Texas Adds BAH to the Sis Boom... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

maleficent · 05-05-2005, 03:41 AM

Texas Legislation Adds a Bah! to Sis and Boom

By SIMON ROMERO

Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the National Cheerleaders Association and the Herkie jump (more on that later), may have put modern cheerleading on the map. But the Texas House of Representatives, concerned that high school cheerleading is becoming too raunchy, has approved a bill that would allow state education officials to prohibit "overtly sexually suggestive" cheering and drill team routines.

A routine at the championship of the National Cheerleaders Association, whose assessment of the bill's effect is a cautious one.

"I felt in my heart that this bill was the right thing to pursue," said Representative Tommy Merritt, a Republican from Longview whose wife is a former member of the Kilgore Rangerettes, the celebrated women's drill team from Kilgore College in East Texas. The Rangerettes, who dress conservatively in white cowboy hats and boots and red, white and blue outfits, were held up as a proper example by the bill's supporters in debate that preceded its approval, 65 to 56, on Monday.

The legislation, sponsored by Representative Al Edwards, a Houston Democrat and ordained minister who once proposed a measure to amputate the fingers of drug dealers, now goes to the Senate, where it lacks a sponsor. It also lacks some of its original teeth; a provision that would have allowed a cut in state financing to schools that permit racy routines was removed.

Still, some were relieved that the House approved the bill.

"High school cheerleading was starting to emulate popular culture, if you call popular culture the scantily clad Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," said Cathie Adams, president of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum. "We feel this is a bill that empowers parents, that provides moms and dads with some additional support."

Others, including some who make their living in the state's vibrant cheerleading industry, are withholding their hurrahs. Eric Howze, owner and director of the Southwest Cheer Academy, which conducts private cheerleading classes near Houston, said the measure was "completely ridiculous."

"What's defined as lewd by one person is skill, talent and hard work to another," Mr. Howze said. "We're from Texas, which is obviously a very Christian-based state and something I support, but why do we want the government doing something that parents are already doing?"

Supporters of the bill, however, argued that something had to be done to prevent student cheerleaders from mimicking the provocative dances seen on MTV, the routines of some professional sports teams' cheering squads and suggestive performances in cheerleading movies like "Bring It On" and its sequel, "Bring It On Again."

Just what would be defined as too suggestive under the bill remains vague, though. The measure leaves that to the Texas Education Agency, where a spokeswoman, Debbie Graves Ratcliffe, said the agency would be empowered to write a letter to a school district to request a review on whether a routine was unacceptably racy. Ms. Ratcliffe declined further comment, citing a policy that bars the agency from publicly discussing details of pending legislation.

Among those groups that are careful in their assessment of the bill's effect is the National Cheerleaders Association, a company based in Dallas that conducts cheerleading camps and competitions around the country. The association was founded in 1948 by Lawrence Herkimer, the cheerleader from Southern Methodist University credited with creating the pompom, the spirit stick and the Herkie jump: the leap - done with right fist in the air, left hand on hip, left leg thrust forward - that is a cheer bedrock.

"We think, as a company, that age-appropriate clothing and choreography are always necessary," said Karen Halterman, vice president for marketing at the association.

"We believe it's a very small minority of cheerleaders, not the 98 percent who do things right, that are being noticed at the suggestive level," Ms. Halterman said. "We've already been looking into this thing, since our focus has been not just on technical skills but on grooming tomorrow's leaders."

Maureen Balleza contributed reporting for this article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The quote that I heard on the news this morning was that suggestive cheerleading would lead to teen pregnancies, STDs, and high school dropouts. And back in my day, the biggest cheerleading argument was, whether or not pom pom girls should be considered atheletes and cheerleading a sport.

Does suggestive cheerleading, and what exactly is suggestive cheerleading anyhow, lead to allthose horrible things, any more than violent video games and movies lead to a rise in teen violence. Arent teens supposed to be smarter than that?

Thoughts?

