[marden]

To Boo or Not to Boo?
We are GIVING Away Our Freedom of Speech!

Officials Weigh Booing Ban at High School Games

Some High School Sporting Officials in Washington State Want to Throw Unsportsmanlike Behavior Off the Field

(http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ESPNSports...1&GMA=true)

March 4, 2007 — - From brawls on professional basketball courts to out-of-control parents at Little League games, unsportsmanlike behavior can be a problem.

Now, some high school sporting officials in Washington state are considering tough new rules -- including a ban on booing.

Those who support the ban say that too often, spectators are cruel.

"It's the organized effort to try to intimidate or try to make fun of someone that becomes personal in nature that can escalate then into other concerns that we might have," said Mike Colbrese, executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Colbrese and his colleagues said they have trouble hiring coaches and referees because of the abuse they take. By banning booing from the stands, they believe they can create a more welcoming environment on the court and field.

Experts agree that behavior at school sports events is not what it used to be.

"Parents are more intense, family members are more intense, siblings are more intense," said Christine Brennan, a USA Today sports columnist and ABC News consultant. "Everything is ratcheted up."

The Interscholastic Association claims it just wants to reinforce good sportsmanship.

"I'm trying to figure out why people think booing is acceptable in the first place," Colbrese said.

This Colbrese guy is a tool.

[CreepDogg]

I think it's stupid, and agree that guy's a tool, but they have a right to do it at the events they're sponsoring.

I don't think it has anything to do with freedom of speech - the schools are putting on the event - they can define the conditions under which they'll allow you to attend. A symphony or opera would probably kick you out if you were to stand up and boo during the performance. You are free to find another forum in which to express how whatever team/athlete sucks.

[marden]

Originally Posted by CreepDogg 

I think it's stupid, and agree that guy's a tool, but they have a right to do it at the events they're sponsoring.

I don't think it has anything to do with freedom of speech - the schools are putting on the event - they can define the conditions under which they'll allow you to attend. A symphony or opera would probably kick you out if you were to stand up and boo during the performance. You are free to find another forum in which to express how whatever team/athlete sucks.

It's a slippery slope and when we consider what's normal and customary this potential boo ban could spread and then the lawmakers would feel empowered to legislate our rights away under the guise of political correctness.

It is not as innocent as it might appear on the surface.

The road to HELL is paved with good intentions!

[Atomic Rooster]

Sports is not a democracy.

Look on the back of any ticket. They rule.

[marden]

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster 

Sports is not a democracy.

We are talking about conditioning the American public to accept our freedoms being taken away in small bites.

The Cartoon Riots were about what? Does anyone remember?

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster 

Look on the back of any ticket. They rule.

We are talking about changing the entire relationship of sport and spectating. As well as eroding American's freedoms.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

These quasi-veiled political threads are getting tiresome in here. Take it to the Pol.

greg

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by marden 

It's a slippery slope and when we consider what's normal and customary this potential boo ban could spread and then the lawmakers would feel empowered to legislate our rights away under the guise of political correctness.

It is not as innocent as it might appear on the surface.

The road to HELL is paved with good intentions!

That's just it. There's no 'right' being taken away here. They've ALWAYS had the right to set rules to dictate appropriate behavior at their events. And the right to change them. There's no slope in this case because no one has gained or lost any rights.

And it may or may not be good intentions - either way I think it's stupid and the ban won't really accomplish what they want it to accomplish. I do understand why they're trying, though - there are a lot of asshat parents at sporting events these days. But banning booing is a stupid way to handle it.

[marden]

Originally Posted by CreepDogg 

That's just it. There's no 'right' being taken away here. They've ALWAYS had the right to set rules to dictate appropriate behavior at their events. And the right to change them. There's no slope in this case because no one has gained or lost any rights.

The expectation of fans is the right to cheer and boo at will. OF COURSE they would be taking away what we all expect at a sporting event, otherwise there's no story here.

The way to protest would be to boycott the games entirely and let the kids play to empty stands.

You say that would unfairly penalize the kids?

I say, no more so than this proposed ban.

[marden]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton 

These quasi-veiled political threads are getting tiresome in here. Take it to the Pol.

greg

I say YOU are getting tiresome. Why don't you go to Pol and burn there.

[Chuckit]

Wow, a supposedly controlled environment is trying to stop adults from harassing children? Hang on, let me try and find my outrage.

Wait, hang on, you're going to be even more pissed off about this one: You can't even shout "fire" in a crowded room! WTF?!?!!?!

[marden]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Wow, a supposedly controlled environment is trying to stop adults from harassing children? Hang on, let me try and find my outrage.

Wait, hang on, you're going to be even more pissed off about this one: You can't even shout "fire" in a crowded room! WTF?!?!!?!

Were we ever allowed to shout fire in the theater?

Was shouting fire in the theater ever an integral part of the theater going experience?

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by marden 

The way to protest would be to boycott the games entirely and let the kids play to empty stands.

You say that would unfairly penalize the kids?

I say, no more so than this proposed ban.

No - I think that would be fine. Fans have a right to boycott. That would be a forum in which they absolutely have the right to express themselves.

If they did, the association would suffer from diminishing the overall experience, not to mention some lost revenue, and probably remove the ban. It was stupid to begin with, right?

[Buckaroo]

Booooooooo. Keep the Booooo.

That's it, I am officially sick and tired of PC!


PC=Politicaly Correct

[marden]

Originally Posted by CreepDogg 

No - I think that would be fine. Fans have a right to boycott. That would be a forum in which they absolutely have the right to express themselves.

If they did, the association would suffer from diminishing the overall experience, not to mention some lost revenue, and probably remove the ban. It was stupid to begin with, right?

Their motivation was understandable but the act of banning would go too far.

[marden]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

Booooooooo. Keep the Booooo.

That's it, I am officially sick and tired of PC!


PC=Politicaly Correct

I'm with you, brother!

[Jawbone54]

Booooooooooo!!!

[marden]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Booooooooooo!!!

I cheer for your Booooooooooooooo!

Yay!

[Railroader]

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by marden 

Their motivation was understandable but the act of banning would go too far.

I agree that it's not really practical or a desirable outcome, but they have a right to enact and enforce the ban if they want. Their house (so to speak), their rules. It's "too far" only in the sense that it wouldn't really accomplish what they intend. They're not stripping you or anyone else of any constitutional rights, or even starting down a slope. They're just making a stupid rule that makes their events less fun for fans. You have a right to take your business elsewhere and attend an event where you're allowed to boo.

This isn't really news other than to show that this Washington Athletic Association or whatever lacks problem-solving skills.

[CreepDogg]

Originally Posted by Railroader