I took a week off from reporting on the Triple XXX incident just because there was such a large influx of [false] information circulating throughout the media. But now, let's take a look at the top 5 lead ups into the conclusion of this whole sensationalist clusterf--- topic.

1. Last Wednesday November 12 at 3 p.m., students and faculty members rallied around the Diversity Tree (shown above) to listen to speakers promote diversity. Even the university provost was there! Some held signs while others just showed up as a sign of support. A witness later told me they were rather impressed by the outcome and the passion.

2. On Thursday November 13, the president of the Purdue NAACP met privately with Greg Ehresman, owner of Triple XXX, to discuss things. The Exponent said, "the two parties are working together to focus on the future," whatever that means.

3. On Saturday November 15 at 3:30 p.m., a group of 50-ish met at the Diversity Tree and made a symbolic march to Triple XXX, holding up banners and signs along the way. At the restaurant accused of racial discrimination and where this whole issue got brought up over two weeks ago, owners Jan and Greg Ehresman came out to give a speech in front of the congregation. Feel-good words and promises were expressed for the sake of PR. If nothing else, the march was one last chance for the media to get some photos in before the story finally dies. One student who was there later told me, "There were almost just as many media as there were regular participants."

4. And thus the media storm continues. Prominent Purdue faculty have come out to say that they are going to devote more attention to diversity issues, even creating a new student diversity organization! How silly it is for them to act so reborn as if the Triple XXX and Diversity Tree/"F--- Obama" situations have changed their entire outlook on life. Isn't it only every other semester that someone comes forward proclaiming how utterly necessary and vital to the health of our campus that diversity is acknowledge, respected, and celebrated? But by golly, they're really going to do something about it this time! Purdue PR machine, you really need some new material.

5. It was reported today that the two city officers involved in the Triple XXX incident have been suspended for two whole days. This can't bode well for their records and reputations but one would think that their punishment would at least parallel all the attention and absolute rage that their actions have incited. Slap on the wrist ftw.