You have got to be kidding me. Way to completely blow things out of proportion. First of all, when Shapiro made these remarks, he was speaking for the Tavern League, not for the Nitty Gritty. To boycott his establishment is just plain wrong.

Second, we students are being a little ignorant here. The world does not revolve around us. The ALRC makes a valid argument, if students are given a vote, why shouldn’t other large populations be given a vote too? It opens Pandora’s Box and gives any group that feels underrepresented to clamor for a vote. Why should students get a vote and not the African American population or Latinos? What about single moms? Shouldn’t they get a vote too?

Third, I don’t think the Badger Herald grasps what it takes to keep the ALRC running efficiently. Meetings usually last five to six hours. Adding another voting member will likely extend this.

Finally, I agree with Shapiro that a student would not be qualified to vote on the ALRC. Simply reading the procedures isn’t enough. A student needs more experience than a night at Brats can give.

Shapiro is not insulting our intelligence. He is just being honest about what it takes to understand the consequences. Students aren’t far enough removed from the drinking culture that exists on this campus. I’m sorry but how you drink when you are 20 will not be how you drink when you are 25. Being on the committee isn’t just about bars and drinking. It is about regulating alcohol throughout the city. How would someone that is 20 and not even legally able to drink be able to understand the ramifications of their actions?

This is your perfect example of running something sensational to draw attention to yourself without actually thinking it through. Disgusting.

To add, when you boycott the Nitty, you are not just affecting Shapiro. Students work there too. Students that depend on tips to pay their rent or living expenses. So lets boycott them too? Eh?

Ok 12:45 is not a student. Just a fact. Going out of the way to say “we students”… really? Busted. Is that you Marsh? Or Lee taking over for the Marshal already?

Yeah, 12:45 a.m., you are totally not a student. I heard his comments at that meeting and they belittled my intelligence as a UW-Madison student.

Although many of 12:45s comments were incorrect, you have to remember that Mr. Shapiro is representing the Tavern League, and not the Nitty Gritty. I am an employee at the Gritty, and over %90 of our staff are UW Madison students. Most of our income, especially the wait staff, comes from tips. By boycotting the Gritty, you are taking away from the same people you are trying to help, students. There are other more constructive ways to vent your frustration. Thanks.

12:45 here - believe what you want, but I am a student. But really what difference does it make? Maybe you should spend less time deciding if I am a student or not and more time creating an argument to back up your views. How was your intelligence belittled?

Incorrect? Did you even read what I wrote. That is exactly what I said.

I think 12:45 is missing a huge point of this article and the intent of having a student on the ALRC. That point being that the areas surrounding campus are rampant with bars and alcohol laden places that aren’t suitable for students under the age of 21. As a student, one of few, who didn’t relish in the alcohol pervasive drinking culture of UW-Madison while under the age of 21, I know this problem all too well. Even though I am now 21 and fully able to drink, I still often struggle to see any real suitable options for entertainment within walking distance of campus that don’t involve alcohol. The student voice is the voice that is most in touch with this area of Madison and this very problem. Your argument that students don’t know the ramifications of their actions is BS. The only students that would care to try and get a seat at the ALRC table are those who would take a serious and active interest in the goings-on of the committee and would, therefore, fully understand what they were doing. You sure you’re a student, because you just called the student body incompetent (like Shapiro did, apparently?) 1:21: If you are a student employee of the Nitty Gritty and a real boycott were to take place, its not like you have no options. If you were seriously concerned about your job and student rights at the same time, you would organize a petition right now among fellow employees to give to Mr. Shapiro stating your desire for him to consider a change in his position. Student’s have an incredible amount of influence in local and campus policies, if only we take advantage of that power more often and use it to show that we are serious about ourselves as a group. Don’t believe me? The ASM legislative affairs chair was asked by Senator Tom Harkin yesterday to give student input on the current student loan reform bill. Why? Because students at UW-Madison have taken a stance against some of the proposed changes. Tell Shapiro if you are concerned about your job and take action to convince him to change his stance before the student body changes their stance in regard to the Nitty.

