Saturday, January 29, 2005
MASH - Mothers Against School Hazing
MASH - Mothers Against School Hazing have some suggested rules for schools. I like the idea of this organization, but I'm not sure they get the point.
They suggest more supervision of students. They advise coaches to develop a map of their locker rooms so they can make sure an adult is always near. They say you should stagger the age groups allowed to mix together and not allow students to hang around lockers longer than needed and keep them locked when not in use.
While all of these seem to be good suggestions, wouldn't it be simpler to teach the children that such behavior is wrong and show them the proper way to act?
Shouldn't we support our kids so they know they can report horrible behavior and the offenders will not be able to bring retribution when we simply slap them on the hand and send them back into the wild to punish those who got them into trouble?
Can't we start now to teach the younger kids that bullying is wrong and some of the many different and more constructive ways to cope with our emotional problems? Bullies are made and they can be unmade, if we just try. They don't really know any better.
More cameras, more supervision, more rules and less places for kids to gather are not the answer. America says we have "family values", but if we just treat all our kids like criminals after we teach a few to act that way, can we really make such a grand claim about our entire society's morality?
I think not. Teach your kids to treat each other with respect and to notify adults when they don't. Teach them to tell you when adults ignore them or do nothing about the behavior and take it upon yourself to make sure something is done.
We can beat hazing and bullies, but we all need to work together and watching everything the kids do like hawks is not going to solve the problem.
They suggest more supervision of students. They advise coaches to develop a map of their locker rooms so they can make sure an adult is always near. They say you should stagger the age groups allowed to mix together and not allow students to hang around lockers longer than needed and keep them locked when not in use.
While all of these seem to be good suggestions, wouldn't it be simpler to teach the children that such behavior is wrong and show them the proper way to act?
Shouldn't we support our kids so they know they can report horrible behavior and the offenders will not be able to bring retribution when we simply slap them on the hand and send them back into the wild to punish those who got them into trouble?
Can't we start now to teach the younger kids that bullying is wrong and some of the many different and more constructive ways to cope with our emotional problems? Bullies are made and they can be unmade, if we just try. They don't really know any better.
More cameras, more supervision, more rules and less places for kids to gather are not the answer. America says we have "family values", but if we just treat all our kids like criminals after we teach a few to act that way, can we really make such a grand claim about our entire society's morality?
I think not. Teach your kids to treat each other with respect and to notify adults when they don't. Teach them to tell you when adults ignore them or do nothing about the behavior and take it upon yourself to make sure something is done.
We can beat hazing and bullies, but we all need to work together and watching everything the kids do like hawks is not going to solve the problem.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Gay Sports Guys
Over at the League of Fans they have a great article and some resources dealing with the topic of gay men in sports and how difficult it is for them to fit in.
It seems there was some controversy back in October when famous sports writer Ed Gray of the Boston Herald decided to come out of the closet and announce that he is gay. The league of fans quotes:
Coming out shouldn't have to be such a big deal, but we all know it is, especially in sports. As Gray wrote in his column, "The gay community is the one minority that is still very much fair game for overt displays of prejudice in the world of sports. While inroads toward achieving equality are slowly being made in the real world, a gay man is still expected to bear the burden of shame in the sports world."
I really feel for him. I'm sure he lost a lot of readers when they found out who he really is. Jocks are just like that.
We all know how most sports people treat the gay community. I'm not saying everyone is bad, so please don't start sending me the email telling me about your pro gay sports fan and how not all are jerks, I already know.
I'm talking about the fanatics and I think most people would agree that jocks are usually of the homophobic variety and anyone seeming the least bit effeminent is quickly ridiculed and humiliated.
The favorite insulting term I hear from the mouth of just about every fan I see in a sports jersey of some kind is always some variation of the word "fag". You would think in this day and age people would understand the hatefulness of that word, but not in the wide world of sports. In most states if you use that term while assaulting someone, you might just face hate crime charges if they really turn out to be gay.
I despise this term. It's foul. I've been subjected to it my whole life from jocks and others simply because I am slender and not interested in team sports not involving some sort of projectile weapon. This term has suddenly become very popular with the young people and this trend should not be allowed to continue.
When we were setting up their haunted house I suggested to my friends 15 year old and his buddy that they stop using that offensive term every five seconds and instead substitute "that's so Jock" for "that's so gay" and "Jock" for "fag". I have to admit I was surprised when they actually did it and enjoyed the rest of the day as they used my terms instead.
