a Homecoming ritual ISU works to make the best of the situation.”
Bennett’s article was a well-written piece that showcased pros and cons of the Walk. He also offered some suggestions to limit the drinking on the Walk and noted that perhaps students taking part should be going to the football game, you know, the actual intention for the Walk.
I do not believe Mrs. Creasy fully grasped what message he was relaying to the community and students.
By the way Mrs. Creasy, we should be referred to as “students,” or “adults,” not “kids” as you like to call us over and over in the column.
I respect the right to voice your opinion; however you start to cross a thin line of opinion and insert you pious religious viewpoint when you suggest that, “an entourage of Christian non-drinkers fill the streets … stand between doors of taverns and bars to encourage the kids to ‘walk on by’.”
Why not an entourage of Atheist, gay or lesbian non-drinkers? Would they not fulfill the Judeo-Christian plea to stop this hedonism that you are so concerned with?
You also state, “if this homecoming ritual is an example of what attending Indiana State University has come to, then I will encourage all the kids I know to attend a different college.”
Brilliant strategy.
Based on the “Energize Downtown Terre Haute” project that will evolve over the next ten years, ISU and Terre Haute are aiming to satisfy the student consumer in order to save downtown because we all know people over the age of 35 are not going to do it.
The last thing that Terre Haute needs are more students coming to ISU, getting an education and spending money in a town desperate to grow.
And your other suggestion that bars close during the Walk because the local bars do not need to rely on students for income to prosper made me spit out my double bourbon and coke.
I bar tend here in town and I will tell you this: My income, an income that will take me to grad school and further my education, is not based on the hoards of Christian non-drinkers sipping down Shirley Temples and listening to “good music” like Dinah Shore (I assume Shore because you attended ISU in 1948 as per your article). It is the drunken lunatics that spill into the streets with their sins, or as I call them, friends.
If you truly plan on encouraging us to not drink, you better have your rally start earlier than 9 am. We sinful heathens will be up by 5 am burning Bibles, intoxicating our minds and fornicating (causing those “unwanted pregnancies” that are a result of the Walk according to you).
If you do rally, so be it. Just be forewarned, you will most likely be harassed and if you attempt to block the bar and tavern doors to encourage people to walk away, understand that the owners and managers will not be on your side.
* Kisses and Hugs * -Trever Fehrenbach
friends, indeed.
ReplyDeleteyou need to send this to the tribune star.