[SuperJon]

It's time for Story Time With Supa Jon.


Before the story, I must preface it with this: Any SFC member is allowed to wear their club t-shirt to class through the Glenville State game.


So I'm on the phone with one of my roommates after class to pick something up from him. I'm wearing my SFC shirt, jeans, and sandals. I cut through the Teacher Education hall to get to the courtyard and then it happened - the thing I've been waiting to happen. I was stopped by an RA.

Now, this kid came up to me, while I was on the phone, and tried to talked to me. I knew right away that he was either a lost freshman or one of Brokeback's type. It made my day when I found out he was an RA.

I hung up the phone and here's the conversation that transpired:


Brokeback RA: Excuse me. Uh, um, I'm an RA and, er, you're out of dress code.
Me (somewhat laughing): Um, no...I'm not.
Brokeback RA: Er, um, you're not allowed to, um
Me (interrupting): This is a Student Flames Club t-shirt. Any member is allowed to wear them whenever they want through the Glenville State game. I'm not out of dress code.
Brokeback RA: Oh, um, I didn't see...
(I walk away, laughing, as he's left to stand alone looking like a giant bag of d-----...am I allowed to say that on here? It was a Dane Cook reference. Edit it if I'm not)


That's my story of the day. It made me happy. Now I must go slave and sell shoes.

[LUconn]

Poor guys. I let them give me reps all the time when I'm in there. I originally tried to tell them I didn't go to school their anymore but they didn't beleive me. So now I just give them my old ID and let them be on their way. The reps go to the RAs in dorm 11. They call me and tell me I got reps. We all laugh and have a good time.

[El Scorcho]

I very much enjoyed becoming a staff member who had to wear "work" clothes to do his job. I would get stopped a lot at first, then gradually less over time.

Even better was much later on when I had one of our vendors walking through DeMoss with me and I was stopped for wearing jeans. "Wow. Does that happen here a lot?" "No, but probably more than it should." He was amazed.

[ALUmnus]

The RA did what he was supposed to. I wish more of them would take their jobs somewhat seriously and attempt to enforce the rules. That's part of the problem the school has right now is RA's who don't care.

[TallyW]

Agreed Alumnus.

Look... they have a job to do. They are getting paid (via their scholarship) to do a job. People need to relax and again... if you don't like the policy, go to another school.

SJ- It's really disingenuous to get on a board and call someone a douch bag because you didn't do a good enough job promoting the wearing of the shirts. If you in fact are heading the whole thing up and students just like you don't know of permission you gained for the students... you may want to look into the mirror. That's part of leadership. To bust on this dude on a board is class-less.

[SuperJon]

I didn't do a good enough job promoting that? Mark Hine told every single RA on campus that we were allowed to wear them. I had RAs asking me about the fact that we could wear them before I even knew we could. I underestimate you sometimes. You really went over and beyond on this one.


As with him doing his job, there's a good sized "Student Flames Club" logo on the front of the shirt. He walked up to me, interrupted me while I was on the phone, and then wanted to write reps so he could boost his ego. If he didn't see the logo he was either blind and/or stupid.

[TallyW]

It's time for Story Time With Supa Jon.

Brokeback RA: Oh, um, I didn't see...
(I walk away, laughing, as he's left to stand alone looking like a giant bag of d-----...am I allowed to say that on here? It was a Dane Cook reference. Edit it if I'm not)

That's my story of the day. It made me happy. Now I must go slave and sell shoes.

As I said... class-less

[SuperJon]

I added the giant bag of d----- part as #1 a joke because I like Dane Cook and thought some people would get the reference and laugh, and #2 he completely interrupted my while I was on the phone which is just as classless as you're claiming I was.

Do you ever laugh? Do you ever have a good time? Have you ever made a joke in your life?

[TallyW]

Absoultely I laugh, joke, have a good time. I love making people around me have a great time. I get my energy from people and I fully enjoy life.

