Falcons- Bobcats

[Bubba Bo Bob Brain]

It's no secret that I enjoy ribbing Dustin about his posts, mostly about what seems to me to be bragging about how he told off the refs. I've had fun teasing him about the refs reading his signs. I also like to give him grief about the grief he gives other posters, and how upset he seems to get when he writes - or, at least how he did before he buried the hatchet and waved the olive branch in a recent post.

HOWEVER,
This year at the Stroh I've seen nothing which merits the letter posted at http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/la ... io-1-13-12

There are a lot of people who yell at the refs, stand up with their arms stretched out in a "What gives?" gesture, shout "call it both ways," etc. Fans doing this seem to be anywhere from 15 to 80 in age and sit anywhere from the student section to the regular seats to the more expensive seats and even the I-paid-so-much-for-my-seat-I-have-to-wear-a-tag-around-my-neck- seats.

The only difference this year is that the more animated fans used to sit together in a group on the east side of Anderson, in the area once dominated by the self proclaimed Anderson Animals. Now they are scattered about in the Stroh due to the assigned seating arrangements of "reserved" seating and a lack of a real "general admission" section. In spite of all his older posts about standing and cheering, Dustin is on his feet little more than any other fan. And considering that his seat is way over in the corner behind the team, I'm not even convinced that he's blocking very many people's views.

I don't think I'm being two faced about giving him grief AND standing up for him (figuratively and literally). I think I'm being objective and calling it both ways.

[Bubba Bo Bob Brain]

Three cheers to Curt Miller for explaining the little half circle to the ref!

[h2oville rocket]

Just for the record I either hold the signs in front of me or down in front of the barrier in front of me! I don't block people view and what happened to my first ammendmant rights?!

The First Amendment HAS to be the most misunderstood part of the Constitution.

[musicman2343]

Just for the record I either hold the signs in front of me or down in front of the barrier in front of me! I don't block people view and what happened to my first ammendmant rights?!

The First Amendment HAS to be the most misunderstood part of the Constitution.

I was just going to post that... I can't stand it when someone screams "Violation of the First Amendment" and clearly has no idea what The First Amendment gives you the right to do.

[DustinXtreme]

It's no secret that I enjoy ribbing Dustin about his posts, mostly about what seems to me to be bragging about how he told off the refs. I've had fun teasing him about the refs reading his signs. I also like to give him grief about the grief he gives other posters, and how upset he seems to get when he writes - or, at least how he did before he buried the hatchet and waved the olive branch in a recent post.

HOWEVER,
This year at the Stroh I've seen nothing which merits the comments posted at http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/la ... io-1-13-12

There are a lot of people who yell at the refs, stand up with their arms stretched out in a "What gives?" gesture, shout "call it both ways," etc. Fans doing this seem to be anywhere from 15 to 80 in age and sit anywhere from the student section to the regular seats to the more expensive seats and even the I-paid-so-much-for-my-seat-I-have-to-wear-a-tag-around-my-neck- seats.

The only difference this year is that the more animated fans used to sit together in a group on the east side of Anderson, in the area once dominated by the self proclaimed Anderson Animals. Now they are scattered about in the Stroh due to the assigned seating arrangements of "reserved" seating and a lack of a real "general admission" section. In spite of all his older posts about standing and cheering, Dustin is on his feet little more than any other fan. And considering that his seat is way over in the corner behind the team, I'm not even convinced that he's blocking very many people's views.

I don't think I'm being two faced about giving him grief AND standing up for him (figuratively and literally). I think I'm being objective and calling it both ways.

thank you? It pisses me off that I was singled out! I could see if I was swearing at officials,other fans or visiting teams but I don't. I could see if I was constantly blocked peoples view with signs but I don't! It kinda ruins BG basket ball for me now and it sucks big time! But what can I do?

[gmartin]

Well if some elderly person happens to approach you at a future game then talk to him. The comment in the paper said you were seated a few rows in front of him. At our next game take notice. I am not saying that you did, but you may have done 1 bad thing that got under his skin , and that leaves a sour taste.

