The banning of the event is reminiscent of an overprotective mother using the PTA to ban dodge ball at an elementary school. Most colleges in the country (including the Naval Academy) have rugby teams who are in far greater danger on a weekly basis than the participants in the Herndon climb.

In regards to the actual event, I must confess as to not getting the point of climbing a greased up monument.

I think Steven Taylor gets to the reason for the ban--the homoerotic nature of grown men climbing together up a greased pole is antithetical to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy of the military.

In regards to the actual event, I must confess as to not getting the point of climbing a greased up monument.

Nanny statism is the idea that somebody in authority needs to tell others-especially adults what they can or can't do for their own good.

Some of those things have good reasons behind them, but I see no compelling reasons for eliminating this yearly ritual/tradition. Especially since it involves adults, and there have never been any serious injuries.

nanny statism is not just acts of congress. It is when anyone in authority over adults removes their rights of making choices without a compelling reason. Certainly we can debate what constitutes a compelling reason, but none seems to have been entered here.

The government deciding that I should drive on the right side of the road is a limitation on my freedom of choice, but it is based on a compelling reason. If the naval academy was to force the cadets to participate or force them to not participate, they would be engaging in nanny statism.

Let the midshipmen (and women) individually decide to participate and then jointly work to accomplish the goal.

Now, that doesn't mean the possible decision isn't stupid...

They are adults, they are future officers, I think they can handle the risks involved.