The reality is though SJ that many of your posts are filled with rudeness, arrogance and a lack of tact. I speak up because I honestly hope you'd consider what you're putting out there about yourself and more importantly consider the issues of your heart. If you're willing to get online and make fun and put down so many people as you do... and use the language you use... for what? To impress people in a chat room? If not to impress others than it's simply an overflow of your heart.

I give you such a hard time because it's a community forum and everytime you post that garbage, the rest of us have to read it. It's offensive and childish. It'd be nice if you were able to mature during your college years and get past some of that stuff. You see healthy debate and joking all of the time but what you don't see are others on this board making swipes at as many people as you do on here. It gets old and it's pretty immature.

I've been impressed with your optiomistic attitude towars the programs. I think you're doing a great job and I'd personally love to cheer you on as you make a real difference around campus. But I'd like to cheer on a guy who carries himself like a man who's considering his place before God. Jesus' message was simple... Love God, Love People. I get on your case because it doesn't seem like other guys on this board will. Most other guys who are offended or turned off just keep quiet and in the meantime you don't ever get encouraged to grow in any area. It's the path of least resistance. The bible says that iron sharpens iron.

I know you won't believe me... but I want to see you succeed. That's what makes the LU family different.

[SuperJon]

I'm the one person on this board that actually is theirself and not a front. I'm the one that says what I think and use the language I use in everyday conversation. I don't sugar coat anything. I'm not going to sandbag anyone on this board, but if you think anyone on here acts the way they do on the board in real life you're crazy.

Don't preach to me. Don't judge me. You have absolutely no right to throw the Jesus card at me. That pisses me off more than anything at LU. And yes, Sly, I'm sorry, I'm using that word. This started off as a joke, something fun, and you felt the need to whine and complain about what I say.

I give you such a hard time because it's a community forum and everytime you post that garbage, the rest of us have to read it.

Who says you have to read it? Half of the stuff you post I don't read because I know it'll tick me off. Skip over it. No one's forcing you to do jack crap. (Reread that as Chris Farley in the motivational speaker sketch)

I know you won't believe me... but I want to see you succeed. That's what makes the LU family different.

So, let me get this straight, because I made fun of some over-bearing power hungry jerk of an RA and for that I'm not successful? Yea, let's throw out the friends, the family, the job, and all that stuff. I'm not on my way to succeeding at all.

[El Scorcho]

Um, I was just kind of laughing from the "you used to have power over me and now you don't" perspective. I've always understood that RA's have a job to do, and it's important to making LU what it should be. However, I've also dealt with plenty of over-zealous wacko RA's. You've got to be able to laugh a little bit, or otherwise they can just be disturbing.

Now, having said that...please, everyone play nice. We sound like Baptists arguing over the color of the new carpet in a business meeting.

[givemethemic]

I really don't think that this board is a bearer of bad language, crap, sucks and tick are pretty normal words last I checked, but like SJ said just skip over the post if you don't like them.... This is a public forum and I think we need to remember that.. As for bashing each other, how about using the PM option so you can bash each other all you want... As for people not speaking up, I just don't think that most of them care... I myself can be included in that list

[SuperJon]

Um, I was just kind of laughing from the "you used to have power over me and now you don't" perspective. I've always understood that RA's have a job to do, and it's important to making LU what it should be. However, I've also dealt with plenty of over-zealous wacko RA's. You've got to be able to laugh a little bit, or otherwise they can just be disturbing.

That was the entire point of this thread.

[ATrain]

Don't get me started on overzealous RAs (i.e. MINE)-I got a warning for not making my covers "straight and flat"-last time I checked, the bed just had to be made, the Liberty Way didn't say it had to look nice. But I've got bigger things to worry about, like them finding out my true identity, right SJ?

[Sly Fox]

For the record, I have PMed a bunch of you guys on here that I would rather we try to avoid certain language that might be used against us by the administration. We have maintained a positive relationship with the school up to this point and I'd like that to continue. Let's not give our detractors (and they do exist) any ammunition against us.

