City of Jasper pursuing charges against person who burned bon fire

[Guest rykerx144]

The city of Jasper is conducting a criminal investigation into the burning the bon fire.  It says they have interviewed several and are even offering a reward for information to help them convict the persons responsible.  So much for friendly rivalry!!

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=974&NewsID=934155&CategoryID=18335&on=1

[Guest Nederland Bulldogs]

[jekamomom]

I thought bon fires were SUPPOSED to be burned!

[granfan]

When I was in school, rivals would burn their schools letters in the center of our football fields and nothing was done about it.  Things never got badly out of hand though.  Things like that just made us want to beat them that Friday night.  Girls could also walk their boyfriend football player off the field after the game too.  Things do change.

[Guest rykerx144]

I realize times are changing and there is not anything you can do about that. My message is to the school administers, local officials, and all parents involved in the education process.  I know that changes have to be made to keep up with a economy that is growing at a fast pace. There has been a damand to mainstream these children into society and there has been a standard that has been put in place with TAKS that requires you to change the educational process.  However, if you take away these kids right to have a good time, you place them in uniforms, you limit there social exercises and you take away all the traditions (traditions that we have been telling them to expect to be the best time of their lives) then dont expect them to respond in a positive manner to your new ways.  If you are one of these officials and administrators then you have no right to complain about the lack of spirit and initiative that the kids have today.  You do not have the right to compare your experience growing up with theirs and criticize their actions.  These city officials that are trying to prosecute these kids for burning down the bonfire are probably the same kids that participated in burning down a bon fire when they were growing up.

[Newtonjb]

I realize times are changing and there is not anything you can do about that. My message is to the school administers, local officials, and all parents involved in the education process.  I know that changes have to be made to keep up with a economy that is growing at a fast pace. There has been a damand to mainstream these children into society and there has been a standard that has been put in place with TAKS that requires you to change the educational process.  However, if you take away these kids right to have a good time, you place them in uniforms, you limit there social exercises and you take away all the traditions (traditions that we have been telling them to expect to be the best time of their lives) then dont expect them to respond in a positive manner to your new ways.  If you are one of these officials and administrators then you have no right to complain about the lack of spirit and initiative that the kids have today.  You do not have the right to compare your experience growing up with theirs and criticize their actions.  These city officials that are trying to prosecute these kids for burning down the bonfire are probably the same kids that participated in burning down a bon fire when they were growing up.

You've trully hit the nail on the head, well thought and well said. Killing students spirits, traditions and pride is not a healthy answer.

[redfan]

I realize times are changing and there is not anything you can do about that. My message is to the school administers, local officials, and all parents involved in the education process.  I know that changes have to be made to keep up with a economy that is growing at a fast pace. There has been a damand to mainstream these children into society and there has been a standard that has been put in place with TAKS that requires you to change the educational process.  However, if you take away these kids right to have a good time, you place them in uniforms, you limit there social exercises and you take away all the traditions (traditions that we have been telling them to expect to be the best time of their lives) then dont expect them to respond in a positive manner to your new ways.  If you are one of these officials and administrators then you have no right to complain about the lack of spirit and initiative that the kids have today.  You do not have the right to compare your experience growing up with theirs and criticize their actions.  These city officials that are trying to prosecute these kids for burning down the bonfire are probably the same kids that participated in burning down a bon fire when they were growing up.

;D

;D  they probably had THEIR bonfires burned and are still mad ;D ;D

[SETXsports Broadcaster]

Would you be saying the same thing if the fire had spread, there was no fire department there.  The bon fire is next to the school.  or did they have the fire department on call just in case it spread?  Being smart I think thats what they did.

[tvc184]

You've trully hit the nail on the head, well thought and well said. Killing students spirits, traditions and pride is not a healthy answer.

Kids doing damage to other school's property is spirit and tradition? I went to school over 30 years ago but I must have missed that part of tradition.

[Rebel Yeller]

When have acts of vandalism ever been misconstrued as school spirit?

[Guest rykerx144]

Would you be saying the same thing if the fire had spread, there was no fire department there.  The bon fire is next to the school.  or did they have the fire department on call just in case it spread?  Being smart I think thats what they did.

"what if" they didnt burn it down and Jasper had the bon fire as scheduled and it fell while they was trying to build it and killed 10 kids?  I think that did happen a few years ago at a college right?  How many bon fires have been burnt by others school over the last 50 years and have you ever heard of what you described happening? We can debate this topic all day using "what if's" but the fact is that is not what happened!  Im not saying that it wasnt dangerous and maybe bon fires need to be got rid of.  Im not saying we sholdnt cancel bonfires for safety, or we shouldnt prosecute kids for burning them down, I was just making a point that if we contiune to take away from these kids the things that we had when we was growing up and they have heard their whole life us bragging about it how it was the best time of our life and they should expect the same and then its taken away, then dont be surprised when a kid would rather stay home and play a war craft game on a computer rather than attend a school function.

[tvc184]

.................. then dont be surprised when a kid would rather stay home and play a war craft game on a computer rather than attend a school function.

That is probably true already.

Bonfires are great. Damaging other people's property in the name of school spirit is not.

I don't see how you equate destroying someone elses property or messing up their tradition with deciding to stay home and play a video game. In this case, it looks it would have been better if they stayed home and played the video.

[24 over par]

vandalism is never ok and never a act of school spirit

[sloydjt]

I think the city of Jasper and all of you are blowing this way out of proportion!!! I have to agree with Rykerx144 on this one. I'm sorry, but bonfires have been getting burned down for years by other teams. Thats just part of it. There was no vandalism. You act like these kids went into Jasper High School and vandalised the actual school. That didnt happen. Come on. They burnt down the Bon Fire!! BIG DEAL! "Lets prosecute"...how sad. 

[wildcatfan57]

at this time, according to KJAS radio in Jasper, the investigation points to one individual who is a former student at Jasper High School, not any one from any other schools.

[sloydjt]

at this time, according to KJAS radio in Jasper, the investigation points to one individual who is a former student at Jasper High School, not any one from any other schools.

Well I dont understand why he would do that to his own alma mater! How stupid! I could honestly see if it were someone from the team they were going to be playing that week, but someone from your own town..now thats sad..LOL