South Carolina Woman Arrested For Cheering Too Loudly at Daughter's Graduation

[rtimgray]

This is preposterous. I'd say kicking them out or denying the diploma would also be preposterous, but to arrest the person? How ridiculous can you get? Graduation is a formality, there is nothing criminal about cheering and any person who "got offended" really needs to get a life.

Preposterous or not, it was the rule that was agreed upon and well know prior to the graduation. The woman who was arrested admits, in an interview with a reporter, that she was aware of the rule and decided that she would cheer anyway. There is no other verdict than guilty for this woman. Again, just because you think a rule is stupid (i.e. speed limit) doesn't mean you can violate it with impunity.

And again, if anyone chooses to check out the local Florence, SC news and opinions, you will find that there is a bit more to the story than protrayed on national news. From what they portray, the "victim" continued to be belligerent to officers following her removal from the venue. And another thing to remember is that was not a small town school graduation held in a little gym, but an affair attended by over 9,000 people featuring graduates from four different schools.

Once more, at the instances that have been discussed, no one should be surprised at these results. Just think about the 9,000-odd people that attended the same graduation ceremony as Ms. Cooper that behaved and didn't get arrested.

 

[DwightD123]

Henceforth all cheering and belligerent people shall be arrested and removed from our perfect society. After this has been completed we will remove all persons who curse on a public forum. We will not tolerate such insufferable behavior in these United States. If anyone acts out of line and ruffles our Utopian way let them suffer the consequence of a nation that was built on perfect men and women that never got a little excited and/or belligerent. Hear Ye Hear Ye Bow to the crown you presumptious tea sippin' brits.

 

[Willl]

Rules usually come about cause a few dill wipes screw it up for the rest of us folks.

Guess who's first to gripe about the new rules ?

 

[toppop52]

I'm willing to bet that everyone complaining about the "No screaming rules", has never tried to attend a graduation of their children only to have it ruined by obnoxious, loud, overbearing screamers with no consideration of others.

 

[rtimgray]

Henceforth all cheering and belligerent people shall be arrested and removed from our perfect society. After this has been completed we will remove all persons who curse on a public forum. We will not tolerate such insufferable behavior in these United States. If anyone acts out of line and ruffles our Utopian way let them suffer the consequence of a nation that was built on perfect men and women that never got a little excited and/or belligerent. Hear Ye Hear Ye Bow to the crown you presumptious tea sippin' brits.

It seems as though you may be confusing what actually happened here - someone violated the rules that were given to the attendees for a particular event and they were punished in the manner that was prescribed to them beforehand. These rules did not extend into society in general. Numerous examples have already been given in this thread of unacceptable behavior - you don't yell "FIRE" in a theater, you don't yell "BOMB" on an airplane, etc.

Again, if you take the time to read these articles, the "No cheering" rule was clearly delineated beforehand, and the perpetrators were aware of it and knowingly violated the rule. Once more, just because someone thinks a rule is stupid doesn't mean that it can be ignored without consequences.

No one ever told her that she couldn't cheer for her child at all - they just told her to hold her applause and celebration until the appointed time.

Here's a question for those who disagree with how this situation was handled: How would you feel if it was your child's/grandchild's/etc. name that was drowned out due to the rowdy celebration that followed the announcement of the name of the previous graduate?

 

[rtimgray]

I'm willing to bet that everyone complaining about the "No screaming rules", has never tried to attend a graduation of their children only to have it ruined by obnoxious, loud, overbearing screamers with no consideration of others.

toppop was posting the same time as I was and I think that we were thinking the same thing.

 

[EE_Bota]

The only thing I saw at a graduation that I found very objectionable was a person using an air horn. I just wanted to find a stick and beat them. Obviously I couldn't / wouldn't but the desire was real.

The graduations I have attended are local and outdoors, so frequently it is very hot. Holding applause is supposed to allow us to get through it before some of the folks pass out due to overheating.

 

[Tig]

Last graduation I attended had some whooping and cheering. It was awkward and out of place. It didn't come across as a celebration of accomplishment, but rather as final act of disrespect to public education.
As for rules in general, you don't have to like them, but you should respect them. Or alternatively, plan your own event, with your own rules.

 

[DwightD123]

Don't be such a twat.

Really? I actually used to think you were a nice and funny member but this is a response I would expect on a high school facebook page.

 

[DwightD123]

As far as going to graduations..yes, my child just graduated this year. I know the issues of cheering. Do I support the actions of this lady? No. You can go back to my previous posts to see that I prefaced my position on the fact that if she there was more to the story then I might change my mind about the arrest. I do stand by the fact that people have gotten too uptight about things. The older we get the more cranky we get about stuff that really, in the whole scheme of things, is not that big of a deal. We have a country that was built on free speech and rowdy crews. Relax a little and take a look at the bigger picture stuff...it ain't worth getting your panties in a bunch.
Mace Canute you are showing a sizeable lack of decency and some serious immaturity by calling me an obscene name...but guess what...I won't say you should get arrested for it. I have found that people that stoop to those levels are pretty bad off and don't need me to make them any worse. Hope your life gets better and you can improve yourself.