As a result, if you can avoid using language that might be construed at profane by your parents' generation, I would appreciate it. There are those who would be offended by just about anything. That cannot be avoided and I want to continue to have open dialogue on here. But let's try to maintain a level of decorum that our university portrays to the world.

Now time for a group hug. And SJ, female sanitary items do make me wince even though I know your intentions were not bad.

[Purple Haize]

<sniff sniff> "Is that kerosene or diesel I smell"
SLY - you unwittingly hit the nail on the head, and probably the karygma of the "Broohaha On The Board" between Tally(not wacker)W and Super(Porta Potty Mouth)Jon. Why would ANYONE in the administration give two hoots about what happens in here? If something is posted in here they don't like what are they going to do? Hire the "We Have Nothing Better To Do Lawyer Brigade" (That is just funny ALL DAY LONG) and send you and everyone else here a Cease and Desist letter? Freedom of Speech is good, except............ PLEASE!!> This is the EXACT point that SJ is making. Self importance and making MOUNTAINS out of mole hills. He got whacked by an RA who did not have the people skills to handle a situation. Is it SJ's fault that the RA approached him the way he did? Is it SJ's fault that the R(Not the Egyptian Diety)A was trying to improperly enforce a code based on his incomplete comprehension of said code therby nullifying his efforts and any credibility he might have? I would not say SJ acted in the best way, but not sure it was a wrong way.
I am suprised that TALLY took the tone HE did. While relatively new (I think I am only a Flint Spark) it seems SJ has done a ton to help boost the athletic department and the SFC (Not to be confused with KFC) Call me crazy, but before you call someone on the carpet without qualifiers, I personally like to get most if not all the facts. The fact that Mark (I need new heckling material) Hind TOLD the RA's what the dilio was changed the perception of the WHOLE encounter. But no, just like Mr RA, TALLY jumps to a faulty conclusion, and bashes SJ and couches it in "Christian Love". THAT is what, IMO, SJ was so exercised about. It seems like sometimes the "powers that be" follow the classic philosophical saying by Irwin M Fletch "It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong, I am NOT a big man!"

"We didn't start the fire, but we tried to fight when we couldn't hide it.................."

[Sly Fox]

Frankly it is in the board's best interest to remain in good standing with the administration because they could very easily block access to our board from the university system. Apparently this happened to a prior board that predates the Firehouse. While we clearly don't follow lockstep with every decision made on campus (critical analysis is always a good thing) we are not looking to go out of our way to give them any reason to create ill will with us. If maintaining this mindset is counterintuitive to the spirt of some on this board, I understand. But I don't think it is out of line to ask to work within some rather tame guidelines.

That said, I love SJ's presence ont his board and on campus. He knows how I feel about him being at LU. He also knows that he was one of the guys I nag about being more creative with his language. Hey, I hate being THAT guy. But its a responsibility I have to carry. I'm just trying to raise the bar.

As for the legal team, I admit that was funny. And for the record, you've been a very nice addition to the board Haize no matter how many posts you've accumulated.

[thepostman]

I understand people need to watch what they say because liberty has taken boards away before they could do it again, but this whole thing was meant to be funny. Calling people out and judging them and throwing Jesus into the equation is pointless. Not everybody that visits this board are Christians. Their opinion of Christianity is that we are all uptight and I think the fact that SJ got attacked simply because he found this RA to be funny is sad to me. I have long been past the days where I am shocked by this kind of behavior as it is seen everyday around here and many other christian circles and it saddens me.

[4everfsu]

I have to agree with Tally on this one. SJ if you think Tally was being harsh on you for the d----- bag line, be thankful it was a he and not a she responding back to you. I am assuming Tally is a he. And yes we may have non christians reading this board, even the more reason to watch our languages and comments. We are to be in the world but not of the world. It would be nice that if a non Christian stumbled on this board, he or she would think, this site is different then their own and want to find out what we are really about and who we follow.\
Maybe next time with the RA just give him the name and number of the person who told you that wearing your shirt was ok. Maybe this RA didn't get the memo, after all they all cannot be as smart as you.