Hopefully, as Mr. Gray speculates, there are inroads being made and the world of sports will finally decide these hateful attitudes are archaic and should be lustrated from the face of the earth.
It seems there was some controversy back in October when famous sports writer Ed Gray of the Boston Herald decided to come out of the closet and announce that he is gay. The league of fans quotes:
Coming out shouldn't have to be such a big deal, but we all know it is, especially in sports. As Gray wrote in his column, "The gay community is the one minority that is still very much fair game for overt displays of prejudice in the world of sports. While inroads toward achieving equality are slowly being made in the real world, a gay man is still expected to bear the burden of shame in the sports world."
I really feel for him. I'm sure he lost a lot of readers when they found out who he really is. Jocks are just like that.
We all know how most sports people treat the gay community. I'm not saying everyone is bad, so please don't start sending me the email telling me about your pro gay sports fan and how not all are jerks, I already know.
I'm talking about the fanatics and I think most people would agree that jocks are usually of the homophobic variety and anyone seeming the least bit effeminent is quickly ridiculed and humiliated.
The favorite insulting term I hear from the mouth of just about every fan I see in a sports jersey of some kind is always some variation of the word "fag". You would think in this day and age people would understand the hatefulness of that word, but not in the wide world of sports. In most states if you use that term while assaulting someone, you might just face hate crime charges if they really turn out to be gay.
I despise this term. It's foul. I've been subjected to it my whole life from jocks and others simply because I am slender and not interested in team sports not involving some sort of projectile weapon. This term has suddenly become very popular with the young people and this trend should not be allowed to continue.
When we were setting up their haunted house I suggested to my friends 15 year old and his buddy that they stop using that offensive term every five seconds and instead substitute "that's so Jock" for "that's so gay" and "Jock" for "fag". I have to admit I was surprised when they actually did it and enjoyed the rest of the day as they used my terms instead.
Hopefully, as Mr. Gray speculates, there are inroads being made and the world of sports will finally decide these hateful attitudes are archaic and should be lustrated from the face of the earth.
Elementary Coach accused of paddling
Upset that they lost the big game in November, an elemetary Coach is accused of paddling 12 players so badly that they had bruises on them the day after the event when examined by the school nurse.
Several of the boys did exactly what they should and told their parents. Thayer Williamson, the coach, is now charged with three counts of felony battery because he allegedly used a wooden paddle to strike the children.
Whoa! I thought that sort of thing went out in the 70s? I remember my brother and his jock fraternity bros having custom carved paddles for initiation or punishment and I even remember one hanging in the pricipal's office when I started school, but I thought those were long gone once the 80's hit and people became more sensitive to corporal punishment.
How did this coach have one in his office? What happened in this guys life that would make him get so worked up over an elementary football game that he would beat his players?
When fanaticism takes over and being the best or winning is all that matters, the lines between game violence and real violence can easily become blurred.
Several of the boys did exactly what they should and told their parents. Thayer Williamson, the coach, is now charged with three counts of felony battery because he allegedly used a wooden paddle to strike the children.
Whoa! I thought that sort of thing went out in the 70s? I remember my brother and his jock fraternity bros having custom carved paddles for initiation or punishment and I even remember one hanging in the pricipal's office when I started school, but I thought those were long gone once the 80's hit and people became more sensitive to corporal punishment.
How did this coach have one in his office? What happened in this guys life that would make him get so worked up over an elementary football game that he would beat his players?
When fanaticism takes over and being the best or winning is all that matters, the lines between game violence and real violence can easily become blurred.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Jocks mad at their punishment steal $18,000 worth of equipment.
I saw today on badjocks.com that the Seattle times reported on Friday six current and former South Carolina football players have been charged in connection with the theft of $18,000 worth of equipment from a locker room. They stole a $4000 laptop computer, video equipment and framed photos right off the wall!
Why would these upstanding football players do this?
Because they were mad that they were not going to get to go to the bowl game because they had an on field brawl with another team. Athletic director Mike McGee is quoted as saying "Regrettably, a few of our student-athletes made a very poor decision during the course of a frustrating situation."
No Mike, they were acting like a big bunch of babies who are used to getting whatever they want and were told they couldn't have a cookie. They decided to throw a temper tantrum and just happened to commit some serious crimes in the process.
