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PrintThe tepid apologies and excuses offered by MU personnel in light of the embarrassing post-game musical confusion ring so hollow as to be ludicrous. It's not that Navy necessarily deserves any greater consideration than other schools (though you might want to think twice about that the next time you look to the military for protection and service) — it's just that this particular tradition (the playing of "Blue & Gold") has been highly publicized this year and featured on post-game broadcasts on NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. You'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind to be unaware of this. To expect to play five (5!) songs after losing the game before allowing the Midshipmen to play this one key song is self-centered, self-absorbed and just plain selfish.
For those of you who are completely unaware of the significance of "Blue & Gold," perhaps the text of the song might drive it home. (Note: The pre-1976 version is shown, reflecting the words when I was a Midshipman before Navy went co-ed.)
Now college men from sea to sea, May sing of colors true; But who was better right than we, To hoist a symbol hue? For sailor men in battle fair, Since fighting days of old; Have proved the sailor's right to wear The Navy Blue and Gold!This may not be as "snappy" as the MU fight song — but which has more of a sense of honor and national pride?
Bruce Kenyon graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1974. He lives in Palm Desert, Calif.
Show Me the Errors 
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("The tepid apologies and excuses offered by MU personnel in light of the embarrassing post-game musical confusion ring so hollow as to be ludicrous.")
I might not be the right or best person to acknowledge your letter published in what's considered our town's local college affiliated newspaper but, "You're welcome."
Next time you feel offended and need an apology, may I suggest you draft letters you want the perceived offenders to sign and speeches you wish the blighters to speak and see how sincere that comes across. (Politicians do that all the time.)
The only thing hollow here is your ability to understand cause and effect.
This silliness has gone on way to long! Maybe it's the weather.
Of course we must defend the respective honors of the institutions involved and uphold their super-sacred rites. Reminds one of the prostitutes who, on their day off, held a tea party followed by a grand intellectual debate. The subject of this heated debate was chastity.