Go team!!

As we've moved through a very exciting weekend of traditional sports match ups, I've been struck by the various ways fans choose to express their enthusiasm and loyalty.  Heaven knows we need more examples of true commitment to a cause, to a belief, to a passion, but we also must remind our children how to express it with grace and dignity and respect for others and themselves.  Team spirit, economic theory, religious beliefs, whatever the position, what lies in one's heart deserves intelligence and wisdom in its public presentation.  Okay, sports might be less serious than other areas, but the concept is the same.  Wooohoooo for our team, our peeps are the best, we will win, go get 'em, I'm standing up for my colors, my school, my city.  That's healthy, of course, but I see no call for vulgar and nasty in healthy competition of any kind.  If our children learn the wrong way to cheer FOR a team (by only cheering AGAINST the other), then how can we expect them to turn into adults who can work together finding common ground for real progress and at the same time stand strong for what they believe?  I'm not trying to dampen anyone's spirit, but it's just something to think about now and then.  Good taste and good sportsmanship never got in the way of  a fired up, give 'em hell, play with all your heart and soul, take the big prize, in your face, hard-fought VICTORY.  That's what I'm talkin' about...yeah!