Really? Really? You really think that we should get a vote on the regulation of alcohol licenses throughout the city. Any student that would be appointed to the ALRC would have a most, what, 2 years of legal consumption under their belt. Just because you have had two years of going out to the bars on weekends does not mean you have the experience or objectivity to regulate the licensing of establishments in the city. In fact, the fact that we rely on the bars scene so much means we are too close to the issue to really judge it effectively. You say we’re intelligent and mature enough to handle a position like this, but then when someone disagrees with you, you throw a hissy fit like a five year-old and say that we should no longer patronize that representative’s establishment. Grow up. He is doing his duty as a representative of the Tavern League to look out for the best interests of that organization. I am getting real sick and tired of both papers and how much of “holier-than thou” hippie-douches they are acting as. Just because you have a paper that is distributed to campus doesn’t mean you, or the student population, are entitled to everything you think you are. Reality is a cold bitch, live with it. As for students “learn the nuances of our segregated fee system in a matter of weeks”. Get real, no one, not even the people who pushed that piece of garbage through, really know the nuances of that system.

You are the perfect example of a student who thinks the world revolves around them. The ALRC deals with issues throughout the city, not just around campus. Why do you need a voting member for the students to have a voice? Mark Woulf is currently the ASM representative to the ALRC. Why can’t he raise such an issue? The ALRC isn’t going to ignore something if there is a valid point involved.

But I kind of think your argument is moot, the ALRC deals with alcohol. It seems that your problem is the lack of non-alcohol related entertainment around campus. Why would the ALCOHOL License Review Committee concern itself with something that doesn’t deal with alcohol?

Pretend an arcade wants to come to campus. It is my understanding that if they did not want to serve alcohol, what need would it have to go to the ALRC? If you are looking ways to have fun by not drinking, what does the ALRC have to do with it?

I think that the argument was completely on point. The Nitty is one of the few go to bars on this campus. They should be supporting us. For him to claim that he is explicitly against it without even hearing us out frustrates me and most of the student body. We should have a say. All I read about from the BH lately is how a bunch of old white people make all the decisions and the students get pissed and revolt. They don’t represent us. If the students are 1/4 of this city then we get a say just as everyone else. It is time to start placing authority on the younger generation. We have new thoughts and actually CARE about what happens to this city. If you are old enough, you lose that connection. Most of us live at the capital. Where do they live? How often are they walking around Madison? Seriously 12:45? You don’t think we should have any say?

Students need a seat at the table. The other voting reps on ALRC represent a certain constituency. The “technical advisers” all represent an interest group (UW, Tavern League). Students are not an interest group, we are a constituency, we are a major part of this city and care about alcohol licensing. So give us a vote.

1:58: What are you talking about with regards to the segregated fees system? What is “that piece of garbage?” Sounds to me like you are a member of CFACT, CWC or any other group who has been denied GSSF status and are lashing out against the SSFC in an article that has almost nothing to do with ASM. Maybe you need to grow up, too. Also, I’m already annoyed with the argument that consumption has ANYTHING to do with students being able to have a voice in this issue. Its not about consumption, as was pointed out by 12:45 originally. The issues are deeper than student’s desire to consume alcohol and where we do it. You say that Mark Woulfe should be able to represent the student voice, but if we cannot even be taken seriously by someone who so clearly benefits from our presence, why would the rest of the body have any care what we have to say? 2:03: The need for non alcohol related spaces near campus has a direct tie to the ALRC and the fact that they can decide what spaces get alcohol licenses. The landlords of these buildings are going to see a bar as much more profitable and will naturally take a bar over an arcade. The ALRC could act as a body to limit the continued growth of alcohol-serving establishments in the campus area. The two aren’t perfectly intertwined, I’ll admit that, but thats not to say that students shouldn’t have a say either way.

@1:58

Do not assume that because you have the competence of the drunk knuckle-dragging stereotype Shapiro casts that the rest of us do too. I’m on the SSFC; we have 2 meetings scheduled per week from 5:30pm to midnight, are currently going through 1200 pages of budgets in about 4 weeks, have been involved in 6 or 7 federal lawsuits during the past 10 years and have yet to lose one. We manage a $3.5 million bus pass to all 40,000 students, provide funding for hundreds of student groups on campus, and review and recommend on a mountain of other things such as the new Union South & renovated Memorial Union ($100 million projects), UHS, and Recreational Sports (the SERF and NAT). All told, we are responsible for working on student behalf to safeguard the $38 million segregated fee budget. We know what we’re doing, and we understand the nuances of the system. Quite simply, any student capable of doing that is capable of sitting effectively on the ALRC.

