As a graduate of Iowa State and an Ames native, I am disgusted and embarrassed not only by the rioting Saturday night and Sunday morning, but also by the reaction of the students and other young people who blame the police for their behavior.

The police did not roll flaming dumpsters into the street. The police did not vandalize city property and local businesses. The police did not throw tear gas canisters at local firefighters.

People have called the police heavy-handed and said they sprayed and attacked students who were minding their own business.

I will point out that the middle of a riot is not the best place to mind your own business.

If you see people rolling flaming dumpsters into the street, go home! To paraphrase Johnny Orr, “nothing good happens to young [people] after midnight.”

There are going to be a large number of people who try to mask their own culpability by claiming police brutality. However, the truth is that a whole heck of a lot of people behaved like drunken idiots Sunday morning.

This was not about rebelling against unfair authority. This was about people destroying property and then refusing to take responsibility for their actions.

I would hate to see Veishea cancelled. My nieces and nephews love the parade, the petting zoo and the cherry pies, as I did when I was a child.

I honestly can’t think of anything less fun than getting drunk and vandalizing Campustown and throwing things at people. Perhaps those who get a kick out of behaving like that will get the same kick out of behaving like that at another school.

Kara Sjoblom-Bay

Alumna

Mountain View, Ca.