Bill O'Rights · 05-05-2005, 04:40 AM

Hmmm...I have the dubious distinction of being able to look at this from both sides. For one thing, as a red blooded American male, I thouroughly enjoy watching the cheerleaders "doing their thing". And as far as the "raunch" goes, well...who gets to decide what is too racy, and what is appropriate? That's a hill I'm not ready to go down, with no brakes.
However...I go to a lot of our local high school football games. Beyond the fact that my daughter graduates from high school this year, I really started to feel like an old fogey when the cheerleaders came onto the field, and I felt more like I was at a strip club watching pole dancers, than I did watching the cute perky cheerleaders, of my youth, doing their routines.
Now...do I feel that the "modern" routines are too racy? Mmmm...yeah...I kinda do. But, I'm not ready to inflict my own brand of appropriatness upon the rest of society. Do I think that the suggestive cheerleading would lead to teen pregnancies, STDs, and high school dropouts? I highly doubt it. No more so than back in "my" day.
The real question is, do 42 year men need another reason for feeling guilty about oggling 17 year old cheerleaders?

ARTelevision · 05-05-2005, 04:46 AM

I find it hard to imagine watching someone else's children a titillating experience. I also find it hard to comprehend why these groups of gyrating adolescents exist at all - much less why they are a considered a normal part of sporting events.

JustJess · 05-05-2005, 04:54 AM

I'm just glad I don't live in Texas, I guess.
I think it's dangerous to all of us when government starts getting involved in such personal aspects of our lives. Who are they to decide that a person is "too racy"? Since when is "racy" a technical term, anyway?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether it's about someone else or not. I'm sometimes amazed at what the girls wear now, but I'm sure my older sister and my mother felt that way about what WE wore too! But to legislate a person's opinion - on a DRESS CODE for gods' sakes - is outright ridiculous.
And no, clearly I don't think 'suggestive' cheerleading will lead the path to hell and damnation - as BOR said, no more than usual, anyway.

And BOR - you don't need another one, but here in this country, we're free with our guilt!

ObieX · 05-05-2005, 05:17 AM

I think if the parents of children didn't want them to do this they wouldn't sign the permission forms that allow them to. Atleast most schools require parents to sign forms before the child is allowed to join a team/squad.

Fourtyrulz · 05-05-2005, 06:10 AM

This biggest problem I have with the legislation is this:

Quote:

The legislation, sponsored by Representative Al Edwards, a Houston Democrat and ordained minister who once proposed a measure to amputate the fingers of drug dealers, now goes to the Senate, where it lacks a sponsor. It also lacks some of its original teeth; a provision that would have allowed a cut in state financing to schools that permit racy routines was removed.

So not only is the representative who proposed this bill for cruel and unusual punishment, but he was also planning on cutting school funding based on cheerleading routines! Priorities people, jeeze.

cellophanedeity · 05-05-2005, 07:22 AM

Yes, some cheerleading squads do need to cover up a bit more. I won't argue that, but I don't think that the government has a right to involve itself in this. If the choreography is lewd, then have parents and teachers make suggestions to change the dances. It's not as if the principle of a school doesn't have influence over whether the squad can do their thing or not. Leave it to the educators and parents. I think this is one that the government can stay out of.

Aladdin Sane · 05-05-2005, 07:22 AM

Observed from a anthropological outlook, American football is a fertility rite, comparible to what has been observed in more primitive societies [the mention of which causes the PC Police to start sharpening their knives].
As a teacher in high schools for 13 years, I observed these "sports" rituals with increasing amusement. The pre-game "pep rally" is particularly revealing because of its overt sexuality. To wit: the most masculine males in the school, sitting at one end of the gymnasium, are "entertained" by the most feminine females in the school. What makes them the most masculine and the most feminine? Their ripening sexuality of course; the onset of fertility; the child's new ability to sexually reproduce. Both males and females are dressed in costumes designed to exaggerate secondary sexual characteristics. The girls face the football team, standing no more than 10 feet away, and dance wildly, shaking their rising breasts and widening hips, gyrating in movements that mimic copulation, to rap music that is steeped in eroticism. The boys look on with various expressions. Some stare. Others grin while elbowing a nearby teammate, and a few black boys even grab their genitals with no pretense of concealment! The younger, less mature boys have faces that glow red and eyes almost averted from the young dancers before them. As this is occurring on the gym floor, in the stands the high school audience of several hundred teenagers is cheering, clapping, whisling, and a general pandamonium breaks out. Meanwhile, the school Principal, Vice Principals, teachers, and visiting parents look on with approval and satisfaction at a spectacle that would be condemned in any other setting. This sort of performance continues for 30 to 45 minutes, with various degrees of sexually provocative behavior from the cheerleaders.