[Bubba Bo Bob Brain]

The First Amendment HAS to be the most misunderstood part of the Constitution.

... I can't stand it when someone screams "Violation of the First Amendment" and clearly has no idea what The First Amendment gives you the right to do.

As far as I can tell, the only thing that the First Amendment says is
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

OK, I get the part that the Federal Government can't restrict "my rights." Perhaps in a new post down in "Mostly-Free-For-Many" someone can explain to the rest of us how it works for institutions, since I suspect Flipper is correct when he says

You don't have [first amendment rights] in an arena...the University has the right to set guidelines for behavoir and to enforce them. They have a right to search you as you enter, they have a right to eject yo w/o a refund, they have a right to tell you you sit down and stop botheirng people. It's thier show...not your's

I don't say this as a challenge. I think it's probably a good teaching / learning opportunity for all of us. I, for one, am willing to learn. I think the main difference between ignorance and stupidity is that the ignorant (again, including myself) can learn.

[gmartin]

Just for the record I either hold the signs in front of me or down in front of the barrier in front of me! I don't block people view and what happened to my first ammendmant rights?!

You also have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the Stroh Center. You have the right to speak to a tin soldier, and to have a tin soldier present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a tin soldier, one will be provided for you at Greg Christopher's expense.

[Flipper]

and factman will say GC should have gotten you a different tin soldier....

[gmartin]

Flipper, you just had to steal my moment didn't you. I thought my remark was funny until you out did me. Lol.

[transfer2BGSU]

Just for the record I either hold the signs in front of me or down in front of the barrier in front of me! I don't block people view and what happened to my first ammendmant rights?!

You have no first ammendmant rights.

And please, don't even argue about First Amendment rights either. The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly under the First Amendment are about serious matters, not some trivial sign being displayed at a college basketball game.

I met a student from Nigeria who led a protest against the government. He fled the university in the middle of the night as government soldiers were closing in on the campus. He fled the campus with the clothes he had on as the government soldiers fired automatic weapons over his head. He made it to a refugee camp across the border.

Another Nigerian student had been imprisoned because of his activities on campus and leading demonstrations. He was kept in a cell that had about fifty people in it. Each day, the soldiers would come and pull one person out of the cell and that person would never return to the cell. One day, they pulled Theo out of the cell. He stood in a line blindfolded, with his hands bound behind his back. He would take a few steps forward, hear three rifle shots, hear a thud, and walk another few steps forward, stop, wait and go through the same routine. Finally someone hit him upside the back of the head and yanked him out of the line. He told the soldiers he had to interrogate the prisoner one last time. He took Theo out of the line, walked him out of the prison, took off the blindfold, and told to run as fast as he could. Eventually, he also made it to a refugee camp across the border.

These two individuals almost lost their lives so that others in their homelands could have freedom of speech. Sorry, but your situation is no where near a freedom of speech issue.


I seriously doubt anyone on this board complained about your signs or your behavior. We're probably responsible for a part of your childish antics because we have too much fun egging you on. But your act is tiring and I would bet that the individuals who complained to the Stroh Center management are seated within fifty feet of you. Now if you're going to sit in your seats and act childish and make immature comments like you do on this board ...

I will say or post what I want to some extent and really some of you need to grow up and stop judging peoples grammar just because its not like yours. That is childish and annoying. The only reason I respond to posts is just to annoy certain people and it is working really well

Really? Ha ha ha! I am so not amused!

Is that the best you got? All I can say is wow! Obviously you are talking about yourself...I ain't worried about season tickets for next year and BTW there aint nothing wrong with the way I act at the games!

