From Sports Illustrated, earlier this afternoon:

The biggest college football showdown of the weekend will be between Alabama and LSU in Tuscaloosa on Saturday afternoon. However, the Student Government Association at the University of Alabama reportedly sent out a letter on Wednesday warning students that protesting President Donald Trump, who will be in attendance, could result in the loss of reserved seating for the balance of the season.

The article states that the letter to the students was written by the Vice President for Student Affairs. (If you’ve ever worked at a college, you, of course, knew that.) Yes, what a great idea – threaten students if they protest the president. I wonder what will happen? (Here’s where I wish I knew how to insert a smiley face in Markdown.)

This story is just getting started – I’ll try to keep this post updated.

About once or twice a year, our local Ogden Newspaper editor, Mike Myer, writes about liberal political correctness on America’s campuses. This isn't liberal correctness. Will he write about this one? (Insert a laughing emoji here.)

Update 1 - Senator Joe Manchin to attend

Add WV Senator Joe Manchin to the fun and games. From Al.com:

And Nick Saban’s buddy will be on campus, too. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, the former governor of West Virginia and a lifelong friend of Saban’s, is planning to be at the game with Alabama Sen. Doug Jones. The senators will be on the Quad at 10 a.m. as a guest of the Tuscaloosa County Democratic Party. . . .

Politics aside, Manchin and Saban grew up together outside Fairmont, W.Va.

Update 2 - Baby Trump makes it

The 'Baby Trump' balloon that has followed Trump across the globe is heading to this weekend's football game between the University of Alabama and Louisiana State University that Trump is expected to attend, according to The Hill. https://t.co/2bCNacce0X

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 8, 2019

Update 3 - Student government changes its mind - will not punish students who protest

From the Washington Post:

Alabama student government walks back warning against disruptions during Trump visit to LSU game

The SGA takes a bold stand:

“The SGA strongly affirms its belief in free speech and the rights of all students to express their opinions,” the SGA’s Wednesday statement read.

Saturday evening update - Trump cheered and Baby Trump balloon stabbed

From CNN:

President Donald Trump received a mostly cheerful welcome from the crowd attending Saturday's major college football game between the University of Alabama and Louisiana State University.

Before the game's kickoff, the President and first lady Melania Trump received a big cheer as they waved to the crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Heavy does a report on the man who stabbed the Baby Trump balloon:

Hutchinson Went Live On Facebook to Announce He’d Destroy the Peaceful Protest

(Of course, he did.) The article explains:

Hutchinson, who’s a tire builder at BF Goodrich, and is not an alumnus of either Alabama or LSU, said in a live Facebook video, “So ya’ll watching the news. If you’ve got any balls, come join me. This is pathetic. It’s gonna get rowdy. So, pay attention. I’m shaking I’m so mad. I’m gonna go pop this balloon without a doubt.”

Afterward, he was taken into custody by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and held on $2,500 bond. Hutchinson then started his own Go Fund Me page entitled “Restitutions for Baby Trump Stabber.”