This is what cheerleading is all about. Should it be regulated by the state? Heavens no. How absurd.

I love the irony of it all. Besides, it's a great publicly financed training program for titty bars.

IanSturgill · 05-05-2005, 08:35 AM

The dance team at my high school would practically show the crowd their vaginas. we used to count the number of sexually suggestive moves while playing in the pepband.

guthmund · 05-05-2005, 02:38 PM

I agree. I'm not sure I understand why this is the state's business at all.

I mean, I understand a lot of each school's funding comes from the state, but I would think this would be a problem handled...I don't know...a little more "in house" rather than the state house.

If parents, or, for that matter, the school itself, have a problem with their girls flashing vagina and pole dancing at the games, then I would imagine the parents or the school should handle it.

I know this isn't something life long senators and state representatives want to hear, but you can't possibly legislate everything. I will, however, give them kudos for trying.

hrandani · 05-05-2005, 06:06 PM

I live in Texas, and I never went to pep rallys or football games, so while my opinion is somewhat limited, I will say that during my last job I worked with an older man who mentioned that the high school my girlfriend went to recently had the 'hottest fucking girls in the state' and that he loved to volunteer to pick up his DAUGHTER from SCHOOL so he could look at all of her HOT FRIENDS.

...

This man physically resembled a sunburned penis though, and with his amazing social skills (worse than mine) I wasn't too worried.

arch13 · 05-06-2005, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARTelevision

I find it hard to imagine watching someone else's children a titillating experience. I also find it hard to comprehend why these groups of gyrating adolescents exist at all - much less why they are a considered a normal part of sporting events.

My question to you Art, given your opinion (and mine is quite similiar) is do you think this is an issue the state has the right to inject itself into?

I personaly am not convinced that the state has a social right or mandate to do this. It is in some ways legislating morality. Here's where I see the line blurring. Not all cheerleading groups are school sponsored. On school teritory and on state dollars, the school can impose community standards (Which I belice can only be done on a local level to reflect the local comunity. Here, I take offense to any legislature that tries to make a broad definition of appropriate) in much the same way the school has a dress code.

As for private groups however, the state has no inherant or stated right to impose any community standard upon them, and I see this as an attempt to.

Gertie · 05-06-2005, 04:59 AM

This reminds me of the movie Flashdance. A preacher telling everybody what they can and can't do. Leave it up to the parents and the school administration. Get back to running the government.

maleficent · 05-06-2005, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gertie

This reminds me of the movie Flashdance. A preacher telling everybody what they can and can't do. Leave it up to the parents and the school administration. Get back to running the government.

That was Footloose...

ARTelevision · 05-06-2005, 01:05 PM

arch13, as distinct from the current fad of expressing mistrust of the state doing anything, I have no problem with laws that regulate institutions such as schools - or the vast majority of the laws and regulations we have in place in our good society. I understand that it is fashionable to bash the state as an extension of public power. I'm just not a follower of trends - especially ones that are fueled by romantic notions.

arch13 · 05-06-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARTelevision

arch13, as distinct from the current fad of expressing mistrust of the state doing anything, I have no problem with laws that regulate institutions such as schools - or the vast majority of the laws and regulations we have in place in our good society. I understand that it is fashionable to bash the state as an extension of public power. I'm just not a follower of trends - especially ones that are fueled by romantic notions.

Interesting.

How do you feel about it's effect on private cheerleading groups?
I think you may have mistaken a portion of my statement before. I see no inhearnt issue when it's a state intstitution, only when it's a private group. As I mentioned, community standards should prevail in such public institutions. ( I understand we disagree we're the mandate should come from, as I see this as needing a local goverment manadate, not state based, but I do feel that we are viewing the same issue through similar prisms )

ARTelevision · 05-06-2005, 02:05 PM

Yes. Let me say that I have no issue with governmental institutions regulating decency in behavior, expression, and performance. I'm satisfied with the way that is defined by the courts - typically it is defined according to a "local" standard.

