Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Horns Sawed, Texas Hacked; What's New?

Here's my column as it ran in today's paper.
I'm between computers right now, hence the extraordinary lack of updates.


Ryan Killian
Posted: 1/24/07
A year is too long to wait for revenge.

Ten days after the Longhorns fell to Texas A&M 12-7, the University sued Aggieland Outfitters for a logo the bookstore has been using since 1997. What appears to be a thinly veiled retaliation for Texas' humiliating loss is just another lawsuit from a Board of Regents that has proved itself ready, willing and able to sue anyone - especially when their trademark is at stake.

The response from A&M students has been one of self-righteous indignation. The indignation is understandable, but the self-righteous tone Aggies adopt so often has grown tiresome.

These are the guys who sued the Seattle Seahawks, just a year ago, for stealing their cliche.

If A&M can fight for a copyrighted phrase, Texas can certainly make a case against the mangling of its logo for financial gain. And if Texas' timing was odd, remember that the Aggies waited a dozen years after the Seahawks held a press conference announcing they'd retired the number 12 and officially introducing the phrase to launch their legal attack. The suit came just as Seattle was preparing for its first Super Bowl appearance.

Classy move.

Truth be told, Texas should appreciate the "Saw 'em off" shirts that inspired this lawsuit. They serve as 100-percent cotton proof that Texas A&M derives its identity from a hatred for the Longhorns. Even their fight song - written shortly after World War I by a fellow named "Pinky" - focuses on the "Orange and White."

While Aggies love proclaiming to the world that they're not Texas, A&M doesn't get much attention around these parts.

"We're Texas" is enough bragging for Longhorns.

So let A&M have their sawed-off horns. Distasteful as it may seem, it's their way of saying simply, "We're not Texas." Not to stereotype anyone, but if you're familiar with the typical, flat-top, Corps Aggie, that's not a message you'd care to inhibit.

The lawsuit was filed by higher-ups who've lost sight of the beauty of a worthy rivalry. Or maybe it's their way of taking that rivalry up a notch.

Regardless, it's frivolous, and the timing reeks of immature bitterness. Until now, we've been content - and successful - waging our rivalry on the playing field. One loss in seven years doesn't change anything.

This University shouldn't stoop to a legal level.

After all, we're Texas.