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Thursday, November 19, 2015

By any color, Payton Head is accountable.



By Sam Frescoe, Veteran’s Recall
http://veterans-recall.blogspot.com/

That right, folks. You read it correctly. By any color, the Mizzou Student Body President, Payton Head, is a liar and accountable for his actions. Here are the facts.
On/Near 10 Nov 2015, Payton Head, the MU Student Body President, issued a Tweet to the general public that he knew was a false statement.
A transcript of his original statement is as follows: “Students please take precaution. Stay away from the windows in residence halls, the KKK has been confirmed to the sighted on campus. I’m working with the MUPD, the state trooper and the national Guard.”
Local law enforcement responded: “We have found no evidence of anything related to the KKK on campus,” police spokesman Brian Weimar said in a statement. Not only that, but despite Head’s claim to be working with the National Guard, Weimar said the Guard was not present at MU at all.
On/Near 10 Nov 2015 at 2344, Head issued the following Tweet. “I’m sorry about the misinformation that I have shared through social media,” Head said. “In a state of alarm, I was concerned for all students of the University of Missouri and wanted to ensure that everyone was safe. I received and shared information from multiple incorrect sources, which I deeply regret.”
During the time in between “Head’s comments added to the tumult, and soon dozens both on and off-campus were tweeting about the supposed KKK presence, with some claiming the Klansmen were throwing bricks through dorm windows and others wildly claiming the KKK were enjoying police protection.”
My Opinion
Mr. Head, while the level of your negligence is up for discussion, your misconduct is clear and present.
An American’s truthful statement is sacred. This is an absolute and not subject to circumstance, feelings, or intentions. In my opinion, your actions on/near 10 Nov 2015 are in direct violation of this absolute. Due to your position as the Student Body President, you are doubling accountable. First, to those that chose to trust you. Second, to the entire Mizzou student body, the faculty and staff, the alumni, and all benefactors and supporters.
The American Honor Code has two parts. First, an honorable person will not lie, steal, cheat, or tolerate those that do. Second, to seek what is right, do what is right, and stand by those who are right. In my opinion, your actions on/near 10 Nov 2015 are in direct violation of the Honor Code. By your own choice, you dishonored yourself, your name, the office you hold, and Mizzou in general. Additionally, you chose to display your dishonorable conduct on the public stage for anyone to see. No retraction, or admission of wrong-doing, can correct your severe lapse of judgement.
In my opinion, you are not fit to be the MU Student Body President, and are accountable to all civil and criminal infractions resulting from, or having been influenced by, your actions. No one has the right to do what is wrong.
Mr. Head, in this instance, has demonstrated that he is an immoral and dishonorable man. While it is my hope that Mr. Head will strive to redeem himself at a future date and time, Mr. Head remains fully accountable for his actions and the results of those actions. To be clear, in my opinion, there is no excuse for how he alone elected to behave.
How about some Mizzou-style fair play?
I want to see if Mr. Head can stand up to the same standards being demanded of his faculty counterparts. I recommend starting with a page from the Mizzou protestor play book.
It is demanded that the Mizzou Student Body President, Payton Head, writes a handwritten apology to the Mizzou student body, the faculty and staff, the alumni, and all benefactors and supporters and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter, and at the press conference, Payton Head must acknowledge there is no such thing as student-privilege, recognize that systems of accountability for personal misconduct exist, and provide a verbal acknowledgement of his actions while accepting full responsibility for his actions and the results of those actions. No excuses may be offered at any time.
It is demanded Payton Head be immediately removed from the office of Mizzou Student Body President. After his removal, a new President shall be elected by popular vote of all Mizzou students in good academic standing at Mizzou.
Your View
I invite you to tell me what you believe at samfrescoe@gmail.com. I am looking forward to addressing your comments and furthering our American discourse. Thank you. – Sam Frescoe

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