Aladdin Sane · 05-06-2005, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARTelevision

arch13, as distinct from the current fad of expressing mistrust of the state doing anything, I have no problem with laws that regulate institutions such as schools - or the vast majority of the laws and regulations we have in place in our good society. I understand that it is fashionable to bash the state as an extension of public power. I'm just not a follower of trends - especially ones that are fueled by romantic notions.

Art, this is an interesting thought. Facinating, actually.

A little background: I am one who deeply distrusts government, but I am also hardwired to be suspicious of the popular, the trendy, the next best thing.

Anyhow, would you mind expounding upon the idea of societal trends that are fueled by romantic notions? And in the case at hand, i.e., restricting the dance style of cheerleaders, does a romantic notion reject or support the proposed state restrictions?
Thanks in advance, and Cheers.

ARTelevision · 05-06-2005, 05:09 PM

Romanticism fueled the French Revolution and, by extension, our own revolution. Ideas such as the dignity, basic goodness, and perfectability of mankind, the sacrosanct nature of individual expression and untrammeled human freedom inform western societies. These ideas have lost much of their meaning as a result of the cold, cruel, and existential experience of the Modern and Postmodern eras, yet they still stir the emotions of many. They've therefore become the standard memes of mass advertising and mass media. The notion that the state, government in general, and mechanisms of control stand in opposition to these romantic principles is a hallmark of our time.

I favor mechanisms of repression as I understand them to be our sole defense against uninspired anarchy. I have also found the free expression of most individuals to be not free at all - but conditioned by uninspired cultural influence. This includes the gyrations of adolescents.

Aladdin Sane · 05-06-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARTelevision

These ideas have lost much of their meaning as a result of the cold, cruel, and existential experience of the Modern and Postmodern eras, yet they still stir the emotions of many.

I don't follow you here.
How have ideas such as human dignity and the sacrosanct nature of individual expression and untrammeled human freedom lost their meaning? Granted, I've never subscribed to the notion that humans are perfectable, nor that the species is basically good, but I still subscribe to the idea of human dignity and basic human freedom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARTelevision

The notion that the state, government in general, and mechanisms of control stand in opposition to these romantic principles is a hallmark of our time.

I am sure that you understand the philosophical ideas behind the American Revolution of 1776. It is clear that the Founding Fathers did not trust government, and they believed it to be the greatest threat to human freedom that existed. They wrote a constitution that was intended to hobble government power at every turn. In fact, the Bill of Rights is often incorrectly seen as a list of rights the state is obligated to protect. This construct turns reality on its head. In truth, the Bill of Rights was written to limit government power. It simply says to the state, " into these areas of human freedom, you shall not tread."
My point is that I do not believe that a distrust of the state is a hallmark of our time. I do believe that it is a fundamental of American culture, and that loathing of state power was in our character from the beginning of the Republic.

ARTelevision · 05-06-2005, 07:12 PM

My response is a personal one.
Those ideas just don't inspire me.
They sound good and are therefore useful as political rhetoric.

I find repression to be the means by which humans are civilized.

Lockjaw · 05-06-2005, 07:38 PM

Being a native Texan you guys have no idea how embarasing this is and how badly I was hoping this would die before it got spread around. But it's very ridiculous and this is no place for the government simply for nothing more than there are much bigger issues that need to be addressed. If this is the best thing those jokers in Austin have to deal with I think I'm going to run for office. Sounds like a cushy job.

Apokx · 05-06-2005, 09:33 PM

What bothers me the most is that there is a sequel to Bring It On .

Aladdin Sane · 05-07-2005, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARTelevision

My response is a personal one.
Those ideas just don't inspire me.
They sound good and are therefore useful as political rhetoric.

I find repression to be the means by which humans are civilized.

Although I don't understand exactly what you are saying in the first part, I do relate to the second part.
I think it was Will Durant who said that civilization is always one generation from extinction. Bacon wrote of mankind that it is our unbridled passions that forges our fetters.

Aladdin Sane · 05-07-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockjaw

Being a native Texan you guys have no idea how embarasing this is and how badly I was hoping this would die before it got spread around. But it's very ridiculous and this is no place for the government simply for nothing more than there are much bigger issues that need to be addressed. If this is the best thing those jokers in Austin have to deal with I think I'm going to run for office. Sounds like a cushy job.

Look at it this way: it is a testament to how well things are going in Texas. Our enlightened legislators have no bigger problems to tackle.

