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  4. Poor little jocks

Poor little jocks

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  • T Offline
    T Offline
    Tim Craig
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    One of the school districts here is toying with the idea of eliminating sports as a way of getting through the budget crunch. The way people are whining about it, you'd think someone poisoned their puppy. I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

    "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

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    • T Tim Craig

      One of the school districts here is toying with the idea of eliminating sports as a way of getting through the budget crunch. The way people are whining about it, you'd think someone poisoned their puppy. I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

      "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

      G Offline
      G Offline
      Gary Kirkham
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      As a non-jock who loves sports, it would be sad to see sports eliminated. I also think it's wrong to put sports above academics. I would like to see the jocks out there washing cars or something to raise money just like all the other school organizations. It might also teach them a little humility, something many of them are sorely lacking.

      Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Me blog, You read

      T 1 Reply Last reply
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      • T Tim Craig

        One of the school districts here is toying with the idea of eliminating sports as a way of getting through the budget crunch. The way people are whining about it, you'd think someone poisoned their puppy. I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

        "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

        O Offline
        O Offline
        Oakman
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Tim Craig wrote:

        I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

        When my daughter's HS eliminated a bunch of advanced programs (directed study at a college; trig; Advanced Biology and Chemistry and who knows what else) while continuing to fund the football and baseball teams, I wanted to know why. The answer, stripped of some gobbledygook, was that minorities do well in sports and they deserved every break they could get. I started to point out that Jimmy the Greek had destroyed his career by making the self-same racist remark, but there is nothing more dangerous when crossed than a school administrator who holds your daughter's future in his hands.

        Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.

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        • T Tim Craig

          One of the school districts here is toying with the idea of eliminating sports as a way of getting through the budget crunch. The way people are whining about it, you'd think someone poisoned their puppy. I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

          "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

          C Offline
          C Offline
          Christian Graus
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          I don't see why a sports program can't exist for the cost of a football and a lawn mower.

          Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

          M O T 3 Replies Last reply
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          • T Tim Craig

            One of the school districts here is toying with the idea of eliminating sports as a way of getting through the budget crunch. The way people are whining about it, you'd think someone poisoned their puppy. I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

            "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

            S Offline
            S Offline
            Stan Shannon
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether. They became incorporated into it as part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th century as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes. Before that, there was far more sports, music and art in our society than there is now - it just wasn't controlled by the government, but by individuals and private clubs and organizations.

            Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

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            • C Christian Graus

              I don't see why a sports program can't exist for the cost of a football and a lawn mower.

              Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Mike Gaskey
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Christian Graus wrote:

              don't see why a sports program can't exist for the cost of a football and a lawn mower.

              you're exhibiting far too much common sense.

              Mike - typical white guy. The USA does have universal healthcare, but you have to pay for it. D'oh. Thomas Mann - "Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil." The NYT - my leftist brochure. Calling an illegal alien an “undocumented immigrant” is like calling a drug dealer an “unlicensed pharmacist”. God doesn't believe in atheists, therefore they don't exist.

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              • C Christian Graus

                I don't see why a sports program can't exist for the cost of a football and a lawn mower.

                Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

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                Oakman
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Christian Graus wrote:

                a lawn mower

                You should see the lawnmower my guy uses when he comes to cut my grass. List price is a little over $14,000. But they threw in a free John Deere hat.

                Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.

                L 1 Reply Last reply
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                • G Gary Kirkham

                  As a non-jock who loves sports, it would be sad to see sports eliminated. I also think it's wrong to put sports above academics. I would like to see the jocks out there washing cars or something to raise money just like all the other school organizations. It might also teach them a little humility, something many of them are sorely lacking.

                  Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Me blog, You read

                  T Offline
                  T Offline
                  Tim Craig
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Gary Kirkham wrote:

                  I would like to see the jocks out there washing cars or something to raise money just like all the other school organizations.

