a shrine of insignificance

KLBJFB@AOL.COM wrote a comment to my post about the “Beat the Hell Outta Obama” Shirts and I decided it was best to address her email. I apologize if I get pedantic and maybe a bit elitist before I start.

I found your comment as I “Googled” this to try and find out where I could get one of the shirts that I have heard about.

First of all, that was a letter, or a blog post, not a just a mere comment, please don’t degrade my work. Secondly, googled is in the dictionary no need for quotes.

I am an Aggie Mom. I dated an Aggie in the 70’s, had a cousin that was an Aggie and so far two of my four kids are currently Aggies and hopefully the other two will be when they are older. Hey, even my neighbors are Aggies.

This does not make you an Aggie.

Trust me, I have the Aggie spirit and I see NOTHING wrong with this shirt.

No you don’t. The Aggie spirit is a family spirit that should be amicable. This shirt at best implies that Obama supporters are being bad Aggies, at worst advocating violence against a candidate for the Presidency.

I would wear it PROUDLY.

I’m sure Nazis said the same thing about the swastika, this does not mean its right.

I, too, love my country and because of that would do ANYTHING I could to keep this man out of office.

I believe you love a characterization of the country, not the country itself and what the founding fathers really set out to build. Would you really do anything? Should I call the FBI and inform them of your plans to assassinate him or are you just full of hot air. And why? Why would a hard-working highly-intelligent American who has overcome a difficult childhood to obtain success and who cares about preserving American lives and restoring strength to our economy be in any way detrimental to this nation.

No one is promoting physical violence, nor is it actually being promoted when used as a catchy slogan during football, etc?

The only other time people at A&M have used “Beat the Hell Outta” to apply to a person since I came to A&M in 2000 was for Osama bin Laden. I think the implication is clear, if you are an Aggie.

I am sure you have said a few “Beat the Hell Outta t.u.” a few times? Did you actually go “whoop their butts, pound them in the ground, draw blood?”

You know what I haven’t, I don’t like either term, I think they detract from the honor and dignity of being an Aggie and personally, I’d prefer Aggies to hold themselves to higher standards than students at other Universities.

Are you saying that Obama’s life is more valuable than our college players?

A part of me wants to say yes I do. Don’t get me wrong I believe that all human life is sacred, but I do not believe that all people’s contributions are equal. Unless you are claiming you are a Socialist, which I doubt, then I bet you agree. A constitutional law scholar, US Senator, and candidate for President has contributed significantly more to society than a guy who throws a ball.

If the saying is good enough for the opponents of the Aggies why is it not good enough for the opponent of the Republicans?

Aggie does not equal Republican. The phrase is an Aggie phrase and co-opting it for political gain is wrong.

If you are so “ashamed to be an Aggie” perhaps you should speak with Michelle Obama. I think y’all have something in common.

Michelle Obama is also a highly intelligent, successful person who I would love to have the chance to speak with. And nothing is more American or more Aggie-like than to feel like America or A&M mean something and should not be cheapened by people who don’t even understand what it means.

So leave your Aggie ring on your dresser.

I wear my ring every day and I know what it means and what being an Aggie is about.

We don’t want to embarrass you by association.

Again, you are not an Aggie.

Now where did you say I could get one of those shirts?

P.S. Gig’em McCain

I think maybe you should look here instead. It seems to be more your mindset.

Filed under: General on September 5th, 2008