ARTelevision · 05-07-2005, 10:10 AM

Aladdin Sane, I am not an idealist.

Just to clarify the point:
I see the horrors of the Modern and Postmodern eras as having eradicated any defensible position as regards man's nobility, dignity, self-expression, and "liberty."

I do appreciate your input throughout this thread and elsewhere.
Thanks.

Aladdin Sane · 05-07-2005, 06:20 PM

Art, I also enjoy your comments. You make me think. Thanks.

05-05-2005, 03:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Texas Adds BAH to the Sis Boom... Texas Legislation Adds a Bah! to Sis and Boom By SIMON ROMERO Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the National Cheerleaders Association and the Herkie jump (more on that later), may have put modern cheerleading on the map. But the Texas House of Representatives, concerned that high school cheerleading is becoming too raunchy, has approved a bill that would allow state education officials to prohibit "overtly sexually suggestive" cheering and drill team routines. A routine at the championship of the National Cheerleaders Association, whose assessment of the bill's effect is a cautious one. "I felt in my heart that this bill was the right thing to pursue," said Representative Tommy Merritt, a Republican from Longview whose wife is a former member of the Kilgore Rangerettes, the celebrated women's drill team from Kilgore College in East Texas. The Rangerettes, who dress conservatively in white cowboy hats and boots and red, white and blue outfits, were held up as a proper example by the bill's supporters in debate that preceded its approval, 65 to 56, on Monday. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Al Edwards, a Houston Democrat and ordained minister who once proposed a measure to amputate the fingers of drug dealers, now goes to the Senate, where it lacks a sponsor. It also lacks some of its original teeth; a provision that would have allowed a cut in state financing to schools that permit racy routines was removed. Still, some were relieved that the House approved the bill. "High school cheerleading was starting to emulate popular culture, if you call popular culture the scantily clad Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," said Cathie Adams, president of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum. "We feel this is a bill that empowers parents, that provides moms and dads with some additional support." Others, including some who make their living in the state's vibrant cheerleading industry, are withholding their hurrahs. Eric Howze, owner and director of the Southwest Cheer Academy, which conducts private cheerleading classes near Houston, said the measure was "completely ridiculous." "What's defined as lewd by one person is skill, talent and hard work to another," Mr. Howze said. "We're from Texas, which is obviously a very Christian-based state and something I support, but why do we want the government doing something that parents are already doing?" Supporters of the bill, however, argued that something had to be done to prevent student cheerleaders from mimicking the provocative dances seen on MTV, the routines of some professional sports teams' cheering squads and suggestive performances in cheerleading movies like "Bring It On" and its sequel, "Bring It On Again." Just what would be defined as too suggestive under the bill remains vague, though. The measure leaves that to the Texas Education Agency, where a spokeswoman, Debbie Graves Ratcliffe, said the agency would be empowered to write a letter to a school district to request a review on whether a routine was unacceptably racy. Ms. Ratcliffe declined further comment, citing a policy that bars the agency from publicly discussing details of pending legislation. Among those groups that are careful in their assessment of the bill's effect is the National Cheerleaders Association, a company based in Dallas that conducts cheerleading camps and competitions around the country. The association was founded in 1948 by Lawrence Herkimer, the cheerleader from Southern Methodist University credited with creating the pompom, the spirit stick and the Herkie jump: the leap - done with right fist in the air, left hand on hip, left leg thrust forward - that is a cheer bedrock. "We think, as a company, that age-appropriate clothing and choreography are always necessary," said Karen Halterman, vice president for marketing at the association. "We believe it's a very small minority of cheerleaders, not the 98 percent who do things right, that are being noticed at the suggestive level," Ms. Halterman said. "We've already been looking into this thing, since our focus has been not just on technical skills but on grooming tomorrow's leaders." Maureen Balleza contributed reporting for this article. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The quote that I heard on the news this morning was that suggestive cheerleading would lead to teen pregnancies, STDs, and high school dropouts. And back in my day, the biggest cheerleading argument was, whether or not pom pom girls should be considered atheletes and cheerleading a sport. Does suggestive cheerleading, and what exactly is suggestive cheerleading anyhow, lead to allthose horrible things, any more than violent video games and movies lead to a rise in teen violence. Arent teens supposed to be smarter than that? Thoughts? __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

