Tailgate is fun

I am writing in response to Charlotte Simmons’ desecration of Duke culture in the Sept. 7 Monday, Monday column “Failgate.” Charlotte, whether you are a trendy grad student, or you just enjoy writing as a fake, extended metaphor, please stop. If the former is true, let me inform you that your column is supposed to bring glee to the general populace. As any fun-loving person will tell you, Monday mornings are the most miserable time of the week; they represent the longest wait until one can again renege on their responsibilities and enjoy the plethora of vices shunned upon during the work week. By writing under the title of “Monday, Monday” I hope you understand your personal responsibility to help make us laugh.

Now Charlotte, I do not want to pull a Charlotte S. vs. Tailgate and unmercifully put you down, I simply want to help you by discussing the possible skew in your evidence. You write that “[t]here is nothing playful in dressing like a stripper or a prostitute,” and I respectfully disagree. Though I may have been inebriated, I failed to see one person without a giant smile pasted on their beer-soaked faces throughout the four hours of revelry. Even in past years the only people unhappy at Tailgate were those who had gotten tagged in the face by a beer. Most likely, their scowl was not due to their thoughts of Tailgate but that they had to temporarily stop partying.

And yes, contrary to your belief, people would attend the hallowed Duke basketball game absolutely drunk. Do you think being a Cameron Crazie was started by the types of people who actually use reading period as a study time? No. Of course not. It was probably started by drunk fraternity members who thought being obnoxious, dressing up and drawing on themselves was a good idea.

Similar to Tailgate, huh?

Al Samost

Pratt ’11