[A.G.]

SJ--keep on keeping real, young man. I find your posts refreshing and informative. It was a great laugh this morning to read about the overzealous (and perhaps over JEALOUS) RA.

Sly--I had never thought about the school perhaps one day filtering the web site. I think I shall cut down the tone of my posts--particularly during baseball season. Please don't hesistate to let me know if I go to far (as HMO once did).

[TallyW]

It's very long. Much of what I'm articulating explains my passions over this type of thing. If you want to jump to the point, read what's in yellow. Otherwise I hope the following explains where I'm coming from.

That's my point here... As Christians we have freedom but we don't have the freedom to bash others. That's when your freedom is void in favor of God's standard. I don't care how 'real' you're keeping it. I'm not getting on SJ for having a shirt untucked or how he styles his hair... I'm speaking up because the constant bashing I've seen from him about anyone in leadership is childish, disrepectful, cowardly (they can't see your post) and yes dishonoring to God.

The reality is those of you who get on me for speaking up and trying to write off my comments as being overzealous obviously don't know anything about me. I'm a 28 year old Pastor in the Virgnia Beach area. I'm very grace driven and I absolutely believe in the freedom of Christ and I personally dispise man's rules over God's relationships. Feel free to listen to a few of the messages from the church online at focalpointchurch.com and then decide if I'm coming from some type of ultra fundamentalist view. I'm not, I'm coming from a view that says a standard of manhood means you carry yourself with dignity and don't allow people around you to think it's funny to call themselves Christ followers and other people douchbags at the same time.

I'm coming from a perspective that says d-----bag and euphamisms for cursing are immature and lame. Frankly I don't care if you're "being yourself". That doesn't make your actions right and men of God around you should speak up. I can't help it if others who call Jesus Savior are overlooking it. I personally believe men of God should act like it or else don't claim the name. Carry yourself with dignity and challenge your brothers to do likewise. It doesn't mean bash them or judge them (which I'm not here. I'm replying to a public forum and to the words that someone wrote themselves. That's not Judging... it's calling it like I see it or biblically you can call it inspecting fruit)

The reality is that if someone whom I know calls themself a Christ-follower acted this way around me, I would tell them the same thing in person. I've learned long ago to be humble enough to check and see if someone has validity in calling me on the carpet. Many times they do.

SJ you have this attitude like the world needs to revolve around your ignorance.
You've shown over and over on this board that you can't deal with authority figures at LU (to the point of bragging about getting around the system on a regular basis) and frankly that attitude will help you to be unsuccessful in this life. That short-cut mentality will encourage you to continue taking shortcuts and if you don't mature in college you've effectively given yourself a life-sentence of living with the mentality of a 12th grader. That's what I mean by me wanting to see you succeed.
At some point you have to man up and actually be humble before God about your attitude and get it in check. It won't be on this board I'm sure b/c now that I've mentioned it publically your pride will not likely allow you to consider the merits of my discussion. As you said, you are proud of ignoring my posts b/c you'll disagree even though it's a lie b/c you've responded over and over to posts I've made (nice try trying to seem above others again).

"Don't throw the Jesus card" is a lame line dude.
If we believe that there is a God bigger than us who's revealed his will and example in the life of Jesus Christ, that's the card we should want our friends to bring up. I have no interest in following you around or babysitting your actions but as a Christian man I actually believe that other Christian men should look out for me and I should look out for them. You busted on the girls who don't want to date you and you laugh off the fact that they want someone with a bible in their hand.... you know why? They don't want to be locked down to someone who can't live under the ultimate authority. They want to know that if they give themselves to a man for the rest of their life that they are giving themselves to a man over whom CHRIST has headship. Christian women worth something want a man who's willing to stand up and be counted for Christ.