05-05-2005, 04:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Hmmm...I have the dubious distinction of being able to look at this from both sides. For one thing, as a red blooded American male, I thouroughly enjoy watching the cheerleaders "doing their thing". And as far as the "raunch" goes, well...who gets to decide what is too racy, and what is appropriate? That's a hill I'm not ready to go down, with no brakes. However...I go to a lot of our local high school football games. Beyond the fact that my daughter graduates from high school this year, I really started to feel like an old fogey when the cheerleaders came onto the field, and I felt more like I was at a strip club watching pole dancers, than I did watching the cute perky cheerleaders, of my youth, doing their routines. Now...do I feel that the "modern" routines are too racy? Mmmm...yeah...I kinda do. But, I'm not ready to inflict my own brand of appropriatness upon the rest of society. Do I think that the suggestive cheerleading would lead to teen pregnancies, STDs, and high school dropouts? I highly doubt it. No more so than back in "my" day. The real question is, do 42 year men need another reason for feeling guilty about oggling 17 year old cheerleaders? __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. Last edited by Bill O'Rights; 05-05-2005 at 04:44 AM..

05-05-2005, 04:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	I find it hard to imagine watching someone else's children a titillating experience. I also find it hard to comprehend why these groups of gyrating adolescents exist at all - much less why they are a considered a normal part of sporting events. __________________ create evolution

05-05-2005, 04:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	I'm just glad I don't live in Texas, I guess. I think it's dangerous to all of us when government starts getting involved in such personal aspects of our lives. Who are they to decide that a person is "too racy"? Since when is "racy" a technical term, anyway? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether it's about someone else or not. I'm sometimes amazed at what the girls wear now, but I'm sure my older sister and my mother felt that way about what WE wore too! But to legislate a person's opinion - on a DRESS CODE for gods' sakes - is outright ridiculous. And no, clearly I don't think 'suggestive' cheerleading will lead the path to hell and damnation - as BOR said, no more than usual, anyway. And BOR - you don't need another one, but here in this country, we're free with our guilt! __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

05-05-2005, 05:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	I think if the parents of children didn't want them to do this they wouldn't sign the permission forms that allow them to. Atleast most schools require parents to sign forms before the child is allowed to join a team/squad. __________________ We Must Dissent.

05-05-2005, 07:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
cellophanedeity Heliotrope Location: A warm room	Yes, some cheerleading squads do need to cover up a bit more. I won't argue that, but I don't think that the government has a right to involve itself in this. If the choreography is lewd, then have parents and teachers make suggestions to change the dances. It's not as if the principle of a school doesn't have influence over whether the squad can do their thing or not. Leave it to the educators and parents. I think this is one that the government can stay out of.

05-05-2005, 07:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
Aladdin Sane Degenerate Location: San Marvelous	Pep Rally as Fertility Rite Observed from a anthropological outlook, American football is a fertility rite, comparible to what has been observed in more primitive societies [the mention of which causes the PC Police to start sharpening their knives]. As a teacher in high schools for 13 years, I observed these "sports" rituals with increasing amusement. The pre-game "pep rally" is particularly revealing because of its overt sexuality. To wit: the most masculine males in the school, sitting at one end of the gymnasium, are "entertained" by the most feminine females in the school. What makes them the most masculine and the most feminine? Their ripening sexuality of course; the onset of fertility; the child's new ability to sexually reproduce. Both males and females are dressed in costumes designed to exaggerate secondary sexual characteristics. The girls face the football team, standing no more than 10 feet away, and dance wildly, shaking their rising breasts and widening hips, gyrating in movements that mimic copulation, to rap music that is steeped in eroticism. The boys look on with various expressions. Some stare. Others grin while elbowing a nearby teammate, and a few black boys even grab their genitals with no pretense of concealment! The younger, less mature boys have faces that glow red and eyes almost averted from the young dancers before them. As this is occurring on the gym floor, in the stands the high school audience of several hundred teenagers is cheering, clapping, whisling, and a general pandamonium breaks out. Meanwhile, the school Principal, Vice Principals, teachers, and visiting parents look on with approval and satisfaction at a spectacle that would be condemned in any other setting. This sort of performance continues for 30 to 45 minutes, with various degrees of sexually provocative behavior from the cheerleaders. This is what cheerleading is all about. Should it be regulated by the state? Heavens no. How absurd. I love the irony of it all. Besides, it's a great publicly financed training program for titty bars. __________________ Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

05-05-2005, 08:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
IanSturgill Crazy Location: Lex Vegas, KY	Wow me too. The dance team at my high school would practically show the crowd their vaginas. we used to count the number of sexually suggestive moves while playing in the pepband.

