With regard to Jeff Morrison’s Sept. 18 column, “Obscenity, over-boozing eliminate student respect,” I have some problems with what was written. Analyzing the subtext of this article, it becomes obvious to the reader what Jeff’s true motivation was for writing. Daddy Morrison arrived late to what is traditionally the biggest game of the year for Iowa State, and Jeffy Jr. became bitter because “Daddy” couldn’t get a parking spot where he normally parks. Now that we have discovered Jeff’s motivation for writing the article, let me discuss some of the points that Jeff brought up.

Jeff makes references to vulgar t-shirts, people “too sloshed to stand” and a “myriad of beer bongs” with regard to students. I know these are all true statements, but out of the 7,000 student season ticket holders, how many of the students were involved in these activities? Jeff makes blanket generalizations (no wonder considering who his employer is) and stereotypes his peers as beer-guzzling heathens. He sounds kind of like the ISU administration, doesn’t he?

Let us keep in mind the ISU football team is comprised of students, and that the reason why Iowa State continues to exist is because of students, and that without these two critical parts, I wouldn’t even be arguing now. What Jeff and others don’t seem to understand is that students make this town and this university what it is. How did the city of Ames obtain 50,000 people in the 2000 Census, enabling it to receive federal funds? That’s right, it was students who filled out their Census forms due to the begging of the city. How were the students repaid for doing this? A smoking ban, a couch ordinance, over-occupancy fines and evictions and higher sales taxes.

The tailgating issue is similar to the actions taken by the city of Ames. When Iowa State or Ames needs the students’ money, they are down on their knees, but when the students want something all they get is a lecture on binge drinking and a dry parking lot. I wish that one day the ISU administration will stop trying to parent students and let them make their own decisions (and yes, mistakes too), otherwise they are just fighting a losing battle by trying to make us conform to their way of thinking. And Jeff, you turned old before you even knew what hit you. You write for a student newspaper, yet you insist upon taking sides with those who wish to control us.

Joe Brott

Junior

English