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<p>Should we shudder at the thought of what a legacy this person has generated? </p>
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<p>Imo, it is quite obvious, if one looks only to rap lyrics and the prevalence and now acceptability of porn, that <em>expressions</em> of disrespect towards women have become rampant and acceptable in our society. (In fact porn, which we women used to consider exploitive and disrespectful towards women, seems to have become a legitimate career choice (!).) As a parent, I sometimes felt like a salmon swimming up stream when trying to teach acceptable behavior between the sexes to my children.</p>
<p>The specific facts of this case are important. This is not some secret or deviant society specifically formed to cater to those who wish to sing or chant lyrics that support violence against women. Unfortunately, in such a case, if the activity ended with the singing/chanting of the objectionable lyrics, it would likely be protected speech under the Constitution. </p>
<p>The Georgia Tech case has a very different set of facts. This is a fraternity with a stated mission sponsored by a public university that receives federal funding. The lyrics are not simply on member’s iPods they are chanted at chapter meetings, before frat parties, at the initiation of new members and at the annual Christmas party. Presumably not privately, lest this whole mess might be less complicated for these boys. The lyrics posted in the links here on CC understandably do not contain some of the worst verbiage. There is far worse relating to aborted fetuses. Their chapter meeting minutes specifically state “rape is good” according to the school’s own newspaper. </p>
<p>Although I have often been surprised by the legal rulings that have come down on what is considered “protected” under the First Amendment, in my view there is not a court in the land that would find First Amendment protection for this set of facts when viewed in their totality. And not because the verbiage is so shockingly disturbing, but because the court would find, like Georgia Tech did, a nexus between the chanting of the lyrics, the rapebait emails and the subsequent violence alleged by at least 2 women in two separate lawsuits. </p>
<p>WVU suspends all frat activities - kid in ICU following "catastrophic medical
emergency "</p>
<p>Is there a link?</p>
<p>Here it is. </p>
<p><a href=“WVU student mourned while investigation continues”>http://www.wtae.com/news/wvu-suspends-fraternity-sorority-activities/29705412</a></p>
<p>They don’t say what happened, but I assume that it was not entirely innocuous or else it would not seem to make sense for University would not have suspended fraternity and sorority activities.</p>
<p>The article also notes that very recently 19 members of another fraternity were arrested on alcohol related charges and that fraternity was shut down. Maybe it’s the confluence of the two.</p>
<p>That’s so sad. Whatever one’s views about fraternities, that’s someone’s kid who was found in the frat house with no pulse, not breathing. Someone’s beautiful boy. I hope he makes a full recovery.</p>
<p>^^^I do to … I wonder if WVU ever will, though. This is the second Greek incident in as many weeks, and they came after a riot after a football game that resulted in ~ $50,000 in damage and several arrestes and expulsions. WVU is our state flagship and it’s always been a hellhole. It’s gotten worse since they re-hired E.Gordon Gee as president - the same E.Gordon Gee who left Ohio State in bad blood due to disparaging remarks about Catholics and Notre Dame. IMHO, no one takes him seriously. (Full disclosure: I’m Catholic and found his remarks inappropriate, and was very offended when WVU re-hired him.)</p>
<p>How horrible. My heart goes out to everyone. I hope he’ll be okay.</p>
<p>Sadly the WVU student died.</p>
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<p>It is indeed sad. </p>
<p>The unfortunate part is that few of us think that that “Someone’s beautiful boy” might be close to us … until it happens. After the obvious sadness and headshaking at the nonsense of dying in such circumstances comes the frustration with the endless attempts to deny the responsibility of anyone involved, the legal battles to protect the “frat” turf and rights, and the perennial results of a a slap on the wrist. And, after that, the growing annoyance that it tends to repeat itself. Year after year!</p>
<p>But, of course, by now we should know that the perfect answer by school officials is to form yet another panel of scientists and other luminaries to study the problems and … hope for the fraternities to come up with a “solution.” Heck, some are even determined to applaud how Dartmouth addressed the issues in a conciliatory manner. </p>
<p>As I wrote a decade ago, how many body bags filled with with sweet and naive teenagers will we need before we elevate the problem to the status it deserves? Our minds are captivated by plane crashes or the fear of Ebola or other infectious diseases. We fear --and for good reasons-- the crazy shootings at our schools. We fear for the safety of our youngsters. Yet, we --collectively-- seem quite happy to consider the deaths of so many kids in those despicable circumstances as “business as usual” and testaments to the stupidity of the young. </p>
<p>Every death is sad, but hardly as sad as realizing that such deaths have no silver lining and that the next generations will not be protected nor have learned much from the tragedies. After all, it only happens to strangers! </p>
<p>Simple: College sets up single-sex or coed service clubs, and then shuts down the Greek houses. While I am sure the kids may still party, they wont have a built in institution to propagate that activity.</p>
<p>Alternative: All Greek houses substance-free.</p>
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<p>CSU Chico’s policy would seem to be a model:
<a href=“http://www.csuchico.edu/fsa/Greek%20Organization%20Requirements/index.shtml”>http://www.csuchico.edu/fsa/Greek%20Organization%20Requirements/index.shtml</a></p>
<p>If fraternities wanted to emphasize service and brotherhood while shedding their reputation as places that enable drunken stupidity, wouldn’t they readily agree to such restrictions on alcohol?</p>
<p>I know I can be a stick-in-the-mud, but when I tally up the safe and enjoyable aspects of alcohol on campus (or for that matter, everywhere) against the dangerous and negative aspects, it just isn’t close. It is nice for people to loosen up with a beer, but they could learn to relax and be social without one. That poor boy will never learn how to do that, and his family and loved ones will be forever affected. </p>
<p>It makes me shake my head and hope with all my might that I taught my kids sufficiently just how fleeting life and health can be. </p>
<p>Ixnaybob, the chances that such tragedy would hit you and your children is extremely slim, and perhaps a total zero. Yet, rest assured that such tragedies have not spared wonderful parents who did everything right in educating their children and students who were raised right but overestimated their invincibility. </p>
<p>(Sadly), I think hunt is nearly spot on in post 141</p>
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<p>Where I disagree is that we don’t have to put teenagers in jail, but we could suspend them for a college term, with no refund. When it hits daddy’s pocketbook, things would change.</p>
<p>^And some schools do have policies in place to do that. However, they don’t do it for a first offense. The student is put on probation and if there is another offense, the suspension kicks in.</p>
<p>I also agree with Hunt in post #141. There are a lot of folks who don’t support the current drinking age and have a kind of “look the other way” mentality, including a fair number of parents, law enforcement, parents, college administrators etc. I have to say, I would support an 18 year old limit for beer and wine.</p>
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<p>Xiggi, I remember when it happened to your friend. It must be painful, and infuriating, for you to read about kids dying like this year after year after year.</p>