University budget cuts, high unemployment, gay marriage rights, illegal immigrate policies, soaring gas prices and that damn class “W” policy.
Such contentious issues confine our campus and country, but overwhelming student apathy sometimes makes college a dead-end for causes seeking mass student involvement.
Until today.
After controversial news of a campus flag-burning protest swept social media and major news stations Tuesday, University students awoke like a sleeping giant and spiritedly swept in the hundreds to Free Speech Plaza at noon. People swarmed the outer edges of the area and overflowed the balcony of the Union, with a continuation of students
marching like ants towards the largest pile of patriotism seen on campus in years.
American flags waved in the air and draped students’ shoulders. Chants of ”U.S.A, U.S.A,” carried throughout the crowd in unison. Passionate praise glorified University service men and women and condemned the protester with slurs like “Go to hell hippie.” Applause ricocheted off the oak trees.
A bizarre excitement consumed the crowd. Instead of the expected reaction – “It’s finals week, it’s hot outside, lets get out of here” – people joined the mob, partook in the mayhem and followed the waves of people though the parade grounds and in front of the law school, where law enforcement escorted the protester off campus. Applause and
off-pitch attempts at the national anthem followed.
Athletes, ROTC, Greeks, undergrads, campus visitors, law students, police on horses, professors, reporters and even that strange kid from your bio lab. Yep, he was there too.
The protest was reminiscent of the 1960s ‘counterculture’ youth, who expressed their dissatisfaction with race relations, war and women’s rights on college campuses. They marched, protested and boycotted, all without Facebook invites and Twitter
updates.
Free Speech Alley was once a platform for debates about social issues in the late ’60s on campus, but evolved into a podium for promoting organizational blood drives, product placements and warnings of eternal damnation for families resembling the Children of God.
The protest aroused an emotion on campus I haven’t seen in my past four years, with trucks circling the parade grounds full of people waving American flags. A sense of patriotism encompassed the Parade Ground.
But the most amazing thing today’s event brought to the University was a discussion. Students weren’t talking about final exams, the royal wedding or drink specials. People spoke with strangers about the bizarre events unfolding before them. “Is this legal?” and “Is this right?” were the types of questions onlookers asked today.
The question of First Amendment rights, freedom of expression and patriotism sparked a conversation around campus. People differ on the politics surrounding the protest, but that’s what made it great. We live in a country where we can disagree, discuss and challenge issues before us.
While no flag was burned, the discourse after the protest refueled a dormant fire of campus passion not often seen outside of Tiger Stadium.
JEANNE LYONS
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Contact Jeanne Lyons at jlyons@lsureveille.com
BURNING OUR AMERICAN FLAG is not an option!
If your feelings against this great country is that strong perhaps it is best that you leave and return in a uniform of your newly formed republic and make a declaration of war against American
NOW WE TRUELY UNDERDTAND YOUT POSITIOM,THEN WE CAN APPROACH YOU AD THE ENEMY.
learn how to spell, dude.
“The protest was reminiscent of the 1960s ‘counterculture’ youth,… .”
You can’t be serious. That display on the parade ground today was much more reminiscent of Ernst Rohm and his minions bullying dissident voices on the streets of Munich.
Louisianans; poor fools never miss an opportunity to cover themselves in shame. And to make matters worse, they revel in it, seemingly unaware of just how full of hate, hubris, and hypocrisy they look to those living in the civilized world.
I’ve never met you, Woody, but, according to you, “Louisianians” are “poor fools” who “never miss an opportunity to cover themselves in shame.” How did you gather this information? Have you lived in Louisiana? Are you from Louisiana?
Historically, Louisiana has been one of the most progressive States in the Union. It may not be the wealthiest, but it’s far ahead of most of the world in terms of maintaining a non-biased, inclusive culture which supports all races, religions, and creeds.
You note that counter-protesting the “protest” in support of someone who destroyed university property is “hate, hubris, and hypocrisy”? Are you under-informed or lacking in intellectual capacity?
I am 52 Years Old and have discussed today’s victory with several of my friends and we all feel the same way. You students have no idea how Proud we are of you and how much Hope you have given us. Thank You.
Ricky Glass, AMEN.
