Howdy Ags (and their families and friends),
This will probably not make me popular among
some past and present residents of Aggieland, but I am asking
you to not attend the Aggie Bonfire on the Texas A&M
University campus in 2002 and beyond. My reasoning comes down
to two basic points:
Although as a regular attendee of Bonfire through the 80's and 90's
I enjoyed the tradition, I believe we should leave the 20th century
tradition in the 20th century because continuing Bonfire in
this new millenium will cause considerable harm to the University
we care so much for.
If a private group of individuals (e.g. The Association of Former Students)
and companies would like to organize Aggie Bonfire(s) independent of Texas A&M
University (so TAMU was not responsible or liable in any way), then I might
support such an activity and would consider attending if invited [there is something
about the telling of "The Last Corp Trip" followed by the singing of "Spirit" that gets to me].
However, I can not in good conscience support in any way an Aggie Bonfire that is
on the Texas A&M campus or affiliated with the official operations of any part of TAMU.
This may be labeled "bad bull" and I might be labeled a "two-percenter"
and be reminded of the number of directions Highway 6 runs, but I believe
one of the things a university should impart to the individuals that attend
it is the ability to think for themselves.
Every Aggie will have to make
their own decision about the Bonfire tradition and its relationship to
Texas A&M University in the future.
This is mine... if TAMU is involved, I can't justify supporting it.
It won't be the same.
The price is too high.
I won't be there.
Sincerely (and Gig'em),
Jack (John K.) Perdue '86^H^H96 --
http://parasol.tamu.edu/people/jack/
Fish Camp Halbouty '82
Ph.D. Student / System Analyst II - Dept. of Computer Science
11-year Bronze Member of the AFS's Century Club
Texas A&M University
[Update - Feb. 4, 2002 - TAMU President Ray Bowen has
announced
that Aggie Bonfire will not burn on the Texas A&M University campus in 2002.
The fate of future Bonfires has been left in the
hands of his successor.]
[Update - Nov., 2002 - I was interviewed by National Public Radio for their
report on "renegade" bonfires (RealPlayer required).]
[Update - Feb. 26, 2003 - TAMU President Robert M. Gates has
announced
that Aggie Bonfire will not burn on the Texas A&M University campus until
all pending litigation against the university has been resolved.]
[Update - Nov. 18, 2004 - Today we dedicated the
Bonfire Memorial. Although most the speakers
were respectful of the feelings of families and students and remained neutral on the subject
of future Aggie Bonfires, former Aggie Yell Leader and Red Pot (one of the many "Pots" that supervise the construction of Bonfire) Texas Governor
Rick Perry felt compelled to reiterate
his longstanding desire
to see 'the day Bonfire returns to campus'.
I, personally, found his remarks inappropriate and divisive in what otherwise was
a spectacular showing of Aggie Spirit. I am sure there was at least one family
member of the deceased present that grimaced at the thought as well. The podium
yesterday was for remembering what we had lost, not for advocating a position
on the future of Aggie Bonfire. Despite his former roles as Yell Leader and
Red Pot, as Governor of the State of Texas, he should've
been a bit more respectful of other views on this day.
[Update - November 19, 2004 - Today it was announced that seven families
of the injured and deceased have settled with former Bonfire construction
supervisors ("Red Pots"). Litigation against others involved continues.]
I may regret this later, but I welcome your comments. If you think
you have something to add, then please
send it to me and I'll consider including it on this site.
For a more detailed presentation on the downside of Bonfire, see
The Touchstone's "BONFIRE SPECIAL COVERAGE",
their Bonfire page,
and Dr. Hugh Wilson's "Dumb as Dirt"
page.
Last updated November 19, 2004
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