Wussification of America, Part 1,567,983

Excerpted from an article by Todd Starnes:

"What in the name of Bear Bryant is going on Wisconsin?

Granted, you don’t want the children hollering out profanities and running around the gym buck-naked. But, these guidelines are not so much about sportsmanship as they are about political correctness.

We’re talking about high school basketball. It’s not a croquet match.

In 2014, former NBA star Dennis Rodman participated in a bizarre basketball game in North Korea. Remember how the fans sat quietly in the stands and only applauded when instructed to by the government?

Take a good look, America. That's the future of high school athletics in the Badger State."

http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/01/11/wisconsin-high-school-basketball-air-ball-scoreboard-chants-banned

This doesn't have anything to do with political correctness, but with the "everyone's a winner" culture schools want to create. The comparison to North Korea's staged matches is appropriate however.

i can't think of many things that are more PC than the "everyone is a winner" mentality.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

How is this an example of "everyone is a winner"?

While it may not be a great thing to ban, but this is preventing the NON participants from being a-holes and taunting the other team.

PC, maybe. Everyone is a winner? I don't see that.

At my university basketball games, it was like watching golf. Almost no noise at all. Really weird and no fun whatsoever. It wasn't due to rules, I think it's because the basketball arena was also used for lectures so everyone was used to being quiet there.

Now, the chants I used to lead on the football sidelines, I'm pretty sure they'd get me expelled now.

As a Bengals fan and lifelong Cincinnatian, I have no comment on this topic

Ya'll watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfx73Z6fhbc

Something to think about.

They are playing a GAME. Just a meaningless game.

The viewers are no better or worse based on the outcome of the game, as they have no real skin in it. It's just entertainment to them.

As a former participant in playing organized sport/games- we were always told to be good sportsmen. So it does seem natural at some point that the viewers could have good sportsmanship, too.

Not saying ban the speech, but one should think about what you are saying, and would you say that directly to the face of who you are yelling it to in a private situation? As the viewer.

I think it has to do with the "everyone is a winner" mentality because the banned chants are mostly criticisms of gameplay - "sieve" for poor defense, "air ball" for poor aim, "scoreboard" for highlighting a one-sided beatdown, "fundamentals" should be obvious.

"PC" is hard to define. I like to define it as recent advances in being civil to each other, and this is how most people use it - they complain that people are being "PC" for using non-hurtful new terms in place of old slurs or by refusing to paint a group with a broad brush. If you use this definition, this ban on chants has nothing to do with political correctness.

If you define "PC" as simply "coddling people's feelings" then I can see how this might seem related, and I'd simply have to disagree with you.

Sportsmanship and not being an shiny happy person is pussification now?

Sounds like someone if offended about someone being offended.

Back in my day we taught adolescents how to be dicks. Now you just throw around things like equality and respect. What is this world coming too?

In reply to GameboyRMH:

Your thoughts of "everyone is a winner" is more about sportsmanship to me. As a kid playing sports, we were told to be good sportsmen, and even cheer the other team after the game. Coaches didn't tolerate taunting.

This is about the crowd being good sportsmen, not pretending that the losing team are winners.

I know at some point, some age, taunting becomes more acceptable. To the point where we see fans cheer players that get injured in pro games...

But is it that bad to ask the fans to have the same standard of sportsmanship as the players?

OH IM SORRY I THOUGHT THIS WAS MERICA.

I don't feel compelled to go to high school sporting events and yell degrading stuff at kids. Its tough being out in front of a big crowd, even tougher with old has-beens telling you that you suck. If you're worried it's gonna turn your kid into a Bob Costas just be more abusive at home. Its not my job to raise your kid.

If you read the comments (i don't recommend it) it says that there is no such ban, just a letter from the athletic association asking people to be more respectful and less negative. Which of course led to a article in a national magazine whining about being turned into lady if you are forced to display manners in public.

nevermind the taunting, the school that suspended a player from playing for 5 games for a negative tweet about the WIAA seems way over the line.

WildScotsRacing wrote: Ya'll watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfx73Z6fhbc

While had some good points he really came over as a dick. Abuse the hell out of your kids or they'll be Bob Costas. Sorry if I don't force my kids to snow camp and live off what they catch and kill. I guess teaching them hard work, skills and the ability to do lots of things indoors and outdoors (ski swim sail camp hike build a fire read a map) makes them Bob Costas as they haven't had to back pack for three days in the cold and wet.

