Reader comments
BYU's 'Cloak Boy' — Student surprised by support after some objections to his folk singing
187 comments | Read story
What a superhero! | 12:03 p.m. March 26, 2008
Don't be deceived by his appearance, he could have powers! Like the ability
to kill a yak from 200 yards!
With MIND BULLETS!
With MIND BULLETS!
Lighten up | 12:23 p.m. March 26, 2008
Come on, you have to admit it's pretty funny. Everyone should just play
along with him, it'll make it even more funny. Everyone takes everything so
seriously. If he becomes psycho and starts to murder students, that's a
different story. But aside from that, you can't deny that it's just
hilarious.
Comments continue below
Carolyn | 12:33 p.m. March 26, 2008
Nathan has been a volunteer for the Life, the Universe, and Everything symposium
committee at BYU. The Symposium has been going on for twenty-five years, and
this year, after the symposium hosted Gail Carson Levine and Orson Scott Card,
then new head of the Humanities department has dropped the Department's
support for the symposium. I believe the reason was, among other things, that
someone in attendance was caught wearing a cloak.
I hope the attention Nathan is attracting will persuade BYU's Humanities department to reconsider its decision.
I hope the attention Nathan is attracting will persuade BYU's Humanities department to reconsider its decision.
Unusual BYU | 12:42 p.m. March 26, 2008
Now instead of singing and being an individual, he can go on to marry an 18 yr
old, have kids, get a degree, assume he is worth a C-level managenement position
straight out of school without any experience, buy too many toys in order to
keep up with his neighbors, put his wife on depression medication and file for
bankruptcy like the rest of the student population at BYU.
LDS Bishop from Cali | 12:48 p.m. March 26, 2008
Unusual BYU,
I couldn't have said it any better. Too many members are stressed out with all that is placed on them. Don't be. We are saved by grace.
I couldn't have said it any better. Too many members are stressed out with all that is placed on them. Don't be. We are saved by grace.
Frodo's friends | 1:11 p.m. March 26, 2008
I was on Kansas State University campus a couple years ago, and people met on
Sundays to sword fight with wooden sticks, shields, armor, etc. One guy payed
$3,000+ for his armor. Maybe frodo can hook up with these guys and do some
jousting with that singing...
JT | 1:27 p.m. March 26, 2008
Fight the power.
Who cares | 1:34 p.m. March 26, 2008
Why is this such a big deal? Some students were scared so they talked to the
police, the police did there job and investigated and found nothing wrong. They
said he could sing if he wanted to. This is a really lame story. Who cares what
happened cause nothing was illegal and nothing happened. Let the kid sing if he
wants to as long as he isn't disrupting classes. No one is banning him from
singing. Me personally I would find something that I consider a better use of
time to do between classes. If singing and not hanging our with friends or
studying or taking a nap is more important to this kid then so be it and just
respect others and not disrupt them and get on with your life. As for the
students making tshirts and singing camp fire songs...GET A LIFE!!!! there was
no need for you to waste your time doing those things. If you want to join him
and sing then do it but don't make a scene and make yourselves look stupid
by doing those things.
Just Ed | 1:49 p.m. March 26, 2008
Regarding all the anti-BYU "cookie cutter" criticisms: These comments
are ironic, given that BYU is endvoring to be unlike nearly every other college
campus (i.e., by having strict standards of appearance and conduct). Or is
conformity only a bad thing when it's "enforced" on the
individual level?
Besides, everyone is unique, no matter how similarly they are clothed. Clothing and haircuts are superficial expressions of individuality anyway.
American culture stresses "individuality" to an often reckless degree. What is wrong with voluntary conformity to positive group standards anyway? No one is being forced to attend BYU, are they? I just don't see what the problem is.
Besides, everyone is unique, no matter how similarly they are clothed. Clothing and haircuts are superficial expressions of individuality anyway.
American culture stresses "individuality" to an often reckless degree. What is wrong with voluntary conformity to positive group standards anyway? No one is being forced to attend BYU, are they? I just don't see what the problem is.
whats next | 1:48 p.m. March 26, 2008
First folk songs next country then pop and eventually rock and roll, and finally
Marilyn Manson will be sinning on campus!
First a Cloak then a hooded cloak, next a black leather hooded cloak, and eventually The Sith Lord or Darth Vader the Dark sides embodiment will be on campus!
