Dear God,
With the crackdown on the campus party scene, there is a seriousharshing of the mellow going on in Muncie, and frankly, this campushas seen enough mellow-harshing for one year.
We've lost two members of our student body to gun-relateddeaths. Seems like everyone was in some way connected to those twoguys, so we're all effected by these tragedies.
While I'm not certain of your plan, I must ask for a favor. Idon't ask for much, mainly because, uh, I don't really talk to youall that much (sorry!), but maybe you can see this through.
Can you maybe watch out for Muncie for a while?
I wouldn't be so persnickety about this, but I've lost threegrandparents, a friend from high school and the family dog duringthis school year alone.
That's not counting the campus tragedies. That's just personal.So you see, I've seen enough death for one mortal year.
As far as campus deaths go, only you and the registrar knowexactly how long I've been here, so the fact that I've seen othertragedies befall our campus should be no surprise.
I remember the pizza delivery guy who was shot to death. Iremember the guy who fell off the rock wall along the White River.I remember almost every campus death of the 1990s.
And now, we're getting a bunch more? Come on.
This isn't me blaming you or casting judgment. I just want alittle intervention down here. Look out for us for a while, youknow? We're good people, honest.
We might not be as smart as those other schools in Indiana (butoh, we try), but we mean well, and we're a little shifty in ourseats right now.
Sure, you've got to take a few of us now and again, but can'tyou hold off a while?
Back when you were the Old Testament God, you could level citiesand not blink. You could take every first-born son and shrug offthe effort.
Sure, death is a part of life -- part of the trials we all mustface -- but life is a part of life, too. Can't we just enjoy thosearound us for a while? You can swing that, can't you?
We should be able to have fun on our own campus without fear.Sure, we should be responsible, but not afraid.
I'm not asking for a party. I just want to feel good aboutwalking around after dark.
I'm not asking for hedonistic revelers vomiting in the streetsor urinating on the sides of downtown buildings. You wouldn't wantthat to happen in Muncie, right?
Nay, I say. Simply, let us socialize safely. Let us gather inthe spirit of friendship -- siblinghood even -- and help launch anew, safe, responsible tradition on our campus.
Alcohol and illegal drugs might make for a "shindig," but whosays we need those things to have a good time? I don't. You knowsleep deprivation is the only drug I need.
Well, that and the sheer bliss of life itself.
So how about it? Has Muncie earned a reprieve, if only for alittle while? Surely we have.
And before I forget, can you make everyone stop asking if I'veseen "The Passion" yet?
Sorry, dumb question.
Amen.
Write to John at kingseyeland@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