12:09: The comment clearly doesn’t mean that we physically live at the capitol. The point is that we live nearer to the capitol than any of the members who are on the committee, and therefore have a more at-hand view of what happens at bars in the area surrounding the capitol and on the isthmus. The “old white people” comment wasn’t about the ALRC directly, it was about the decision making process of things in general. You might want to take your facts and get them straight as well, instead of bending them to make your points more solid.

Glad to see that Marsh Shapiro has nothing better to do than constantly refresh his web browser and leave anonymous comments on a Badger Herald article.

Actually, there are members from every part of the city on the committee. There is a member on the ALRC that lives on the square. Verveer lives in the Bassett district. One member lives close to the Cardinal Bar. To say that no members on the ALRC live around the capitol or on the Isthmus is just wrong. Please don’t tell me to get my facts straight when yours aren’t even close to accurate.

Dear Badger Herald Editorial Board,

I am attending the same school as you guys/gals, and am recieving the same education. Because of that, I can also read the story, determine/analyze the facts, and form my own conclusions. Therefore, I don’t need you telling me what to think, how to feel, nor where to spend my money. Do you think journalism means calling for a boycott of everyone who disagrees with you? I think once again you’ve embarassed yourselves with opinion piece. The funniest part is, you think a student body, 8% of whom actually participate in ASM elections will bond together against a local pub owner and break him. Additionally, I find it disturbing that in this economy your so quick to threaten the jobs of your fellow students because someone gave an opinion you didn’t like. This shows real maturity and I’m sure this will solve the problem. Here’s another idea, maybe UW-Madison students should boycott you until you grow up. In the meantime, I’ll be at the Nitty.

this is awesome!!! i love reading this stupid shit!!! Lets get Jerry Springer out here and settle it “Jerry” style!!

The sad truth is, is that I know the Editorial Board write these articles just for attention, and that they feel when lots of messages are left, regardelss of content, they have been succesful. Unfortunately this childish, sensational piece will be deemed a success by the Board just b/c there are a lot of comments, even though those comments clearly demonstrate the quite rediculous nature of the “boycott” tht is called for.

@3:11 “First off, nobody has told you �what to think, how to feel, or where to spend your money.� That is exactly what they are doing by telling us to boycott the Nitty

I actually thought it was a good opinion piece. You all do realize that boycotts are a legimate form of protest? What would you suggest as another method of getting Shapiro’s attention? He blatently insulted us, and this calls for a response.

Whomever believes that students don’t deserve a voting seat need to re-examine how students currently relate to the committee. Students, as well as the Tavern League, are advisory members. So if the students get a vote, why shouldn’t the Tavern League? IT’S SIMPLE! The Tavern League manages the bars and have an extremely vested interest in selecting which locations get licenses. Students are the patrons of these bars, especially downtown and it is an insult that the primary users are cut out of the actual decision making process.

I’ll keep my business elsewhere until that changes.

So how many students are active on the Ped & Bike commission? That affects more students than the ALRC, yet no one is up in arms about them. Students don’t need a vote on the ALRC. How many years are their decisions going to affect you? 3? 4? Unless you plan on staying in Madison after graduation, the decisions that the ALRC makes don’t mean a hill of beans to students in the long-run. As it was mentioned in an earlier comment, students also have (OK, technically should have) very little experience with bars and alcohol. How can anyone speak intelligently on a topic that you have little experience on? I also wonder if there was any more to what Marsh had to say. I find it hard to believe that he would deliberately try to alienate a large contingent of his customers and his employees for that matter. Sorry BH Board, but I’m against you on this one. I will NOT stop giving the Nitty my business. In fact, I may double it to make up for some of you sheep that will follow everything the BH prints.

