2-4-6-8: WHO DO WE INVESTIGATE?

Byline: JIM GORDON

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www.theantifanblog.com

What is with Texas cheerleaders?

In August, varsity cheerleaders at Morton Ranch High School reportedly decided it would be a good idea to go to the homes of the junior-varsity cheerleaders, grab them, blindfold them, bind their hands, take them to a swimming pool -- and throw them in.

Recalled a 15-year-old, "I could hear some of the other members yelling, 'I can't swim. I can't swim. Stop. Please don't push me in,' " she said.

While the Katy school district officials investigated the hazing incident, cheerleading activities at Morton Ranch were suspended, leading the father of one of the accused to say he wished the probe had been completed before the little darlings were sidelined.

"It makes them look guilty," he complained.

Now that the probe has been completed, cheerleading at Morton Ranch has been suspended for the entire school year.

Then in October, cheerleaders at Nacogdoches High School thought it would be a good idea to spice up a pep rally skit with a mock execution of that week's rival cheerleaders from Central High.

As chronicled in this column Oct. 10 (and available on the Anti-Fan blog), the skit resulted in protests, a critical school newspaper editorial, then censorship and an inane defense of the skit by the school principal -- in other words, lot of bad publicity for dear, old Nacogdoches High.

And this month at Chapin High School in El Paso, members of the "Sapphire" dance team thought it would be a good idea to lace brownies and cupcakes with laxatives -- and perhaps Clorox and other household products -- before a gift exchange with dancers from Andress High.

The desserts were confiscated before they could be given -- thank God -- and now three members of the Chapin dance team have been suspended while an investigation proceeds.

Oh, and unlike the probe at Morton Ranch, this one is being conducted by people with badges. While the Chapin "little darlings" admitted lacing the goodies with two boxes of laxatives, there also are allegations that bleach and rat poison were added.

Police have sent the food to a lab for analysis, and Andress High parents say they will press charges.

Two questions and answers:

1) Is any of this surprising? Not really. After all, Texas is the state that gave us the "Texas-Cheerleader-Murdering-Mom."

2) Will there be more bizarre cheerleading incidents out of Texas this year? Heck, yes -- it's only mid-November.

Contact Jim Gordon at [e-mail].

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