I bet you are wondering why no game has sold out?! well lets count the most likely of reasons why!
1.Turning away fans for either A.taking a bottle of water into the game or B. Having suckers for their kids or C. Having an umbrella to stay dry when it is raining outside
2.Charging full price admission for kids
3. Well i'm sure there are more but those are the best
Gee i thought the University looked stupid before but after todays letter in the Sentinel, the univeristy looks more stupid!
the lady who wrote the letter says she ain't buying season tickets next year and honestly i don't blame her!

....well, then you are going to be in for a long, boring year. But if you talked to some of those other fans around you, and you spoke in a manner that showed respect and not arrogance, I bet you that you could learn who the individuals were that reported you to the Stroh Center management and they would probably even tell you why. And a gentleman would appreciate their honesty and try to better himself while an immature, childish brat would continue to act in the same punkish manner.

BTW - 21 years ago, I was you.

[ccollin13]

Ditto to H20ville Rocket - the First Amendment is so very misunderstood.

The university, acting as a State entity, has the right to restrict your freedom of speech in a public arena such as the Stroh Center because it is a non-public forum. The Supreme Court through many decisions over the years has he determined that we do indeed have full freedom of speech in certain areas called public forums - those that are traditionally thought to be open to free speech, such as sidewalks, parks, and the like. Even in these public places, the government can place time, place, and manner restrictions so that no one else's rights are infringed - such as limiting how long one can be camped in a park, and keeping protesters out of the way of public people who want to walk on the sidewalk too.

But an arena isn't even a public forum. An arena is a non-public forum because it is not a public building traditionally used for speech purposes. It's a public building used as an arena. Therefore the University can decide what speech it wants to restrict, as long as it does so for a reasonable purpose - such as promoting a sportsmanlike atmosphere or keeping the environment kid-friendly. This is also the same logic the Supreme Court has used to justify restricting speech in places such as schools, prisons, and military bases.

So yes, you have the right to free speech, and the government cannot choose what topics you may speak about or what stances you may take on a topic. But essentially, you have that right only in public areas that are "traditionally" open for free speech and debate, and where the government lets you speak. As long as the restriction is rationally related to what the court calls "a legitimate State interest," they can censor anything inside the Stroh.

In any case, GO FALCONS!

[BGSUE]

The comment was on the Sentinel site so it's only printed there. Dustin I wrote you a private message so read it when you can. As was said elsewhere try to find out who the person is. tell them that you will cheer & then make it positive. If you stand up, sit down again after the play is over. Changing the refs is impossible I tried when I coached HS bball, got T'd up & sent out twice in one season 65-16 loss hurts. I'm not going to repeat what I wrote to you.....all suggestions/observation by the way from an elder elder.
The people in front of me have asked for "quiet" so I cup my hands around my mouth to project & lean into the aisle some plus several bring head sets. I'd have the whole bench at my seat trying to find out where my voice is.

[jg4242]

Sue: Someone actually had the guts to ask you to be quiet? That would get my dander up in a hurry. I am very energetic at games... I stand for big plays, I yell, cheer, and heckle. The only time I've ever had someone complain to me was a KSU fan in the MAC Center (myself and some other a-band types had made the trip and were generally making a nuisance of ourselves). For what it's worth, Sue, my mom and the ladies she sits with are moving down to be in front of you so they can cheer along!! So don't you dare quit cheering:)

[BGSUE]

To everyone who reads this forum yes I was asked to be quiet......guess I don't follow directions very well.....toooooo many years of little kids, physical education & trying to teach near tsun....ooops....the job paid/pays the bills.
As for cheering that will go on as long as the vocal cords hold out....too many games close together strains them much
LOL on your Mom & friends moving down in front of me jg4242.....the seats directly in front of me may be empty next season. asked the ticket office to warn people Oh well!
I need all the help I can get. have tried to lean out in the aisle to keep cheering several people in front of me now bring earbuds....wonder if they work?
When I talked to Megan Thorburn she said she heard me cheer on OU's game tape of BG. "Thor" said it brought a smile to her face.
THANKS for the support I know the team hears me
just help positively!!!
Let's spread it around & pull all the fans together.