Actually, Bryon Eagon already represents us on the Ped/Bike commission. So not a good example. But the Cultural Arts District Board is. And we do represent a significant amount of business to tavern owners. So I would like to see the council at least take us seriously when we ask for a “seat at the table”, if you will. While it is hard to believe Marsh would say such things personally, I think as a representative of the Tavern owners association, he is merely trying to assert his rights and the rights of fellow bar owners in the city, and secure what is and has been a very profitable situation in the City of Madison with respect to the ALRC. For Marsh, change with regard to alcohol licensing could very easily be expensive, bad news for him. We have to remember that Marsh is not speaking for himself in this matter, but for all of the Madison Bars that are part of the Tavern League. So we can’t just take on Marsh, and not consider the rest of the bars in the Tavern League in the same light. And that would require all of us boycotting not only the Nitty, but also just about every establishment in Dane County that has a liquor license. See: http://www.tlw.org/search/tresult.asp?type=3

I appreciate the Badger Herald Editorial Board’s work in bringing this issue to light — and if there is any way to grab a students attention, it’s to tell them not to go to the place that gives them free beer, a shot of ice cream sundae and a balloon on their birthday. I’d say by the sheer volume of comments here, Ed Board, you’ve succeeded in grabbing the spotlight.

Students do deserve a spot on this committee. If there is any way to bridge a town and gown gap, it’s to include both community members and students in discussions around things that pertain to both parties. Bars are certainly one part of this city that can be rallied around. I grew up in East Lansing, Michigan during the riots of the late 1990’s and I can tell you first hand that when the students relationship with the city falters, the result is not pretty.

Additionally, Mr. Shapiro is wrong to think that student are not capable of serving in such a capacity. I think State Statute 36.09(5)and its position on students in university governance is a great example of how the State of Wisconsin has trusted student leadership and oversight to have a say in making BIG decisions surrounding University policy and budgets. Clearly the policies and nuances of the ALRC are no more complex and could be equally as manageable to student participants.

you’re idiots

Let me just say,

Eagon’s measure passed the CCOC (Common Council Organization Committee), and it was only because Schumacher wanted it referred to ALRC that it even went there. He was concerned because of his prior deal-making on the non-voting position that folks he had dealt with then would feel burned by Bryon’s full voting proposal. Bryon’s proposal does away with the non-voting ASM rep. and students from Edgewood and MATC will be encouraged to apply, in addition to UW.

The council votes on this one. Expect a floor fight. Also, this is part of a bigger change to the ALRC. The extra member is getting added because we’re adding an additional city council member to the body, and we need an odd number of commissioners.

As a note to 9:45, Bryon & I both sit on Ped-Bike, so you’ve got one current student, and one recent student well-familiar with campus on it.

Actually, Bryon Eagon already represents us on the Ped/Bike commission. So not a good example. But the Cultural Arts District Board is. And we do represent a significant amount of business to tavern owners. So I would like to see the council at least take us seriously when we ask for a “seat at the table”, if you will. While it is hard to believe Marsh would say such things personally, I think as a representative of the Tavern owners association, he is merely trying to assert his rights and the rights of fellow bar owners in the city, and secure what is and has been a very profitable situation in the City of Madison with respect to the ALRC. For Marsh, change with regard to alcohol licensing could very easily be expensive, bad news for him. We have to remember that Marsh is not speaking for himself in this matter, but for all of the Madison Bars that are part of the Tavern League. So we can’t just take on Marsh, and not consider the rest of the bars in the Tavern League in the same light. And that would require all of us boycotting not only the Nitty, but also just about every establishment in Dane County that has a liquor license.

This is just dumb. I’m sure the owners of the Plaza and Wando’s are all about student involvement. Does Shapiro even have the power to put a student on the committee? Because if he doesn’t who the hell cares about boycotting his bar?

Grow up BH. This is typical out-of-touch journalists thinking they know anything about how to get shit done. Well….you don’t.

One person on a board will not change anything. 1 dollar power hour drinks? I’m sure everyone is going to boycott that. Way to be fair and objective as usual badger herald!

Great retort to this article on Dane101.com

http://www.dane101.com/current/2009/10/23/dailycardinalandbadgerheraldcallfornittygrittyboycottis_misguided

i’m a student and i would have to say Shapiro is right too. we have no reason to be dealing with alcohol regulation….i think we are a little biased when it comes to alcohol. also i’d have to agree that boycotting the nitty isn’t the right answer, and you are blowing it out of proportion.

and as a loyal patron of the nitty gritty I won’t be boycotting the bar that gives $1 drinks every night. there is always a huge line wrapped around the gritty, so good luck with your boycott!

you guys are giving madison students a bad name by showing ignorance and arrogance in assuming we should have a say in everything that we don’t have the knowledge or resource to comment on. Just because we frequent the downtown bars doesn’t mean we know the ins and outs of the business or legal side of alcohol regulation.

we’re not talking “full scale takeover” of the committee here — just ONE representative vote, made by someone who is hopefully well versed in the topic at hand.