                  The school where I mentor the robotics club theoretically has a boosters' club to fund the football program. Although when I was trying to get the superintendent to cough up some money for the club, he did manage to let it slip they always run over and the school picks up the difference out of the general fund. He also didn't say whether the school paid the coach or he was an employee of the boosters' club. I'll bet the school covers the coach and whatever assistants he has as well as all the maintenance on whatever facilities they use.

                  "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

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                  • O Oakman

                    Tim Craig wrote:

                    I suppose we could save the jocks by eliminating a few math and science classes. I'll bet they'd favor that approach.

                    When my daughter's HS eliminated a bunch of advanced programs (directed study at a college; trig; Advanced Biology and Chemistry and who knows what else) while continuing to fund the football and baseball teams, I wanted to know why. The answer, stripped of some gobbledygook, was that minorities do well in sports and they deserved every break they could get. I started to point out that Jimmy the Greek had destroyed his career by making the self-same racist remark, but there is nothing more dangerous when crossed than a school administrator who holds your daughter's future in his hands.

                    Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.

                    T Offline
                    T Offline
                    Tim Craig
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Oakman wrote:

                    The answer, stripped of some gobbledygook, was that minorities do well in sports and they deserved every break they could get.

                    I've heard similar arguments about how the jocks wouldn't stay in school without the sports. My experience is that they just hang around, disrupt classes, and don't learn anything anyhow. Then, if they're good enough, they get a free ride to college where they repeat the process and eventually end up an illiterate adult.

                    "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

                    1 Reply Last reply
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                    • S Stan Shannon

                      I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether. They became incorporated into it as part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th century as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes. Before that, there was far more sports, music and art in our society than there is now - it just wasn't controlled by the government, but by individuals and private clubs and organizations.

                      Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

                      J Offline
                      J Offline
                      John Carson
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Stan Shannon wrote:

                      I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether. They became incorporated into it as part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th century as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes.

                      So the government makes rulings on how high the net should be in tennis and that sort of thing? Shocking! What an evil plot on the part of the government.

                      John Carson

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • S Stan Shannon

                        I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether. They became incorporated into it as part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th century as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes. Before that, there was far more sports, music and art in our society than there is now - it just wasn't controlled by the government, but by individuals and private clubs and organizations.

                        Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

                        C Offline
                        C Offline
                        Christian Graus
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        But, do you think those organisations would suddenly reappear, or do you think kids would just play more Nintendo ?

                        Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • C Christian Graus

                          I don't see why a sports program can't exist for the cost of a football and a lawn mower.

                          Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

                          T Offline
                          T Offline
                          Tim Craig
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Christian Graus wrote:

                          lawn mower

                          A robot mentor I know at another HS approached the administration about supporting his robotics club. When they were told it would cost at least $8000 a year, they said that's less than we spend on the grass on the football field and gave it to him. But that was a private school and presumably more focused on academics.

                          "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

                          L 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • O Oakman

                            Christian Graus wrote:

                            a lawn mower

                            You should see the lawnmower my guy uses when he comes to cut my grass. List price is a little over $14,000. But they threw in a free John Deere hat.

                            Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Does he put a nice grid pattern[^] into it? I've always wanted a lawn big enough to do that

                            L 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • S Stan Shannon

                              I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether. They became incorporated into it as part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th century as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes. Before that, there was far more sports, music and art in our society than there is now - it just wasn't controlled by the government, but by individuals and private clubs and organizations.

                              Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Stan Shannon wrote:

                              I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether.

                              And replaced with your own politics curriculum?

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                              • L Lost User

                                Does he put a nice grid pattern[^] into it? I've always wanted a lawn big enough to do that

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Josh Gray wrote:

                                I've always wanted a lawn big enough to do that

                                I've got one - and I wish I had teh TIME to do that! (I'm hoping to train the Alpacas to eat to a patten, but no luck so far :)

                                ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

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                                • C Christian Graus

                                  But, do you think those organisations would suddenly reappear, or do you think kids would just play more Nintendo ?

