I just had to throw in one more gratuitous security/riot preparation story, if only because it came out of the NY Times. I must say, though, that the story seems a little short on the truth (at the NY Times when covering something outside of NYC? Shocking.)

Police officers using pepper spray cut off an attempt by fans to tear down the goal posts. Some fans stormed into downtown Morgantown, W.Va., and set 100 fires, more than usual on a campus where it is a custom to set fire to couches after football games.

Emphasis added.

Now let’s be fair. As far as I know it is hardly a tradition to set fire to couches in Morgantown after the Mountaineers win a football game. It has happened after the Virginia Tech games (and maybe last year after the Pitt game, but it was Thanksgiving break, so not as likely). Second, it was hardly a raging mob moving violently into Morgantown as the story implies.

Gratuitous shots not based on facts, just seem wrong. I’m sure the NY Times will get plenty of complaints once the Hoopies learn to read and write.