Blazer Dancers must GO!!!

[Milkdud]

The only thing I have gotten from this thread is TSE support T&A!!

That is all....

[Agenda42]

So, giving people the option of not having to see that at a public basketball game is "pushing" my morals?

People already have the option of not watching the dancers. They're there because most of the people who come to the games enjoy them.

Unless, like I mentioned before, you think everyone should be watching that... as in, it is best that everyone sees it.

I would characterize this as pushing your morals. I try to avoid making judgements about what is best for others to see or not to see.

[baas9]

Its all about perspective. I'm not saying that it shouldn't happen, but I am saying it is not necessary. Am I going to avoid Blazer games or other sporting events because of it... no. But it is sometimes troubling that it is something that I do feel I should avoid or avert my eyes from and that is the point. Could a professional sporting event exist and still be entertaining without it? I believe so, and it wouldn't put people in the position to have to choose to watch or to try and find something else to look at.

It isn't even that big of a deal, and the woman who wrote the original article was out of line. But the idea that it is not something that is integral to the game and in fact might allow for more people to attend and support the team without being morally conflicted is worth noting.

Allowing for choice is not pushing morals... in fact it is allowing for everyone to chose for themselves without being criticized or marginalized.

[Agenda42]

But the idea that it is not something that is integral to the game and in fact might allow for more people to attend and support the team without being morally conflicted is worth noting.

This is definitely true, dancing girls are not integral for basketball. I'm pretty sure the team has done its homework and found that having the dancers is more entertaining for most fans.

[The Sebastian Express]

Twelve hours later and this woman still angers me.

If people want them to wear more clothing because they are bringing their children to the game I have no problem with that (even though I think compared to other teams they are wearing far more suitable outfits and don't see how it is really different from when I was a kid from 90-00). I just have a major problem with how she presented her argument as if the dancers are being objectified and it is a sexist act.

FEMINISTS MUST BE DESTROYED.

PS yes I play video games no I do not drink. I am Irish and have no ability to hold my alcohol.

[Wizenheimer]

The only thing I have gotten from this thread is TSE support T&A!!

That is all....

T&A...you must mean Telfair and Aldridge...we already knew that.

And I'm surprise people here didn't know she's a she. I knew the the moment she talked about making cinnamon toast during a game

[Wizenheimer]

Twelve hours later and this woman still angers me.

If people want them to wear more clothing because they are bringing their children to the game I have no problem with that (even though I think compared to other teams they are wearing far more suitable outfits and don't see how it is really different from when I was a kid from 90-00). I just have a major problem with how she presented her argument as if the dancers are being objectified and it is a sexist act.

FEMINISTS MUST BE DESTROYED.

PS yes I play video games no I do not drink. I am Irish and have no ability to hold my alcohol.

get a bigger glass with a heavy base. holds more and is hard to knock over

[baas9]

Twelve hours later and this woman still angers me.

If people want them to wear more clothing because they are bringing their children to the game I have no problem with that (even though I think compared to other teams they are wearing far more suitable outfits and don't see how it is really different from when I was a kid from 90-00). I just have a major problem with how she presented her argument as if the dancers are being objectified and it is a sexist act.

FEMINISTS MUST BE DESTROYED.

PS yes I play video games no I do not drink. I am Irish and have no ability to hold my alcohol.

I totally agree with you about how the woman went way over the top and tried to make some points that just are not valid. I actually was pretty close friends with two of the Blazer dancers (Betsy & Mindy... went to college with one and high school with the other) and I don't think either thought about being objectified or anything like that. They loved to dance and entertain. However, I think that both have different ideas about how they were perceived and what kind of message they were sending with a few of their routines. But often times, they were not the ones determining the dance routines. They were doing what they were asked to do and later they chose not to dance anymore.

Anyway, it isn't going to change, but that doesn't change the way I feel about it. It is up to me to deal with it that best way I can just like everyone else.

[pdxblazers92087]

ok.....baas and anyone else complaining.... not sure how much you know about events but a basketball game is TECHNICALLY a private event. You cant just wonder in off the streets and waltz into the front row and have some HOT women shake her goodies in your face. You don't HAVE to go to a blazers game or watch it. Do people force you to watch Cinemax after 10pm on week nights?

