OPINION & EDITORIAL
Scare tactics
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
- Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
- $$FC (December 6, 2007)
- In a bind (December 5, 2007)
- Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Hold the pepper (October 26, 2006)
- A sigh of relief (October 30, 2006)
- For Halloween festival, end justifies the means in city's eyes (November 1, 2005)
- Halloween needs your help (September 13, 2006)
- Later bartime would prevent riot (October 13, 2005)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
In the wake of another Halloween celebration that ended in police force and pepper spray, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has had enough. The mayor, who has crusaded against the festivities for some time now, has already begun to rally support for the cancellation of the annual tradition.
We feel this is a tremendous overreaction.
The actions of the crowds on State Street, while at times unruly and idiotic, have not been destructive and dangerous enough to warrant a declaration of martial law. In fact, the celebration has been largely peaceful for the past two years, with no major property damage reported after this year's festivities — save a house fire that occurred some distance from State Street.
Still, the mayor would have us believe that drunken chanting and small bonfires are sufficient rationale to shut down a major commercial area on a night that some businesses report their highest profits of the year. And over the next few months, he'll do all he can to make local business owners and decision-makers agree.
In the aftermath of the most recent chapter of the Halloween saga, it is time to take an honest look at the situation and figure out how to improve the celebration for next year. It is not time to exaggerate and distort the situation for political ends.
We urge the mayor and the police to look at the celebration objectively and determine a responsible course of action rather than using this year's events as a means to complete a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you look for reasons to cancel the tradition, that is all you will find. If you look at what went wrong and how it may be avoided, you may find a solution.
This city does not need knee-jerk decision making and reactionary politics. We need solutions.
Anonymous (November 1, 2005 @ 12:36pm):
So I guess there is such a thing as a fascist liberal? Or is he a liberal fascist? Or if you're a fascist does it matter much if you're left or right wing?
Anonymous (November 1, 2005 @ 1:33pm):
Editors:
I don't know if it's your age or general lack of maturity, but give me a break!!!
I loved Halloween in Madison until a few years ago. It has gotten so out of hand and it just doesn't feel the same anymore. I think most students must realize this, but will do what they can just to keep the party going. I was disapointed when the Mifflin St. block party was shut down after my freshman year at the UW (spring,1996); however, I did realize that fires, assaults and riots are not in the spirit of a good party. Since the party has been reinstated, it seems like things calmed down a bit.
I think Halloween on State St. should be cancelled for at least a year. Maybe then the out-of-town and underage idiots and alcoholics will find another party to ruin while the city and students can work together to find a solution.
Many of the students need to grow up and realize you do not own this city! Of course you contribute a lot and are a big part of the reason why the city is so appealing, but the residents and taxpayers don't necessarily want our mayor and police force to spend an excessive amount of time, energy and money on this weekend just so you can party.
--'99 Alum.