BYU must stop this behavior now before Satan himself shows up! Go cougar kiddie cops.
First a Cloak then a hooded cloak, next a black leather hooded cloak, and eventually The Sith Lord or Darth Vader the Dark sides embodiment will be on campus!
BYU must stop this behavior now before Satan himself shows up! Go cougar kiddie cops.
Spunkins Rocks | 1:48 p.m. March 26, 2008
I don't care whether he is cloaked or not, guys with the courage to
serenade freshmen girls after their Econ class provide positive externalies and
should be subsidized, not intimidated, so as to ensure optimal levels of music
production on campus.
Spunkins Rocks | 1:49 p.m. March 26, 2008
Oops--I meant "externalities".
Texas | 2:00 p.m. March 26, 2008
Listen to him... he sounds like a very inteligent articulate young man. I
don't think his singing began with any kind of malice. I feel bad that he
feels the need to wear his cloak...At close range you can tell it is home-made.
Does he have the money for another? Or does he use it to actually stay warm?
Looks like the guy could use a few friends. I was happy to read the post from
his Family Home Evening member rising to his defense. Good for you. Kindness is
never the wrong thing to do...can people just be NICE to him? He is in COLLEGE
trying to better himself by furthering his education...maybe he has something
wonderful to offer the world. We all don't have cookie-cutter back
grounds... there is a hymn that says, "...Teach them tollerance and
love." Hmmmmm- great idea!
shug | 2:01 p.m. March 26, 2008
No one who has ever gone to BYU has the right to label anyone else weird. That
place is freak show!! I agree 100% with what Jim McMahon stated in his book
when he said "Provo in the rear-view mirror" was best sight he had
ever seen.
Sparkes22 | 2:03 p.m. March 26, 2008
To David Glick:
Amen Brother! I was just in New York City yesterday. Road the subway, took a cab, even hopped a train. Never felt unsafe walking across a street or standing on the sidewalk. Saw lots of people different than me for sure but what a great place. The place works in part because people have learned to live side-by-side people who are different from them in every regard. I appreciate BYU, but I Love New York!
Amen Brother! I was just in New York City yesterday. Road the subway, took a cab, even hopped a train. Never felt unsafe walking across a street or standing on the sidewalk. Saw lots of people different than me for sure but what a great place. The place works in part because people have learned to live side-by-side people who are different from them in every regard. I appreciate BYU, but I Love New York!
re Get a job Cloak-Man | 11:57 | 2:16 p.m. March 26, 2008
"Cloak-Man should get a job and quit bothering people".
You should get a job .... In BYU Admin, you'd fit in well.
You should get a job .... In BYU Admin, you'd fit in well.
Wonderboy | 2:23 p.m. March 26, 2008
Now it's time to introduce Young Nasty Man, arch-nemesis of Wonderboy, with
powers COMPARABLE TO WONDERBOY!!!
BYU police? | 2:54 p.m. March 26, 2008
Could someone explain to me how the BYU police force is a real police force?
BYU is private property isn't it? How is it that they have public law
enforcement?
If I own a thousand acres, could I have my own police force too? Maybe I could give out cloaks for uniforms and cite people for various things that bother my idiosyncracies. Indeed, anyone with nice wavy "CEO Hair" is going to get a ticket -- a big ticket.
If I own a thousand acres, could I have my own police force too? Maybe I could give out cloaks for uniforms and cite people for various things that bother my idiosyncracies. Indeed, anyone with nice wavy "CEO Hair" is going to get a ticket -- a big ticket.
BYU REALITY | 3:10 p.m. March 26, 2008
ENTER TO LEARN GO FORTH TO BE SELF RIGHTEOUS GOSSIP KINGS AND QUEENS AND GET
INTO HUGE DEBT, BLEACH YOUR HAIR AND GET A BOOB JOB, DRESS LIKE YOUR DAUGHTERS
SOMEDAY AND GET INTO MORE DEBT SO YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH THE JONES. THAT's
WHAT BYU KIDS ARE GOOD AT. LOOK INTO THE MIRROR KIDS. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A
BEACON INSTEAD YOUR ARE JUST CONFORMISTS.
I'd rather have 11 strong than 11,000 weak.
I'd rather have 11 strong than 11,000 weak.
