Posted on Apr 29, 2015
SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/29/university-florida-closes-fraternity-over-inappropriate-behavior/

University of Florida closes frat house due to the most disgusting display of disrespect to fellow Veterans. Was this the right choice? Were they just practicing their "freedom of speech?" (That those Veterans fought for them to have.)
Posted in these groups: Zgvwznrr9psdw5lzq6y7ihp6r9qhpdfhlbomkkkntap1slsxqwsblel onis9qdww00l q s85 Disrespect
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 23
PFC Cbrn Specialist (Acting Cbrn Room Not Nco)
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Speaking as a frater (thank God from a different fraternity) If the fraternity exspeled there members i dont think think the whole frat should be punished unless the whole chapter acted as one. Im ashamed to call these fools greeks though.
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Spc 1 J W.
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I don't get the whole Greek life thing. I know that are fraternities and sororities that do a lot of charitable work. It seems as though there is too much bad stuff happening.
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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the media does definitely spread "bad news" and not any good. But this is WAY TOO MUCH!
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
PO3 Steven Sherrill
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Unfortunately SGT (Join to see), the bad news is what lines their pockets. Every once in a while they will throw in a feel good story just to keep the viewers/listeners/readers from throwing themselves off a building, but for the most part they report only the worst of events.

In this case, what they did was both deplorable and newsworthy.
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SGT Michael Touchet
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I think they were absolutely right in shutting that fraternity down.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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Shut them down for a year. They need to be made an example of. The irony is the frat boys and their date are supposed to be scholars and people who seek enlightenment and knowledge.
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SPC Carl K.
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I personally never understood the true need for a frat or a sorority. In all honesty, I don't care. In this particular case, I feel the school did the right thing. As for the 'sit-down' with veterans, I think it is too little, too late. The frat went too far.
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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Bitchy Val. Averaicon.
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SPC Carl K.
SPC Carl K.
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Oh yeah! I remembered talking to you several times, but I just could not recall your handle. It is a small world indeed!
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
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AT lease you're actually a military man.
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SPC Carl K.
SPC Carl K.
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Indeed I am! You had doubts? Haha!
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Capt Mark Strobl
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Personally, I don't think the University needed to shut down the frat. However, U of Florida, like ALL public universities, receives a lot of Federal funding. Also, they have some tuition dollars at stake via their hosted ROTC programs. How many students are attending with the GI Bill? How many veterans are contemplating sending their children to college? Recalling the relationship my alma mater had with the Greeks, I'm guessing there were likely other issues at hand... say, like money. U of Florida would rather pay to defend a case brought by some snot-nosed Greeks vice be tried in the Court of Public Opinion --especially were some Wounded Warriors (and a nation of vets) are involved. May not have been the "right" decision. But, it was certainly more cost effective than inaction.
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SGT Michael Glenn
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Police them up, put them on a bus to Benning, run their communistic ass's through Basic and AIT, throw then into the belly of the 1st thing heading to the middle east, drag their ass's out into a heavily occupied zone and tell em that they are running point. Make them realize while they choose to hide behind books, real men and women are risking their lives so these wussies can live it up with parties and hide behind books...
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TSgt Christopher D.
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Probably won't be a popular remark, but free speech is protected by the 1st Amendment to the Constitution; the same Constitution we all swore to uphold and defend. This protection wasn't for uncontroversial speech/displays, it was made precisely for this type of speech.

As the University of Florida is a public institution, it seems it should protect speech in accordance with the Constitution. None of us have to, or even should like such a vile display, but we needn't limit such speech or intervene. Backlash could, and should reduce the number of applicants to that fraternity. Such a response would be apropos, would it not?

I have seen troubling articles and videos of people (civilians, active duty, vets and retirees) going drill sergeant on protestors, anti-war folks and the like. We did not swear to protect just the free speech we like and agree with. Again, it doesn't mean we should like, praise or support it, but it's antithetical to our oaths to attempt to suppress it.
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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They were all ready being investigated for a hazing incident... does this change your mind??
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TSgt Christopher D.
TSgt Christopher D.
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The university has an obligation to promote the safety and welfare of it's students. What does this have to do with the question of free speech? Still, the "market" solution I mentioned would apply to this hazing senselessness as well.
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MSgt RF Transmission Systems
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Too extreme. Discipline the kids involved, but the entire Frat? No. That sends the wrong message. That would be like punishing the entire service just because a few SMs got in trouble off-post.

The frat was also taking very responsible measures to deal with it. The school just jumped the gun.

We, as an entire society, have become punishment extremists. We want people fired NOW, arrested NOW, death penalty NOW...for minor things. They might be cruel and disgusting things...but in the end, they are usually minor.

Remember the uproar recently against the principal that sent the military brat home from school because his high and tight haircut was interpreted to be out of school policy? People wanted her head on a platter.

The punishment needs to fit the crime, and in most cases it could be a suspension, or community volunteering. The frat kids that spit on these vets should be forced to spend their next 20 Saturdays at the nearest VA hospital, or help set up the American Legion or VFW monthly meetings. Exposure leads to education, and education leads to REAL understanding. Not forced apologies, and definitely not extreme measures.
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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Now, if you knew that they were all ready into trouble for a hazing incident, does it change your mind at all??
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MSgt RF Transmission Systems
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Not really. I remember hearing about their probation for that. Even with that considered I think the measures the school took are extreme.
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdRhYFftjCs

This is what I imagine...
This is to lighten the mood.
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