If you have not come to understand that the exercising of constitutional rights are not some act that have to predicated on how popular something is or is not, you will never understand. I feel sorry for you sir, you claim to be a patriot yet based on your words you openly cheer on those that violate the ideas that our nation was founded upon.
What ideals would you be speaking of? Maybe the liberal mantra of “Free speech for me but not for thee”? The students violated NOTHING. I am 63 and very proud of the students at LSU. I hope this breaking out of patriotic free speech extends to campuses everywhere.
The students violated nothing? They stopped him from saying his speech and assaulted him the entire time. That’s not patriotic free speech, that’s harrassment. Throwing water balloons and spitting on him…yeah, I would say that’s more illegal than anyhing Benjamin Haas did. I’m surprised you’re more ignorant than I am yet 3x as old as me.
The flag was not made by God; therefore, it is not sacred. The intense display of chauvinism on the side of the angry mob was severely misguided by the mind-created identity of nationalism. The sooner we Americans put more stock into being good to our fellow humans instead of patriotic citizens, the sooner we will be able to survive and coexist in the future.
Had I been in the state of Louisiana at the time, I would have supported Mr. Haas and his efforts to exercise the free speech we hold so dearly. I would have shown up and cheered him on- despite the lewdness of others.
Kenneth, as a veteran from the vietnam era you might have taken a beat down.
Still sore about losing the war eh? Well, it looks like you don’t know jack squat about American values. To deny a man his rights because you don’t like his speech is the action of the traitor or the idiot. You choose.
So if the students wanted to express their free speech, it was wrong because it showed some – gasp – patriotism?
it wasn’t wrong that the students wanted to express their free speech. it was wrong that they denied Haas his right to free speech. throwing water balloons and cursing someone out because they don’t agree with your ideals is not very american at all.
Check your history. The US Military did not loose Vietnam, the US Congress did. They gave up and pulled funding for the military.
Just because he can burn our nations flag does not make it right, nor does it make it right for him to be assaulted. However, I do not side with Haas. Tolerance and political correctness has severely crippled this country. Most will say I am ignorant, but that is another discussion. I have read the transcript. Personally I feel that he was upset about Bin Laden being shot and to all sympathizers I would suggest re-watching the World Trade Center attacks. As long as people are on this Earth, there will be war and there will be disagreements.
Woody, sorry but most of those people were not even from Louisiana………lol
I am so proud of them, no matter where they are from…
Frankly, I really liked this first-hand interpretation of the event and was surprised to see such visceral reactions by people who weren’t even there. The takeaway message was that today’s events started a dialogue between students on a controversial topic. It was just as much the students’ right to show their patriotism as it was the protester’s to be there. Both sides exercised their freedom of expression. It’s called democracy. Deal with it.
The difference was that the guy who provoked the discussion wasn’t pelting other people in the head with drinks and water balloons. They want to shout him down, fine — that is free speech. Pelting him with garbage — that’s assault, and nothing to be proud of.
Water Balloons, Water Bottles, and the Police escorting HIM off for HIS protection.
Martin Luther King Jr. is probably looking down at this guy, laughing.
As a veteran of the US military I am sadden and ashamed of the actions of those students who acted as a mob to stop an American citizen from exercising his constitutional rights. Some folks seem to focus on the flag as sacred object and have forgotten that it is the ideas of that flag that are sacred, not the cloth itself. I am also sadden by the 40 and 50 year olds posting, claiming to be parents of LSU students and whose post are full of feaux patriotic praise for the mob. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far and when you are raised with ignorant ideas of what American values are you can expect Jr. to go off to school act as the students did today.
You don’t sound like any veteran I ever knew.
Yeah you definitely haven’t spent any amount of time in combat. Where were you stationed, Kuwait? Haas is a moron and he is lucky he didn’t get stomped that day.
I do not disagree with flag burning as a right of free speech – our “supreme” court has deemed it so. But there is a difference between a right and good judgement. One may have the “right” to burn the flag – but it reaches the point of stupidity to expect no consequences when that is done. That goes for burning any flag (or book).
I applaud the response of the LSU folks (other than the alleged assaults!)!!
I am pretty positive that the Constitution only protects your freedom of speech from being infringed upon BY THE GOVERNMENT. Kinda think I read that somewhere. In fact I think I took a class at LSU…yep sure did, took a class at LSU where I learned that. What do you know.