To be honest, I dont see why we deserve a voting position on the board. There’s a large chunk of students here at this university who are all about ‘getting drunk’ and having a good time. Hell, I’m a part of it as well. With that being said, that culture’s perspective on the matter is heavily tainted. I have a hard time believing a student’s voting position on the board would look at the same wide array of factors that voters currently do. Instead, they’d be more likely to look at “it’s a great place to go, I’ll vote against your motion.”

Yeah, but if you went to college here, or lived in Madison your whole life, you might have the same kind of “oh, I love that bar!” kind of biases. I understand what you mean by having ‘critical distance’ from that perspective, but I don’t think it would effect a student representative’s judgment, not when faced with the decorum of a city government committee.

It sounds as if the editorial board is advocating blackmail to achieve what they interpret to be their right. Pretty slippery slope. Shapiro could sue them for blackmail. I’m a first year law student. HMMMM… sounds like something I might enjoy learning about.

It sounds as if the editorial board is advocating blackmail to achieve what they interpret to be their right. Pretty slippery slope. Shapiro could sue them for blackmail. I’m a first year law student. HMMMM… sounds like something I might enjoy learning about.

I will be going to the Nitty Gritty tonight, and it will be wonderful without all of the boycotting assholes there! Soooo excited!!!

I totally don’t get this. Shapiro states his opinion in a meeting, a fairly innocuous opinion, that students shouldn’t be a part of the votes. Just his opinion, maybe misguided.

Why is a boycott of one of his bars the next step? This seems so stupid and juvenile. Why couldn’t you have written an editorial board op/ed saying all this, but without the command to students to boycott the bar? That would have been a much more dignified way to get Shapiro to change his mind. By doing so, your voice would appeal to Shapiro through reason, rather than putting him in a position that forces him to comply.

Unlike the editorial board, I don’t take Shapiro’s opinion so personally as to compare it to being spat in the face. Nor did I take it, as one commenter put it, as a “blatent [sic] insult.”

Anyway, like I said, this is just stupid. A stunningly disproportionate and ridiculous response to one statement made in a meeting.

Yo, Mr. Shapiro, imma let you finish but…

The Nitty Gritty is next to Witte, like thier food that’s itty bitty, their birthday song is pretty shitty, says no student vote on the committee, every day they kill a baby kitty.

-RJ Dio PS, Last time I checked, you shouldn’t advertise mini corn dogs as corn dogs. Corn dogs have real hot dogs in them.

It’s an opinion section and you are projecting your views onto other students, for shame. Not only that but it isn’t a subtle hint either, or simply a cry to be heard. You teamed up with the Daily Cardinal to saturate the student newspapers with your undifferentiated opinion and, in the case of the daily cardinal, “forcefully ask for you to boycott the Nitty Gritty” it’s irresponsible. It really looks like the editorial staffs both wholeheartedly care about having a say about the downtown and campus businesses, where most of the students they are trying to empower work, with comments like “We demand that the mayor create a student voting seat or students must make their economic and electoral impact felt on other parts of the city.” So you want to be a part of the decision process or the city of Madison will pay? You really must have the students best interests at heart if your willing to have your tantrum could hurt the city you love oh so dearly. I’m sold. For the record, I’m a student and a bartender for one of the many establishments Mr. Shapiro represents with his position. Hopefully you jackasses don’t figure out he represents more than just the Nitty’s feelings on the issue and make your economic and electoral wraith felt on where I work.

Hah what a joke. So I have read the articles and everyone’s comments. I have to say that @2:40 says it the best. This boycott might hurt the Gritty this weekend (maybe the lines won’t be around the corner during power hour) but come next weekend it will be back to normal and everyone will be buying $1 rail mixers. I mean how many of the people that are drinking at the bars really care if there is a student voter on the ALRC. Go and try to boycott the Gritty and hurt Marsh’s business. I am pretty sure he has enough saved up in the bank from the past 30 years. Not to mention he is selling the place.

The badger herald is boycotting the nitty? Sounds good to me. Less tools. Now if only you could boycott the plaza and I can start going there again.

Students should be boycotting the ALRC. The Nitty is a private bar; by what right does everyone in the community dictate how the owner operates his business? By no right.