I want you to tell me something. If you saw something a woman dressed like a blazers dancer in public (since that's your gripe) what would you do? Go to the beach and complain about how some girl is in a bikini to a life guard and watch them laugh at you. Better yet go say it to a peace officer you'll get a very similar reaction.

You act as if the blazers dancers are doing something like i dunno dancing topless that isnt legal in a public place.

A woman can walk around Portland ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL day in way less clothes than the blazers dancers and guess what its 100% ok with State and Federal law.

[baas9]

ok.....baas and anyone else complaining.... not sure how much you know about events but a basketball game is TECHNICALLY a private event. You cant just wonder in off the streets and waltz into the front row and have some HOT women shake her goodies in your face. You don't HAVE to go to a blazers game or watch it. Do people force you to watch Cinemax after 10pm on week nights?

I want you to tell me something. If you saw something a woman dressed like a blazers dancer in public (since that's your gripe) what would you do? Go to the beach and complain about how some girl is in a bikini to a life guard and watch them laugh at you. Better yet go say it to a peace officer you'll get a very similar reaction.

You act as if the blazers dancers are doing something like i dunno dancing topless that isnt legal in a public place.

A woman can walk around Portland ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL day in way less clothes than the blazers dancers and guess what its 100% ok with State and Federal law.

I'm not talking about legality, I'm simply talking about necessity and preference. If I took my kids to the beach and there were things I would not like them to be exposed to, I would move down the beach. A Blazer game is quite different because there is no other alternative. Also, it is not just the Blazers, it is all sports that utilize cheerleaders or dancers for entertainment. My argument is that it is not necessary and therefore not something I would like to have to avoid. But, like I mentioned before, it is a reality and one that I am prepared to deal with, so you can point your attacks elsewhere... maybe at someone who is not being rational in their arguments.

I'm not trying to be the morality police, but it would be nice not to have to deal with it at a sporting event when we already have to deal with it on TV and in many public places that are difficult to avoid. It is sad to me that so many people care more about their own entertainment than they do about the affects of that entertainment on those who don't need to be exposed to it. Like I mentioned before, I would prefer that if people want to see that, they have plenty of opportunity in the Portland area... it doesn't have to be at a Blazer game.

[Agenda42]

The only thing I have gotten from this thread is TSE support T&A!!

That is all....

T&A...you must mean Telfair and Aldridge...we already knew that.

And I'm surprise people here didn't know she's a she. I knew the the moment she talked about making cinnamon toast during a game

Uh oh. I love cinnamon toast.

[The Sebastian Express]

The only thing I have gotten from this thread is TSE support T&A!!

That is all....

T&A...you must mean Telfair and Aldridge...we already knew that.

And I'm surprise people here didn't know she's a she. I knew the the moment she talked about making cinnamon toast during a game

Uh oh. I love cinnamon toast.

It is clear you have the lady bits as well. Let us revel in our femininity.

[mojomarc]

Agenda--is that you???

[BBen]

As a female I loathe women like the author of this blog post. Not everything is a degrading act towards women and not everything involving females is some sexist act that requires a feminist getting involved.

Women are not being objectified here on the whole; sure, I bet there a few people out there who are objectifying them but not everyone. How many people in the crowd are going "damn those girls are hot dancers I bet that's the only thing they're good at lololololol FLASH THAT ASS GIRL!!!!"?

This post is more humorous to me because the author, Sophia, is a notorious Batum fan-girl. Infact I am pretty positive she has often commented on how cute he is (please note I have no problem with this as I am sure we are all aware of my love for one LaMarcus Aldridge), and IIRC has called him gorgeous a time or two.

How is that not objectifying men? How many women go to games and comment on how cute or handsome a guy is? Especially in light of the fact that men are usually sweaty (akin to being oiled up) and their muscles all flexed. How often do you find girls (and gay guys; speaking of this her use of needing entertainment that targets more than men does she assume that sports teams have no lesbian fans who also appreciate the dancers?) who aren't really fan of sports for sports but just because a guy is cute/good-looking?

It is just as "objectifying" if a woman does that to a man but feminists often overlook this part in their attempts to ride some universal call of "WOMEN ARE TREATED HORRIBLY STILL THEY ARE FORCED TO BE DANCERS EVEN IN THE FREE WORLD" (please note I am very aware that in several middle-eastern countries women are treated like crap but that is not a feminist issue that is a human rights issue).

