A THEORY about the band ban move

A wise man once said "A simple lie is easier to believe than a complicated truth"

Consider the budgetary concerns the state of Louisiana is having...

1) Tops program being removed all together was a bluff, so that when they reduced the program down, it would seem like a compromise where if they had just reduced the program from the start without the threat of removing it entirely, they would have received worse backlash.

2) F. King Alexander postures scrapping the football program due to the budget crisis knowing full and well that it would create a buzz, but proceeded not to move on the threat.

3) Alleva postures removing Les Miles as the head coach, and in dramatic fashion during halftime of our final regular season home game is forced to reverse the decision due to budgetary concerns by F. King Alexander

4) Roy King, long time band administrator and alum, is fired because
he wouldn't allow higher ups to steal band scholarship money and allocate it elsewhere.

5) Alleva proposes through a risk analysis, the conclusion that visiting bands are unsafe and will be unable to perform at halftime. This lie was the most transparent, but the true motive behind it is a bit more complex. We all knew that "safety" is a bs excuse, but why do this?

Step 1, we do not allow visiting bands to perform at halftime. Jacksonville State released an immediate reaction stating that they will not spend the $120,000 dollars to send their band here to NOT perform at halftime. Logic would suggest that most, if not all, other schools would react the same.

Step 2, if it costs Jacksonville State $120,000 to bring their traveling band here for an away game, how much do you think it costs the Golden Band From Tigerland?

Step 3, the administrators knew that if we banned other teams from playing at halftime in Tiger Stadium, it would only be a matter of time that every other team would band TGBFTL from playing during halftime in their stadiums. If it costs us $200,000 (our traveling band is larger than Jacksonville State's) and we play 5 away games, then that saves us 1 million dollars.. That's $1,000,0000 all in all the name of "safety." Administrators are thinking the only ones who will really suffer are band members. Band members privledge of traveling to away games versus 1 million dollars saved every year. Which side do you think the bean counters care more about?

The so called "leaders" who we have entrusted with power have been playing chess not checkers. They figured that the general population almost always sides with safety concerns, and did not anticipate receiving the public backlash that they did. It was never about safety, even the most gullible of people didn't buy that.

It's time to make a statement. I'm not sure what what exactly can be done, or how we need to do it, but I do not underestimate the power of LSU fans. Our populous base is passionate, outspoken, tough and strong willed.

We need to remove F. King Alexander and Alleva both. We need leadership that sees the value in LSU football and all the revenue it brings in. We need to find innovative and creative ways to raise money to meet our budget, instead of penalizing LSU's athletic budget, which is a cash cow, and is sacred among the alumni and all its fans.

If there are budgetary concerns, why continue to go behind our backs, and threaten to reduce and sully our indelible silver lining amongst today's dark clouds. These "leaders" are playing games with the 1 thing everyone in Louisiana can be happy about and look forward to. The oil industry has taken a major hit, and the economy is suffering badly. Half of the country works, and is taxed to death to provide for the other half of the country who are on untouchable entitlements. It's a chronic problem that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Are these the type of people that should be honored with the responsibility of "leadership?"

I, for one, am both furious and disgusted with this whole charade of game playing. I will always be proud to be an LSU alumnus, but I am embarrassed and sickened by our current administrators, some of whom are allowing this perversion of power, and others whom are perpetuating it.

We deserve better; LSU deserves better

CLIFFS: LSU money hungry Admins gambled and bet that if we banned other bands from playing at halftime, then all other teams would ban LSU's traveling band from attending their stadiums. This would save around 1 million dollars a year in ticket costs, room and board, travel costs etc. They lied blaming it on safety concerns, and we didn't bite