[quote=Russell][quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=Russell]
I didn’t mention football once, Allan.[/quote]

Gee, Russell, when you referred to the “national sports obsession”, I figured you were including the most popular (and aggressive) sport in America. You know: Football?

Of course, I’m sure the Marine Corps just loves basketball and baseball players, too.

Ask any Army or USMC recruiter about their favorite sport (from a “raw material” standpoint) and they’ll all answer the same: Football. It stresses unquestioning obedience to authority, sacrifice for the team and the warrior ethos. That was what you were referring to, right?[/quote]

Actually Allan, I don’t carry that perception of football players compared to athletes from other team sports. Football, Basketball, soccer, and the other games where there is a goal on each end of a field or court, seem pretty similar to me.

I did however paint cheerleaders with a broad brush,by agreeing with FLU. I was wrong to do that. The idea of the prettiest girls, in mini-skirts and tight tops, cheering for most athletic boys, who are running up and down a field,or court, or whatever, is funny though.[/quote]

As much as I know about cheer competition and how much athletism it you might need to have to do those performances, fundamentally, part of cheerleading still involves, well cheering a boy’s football team or basketball. Sorry, no matter how one spins it, it just doesn’t fly in my book. Charger girls still look like charger girls too me. Laker girls still look like Laker girls to me. Second, most high school cheer squad are no way near any sort of competitive.

I’m sure there are girls who are smart who were high school cheerleaders…And perhaps it’s a fad. But I’d really like to see where this takes one after you’re done with high school. Anyone have a daughter that is a professional cheerleader???? And if you’re that good, you’d be in gymnastics…I’m not saying everyone is going to be a pro-athlete…But at least sports (regardless of how good you) is good for something after high school. You can play tennis/golf/martial arts throughout your whole life. You can play football/basketball/etc. You can’t cheer all your life. And it’s not an Olympic sport 🙂 To each and everyone’s own.