Re: Rioting After PSU Beat OSU
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:14 pm
Sam, I'm sorry I didn't see this a few weeks ago. I engaged in a lot of discussion on the topic at the homer board.
Basically, I can't understand the impulse to celebrate a sports victory by destroying things and rioting.
State College was spared this type of thing until the year 1998, when there was a riot during the Arts Festival.
Yes, the goalpost stuff that occurred for years prior was also destruction of property, and sometimes even dangerous. I guess I do recognize a difference between tearing down goalposts and setting fires, throwing bottles at cops, and ripping out street lamps.
Once you get into endangering others and destroying property - or regarding the laws of the land as optional - you're into criminal territory.
I always think of Prague Spring - where rioters at least had a good cause for their actions. Winning or losing a collegiate event is no reason to endanger people and your own liberty, at least in my opinion.
Basically, I can't understand the impulse to celebrate a sports victory by destroying things and rioting.
State College was spared this type of thing until the year 1998, when there was a riot during the Arts Festival.
Yes, the goalpost stuff that occurred for years prior was also destruction of property, and sometimes even dangerous. I guess I do recognize a difference between tearing down goalposts and setting fires, throwing bottles at cops, and ripping out street lamps.
Once you get into endangering others and destroying property - or regarding the laws of the land as optional - you're into criminal territory.
I always think of Prague Spring - where rioters at least had a good cause for their actions. Winning or losing a collegiate event is no reason to endanger people and your own liberty, at least in my opinion.