Instead of trying to “have a say” (which really means force, since the ALRC is an agency of regulation), if you don’t agree with what taverns are doing, start your own.

Just a little tid-bit for those who keep saying how the student body is 1/4 of Madison, you better check your facts. In a matter of seconds you can figure out that students are actually less than 1/5 of the city. Sounds stupid, but making false statements proves the negligence of the BH and Cardinal Staffs, and shows how they are trying to spin facts. Your large slice of pie isn’t so large!

I hope the Tavern League in turn boycotts the Herald. Goodbye, advertising.

The number of clearly non-students commenting on this article posing as students is simply ridiculous. There is a good steady stream of them coming about one an hour. Notice how they all never repeat the exact same arguments and instead just choose to say they agree with someone who commented right before them and then add a new argument or at least a fairly different reiteration of and old argument. They all use complete sentences and proper grammar and capitalization. Clearly there is an effort by one of a couple of people to try to make it seem like informed students that care about these issues don’t all agree with the Herald Ed Board. Fail.

I was wondering about this, but how does a student in the ALRC help the student community?

Both the Daily Cardinal and Badger Herald articles are too focused on opposing Shapiro to really give a clear-cut reason.

It said something about how it would help give the 18+ students a place safe from alcohol. But it doesn’t say how this miracle will happen. There are no mentions of plans or ideas.

There’s plenty to do during the day, you got the museums, the stores, and the coffee shops. I’m not so sure about the night-time, since I don’t stay on State Street until the very late hours, but I’ve seen there’s still plenty to do. The thing is, if students are specifically looking for alcholic drinks, there’s no real way to stop that.

Its true though, with the old movie theatre replaced with apartments and the Union South now a crater, there’s been a slight drop in night-choices. But what they really should do is raise more awareness of what the campus does have to offer. There’s the clubs and activites students could join, the Hoofers, the late-night craft sessions, and others as well. There’s the guest lectures they could attend to at the Memorial Union (they used to advertise those on cards at the lunch tables, but all they’ve currently been advertising are whatever contest the Union is having). Plus, there’s those free movies you can watch on the weekend (I’ve been to a couple of them for class assignments, but I don’t remember who hosts the movies, which goes to show they should advertise that more).

I’m not sure why the Badger Herald is so interested in recreating State Street into some sort of student paradise when we’re not the only people in Madison. It’s even weirder since they don’t know what this student paradise would look like.

The boycott worked amazingly last night… the Nitty was packed all night long

Hey. Fuck you guys.

if you are just finding out that Marsh is a douchebag, you’re a little late. He takes your money and hates your guts at the same time. Patronize some business where the owner actually is grateful for it and treats students like human beings instead of patronizing them like a toddler watching his children’s show…

I must agree with the first comment: Way to completely blow things out of proportion.

Mr. Shapiro has absolutely nothing to do about designating a permanent seat for students on the ALRC, and neither does anybody else on that committee for that matter.

Bryon Eagon needs to bring his proposed modifications of 33.02 in Madison’s Code of Ordinances to the Common Council for deliberation and vote.

This editorial is completely irresponsible of the Badger Herald, in what should be their goals to better educate the student body on how our local systems of government work.

HEY LOOK AT ME IM MARSH I HAVE MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH STEVE LAVIN!

This editorial is a good argument for NOT having student representation.

When someone voices an opinion these students don’t agree with they attempt to beat him into submission by calling for a campus-wide boycott to drive him out of business. Imagine if they had a voice on the ALRC. Undoubtedly they’d be clamoring to have the owner’s license revoked.

Maybe these writers should spend more time trying to persuade those with whom they disagree and less time organizing posses.

Dear Boycotters, You are slacking, can you pick it up? The line out the door was longer then ever last night. I could barley push my way through the crowded bar to get my beloved ONE DOLLAR drinks. It was hard to my find my friends over the balloons of the 50+ BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS added just yesterday.

It is my birthday soon, which venue will the Badger Herald be hosting a celebration where I get endless beer all night? This way I can make sure to prove to Marsh how crazy he is for not wanting to let an underage student represent the student population regarding regulations for bars they are not legally able to attend.

Sorry Badger Herald, that was a good attempt at student activism. However, there are much more important issues out there with much more backing arguments. I just don’t think you are going to be able to keep many people away from that irresistible Gritty Sauce. Maybe next time just keep it to an anti-shout out.