Now they find out they are big college boys and facing grand larceny and petty larceny charges depending on what they each stole. Those still in school also face disciplinary hearings from the university. The coach says he will abide by whatever the campus police decide.
If there was not something seriously wrong with our attitudes about sports, these boys would not believe they even had a chance of going to a bowl game after fighting in front of the crowd. They would have expected to at least be kicked off the team for the rest of the season.
Don't most schools now have a "zero tolerance" policy regarding violence? I know if you're caught with a joint or convicted of a violent crime you lose your federal scholarship, but if you are a jock who attacks other players on the football field the worst that happens is you don't get to go to the bowl game?
If there was anything left to the integrity of college sports programs, these cry baby thieves and vandals would be thrown out on their heads like in the old days when a university was about education and not touchdowns.
Why would these upstanding football players do this?
Because they were mad that they were not going to get to go to the bowl game because they had an on field brawl with another team. Athletic director Mike McGee is quoted as saying "Regrettably, a few of our student-athletes made a very poor decision during the course of a frustrating situation."
No Mike, they were acting like a big bunch of babies who are used to getting whatever they want and were told they couldn't have a cookie. They decided to throw a temper tantrum and just happened to commit some serious crimes in the process.
Now they find out they are big college boys and facing grand larceny and petty larceny charges depending on what they each stole. Those still in school also face disciplinary hearings from the university. The coach says he will abide by whatever the campus police decide.
If there was not something seriously wrong with our attitudes about sports, these boys would not believe they even had a chance of going to a bowl game after fighting in front of the crowd. They would have expected to at least be kicked off the team for the rest of the season.
Don't most schools now have a "zero tolerance" policy regarding violence? I know if you're caught with a joint or convicted of a violent crime you lose your federal scholarship, but if you are a jock who attacks other players on the football field the worst that happens is you don't get to go to the bowl game?
If there was anything left to the integrity of college sports programs, these cry baby thieves and vandals would be thrown out on their heads like in the old days when a university was about education and not touchdowns.
More on the Trimble Tech Girls Gone Wild
I have not yet seen the story in the Star-Telegram but BadJocks.com reports some updated news on the story from December about those wild and crazy girls on the school football team's bus during the holiday tournament trip. It seems they did more that just give a "Girls Gone Wild" type show for a camera cell phone, they actually performed oral sex on most of the team!
After their game at Granbury High School, the boys ran across three girls as young as 16 who started flirting with them. They then retired to the team bus, parked in a nearby church parking lot, for a little fun.
After daring each other to show off their breasts, according to a 14 year old tech player, one of the girls said "the first one to drop your drawers gets oral sex first" and the girls proceeded to service "most of the team" as one boy took pictures with anothers phone. Our young 14 year old jock made sure he took advantage of his situation; "I saw what was going on so I joined in!"
The players got 45 days at an alternate campus and the coach got a one game suspension for not supervising these young lads while they were far from home and entrusted in his care. Where the heck was he, in the hotel's sport's bar or glued to ESPN in his room? No one is saying.
If I was one of the parents I'd want his head on a platter surrounded by carrots and potatos. But then I'm not a jock parent. I guess they can just look the other way when it involves their beloved sport and coach.
You might think it would be different that deep in the heart of the bible belt when it involves the morality of 14 year old boys away from home. Maybe there will be more public outrage now that the full story is out. We shall see.
After their game at Granbury High School, the boys ran across three girls as young as 16 who started flirting with them. They then retired to the team bus, parked in a nearby church parking lot, for a little fun.
After daring each other to show off their breasts, according to a 14 year old tech player, one of the girls said "the first one to drop your drawers gets oral sex first" and the girls proceeded to service "most of the team" as one boy took pictures with anothers phone. Our young 14 year old jock made sure he took advantage of his situation; "I saw what was going on so I joined in!"
The players got 45 days at an alternate campus and the coach got a one game suspension for not supervising these young lads while they were far from home and entrusted in his care. Where the heck was he, in the hotel's sport's bar or glued to ESPN in his room? No one is saying.
If I was one of the parents I'd want his head on a platter surrounded by carrots and potatos. But then I'm not a jock parent. I guess they can just look the other way when it involves their beloved sport and coach.
You might think it would be different that deep in the heart of the bible belt when it involves the morality of 14 year old boys away from home. Maybe there will be more public outrage now that the full story is out. We shall see.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
The Sports I lustrated Swimsuit Calendar
Think those girls in that other magazine's special edition don't have anything on you? Want to show the world what you could do if someone was to ask you to pose for a swimsuit calendar?
