The Badger Herald: Opinion: Madison police only make things worse

Opinion

Madison police only make things worse

Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.

Also by Letters to the Editor:

Defending Teach For America (November 17, 2009)
BH SLAC-ing on coverage (November 16, 2009)
UW and dead-end diversity (November 13, 2009)
Stop singing immigrant's song (November 11, 2009)
Blind acceptance of global warming bad (November 4, 2009)

By Letters to the Editor
Thursday, May 3, 2007 12:00 a.m.

11 Vote 0 Votes

Before condemning UW students it is of the utmost importance that the Badger Herald ensures that the facts on which they are reporting are indeed correct. Yes, someone had tried to tear down the plastic “tent” in front of Acacia. The altercation occurred once Baker and Schorfheide, brandishing a machete and a pitchfork, approached the group of students. We, being the four arrested UW students, put an end to the situation ourselves after a brief exchange of words and went our separate ways. The Police arrived well after the altercation was completely finished and did absolutely nothing to, in the words of editor Courtney Johnson, “quickly quell the altercation.” The Police arrested Christensen and Halkias as they were entering their residence. Based on a description of the armed students, the Police found Baker and Schorfheide back in their fraternity house and arrested them. The altercation was settled well before the Police ever became involved, and the actions of the Madison Police only further exacerbated a small altercation between students that had been previously resolved once all parties decided to use a little common sense. '

Matthew Christensen UW Senior

11 Comments | Leave a comment

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 1:03 AM | Reply
IP hash: 04ad0ee0

“Before condemning UW students it is of the utmost importance that the Badger Herald ensures that the facts on which they are reporting are indeed correct.”

Yeah, right. When has the Badger Herlad cared about getting the facts straight? Not in my lifetime. And my parents tell me that their coverage of Vietnam-era campus activities was dismal at best.

Most the staff are glib, wanna-be journalists. When they aren’t making up the news or reporting heresy from their friends, they flipping throw a very slim rolladex: Mike Verveer, Mike Hanson, Brian Rust, or some “expert” at UHS.

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 4:14 AM | Reply
IP hash: 7c35366a

The Police were there? Sting makes everything better! - Germain Q. Stemme

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 9:46 AM | Reply
IP hash: 68d3fa3b

Actually, look at your own police report. how is it wrong for a newspaper to report on that?

It looks like your beef is with the police, dude. not some reporter

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 10:01 AM | Reply
IP hash: eb2afcc6

“all parties decided to use a little common sense”

Was that before or after the machete came out?

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 10:39 AM | Reply
IP hash: c1c12d5a

thats what they get for building that stupid tent anyway

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 11:04 AM | Reply
IP hash: bc287aa6

Why can’t we have concealed carry with pitchforks? This is Wisconsin after all. - Germain E. Stemme

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 12:43 PM | Reply
IP hash: a131b6db

If someone pulled out a gun and threatened someone people would want to see them arrested, even if they decided ultimatley to use common sense. A deadly weapon is a deadly weapon and if you don’t think a pitchfork can hurt someone go ask a farmer…and on that subject why did they have a pitchfork and a machete anyways? It’s not like Acacia has a compost pile…

Anonymous | May 3, 2007 2:34 PM | Reply
IP hash: d375c452

Jesus, that has got to be the height of arrogance. People with weapons were threatening others. That’s illegal. I know you’re probably all pretty affluent and used to getting your way, but consider this a little lesson on growing up and remember that you’re not in whatever suburb or small town you grew up in anymore. Nobody is going to make exceptions for you. Break the law and pay the price (at least in theory, I’m sure you’ll get off far easier than some poor kid).