Chicken Scratch

May 04, 2005

Cheerleaders in Texas and the moral decline of our country

Oh, Texas.  Silly Texas.  What are we going to do with you?

 

Is it something in the water?  Is it the heat?

 

AP reports today that the Texas House approved a bill banning ‘overtly sexually suggestive’ cheerleading.  Let me type that again.  The Texas House has approved a bill banning ‘overtly sexually suggestive’ cheerleading.

 

And the individual spearheading this campaign?  Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston.  (A Democrat?  Sort of puts a hole in my theory that Republicans are the only ones trying to legislate morality.)

Al, Al, Al.  He's quoted as saying, “Girls can get out and do all of these overly sexually performances and we applaud them, and that's not right.”  Did he really say that or was he misquoted?  Because unless I’m missing something, the phrase “overly sexually performances” isn’t quite grammatically correct with the two adverbs and missing adjective.  It suggests to me that maybe we should spend a little more time on our English grammar and a little less time worrying about Susie’s latest dance moves, eh, Al?

 

OK, OK, maybe I’m being too picky and overly critical of the guy.  Surely there are some valid points to his argument, right?  Some solid reasoning for pushing this bill?

 

He claims that these “unladylike” performances result in pregnancies, dropouts, and the spread of STDs.  Uh, no, Al.  Unprotected sex results in pregnancies and the spread of STDs.

 

Then there’s this little gem:  according to Rep. Edwards, it’s no surprise that the bill is causing controversy.  After all, he anticipated a tough battle and said, “Satan is not just going to let you walk over and get something.”

 

Um, what?  Did an elected official really just reference Satan to further a political opinion?

 

The bill passed in the TX House by a 65-56 vote and now moves to the state Senate.  I will try to keep you posted.  It’s important to keep an eye on such noble and meaningful efforts. After all, if it passes, teen pregnancies, dropouts and the spread of STDs in Texas will become a thing of the past.  Right, Al?

 

Posted by kristin at 11:17 | Comments (2)

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