Before someone chimes in with the, "Oh here's real other side of the story", I'll have to comment.
DelBobcat is accurate on most accounts. But his analysis is not complete; and not fair to post simply as a statement.
I'm a good guy, but I can certainly be a(n) (choice word) when things rub me the wrong way.
I chose to stand in front of those people. I made my quick plea (loud) plea, then faced the game. They were heckling me to sit down after I had stopped, "they couldn't see". But I can stand in whatever open seat I want in that section; regardless of who I obstruct. Some spots intrinsically have more value than than others for one reason or another (the seat at the 50 yard line, the seat next to the cute girl, the seat that will elicit the most impact, etc.)
I'm fully aware of the concept of politeness. I'm also fully aware of the concept of personal responsibility. "You must be the change you want to see in the world." That phrase sounds all warm and fuzzy when you talk about rights, but it applies in all aspects of society; including improving the atmosphere at OHIO sporting events.
I was asked to sit repeatedly; by most involved. The people sitting were not several, they were sitting all the way up to the top from maybe the sixth row in my section. I was yelling in my responses to them. But that was necessary (as I'll explain).
I was asked to sit down immediately on the first attempt by security (not just to be quiet). I wasn't even swearing or verbally attacking any individual (which I've been known to do on occasion if the conditions are right). The crowd could have chosen just not to listen. After the security guard failed. The officer arrived. After he failed (For lack of a better word, because I personally feel he agreed with me. And before he let me go he asked me to stop harassing to the people behind me. I complied.). I returned to my seat and stood.
The (sitting) girls who you referenced were shocked by my return . Turns out they all ran track. I explained to them that I don't care (in the fanatical sense) about the players on the field, or the game itself (it really was a boring game to me). I wanted to sit. I explained to them that I stand because when I stand I make Ohio University look better. I told them that when I stand, more people stand. When more people stand, people watching on TV perceive Ohio University to be better. When people perceive us to be better, the benefits trickle down all the way to the track team. In short, standing makes Ohio University better, and when Ohio University is better, they are better.
They agreed, then all 7 or 8 of them stood next to me...until the last second of the game.
After those girls stood the 5 or so to my right stood, and then maybe another 6 behind me. In all I'd say I was responsible for 18 or so people standing after I returned from being asked to leave the game. There would be more too if it wasn't for the large void spaces created by students leaving at half.
I didn't make this thread to share an "inflated war story". I felt compelled to reply since it happened somewhere else during the game.
I did exactly what I know how to do. And that's accomplish what I set out to do.
P.S. Del,
I generally like your posts. But I LOVE how you act like I wasn't kicked out of the student section.The only reason I was allowed to return after being briefly interrogated and IDed under the bleachers was because I was so convincing to the officer. Certainly the alcohol alone on my breathe would have been sufficient reasoning to remove me from the game.
Last Edited: 10/15/2012 8:05:23 PM by The Situation