BTW I know many of the opposit gender who posses A 'Bob Costas' who can out run, lift, ski, climb, dive, drive me. I don't see a gender slight implying someone who can't do anything as increasing anyone's manliness.

As I said, dude has some point but comes across as a prize a.hole in his presentation with a alarmed side serving of look at me I'm awesome.

Oh, hey. Another example of "Older generations are better people because we had it tougher than younger generations" Yawn.

So, as far as I can tell, it's still o.k. to yell "YOU SUCK!" at the top of my lungs. And yes, freedom of speech takes another blow in the U.S. of A. Stop the madness.

ncjay wrote: So, as far as I can tell, it's still o.k. to yell "YOU SUCK!" at the top of my lungs. And yes, freedom of speech takes another blow in the U.S. of A. Stop the madness.

So the gov't made a law against taunting opposing teams? Because that's the only scenario where your comment makes any sense.

Not sure whether this is a useful contribution, or not.

I watched an episode of, I think, "Brain Games" which dealt with confidence, power of positive thought and so on. The test was shooting free throws in a park. Passersby of every skill level were asked to shoot 10 free throws, with no spectators. They were then blindfolded, a small crowd was brought in, and they threw 3 more. The bad shooters then had a crowd cheering and yelling encouragement, whether they deserved it or not, the good shooters were similarly booed, and then the were asked to shoot another 10, blindfold off. The bad shooters who had been cheered improved, the good ones who were booed got worse...except for a young lady who was a good shooter and was unaffected by the crowd. She had played college ball at a fairly high level, and had learned to tune out the taunts and boos.

I would call that a pretty useful life skill.

PS- At my kids soccer games when they were little, I would always cheer a good play, no matter which team. There comes a point in age where you have to learn to deal with the haters, though.

To put a slightly different angle on this:

Perhaps such suggestions where not needed in "the good ol days" because back then, in general, people where courteous enough not to yell degrading things at a highschool athlete.

It may not be "pussifcation" that is the issue here, but "a$@holeification".

I have to say though, as noted above, I have always been impressed with the ability of pro athletes to tune such stuff out. I can imagine it gets pretty extreme.

ncjay wrote: So, as far as I can tell, it's still o.k. to yell "YOU SUCK!" at the top of my lungs. And yes, freedom of speech takes another blow in the U.S. of A. Stop the madness.

Sure you can.

What age do you start doing that?

18?

14?

11?

6?

When a concert from another school is terrible, do you yell it then, too?

Another question for those upset by this request.,,

When you are at an autocross, do you go and taunt other drivers in your class, tell them that they are horrible early apexers?

Same thing.

ncjay wrote: So, as far as I can tell, it's still o.k. to yell "YOU SUCK!" at the top of my lungs. And yes, freedom of speech takes another blow in the U.S. of A. Stop the madness.

Freedom of speech does not provide freedom from the consequences of using that freedom to be an shiny happy person.

Is a concert a [head to head, both competing at the same time] competition?

Does it matter?

I think it is a valuable life skill--learning how to deal with adversity. You see it all the time, people who can't make it on the big stage because of the pressure. Certainly I don't think the taunting should be encouraged, but you can't make it go away. What happens when that high school all star from Wisconsin goes on to play college ball and has never had someone yell "BRICK" at him?

Also, where do you draw the line? One of my favorite things in golf is to ask a guy if he inhales or exhales during his backswing--right before he is about to setup for a drive. Throws them off. Seems like an innocent question, but it is anything but. Is that disallowed? Should it be?

mtn wrote: Is a concert a [head to head, both competing at the same time] competition? Does it matter? I think it is a valuable life skill--learning how to deal with adversity. You see it all the time, people who can't make it on the big stage because of the pressure. Certainly I don't think the taunting should be encouraged, but you can't make it go away. What happens when that high school all star from Wisconsin goes on to play college ball and has never had someone yell "BRICK" at him? Also, where do you draw the line? One of my favorite things in golf is to ask a guy if he inhales or exhales during his backswing--right before he is about to setup for a drive. Throws them off. Seems like an innocent question, but it is anything but. Is that disallowed? Should it be?

You have every right to do so. The guy you're golfing with also has every right to think you're a d-bag for doing so too.