Well, the word has come down from above that we will indeed be allowed to bring “friends” and “loved ones” to Rock Veishea who do not actually go to Iowa State or live in Ames.

Of course, all of the nasty commoners who occupy the rest of Iowa and provide the wonderful tax money this institution runs on can expect to stand outside with their ears pressed to the walls of Hilton Coliseum trying to pick out the beat with stethoscopes and dixie cups because they still can’t come in.

Once upon a time, Veishea was a student festival that allowed us to proudly show off our community to the rest of the state.

Nowadays, Veishea events are more like a scene from “The Road Warrior” without the really cool shoulder pads and warm sense of community.

Inside Hilton, the “Cyclone Family” will be huddled together under the watchful eyes of law enforcement officials.

While outside, the masses will be allowed to spend their money at over-priced foodstalls and carnival events, so long as they don’t try to get too close to the “Family.”

What are we, the Kennedys?

There are lock-ins at inner-city YMCAs that have more inclusive policies than Veishea.

For that matter, there are lock-downs at maximum security penitentiaries that have fewer guards in attendance, but at this point, that would merely be quibbling.

Of course, we won’t be allowed to bring more than ONE “outlander” to Rock Veishea.

That might make the “Cyclone Family” uncomfortable.

This whole “Cyclone Family” business is getting a little too Charles Manson meets “Godfather” anyway isn’t it?

Do “family” members feel as close to the 26,000 ISU students they share this campus with as they do their friends and family back home?

How about the Ames residents? For the better part of the year, the relationship of Ames to ISU is similar to the relationship wood ticks share with German Shepherds.

Family? They are business partners at best.

Most of us have friends and family outside the Ames community we would like to be able to spend time with during Veishea.

But because of xenophobic attendance policies, the best way to spend time with them during Veishea will be the same as the one practiced last year by a significant portion of the student body: go someplace else.