Carl, I (another card-carryin' Republican who once played the part of Sir H.
Rape Brown de Black Knight in Cumalot) also have apparently changed my ways
of thinking over the years.  And, in these times of PC, one cannot afford
not to -or at least to project a believable image that he/she is a convert.
And right now the National Fraternity is under this same microscope and
acted, though somewhat precipitously, with the "bigger picture" in mind.
That's why I made the suggestions which I did.  And, I hope that none of
them - though different than yours - offended you.  I was merely trying to
throw in the benefit/ignorance of my own experiences in such matters.  And,
today, while thinking further own the subject, I thought that as part of the
"game plan" I suggested last night, the chapter might consider involving
some of its more influential, and credible alums and identify the same type
of alums from the Black fraternity.  Then, when meeting with the
all-important intermediary, a suggested meeting between the alums from the
two frats and the intermediary be made.  I can't decide whether I would want
to suggest including student representatives from the two frats at this
first meeting.  I seem to come down on the play of having a second meeting
with the alums from both frats with the intermediary and include selected
student representatives (non-hotheads from our side) to attend and take an
active role in the negotiations.  From there, if all goes well - a BIG
"if" - the same groups can then have a big meeting with all members and
pledges from both frats (maybe dangerous) or have separate meetings with
each frat (less volatile) where the enemy representatives attend along with
the intermediary.

- kai -

Dick Dent #267

----- Original Message -----
From: "CARL HOHL" <handshohl@eudoramail.com>
To: <smu-betas@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: [smu-betas] Sad day for Auburn Betas


> alDentiii, JaDrow:
>
> I applaud your additions and input!  He's right, Woody.
> And he doesn't need me to say that, either, but I wish I had thought of
what he added first!
>
> The B.F. (Black Fraternity, what are the Greek letters?) holds most of the
cards in this scenario.  Therefore, whoever the intermediary is is
excruciatingly important vis-a-vis credibility with local Auburn parties as
well as the National fraternities.
>
> Bottom line:  Can everybody (including the polka-dotted people) step
outside of their stereotypical roles for a minute and make a statement to
their unborn sons and daughters that racism of all colors ends with our
generation?  (Shocking coming from a Republican)  Or is this just another
news story, another missed opportunity?  After all, we went to SMU for the
same reason they are at Auburn now.  Most of us are or will be amused to
look back at some of the unexpected sources of the lessons learned.
>
> Can you tell that my profession is very close to this question more often
than all of its members wish to admit?
>
> The Less Diplomatic Brother Sarl
>
>  Wed, 14 Nov 2001 20:12:22   aldentiii wrote:
> >Woody, though Brother Carl's suggestions have some merit, I suggest that
if
> >you are going to get involved and
> >talk to your son's actives that a little more diplomacy be considered.  I
> >too have read many of the news reports about the
> >"incident", and several were coupled with quotes from members of the
Black
> >fraternity aimed directly at the Betas rather than
> >the Delta Sigs.  I think that any attempt on the part of the local
(former)
> >chapter members to approach the members of the Black fraternity for
> >forgiveness will be met with outrage and will be rejected and blown up in
> >the press in such a way as to
> >make impossible a solution.  The chapter needs to find an intermediary
who
> >they can talk to and who has credibility with the Black fraternity.  They
> >need to have a complete game plan to pitch to the intermediary, who, if
> >convinced with their sincerity about their remorse in what happened, will
be
> >willing to pitch their case to the Black fraternity in hopes of bringing
> >about a meeting between representatives from the Beta chapter and the
Black
> >fraternity to iron out an agreement to resolve the dispute and to include
> >the Black fraternity in supporting a petition to reinstate the chapter's
> >charter (and probably with conditions which the Black fraternity will
demand
> >and which the Betas - behind the eight ball - can't negotiate away).
> >Unfortunately, the Betas are not in a good bargaining position.  So
whatever
> >course they elect to take, they will need to remember this.  They will
have
> >to eat a whole lot of humble-pie to get that charter back.
> >
> >- kai -
> >
> >Dick Dent a.k.a. the Deacon #267
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "woody berry" <boethia@hotmail.com>
> >To: <smu-betas@yahoogroups.com>
> >Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2001 12:23 PM
> >Subject: Re: [smu-betas] Sad day for Auburn Betas
> >
> >
> >> Carl,
> >>     That's a great idea and is one the men there are already trying to
> >work
> >> on.  As you might imagine, relations with the black frat are a bit raw
> >> emotionally right now, but it's a good idea.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Drow
> >>
> >> PS.  By the way, that's quite possibly the very first intelligent thing
> >I've
> >> ever hear you articulate in, oh, about 30 years or so.
> >>
> >> _________________________________________________________________
> >> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> At Homecoming 2000, the BETA TENT had the biggest crowd by far.  Stay
> >connected and consider a future homecoming BETA reunion.  It's
> >incredible...forget the 20 years in between...everyone just seems to pick
it
> >up right where they left off years ago.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >At Homecoming 2000, the BETA TENT had the biggest crowd by far.  Stay
connected and consider a future homecoming BETA reunion.  It's
incredible...forget the 20 years in between...everyone just seems to pick it
up right where they left off years ago.
> >
> >
> >
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> Join 18 million Eudora users by signing up for a free Eudora Web-Mail
account at http://www.eudoramail.com
>
>
> At Homecoming 2000, the BETA TENT had the biggest crowd by far.  Stay
connected and consider a future homecoming BETA reunion.  It's
incredible...forget the 20 years in between...everyone just seems to pick it
up right where they left off years ago.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>


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At Homecoming 2000, the BETA TENT had the biggest crowd by far.  Stay connected and consider a future homecoming BETA reunion.  It's incredible...forget the 20 years in between...everyone just seems to pick it up right where they left off years ago.



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