The punch line in this strip isn’t original. “Jocks vs Smocks” was a kvetch invented when I was in high school. All the grant money seemed to go towards sports with the arts left sadly behind. Sports always seemed to be highlighted and I don’t think anything’s changed! I’m as supportive as anyone when it comes to seeing our young people exercise, learn to work with a team, and enjoy competition, but what about the artists and actors, dancers, writers, and musicians out there? If you don’t believe these essential skills and creative abilities are as important as sports, you’re not thinking. Come on, Jocks! Look at it this way: you’re leaving the people who create the arenas, the lighting, the seating, the music, and the half time entertainment behind!
I read this comic at Lynn’s site so I can enjoy her comments. I would like to hug her for that comment!In my city, a new football stadium is being built; one that “everyone” said was sorely needed. But a study nine years ago of all the city’s recreation and cultural facilities gave ten recommendations. #1 recommendation was to build the 6-arena ice facility that was announced the day before the study was announced, #5 was to build two new swimming pools (too expensive, not gonna happen). #6 was to double the size of the City’s arts facility (lower priority than #5, so don’t expect that either). A new football stadium wasn’t in the consultant’s original TWENTY FIVE recommendations (I was able to read the initial report before it went to City Council). The only words about the old stadium were that the washrooms needed upgrading, and the artificial turf was in excellent shape. The report and suggestions were promptly ignored, and a new stadium was suddenly needed – by everyone who might profit by it. We’re paying for it with a property tax hike that is three times the size they claimed, and a debt that last longer than the new stadium. It will also holds fewer people than the old one can. The arts are on the radar here, so I moved from my dream jobAt the arts facility to a sports facility, a pool, where I see first-hand how desperately we Need those two new indoor pools. Our most popular pool has over a thousand children on waiting lists for summer swimming lessons.
comicsssfan: If it weren’t for football, you wouldn’t even have a band, which is why orchestra is so neglected. No sour grapes here, I am “disguised as a second trombone” and don’t even read tenor clef.
@ Paul or " Space: that’s “budgets” for you. Everyone who works in the civil service knows these things, and as long as I’ve been voting, not one candidate has ever spoken about tackling this issue.
@Saskfan: I hope next municipal election time this boondoggle will be front and centre! Considering the population increase in Saskatchewan over that last few years, why are the people so complacent? Why is no one making a fuss in the papers, TV or on social media?
Templo S.U.D. over 9 years ago
Interesting. “Jocks vs. smocks.”
USN1977 over 9 years ago
The root question is: Where does the money come from for all these arts and sports programs?
JanLC over 9 years ago
Lynn’s Notes:
The punch line in this strip isn’t original. “Jocks vs Smocks” was a kvetch invented when I was in high school. All the grant money seemed to go towards sports with the arts left sadly behind. Sports always seemed to be highlighted and I don’t think anything’s changed! I’m as supportive as anyone when it comes to seeing our young people exercise, learn to work with a team, and enjoy competition, but what about the artists and actors, dancers, writers, and musicians out there? If you don’t believe these essential skills and creative abilities are as important as sports, you’re not thinking. Come on, Jocks! Look at it this way: you’re leaving the people who create the arenas, the lighting, the seating, the music, and the half time entertainment behind!
Charlie Fogwhistle over 9 years ago
The jocks get their rewards in the form of concussions, early dementia and Parkinson’s. A little more spending to enhance the brain might be in order.
gosfreikempe over 9 years ago
I read this comic at Lynn’s site so I can enjoy her comments. I would like to hug her for that comment!In my city, a new football stadium is being built; one that “everyone” said was sorely needed. But a study nine years ago of all the city’s recreation and cultural facilities gave ten recommendations. #1 recommendation was to build the 6-arena ice facility that was announced the day before the study was announced, #5 was to build two new swimming pools (too expensive, not gonna happen). #6 was to double the size of the City’s arts facility (lower priority than #5, so don’t expect that either). A new football stadium wasn’t in the consultant’s original TWENTY FIVE recommendations (I was able to read the initial report before it went to City Council). The only words about the old stadium were that the washrooms needed upgrading, and the artificial turf was in excellent shape. The report and suggestions were promptly ignored, and a new stadium was suddenly needed – by everyone who might profit by it. We’re paying for it with a property tax hike that is three times the size they claimed, and a debt that last longer than the new stadium. It will also holds fewer people than the old one can. The arts are on the radar here, so I moved from my dream jobAt the arts facility to a sports facility, a pool, where I see first-hand how desperately we Need those two new indoor pools. Our most popular pool has over a thousand children on waiting lists for summer swimming lessons.
jppjr over 9 years ago
Well, where I live, they just approved money for a “splash toy” for the kids this summer while our streets need to have the patched patches patched
hippogriff over 9 years ago
comicsssfan: If it weren’t for football, you wouldn’t even have a band, which is why orchestra is so neglected. No sour grapes here, I am “disguised as a second trombone” and don’t even read tenor clef.
metagalaxy1970 over 9 years ago
Not just the arts/music that gets left behind, it’s also the sciences.
JennyJenkins over 9 years ago
@ Paul or " Space: that’s “budgets” for you. Everyone who works in the civil service knows these things, and as long as I’ve been voting, not one candidate has ever spoken about tackling this issue.
@Saskfan: I hope next municipal election time this boondoggle will be front and centre! Considering the population increase in Saskatchewan over that last few years, why are the people so complacent? Why is no one making a fuss in the papers, TV or on social media?
Carl Premium Member over 9 years ago
Remember the billionaires can’t find a place for the millionaires to play without your money.