These dancers dance because they want to and it is a job 41 days of the year where they get to entertain a large crowd (of yes mostly men and teenage boys). They are free to quit at any time, they are free to disagree with their outfits and suggest changes, and much to the dismay of feminists around the world they are free to like the job they do! Even if they are somewhat scantily clad and offer mindless entertainment.

This is not 'the man' holding down women, this is not an issue that needs to be discussed or rallied around, this is not objectifying women - this is once again a feminist making an issue out of nothing just to make an issue.

Now if you'll excuse me I am going to go look at promo photos of LaMarcus and objectify him.

Edit: Wow go me I totally forgot one big issue I wanted to address at the end of her post.

In addition I loathe feminists (and a lot of activists) even more because a lot of them are very self-righteous. This woman has no right to question the parenting of the Blazers Jr dancers in any way shape or form. The only way they would ever be doing their daughters a disservice is if they taught them that dancing in questionable outfits was all they had to offer in life.

While the dancing for the kids is a bit uh.. too grown up at times it is something the kids want to do and it is innocent fun to them. I highly doubt that these parents are putting it in their heads that this is their purpose in life and that is the only way they'll be considered beautiful, smart, creative, etc.

This woman needs to get a grip.

+1

[SabasRevenge!]

The dancers are a part of the show and if people don't like them, they don't have to go to the games.

The Blazer dancers are incredibly tame compared with what kids can see on network TV or (the limitless flavors of porn) on the internet. Anyone who thinks their 12 year old hasn't already seen a playboy is fooling themselves and I would imagine that most elementary school age kids have seen and probably been very confused by some random sex act they saw on the internet.

The vast, vast majority of the crowd either enjoys or doesn't care about the Blazers dancers and the amount of the crowd who opposes them is probably a minuscule minority. They can spout off like blowhards if they want, but the ultra-majority of fans who like the dancers will get their way.

I have personally known a few Blazers dancers and each one of them loved the work as a part time job. One of my friends who was a dancer is now getting work down in LA and her experience as a Blazer dancer really helped her as a professional dancer.

The idea that they're just silly little ditzes with excellent bodies and no brains who really don't know any better is insulting and sexist.

Also, there's nothing wrong with appreciating the dancing and bodies that they've worked hard for. While the routines may be secondary for most of us, their skill as dancers sets them apart from boxing's round card girls and adds an element that can be enjoyable to the whole audience, regardless of gender.

[DaVoiceMaster]

baas, it may not be necessary, but neither is anything else at the Blazer games. The guys shooting t-shirts up into the stands isn't necessary. The people coming around selling concessions isn't necessary. The announcer isn't necessary cuz I'm watching the game and can see what's going on. None of it is necessary, but I enjoy all of it. If people don't want to watch the dancers, then look away, go to the concession stand or bathroom during timeouts, or just don't come to the games at all. They don' t show em on tv so grab a seat on the couch and watch it I guess.

[TBpup]

FEMINISTS MUST BE DESTROYED.

PS yes I play video games no I do not drink. I am Irish and have no ability to hold my alcohol.

I think I'm in love.... Time to hold onto my own shorts.

In all seriousness, great post TSE. I respect those who think it might go a little too far but also think we as a country have gone off the deep end in terms of bending over backwards to always be politically correct. Thanks for the female perspective.

[JD45]

The Houston dancer dunk routine is the most impressive one I have seen.

Blazer dancers need to learn to do that.

[ucatchtrout]

But the idea that it is not something that is integral to the game and in fact might allow for more people to attend and support the team without being morally conflicted is worth noting.

This is definitely true, dancing girls are not integral for basketball. I'm pretty sure the team has done its homework and found that having the dancers is more entertaining for most fans.

Yeah. Beer isn't integral to basketball either. Maybe we should ban alcohol too. Keep drunk drivers off the road and eliminate boorish behavior and make certain our children are not exposed to alcohol and those who drink it.

[Agenda42]

Yeah. Beer isn't integral to basketball either. Maybe we should ban alcohol too. Keep drunk drivers off the road and eliminate boorish behavior and make certain our children are not exposed to alcohol and those who drink it.

I'd much rather ban alcohol than hot chicks.