Against Kent State (?), there was some sort of youth jump rope half time performance. One of the baselines used in the background was Gary Glitter's "Rock 'n' Roll"  (www.youtube.com/watch). Personally I think it's a catchy tune; one of the best stadium jams. However, Gary Glitter is a convicted sex offender (child pornography). And while often I'm able to separate a man from his work, I can no longer rest easy hearing this song played at the Convo with knowledge of his past.

The song is also typically played before the start of the second half. (It's the "Hey.... You SUCK!" song).

The poll question is to see if this is an appropriate song to be played at Ohio University events.

(Side note: At the Penn State game it was staggering for me to hear the student section do their traditional "Rock 'n' Roll" chant in light of all the recent events www.youtube.com/watch)

This is not a crusade for abused children. Or Christian music in the Convo. I don't care what the University of Connecticut does. Or any other school for that matter. Ohio University is my alma mater. This issue is simple. There are a seemingly infinite number of songs that could be played during sporting events. Ohio University doesn't permit profanity. Should they play songs that were composed/ performed by child sex offenders? The transitional cost to a new song is negligible.

To me all I'm hearing from the yes side is:

Yes: "It's a cool song."

Me: "He's a child sex offender."

Yes: "But it sounds so good."

If it didn't sound so good, why even bother playing the song? If we should still play it. Why? What do we gain? What do we lose by not playing it?

Ohio University gets to pick what message it sends to the world. Although the choices may be arbitrary, they are OUr choices.

P.S. I'm willing to overlook a musician's personal vices surrounding open drug use, petty crime, or homosexuality on a public scale because often they are not explicitly referenced in the song (at least not in the ones played at Ohio University sporting events). The real envelop pushing stuff is typically left for private consumption. But I don't !%&$ with child sex offenders. That's where my line is. Where's yours?

Last Edited: 2/26/2013 9:25:18 PM by cc-cat

- cc cat,

Both the moment of silence and refusing to play Gary Glitter take about the same amount of energy. Except the impact of the moment of silence in the Convo that day has no impact on the future. Refusing to play catchy tunes made by child sex offenders does make an impact on the future. At least in Athens, Ohio, USA. (although admittedly very a small one)

To your other point, moments of silence don't send messages. Period. All I can remember from the moment of silence last year against Central Michigan was just as it was ending, some guy yelled "McBroom you suck" from the Old Zone side. Who/what was it even for?

We don't need to rehash our past conversation cc cat. But if you'd like, I'd love to hear about how the Newtown shooting has changed your life since the thread died on the General Board. And then we can compare and contrast those life changes to the ones the Batman shooting made on your life. And we'll just keep working back from there.

If some child sex abuse victims from Provo, Utah make the news next week I'll say the same thing to you as I did about Newtown. I personally don't care about these kids because I didn't even know them. (And guess what, I'll say it again, you don't either.)

This is about controlling something we can control. We have a choice to keep the presence of a known pedophile out of OUr house.

Self-accountability is not and never has been a slippery slope. 

Last Edited: 2/27/2013 12:58:10 AM by Tim Burke