My feeling just watching the press conference is that Leath will eventually end VEISHEA forever. The Ames Police Chief seemed kind of awesome and positive about the students who were trying to help.
*****LEATH VEISHEA PRESSER LIVE STREAM*****
- Thread starter tm3308
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Yep. Drinking & Riots. At no other times did I ever think a riot could happen, except Veishea week. The two just became synonymous with each other. Sadly over time Veishea & riots are still associated.
There is no doubt the feeling and attitude is like no other the week of Veishea, and since the 04 riots students are on the edge, and just looking for a mob to start.
Not excusing anything, but things have to be right for a riot. It usually happens in nice weather. It happens every 7-10 years.
Einstein said it. And let's see...since the first large-scale riot in 1988, there have been 4, maybe 5 serious events? Two deaths that could have occurred on any other weekend (remember, other people have been murdered, or gotten drunk and fallen off balconies in Ames, NOT on VEISHEA weekend). A riot is generally considered a reaction to a negative event (an unpopular verdict, an unjust law, etc). These "riots" were more drunken mobs than riots. Some of the issue in 1988 was the way that police originally responded to a bunch loud, alcohol-fueled house parties. The police have adjusted their strategy since then, and although there have been other mobs, they have not escalated to the point that the first one did (that last part is strictly my opinion from observation, and not proven fact).
Since 1988, there have been 24 VEISHEA's (estimated; I didn't count them). One was cancelled. Assuming 24 VEISHEA's, 4 with mob events, 2 with alcohol-assisted deaths...all OFF-campus and non-sanctioned events. That means we have had at least 18 VEISHAs that went well, or at least no worse than the average aftermath of an Iowa or Nebraska football game. There were also 6 weeks when VEISHEA was held and there were problems in and around campustown. History repeats in good as well as bad ways. If we only focus on the negatives, no one will ever hear about the positives.
3 to 1, good to bad. Campus vs. campustown. It's the wrong decision.
I know that they were non-sanctioned events where bad things happened, but VEISHEA and the week-long party atmosphere were the cause. The way people view it, more accurately, is the cause. They can't require that association in people's brains; the only thing they can do is get rid of the root of the association. It isn't like this was eer threatened before these things started happening.
The he other thing that is sort of BS in these threads are the claims that VEISHEA makes everyone so much money. No. VEISHEA makes hotels money (most of whom aren't based in Ames but at a corporate headquarters), select restaurants (again, some of which are corporate), and bars (whose wares contribute to the issue). It is costing the average Ames taxpayer money to host VEISHEA in the form of increased police presence.
Again, as I've been posting several times today: it will have to be the students. They have to act: stop being enablers. When some people start rioting, report to the cops and leave. If you want to take pictures/videos and give them to the cops, fine, do it quickly, but don't be enablers.
And they have to stop thinking that "riots are fun", "when are the students going to start rioting?".
Take ownership, be proud of it. Don't let some dumb people ruin VEISHEA
Problem is the students come and go. The last time this happened this year's seniors were 12. I bet if they have it next year students will take ownership of it, but 10 years from now? This behavior is not rational and if you were 12 the last time this happened, you probably are not going to realize the need for "ownership" until it is already out of hand.
I would hope you are right, but there are a bunch of parents who would defend their little
darling and be ready to indignantly defend and or sue for a crack down on a little drunken ribaldry. I see this as part human mob mentality, and in part a selfish trend in society that it is all about ME. In videos I have seen, lots of the masses are almost gleefully watching cans and bottles being thrown and laughing and (likely drunkenly) acting like animals. I see folks who remained after a call to disperse should be charged and prosecuted. And I dont really like President Leath, but what was he supposed to do? I love ISU and I love the traditions, but lets be real.
That is where I've seen it attributed. Can you tell me who did say it, so that I don't repeat my mistake?
Here is an example Business A donates $ to ISU. Business A does 10% of it revenue the week of VEISHEA, now business A only gives ISU 90% or less of what it was before due to lost income.....There are other businesses too. I ran more than my fair share of events while at ISU. A lot of the rental, appliance, DJ, Copy Works, Alpha Copies, Sign Pro, West Town Pub, GeAngleo's......I could go on and on with local businesses we used. Some still here others not.
Maybe we look at it like this say a Cyclone Fanatic supporter does most of their business during 1 week a year, that event doesn't happen plus they are saddled with the cost of inventory they already purchased in anticipation of the event and can no longer support Cyclone Fanatic.....We'd all be sad.
- Mar 27, 2006
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earliest confirmed reference is in an anti-narcotics pamphlet from the early 1980's.
- Mar 27, 2006
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For probably 80% of students all VEISHEA is is a giant party. The parade and all the other stuff is a very distant second for a chance to party on a, hopefully, nice spring weekend. It's house parties and drinking outside during the day, then bars and more house parties at night with maybe a concert or two in there.
Until I can audit all their books you'll never know,..........If I would look some where I'd start with Keg Shop. I do know being part of the Ag Student Council there were a lot of clubs that VEISHEA was a big part of their budget.
Here is another one to ponder.......Ever notice the massive pyramids of Busch Light at Hy-Vee during the week and how fast it disappears, businesses do very well this week. It is like running ski slops during global warming.....if you believe in that.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
- Mar 27, 2006
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Yep. VEISHEA's reputation is as a party first. Cherry pies, parades, and exhibitions take a back seat to it. The party is what brings people to town.
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10% though? That's ridiculously exaggerated. You might be able to sell me on 2%. But give me a break.