Amber | 3:11 p.m. March 26, 2008
I don't see anything wrong with people walking around with thier instrument
as long as they're not horrible at playing it or singing. I went to high
school out in Hawaii for a year and I thought it was absolutely beautiful that
Hawaiian kids carry their ukulele and play music on the bus, in the car, on
campus, etc. I love plying my guitar and I would do the same thing if I had
nothing to do inbetween class as well. I think there's a lot more creepier
people walking around these days than him!
4peace&quiet | 3:13 p.m. March 26, 2008
BYU police were right. The psycho is not appealing in the least. Give him a
ticket. Make him pay. Revenge the hapless, victim bystanders whose ears and
eyes he has assaulted with his voice and looks.
Jaye | 3:37 p.m. March 26, 2008
Honor code...I don't recall anything in the BYU dress code that bars a
student from wearing a cloak.
As far as facial hair is concerned...I have never seen the point in requiring short hair and beardless faces.
After all...the Savior had long hair, a beard...and worst of all...he wore a long robe and...shudder...gasp...a cloak.
Perish the thought.
As far as facial hair is concerned...I have never seen the point in requiring short hair and beardless faces.
After all...the Savior had long hair, a beard...and worst of all...he wore a long robe and...shudder...gasp...a cloak.
Perish the thought.
Anonymous | 3:50 p.m. March 26, 2008
"BYU Student"...methinks you need to learn a bit about tolerance and
love. The late President Hinckley admonished the members of the faith to show
love and tolerance toward those who were different.
If you think that this young man is creepy because he wears a hooded cloak and is a singer of folk songs...methinks you are in for a shock when you grow up and enter into the world of adults.
Methinks you are far too delicate and far too judgmental. I knew quite a few hide-bound students just like you back in the ancient days of yore when I attended BYU.
And I would take the company of a young man such as this young Nathan over the likes of you any day.
If you think that this young man is creepy because he wears a hooded cloak and is a singer of folk songs...methinks you are in for a shock when you grow up and enter into the world of adults.
Methinks you are far too delicate and far too judgmental. I knew quite a few hide-bound students just like you back in the ancient days of yore when I attended BYU.
And I would take the company of a young man such as this young Nathan over the likes of you any day.
Dane | 3:47 p.m. March 26, 2008
Singing is fine, but you're at a private school with grooming standards;
cut your hair, you look like a slob. And the cape? It makes you look like the
next school shooter.
Steve | 3:51 p.m. March 26, 2008
I think that the police really didn't need to do anything. The kid is only
singing, for crying out loud. Where, in the United States constitution, does it
say that you cannot sing just because you feel like it. Strange looks I can
believe, but having the police gat involved just because you are singing? I
think that that is a little bit over the top.
please | 3:58 p.m. March 26, 2008
This is one of the reasons that at times i can't stand BYU. Seriously. I
guess with 30,000 students youre bound to get a few who are nut jobs. Maybe
i'll transfer to the U. Id rather see people with tatoos and earings than
see this kid around. It doesn't bother me at all to hear the police went to
see if this kid was mentally stable. Oh and why is this in the news???
Jaye | 4:06 p.m. March 26, 2008
Thompson...what is the usual motivation behind campus shootings?
The shooters are usually loners. They have usually been the targets of bullying, and lack of understanding by their peers. They are usually excluded from group social activities, because they are different.
They have usually been labeled freaks, creeps, and BIZZARE weirdos who just do not fit into the realm of 'normality'.
Define normality.
And what is so weird about wearing a cloak and singing songs? How does it POSSIBLY harm anyone else?
It is written..."Sing unto Him a new song: play skillfully with a loud noise.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Praise Him in song and in the dance.
One thing is certain...this young Nathan is a child of the most high, and beloved of the Father. Those of you who would claim to be faithful followers of the Lord would do well to remember this fact...and to treat this young man accordingly.
The shooters are usually loners. They have usually been the targets of bullying, and lack of understanding by their peers. They are usually excluded from group social activities, because they are different.
They have usually been labeled freaks, creeps, and BIZZARE weirdos who just do not fit into the realm of 'normality'.
Define normality.
And what is so weird about wearing a cloak and singing songs? How does it POSSIBLY harm anyone else?
It is written..."Sing unto Him a new song: play skillfully with a loud noise.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Praise Him in song and in the dance.
