Close call, but fun for all

The Norman Transcript ^ | October 23, 2005 | James S. Tyree

[MizSterious]

Published: October 23, 2005 02:11 am

Close call, but fun for all
• Security fears, narrow win don’t dampen OU’s Homecoming festivities

By James S. Tyree

Transcript Staff Writer

Excerpt--from the middle of the story:

A cloud of caution hung over the day’s festivities. In OU’s first home football game since the Oct. 1 fatal bombing on South Oval, everyone entering the stadium received written notices of what to do in case of emergency, and bags were checked more thoroughly.

The university also showed a pregame video presentation with OU president David Boren and athletics director Joe Castiglione explaining emergency procedures. Law enforcement faced a possible threat shortly after 3 p.m. on Asp Avenue, just south of Lindsey Street, which caused officers to tape off the area and check for explosives. The area was deemed all clear within a few minutes.

Click the link for the rest of the story.

[MizSterious]

This is sure a lot of fol-der-ol for what is being touted as a "regular suicide." From what I could tell on the news last night, officials were as nervous as long-tailed cats in a room full of mechanical rocking chairs. News interviews concentrated on people who stated that they "felt safe" at the game. Well, why would it even be a question, if this were just a regular suicide? He's dead now, he won't blow up again.

[MizSterious]

OU sure seems worried about more suicides, apparently...

[MizSterious]

No, they're talking about nearly losing the game to Baylor. However, for me, the real "close call" was when Hinrichs blew himself up some 100 yards from the stadium after being refused admittance three times.

[johnny7]

As our MSM so dutifully beats to death... copycats.

[NRA2BFree]

I'm sorry, he had just too many connections to Muslims for me to believe that he wasn't trying to set the bomb off to kill a bunch of people. The government is trying to cover it up.

[indcons]

Thanks for the ping. On a related note, check this disgusting story out: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1507741/posts

[MizSterious]

Oh, wow, I can't believe this is happening! You're right, utterly disgusting. We never learn.

LibertyRocks, be sure to see indcons link.

[PhiKapMom]

I felt very safe at the game -- security was everywhere and they even checked our sweatshirts we were carrying. Two girls in front of us had to empty their bags from where they had bought items in order to enter the stadium. We had less of a line to get in at our gate then usual.

The new security accouncement told everyone to stay in their seats if something happened and wait for where to evacuate including down onto the field and out the gates from that direction.

Also there were concrete barriers all around so no one could drive on a sidewalk. No matter the reason, security was very tight and cops I saw were local law enforcement including Highway Patrol. Security cameras everywhere. OU got the message loud and clear.

What was really neat was when they honored the Boy Scouts of America for 50+ years of being the ushers at the game -- it was really nice to see them honored on the field and see a video on Soonervision. Quite a contrast to places in the Northeast. Seems OU is partnered with the Last Frontier Council.

If it took the bombing to get security increased, then it was a good thing because security had become lax over the last few years since 9-11 and the games immediately after that.

I would give OU and the Athletic Department a "A" for their security preparation for last night's game.

[MizSterious]

I guess my point was, if it had been an "isolated incident" and a "simple suicide," why the need for the beefed up security? Why even question feelings of safety? Until April 1995, I always felt safe in this area, far safer than in other parts of the country. Certainly people commit suicide all the time--but this is the first time I've ever seen security increased when someone did it.

That said, I hope the Sooners have gotten their mojo back! This game is cause for hope!

[PhiKapMom]

Personally think it woke them up to the lax security we had a games and getting more lax as time went on -- what popped out at me in the Boren letter to season ticket holders was the quick response for Government grants.

If this was a "real" suicide from a depressed kid no way would all of these measures been taken IMHO. If they had not found all those explosives in his apartment, am sure they would have gotten away with the lone depressed bomber theory but the amount of explosives and his attempting to buy ammonimum nitrate put a whole new face on everything. That is why I believe we had incresed security -- no one is taking a chance.

Concrete barriers everywhere around that stadium. Something that no one has asked is if he tried to get his car into the South Oval area reserved for media, donors, and buses.

[Rte66]

Now why didn't Hinrichs's dad think of that? Explaining that his son was just "protesting the lax security at OU football games," the senior Hinrichs pointed out how the explosion had heightened awareness among Sooner fans that at any given moment any one of them could go KA-BLOW!!