Opinion
Of politics and pumpkins
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
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- The Lifetime Achievement Award: ASM (May 7, 2009)
- Honest representation (May 5, 2009)
- Junger for ASM Chair (May 5, 2009)
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In just 16 days, the first unofficial day of Halloween weekend — Thursday, October 27 — will be upon us. Starting that day, and extending for some 72 hours, Madison will be gripped by an influx of masked, oftentimes inebriated revelers in search of one of America's foremost public parties. And, frankly, no one quite knows what to expect.
For the past three years, the event has come to a harsh ending in the morning's pre-dawn hours as tear gas, drunken mobs and police donning riot gear have merged on State Street. The public is being assured that this year will be different. And the city as well as the University of Wisconsin has clearly gone out of its way to ensure that the public has a loud voice in determining just how that will be so. Committees have met, leaders have voiced their opinions and preliminary policies — including school dorm restrictions — have already been announced.
But what has not been announced as of yet is a cogent, coordinated plan. While the school has announced some level of policy and the city has hinted at its own, there has been no coordinated master plan. With various advisory committees offering advice to local officials for much of the past year, the time has now come to process those pieces of constructive criticism and come forward with a cohesive citywide plan for Halloween.
As the calendar brings us increasingly closer to the annual event and people prepare to make plans for the holiday, Madisonians have a right to know what will and will not be happening in their fair town. Residents have done their job, sharing input, ideas and theories with local officials. Now it is time for the city government to do its job, sharing a plan for the evening with the public.
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These childish, immature riots must stop! We cannot and must not let these few losers hell bent on ruining the party for everyone succeed. Halloween is my favorite holiday and it hurts to see the nation's biggest party in jeopardy. I know most people who read this are completely innocent of any wrong doing... but we all need to keep a level head out there and do the right thing. Each and every one of you can make a small difference that, in sum, will help make this year's party a blast and overwhelming success. I challenge you, when the opportunity arises for you to play your role (you will know it when it comes), do what is right and help save the tradition!