One thing is certain...this young Nathan is a child of the most high, and beloved of the Father. Those of you who would claim to be faithful followers of the Lord would do well to remember this fact...and to treat this young man accordingly.
Anonymous | 4:09 p.m. March 26, 2008
'That cloak passes the honor code"...how do you think the Pharisees
viewed the behavior of Jesus the Christ?
They thought He might possibly be a lunatic. They thought He was a heretic. They thought He was an apostate. They thought He was a trouble-maker who disturbed the peace.
Try to remember that when next you cross paths with Nathan.
They thought He might possibly be a lunatic. They thought He was a heretic. They thought He was an apostate. They thought He was a trouble-maker who disturbed the peace.
Try to remember that when next you cross paths with Nathan.
Jaye | 4:21 p.m. March 26, 2008
"KID"...perhaps when you have experienced more of life...outside of
your sheltered existence in Utah...you will understand that there are MUCH
weirder things for a young man to do than to wear a cloak and sing folk songs
between classes.
I am right | 4:16 p.m. March 26, 2008
It won't be long before this kid is sent to a secret torture chamber in the
basement of the Wilkinson Center. That is what happens to BYU students who need
therapy for the not-fitting-the-mold disease.
Anonymous | 4:16 p.m. March 26, 2008
Get a haircut!
Anonymous | 4:17 p.m. March 26, 2008
Forget the singing. Someone should've called this boy in for his greasy
hair. Seriously... yuck.
Cloak Boy | 4:19 p.m. March 26, 2008
Be careful girls rumor has it he has xray vision.
Jaye | 4:19 p.m. March 26, 2008
I find it amusing how much the actions of this youth have bothered some of
you.
Geez...when I attended a Jr.College in Southern California...students were taking off their clothes and streaking across campus.
If wearing a cloak and singing folk songs is so creepy to some...I'll bet they would have died from shock to see naked men and women running across campus and flapping in the breeze.
Geez...when I attended a Jr.College in Southern California...students were taking off their clothes and streaking across campus.
If wearing a cloak and singing folk songs is so creepy to some...I'll bet they would have died from shock to see naked men and women running across campus and flapping in the breeze.
Jaye | 4:24 p.m. March 26, 2008
2Bits...has Nathan done anything vulgar? Has he sung songs with dirty lyrics?
He is a student and has every right to sit around on campus wearing a cloak and singing songs.
Until the administration comes up with a new regulation for the honor code book prohibiting such cloaks and the singing of songs on the commons...then he is within his rights.
He is a student and has every right to sit around on campus wearing a cloak and singing songs.
Until the administration comes up with a new regulation for the honor code book prohibiting such cloaks and the singing of songs on the commons...then he is within his rights.
Jaye | 4:38 p.m. March 26, 2008
"Eye Witness"...perhaps you should be asking yourself why YOU
haven't personally reached out to this young man and talked to him.
A simple smile, and a hello can mean the world to a lonely young man or woman.
And in the case of him standing in the snow and singing...perhaps you could have invited him to come inside for a cup of cocoa.
Perhaps his behavior is a cry for help. Will you answer it? Will YOU be the one to at least TRY to make a difference in his life?
Or are you too fearful of differences?
A simple smile, and a hello can mean the world to a lonely young man or woman.
And in the case of him standing in the snow and singing...perhaps you could have invited him to come inside for a cup of cocoa.
Perhaps his behavior is a cry for help. Will you answer it? Will YOU be the one to at least TRY to make a difference in his life?
Or are you too fearful of differences?
Anonymous returns | 4:33 p.m. March 26, 2008
Dear Shug:
You're weird.
You're weird.
JR | 4:36 p.m. March 26, 2008
It's a good thing the BYU police stopped this guy. This sort of event could
have instigated all sorts of bad things like not shaving for class, staying out
after BYU curfew, or not attending ward prayer!
Jaye | 4:37 p.m. March 26, 2008
"Common Courtesy"...so go study in the library.
Cloak | 4:38 p.m. March 26, 2008
Where do we all buy one at?
Come on, I'll bet they called the first guy "not" to wear a wig weird.
Reminds me of the Jerry Seinfield episode with Larry David in a "cape", and Larry david is a gazillionaire (He's richer that Governor Huntsman's Daddy).
Come on, I'll bet they called the first guy "not" to wear a wig weird.