Well, now is your chance!
Calling all geeks, freaks, brainiacs, weaklings, dorks, dweebs, drama queens and other non-jock ladies to strut your stuff and enter to win your shot at being Sports I lustrated's calendar girl for a month!
Every month we will feature the pictures sent in and the readers will vote on their favorite to be featured the following month on the site and in a downloadable calendar you can print out at home! Free print out yourself calendars! Who else does that?
Rules:
Well, now is your chance!
Calling all geeks, freaks, brainiacs, weaklings, dorks, dweebs, drama queens and other non-jock ladies to strut your stuff and enter to win your shot at being Sports I lustrated's calendar girl for a month!
Every month we will feature the pictures sent in and the readers will vote on their favorite to be featured the following month on the site and in a downloadable calendar you can print out at home! Free print out yourself calendars! Who else does that?
Rules:
- No professional models
- No one under the age of 18 (sorry kids, there are laws about that kind of thing now days.)
- The pictures you send must be of you! If you want your friend to enter, let her send in the photo.
- If the picture is from a professional photographer, you must get written permission and include that along with your submission.
- No nudie pictures. Everyone must be wearing some sort of bathing suit that covers everything a stripper has to cover. We are looking for sexy, but not porno sexy.
- All photos must be in .jpg or .png format to be accepted.
- Photos will not be returned and will become the property of Sports I lustrated and you agree we may use these photos in any webpages, emails, newsletters or other promotional materials we may create in the future.
Do a theme!
Pick a month and send us your themed photos for that month. Let's see your amazing Valentines Day and St. Patricks day photo shoots!
Or just rummage through your vacation photos from the beach and send us one of them instead.
Imagine the fame and recognition you will have when you announce that you are a Sports I lustraded swimsuit calendar girl! How impressive would that be to your friends and associates? Imagine what the guys will say!
How to Enter Now
- Send your photos to swimsuit(at) sports-I-lustrated.com or post a link to your picture in the comments below.
- Please include your name, age, hometown and least favorite sport or sports figure.
- Then tell us in at least 25 words why you should be picked for next months calendar as the hottest non sports fanatic around.
Don't wait, next month's calendar girl could be you!
Confessions of a Football Fanatic
Over at UWriteSports.com - Where Everyone Can Be A Sports Writer you can read the early morning thoughts of poor Tim Williams. He can't sleep at 3am because he has the jitters over the big AFC championship game.
Is he playing in the big game or have a lot of money riding on the outcome? Does he own the team or is he the father of the starting quarterback?
No, he is just a fanatic who admits to having something of a problem when it comes to sports
I'm still looking for that 12 step program for jocks. Maybe crack would be better for him? Sounds like it is an easier addiction to break than football and he is already used to the no sleep and week long depression thing.
Is he playing in the big game or have a lot of money riding on the outcome? Does he own the team or is he the father of the starting quarterback?
No, he is just a fanatic who admits to having something of a problem when it comes to sports
"As I sit here wide awake it is 3:50 AM, and I can’t stop reading about the AFC championship game tomorrow, or should I say later today. When the Steelers played the Patriots earlier in the year I woke up at 5 in the morning and didn’t get back to sleep. The same thing happened the next week with the Eagles. Now I will probably be up at 5 again because I can’t get to sleep. Might as well write what’s on my mind and it’s a lot about this game."This guy loves sports, I mean really loves it. It's almost like a drug habit to him. Listen to this:
If his team loses it will ruin his entire week and if they win he will be a nervous wreck? Poor Tim, I feel for him. It really looks like he needs a new favorite thing. This sports stuff is just too stressful."The funny thing about sports is that it is my favorite thing, but it is the thing that brings me the most displeasure in life. I was listening to Mike and Mike in the morning this week and related to a topic they were talking about. Sports are supposed to be fun to watch, but in games like these, it can’t be fun. The example they used is also the example I will use.
The Steelers play in the AFC Championship tomorrow, and right now I can’t sleep because of it. If the Steelers lose, my week will be ruined, and instead of being happy that I got to see my favorite team play, I will be upset that they lost. If they win, I will be extremely happy that they won, but will immediately become nervous about
their next game. "
I'm still looking for that 12 step program for jocks. Maybe crack would be better for him? Sounds like it is an easier addiction to break than football and he is already used to the no sleep and week long depression thing.
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