Do students who live in the 4th District need to boycott as well?

I would just like to add some info to the debate…Marsh Shapiro doesn’t have a voting right as a member of this board. Neither does Katherine Plominski, the Alcohol Policy Coordinator for the UW. Most members of the ALRC don’t have voting rights. So before you go freaking out students (FYI, I am one), know your facts. The reason a student rep would have a non-voting position is because most of the other people don’t vote…it’s called a “conflict of interest.” The student who spends 2-3 years max on this committee would have a vote over the people who work, live and decide these decisions for the campus? Sounds bullshit to me.

Headline should really be: Nitty Gritty, the latest Badger Herald target. Don’t get angry at this article, accept it for what it is…the Badger Herald’s constant need to smear a name known on campus because they feel students are gullible enough to believe anything they write. Unfortunately, the students at UW-Madison see write through this and skip right to the NY Times crossword.

Echo Tap!

I have worked with Marsh for years.Marsh was paying a living wage and offering health insurance to ALL his employees,most of whom are college students-long before any other employers on campus felt this was necessary.Marsh pays for two scholarships every semester,awarded to the two employees with the best grades.Marsh has written countless letters of recommendation for his student employees over the years,helping many to get into Grad school or opening the door to a job in that student’s field.Marsh is well known for offering rides to his college student employees to and from work when the weather is bad.The Shapiro’s have for years invited student employees to their own house for Thanksgiving dinner,when someone is stranded in Madison and has nowhere to go.The Shapiro’s have given generously to many charities,including the AIDS network,Second Harvest Food bank,and the West High Theater restoration to name a few.On his day off,Marsh has delivered food for Meals on Wheels.I wonder if the people writing nasty stuff about Marsh have done even a small fraction of the good deeds and community service he has.The man took over a bankrupt bar 40 years ago,and through his and Susan Shapiro’s hard work,built it up into a thriving business.Marsh meant no disrespect to the students he has employed,fed,and cared about for nearly half a century.Let the Shapiro’s retire in peace.They are kind people,totally undeserving of the Herald’s cheap hatchet job.

I do understand why the Badger Herald staff threw a tantrum and did a sleazy smear job on Marsh.With serious journalism on it’s way to extinction,the BH editorial staff needs to prepare for their future career at some supermarket check out line tabloid.Trashing an innocent man is a great way to start.

I see you added the word Gritty, making it the Nitty Gritty on your countdown. Thats a good step. I almost feel bad for all the negative comments that you are receiving.

You do have representation: Ald. Bryon Eagon�s, District 8, is your representative. Students are residents but they are an interest group. It’s the same as any restaurant owner who lives in Madison, a resident with a special interest!

Marsh represents the Tavern League, with a non voting position. It’s the same with the student position. If you propose a boycott, boycott all Madison restaurants/bars that belong to the Tavern League.

As a student myself, I can only laugh at the sense of entitlement that students on this campus have. Most of us are transients, here for 4-6 years and then gone. We have no real sense of how the community outside of campus is. We inhabit only one small portion of the city. We have a district representative, but because we’re students, we feel that we are entitled to more, more more.

Or, in short, to the BH editorial staff, I can only say, BAWWWWW more.

Mr Shapiro doesn’t represent the Nitty? He IS the Nitty you idiots! Boycotting the Nitty is boycotting HIM! DURRRR!

I freaking love the Nitty Gritty and you will never take it down you crazy liberal hippies!!! DRINK DRANK DRUNK- GO MARSH!

94 comments in and not one person has brought up the drink special ban from a few years ago!!!!

it’s common knowledge that if you don’t participate in politics you will be exploited.

currently, the Madison Alcohol Density Plan, which keeps killing current downtown bars and not allowing new ones to fill the void, is keeps lining these bar owners pockets even if it destroys the vibrance and allure of state street.

if the students don’t get a foot in the door now. it’s only a matter of time till a drink special/state street tax being shoved down your throat. (people are trying to raise the beer tax right now!!)

It’s kinda sad that all the students aren’t behind this. you got to be able to stand up for yourselves.

p.s. I AM NOT JOKING…there was a ‘drink special ban’ copy that into the search box at the top and learn about how our political ignorance leads to you getting exploited in the end.

Nitty Gritty. More like the SHITTY GRITTY! hey-oooo