No I'm not better than you SJ. I think I've matured a lot and I see a lot of your attitude in the way I was (ask JimFlamesFan... he was on my hall freshman year). I think if you read my posts I am not attacking you personally... I'm calling for a better dialogue and most importantly a better heart towards others. Instead of pushing away people who envoke scripture... how about we consider it first and see if the person is speaking truth in love. You can't go through life dismissing everyone who challenges your way of thinking.

I enjoy the board... I'll continue posting and yes I will continue being a thorn if we continue using this board to call people names and judge the motives of their heart. I don't believe every RA is a problem and frankly in SJ's story I dont' get how he was doing anything out of the ordinary. In fact in SJ's story he says that the RA said "I didn't..." Probably the rest was I didn't see the logo (for any number of reasons). But instead of simply saying "no problem bro." and moving on... This guy gets blasted on a message board and the value of RA's continues to get drug through the mud.

[TallyW]

In the interest of full disclosure... no I was never an RA

[thepostman]

that was a long thougt out post, I still don't completely agree with you, I think there are bigger issues to worry about. I am fairly new to this board, but I think SJ has gone both ways. He has said negative things about the school, but at time stuck up for the school. I am sure he would be the first one to tell you he isn't perfect, none of us are. I think that Christians sometimes focus so much on small little things (I find myself guilty of this sometimes as well) that we forget the big picture. Some people aren't as mature as others, that doesn't mean their relationshp with God is hurting or not existant. I just think that its being slightly too touchy and sensative to say that SJ comments are so bad that he just should not claim to the name of Jesus. I am sure you are a good guy, and I know you mean well. I just think its a slight over reaction, but I think that we will just have to agree to disagree on this issue.

I do think that we do have to watch what we say about the administration (I don't think SJ's comments fall into that category) because if we take it too far, they will block this site from on campus computers. I don't think anything has been said that will warrant that, but we do have to keep that in mind. They don't want non Liberty people constantly reading about how "bad" this place is. Overall Liberty is a great place, there are things that need improvements and there are RA's that just love giving reps.

Anyways TallyW I hope you don't feel as if I am bashing you or whatever. I really just felt the need to respond.

[TDDance234]

The problem with our current system of leadership is each individual RA has their own set of rules they are bent on enforcing. Each RA has a different standered than another RA. It's to the point now where each rule is subjective. Is he out of dress code with his hair, or isn't he? Some RAs will say yes, the others no.

I think it's time to get rid of the subjectiveness. I have no problem writing reps for someone who dropped an F bomb in the middle of a game in Lahaye. Said person clearly violated the LU way. I do have a problem for writing somebody up for two pieces of lint on their floor.

It's a fine line and not all of leadership at LU tip-toes it at the same pace.

[TallyW]

I said: I personally believe men of God should act like it or else don't claim the name.

I'm speaking here about all of us. That quote above may sound harsh but we do carry the name of Christ to people who are made in the image of Christ and we're supposed to be followers of Christ.

At some point we have to say "Are my actions within the freedom I have in Christ or am I taking my freedom to a place where I defame his name?"

We may not like it... but it's by his name we are saved, it's by his name we are to pray... it's by his name we even have life itself. It's quite possible that we should consider claiming his name much more often in society, not less. Each of us has a family name we carry... we would hate for someone else to go around hurting others while wearing our name. That's what we do when we aren't willing to acknowlede when our actions go beyond self. We aren't the center of the universe and if we've staken claim to the name of Jesus and we wear the name "Christian" we should keep that in mind when we want to act out in the flesh for our own personal reasons.

I'm actually surprised more men on the board haven't found this issue problematic. I am in no way legalistic... that's what driving me crazy about this thread. This is not a legalistic issue. This is simply walking in grace and carrying ourselves as men of God. Again... this is not about dress or culture or age... this is about having the attitude that acknowledges Christ as King of our lives and living out our lives accordingly... I'm as surprised as the next person that this is that big of an issue.