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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter Most cities in Jackson County now allow pot dispensaries Since You Asked: Disc golf course planned for Chrissy Park ... in distant future Emergency Services, May 12 Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, May 12 Medford man sentenced in home-invasion robbery Man says he shot girlfriend for nagging Rogue Valley police receive training in dealing with LGBTQ community Man faces attempted murder in Medford choking case Politics and Elections Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Education Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Medford schools still filling admin roles Appeals court rules against Central Point schools on bus outsourcing Hedrick principal to take helm at North Medford High School More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Environment Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford State News Mom plans to sue after autistic daughter removed from plane Oregon's snowpack at just 11 percent of average Dispute over local control drives Oregon pot committee to impasse Governor Kate Brown signs bill expanding gun background checks Josephine County preps for more budget cuts Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries In Loving Memory of Laura (Rucker) Hisamoto Donald Kent Hoyt "Donnie" Dickie Miles Hayes Thomas B. 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Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 12 Letters to the Editor, May 11 Letters to the Editor, May 10 Letters to the Editor, May 8 Letters to the Editor, May 7 Columns Kathleen Parker: Geller has the right, but commits speech abuse Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers George Will: The gospel according to Huckabee Dana Milbank: A performance by Lindsey and the Jets Charles Krauthammer: Free Willy! Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: Mothers-in-law Prudence Hilburn: Mexican-inspired dishes easy to make, delicious to enjoy Green roof gardens have several benefits Gardens: Simplicity, sanctuary, delight Furniture trends: Style and storage Food Prudence Hilburn: Mexican-inspired dishes easy to make, delicious to enjoy Community blog: Kids in Brewpubs....... Community blog: Fruity french toast makes Mom's, or anyone's, day Community blog: Sorry, Mom, there's more than one beef stroganoff Community blog: Teatime is anytime when recipes brew new dishes Home and Garden Green roof gardens have several benefits Gardens: Simplicity, sanctuary, delight Furniture trends: Style and storage Home Help: Create the perfect outdoor kitchen space One-derful once-blooming roses Health Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day New cardiac rehab center opens at Asante RRMC Community blog: You and Me at 83... Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Milestones and Achievements Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Pick your favorite wedding flowers Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest Dancing People Company presents 'Salon Series' Theater REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Music Live Music in Local Clubs Peter Rowan, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys at Rootsfest The Farr Side: Mumford & Sons’ latest is full-on rock Tina Malia at SOU Music Hall in Ashland Earthquake benefit for Nepal Community Events 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Movies Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Tom Hardy adapts to life as Mad Max Victor D. Infante: ‘Avengers’ begs the questions, ‘Why superheroes, and why now?’ Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Dining Restaurant inspections: May 10, 2015 Wood-fired pies at Peace of Pizza Trium is a classic example of a boutique winery Restaurant inspections, May 3, 2015 Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter ... Our View: Abundant water no excuse for waste ... Mom plans to sue after autistic daughter removed from plane ... Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter ... Our View: Abundant water no excuse for waste ... Mom plans to sue after autistic daughter removed from plane ... John Floyd: Fraternities' actions toward veterans abhorrent Comment By John Floyd More Content Now MailTribune.com By John Floyd More Content Now Posted May. 4, 2015 at 2:47 PM By John Floyd More Content Now Posted May. 4, 2015 at 2:47 PM » Social News Does it surprise anyone that a university fraternity organization desecrated the United States flag by urination, spat on wounded war veterans and generally acted like wild animals? The University of Florida and Emory University in Georgia should be ashamed of common association with students exhibiting such low moral character. Every American should condemn the fraternity members’ abhorrent and defaming actions toward our wounded veterans. And don’t tell me they were exercising free speech, an excuse used so sanctimoniously to justify their actions. I never was a fraternity member simply because I could not afford to belong. It was something I would have liked, but it wasn’t possible. The distractions of fraternity life probably would have prevented me from graduating since I struggled without the fraternal distractions. As a matter of fact, one quarter when I was playing too much tennis with my buddies and my grades were suffering, Connie pulled me aside and informed me we were not there for fun and games. She got my undivided attention and put the fear of God in me. My grades got better. But I still would have liked the experience of belonging to a fraternity. Too much booze Even in the mid ’60s, alcohol seemed to play a major role in fraternity life. Beer was always available and in seemingly limitless quantities. I am sure, as reality set in, and the Emory and Florida fraternity brothers sobered up, they realized the horror of what they had done but it was too late. Alcohol had been the dominant initiator of their actions to the extent of no control. Here again it probably took only one goat for the other sheep to follow and especially when plied with alcohol. Alcohol gives false courage, or in this case, stupidity. The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “Young people have exalted notions because they have not yet been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations. They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones. Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning. All their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently. They overdo everything.” During the young life of my son, I referred to Aristotle’s words quite frequently and carried a copy in my wallet. Aristotle seemed to understand the convoluted thought process of young people, even in ancient Greece. His words had a profound effect on me as I was presented difficult situations by my son John. Appropriate Aristotle’s words — “All their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently” — seem appropriate for this particular situation. The fraternity brothers excessively and vehemently acted like animals and should be treated as such. I am not defending their actions by any stretch of the imagination, but colleges and universities share some of the blame for allowing an ever-increasing dependency on alcohol at campus fraternities. The University of Florida has acted with dispatch in holding the students accountable for their actions. Emory is a more liberal institution of higher learning and may just wish the disrespect shown by their students would simply go away. Members of fraternities were usually men of some wealth and were looked up to. But the actions of a few are indicative of corruption and depravity existing at fraternities on college campuses. Fraternities should not worship at the feet of alcohol or any drug for that matter. Fraternities and their special standing on a college campus provide members with a feeling of special class and superiority, and in many instances this designation is true. But the latest actions of fraternity idiots toward our wounded military veterans suggest otherwise. Some, but not all, fraternities have joined the ranks of “Animal House.” John Floyd is a correspondent for The Gadsden (Ala.) Times. By John Floyd More Content Now MailTribune.com By John Floyd More Content Now Posted May. 4, 2015 at 2:47 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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