                                  Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista.

                                  L Offline
                                  L Offline
                                  Lost User
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Christian Graus wrote:

                                  play more Nintendo

                                  Is that physically possible? Saw a kid at the sk8 park the other day, probably 12 or thirteen, skating while playing on his DS. Showed remarkable coordination I must say!

                                  ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

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                                  • L Lost User

                                    Josh Gray wrote:

                                    I've always wanted a lawn big enough to do that

                                    I've got one - and I wish I had teh TIME to do that! (I'm hoping to train the Alpacas to eat to a patten, but no luck so far :)

                                    ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Maxxx_ wrote:

                                    I've got one - and I wish I had teh TIME to do that!

                                    Any idea how its done? Is it just a matter of cutting at different heights? Can it be done with a 2 stroke victa?

                                    L 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • S Stan Shannon

                                      I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether. They became incorporated into it as part of the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th century as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes. Before that, there was far more sports, music and art in our society than there is now - it just wasn't controlled by the government, but by individuals and private clubs and organizations.

                                      Chaining ourselves to the moral high ground does not make us good guys. Aside from making us easy targets, it merely makes us idiotic prisoners of our own self loathing.

                                      L Offline
                                      L Offline
                                      Lost User
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Stan Shannon wrote:

                                      I think all sports, music and art programs should be removed from public education altogether.

                                      Why?

                                      Stan Shannon wrote:

                                      as a way for government to control athletic and artistic processes.

                                      You think? So the US Government wanted to control student's art & sport? For what possible reason?

                                      Stan Shannon wrote:

                                      Before that, there was far more sports, music and art in our society than there is now - it just wasn't controlled by the government, but by individuals and private clubs and organizations.

                                      You're not seriously suggesting that the decline in families sitting around the piano of an evening singing is due to the governments desire to control individual's musical development? I would also doubt (but don't have figures to prove it) that there were more sports clubs prior to compulsory education than after it. Even today the majority of sports are played in private clubs outside of school.

                                      ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                      S 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • T Tim Craig

                                        Christian Graus wrote:

                                        lawn mower

                                        A robot mentor I know at another HS approached the administration about supporting his robotics club. When they were told it would cost at least $8000 a year, they said that's less than we spend on the grass on the football field and gave it to him. But that was a private school and presumably more focused on academics.

                                        "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it." -- P.J. O'Rourke

                                        L Offline
                                        L Offline
                                        Lost User
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Tim Craig wrote:

                                        A robot mentor I know at another HS approached the administration about supporting his robotics club. When they were told it would cost at least $8000 a year, they said that's less than we spend on the grass on the football field and gave it to him. But that was a private school and presumably more focused on academics.

                                        Something like this[^] might get you two birds with one stone

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • L Lost User

                                          Maxxx_ wrote:

                                          I've got one - and I wish I had teh TIME to do that!

                                          Any idea how its done? Is it just a matter of cutting at different heights? Can it be done with a 2 stroke victa?

                                          L Offline
                                          L Offline
                                          Lost User
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          There's nothing clever about it at all- it's just a case of the mower having rollers which bend the grass as they roll it - so they mow back and forth 'horizontally' then again 'vertically'. the 'light' coloured grass is that bending away from your viewpoint, as it forms a more continuous surface (relatively speaking) than that bending toward you, which is a mass of gaps and shaded hollows. Thats why, in the pic, the 'horizontal' stripes are less obvious - the grass is bending parallell with our viewpoint, and hence the difference between left and right bent blades is less than those bent toward or away from us. You can do it with a 2 stroke victa if it has a roller (in fact it sort of works without one, only with horizontally-rotating blades the effect is much less pronounced, as the blades do tend to swirl rather than lie flat. You can do it with just a roller - no mower required - or even by dragging a board behind your mower (I recommend you have a ride on-for this!) With a bit of practice... You can do this[^] or even this![^]

                                          ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                          L B 2 Replies Last reply
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