Posted on 02/03/2005 9:18:19 AM PST by Jean S
The leaders of Marquette University are being called "ultra-liberal" by the school's College Republicans after administrators told the group it couldn't raise money for a cause known as "Adopt a Sniper."
The dispute began Monday, when the Marquette student group set up a table in the Alumni Memorial Union along with signs mentioning "Adopt a Sniper," a program of the Pulaski-based non-profit Snipersonline. "Adopt a Sniper" raises money to buy special equipment for American snipers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The College Republicans were taking orders for bracelets and other trinkets provided by "Adopt a Sniper" that bore various slogans, some of them well-known in military circles. About an hour after the Republicans set up Monday morning, university officials shut them down. An appeal was denied, and the group has not been allowed to reopen the table.
Brandon Henak, the group's chairman and a Marquette junior, said the College Republicans chose to promote "Adopt a Sniper" after their request for setting up a general "support the troops" table had been approved. They knew it might be controversial.
"We thought that it was the most direct possible way to help the troops," Henak said. "What really touched us and was one of the big deciding factors on choosing them was the fact that they give (the snipers) the very body armor that enables them to stay safe."
Marquette spokeswoman Brigid O'Brien released a statement Wednesday that said the university strongly supports the U.S. military and has sponsored plenty of "support the troops" activities. However, Marquette leaders were unhappy with not being told of the exact nature of the College Republicans' efforts, and the wording on some of the signs and the merchandise was bothersome, the statement said.
The university noted that one slogan was "1 Shot, 1 Kill, No Remorse, I Decide."
"In the context of the university's Jesuit, Catholic mission, we could not allow fund raising in the student union for a group whose rhetoric regarding 'snipers' could be widely misinterpreted as having a cavalier attitude toward the taking of a human life," the statement said. "In this case the display of the materials that promote the use of violence without appropriate background information was unacceptable."
As a private university, Marquette has wide leeway over what activities it permits on its grounds.
Keith Deneys, director of Snipersonline, said he had placed a call to Marquette to discuss the issue but wasn't ready to take a side. He said "Adopt a Sniper" began last year when a few snipers on duty abroad requested help from Snipersonline in getting specialized equipment. Now Deneys estimates at least 300 snipers have been "adopted."
Snipers have special needs, he said. "Mom and Dad are real good at providing them with Gatorade, baby wipes and Power Bars, but if they're asking for a strike plate carrier, Mom and Dad might not know what it is or where to get it," said Deneys, a trained sniper who works full time as a lieutenant in the Brown County Sheriff's Department.
Snipersonline is run by volunteers (online motto: "Assistance from a Distance"). It is changing the "Adopt a Sniper" title to "American Snipers" to prevent some confusion, such as whether people can become pen pals with snipers in the field, Deneys said.
Memo to group - Do the adoption program anyway - just move it off campus. Eff the weenies in the administration.
Yep and they can probably raise more money off campus and online anyway.
So if there was a display on what a sniper is and his function in combat, everything would be OK?
It's not just this cause. American Universities are doing the same thing to Republicans across the country regardless of the issue.
I bet they have no problem finding space for Womyn's studies, planned parenthood, and the like...
I feel better. I thought all college students were out vandalizing GOP offices and burning American flags.
Just thank the libs on campus, they have just made adaopt-a-sniper national.
Thats just a wee bit too bizarre.
Yes, I know, a sniper is a soldier. But not all snipers are soldiers.
They know they are already being watched closely, simply because that are Republicans, and they are trying to force the issue. I am not opposed to their cause, just not sure I agree with their tactics.
American Snipers the Series!
"Yeah, we really wanted to get this kill done in time for Joey's birthday. We know what a big fan he is of the show and it would really mean a lot to us to see the smile on his face -"
"Would you quit screwin' around and get this rifle sighted."
"I gotta wait for a target of opportunity."
"You gotta wait? You wait to ... you wait to ... you wait to wait - you know dat!"
"What's that mean?"
"You know what it means. You're always hangin' around never gettin' nothin' done. I gotta get Vinnie and Mikey to do all your work."
"Why don't you do it, then?"
"You know what? I will. Gimme that." Takes the rifle and scope and fumbles them around for a minute trying to assemble them muttering, "How the Hell ... this damned thing .... Hey, Vinnie? Put this damned thing together for me will ya?"
I meant:
But not all soldiers are snipers.
Heads Up
http://www.historychannel.com/
Sniper show on tonight
A previous thread:
Marquette Administration Suppresses CR ''Support Our Troops'' Table
I think you are right. They mislead the administration and pulled a minor bait-n-switch. This isn't a legal issue. The fact they are "supporting the troops" by "adopting a sniper" is a scant fig leaf.
Why not "adopt a military sharpshooter"? And petition the administration with that slogan? That would be complete, true and not quite so disinegenuous.
I am with the administration on this one. When I read the headline, I immediately thought of a sniper like from a clock tower.
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