Reminds me of the Jerry Seinfield episode with Larry David in a "cape", and Larry david is a gazillionaire (He's richer that Governor Huntsman's Daddy).
Jaye | 4:43 p.m. March 26, 2008
"Get a job Cloak-Man"...if you as a BYU student saw a 40 year old man
hanging out in a cloak singing Church songs...you might do well to be
concerned.
However...Nathan is not a 40 year old man...and he is a student.
Perhaps it is people like YOU who ought to get jobs
and leave other people like Nathan alone.
However...Nathan is not a 40 year old man...and he is a student.
Perhaps it is people like YOU who ought to get jobs
and leave other people like Nathan alone.
wrz | 4:52 p.m. March 26, 2008
>>What would the Savior do?.<<
He would have said something like: "There's a time and place for everything."
He would have said something like: "There's a time and place for everything."
Elaine | 4:50 p.m. March 26, 2008
The thing that concerns me here is not that a 19-year-old young man likes to
wear a cloak and sing. No, I'm much more worried about all the people who
seem to feel so threatened by anyone who does anything in the least that
doesn't fit the mold. Come on, people...having an original thought is fun.
Try it sometime, instead of letting someone else dictate everything you think,
do, and say, up to and including how long you can wear your hair or whether, if
you're a male, you can wear a beard without being considered suspect.
Jaye | 5:00 p.m. March 26, 2008
Long hair and eccentric behavior is not allowed at BYU.
I imagine they would have expelled Albert Einstein.
I imagine they would have expelled Albert Einstein.
Both are Similar | 4:58 p.m. March 26, 2008
BYU like Cloak Boy is a little bit different. Don't they both add to the
spice of life?
Anonymous | 5:09 p.m. March 26, 2008
Hey cloak boy, you are probably braver than I and possibly smarter than most of
the people who are your detractors.
Anonymous | 5:05 p.m. March 26, 2008
Cloak boy, you are doing BYU a service, getting them to get used to diverstiy.
Hope you can tolerate the heat.
re Jaye | 5:00 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. March 26, 2008
"I imagine they would have expelled Albert Einstein".
Never mind Einstein, Todays BYU would expell Brigham Young himself and Jesus too.
Never mind Einstein, Todays BYU would expell Brigham Young himself and Jesus too.
To: Jaye | 5:17 p.m. March 26, 2008
You're right, Einstein would have been expelled, but by the Religion
Department....he never believed in a personal God.
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
BYU student Nathan Langford talks about his former habit of singing outside the Joseph Smith Building on campus.
Related content
- Holiday window-shopping 5:10 p.m.
- Kingsbury books 'Wedding Singer' 5:09 p.m.
- Gems losing out in box office 5:09 p.m.
- Winter vacation rental can be bargain 5:08 p.m.
- Europe has many holiday markets 5:08 p.m.
- Holiday season starts early in Montreal 5:08 p.m.
- Holiday television program listings 5:08 p.m.
- Art canvas 5:08 p.m.
- Visual arts galleries 5:08 p.m.
- Vatican's Byzantine reliquary restored 5:08 p.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
302 - BYU says Hall incident resolved247
- Letters: Liberal because LDS245
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game189
- Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry188
- Aggies shoot past Cougars179
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing170
- N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage127
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore118
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan105
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Latest comments
Where does the money come from?
I was raised in Arizona in a small LDS Community and lived in several Utah...
Please do give your season tickets away. Not much of a Utah fan if you can...
Didn't we just send Beckham home? Why was he there? I thought his $5.5M...
Well done, now if he will do a novel filling in the blanks on Santa Claus so...
I started going to his concerts in '95 and enjoy his music - too bad his need...
Who is running the DWR? Sounds like the minority special interest groups...
I thought that the bible teaches us homosexuality is an abomination. I must...
Utah's math core curriculum should be revamped from elementary on up. In my...
Not all MORMONS go to heaven. Glen Beck is probably not the most perfect...
Advertisements
And, I agree with the poster who wrote that the Savior would most certainly sit down on the grass and hang out and listen to him sing. I think we all agree that we know what the Savior would do.
That's what's so great about BYU, everyone on campus is sure that he/she is doing exactly what the Savior would do. Especially me.
Plus, (shameless plug alert) don't miss my videos on YouTube where I am singing in my kilt. I loved doing it on the BYU campus back in the day.