05-05-2005, 02:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I agree. I'm not sure I understand why this is the state's business at all. I mean, I understand a lot of each school's funding comes from the state, but I would think this would be a problem handled...I don't know...a little more "in house" rather than the state house. If parents, or, for that matter, the school itself, have a problem with their girls flashing vagina and pole dancing at the games, then I would imagine the parents or the school should handle it. I know this isn't something life long senators and state representatives want to hear, but you can't possibly legislate everything. I will, however, give them kudos for trying. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

05-05-2005, 06:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
hrandani Insane	I live in Texas, and I never went to pep rallys or football games, so while my opinion is somewhat limited, I will say that during my last job I worked with an older man who mentioned that the high school my girlfriend went to recently had the 'hottest fucking girls in the state' and that he loved to volunteer to pick up his DAUGHTER from SCHOOL so he could look at all of her HOT FRIENDS. ... This man physically resembled a sunburned penis though, and with his amazing social skills (worse than mine) I wasn't too worried.

05-06-2005, 04:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
Gertie Psycho	This reminds me of the movie Flashdance. A preacher telling everybody what they can and can't do. Leave it up to the parents and the school administration. Get back to running the government.

05-06-2005, 01:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	arch13, as distinct from the current fad of expressing mistrust of the state doing anything, I have no problem with laws that regulate institutions such as schools - or the vast majority of the laws and regulations we have in place in our good society. I understand that it is fashionable to bash the state as an extension of public power. I'm just not a follower of trends - especially ones that are fueled by romantic notions. __________________ create evolution

05-06-2005, 02:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Yes. Let me say that I have no issue with governmental institutions regulating decency in behavior, expression, and performance. I'm satisfied with the way that is defined by the courts - typically it is defined according to a "local" standard. __________________ create evolution

05-06-2005, 05:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Romanticism fueled the French Revolution and, by extension, our own revolution. Ideas such as the dignity, basic goodness, and perfectability of mankind, the sacrosanct nature of individual expression and untrammeled human freedom inform western societies. These ideas have lost much of their meaning as a result of the cold, cruel, and existential experience of the Modern and Postmodern eras, yet they still stir the emotions of many. They've therefore become the standard memes of mass advertising and mass media. The notion that the state, government in general, and mechanisms of control stand in opposition to these romantic principles is a hallmark of our time. I favor mechanisms of repression as I understand them to be our sole defense against uninspired anarchy. I have also found the free expression of most individuals to be not free at all - but conditioned by uninspired cultural influence. This includes the gyrations of adolescents. __________________ create evolution

05-06-2005, 07:12 PM	#21 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	My response is a personal one. Those ideas just don't inspire me. They sound good and are therefore useful as political rhetoric. I find repression to be the means by which humans are civilized. __________________ create evolution

05-06-2005, 07:38 PM	#22 (permalink)
Lockjaw Junkie	Being a native Texan you guys have no idea how embarasing this is and how badly I was hoping this would die before it got spread around. But it's very ridiculous and this is no place for the government simply for nothing more than there are much bigger issues that need to be addressed. If this is the best thing those jokers in Austin have to deal with I think I'm going to run for office. Sounds like a cushy job.

05-06-2005, 09:33 PM	#23 (permalink)
Apokx Yo dawg, I herd u like... Location: memes.	What bothers me the most is that there is a sequel to Bring It On .

05-07-2005, 10:10 AM	#26 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Aladdin Sane, I am not an idealist. Just to clarify the point: I see the horrors of the Modern and Postmodern eras as having eradicated any defensible position as regards man's nobility, dignity, self-expression, and "liberty." I do appreciate your input throughout this thread and elsewhere. Thanks. __________________ create evolution

05-07-2005, 06:20 PM	#27 (permalink)
Aladdin Sane Degenerate Location: San Marvelous	Art, I also enjoy your comments. You make me think. Thanks. __________________ Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.