What is it about cheerleading that gets guys in such a tizzy? The short skirts? The pompons?
For Rep. Al Edwards (D-TX) it’s the gyrations. Oh, the gyrations. Edwards has actually gotten his Footloose-like bill—which restricts “overtly sexually suggestive” cheerleading—to pass the Texas House:
Edwards argued bawdy performances are a distraction for students resulting in pregnancies, dropouts and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Ribald performances are not defined in the bill. "Any adult that's been involved with sex in their lives, they know it when they see it," he said.
Edwards’ ability to be “involved with” and recognize sex most likely distinguishes him in the Texas legislature, but it’s his belief that dancing will somehow inspire a rash of pregnancies that really makes him special.
In such troubled times, it’s nice to know that our lawmakers are focusing on what really matters: whorish dance moves.
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Man...it's gotten so bad in my state, even the Democrats blow. WTF is Edwards thinking? He does realize that there are only 180 days in which to get stuff done in Texas legislature, right? And that among those things are scrapping a school financing system deemed unconstitutional, passing a (hopefully almost balanced) budget, and other such important things, yes? Geez.
The politicians really need to start looking at fixing their own screwups before they start telling people what they can't do.
But I do wish that the women would CHOOSE to give up on doing some of the "whorish" dance moves. I mean, what kind of respect is a girl going to get from guys if she was shaking herself in their faces just an hour ago?
I live in TX and I am hiding my face in shame. I believe this law is only aimed at high school cheerleading. What gets me is that the crowd who will vote for this is the same crowd that advocates parental responsibility. My question: isn't it up to the parents and not the government to decide which dance moves are too suggestive for their daughters? If their parents give them permission what right does the state have to step in and say no? My second thought which the local radio morning show brought up this morning is this: how the heck is this going to be enforced? I can just see Officer Bubba in my home town of Brownsboro taking great delight in attending all cheerleading practices to ensure that suggestive dance moves are kept to a minimum.
My eighty nine year old mother tells me stories about dancing dirty (the Lindy Hop) in front of disaproving elders when she was a young teenager. That was in the twenties. What year is this? Sorry, I can't help wishing sometimes that Texas could break off from the continent and float to Antartica with the likes of Mr. Edwards. Sheesh!
This bill is so thoroughly retro, it's absurd. It makes me think of 1950s rock 'n roll and the 'moral' objections to Elvis' gyrating hips.
Why do I have the feeling this girl's going to be a prime-time anchor on Fox someday?