Kinda wish they hadn’t thrown stuff at him though. That is bush league. Just yell and be loud and mess with his head. Don’t stoop to assault or destroying property.
Proud of the turnout, disappointed in the thrown items.
I am saddened that my peers at this University chose to infringe upon Haas’ constitutional rights by creating a heckler’s veto. I strongly recomend that everyone read the transcript of Haas’ intented speech and consider how his words place the protest in the context of the constitution. I hope that my fellow students will reconsider their jeers and assaults, and think deeper about their own rights.
I’ve never been more ashamed to be an LSU student, but I hope that the school will learn from this fiasco and do better in the future.
I would hope that when you grow up you will drop the self-righteous attitude.
And I hope that you will think before you type.
get over it, its over. it happened. it was handled. then end
no need to be rude to people about their beliefs
You probably sympathize with Woodsboro Baptist Church protests when motorcyle clubs drown out their protests with the sounds of their bikes. Welcome to the real world. I don’t have to respect your rights and if I want to drown out your hate I will.
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its a tie, both sides lose
Re-posted: AS a former active duty military and someone who loves this country very much, I am ashamed of both the red faced, rank and file that turned this into a such an ugly scene and the unshaven non-entity that so easily sparked their regressive behavior. And some (politicians, LSU admin) are PROUD of this behavior?…GROW UP people! we do not serve a FLAG or a symbol, we serve something greater – Freedom of ideas, religion, etc. So wave all the little polyester flags you want or have one printed on your trucker cap “patriots”, that is NOT what makes you American. And to the guy who started all of this – The next time you do this, go ahead and have someone chain you to the flagpole. That way the police can’t rescue you AND you might just finally understand what sacrifice for your country and fellow man means.
Ok let me start this out by saying I do not agree with the burning of an american flag. However I am an ex veteran and a student at LSU and was there for all of this. I agree fully with the counter protest as it was our right to free speech as well….However I do not agree with two things that the counter protesters did. The first being to throw objects at someone….yes yell and scream at the top of your lungs to oppose a view you do not believe in however keep it civil. I know this is a hard pill to swallow for some people but I took an oath to support and defend the constitution and so like it or not I have to support his right to free speech in burning the flag however I also support the right of those who would peacefully counter protest his actions. Secondly there was someone there in uniform who was in the students face screaming about his his brother died for him…..I am sorry but when you put on the uniform you no longer have the right to express your views and beliefs in any way you see fit….you must act at all times with honor and the highest reguard for that uniform and those who have worn it before you. I hope that the individual who did that will be properly delt with by his chain of command. Over all though for those students who stood their ground and protested this act of burning the flag peacefully I am proud to stand beside you on any day. I just wish we could get this much attention and support for the situation the budget cuts are putting us students in.
“Historically, Louisiana has been one of the most progressive States in the Union. It may not be the wealthiest, but it’s far ahead of most of the world in terms of maintaining a non-biased, inclusive culture which supports all races, religions, and creeds.”
You can’t be serious. Maybe you should go learn who Tuereaud was. Louisiana is infamous for racism and civil rights issues. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there is still only one building on this campus named after a black man.
Progressive? Yes, I think progressive everytime I see LSU colored rebel flags on game days and at LSU gatherings on the beach. How far we’ve come.
I dont comment on blogs too much…but i have to say..your writing skill is different…so dont stop….now i can help my nephew for his project..thanks….
I dont comment on blogs too much…but i have to say..your writing skill is different…so dont stop….now i can help my nephew for his project..thanks….
I was just recently released from Walter Reed Hospital after losing my left leg below my knee in Afghanistan. I am a Marine and an LSU alumni and I have to say that I am totally embarrassed by the actions of the students of my Alma mater. I love my country, I love what it stands for, I would have gladly given my life to protect the ideals so clearly spelled out in the Constitution. The most important of these ideals, to me that is, is free speech. You angry children claim this is the land of the free? That means the symbol of this country can’t just be a flag, it also has to be an American’s right to burn the flag in protest. You can oppose it, you can disagree with it, it can anger you till you have an aneurism, but what you can’t do is prevent an American citizen from exercising his God given right to express himself. And that’s what happened here. The solider screaming about his brother had it right. His brother and countless others did die for Ben Haas. He died for his right to burn that flag.