Yesterday, in a strange turn of events, a well respected friend of mine advocated severe lynching and beating of people on sports teams and in the military, not to mention the likely occurences for the general public as well. Apparently, the militaristic opinions brought down the chain of command convinced one Shawn Snyder that the world needs a little more violence.
Sadly, I must state that this is not the opinion of this editor. While I enjoy a bit of violence from time to time, as a whole, I try to restrain myself. Granted, if given the chance, I would definitely join a post-game riot if it meant beating the snot out of some Chicago Cubs fans. Unfortunately, what Snyder advocates is far beyond.
In Shawn Snyder's world, people would be beaten simply for being noobs. Internet hazing rituals of sending trojans and viruses at great lengths to new members of online communities would bring the online world to a halt for those new to the biz. His pro-hazing stance on new members of the military would quickly deplete the ranks of recruits, as many young men would go home with sore crotches and shaving-cream-filled butt cracks. Is that what Snyder means by supporting the military? Ironically, Snyder is against homosexuals in the military, but the only ones who would ENJOY boot camp would be those left-swingers who grin a little too big as the shaving cream glides up.
Snyder's philosophy would bring us back to a day where baseball players would be mauled by their teammates, not for something important like the color of their skin, but simply because they don't have a rookie card made of themselves yet.
It is a sad day when our proud military men take such a... well should I say... odd stance on such an... odd subject?
Eric Drzewiecki is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. He has a bachelor's degree in Political Science, as well as Public Administration. He can be reached at eric_drz@hotmail.com
8 Comments:
This makes me displeased. Beatings will begin unless moral improves and everyone thinks like I do.
And by the way, who said anything about lynching and shaving cream? Those aren't painful enough. I prefer self inflicted pain, it's much funnier and puts no evidence on me. For example: "Choke yourself." "Aye (or yes) sir, right away sir."
Sir! Jelly Doughnut sir!
For a clearer definition of what is correct hazing, please refer back to the original blog, or watch the movie "Full Metal Jacket."
On a side note, pain is much more funny when you're in the Marine Corps. (As long as death is not involved)
That guy was unstable from the beginning. There's always going to be nuts walking around.
What I meant by refer back to the origianal blog is that I posted another comment explaining it.
I'm a pretty big fan of mob justice.
"SickZip said...
I think you have a problem with the golden age phenomenon. Yes, hazings used to be allowed and encouraged but Them Olden Days weren't what they were cracked up to be. Read some statistics on things like AWOL back in the nineties and eighties when it was more prevelant. We're currently way more disciplined and effective then ever before, so why harken to a past that kindof sucked?
Now is the Golden Age of military effectiveness and we don't need to implement mob justice, which always degenerates into no justice at all. "
And how might you know what the Golden age was like? The correct statement is we are better trained nowdays, not more disciplined. Ask just about any senior military personel and they will tell you the new generation personel are a bunch of undisciplined slobs compared to what once was. That is because strictness has decreased a bit. As long as the job gets done, discipline comes second nowdays. You will be hardpressed to find the respect that has been lost in the last few decades by calling teachers, coaches and other adults sir or ma'am. I'm young and I know this, and it's quite sad to see respect go the wayside.
In this civilized age we think talking to someone will always convince them to do what we say, when this is not always true. In my example of how hazing was correctly used on a team, the team obviously didn't listen to the coach's ramblings before the game, so they lost and he had to use a different way to get through their thick skulls. This is why we have wars. People that won't listen to reason need a different way of convincing. Like it or not these people exist and that's the only way to deal with them sometimes. Don't tell me it's not, either, because I'll site the first example that comes to mind - WWII. On a much smaller level and much less violence and pain is the tactic of hazing. This is the only way some people listen or are motivated. Very few people will learn absolute obedience without it. The entirety of bootcamp is one long hazing session and out come different men. It's the same with sports teams. A team where players are focused on themselves will ultimately fail.
This isn't for everyone as you noticed. I venture that those who disagree aren't on any really competitive sports teams. There's no need for it outside of these two areas and shouldn't be. For normal life it's completely unacceptable because it'd take away from freedoms. That's why I say those that complain about it on teams are pansies, becuase it's voluntary and they know what's expected or they soon will and if it's not for them then they should just stay out and quit ruining it for the rest. One of these people infects the team morale and degrades teamwork significantly.
Justice always seemed like such an arbitrary term anyhow.
Post a Comment
<< Home